Yedo timeline draft
over 4 years ago
– Thu, Oct 31, 2019 at 05:28:35 PM
Ladies & Gentlemen,
You're probably wondering what is the plan to get the games to you on time, so in the following paragraphs we're describing this process, with details on each part to come as time passes and we go through each step.
1. Pre-production
From now until the end of the year, we will focus on finalizing all files for production: completing art for stretch goals, doing final testing for the solo mode and compiling everything into print-ready files.
At the same time, we will place the order for the wooden pieces, as they take the longest to be manufactured.
2. Production
From January on, with a 3-week break due to Chinese New Year, our partner factory will work to produce every component of the game, while we will provide feedback on the quality and accuracy. This will most likely require us to take a trip to Shanghai and approve samples in person, and if this happens we will report live from the factory with images of components and hopefully ready boxes.
3. Shipping to fulfillment centers
We expect production to finish at the end of April 2020. Immediately after we will commission overseas shipping to our fulfillment centers in USA, Canada and Europe, while games for SE and E Asia and Australia will be shipped by land to VFI. By mid-June, all fulfillment centers should have their stock and actual fulfillment may begin.
This is a rough timeline and many things can still affect it, but our plan is solid and every step of the way there was a buffer of a few days (up to 2 weeks) incorporated in case something does not go exactly as planned. For now, we are at Spiel, making the best out of the biggest board gaming fair, but as soon as we return we will work hard to keep this plan in place.
In the meantime, if you have not filled in your pledge manger do so - it will help us estimate the numbers for each add-on and allow us to place the order with the factory as early as possible.
Have a great week,
Andrei
Very Important! BackerKit Instructions - please read carefully!
over 4 years ago
– Fri, Oct 18, 2019 at 03:12:51 AM
Ladies and Gentlemen!
We are finishing our work on BackerKit, which means that we will open very soon. It is not open yet, but it is very important that carefully you go through this update, in order to make your BackerKit experience, and later fulfillment, as smooth as possible.
It is absolutely essential that you provide us with both the information on all the items you would like to order, as well as a correct shipping address. Otherwise, you are risking the forfeiture of your pledge.
I'm new! What is a pledge manager? What's BackerKit?
Although also a name of a specific service, a pledge manager is a general name given to an online application that allows you to tell us exactly what you pledged for during the Kickstarter project, and BackerKit is the brand name of the tool we are using.
In essence, it's a combination of a survey and online store, where you will be able to use the money pledged and charged after the project concluded. You will also be able to upgrade your pledge and supplement it with add-ons.
Please note that BackerKit does not allow you to drop your pledge. Possible refund requests should be sent to us directly via a private message.
1. Welcome screen and upgrading your pledge
Once the pledge manager opens, you will be provided with a link via email. Click on the link first making sure that you are logged in to Kickstarter.
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As you enter BackerKit, you will see a screen similar to the one above. The two important pieces of information here are: your current pledge level (box 1), and your shipping country (box 2). If the country is not displayed (or is displayed incorrectly), use the drop-down menu to choose your shipping country or region.
If you want to upgrade your pledge level, you can do this from this screen as well (box 3). The link will open a separate window which will allow you to choose a new pledge level. Please note that you can only upgrade your pledge, never lower its amount or drop it completely.
CAUTION! If you are an Early Bird backer (which should be indicated in your pledge level) do not change your pledge level, as you will not be able to switch back to it! The splash screen description of the pledge will remind you of this.
If you start from the $10 Ronin Pledge Level, make sure to switch to a higher pledge level (Esteemed Gesiha, Daimyo or Shogun) to be able to select any rewards and add-ons. The splash screen description of the pledge will remind you of this.
Once you've made all required selection, push the Get Started! button to proceed.
2. Getting in and answering the questions
Once you've clicked on the "Get Started!" button, you will see a screen very similar to this one:
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Please make sure to read all questions and answer them. One of them asks you about our newsletter:
We are extremely selective when it comes to what makes its way into your inboxes, so you can be sure that you'll never get junk mail or cross promotions (unless somebody is producing an accessory for one of our products) from us.
Once you have provided us with your answers, you will move to the Add-ons section.
3. Choosing your add-ons
In this step you can choose some additional materials, including extra copies of the Yedo Deluxe Master Set, as well as add-ons.
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Unless you are a Group Manager or a Retailer, the base content of your pledge is already in your cart. Do not choose a copy of the game or expansion that is already a part of your pledge, unless you want a second copy.
If you are not interested in adding any extra add-ons to your pledge, you can easily skip this step by clicking on the appropriate link (box 1).
If you want to add an item to your cart, simply use the appropriate button (box 2). Please note that some items may be chosen only a limited number of times (one or two). There is no way to circumvent that.
Your remaining credit from Kickstarter will be displayed on the right-hand side of the screen (box 3). This section will also appear in the final summary screen, where you will be asked to pay any outstanding amount (shipping cost, possible cost of add-ons).
Finally, if you are a Retailer or a Group Manager, you will see a set of different add-ons, and - unlike in the case of a regular pledge - you will have to choose all ordered items as add-ons. If you started from a regular Retailer or Group Manager pledge level, and your order moves pas 60 copies, please conact us directly via a private message, and we will migrate you to a pledge level that allows you to order 60+ copies of the game.
You may use any combination to arrive at your final number of copies, but please note that (just like with our group offer during the Kickstarter project), only specific numbers of copies are available.
Please make sure to use all of your funds, as anything above the amount pledged and used will not be returned to your credit card.
4. Provide your shipping address
In the next step you will be asked to make sure if we have your correct shipping address.
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The address data you have given to Kickstarter will appear here automatically, but it is crucial that you make sure that it is correct and up to date (or provide it if it was not ported). You will still be able to change the address before we close the pledge manager but making sure that your shipping information is precise and up to date as fast as possible will make fulfillment smoother and easier both for you, and for us.
5. Confirmation screen
The final screen of BackerKit will show you a summary of your order and ask you to settle your payments.
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This screen summarizes the previous steps by providing you with your total balance (box 1), your address (box 2), and the breakdown of all ordered items (box 3) - including the base pledge item, right above any add-ons and extra copies.
Finally, you will also find here the Payment section (box 4), where you will be asked to input your credit card data.
6. Almost there!
There are still a few important pieces of information you need to know before you are all set:
Firstly, we will open the pledge manager within about 24 hours of this update. However, some of you will receive an invitation in your email immediately, and some will not. This is normal, as invitations are sent in batches, including a special first batch that covers about 5% of backers which is a final test run, allowing us to make sure that everything is working correctly. We will keep the pledge manager open at least until January, so you have a lot of time to make sure you fill it (and we will send reminder updates as we come closer to the closing). However, failing to comply will result in pledge forfeiture (as explained above and on the project site as well).
Secondly, if you have any problems with your Backer Kit, make sure to write to us directly. There are some questions we should not be answering in the comments - and sending us a private message will make your problem disappear faster. So, again, make sure to use the private message system to reach out for our assisstance.
7. Relax!
If you got to this point with BackerKit, then you've done everything you needed to make sure Yedo Deluxe Master Set arrives at your gaming table. However, if you have any problems or doubts, please reach out to us, and we will try to sort them out as quickly as possible.
I hope you have a great day!
Błażej
