Full Steam Ahead in 2023!
over 1 year ago
– Mon, Jan 23, 2023 at 12:53:23 AM
Hello backers and welcome to those who have jumped on board with a late pledge. We just wanted to get in touch and let everyone know what we're working on and our progress behind the scenes. We hope everyone had a good break over the holiday season and got to enjoy time with friends and family, maybe even got a few games to your table!
Core Game Design
There are not a lot of changes to the core game design at this stage as everything had gone through an extensive play testing and review cycle prior to launching on Kickstarter. However we continue to look at ways we can improve your game experience and also how new elements such as mini-expansions, solo-mode and new critters (Rascal the Fox) interact with those systems.
First Player Marker
One of our stretch goals was to introduce a first player marker with an additional rule which applies to it's use. The first player marker takes the shape of a Wild Fruit (colourful star) and will be awarded each round to the player with the highest numbered forage card in hand. This gives a clear indication where the turn order starts from each round but also provides an added bonus, if you are in possession of the marker at the end of a season you can spend the Wild Fruit on completing reserved recipes or trying to feed your critter. We have found this a great little addition to the game and definitely adds some strategy and decision making with the increased incentive to try and retain high forage cards from previous rounds in an attempt to grab the marker in the last round of a season!
Forage Location Bonus Actions
Previously the 3 forage locations, Pinecrest Ridge, Greenvale and Pebblebrook were all identical other than name. This means that for the players selecting their location first, it was largely a random decision (except for the case of Lottie the Otter who has advantages at Pebblebrook). What we have introduced is a minor ability that may be taken when visiting a specific location. Pinecrest Ridge allows you to stash a food card from your hand, at Greenvale you can draw a couple of extra cards and at Pebblebrook you can filter through the top couple of cards before foraging. Each location serves a purpose and can assist you differently depending on your circumstances and what you're trying to achieve. This also means you can make a more educated guess about what other players might try to do based on what you know of their strategy.
Card Design
We've made some very subtle changes to card designs with an aim to increase visibility and legibility on the table as well as provide more instant recognition of effects and cut down on word count and complexity by creating icons to represent common instructions or abilities. Below are a couple of examples of the adjustments in effect:
Testing is going well for this set of Trick cards. All the critters have a new trick which we believe is characterful, thematic and ties into the core strategy/play styles of each critter. As you can imagine much of the testing now is balancing the relative power of each critter, not only the new tricks with each other but also how they interact with the existing 18 cards. That's a lot of games to play!
The main decision left to make with this set is how to apply it to the main game. Our 2 options are:
- Each player picks 3 of the 4 available trick cards to include in their critter deck, the not used card is removed from the game.
- Each player includes the extra trick card in their critter deck, increasing the deck size to 11 and allowing a higher frequency of trick cards to be played.
At this stage we are leaning toward option 2, both variations work well and there doesn't seem to be much argument to not include all the content in each game. The more tricks the merrier!
Something Eventful Mini Expansion
Again testing is going well, I can see some people liking the variation and randomness that this set provides to the game and others preferring without. The event cards are shuffled throughout the foraging decks and when revealed, the game is momentarily paused while the event is resolved and then play continues. Many of these events are beneficial to players and a couple are problematic, there is some variation and luck in how effected each player is due to their circumstances.
The main decision making in the design of this set is controlling the frequency that these cards appear and how disruptive they become to the normal flow and progress. The easiest option, with minimal set-up complication is to shuffle all 12 cards into the game at the start but this provides the least control. Alternatively we can add event cards to the decks progressively to control the frequency at which they occur but this requires a greater administrative load in game set-up and pack down. We are continuing test to find the right balance.
Fast Food Mini Expansion
The Fast Food mini expansion provides players with extra scoring opportunities and can provide some direction to guide your strategy through the game. 4 Fast Food cards are displayed at any 1 time and a player may take a card in their actions phase by committing a Forage card to the cause. There is a nice decision space in choosing whether to commit Forage cards early and potentially limit your foraging ability to grab a good scoring card that you can work towards or waiting until later in the game and snatch up the best opportunities available.
And lastly, progress on completing a fully painted testing prototype continues, Ol' Grizz shall be seen on our table very shortly and Oakley is well under way!
We'd love to hear your thoughts or suggestions in the comments, Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Thanks for reading, stay safe and keep gaming!
You can find out more about Dirty Rascal Games and Survival of the Fattest on our website or via Facebook, Instagram & Twitter.
Pledge Manager details & Happy Holidays
over 1 year ago
– Fri, Dec 23, 2022 at 04:23:32 PM
Pledge Manager
Hello backers! We would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to complete their Backerkit surveys, we're at almost 70% completed! We have also had some feedback and a few questions about the payment details and shipping charges which we will elaborate on below.
Why do I need to provide my credit card details?
The survey collects credit card details so that we can collect payment for shipping, taxes and any additional add-ons made via the pledge manager. It is important to know that we are not collecting funds at this time, that will occur once the pledge manager closes.
Do I have to leave my credit card details open without knowing the shipping costs?
No, while completing the pledge manager assists us in estimating final numbers for manufacturing, there is no requirement to complete the survey immediately. We will inform backers of final shipping costs prior to closing the pledge manager and with enough notice that backers can complete their survey. If you wish, you can wait until this time before finalising your survey and entering payment details.
Why am I being charged again, I already paid via Kickstarter?
For those backers that pledged via Kickstarter, funds for your pledge level were collected when the campaign closed. This payment did not include shipping or applicable taxes, these will be charged once the pledge manager closes.
How long is the pledge manager open?
We have not set a date for closing the pledge manager at this stage. We do know that it will be open for a few months and we will provide plenty of notice before closing. Keep an eye out for updates in the new year with more details regarding this.
Work in Progress
Work is underway completing the game design and artwork for the Mini Expansions and Solo Mode. Game design and rules for the Extra Tricky mini expansion, Something Eventful mini expansion and solo mode are complete and ready for testing. Illustrations for the card art are in progress.
Extra Tricky cards for Bucky and Huni & Bunz
Game design and rules for the Fast Food mini expansion are in progress and will be next in line for art. We will continue testing and refining both the core game and expansions until files are locked in for manufacturing.
Huni & Bunz have been a bit dominant in testing and have received an increased food cost to slow them down a little, Rascal has proven popular in play tests so far!
Happy Holidays!
Dirty Rascal Games would like to wish all our backers a very happy holidays and a wonderful new year! We hope you get to spend some time with your friends and family and get plenty of games to the table. We will be continuing to work on Survival of the Fattest through the holidays but as you would understand we may be a little slower responding to emails or messages over the next week or so, we appreciate your patience.
We'll leave you with a picturing of Bucky getting into the Christmas spirit!
Thanks for reading, stay safe and keep gaming!
Surveys Incoming - Pledge Manager Open!
over 1 year ago
– Sat, Dec 17, 2022 at 03:17:24 AM
Hello again backers,
We now have our pledge manager details approved by Backerkit and we're ready to start sending out surveys. As a reminder, or for those that are new to the process, a survey is how we collect the data from you that we need to complete your order. A small percentage of backers will receive their surveys immediately as a test to make sure everything works as expected. Once it looks like the system is working properly, then the rest of our backers will receive their survey.
The survey will be an email from Backerkit that contains a link that will take you to your pledge. From there you will be able to confirm your pledge level from the kickstarter campaign, add any additional copies of the game or add-ons that you may wish to purchase and enter shipping and payment details. It is important to note that we will not be charging shipping and taxes at this time. Payment for any additional items and shipping/taxes will be collected when we close the pledge manager in a few months. This will allow us to obtain the most accurate shipping estimates. We will provide plenty of notice prior to closing and locking orders.
After you complete your survey, you can still go back and change your responses at any time before we close the pledge manager.
Deluxe Kickstarter Edition backers
We have noticed that there were a few Deluxe Kickstarter Edition backers who also added the Mini Expansion Pack to their orders. This is not required (unless you want 2 copies) as all of the mini expansion content is already included in the Deluxe Kickstarter Edition. We have tried to address this individually with backers where we have identified this error but there still may be some people with this issue. If you have both the Deluxe Kickstarter Edition and Mini Expansion Pack add-on in your pledge from kickstarter you can either swap your add-on to clear sleeves for the same price or contact us at [email protected] to refund the additional pledge amount.
I didn't get a survey email?
Initially we will only send the survey to a small number of backers. Please wait a week before contacting us regarding missing survey emails, yours may not have been sent yet. If you still haven't seen anything from us by the end of next week, and you have checked your spam folders for the missing email, then please contact us at [email protected] and we'll track down your survey invite.
Thanks for reading, stay safe and keep gaming!
Late Pledges, Backerkit and Surveys!
over 1 year ago
– Fri, Dec 09, 2022 at 06:25:24 AM
Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who backed our project and completed your pledge payment via Kickstarter, we can't wait to get these games manufactured and shipped out so you can enjoy them. We will continue to keep you updated with our progress and let you know when we need more information from you.
Late Pledges and Failed Payments
Late pledges for Standard and Deluxe Kickstarter Editions are now available through Backerkit. If you know of anyone who wanted to grab a copy but missed out on the deadline, there is a link available from the Kickstarter page that will take them through to Backerkit where they can still get their hands on a copy. We will keep this option open until we need to lock down orders for manufacturing.
We also had a few backers with failed payments through Kickstarter and may not have been able to fix their payment options before the campaign was closed. If this sounds like you, and you would still like to receive a copy of Survival of the Fattest, you can use the late pledge option described above to do so.
Pledge Manager and Backerkit
We have now received all of your details and pledge information from Kickstarter into Backerkit. Backerkit is the name of the pledge manager software/company that we are using to process and fulfil your items. From Kickstarter we receive your name, email, and pledge level. We still need to collect your shipping information and collect payments for any additional add-ons, shipping and taxes that are applicable to your order. Backerkit will send you an email with a link to a survey, this is the way we will collect the information we require to complete your order, there is more information on the survey below.
Backerkit Surveys
Next week you will receive an email with a special link to your BackerKit survey. It is very important that you complete the survey or we will not be able to send you your kickstarter rewards!
You do not need to create a BackerKit account to fill out your survey. When you receive the email with the survey, click the survey link to respond. Answer the questions about your reward preferences, provide shipping information, and purchase add-on items if you like.
After you complete your survey, you can still go back and change your responses at any time before we close the surveys. We will provide plenty of notice prior to closing the survey.
Due to the volatility of shipping prices globally right now, shipping fees plus any applicable taxes will be calculated at a later date once we have the best estimates for everyone. This gives us the best chance to secure the best prices for you. We will enter & charge backers for shipping a month or two before fulfillment. We will alert backers when shipping costs are finalised & before we charge the credit card registered in your BackerKit survey. Be aware that unfortunately due to limitations of the system we will not be able to process payments via PayPal, you must have a registered credit card.
If you need to review your information or pledge status, you can return to your survey by clicking the link in your survey email or requesting your survey link under “Lost your survey?” on our BackerKit project page at https://survivalofthefattest.backerkit.com/.
If you used your Facebook credentials to log in to your Kickstarter account, the BackerKit survey is sent to the email address you use for your Facebook account. If you have another email address that you prefer to use, please contact support at https://survivalofthefattest.backerkit.com/faq.
After surveys are sent, if you did not receive the email, and you signed into Kickstarter with an Apple ID, your email address might be a private relay email address. We can help locate your survey and update your email address, please message us through Kickstarter with your Backer ID # found on your Kickstarter confirmation. You can learn more about your email hiding for your Apple ID here.
Please contact us at [email protected] or in the comments if you have any questions. Have a great weekend, we hope you get a couple of games to your table.
Thanks for reading, stay safe and keep gaming!
You can find out more about Dirty Rascal Games and Survival of the Fattest on our website or via Facebook, Instagram & Twitter.
What an epic adventure - the Survival of the Fattest campaign is complete!
over 1 year ago
– Fri, Nov 25, 2022 at 01:58:51 AM
We did it! Thank you so much to everyone who supported our kickstarter and trusted us to deliver you a great game that we are sure you will love. We finished with 1,945 backers and just over AU$171K raise. We were amazed and inspired every day of the campaign with the number of people who jumped on board and the amount of enthusiasm and encouragement that was shown in the comments and on social media. Thank you again for making this all possible, we are dedicated to delivering you the best possible product and keeping you updated every step of the way.
What next?
Over the next couple of weeks Kickstarter will charge your credit cards and collect the pledged funds. If there is any problem with payment, Kickstarter will notify you and provide you with an opportunity to correct the issue before trying again.
Pledge Manager
Once funds have been collected, we will receive the funds and open the pledge manager through Backerkit. Backerkit is a company just like Kickstarter that allows you to manage your pledge. We will email you to let you know when the pledge manager is live, you will then be able to log in and confirm your pledge. You will also have the opportunity to add any additional items to your pledge and add your shipping address. If your shipping address changes between the pledge manager opening and your rewards being shipped you will also be able to update your address.
It is very important that you complete the pledge manager correctly and completely before it closes or you may not receive your pledged rewards. We will make sure we give you plenty of notice before closing the pledge manager to ensure that you are able to confirm your details.
The wait
Unfortunately after all the excitement of being part of the kickstarter campaign, the next part of the process is to wait for delivery. We will be hard at work during this time finalising the game and components, working with our factory to manufacture the game and then with shipping and fulfilment partners to get the game to you. We are working towards an estimated delivery of October 2023, once we finalise manufacturing and shipping details we will provide a more detailed timeline and delivery estimate.
Communication
We will keep you informed throughout this process with project updates like this one. We will commit to providing at least 1 update per month and will share any additional information as it becomes available. If you don't hear anything from us for a couple of weeks, don't panic as it just means we are working hard to get the game into your hands!
We will be checking on the comments and messages in kickstarter daily but may not be as quick to respond as we were while the campaign was live. We will endeavour to reply to all enquiries as soon as possible, but if you don't hear from us within 48 hours then please follow up and let us know in case your message went missing. If needed you can also reach the Dirty Rascal Games team at [email protected]
A quick breather, then back to work!
Again, thank you so much for being part of our first project! Each and every one of you has a special place in our hearts and we look forward to building a long and fun relationship with you. Consider yourselves the founders and ambassadors of the Dirty Rascal Games community! We have many more projects and ideas in the pipeline which we hope you will check out after Survival of the Fattest.
For now though, the Dirty Rascal Games team is going to take a few days break and then get back to it! We'll be in touch soon with some more details.
Thanks for reading, stay safe and keep gaming!
You can find out more about Dirty Rascal Games and Survival of the Fattest on our website or via Facebook, Instagram & Twitter.
