Final Mile Update
9 months ago
– Thu, Aug 24, 2023 at 09:55:36 AM
We hope you are enjoying summer/winter, wherever you find yourself. This is a quick but important update about where we're presently at.
As we've mentioned in previous updates, we reworked every part of the game from scratch, including cards, counters and rulebooks, which turned out to be an insane amount of work.
Our attention has been fully focused on getting the components complete, and with two core boxes and fifteen expansions, it is one heck of a backlog of effort. Understandably, people have been asking when they'll receive their games. Here then is where we're at:
CORE BOXES
All the card design is complete. The Aircraft / Event / Zampolit cards have been proofread at least once, and the counters as well, and a bunch of corrections made. We are aiming to have at least one more pass before we sign off.
We are also waiting to hear back from our Russian language advisors that they're happy with the Cyrillic translations on the Fulcrum Leader Zampolit cards and Pilot Skills.
EXPANSIONS
All the card design is mostly complete, with final tweaks and adjustments to a handful of cards. Campaign sheets and counters are also complete, with some tweaks. Proofreading is currently underway, and we'd like to have at least two rounds of end-to-end checking as well between fixes.
RULEBOOKS
The rulebooks are going into final layout with actual game images and final pagination. Our proofreaders have already gone over the text and given their feedback. The highly-anticipated Hornet / Phantom / IAF Leader Errata and Clarification Sheets and Player Help Sheet are also headed into final layout. When that's done, there will be one more review pass before signing off.
DELIVERY ESTIMATE
Some of you have also asked about a delivery date. At this point we are aiming for delivery in the last quarter of 2023. The supply chain is massively complicated: between the factory production, transoceanic shipping, customs, trucking, and final-stage delivery to backers, there are too many variables for any kind of meaningful estimate. However, as the games get closer to fruition, we hope to be able to provide a more precise date.
IN CLOSING
As we wrap things up, we'd like to reiterate we are quite aware of how long this has taken. This reflects the amount of care and attention to detail which has gone into these games. If there's anyone to be sorry for, it's truly our intrepid artists Vlad and Ben - they have been incredibly patient yet amenable as we sent over countless amendments and instructions, and they have worked their butts off. The result, as you will see very soon, is going to be amazing.
It will be worth the wait, and thank you for your patience.
As always
Phil, Doug and Ben. Co-Designers
