Project Updates for Drop Bears on BackerKit Page 1

An interim update
about 2 months ago – Sun, Mar 17, 2024 at 01:56:19 AM

Hello again Campers,

I know it's been to long, I am just not one for updates with no content or progress to report and it's been a bit lack lustre in the progress department around here of late.
Here is an update regardless, as there has been some progress, just nothing revolutionary, yet.

First up, I want give a more in depth breakdown on the financial challenges our campaign is currently facing. Several factors have contributed to these issues:

Continued Delays: Extended campaign deadlines have resulted in ongoing costs, gradually depleting our resources.
Currency Depreciation: The decline in the Australian dollar's value has worsened our financial situation.
Additional Manufacturing Costs: Unforeseen expenses like new moulds and reprints have inflated manufacturing expenses beyond initial estimates. An overall increase of close to 5k
Last-Minute Shipping Surge: Recently, our shipping partner unexpectedly raised costs by nearly 300%, totalling approximately AUD 166K, far surpassing our original projections of around 60K.
Freight has increased from an estimated 3-4k to now 18-20k.

As Frustrating as these factors are (and I assure you I find them frustrating) these are not factors within my control. The original budgets made allowances for some variances and increases. As you can see, the cost increases to major elements of the fulfilment over the delayed period have far exceeded the forecasted values.

I had a whole range of planes to work with these changes and cost increases. Most didn't prove to be any more cost effective or offer any advantage.
So far I have secured a few new direct partnerships for regional distribution but nothing that completes the entire fulfilment.
I have not managed to get a whole delivery change to work at this time. I have a few more options that I'm continuing to explore.

It is becoming more apparent that additional funds are more than likely going to be required to fulfil this campaign. I know this is not ideal and I will endeavour to make any contributions voluntary and as minimal as possible.
I just want to be 100% on what and how things are getting done before I can give further details on that front.
More details regarding anything pertaining to additional funds will be in the next update.
A full Q&A will be included. So if you have any questions let me know, they are likely questions many campers have.

I'm not going to lie, this situation is really stressful. Continual working and failing to find solutions for this predicament have not been easy. Delivering the continued news of delays and unknowns is also difficult to do. I have found myself having to take some breaks away from the project to clear my head (which I am not usually one to do). So please excuse some delays in replies to messages and comments.
Even through the additional stress and issues faced by the project I am committed to the fulfilment of the Drop Bears kickstarter in its entirety.
I have really been appreciating the kindness and patients from you fine campers, your kind comments and messages defiantly makes the whole situation much easier to bear.

What I've been working on...
So in the interim, besides solving the main issue, I have been working on some digital only content that I plan on releasing as part of this whole fulfilment process. How exactly they are going to be accessed has not been finalised. I'm just very excited to be working on some cool Drop Bear stuff for you all.

So here is a quick look at what has been finished. (there area a few other cool bits, but i'll keep a few of those under my acubra for a later update)
If you happen to have any other great ideas, I'm all ears.

And

Ratcatcher Art Cards
We present the Ratcatcher Art Cards as a special reward for backers who pledged for the Ratcatcher content. This 12 beautifully crafted cards collection features artwork inspired by the Ratcatcher universe. Expect fan favourites, previews of upcoming content, and an artistic showcase of the rich lore and captivating characters of the Ratcatcher world.

Oh and...

The Roleplaying Supplement
Delve deeper into the dark bushland of Drop Bears with this exciting supplement, featuring expanded gameplay, Australian-themed gear, all for the most popular D20 RPG system. Introduce your fellow Role players to the most terrifying beasts of all, the Drop Bears and prepare for an unforgettable (and in all likeliness, deadly) journey in the untamed wilderness.

+ Plus more fun stuff soon

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State of the Game

The game has officially been completed and it's all about the assembly of the game into its final state for freight. With CNY over it was straight back to work for the team at HJM (our manufacturing partner). Last checks and packing instructions as everything is packed.

Insert Trays Loading, A video showcasing insert trays being loaded with components as they would be packed for shipping, offering insight into the meticulous packing process.

Ol'Bruce Expansion

Ol'Bruce Expansion, A video showcasing the final version of the Ol'Bruce expansion being filmed at the manufacturing facility before packing begins.

Ancient Oonah Expansion

Ancient Oonah Expansion, Another video presenting the final version of the Ancient Oonah expansion during the manufacturing process.

Gaming Mat

Gaming Mat, A short video capturing the final version of the gaming mat.

Dice Tray

Dice Tray, A brief video highlighting the final version of the dice tray.

Deluxe Tokens

Deluxe Tokens, A video displaying stacked Deluxe tokens, boxed and shrink-wrapped at the manufacturing site before packing for shipping.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the production team at HJM for their exceptional dedication and commitment to ensuring the highest quality for our game.

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Pledge Manager Status

STATUS: CLOSED
PAYMENT STATUS: CLOSED
Please if you haven't already please take the time to complete your survey, you must do so now. I'm always happy to help anyone if they have any issues or questions.

At this stage, address changes CAN still be made by logging into your backer kit account. This will continue until manufacturing is completed.

Still, have a question?

Backer Kit - FAQ
Lost your survey? Survey recovery page
Backer Kit support: [email protected]
Platypus Industries Discord - There is a Kickstarter help channel, I hope this will facilitate a quick live dialogue for problem-solving.
Creator (Matthew): [email protected]

Refund Status: Unavailable at this time.

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NEXT UPDATE:

The plan, the end to end plan of and the HOW of delivering the games to their new homes. This will take as long as it takes to create a workable plan from factory in china to your tabletops globally.
But expect a detailed plan.

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Apology for Delayed Information and Personal Commitment:

Delivering this news has been incredibly challenging, and I understand the disappointment it may have caused.

Rest assured, I've invested countless hours ensuring this project exceeds expectations at every turn. Encountering obstacles at this stage is disheartening, but I am fully and successfully delivery of Drop Bears (and other stuff) to each and every camper.

Your understanding and patience during this challenge is greatly appreciated (I cannot thank you all enough). I am resolute in my commitment to overcoming any hurdle that stands in the way of delivering the game to you as soon as possible.

Thank you for your continued support and patience.

Best Regards
- Matthew

Dear Valued Backers,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to provide you with a comprehensive update on the current status of the Drop Bears project. I want to express my sincere apologies for the challenges and delays we are facing, and I assure you that I am actively working towards finding viable solutions.

Financial Constraints Impacting Project Progress:

Regrettably, the project has hit a significant roadblock due to financial constraints. The increasing expenses and unexpected delays have resulted in depleted project funds, putting the fulfilment of the project in jeopardy. As a responsible project creator, I want to be transparent about the situation we are facing.

Currently, the project is stuck post-freight, and upon completion of manufacturing, it will be necessary to enter a paused state. The stock will remain with our manufacturing partner while I actively seek solutions. The subsequent steps, involving freight to regional hubs and shipping to backers, pose additional challenges as storage issues could further set back the project. Thus, pausing post-manufacturing is the most prudent choice.

I understand the frustration and uncertainty this may cause. Unfortunately, at this stage, I do not have many answers regarding finer details. I want to assure you that I am diligently working on finding solutions and will keep you updated as progress is made.

Ongoing Efforts and Lack of Timeline:

I am currently in discussions with advisors, and business partners, and exploring various avenues to address the financial constraints hindering the project. However, I must admit that, at this moment, I cannot provide a timeline for the resolution and fulfilment of the Drop Bears game to our wonderful backers. The ultimate goal remains clear – to deliver the game that you helped bring to life into your hands.

Fulfillment Timeline and Refund Information:

The fulfilment of the Drop Bears game to backers is contingent on resolving the financial matters at hand. Unfortunately, I cannot provide a timeline for this resolution at this stage. I commit to keeping everyone updated regularly with as much detail as possible.

Regarding refunds, due to the financial nature of the issues, the project cannot offer refunds at this time. While this decision may be revisited in the future, it is currently made to maximize the chances of delivering the project as a whole to all backers.

Project Update - Manufacturing Challenges:

The completion of manufacturing, originally scheduled for December 10, has faced unforeseen challenges. Delays in finalising files and making adjustments, compounded by the holiday period, have extended the timeline by over a month. I share your frustration and disappointment with this news, and I am tirelessly working with the manufacturer to expedite the process.

Promo Rat

As a visual update, attached to this message, you will find various images and videos showcasing the game's plastic inset trays in their completed stage.

Apology for Delayed Information and Personal Commitment:

I want to sincerely apologize for the delayed information. It has been incredibly stressful to deliver this news. I've dedicated numerous hours to ensure that this project goes above and beyond expectations. To reach this stage and encounter these obstacles is heartbreaking. However, I am here to transparently communicate the situation to you, and I am committed to working tirelessly until the project is successfully delivered.

Once again, I apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding during this challenging time. I am committed to resolving these issues and delivering the Drop Bears game to you as soon as possible.

Thank you for your patience and continued support.

Sincerely,

Matthew