Local Pickup, Add-Ons, Delays, and Brief Reflections on the Battle
over 9 years ago – Thu, Sep 08, 2016 at 12:12:39 AM

Canada + Local Pickup  

Starlit Citadel assures us that all Canadian shipments of Draconis Invasion are sent! I inquired about local pickups. They provided me with tracking numbers for our 3 pickup locations: Snakes and Lattes Annex (Toronto), Decode Adventures (Mississauga), and Pips Game Cafe (Calgary). All those games will arrive by this Friday. But the orders will need to be prepped. When these pickup items are ready for you, you will receive a notification email.  

US + Add-Ons Found  

For US fulfillment, Starlit Citadel tells us that more than half of the orders have been sent out (over 300 backers). The US warehouse has already received those missing add-on cards from China and they assure us that ALL the orders will be finished up in the next day or two.  

UK + Add-Ons Missing

Our UK (plus some of Europe) shipping partner, Gamesquest has informed me that they are delayed and very sorry. I'll share the message they sent me.

"Let me apologize profusely for the delay on your fulfillment. You got caught just behind a large and complicated fulfillment for Drawlabs which delayed us a lot. In addition to this, we had our biggest show of the year. Still, this is no excuse, and we are implementing some new procedures and hiring extra staff to ensure that this never happens again! We have now gotten to unpacking your orders and are just about to begin picking and shipping. We hope to have this completely out by the end of the week." 

In addition, I found out today that Gamesquest is missing their add-on packs (similar issue experienced by our USA warehouse). I have contacted our factory in China and I am awaiting their fix. I assume they will solve this the same way they did with the USA shipment (ie: overnight-express the cards so Gamesquest can do their job without delay). 

Germany + More Europe

Our main European shipping partner, Logistico, informed me that not all backers will get automatic tracking email notifications. To fix that issue, today I will upload the Logistico tracking spreadsheet into Backerkit. Some of you already received your tracking and games, but nonetheless, I want to make sure all Logistico orders get tracking emails.    

Australia + New Zealand 

Looks like Draconis Invasion has arrived quickly in the land down under. Note: If you are in New Zealand, your tracking number is for New Zealand Post. 

Asia + Other 

We were informed that Topway, our partner for shipping to Asia and other regions (Thailand, HK, Russia, etc), have actually not packed their items yet. I am expecting that they will still be able to pack and ship this week, but that's all I have been told for now. 

Brief Reflections on the Battle

These many months of development have truly been a battle against the armies of Draconis. Between specs, manufacturing, shipping, fulfillment, and quality control, it's been a pretty challenging time of triumphs and losses. Just when I think it's time to relax and watch some anime (Mob Psycho 100!), I get an email about new delays.Just when I feel good about a positive announcement, another problem arises. I'll get happy messages from people who got their game, but then I'll read about issues with curved cards. The war continues.

But it's been really fun! I have been so humbled by this experience. I've come to really admire how other creators can make things run with precision, speed, and customer satisfaction despite the unexpected trials of production and delivery. I've also had to learn to fight the urge to feel validation or failure based on these ups and downs of Kickstarter and product creation. 

I am super blessed by the generous words of praise and encouragement from so many of you. Sometimes I get messages that make me all sad-face, but then I'll see a super awesome backer comment that totally makes my day :) For that, and all the other forms of support I've undeservedly received, you have my sincerest gratitude. Thank you. 

Yours Truly,

- Jonathan Jeffrey Lai 

Tracking Updates, Missing Add-Ons, and Gladiator Elite
over 9 years ago – Wed, Sep 07, 2016 at 12:24:48 AM

Shipping/tracking Info

This week the fulfillment for almost every region should all get done. I hear people are beginning to get their tracking info and games delivered. If you have not received info yet, please be patient as our fulfillment partners continue to pack and ship things out.

USA Missing Add-Ons

We have been notified that some add-ons were lost in transit from China to the USA warehouse. Our China factory fixed the problem yesterday by sending the missing add-ons to Starlit Citadel. Those missing items are arriving to the USA today. This means that, while most backers are fine, some backers who ordered add-ons will be delayed by a day or two.

Gladiator Elite Defender

We were recently asked, "What happened to the Flaming Sword stretch goal ($10k) cards?" Great question! Basically, we played around with the artwork and felt it did not fit the world of Draconis Invasion. So we removed it and replaced it with a new card and new art. To be honest, I forgot which one it was! It was months and months ago. However, I do know that we created a "surprise" card for you called "Gladiator Elite" with artwork by Manthos Lappas.  

Since I can't remember what replaced Flaming Sword, let's pretend it was Gladiator Elite. Coincidentally, my next game has a gladiator theme! If you feel like checking out my upcoming project, please go to and LIKE the Facebook page.

 

Canada and USA shipping begins today!
over 9 years ago – Fri, Sep 02, 2016 at 06:42:32 PM

Some Shipping Updates

• Logistico (our German fulfillment partner) has sent out all their games. They were wonderful to work with! If you are a Kickstarter Creator and need to ship within Europe, I recommend them. They've confirmed that all these countries are packed and sent: DE , AT, CH, CY, CZ, EE, FI, GR, HU, IL, MT, PL, RO, SE, SK. 
• Gamesquest will be ready to ship out next week if you are not one of these countries but live in Europe/UK.
• Aetherworks has sent tracking for Australia AND New Zealand already via Australia Post and New Zealand Post.
• Starlit Citadel has confirmed that some Canadian and US shipments will begin mailing out today and this weekend! Yay!
• Topway Freight is handling shipments to areas like HK, Thailand, Russia, Japan, etc. I'm awaiting tracking updates from them next week.

Board Game Geek

Please comment and rate Draconis Invasion at BoardGameGeek.

 

Pick & Pack Pics

Here are some images of the games being packed (this is from Aetherworks Australia).

Something New For September

Once I get all the Draconis Invasion stuff delivered, I have something special I wanna show you all. Aiming for a September launch for my next board game project. 

I just got these updated samples in the mail. Sending these out to reviewers this weekend (Board Game Brawl, Undead Viking, Father Geek, Bearded Meeple, PlayBoardGames/Twitch, and Scrappy Reviews). Pretty stoked.

Tracking, BGG, Tutorial, and FAQ
over 9 years ago – Thu, Sep 01, 2016 at 08:48:25 PM

Tracking Begins  

I'm happy to announce that tracking numbers are being provided, starting now! We have tracking numbers for Europe and Australia that have been emailed out and some people have already received their games. Other regions will get them at different times, but within the next several days, all the tracking info will be out and games headed right for you.

Rate Us  

Don't forget to comment and rate Draconis Invasion @ BoardGameGeek. Post thoughts and share pics! Thanks!

New Video Tutorial 

I've recorded a new How-To-Play Video at Pips Game Cafe.

I hope this updated tutorial will help everyone as they jump in and begin to play. Don't forget to read the instructions too ;)

Website, FAQ, and Elder Stones 

Our new website is up! Find it at www.draconisinvasion.com. Also, we've started a Frequently Asked Questions page. We know that questions will arise about the rules and card effects, so feel free to check it out and ask questions. 

The FAQ will be especially useful when using the exclusive Elder Stone cards included in your special Kickstarter copy of Draconis Invasion.

Draconis Invasion is at your door
over 9 years ago – Mon, Aug 29, 2016 at 11:04:49 PM

Backers will begin to receive their games this week!

• USA and CANADA: There were some delays here, but as of today, the shipments for Starlit Citadel in Canada and USA have arrived at their respective fulfillment centers. They told us that it only requires a few days to send them all out, so it will be later this week or early next week. I'll keep you posted on tracking.
• EU: All shipments have been packed and labeled by Logistico and will get picked up by the carriers tomorrow. All packages will have arrived at their destinations by Thursday/Friday at the latest. Tracking information will be ready when the shipments have left our warehouse.
• Australia: Games are in Australia and being packed by Aetherworks. This week the items will ship to backers and we will send the tracking details.
• UK: Games have arrived to the UK and Gamesquest is preparing the games for shipment to our backers. I'll keep you posted as I get more info.
• Other Regions: Our fulfillment center in Asia is preparing packages for the remaining regions (like Japan, Thailand, Russia, etc). I will have further info later this week.

More updates will come soon ;)