Dive into darkness in Dracula's Curse: the ultimate vampire slaying board game for up to 6 players, with one as the legendary Dracula.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Unlocking the Coffin: Inserting the Ultimate Insert for Dracula's Curse
over 1 year ago
– Fri, Jul 26, 2024 at 11:47:04 AM
Hello wonderful Slayers and Vampires,
It's time to take a look at the first insert we've received from the manufacturer! Before we dive in, here are a couple of things to note:
The box size in the images does not perfectly match the insert. We've slightly reduced the box size, as previously mentioned, while maintaining the same width and length ratios and making a minor height adjustment to ensure a perfect fit in storage solutions like a kallax. The box pictured is from our previous sample, and we have not yet received the updated, slightly smaller box.
The second thing to mention, echoed from the video update, is the components that require die-cuts were hand cut by the manufacturer...which is why you will see rough edges on many of the pieces. Rest easy, these components will be machine cut and lovely when you receive your copy!
On that same point, the components are not the final versions (final colors) as these pieces are from the first full pre production sample.
Now, on to the insert! We feel Gametrayz did a wonderful job with the design! There are a LOT of unique components/shapes in Dracula's Curse and they made everything as simple as possible. They were adamant that they wanted the Cthulhu's Curse expansion components to be able to fit in the core game box. Thanks to their clever design, even if you don’t have the expansion components in this game box, you won’t find unnecessary a plethora of empty spaces.
Without further ado, here's the insert!
*One thing to note here - The component quantities, for example the Blood Points, will exceed what's shown in these images and this is just for placement example purposes.
*The Cthulhu stackable has been reworked to make sure the art "pops" more. This falls under our previous note of all the color changes we're waiting to receive.
There you have it! We do have one point of curiosity, which is the top insert piece being a translucent/clear plastic. We'd love to hear everyone's opinion on whether they feel like this is a good choice!
On the production front, we've received some updated colors based on our changes and they weren't quite what we expected. Some of the brightening up attempts pushed things too far, but every piece has it's own needs (for instance the castle tiles versus the combat cards each require vastly different tweaks/approaches to make them as lovely as possible).
We've hired a local print and design company here in Austin to try and make sure these last and final changes are all executed with excellence and as quickly as possible. With that said, changes are slow to implement on the production side. This is because once files are updated on our end, they go back through the manufacturer team for a review, then to their design verification team, then once they are fully approved it can number of weeks for them to be created and shipped back to us.
This is all part of the process, but we’re inching closer to full manufacturing. Once we reach that step, we'll be able to give you a definitive look into the shipping window! We appreciate your understanding on this front as every action we take is in service of delivering you the absolute best and most beautiful game 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
Dive Deep into Dracula's Curse: In-Depth Video Preview!
almost 2 years ago
– Wed, Jul 03, 2024 at 04:15:49 PM
Hello wonderful Slayers and Vampires,
We hope you're all having a wonderful day! Our video update and deep dive into Dracula's Curse is now live! You can view the video here:
After all the technical aspects, from renting the cameras, microphones and other equipment to the actual editing process..We have a renewed admiration for those people who produce film and video content as a profession!
If you're not interested in the full video, here's a quick recap of where we stand in production. We are awaiting two new samples from Panda GM. The first of which is a sample which will have the Gametrayz insert to see if any modifications are necessary, and the second is a new sample with updated/improved colors.
*Note - As mentioned in our video, we want to highlight an important detail. In the pre-production copy, the die-cut pieces are hand cut by the manufacturer rather than machine cut. Meaning, you may notice rough edges on the corners and perimeters of many pieces. This will not be the case, of course, in the final production!
When we receive these samples, we'll have a much better idea of our fulfillment window (ie. the game delivered to your doorstep), which at this point is looking to be somewhere in Q4 of this year. We will provide a more accurate delivery window when we receive those samples based on how they look. We appreciate your patience and understanding and will keep you updated every step of the way while maintaining transparency on all aspects behind the scenes!
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
Dracula Awakens. Our First Manufacturer Sample is Here!
almost 2 years ago
– Fri, Jun 07, 2024 at 09:24:35 AM
Hello wonderful Slayers and Vampires,
We hope you're all having a wonderful day! We've waited patiently, and have been rewarded - The pre production (sample) copy of Dracula's Curse has just arrived from the factory!
There are plenty of things that need slight adjustments (color tweaks), but overall we're blown away with how wonderful the game looks and feels. Here are a few images of the sample:
On a developmental note, Gametrayz has just completed their work on the insert molds! The manufacturer is going to produce a sample of the inserts, and we should have them in 2-3 weeks at the latest. It took far longer to receive them than expected, but the final result is worth the wait. The insert they designed looks incredible and will accommodate sleeved cards, as promised!
Our target delivery date has slipped a bit due to the delays with the manufacturer and Gametrayz, but we're doing everything we can to get them game in your hands as soon as possible. More on this soon!
Speaking of...We have a HUGE update coming out later this month in the form of the much anticipated video content. Stay tuned for what will be our most exciting update yet!
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
Token Tales: Unveiling Our Non-Print Components 🦇🦇
almost 2 years ago
– Mon, May 06, 2024 at 03:19:13 PM
Hello wonderful Slayers and Vampires,
We hope you're all having a wonderful day! We're still awaiting the full pre production sample from the manufacturer. However, we've got exciting news - our incredible non-print component samples have arrived! Let's dive in together and feast our eyes on these beauties!
Player Tokens - Slayer Side Examples
Player Tokens - Vampire Side Examples
Collector's Edition - Lapel Pin
The Dracula pin which will be included with the Collector's edition looks INCREDIBLE! We're so happy with how this turned out!
Stackable Dracula Tokens - Version 1
The tokens themselves are lovely and feel great to use! They have taken a number of iterations to get right, which we discuss below!
Stackable Dracula Tokens - Version 2
After we received the first version of the stackable tokens, we were blown away! They looked wonderful and felt great in the course of play. However, we kept working to refine the design to achieve a way for them to snap/lock into place. Here was the design concept we came up with to achieve this:
We added notches around the perimeter which would allow the pieces to slot together for a really satisfying fit. As seen below:
This method worked great and it allowed the tokens to lock into place! However, it came at a high cost (both literal and figurative!). In order to be usable in play, the tokens need printing on all six sides - the top, bottom, and each of the four sides.
Due to the extra notching, it was impossible for the manufacturer to "print" on the bottom of each piece. In order to remedy this, the manufacturer used high quality adhesives to stick on the bottom side for the tokens icon (the yellow icon seen in the above image).
We were testing this piece to see how it performed during play, and much to our surprise the sticker on the bottom came off! We thought it might be a fluke, but after a bit more play time, a second sticker came off of another token!
And with that, we instantly decided that the quality control needed (and this method in general) was not going to be up to our or your standards.
We have decided to proceed with "version 1" of the tokens, and we know you'll be thrilled when you receive them!
Bat Token:
Here is the wonderful bat meeple used for tracking Dracula's Essence (the sole resource he uses/spends throughout the course of play):
On a development note, we're still waiting for the Gametrayz insert to be completed. I had a meeting with them this morning and they are getting close! They showed us renders today for the first time and they look fantastic!
One of the major points of contention has been maintaining a game box size that will fit comfortably in a kallax (as well as keeping a similar box aspect ratio, length/width/height, to properly display the box art), while still accommodating sleeved cards.
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
Transylvanian Treasures: Unveiling Bonus Content & Game Enhancements! 🏰🦇
almost 2 years ago
– Sat, Apr 20, 2024 at 07:54:51 AM
Hello wonderful Slayers and Vampires,
We've striven to under promise and over deliver on our components, and we think you'll agree after reading through this update! Much like adding the previously unannounced 7 AR Trackers in every game box, we've added some incredible new components to enhance your game play experience. None of this would have been possible without your support!
Without further ado, let's starting digging in!
We have added 25 brand new cards (you read that right!) to the Dracula's Curse base game that are used in the Blood Dojo, the solo and two-player cooperative, game mode.
Here are a couple examples of how these cards will look when you receive them:
These 25 new cards ensure that the solo and two-player modes are fully integrated into the game, offering a standalone experience. For the Blood Dojo mode, stay tuned for a dedicated update where we'll delve into its mechanics and rules!
In addition to this entirely new deck of cards for the base game, we're thrilled to blow away your expectations with the Cthulhu's Curse expansion!
It is with great pride and excitement that we announce bonus components for every Cthulhu's Curse backer:
Initially, the expansion had 20 castle tiles. This has been increased to 30 new castle tiles!
Initially, the expansion had 6 monster cards. This has been increased to 10 new monsters!
Initially, the expansion had 1 punchboard. This has been increased to 2 punchboards, offering more robust and large tokens to enhance your gameplay experience.
And that's not all! We've added 2 additional brand new components:
5 new Trap cards infused with the dark essence of Cthulhu
1 Cthulhu Outline card displaying the powers and abilities you will command with your Shadows when playing as the Great Old One.
Exciting, right!? Here's a glimpse of what's in store:
First is the Cthulhu outline card (which serves the same purpose in gameplay as the Dracula cloak)! We've worked incredibly hard to make this a striking piece, and we know you'll be overjoyed when you get your hands on it (standing at nearly 6" x 6", you will be the envy of your friends while playing as Cthulhu!)
Next, let's take a look at a variety of card types we mentioned above:
That was a lot to communicate! Thanks for hanging out with us throughout the update. Now, let's discuss the production side of the equation!
While we had expected to showcase the pre production sample from the factory this month, unforeseen delays from both the manufacturer and Gametrayz have impacted our timeline. Specifically, we're eagerly awaiting the completion of the Gametrayz insert, which is essential for moving forward with manufacturing. Although these delays have caused slight shifts in our timelines, we're unwavering in our commitment to ensuring that Dracula's Curse remains at the front of the manufacturing production line. Our dedication to delivering an exceptional product is resolute, and we will push tirelessly until our vision is realized!
As for the actual projected fulfillment date, we are still targeting Q3 to ship the game to everyone! Though, we are looking at the latter portion of this window (September) as our target. We will continue to keep you updated on this front and be as transparent as possible!
Stay tuned for more content coming soon, including a full unboxing, gameplay videos and more when the PPC (pre production copy) arrives!
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!
