July Update - Happy Summer!
7 months ago
– Wed, Jul 03, 2024 at 06:46:19 PM
Happy July!
Hello Adventurers! Happy summer to everyone :D We hope you're having some great time out in the sun and enjoying all the awesome summer activities. For our part, we're taking our writing and artwork outside as much as possible to soak in the sun while we work!
As a reminder, if you would like to join the Quest Chest Discord to chat with each other, as well as ask any questions you might have, you can find it here - https://discord.gg/KUYaNQaPcJ
Project Update
Backerkit Survey!
Backerkit is locked, and we'll be charging shortly! If there's anything else you decide you'd like to order please shoot us an email so we can add things to your pledge :)
Departmental Updates
- Writing - Box 4 is a beast. Every box we work on I spend a good amount of time saying "this one, this one is my favourite" but man oh man, this box is exciting to me. It's requiring a lot in terms of moving pieces, and I think it may be the most ambitious of the full set, but once you get it you're going to see how worth it the work has been! We're also into a project that's kind of a hybrid writing/art piece, which is layout!
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Layout - It isn't enough to just write a bunch of words and do a bunch of art, however fun those things might be! There's an art and a science to making books as accessible and readable as possible, while ensuring that everything is pleasing to the eye. This is a time and labour intensive process, but we're into it now! In fact, we have small sneak peek of a NOT FINALIZED page to show you all at the bottom of this update :D
- Art - Probably the most ambitious prop we have in the entire Campaign Chest is the full Major Arcana. As we've said before, this prop comes piecemeal throughout each of the 5 boxes. Each single card has a purpose and an effect on their own, but each can also be combined with others to create larger and larger effects. This means that each card has to be cool on its own, but also has to connect into, theoretically, any other card via the artwork. This is now fully complete!
- Distribution - Nothing new to report here. This is good news!
- Manufacturing - Small hiccup with the a couple of our props; it's really important to us that each prop that helps you tell the story is perfect, and we're very focused on the attention to detail required to make sure your players have the best experience possible with every prop in every box. While we love almost everything in the samples that we got back, the UV isn't where we want it to be in terms of brightness, so we're going to be experimenting with other methods for this particular set of props. We've also hit a small snag with the tea as well, but we're confident we can get that one solved well before it's needed!
Manufacturing
We're into manufacturing for two of the boxes! This is very exciting for us! Huzzah!
Layout Example Page!
For this update, we thought you might like to see an example of a page that's gone through layout and formatting! Austin has been hard at work codifying the "rules" for how everything will appear on the page, so that everything is consistent page to page and book to book. You should always know what you're looking at and understanding the coding of colour and format should be reflexive as quickly as possible. Without further ado, check this out!
Thank you!
As always, thank you all so much for your support! It means the world to us as we build a world for you :)
Michael and Austin
June Update!
8 months ago
– Sun, Jun 09, 2024 at 10:39:22 AM
June Update!
Hello Adventurers! We've got some really exciting things to share in the update this month; for some really cool visual reveals, read on!
First off though, we know it's been quiet for a couple of months. We've been doing a lot of travel for cons, and getting a ton of art done, but we're back to our update schedule now :D
As a reminder, if you would like to join the Quest Chest Discord to chat with each other, as well as ask any questions you might have, you can find it here - https://discord.gg/KUYaNQaPcJ
Project Update
Backerkit Survey!
Backerkit is locked, and we'll be charging shortly! If there's anything else you decide you'd like to order please shoot us an email so we can add things to your pledge :)
Departmental Updates
- Writing - We've been working on formatting! It's a time xD There's so much great art that we want to include to help you and your players visualize the world, and that means making sure the words we have on the page are arranged appropriately so that we don't have a million page booklet for each box. We're beginning to really tinker with box 4, which is a really fun extended horror(ish) based dungeon run, so lots of maps, lots of encounters, and lots of spooky!
- Art - This is the update where we share a small sliver of one of the coolest art pieces for this project! We've been really excited to design and work on a physical prop/mechanic/art piece(s) that you'll be getting in each box/all the boxes, and this is the first partial reveal :D We'll not be giving away secrets here, but you'll get a glimpse below!
- Distribution - Nothing new to report here. This is good news!
- Manufacturing - Two of the boxes are now in manufacturing, which means 5 to go! Samples should begin arriving to us shortly, and then we begin the process of tiny changes to ensure that everything is perfect with every prop.
Manufacturing
We're into manufacturing for two of the boxes! This is very exciting for us! Huzzah!
Art Time!
One of the coolest things we've come up with for the boxes is a functional Major Arcana tarot deck. We say functional because in each box you'll be getting 4-5 cards, each of which have a purpose, and which can be used in several ways. If you're getting the full campaign chest this gets even more expansive and cool, but we won't spoil that secret just yet ;) For the moment we'd love to release an exclusive glimpse into the first of these cards -
That's all for this update folks :D Thank you so much as always!
Locking Orders and Charging Cards!
11 months ago
– Sat, Mar 23, 2024 at 07:25:48 PM
Heads up!
Hey adventurers! We wanted to give you all a heads up, we will be setting the wheels in motion to lock orders and charge cards as of this Monday the 25th. This will be the last chance to add things to your pledges! After this point you'll just be able to hit the pre-order store and place new orders.
Please make sure you have updated everything, that your payment info is correct, and that you're happy with your pledges! We're very excited to be advancing in our timeline, and this is one step closer to getting the boxes to your table, and all those sweet physical props into the hands of your players :D
We won't be locking addresses just yet, so if you move or don't yet know where you need to ship things that's ok, you've got time for that!
Happy adventuring all!
March (short) Update
11 months ago
– Thu, Mar 07, 2024 at 02:50:06 PM
March Update!
Hello Adventurers from the weary but resilient folks at Quest Chest! Sorry for the late update, we were just at Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle, and along with the prints and games we bought, we also brought back con flu!
This update will be a bit shorter, but very important, so please read on :)
As a reminder, if you would like to join the Quest Chest Discord to chat with each other, as well as ask any questions you might have, you can find it here - https://discord.gg/KUYaNQaPcJ
Project Update
Backerkit Survey/Shipping Charges
This is it folks, we'll be closing down the survey and charging for shipping as of this month! A notice will be going out shortly to everyone's emails, so if you haven't filled out your survey now is the time! We're still on track to deliver for our promised date later this year, but we want to make sure our fulfilment partners are ready to go well ahead of time so there are no delays :)
Once we hit the button to close down the survey emails will go out to collect shipping charges, appropriate taxes for each area, and any outstanding amounts for payment (if there are any!).
If you have not filled out your survey this is going to be your last opportunity! Without completing the survey and paying for shipping we won't be able to get your rewards out to you. If you are missing your survey please send us a message so that we can re-send it to you! Reminder - this survey is a good opportunity for anyone who wants to add items to their pledge, or upgrade to a different pledge level.
Distribution
We're working right now with our distribution partner to prep for shipment! We don't have the physical product yet, but we're hoping to get it out the door ASAP once it arrives.
Manufacturing
We're into manufacturing for TWO of the boxes now!
Story Time!
We don't want any spoilers, but we did want to start giving everyone a bit of the flavor of the world in which these stories are being written. Here is a brief snippet from the second box in the Campaign Chest, Bazaar of Brilliance -
A large and prosperous port city on the edge of the Frontier, the Bazaar is a marketplace, pirate haven, and trade capital where anything can be purchased, for the right price. Home to a diverse range of languages, tastes and commodities both mundane and exotic, the Bazaar is known to be a place where everything is for sale, and any need can be met, including transport to any location in the frontier. Legend has it that if you cannot find what you desire at the Grand Bazaar, then it does not exist.
Originally little more than a small, safe inlet with favourable waters and a modest dock, the area quickly became the preferred safe haven for a number of prominent pirates of the age. Increased wealth brought to this particular shore combined with an increased need for trade and supplies created the perfect conditions for growth and expansion, and people flocked to this soon bustling little town in droves.
As the Bazaar spread over the coastline, a local government formed to regulate and tax the trade in and out. Right from the beginning this governing body welcomed and encouraged bribery in the form of business investment and a stake in raids on other shores. Local leaders provided Letters of Marque to any pirate, now a privateer, for whom the Bazaar was home port, and these privateers struck out with a thirst for blood and gold that is remembered to this day as the aureate tide.
The life blood of the Bazaar has always been gold, and for a time the entire seaboard bled to start the beating heart of this beast of commerce. Even at the present time the local governance rules in name only. It is well known that the greatest power is held and wielded by those with the deepest pockets.
We'll be providing little peeks into each story in updates as we move forward to when your appetite and get your imagination primed!
That's all for this update folks :D Thank you so much as always!
February Update!
about 1 year ago
– Sat, Feb 03, 2024 at 03:33:23 PM
February Update!
Hello Adventurers from the tiny but mighty crew at Quest Chest! We've spent a very productive month working on some of our favourite elements of the campaign chest, so we're feeling pretty jazzed up and motivated heading into February.
As a reminder, if you would like to join the Quest Chest Discord to chat with each other, as well as ask any questions you might have, you can find it here - https://discord.gg/KUYaNQaPcJ
Project Update
Backerkit Survey!
Thank you to everyone who has filled out the Backerkit survey so far, we really appreciate it! We'll be closing the survey, locking things down, and charging for shipping at the end of this month in preparation for manufacturing :D We've got final numbers down from our fulfilment partners and we're feeling pretty good about where costs came in. The Campaign Chest and add-ons make for a pretty big box, and our distribution partners have done an awesome job of controlling costs so we can pass that saving on to you folks!
If you have not filled out your survey this is going to be your last opportunity! Without completing the survey and paying for shipping we won't be able to get your rewards out to you. If you are missing your survey please send us a message so that we can re-send it to you! Reminder - this survey is a good opportunity for anyone who wants to add items to their pledge, or upgrade to a different pledge level.
- Writing - Even with some strategic editing these guidebooks are gigantic. Just want to get that out of the way before anything else xD Right now they're clocking in at an average of around 19-20k words, which means if you put all the guidebooks together its probably somewhere around 210 pages. That's about the size, or juuuust smaller than the average D&D module book, so there's a lot of content you'll be able to pull from even once you've finished getting through the chest. We've shown a bit of art in previous updates, and last update some of the rewards, so this time we thought we'd sprinkle in some text. See below!
- Art - The art is coming along very well! In fact, we've cracked an immensely difficult and ambitious art piece that we're so excited for you all to see. Unfortunately, it would be spoiler-ific to show you it today. But let me assure you, once you open the box and see this artwork, and your players uncover it's secrets, we're quite confident that you'll be talking about it for years. Perhaps we'll show some sneak-peaks, but we wouldn't want to take away from the wonder you'll feel opening the box for the first time and seeing this artwork.
- Distribution - BackerKit surveys have gone out! We will be charging for shipping at the end of this month so we can get those funds to our fulfillment partners and prep to get the Campaign Chest into your hands!
- Manufacturing - One of the boxes is already into manufacturing, and the others are starting to get lined up. We're headed into Lunar New Year, which means that manufacturing will be shutting down for about a month, but we'll be able to come out of that kicking and get right back to producing!
Distribution
Prices set with fulfilment, starting to work out exactly how many packing peanuts are required to protect a box the size of the Campaign Chest, and seeing how high cardboard boxes can stack before they topple. We're getting prepped so that when the boxes arrive there will be no delay getting them off to everyone so you can start rolling dice, drawing cards, and discovering the secrets we have in store for you!
We cannot emphasize enough, if you haven't filled out your survey, now is absolutely the time!
Manufacturing
We're into manufacturing for one of the boxes! This is very exciting for us!
Story Time!
We don't want any spoilers, but we did want to start giving everyone a bit of the flavor of the world in which these stories are being written. Here is a brief snippet from the first box in the Campaign Chest, Without the Walls -
The world of the Frontier is a wild and dangerous place, full of unpredictable and vicious Spirits and an uncaring wilderness. At least, this is what the Empyrean would have you believe. An expansionist nation ruled by an elite and shadowy group of nobles, Empyrean values stability by conquest and growth through absorption. Magical and technological experimentation and progress are highly valued and pursued within Empyrean, and they have made great strides on both these fronts.
Great and powerful Wizards hold court from both universities and battalion barracks, researching and deploying arcane secrets both new and ancient in the cause of expanding Empyrean power. Wielding abilities seemingly almost as magical, Empyreal engineers craft wonders such as the world has never seen. Enormous flying machines float across the sky like sailing ships, initially outfitted as scouting vessels, now armed more for combat to defend the walls and amplify the reach of this already powerful Empyre.
We'll be providing little peeks into each story in updates as we move forward to when your appetite and get your imagination primed!
That's all for this update folks :D Thank you so much as always!
