Pledge Manager and Cthulhu's Curse Sneak Peek!
12 months ago
– Fri, Dec 01, 2023 at 12:45:32 PM
Hello wonderful Slayers and Vampires!
We have been working like crazy and having so much fun doing it! Kickstarter is finishing the end of their process and we've been putting the final touches on the BackerKit surveys (the pledge manager). For more in-depth information on the pledge manager, check the bottom section of this message!
Cthulhu's Curse Expansion
It is with extreme pleasure that we wanted to share a sneak peek into the stunning artwork of Cthulhu's Curse! Here are a few looks at some of the dungeon tiles exclusive in the expansion:
The Descent tile opens the path to the Deep Underground, the dwelling place of The Great Dreamer, for those daring enough to venture into the unknown.
The Astral Altar tile offers players a unique opportunity and decision. Will you forsake your teammates and embrace a less than human path, or will you stay true to your original Slayer mission?
When players explore the Eldertomb, they will find themselves face to face with an entity that defies comprehension, its otherworldly presence challenging the very limits of their sanity.
Speaking of horrifying creatures, meet the nightmare fuel that is the Graspfiend, a terrifying new addition to the combat deck in the expansion:
This handsy creature wants to say hello, and once it gets it's grip on you..There will be no escape.
Pledge Manager
In mid-December, you’ll receive an email from us with a special link to your BackerKit survey. You don’t need to create a BackerKit account to fill out the survey. Rather, when you receive the email with the survey, simply click the survey link to respond. Answer the questions about your reward preferences, provide shipping information, and purchase add-on items if you'd like. You don’t have access to this survey link yet, but it will be available soon via email!
After you respond to your survey, you can go back later and change your responses at any time before we close the surveys and get our final count. Surveys will remain open until we need to lock the final counts for production (we will send out updates well in advance of this date!).
Also, due to the ever changing nature of shipping (and sales tax / VAT / GST) prices globally, shipping (and sales tax / VAT / GST) fees for this project will be calculated at a later date once we have the best estimates for everyone. We plan to enter and charge backers for shipping and sales tax / VAT / GST a month or two before fulfillment when we have better estimates of what it will cost to ship backers rewards. Your card will be charged once around March 1st for any add-ons (themed card sleeves and more!) you add through BackerKit, then once more in July for sales tax / VAT / GST (where applicable), and shipping. We will alert backers when shipping costs are finalized and before your cards are charged in the BackerKit survey. We will keep you informed the entire way!
If you need to review your information or pledge status, you can return to your survey by clicking the link in your survey email. Always feel free to email us at [email protected], and we'll work to assist you as quickly as possible!
We are incredibly grateful for each and every person, and we are so thankful you're coming on this journey to Dracula's castle with us. After all, it's dangerous to go alone!
We'll see you in the castle!
The Retro Plus Games Team
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THANK YOU!!!
almost 1 year ago
– Tue, Nov 21, 2023 at 10:21:44 AM
We want to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts! In 29 days, Dracula's Curse landed at 3012% funded with $301,203 raised from 3,707 backers. It's been a life long dream to create and share our games, and thanks to your generosity, we're off to an incredible start. Words cannot fully express our appreciation for the support we've received. Our deepest thanks go out to each and every one of you!
The Stretch Goal Grand Finale
That's right! You all unlocked the final $300,000 stretch goal: A custom insert created by GameTrayz themselves! We love our game boxes to be well organized, and we can't wait to enhance the gaming experience even further with these lovely trays!
There will be more information and updates coming soon. In the meantime, here's a quick look at the process to come.
Next Steps: The Pledge Manager and Shipping
We will be using BackerKit to manage pledges and EasyShip Collect to manage shipping and fulfillment costs after the campaign. Due to the ever changing nature of shipping costs, shipping payments will be collected in EasyShip Collect well after the end of the campaign, close to our ship date, and will be based on actual shipping costs incurred. This will allow us to present the most accurate and up-to-date prices to pass savings on to you, our valued backers. Here's how it will work:
1. You will receive an email from BackerKit a few weeks from now to confirm your pledge and add any additional items you would like. In the BackerKit survey, you will be able to:
- Confirm your pledge.
- Add any additional items you would like to get.
2. Later, you will receive an email from EasyShip Collect a few weeks before fulfillment. In the EasyShip Collect survey, you will be able to:
- Pay for shipping costs on the spot
- Pay for taxes and duties (if due) on the spot as well to avoid delays.
- Have the ability to add shipping insurance to the package
We'll be sending updates at different milestones during production and shipping so you all know where we're at during the process. If you have any questions, need help figuring out Kickstarter, BackerKit, and EasyShip, or just want to nerd out about vampires and games with us, please do not hesitate to send us an email at [email protected], and we will get right back to you.
Thank you!
To everyone who has backed and supported us, we now consider you family! You are going to be blown away by this game, and we can't thank you enough for your belief and excitement.
We're glad you decided to join us on this journey. After all, it's dangerous to go alone!
We'll see you in the castle!
Upgraded Tokens Unlocked and New Stretch Goal!
about 1 year ago
– Wed, Nov 15, 2023 at 10:31:18 AM
We appreciate you all so much! The messages we have been getting from everyone have been so uplifting, and we're eternally grateful for your support! We are 2600% funded with $260,059 raised from 3,131 backers, and we can never thank you enough for coming on this journey with us!
Together, we've surpassed and unlocked a variety of stretch goals already! In the beginning we focused solely on gameplay related stretch goals, from additional cards and monsters to room tiles and traps (and more), we've covered a lot of stretch goal ground together! Our last stretch goal was all about enhancing the components, like the recently unlocked upgraded finish to every card in the game:
What's more exciting is the stretch goal we JUST hit: Upgraded character tokens! We're overjoyed and couldn't have done it without you! These double sided tokens show the striking Slayer art on one side and the haunting character vampire art on the other (as you likely already know!). With this stretch goal unlocked, we've ensured that these tokens align with the rest of the lovely components present in the game!
And now, without further ado..We're beyond excited to share our monumental next goal, a bespoke game insert crafted by GameTrayz!
We love our game boxes to be well organized, and we can't wait to enhance the gaming experience even further with these lovely trays!
We have heard many people emphatically request that any game insert have space for sleeved cards. This was one of the first things we've brought up in our meetings with GameTrayz, and they completely agree. The insert WILL fit sleeved cards!
While on the topic of sleeves, we're happy to report that we've been working with Panda GM to ensure themed card sleeves will be available as an add-on in the pledge manager! We want to make sure these card sleeves are just as beautiful as the rest of the components and a true/seamless extension of the game. The designs are in progress and we can't wait to share them with you soon!
We are incredibly grateful for each and every person, and we are so thankful you're coming on this journey to Dracula's castle with us. After all, it's dangerous to go alone!
We'll see you in the castle!
The Retro Plus Games Team
2356% Funded! Mischievous Merchant Unlocked and More!
about 1 year ago
– Wed, Nov 08, 2023 at 05:22:43 AM
How many times can we tell you how deeply grateful we are for your support? Here's one more heartfelt THANK YOU!!! We appreciate you all so much! With just around 2 weeks left, we're sitting at 2356% funded! Your support means everything to us and we can't wait for you to explore Dracula's castle for yourself!
We've receiving an overwhelming amount of heartwarming messages about everyone's excitement for the game, as well as interest in upgraded components! We are working towards one of the most sought after requests: a custom insert which will fit sleeved cards AND themed card sleeves themselves as an add-on. Rest assured, we're taking the steps to make this a reality and will update more when we have something definitive to report back with (including pricing for the themed sleeves)!
Without further ado, let's take a look at what we've unlocked so far with your help!
The Mischievous Merchant card was unlocked and we're incredibly excited about what he brings to the game. If you missed our last update, here's a brief look at how this card will affect gameplay:
Encountering the Mischievous Merchant within the castle introduces thrilling new choices for players. This enigmatic character emerges from the combat deck, offering a welcome reprieve from the relentless onslaught of monsters, traps and tricks Dracula is throwing your direction.
In the presence of the Mischievous Merchant, players have the option to engage in a unique shopping experience, exploring tantalizing items and upgrades. Alternatively, for the daring souls, there's an opportunity to face him in combat. Beware, for he is a formidable adversary. However, if you manage to best him in battle, his wealth and treasures will be yours for the taking, making victory even sweeter. Choose your path wisely!
Next up, together we've unlocked new castle tiles for each floor of the dungeon (Main, Underground and Upper Keep), which will add that much more complexity and excitement as you explore Dracula's castle!
Here's a brief dive into the castle tiles and how they will affect gameplay:
Bestiary (Main floor): This otherworldly looking castle tile will allow vampire players the opportunity to gain a companion, should they chose. Or, if they prefer a dark side approach (sorry younglings), they can engage in combat in the Bestiary to gain precious Blood Point(s).
Underground Lake (Underground): The Underground is a deadly place, and moments of respite are few and far between, even more so when they're accompanied with a lovely view (you brought torches, didn't you?)..That is, until something in the water stirs below.
Siege Workshop (Upper Keep): In the upper reaches of the castle, dangers lurks at every turn, and the Siege Workshop is no different. Upon entering this devilish domain, players will draw a Curse card, introducing a moment of uncertainty and the potential for chaos or calamity. In addition, they must confront a perilous combat encounter, adding to the thrill and challenge of the exploration.
This next stretch goal is something we've received many direct messages on, and we're just as happy as you! We will be adding a linen finish to every card in the game for that extra premium feel!
As you may have guessed, our upcoming stretch goal(s) are all about bringing a premium nature to the look and feel of the game with every single component. We're incredibly proud of the art created for the game, and our character art, created by none of than Jhony Caballero, is no exception! Each of these double sided tokens feature stunning artwork of our heroic characters in either their slayer or vampire form.
One thing we love about the player tokens, is that the art style of the castle is in a profile/platformer side view, and these double sided character tokens really lend themselves to aiding in that immersion!
While we're talking about characters, our beautifully designed rule book can be found under the "How to Play" section of the page (or by clicking here). After you've had a chance to peruse the rules, you can take a peek at the last few pages for a more in-depth look at both the character art, lore and what you can expect from each Slayers play style!
Our next stretch goal after upgrading the tokens will be something that is rather costly, but something that we think the entire community will appreciate - a custom insert with space large enough to accommodate sleeved cards! This is very important to us, not only as avid game collector's ourselves, but to deliver the experience (and storage) everyone has been clamoring for. We're looking forward to discussing this in more depth as the campaign moves forward.
It should come as no surprise that we are overwhelmed with the support from the community, and we're so excited to share this labor of love with everyone. We are incredibly grateful for each and every person, and we are so thankful you're coming on this journey to Dracula's castle with us. After all, it's dangerous to go alone!
We'll see you in the castle!
The Retro Plus Games Team
1523% FUNDED! New Stretch Goal!
about 1 year ago
– Sun, Oct 29, 2023 at 05:30:56 AM
How is it possible we're only 6 days in and we're already 1523% funded with $152,360 raised from our incredible 1,804 backers!? This journey has been a dream come true and we have each and everyone of you to thank. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! We are so incredibly grateful and I don't think we can ever say it enough!
We've unlocked some incredible stretch goals together already! We're thrilled to be adding a solo and two-player mode to the game, fulfilling one of the most requested features prior to launch. Your support has been pivotal in making this happen, and we couldn't be more appreciative for your help!
You also unlocked some wonderful gameplay additions: 3 new cards (one for each of the FORCE, SPEED, and MIND decks), two new Curse cards, and a frightening new Boss monster which brings more flexibility to Dracula's arsenal.
Next up, you've unlocked a sticker pack that will accompany each game (Kickstarter exclusive). We've heard feedback that people want only gameplay related stretch goals, so please keep the feedback coming and let us know what you would love to see for future goals! We greatly appreciate it!
Finally, our most recent unlock is an additional Trap card added to Dracula's arsenal. The castle just became an even more dangerous place to explore!
And the thing we're most excited about announcing today, our next stretch goal! A new card for the combat deck - The Mischievous Merchant:
Encountering the Mischievous Merchant within the castle introduces thrilling new choices for players. This enigmatic character emerges from the combat deck, offering a welcome reprieve from the relentless onslaught of monsters, traps and tricks Dracula is throwing your direction.
In the presence of the Mischievous Merchant, players have the option to engage in a unique shopping experience, exploring tantalizing items and upgrades. Alternatively, for the daring souls, there's an opportunity to face him in combat. Beware, for he is a formidable adversary. However, if you manage to best him in battle, his wealth and treasures will be yours for the taking, making victory even sweeter. Choose your path wisely!
We cannot wait for you to see what else we've been cooking up for future stretch goals, so keep an eye on the campaign page as we continue! Thank you so much again for support! It means the absolute world to us. We'll see you in the castle!
The Retro Plus Games Team
PROJECT WE LOVE
DRACULA: BOOK I—THE IMPALER
Bram Stoker’s classic novel Dracula introduced arguably the most famous character in horror literature, but the seminal story leaves much of the Count’s rich history and persona to the imagination. Now legendary GRENDEL creator Matt Wagner and superstar comic book artist Kelley Jones (BATMAN & DRACULA: RED RAIN, SANDMAN: SEASON OF MISTS) are revealing the secret history of Dracula in a series of all-new, 100+page graphic novels. Beginning with DRACULA—BOOK 1: THE IMPALER, this series of books will fill in these tantalizing gaps to provide a terrifying portrait of Vlad Dracula. For their first-ever major collaboration, Wagner and Jones are launching a Kickstarter campaign with their brand-new company, Orlok Press.
Back DRACULA: BOOK I—THE IMPALER today.
