Trench Crusade: Communicant anti-tank hunter

Pledge manager update #1.5...
almost 2 years ago – Tue, Aug 16, 2022 at 11:59:44 PM

Hello! Just a teeny weeny update about a teeny weeny delay...

I'm still waiting for the funds to be paid to me from Kickstarter and, since BackerKit require almost a grand in order to release the pledge manager, we unfortunately have to wait a little while longer. Sorry about this, it is entirely my fault for not realising sooner that: a) BackerKit needed the money up front, before releasing the pledge manager and b) they also require up to two days to check and ok the BackerKit survey before it gets sent out to everyone. 

So, long and the short of it: the pledge manager should be out by the end of the week! It just depends on KS paying me today/tomorrow...

In far better news, here is a Clave Signati character that Mike is currently working on.

Cheers!

James

Estimated timeline
almost 2 years ago – Wed, Aug 10, 2022 at 01:16:08 AM

Salutations skin-coated meat walkers!

I hope you are all well and ready for deployment. Apparently the Cardinal wants another million sacrifices to send over the top. Did I say sacrifices? Sorry, I meant heroic pilgrims who will be safely ensconced within heavily armoured tracked vehicles that have been blessed to withstand anything the heretics can throw at us. Honest. 

Just a quick update with an **estimated** timeline. I must stress that this is only an estimate right now, but we wanted to give you a rough idea of what to expect, including a brief explanation of each stage. Due to the nature of the beast, sometimes things aren't always straightforward and delays can happen for a number of reasons. But we will of course keep you abreast of developments throughout the entire process!

As you can see below, the month for completion has moved back to May/June '23. This is basically because:

• I now have to sculpt multiple stretch goals
• Due to the huge number of backers (huzzah!), moulding and casting will take longer

This timeline is subject to change, but it is our current best estimate given the information we have to hand regarding production and fulfilment. We will, of course, attempt to get everything done sooner if possible, but the focus will always be on quality over speed. :) 

Any questions, fire away!

Cheers,

James

Pledge manager update #1
almost 2 years ago – Sat, Aug 06, 2022 at 10:52:02 AM

Salutations fellow meat sacks! I hope you are all enjoying your week. Here are your deployment orders...

In this update:

1. BackerKit survey/pledge manager
2. Sculpting stretch goals
3. Future updates

BackerKit Pledge Manager Survey update

Right now I am building the BackerKit survey, setting up items and the pre-order store. The survey will go out to all backers, where you will be able to answer some simple questions relating to your pledge.

Also, I am going back and forth with two fulfilment companies, trying to fine-tune costs based upon countries/regions, SKU* weights and package sizes. I am also meeting tomorrow with a very fine fellow indeed regarding North America distribution. Basically, I’m trying to make as many deliveries custom’s friendly and as cheap as possible for all you wonderful people!

BackerKit actually recommend waiting 14 days after the campaign has ended to send surveys. This is how long backers have to correct any failed payments on Kickstarter, and how long it takes Kickstarter to disburse campaign funds to us.

• BackerKit survey will be sent out 15th August 2022
• You will then be able to: supply/change address, add any add-ons etc.
• Please remember that shipping will be charged later, closer to when we are ready to ship

When we do charge for shipping, it will be done by weight, meaning that you will get the cheapest possible combined shipping rate!

Don’t worry, we will be here every step of the way, posting updates and answering questions. We understand not everyone has backed a Kickstarter or used a pledge manager before, so we will keep everything as straightforward as possible. Also, BackerKit will be available to answer questions in the pledge manager itself, with any tickets they can’t answer being forwarded directly to us.

Sculpting

My wrist is slowly getting better, with an increasing range of movement (and less pain) with each passing day. The Cardinal is hoping to chain me to the sculpting desk within the next week, although there is a combat medic lurking just outside my cell, waving her bone saw back and forth and whistling in a discouraging manner...

Future updates

Finally a heads up on future updates. Throughout the campaign, it is considered important (and polite!) to post updates as regularly as every day or two. Once the campaign is over, updates become a little less frequent for a number of reasons (not least of which being the fact that there is so much to do).

We aim to continue posting updates on the important stuff, plus anything else we feel you may be interested in - sculpting, production, fulfilment etc. - as frequently as we can, although sometimes it may be a week or more between updates the further down the line (and the closer to fulfilment) we get.

Just want to manage expectations a little/assure you that we will not be constantly spamming your inbox. ;)

Cheers!

James

* SKU - a Stock Keeping Unit. Basically ‘Communicant’ is an SKU, ‘Trench Pilgrim’ is an SKU etc.

The Cardinal of Malady is up and dancing on the table!
almost 2 years ago – Mon, Aug 01, 2022 at 11:42:19 PM

Well, we’ve done it! And it’s thanks to all 1908 of you making the pilgrimage. An absolutely gargantuan thank you from both of us to each and every one of you! Thank you for believing in us and the Trench Crusade. This is only the beginning...

So, as the dust settles upon the battlefield and the carrion begin to pick at our corpses, we just want to give you an idea of what will be happening next.

Soon we will be launching the BackerKit pledge manager, and when we have exact timings and details for that, we will explain all in an update. Also in the coming weeks, we'll have updates on sculpting the stretch goal miniatures (when James’s wrist gets better - please see last update), the development process (mould making and casting), as well as information regarding fulfilment and shipping fees.

Like we’ve said a few times now, this is only the beginning. There is a big fulfilment journey ahead, but we will be providing an estimated timeline soon to give you a better idea of the entire process, along with some rough timescales. We look forward to updating you on every step throughout this journey, as well as offering some glimpses into our future plans for the Trench Crusade.

Once again, a massive thank you to each and every one of you! The cardinal is pleased. Plenty of fresh meat for the grinder.

All the best!
Mike & James

24 hours to go!
almost 2 years ago – Mon, Aug 01, 2022 at 11:40:37 PM

Only 24 hours to go! Plus England have just been crowned European Champions! (Sorry, had to get that one in there - great game Germany, very well played). :)

This is going to be a brief update I’m afraid, since I am typing with one functioning hand...

So, as some of you will have seen from the past two updates, I’ve been busy sculpting the combat medic. But then I foolishly injured my wrist when playing catch with my son! I was attempting a diving catch, temporarily forgetting I am 44 years old and cannot defy gravity as once I could. What a muppet! [Insert facepalm emoji here]

Pretty sure it's just badly sprained as opposed to broken, but I can't use my left hand for anything right now. That means no sculpting until at least the swelling goes down (hopefully in the next few days)! I must apologise to everyone for my moment of madness. But I will be back sculpting the combat medic ASAP!

Shipping & BackerKit pledge manager

After the campaign ends, I will be using the backer data Kickstarter provides to work out how many packages will be going to each region/country. This will enable me to get proper, final quotes from the fulfilment centre. I will also be setting up the BackerKit survey ready for anyone who wants to add add-ons, multiple sets, alter pledges etc. This will be coming out soon, and I will keep you all updated regarding this.

Finally, I will be providing a rough timeline in an update very soon. This will give you an idea of what happens next, the various stages building up to fulfilment and estimated timescales. 

Thanks again to everyone for joining us and making this (un)holy pilgrimage a reality!

Cheers,

James