ACTION REQUIRED: End of Year Update! Shipping, MPCs, and More!
5 months ago – Thu, Dec 14, 2023 at 07:06:42 AM

Hi Necromolds Backers and Supporters,

I hope you are having a great time with family and friends this holiday season as we wrap up 2023! Today's update might be the last before the new year... and it's an important one! It includes critical actions that all backers must take, as well as some fun previews of what you have to look forward to in 2024.

Final shipping costs have been added to BackerKit, which means you have some final steps to take to complete your pledge. Failure to complete these steps before January 4th, 2024 may result in delayed fulfillment and/or increased fulfillment costs.

I've organized the required actions into three backer-specific sections:

• All Non-Retail Backers (including late pledge backers) 
• Non-US Retail Backers
• US Retail Backers

Now let's get into it!

ALL NON-RETAIL BACKERS (+ LATE PLEDGE): ACTION REQUIRED

Your BackerKit pledge survey has been updated with your final shipping costs. There are four important actions you must take before January 4th, 2024.

1. Log into your BackerKit survey using this link:  https://necromolds-call-to-arms-expansion.backerkit.com/ 

2. Review your order's final shipping cost.

3. Confirm that your payment information is up to date. Payments will be processed on January 4th, 2024.

4. Confirm or update your shipping address. Shipments are expected to begin in late January 2024.

I'd recommend being proactive and taking these steps now. BackerKit will also send a reminder email around January 1st with links to update your address and payment information.

That's it!

NON-US RETAIL BACKERS: ACTION REQUIRED

Your BackerKit pledge survey has been updated with your final shipping costs. There are four important actions you must take before January 4th, 2024.

1. Log into your BackerKit survey using this link:  https://necromolds-call-to-arms-expansion.backerkit.com/ 

2. Review your order's final shipping cost. These should match the cost estimates that I directly contacted you about via email.

3. Confirm that your payment information is up to date. Payments will be processed on January 4th, 2024.

4. Confirm or update your shipping address. Shipments are expected to begin in late January 2024.

US RETAIL BACKERS: ACTION REQUIRED

Because of the Holiday season, it is taking additional time to receive final shipping estimates for your retail orders. Since retail orders are often heavier with higher item counts, the estimates are custom to your order.

Your BackerKit pledge survey has been updated with a stand-in shipping cost that will function as a deposit on shipping. These stand-in shipping costs were calculated using a weight chart provided by our US fulfillment partner. Any order that is 30 lbs or heavier will list a $75 shipping deposit rate.

To keep the freight and fulfillment process moving forward, I need to process the BackerKit orders using these shipping deposit rates.

Your pledge and shipping deposit will be processed on January 4th, 2024. If I receive your actual shipping estimate before Jan. 4th, I'll let you know!

Before shipping your order, I'll send a final invoice for any remaining shipping costs.

There are four important actions you must take before January 4th, 2024.

1. Log into your BackerKit survey using this link:  https://necromolds-call-to-arms-expansion.backerkit.com/ 

2. Review your order's shipping deposit.

3. Confirm that your payment information is up to date. Payments will be processed on January 4th, 2024.

4. Confirm or update your shipping address. Shipments are expected to begin in late January 2024.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to message me. Our US fulfillment partner and I will work to get you the best shipping rates possible for your order.

In the future, post-Kickstarter fulfillment, our wholesale order system will be streamlined for an easier ordering experience for our retailers.

★★★The rest of this update is an optional read and requires no actions for you to take!★★★

Alright. With all of that important stuff out of the way, let's take a quick peek at our timeline:

Progress Report

• ☐ Mass production. [COMPLETE]
• ☐ Recieve Master Print Copies [COMPLETE]
• ☐ Safety Testing [COMPLETE]
• ☐ Complete assembly and palletize for freight [IN-PROGRESS] <<<<<<
• ☐ Begin ocean freight. [December 15th]
•  ☐ Send final shipping costs via BackerKit [IN-PROGRESS] <<<<<< 
• ☐ Process final shipping payments [January 4th]
• ☐ Transport inventory from port to warehouse. [January 15th]
• ☐ Begin US fulfillment. [January 26th]
• ☐ Fulfillment complete. [January 31st]

Generally, we're on track with October's timeline update. The factory is currently working to finish assembly and palletize everything for freight. Once they're finished, we'll be able to begin the ocean freight process. I've asked the factory for a timeline update on when they expect to be ready for freight to begin.

The MPCs Arrived!

At the end of November, the Master Print Copies (MPCs) of everything arrived!

The arrival of the MPCs meant that the factory had completed manufacturing. My task was to review the MPCs and provide any final feedback or direction to the factory.

Overall, everything looked great and I provided the factory with some feedback (which they've already worked to address). Below are some images of the MPC components, but honestly, the PPCs were so good that the photos I shared in that massive update still do a fantastic job showing everything off!

Note: I still need to keep these MPCs in pristine condition for updating the website with new product photography in January, so I didn't take a ton of new photos... but I did take a few!

As shown in a previous update, the new spell clay container sticker looks really rad. Part of my design inspiration for this sticker was the glow-in-the-dark plasti-goop sold by Creepy Crawlers in the 90s!

The Necromold monsters themselves are still looking great! Again, check out the PPC update for even more pictures.

Here is a quick pic of what the player area looks like when playing with the Call to Arms expansion. You have your Necrocaster board, soul card, artifact card, icon reference card, and of course your Necromold spellbooks!

Probably the biggest hands-on difference between the PPCs and the MPCs is that the new punchboard components were machine-manufactured instead of handmade. The result is that the 3D graveyard terrain set included in the Call to Arms Expansion has crisp edges and is easy to assemble!

Here is a shot of the Call to Arms box, along with the component tray that is inside.

Between the Battle Box and the Call to Arms box, you'll have room for all of your spellbooks and components (besides extra containers of Spell Clay). When you have everything, plus the 4 player upgrades, the space gets pretty tight! I'll end up creating an unboxing and reboxing video next month to show you how I prefer to store everything.

Also, I've started updating the official website with the latest product images! Keep an eye out for more updates over the next two months.

Finally, because we're manufacturing a full batch of enamel pins, it seemed like a great opportunity to create a new design for this Kickstarter instead of using the 2019 design. Included in every I WANT EVERYTHING pledge, the collectible glow-in-the-dark Necromolds enamel pin will make any hat or backpack monstrous!

Did you miss the Kickstarter?

No worries! Sign up for our email notification at necromolds.com.

All inventory remaining after Kickstarter fulfillment is complete will be added to our webstore, for US and international shipping!

Social Channels

•  Discord 
•  Facebook 
•  Instagram 
•  Twitter/X 

What else have you been up to?

Well, a lot!

First, the last several months have been about securing the best shipping costs for all of our backers by working with fulfillment partners from around the globe. If you recall, our original fulfillment partner went out of business last year. Although the shipping estimates they provided were from July 2022, I'm proud to say that overall I've been able to hold close to those estimates, or in some cases, reduce those costs!

Of course, there is also the time spent making sure everything is continuing to move forward and keeping tabs on the manufacturing progress.

Besides all of that, I've been working with some talented artists on a couple of top-secret Necromolds projects that I'm hoping to release sometime in 2024! Keep an eye out for more info in the future.

Upcoming Events

On December 19th, I'll be joining Adam and Jon on their podcast The Dice Abide to talk about game design!

In early January, I'll be one of the speakers taking part in the virtual 2024 Indie RPG Creator Summit being hosted by Goodman Games and BackerKit. It was an honor to be asked to speak since Dungeon Crawl Classics is one of my all-time favorite RPGs! I'll be speaking on January 9th from 10 am to 11 am CT.

Thank you again for keeping up to date with the latest campaign news! Now get those BackerKit pledges finalized and let me know what you think in the comments below!

- Clint

Retail Backers — Don't Miss the November 15th Deadline!
6 months ago – Thu, Nov 09, 2023 at 07:02:45 AM

This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.

Important Fulfillment Update + Action Required from RETAIL backers!
6 months ago – Wed, Oct 25, 2023 at 05:12:18 PM

Hi Necromolds backers and supporters!

If you've been keeping up-to-date with our Official Kickstarter Updates, you'll know that I've been working to put together an updated fulfillment timeline. I've finally received an update from the manufacturing team on when they expect everything to be ready for ocean freight.

The team estimates that they'll be completed with manufacturing and assembly by December 8th. That means that US fulfillment is estimated to begin in late January 2024. 

Backers located outside of the US are also estimated to have their orders fulfilled sometime in January. During our first Kickstarter campaign, ocean freight to the UK and EU went faster than freight to the US, meaning those backers received their orders earlier.

Please keep in mind that these dates are still estimates and could change. As always, I'll keep you up to date if anything changes.

Progress Report

• ☐ Mass production. [IN-PROGRESS] 
• ☐ Recieve Master Print Copies [November 20th]
• ☐ Begin ocean freight. [December 15th]
• ☐ Send final shipping costs via BackerKit [December 15th]
• ☐ Process final shipping payments [January 1st]
• ☐ Transport inventory from port to warehouse. [January 15th]
• ☐ Begin US fulfillment. [January 26th]
• ☐ Fulfillment complete. [January 31st]

Retailers - ACTION REQUIRED

Now that we have an updated fulfillment estimate of late January 2024, please make any final changes to your retail pledges in BackerKit.

RETAIL PLEDGE BACKERKIT DEADLINE: November 15th, 2023

Link to BackerKit pledge survey: https://necromolds-call-to-arms-expansion.backerkit.com/

Retailer pledges will be locked on November 16th, 2023. That will give me time to calculate and invoice your shipping costs in early December.

 If you have any questions, please message me directly on Kickstarter.

Final Shipping Charges

Once we complete manufacturing and begin freight, you will receive an email from BackerKit asking you to confirm your shipping address and process your final shipping payment. If your address or payment on file has changed, you'll also be able to update them at that time.

What's Next? Master Print Copies!

Since returning from the Golden Week holiday, the manufacturing team has been quite busy! If you're in our Necromolds Discord group, you'll have seen some photos of the revised plastic trays and other in-progress pics.

The next big milestone is for the factory to ship me the Master Print Copies (MPC). These are full retail copies of all our manufactured products hot off the assembly line!

If you'd like a preview of what to expect, here are the MPCs from the first Kickstarter.

When I receive the MPCs next month, I'll post another big update with plenty of pics and details! I can't wait!

Like you, I was really hoping that we'd be able to start fulfillment in mid-December prior to the holidays. It was a goal my production manager shared, and one we discussed during our meeting at Gen Con. Although we won't begin fulfillment until January, I'll continue to communicate with the team and make sure I'm doing everything I can to allow for the campaign to progress as quickly as possible.

If you have any questions, please feel free to message me here on Kickstarter or our other social channels.

Thanks again for keeping up to date on the latest Necromolds news and have a spooky October!

- Clint

End of Summer Recap: Gen Con, Spell Clay, and More!
7 months ago – Tue, Oct 03, 2023 at 12:31:16 PM

★★★This update is optional and requires no actions for you to take!★★★

Hi Necromolds backers and supporters!

This is a follow-up to the short update I published last month. As we all wait on the updated timeline from the manufacturing team, I want to share with you everything else we've accomplished in August and September.

Since sending the factory all of our digital files in the early summer, my main focus has been to swiftly provide the manufacturing team with any feedback or file revisions they request. The farther we've gotten into the production process, the less frequent those requests have been.

For example, two weeks ago the team requested a visual spec sheet breaking down all of our products and their components. Since we have quite a few products, the document will help prevent any potential confusion during the assembly process. After taking photos of every package and component, I built and delivered the document to the team.

The last couple of months have been filled with small but necessary tasks like this to keep the production process moving forward. I will continue to work with the manufacturing team to make sure they can complete manufacturing as soon as possible. As I learn more about the progress they've made, I'll be sure to share it with you all.

Progress Report (Estimated dates coming soon)

• ☑ Review and provide feedback on the PPC. [COMPLETE]
• ☑ Begin mass production. [COMPLETE]
• ☑ Request an updated manufacturing timeline.[IN-PROGRESS]
• ☐ Mass production. [IN-PROGRESS] <<<
• ☐Begin ocean freight.
• ☐Transport inventory from port to warehouse.
• ☐Warehouse receives inventory.
• ☐ Begin Fulfillment.
• ☐Fulfillment complete (!!!!).

Important Note: After the last Kickstarter update, I requested a revised timeline from the manufacturing team. My manufacturing manager expects an update next week, once the team returns from the national Golden Week holiday (October 1st through October 7th).

The revised manufacturing timeline will determine if it's still possible to fulfill before the end of this year, or if it will be early next year. Fulfillment prior to the holidays is something my manufacturing manager and I have been pushing for. Ocean freight to the warehouse typically takes 30 days. Fulfillment from the warehouse to backers typically takes 1 week. That only leaves us with 45 days for manufacturing and assembly to complete. I'd bet on early next year, but I'll continue to do everything I can to expedite the process.

Reminders and Next Steps

Shipping and Fulfillment

Once we complete manufacturing and begin freight, you will receive an email from BackerKit asking you to confirm your shipping address and process your shipping payment. If your address has changed, you'll also be able to update it at that time.

Retailers

Retailer backers will be asked to finalize their orders after we complete manufacturing.

Gen Con 2023

In early August, I packed my car full of Necromolds stuff and drove over to Indiana to attend Gen Con 2023 as an exhibitor. There, I was joined by Zane Messina, Necromolds' Master of Lore, to help run our booth.

Together we demoed the core game, showed off the Call to Arms expansion PPCs, and sold some rad MOLD 'EM FIGHT 'EM SMASH 'EM battle tees! Although this year's Gen Con was attended by over 70,000 visitors, I somehow managed to keep my voice the whole way through!

Not having copies of the game to sell didn't stop the convention from being an extremely memorable and rewarding experience. Here are two of my highlights:

Meeting Kickstarter Backers and Necromolds Fans

I want to give a huge shout-out to all of our Necromolds fans and Kickstarter backers who stopped by the booth to say hi. It's not often that I get the chance to thank those who've helped make this all happen in person. Being able to show off the PPCs and give you a sneak peek at the lore book was a treat!

Introducing Necromolds to New People

Going to conventions is always a great reminder of how unknown Necromolds still is! I've been working on it every day since 2017, so it's easy for me to forget that there are people out there who've never heard of Necromolds yet. Hopefully, we can change that once we all have our copies in hand! :P

I absolutely love sharing Necromolds with new people! There's nothing more satisfying than seeing the eyes of kids and adults light us as I walk them through my favorite parts of the game.

I only wish I had an opportunity to take more pictures during the convention.

Thank you again to everyone who made the time to visit the booth this year! In the future, I'm really looking forward to scheduled games, organized play, and maybe even a tournament!

PPC Feedback and Changes

Gen Con was also an opportunity for me to meet with my production partners at Panda Games Manufacturing. We've been working together since the first Kickstarter campaign in 2019, but this was the first time I've met them in person.

Together, we reviewed the PPCs and my feedback. We also discussed ways the production team could keep things moving forward—like starting manufacturing on the approved components while they worked on addressing my feedback.

What type of feedback did I have on the PPCs?

As you can see in our Kickstarter Update featuring the PPCs, overall everything looked really great! All of my feedback was pretty nuanced, with most of it involving color and print adjustments.

For some components, like the deluxe distance tool, the team provided multiple samples for me to choose from. These samples were different in their plastic colors and/or flexibility.

All of the feedback was delivered in early August, shortly after Gen Con.

Revised PPC Samples

On September 18th, I received a package from the factory with revised components based on my August PPC feedback—along with the team's first pass at the plastic storage trays.

The revised components looked great, and beyond some final direction for the team, were approved.

This package also included the Spell Clay samples, which were missing in the original PPC.

At this point, the trays are the only outstanding component left to be finalized prior to assembly. I've been reassured by the team that the tray design and manufacturing process is fast and easy, and will not cause delays in our timeline.

The storage trays are always the last component that the production team designs, as they require all of the other components to be finalized. That way everything fits just right!

Revised Monster Pack Tray

The first printing of the Monster Packs used two separate plastic pieces for storing the components in the packaging (shown in the image below). Although the trays are recyclable, I felt like we could reduce the amount of plastic required in this print run by revising the design.

Although the team was able to design a single tray that fit all of the components (not shown), the design they created didn't do a great job showcasing the spellbooks in the packaging window. Knowing that the design required was pretty specific due to space limitations, I took the time to create a 3D mock-up for them to use as a reference.

Call to Arms Tray

The Call to Arms tray holds all of the game components AND has room for all of the Series 1X spellbooks. Plus, there's additional room to store caster rings or future spellbooks.

Besides the additional Spell Clay that's included in the monster packs, you should be able to store all of your game components and spellbooks between the Battle Box and the Call to Arms box. Of course, you can always ditch the tray for some additional space.

I've already provided detailed feedback and direction to the team on both of the trays. The revised plastic trays should be completed sometime next week (when the factory returns from the Golden Week holiday).

Digital Rulebook Translations

With manufacturing underway, I've been working with our translators to finalize the digital translations of Necromolds into French, German, and Japanese.

The digital translations include:

• Necromolds Core Rulebook
• Necromolds Call to Arm Expansion Rulebook
• Shared Play Cards
• Soul Cards
• Necrocaster Player Boards

With these translated components, our international players will have everything they need to enjoy and share the game with non-English family and friends. These translations will all be made available as free PDFs on our website. 

That's all for now!

It's been a busy couple of months, but it feels good to know that everything is being manufactured! I'll continue to check in with the manufacturing team and provide progress updates to you as I learn them. Until manufacturing is complete, my future updates will be pretty short and focused on the manufacturing progress and timeline.

Thanks again for keeping up to date on the latest Necromolds news! As always, feel free to message me with any questions.

- Clint

Quick Progress Report
8 months ago – Tue, Sep 12, 2023 at 06:32:23 AM

★★★This update is an optional read and requires no actions for you to take!★★★

Hi Necromolds backers and supporters!

It's hard to believe that it has already been 1 year since we kicked off this campaign! I'm currently drafting a larger next update, but because it's been over a month since my last big official Kickstarter Update (excluding the micro-updates I leave in the comments), I wanted to send out this updated progress report:

Updated Progress Report

• ☑ Review and provide feedback on the PPC. [COMPLETE]
• ☐ Begin mass production. [IN-PROGRESS]
• ☐Request an updated manufacturing timeline.
• ☐ Mass production complete.
• ☐Begin ocean freight.
• ☐Transport inventory from port to warehouse.
• ☐ Begin Fulfillment.
• ☐Fulfillment complete (!!!!).
  

As you might notice in the progress report above, I've removed most of our "complete" milestones and added all of the milestones that stand between us and fulfillment.

The biggest news is that mass production has officially started!

A lot has happened over the last month: Gen Con, PPC feedback, digital translation progress, and more! All of this will be detailed in my next update, so stay tuned.

I hope you all have a great week and I look forward to sharing more soon!

- Clint