DROP BEARS: A cooperative survival game for 1-4 players. Drop Bears lurk in the Aussie bush every night, can you survive until dawn?
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Progress Unleashed: Your Drop Bears Update!
6 months ago
– Wed, Nov 22, 2023 at 05:51:20 AM
Greetings, Campers! As I navigate the final stages of my Aussie-themed horror saga, here's a no-nonsense progress report:
The Burning Question - When Do I Play?
Ah, the burning question, echoed by every camper (including yours truly): When does Drop Bears hit the gaming table? Production, quality control, and packing are all set to wrap up by 10th December— this is a timeline with no looming delays, so fingers crossed we should be good. From there, I'll venture into the Freight stage, ushering my deadly drop bears to various distribution points before the grand finale—shipping to you, my fine campers!
Christmas Arrival?
While the dream of Drop Bears under the Christmas tree dances in my head, let's be realistic. To play it safe, anticipate most copies arriving in late December/early January. My sincerest apologies to those hoping for holiday gifts; I share your disappointment.
Important Reminders for Campers:
This is your cue, dear backers, to complete your BackerKit pledges and lock in those addresses for imminent shipping. Changes post this stage might incur extra charges, and we wouldn't want that.
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Manufacturing Marvels:
The manufacturing process is nearing its end, with just a few components and reprints left. I'm already assembling the completed pieces, propelling me into the next exciting phase.
Blue for the Heart rate and Red for the Wound tracker.
Tracking tokens in full colour and finishes. I hope you all agree; they look great, right? It's these small details that elevate the gaming experience, and I'm thrilled to share them with you.
Death Toll Tokens
Complete Sets
Time to revel in the sheer coolness of every component, celebrating the high quality and quantity that makes each box a gateway to an exciting world of horror and storytelling. It's not just a game; it's a visual and tactile experience waiting to be explored.
Drop Bears Core Set
Ol'Bruce - Expansion #1
Ancient Oonah - Expansion #2
The end of a saga!
Box Inserts Triumph:
The end of a saga indeed! My game inserts are finally completed, marking a triumph after a journey laden with challenges. Thanks to the exceptional talent and patience of Wallace, my plastics designer, I overcame hurdles swiftly. The files are now in the capable hands of the manufacturer—another big tick on my checklist.
Guide included in the game box.
Guide included in expansion box.
Guide included in expansion box.
Rulebook Refinement:
While waiting on inserts and miniatures, editing on the rulebooks persisted for refinement. Thanks to the tireless efforts of my fine editor, Rob, the rulebooks are now nothing short of amazing. It's been a ton of extra work, but the final result is worth every effort.
How to build your own eucalyptus tree - Ikea style!
Print & Play Priorities:
I hear you, and I apologize for the delay in the Print & Play files. With edits ongoing, it was challenging to finalize the version. But fear not, it's now done, and building the files around it should be a breeze. Expect a special PNP-only update once they're ready.
Thanks for the Ongoing Support:
A massive shoutout to my dedicated campers for your unwavering support. The adventure is nearly here, and I can't wait for you to dive into the Drop Bears world. Stay tuned for more updates!
Share from the community:
Thanks, Susan Viser for this chilling paint job of resin Moungrel!
These fine beasts are brought to you by Shaun Sunday.
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Repeating the information from the last update:
Now, let's talk about the delivery timeline for Ratcatcher stock and upgrades. We've received inquiries from a few campers, and we've got good news. All Ratcatcher products will ship alongside the Drop Bears fulfilment. By bundling them together, we're saving both time and money on logistics. As for the production schedule, the Ratcatcher product line is already completed and is waiting for the Drop Bears to wrap up.
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Pledge Manager Status
STATUS: CLOSED PAYMENT STATUS: CLOSED 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 is the last chance to make any changes regarding your address and pledges.
Update #38 - Unmasking the Final Components!
7 months ago
– Wed, Oct 18, 2023 at 06:30:21 AM
G'day Campers!
Welcome back to the heart of the Aussie wilderness, where Drop Bears and survival horror rule the roost! We're thrilled to report some ripper progress on our spine-tingling project. We're on the home stretch now, with just the insert trays left before we pack, freight, and ship these beauties your way.
Now, let's dive into the meaty bits:
Ancient Oonah Awakens!
Behold the killer platypus from Expansion #2, Ancient Oonah! This miniature's journey from concept to production is a sight to behold. It was MIA in our last update, but now it's here in all its monstrous glory.
The First Player's Severed Hand
Our Survival Expert token, a severed hand clutching the coveted first-player coin, is now in its final plastic form. It's a thing of macabre beauty, missing from our previous plastic parade.
Death Toll Token: Ready for Action
The plastic cube token, now thermally printed with its defining icon, is ready to tally up the grim toll. It's sleek, it's mean, and it's final!
Tracker Tokens in their True Form
The plastic clips that'll be sliding up and down the sides of cards to track character stats are in their final shape. While they might not be in their final colours and finishes, they're ready to get the job done.
Have a gander at this beauty! The craftsmanship is tighter than a kangaroo's pouch. And guess what? Now it's got a solid top to stash away your Drop Bears, including the monstrous Ol'Bruce!
A glimpse into the production of the insert trays. While they haven't quite hit the mark in terms of design and quality, fear not! A seasoned professional has joined the team on short notice, and we're working tirelessly to ensure these trays are nothing short of perfection. This is the final puzzle piece holding us back, and I'm determined to conquer it.
Ol'Bruce Tracker card - Refinement.
We've combined two cards into one to keep track of all the havoc Ol'Bruce can unleash. It's gonna be a game-changer!
Game Boxes
Feast your eyes on the final boxes, dressed up in all their artwork glory! Whether you're diving into the chaos with Ol'Bruce or taking on the terror with Ancient Oonah, front or back, these boxes are ready to roll.
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Countdown to Delivery!
Once those trays are locked and loaded, the packing team will be in overdrive. Then, it's over to the legends at GamesQuest for the freight and shipping extravaganza. We'll be nailing down the shipping schedules soon - hang tight, we're nearly there!
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The Two (other) Matt's (yes, there are 3 of use :P). These fine gentlemen and powerhouse gamers are key to the success and fun of the Platypus booth.
PAX 2023 - A Ripper Time!
PAX was a blast! The Platypus team went full throttle, demoing like there was no tomorrow. Meeting all you legends and showcasing our plastic miniatures was a highlight. We sold out, snagged some epic swag, and had an all-around rip-roaring time. Huge thanks to everyone who swung by. We're gearing up for more events in 2024!
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Introducing our Monstrous Scale Drop Bears range - 200% scale versions of Francesco's incredible sculptures. These resin collectibles are a must-have for hobbyists and collectors, so grab yours exclusively on the Platypus Industries website.
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Feral the Plush Drop Bear - Coming Soon!
What should we name this one?
We've heard your requests, and we're embarking on a journey to create a plush drop bear. It's in the early stages, and we're thinking of naming it Feral (Sheryl's onboard baby), but we're open to suggestions from you fine campers. What do you reckon?
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Repeating the information from the last update:
Now, let's talk about the delivery timeline for Ratcatcher stock and upgrades. We've received inquiries from a few campers, and we've got good news. All Ratcatcher products will ship alongside the Drop Bears fulfilment. By bundling them together, we're saving both time and money on logistics. As for the production schedule, the Ratcatcher product line is already completed and is waiting for the Drop Bears to wrap up.
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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.
A Big Thank You!
Thanks, campers, for your unwavering support and patience. We're super excited to be approaching the stage where you'll have your copies of the game and, of course, face the Aussie horror head-on. Stay tuned for more thrilling updates!
Update #37 - Keep on hiking.
8 months ago
– Fri, Sep 15, 2023 at 04:41:27 AM
G'day Campers!
We're thrilled to share some ripper progress on our Aussie-themed survival horror game. Things are charging ahead like a kangaroo on a hot day!
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Drop Bear Minis: A Closer Look!
Mate, you won't believe your eyes! We've got some top-notch snaps of the final plastic miniatures. The details are off the charts, a true testament to the craftsmanship that's gone into this project. These Drop Bears are ready to bring the horror straight to your tabletop!
Blinky
Mungrel
Scar
Howler
Feral and Sheryl
Ol'Bruce - Expansion 1
The whole crew together.
Now, we're still keeping a watchful eye on Ancient Oonah and the First Player token. They're like elusive creatures in the bush, but rest assured, we're hot on their trail. As soon as we have them in our sights, you'll be the first to know.
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Dice with a Frosted Bite
And check out these beauties: our D12 dice with a frosted finish. They're going to roll like a breeze through the Outback.
As for the D6's, we've made a new selection for the colour, and samples are already in the works. We want everything to be dinki-di for you.
Tracker Tokens: Persistence Pays Off!
It's been a bit of a rollercoaster, but we're thrilled to report that the tracker tokens are finally ready. They've undergone more tweaks than a kangaroo's hop, but the end result is worth every back-and-forth. These tokens are now spot on!
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Hex Tiles & Habitat Tiles
Take a squiz at the final versions of the Hex and Habitat tiles. These beauties have come a long way, and they're looking bloody awesome!
As for the tokens, we've got 'em covered. Manufacturing for the paper and wooden tokens for the core game, expansions 1 & 2, and the deluxe set is all wrapped up.
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Print & Play files
For those keen to get their hands dirty, I've started cooking up the Print & Play files. It's going to be a chunky download, but I know you PnP'ers have your preferences. Give us a holler if you've got specific layout requests!
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And now, the bit you've all been waiting for - the timelines. We're on track to deliver your goodies in September/October this year. It's just around the corner, mates!
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PAX 2023
And guess what? Pax 2023 is right around the corner! We're gearing up for another cracker of a convention, and this year we've got something special in store - the return of the Con Exclusive Peculiar Rat! Plus, for those of you keen on a painting challenge, we've got the 200% scale Epic Drop Bears. Limited quantity, high demand - get in early!
I'll be holding down the fort at our snazzy booth, ready to chat all things Ratcatcher and Drop Bears. Heck, I might even have a bit of time to run demos of Game #3 - Voyage. Can't wait to meet you all!
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Repeating the information from the last update:
Now, let's talk about the delivery timeline for Ratcatcher stock and upgrades. We've received inquiries from a few campers, and we've got good news. All Ratcatcher products will ship alongside the Drop Bears fulfilment. By bundling them together, we're saving both time and money on logistics. As for the production schedule, the Ratcatcher product line is already completed and is waiting for the Drop Bears to wrap up.
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Pledge Manager Status
STATUS: CLOSED PAYMENT STATUS: CLOSED Please if you haven't already please taken 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.
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] Address changes can still be made.
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We want to give a huge shoutout to all you campers for your ongoing support. You've been with me every step of the way, and I couldn't do it without you. This game is going to be a corker, and it's all thanks to you!
Keep an eye on your inbox for more updates, and until then, stay safe out there in the wild, and watch out for those Drop Bears!
Best Regards
- Matthew
Progress Report August - Production Continues.
9 months ago
– Sun, Aug 20, 2023 at 02:10:53 AM
G'day, Campers! Another ripper update is here, and while we've been wrestling with a lot of behind-the-scenes tasks, we're still making strides towards the finish line. So, without further ado, let's dive into the nitty-gritty of our August progress report.
🛠️ Tedious Progress & Miniature Mastery 🛠️
While we were hoping to shout about grand leaps, we've been busily tackling a truckload of intricate details that are oh-so-necessary. It's all about those little things that add up to one big, brilliant outcome. The miniatures are in the throes of tooling, with each piece meticulously crafted to capture the essence of Drop Bear's horror-filled world. Yeah, it's been meticulous, but we reckon it's worth every ounce of effort.
Camper Tokens & Dice Dilemmas 🎲
On the token front, we've been ironing out minor colour hiccups on a couple of tokens. And oh boy, those dice! They've been quite the rollercoaster ride, but we're thrilled to announce that we've finally cracked the code. Wrangling with semi-transparent dice and their tricky colours has been a battle, but we're determined to get it spot-on. The matte/frosted finish adds an extra layer of complexity, but trust us, the end result will be ace. We're painstakingly refining the colours and markings, so they're crystal clear and stand out with a distinct pop.
Dice sample (left) vs the desired outcome, but in yellow (right) (Ratcatcher dice)
Opacity confirmation before more samples. Colours as per specification not the red shown.
Solidifying the colour to make sure that the colour is distinct and the markings are nice and clear.
🔍 Tricky Tracking Tokens & Learning Curves 🕵️♂️
Dealing with tracking tokens has felt like a proper pain in the backside, but there's a silver lining. We've been learning the ropes of creating 3D components, which is setting us up for smoother sailing in the future. It's all about the long game, campers!
Back and forth getting these tokens sorted.
Production:
More videos from the production lines as the first lot of the punch boards go through. it's always exciting to see the components coming to life.
Speaking of exciting bits, we've got a duo of treats for you. Feast your eyes on these snaps showcasing our dice trays, perfect companions for your Drop Bear adventures.
And hold onto your akubras, because we're gearing up for another round of PAX. We're as pumped as a kangaroo on a trampoline to be a part of this epic event once more. Now, about Drop Bears being available there, we're working on it, but there's no promising the stars will align. We're playing it by ear and will have more goss in the next update.
Repeating the information from the last update:
Now, let's talk about the delivery timeline for Ratcatcher stock and upgrades. We've received inquiries from a few campers, and we've got good news. All Ratcatcher products will ship alongside the Drop Bears fulfilment. By bundling them together, we're saving both time and money on logistics. As for the production schedule, the Ratcatcher product line is already completed and is waiting for the Drop Bears to wrap up.
Pledge Manager Status
STATUS: CLOSED PAYMENT STATUS: CLOSED Please if you haven't already please taken 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.
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] Address changes can still be made.
🌟 Thanks for Being True Blue! 🌟
A heartfelt cheers goes out to all you legendary campers for standing by our side through thick and thin. The outback might be rugged, but with mates like you, we're ready to face anything. Keep your eyes peeled for more corker updates heading your way!
Best Regards
- Matthew
Update #35
10 months ago
– Mon, Jul 17, 2023 at 05:17:17 PM
G'day, campers! We're here with an exciting progress update on the Drop Bear survival horror game. Things are really starting to take shape, and we couldn't be more thrilled about the solid progress that's being made.
So, like a watering hole with no crocs in it, let's dive right into it!
🐨 Drop Bear Miniatures: Final Forms Unleashed! 🐨
I'm stoked to share with you the green-lit production samples of the Drop Bear Miniatures. These little terrors have come to life in all their horrifying glory! Feast your eyes on these images of the final forms (the third ones in the row), which capture the essence of these Australian monsters in the most spine-chilling way imaginable.
Have a gander at the progress since the first factory sample arrived (They are the orangy colour). The middle ones are refined and modified, and then the third has their details deepened to make sure that all those super fine details come through into the plastic models.
But that's not all, campers! I am about to receive samples of all the following; Print materials, boxes, dice, game mat, and dice tray, and I must say, they look absolutely bonza even from the factories photos!
Commencement of manufacturing the wooden tokens for the core game, as well as expansions 1 & 2 and the deluxe token set. These beautifully crafted tokens will not only aid you in your survival but also add a touch of authenticity to your gameplay. The production is underway, and I know you'll love having these stunning wooden tokens in your hands!
Expiry Tokens - Deluxe Wooden Tokens
📆 Updated Timelines: Sept/Oct Delivery 📆
I know you've been eagerly waiting to embark on this nail-biting adventure, and I am committed to delivering the game to your doorstep as soon as possible. With the progress that is being made so far, I am confident in setting the updated timelines for delivery in September/October of this year. I really appreciate your patience, and as you know I've been and will continue to work tirelessly to make sure everything meets the high standards for your copies of Drop Bears.
PRINT AND PLAY INFORMATION
Now all the print files have been confirmed I can start work on composing all the Print and Play files.
I plan on following a lot of the formatting and styles of the Ratcatcher print and play.
Did you all want the Tile Storage tree? It's a trick to build manually but I know there is a certain number of you who would be up for the challenge.
Are there any particular requests for formatting etc before I get started?
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Repeating the information from the last update:
Now, let's talk about the delivery timeline for Ratcatcher stock and upgrades. We've received inquiries from a few campers, and we've got good news. All Ratcatcher products will ship alongside the Drop Bears fulfilment. By bundling them together, we're saving both time and money on logistics. As for the production schedule, the Ratcatcher product line is already completed and is waiting for the Drop Bears to wrap up.
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Off Topic - Public Playtesting
I try to avoid mentioning other projects outside the Drop Bears one here. But I am going to be out in public playtesting the early stage prototype of Platypus Industries' third game entitled "Voyage". It will be held over the coming weekends down here in Melbourne. So if you are keen to give it a try or come and ask me some questions about Drop Bears. I can bring along components and miniatures if anyone would like a closer look.
I will put the detail in the Platypus Industries Discord and up on Facebook.
STATUS: CLOSED PAYMENT STATUS: CLOSED Please if you haven't already please taken 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.
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] Address changes can still be made.
Thank You, Campers!
Before we wrap up this update, we want to extend our sincerest gratitude to all of you fine campers for your unwavering support throughout this journey. Your enthusiasm and belief in our project have been invaluable, and we couldn't have come this far without you. I'm thrilled to have you by my side as we move closer to the finish line (sadly I know many will be eaten along the way). Rest assured, I'll continue to keep you in the loop with more exciting updates as we progress further.
Stay ready, and remember to watch out for those lurking Drop Bears!
Best Regards
- Matthew
P.S. I had a camper request a look at some more of the artwork in all it's glory. And I for one am not going to miss a chance to share these amazing illustrations!
