Lead Adventure Forum

Miniatures Adventure => Fantasy Adventures => Topic started by: shredder on November 22, 2014, 03:04:57 PM

Title: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on November 22, 2014, 03:04:57 PM
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/projects/1480229/photo-main.jpg?1416575498)

Our Samurai Dwarves in the Fantasy Armies of the Far East range currently consists of 6 Samurai Dwarves.

This is not enough! (there should at the very least be 7 ;-)


So we have just launched a mini kickstarter to have another 3 sculpted, hopefully this is will be the first expansion of many. Bob Olley is on board to do the work so it's in good hands.

Click here to support us (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/forlornhopegames/samurai-dwarves-korobokuru)

Please come over and support us if you are interested, or share the project with your friends who may be.

Enjoy

Gary
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: axiom on November 22, 2014, 03:29:49 PM
Pictures of the existing dwarves & concepts for the new trio may help. Good luck!
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: Timbor on November 22, 2014, 03:58:40 PM
Nice, hope to see the concepts soon.  Bob Olley does good dwarfs.  For those interested, here are the current ones:

(http://www.forlornhopegames.co.uk/media/com_hikashop/upload/sim6664.png)

(http://www.forlornhopegames.co.uk/media/com_hikashop/upload/sim6665.png)

http://www.forlornhopegames.co.uk/category/13-fantasy-armies-of-the-far-east

While I am not that interested in samurai dwarfs, if you were to put the samurai orcs and goblins on offer via the KS, I would pledge.  I was hoping to order the army deal sometime in the future, but could be persuaded to purchase it sooner if it was available as a reward with a bit of a discount.  Just an idea...  ;)
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: axabrax on November 22, 2014, 04:12:54 PM
These are cool. I've always liked them and I love Bob's sculpts. I have to say, however, that  I think launching the kickstarter without photos of the actual models is a mistake. You could'nt have waited until you actually have greens? Or at least decent quality concept art?
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on November 22, 2014, 08:46:07 PM
Thanks Timbor.

The existing minis are in the short video.

I will be posting pics next week as the deaigns are finalised. I find it odd that folk run a kickstarter with what seems to be everything finished, but hey I'm new to this :-)

Not a bad idea on the orcs too.

G
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: Timbor on November 22, 2014, 10:48:41 PM
Well, the typical reason is folks want to see what they are helping to support.  While I would say it is less of an issue in this case, since we have existing Olley sculpts available as reference, and I can assume that the new ones will be in a similar vein.  You are an established company as well, rather than an untested startup, and you have set a reasonable goal, which helps with your credibility.

Unfortunately in the past few years there have been many Kickstarter campaigns where miniatures were promised based on a concept, and then the final product was disappointing either in execution, pose, material, etc.  My first thought jumps to the Mantic Basilean human army from their first Kings of War KS, though there are many others.  Think of a kickstarter like a form of venture capital.  I would not invest my money in a business startup that is unable to show me their business plan or their finances as it is probably too high of a risk.  Likewise (but on a smaller scale) investing in the production of some miniatures is similar, in that I am putting my cash upfront for a product to be delivered once complete.  If it turns out the product is something I do not like, then I have wasted my investment.

Just a few thoughts to bring you up to the same page for us potential backers  ;)

Keep me posted about adding the orcs to the campaign.  If you can recreate this army deal, http://www.forlornhopegames.co.uk/product/2106-samurai-orc-and-goblin-army/category_pathway-21 , perhaps with a bit of a 'KS discount'  I would pledge for that and a set of dwarfs.

Have you plans for any stretch goals should you exceed your funding?

Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on November 22, 2014, 11:04:46 PM
Timbor

I appreciate your concerns, hopefully the size of the project and our existing business will help to put you at ease.

I'd happily offer out standard guarantee that if you're not happy we'll reach or refund but I'm not sure how it'll work on a kickstarter. I'll give it some thought although obviously your standard rights still exist.

I was reading some hints from Kickstarter and they suggested NOT offering stretch goals but the immediate one I have in mind is more Samurai Dwarves ;-)

Gary
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: Timbor on November 23, 2014, 12:21:07 AM
Hey Gary,

I would say I am confident in your business to back the project, I am sure you will fulfill it as you have an established store with a reputation to keep.  I was more just giving general feedback on backer's expectations.  I like how you have started with a small, simple project for your first one.  I am sure it will do well.

With regards to stretch goals, it usually seems like the most successful projects post up one or two stretch goals either at the start of the campaign, or perhaps after a couple days and then as they are reached, release more to help build the hype.  Often backers will add money towards a stretch goal to their pledge, anticipating that their contribution

Makes sense to make more than 3 dwarves though  ;)  I would love to see some more ashigaru-type goblins in the same vein of the clan war shadowland goblins done by Bob Olley, but perhaps as single goblins rather than double-based ones.  I have a bunch of the clan war ones that could use some company...
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on November 24, 2014, 09:22:28 AM
Thanks Timbor

I've got a couple more backing options to add, just need to run through the costing of one of them.

I'll look into stretch goals too. I'd love to have 30-40 dwarves in the range.

Gary
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on November 25, 2014, 02:03:05 PM
I've just received pictures of the greens ;-)

(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/967/296/8d884b16fbf80093891982341f774e97_large.png?1416923696)
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/967/299/d45f391a69ba8165cdfde1b2d594a106_large.png?1416923732)
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/967/298/679947f07021f0e2ebf6c6db82f1b1aa_large.png?1416923716)

Enjoy

Gary
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: former user on November 25, 2014, 02:17:15 PM
they are very cute
will You have samural elves too?
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on November 25, 2014, 02:19:59 PM
Cute?

 :-)

They are sort of.

No plans for elves at the moment but who knows. We have Samurai Orcs & Goblins (with a troll and wolfriders), Conquistador Ogres and Samurai Minotaurs.

Gary
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: Timbor on November 25, 2014, 02:25:16 PM
Hey, that was fast.  Those look great, and you are well on the way to seeing them funded!  Better get ideas ready for some stretch goal dwarfs.  Might as well toss in some stretch goal goblins as well, right?  ;)
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: former user on November 25, 2014, 02:28:29 PM
the unequalad Jes Goodwin elves used to look quite samurai style
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: Timbor on November 25, 2014, 02:51:27 PM
Also, you should post those greens as an 'update' to the campaign in addition to the photos on the main page.  Backers will get an email so they can see the update.  I would not have known the greens were ready without seeing this thread.
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on November 25, 2014, 03:04:38 PM
Also, you should post those greens as an 'update' to the campaign in addition to the photos on the main page.  Backers will get an email so they can see the update.  I would not have known the greens were ready without seeing this thread.

Ah, thanks Timbor. As I said, this is as much about me working out how Kickstarter work ;-)

G
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: Timbor on November 26, 2014, 02:17:46 AM
I would say you are doing well so far, its nice to see some of the other figures on offer, the dwarf and orc pledge level got me hooked.  I saw it mentioned that allowing other items from the range as optional add-ons would be a good idea.  This could work, as it would give individual backers more stuff they can purchase at once.  I find this is often the limitation of smaller campaigns, as there is less pledge amounts per  backer, so you either need to give the backers more they can pledge for, or find a way to get more backers into the campaign.
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: axiom on November 26, 2014, 08:08:57 AM
Pics of the greens = me pledging. Good to see things are going well :)
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on November 26, 2014, 10:24:36 AM
I would say you are doing well so far, its nice to see some of the other figures on offer, the dwarf and orc pledge level got me hooked.  I saw it mentioned that allowing other items from the range as optional add-ons would be a good idea.  This could work, as it would give individual backers more stuff they can purchase at once.  I find this is often the limitation of smaller campaigns, as there is less pledge amounts per  backer, so you either need to give the backers more they can pledge for, or find a way to get more backers into the campaign.

Am I right in saying each backer can only make a single pledge or can you pledge for several different items? I've had a couple of people upgrade a pledge so far, but only single pledges per person.

I'm just wondering the best way to offer more variety.

Cheers

Gary
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: carlos13th on November 26, 2014, 12:14:29 PM
A backer makes a single pledge. But if they want multiple pledges for example a 30 pledge and a 50 pledge they just pledge 80 quid and then ask for both.
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on November 26, 2014, 12:21:37 PM
OK, so you can pledge an amount that is not exactly mentioned as a level?

Gary
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: Timbor on November 26, 2014, 04:16:28 PM
Yes, the way it works is that a backer chooses a pledge/reward they want.  If they want anything extra on top of that, they add the appropriate amount to their pledge.  Once the campaign finishes, you send out a survey to your backers regarding what they want, and they will list the extra purchases they have added on.

So for example, Johnny chooses the 50gbp pledge for two sets of dwarfs.  You make extra sets of dwarfs available for 20gbp each.  Johnny then increases his pledge to 70gbp.  After the campaign ends, in his survey he specifies that the extra 20gbp is for the third set of dwarfs, so he receives 3 sets at completion.

The add-on system makes things a bit more complicated, but it allows backers to customize what they want, and gives them options to pledge for more items.
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: affun on November 26, 2014, 04:41:52 PM
I'll try to get the money for this (should definitely be manageable) as Bob Olley is somewhat of a favourite sculpter of mine, and Forlorn Hope is somewhat of a favourite retailer of mine. :P
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on November 26, 2014, 04:42:58 PM
Righto, I think I've got that and I can certainly give it a go ;-)

Cheers

Gary
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on November 26, 2014, 04:45:18 PM
I'll try to get the money for this (should definitely be manageable) as Bob Olley is somewhat of a favourite sculpter of mine, and Forlorn Hope is somewhat of a favourite retailer of mine. :P

Oh shucks, I'm all smiley now ;-)

Off to the post office with today's bag of goodies… no rest for the wicked.

G
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on November 27, 2014, 10:08:00 AM
We are almost there… We are currently £11 short of the funding target for this Kickstarter. As well as allowing us the produce these new Samurai Dwarves, this is also a great opportunity to pick up some of the other figures in the range (Samurai Orcs and Goblins for example) at a great rate, and we are offering free worldwide shipping.

I would like to thank everyone who has shown an interest in this project.

Gary
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on December 01, 2014, 11:52:31 AM
Quick update, we are fully funded. Thank you all for your support and advice.

As a bonus, we will get an additional sculpt dome for every £200 above target we get, so there is still a reason to get involved ;-)

Enjoy

Gary
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: Timbor on December 01, 2014, 03:08:26 PM
Quick update, we are fully funded. Thank you all for your support and advice.

As a bonus, we will get an additional sculpt dome for every £200 above target we get, so there is still a reason to get involved ;-)

Enjoy

Gary

Hey, I love sculpted domes! Sorry, couldn't resist...  :P  Also, we are approaching £400 above the target goal, which means we have one secured and one upcoming new dwarf sculpt - have you decided on the poses yet?

Also, it is worth mentioning that the rest of the Forlorn Hope Samurai/Fantasy range is up on offer as additional addons, so if you fancied getting some samurai orcs/goblins/minotaurs or conquistador ogres, you can pledge for those as well.
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: axabrax on December 01, 2014, 05:12:59 PM
How come no goblin ninja as add ons?
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on December 02, 2014, 10:05:42 AM
How come no goblin ninja as add ons?

They are, but I've not made it clear enough. Will adjust the text.

Thanks

Gary
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on December 02, 2014, 10:06:57 AM
Hey, I love sculpted domes!

I may just have to include a dome :-)
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: Timbor on December 20, 2014, 07:00:00 PM
I thought I would update folks, this is in the final 48 hours.  Current funding is at 1600, with stretch goals as follows:


    £650 - 3 sculpts - achieved
    £850 - 4 sculpts - achieved
    £1050 - 5 sculpts - achieved
    £1250 - 6 sculpts - achieved
    £1500 - 5 sculpts + rocket and 2 crew (note Wu Jen not included)
    £1700 - 6 sculpts + rocket and 2 crew

This does mean skipping the Wu Jen, although if we can get to £1700 then he will come back into play. If however we only get to £1250 then I'll have the Wu Jen made.

Rocket Launcher suggestion:

(http://oi36.tinypic.com/2lu9rhc.jpg)
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: Timbor on December 21, 2014, 06:53:12 PM
20 hours to go and we are at 2200 now!  It seems like we will be getting 3+ new sculpts on top of the 6 + rocket and crew.  The new sculpts will be done using existing bodies as dollies.  Looking forward to seeing where this ends up  :D
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on December 22, 2014, 11:02:11 AM
3 hours to go. We are just over £2300 and currently have lots of dwarves (I'm loosing count ;-) and a rocket launcher and crew set to go.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/forlornhopegames/samurai-dwarves-korobokuru
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: white knight on December 22, 2014, 11:56:38 AM
I'd like to pledge, but can't figure out what to do to get all the new sculpts?  ???
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on December 22, 2014, 12:00:17 PM
I'd like to pledge, but can't figure out what to do to get all the new sculpts?  ???

Jump in on the pledge level that is most appropriate for what you want, you can actually pledge any amount so work out how much you should pledge by using the shopping list…

Shopping List

To grab adds ons from this list simply pledge the appropriate amount and I will contact you after the kickstarter

    Single Dwarf (1 dwarf) £2.50*
    Dwarf Pack (any 3 dwarves) £7
    Dwarf Rocket Launcher and 2 crew £7
    Orc Gang (10 Orcs - and/or Ninja Goblins)   £20+
    Goblin Gang (5 Goblin Woflriders)   £20
    Goblin Chariot   £10
    3x Goblin Chariot   £28
    Ogre Reinforcements (4 Ogres)   £20
    Minotaur Reinforcements (2 Minotaurs)   £15

*Can only be bought as an add on to a minimum pledge of £7

+Includes Ninja Goblins


Does that make sense?

Gary
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: white knight on December 22, 2014, 12:02:36 PM
Actually no, as I couldn't find the full list of the new sculpts in the update message, but I found it in the comments.

So that's "the Raid" pledge at £43.50 for all the new dwarfs including rocket crew. How much are the goblin ninjas as an add-on though?
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: white knight on December 22, 2014, 12:04:37 PM
Or maybe the ninja's aren't an option without the orcs?  :)

EDIT: I need to learn how to read. It's £20 for 10. As I only need one each, I'll buy them from the shop later then.  :)
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on December 22, 2014, 12:09:35 PM
Or maybe the ninja's aren't an option without the orcs?  :)

EDIT: I need to learn how to read. It's £20 for 10. As I only need one each, I'll buy them from the shop later then.  :)

Correct.

G
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: white knight on December 22, 2014, 12:11:53 PM
Thanks.

For some reason, Kickstarter doesn't accept the £43.50 pledge ans reduces it to £43. I'll make it £46 for an extra Wu Jen then. ;)
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on December 22, 2014, 02:59:06 PM
Email received …

CONGRATULATIONS!
Your project was successfully funded.
£2,651 pledged

;-)
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: Timbor on December 22, 2014, 04:30:38 PM
Good job, Gary.  Glad it turned out a success.  Now Bob just has to get cracking at the greenstuff!  I am eager to see the rocket launcher.

Think the delivery date of February will still be feasible with so many sculpts being unlocked?  I think that comes up at 16 sculpts plus the rocket launcher and crew?
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on December 22, 2014, 04:34:53 PM
Thanks Timbor. Me thinks me will be using Kickstarter again ;-)

February should still be OK, there are 103 days in January right?

G
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: Timbor on December 22, 2014, 04:37:38 PM
Give or take, but I think that's about right.  It depends on whether its a leap year, right?  ;D
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on January 12, 2015, 11:10:55 AM
Some WIP pictures of the new dwarves.

(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/projects/1480229/posts/1104791/image-348177-full.jpg?1421004681)
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/projects/1480229/posts/1104796/image-348180-full.jpg?1421005025)
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/projects/1480229/posts/1104800/image-348187-full.jpg?1421005303)
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/projects/1480229/posts/1104798/image-348182-full.jpg?1421005090)
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/projects/1480229/posts/1104798/image-348183-full.jpg?1421005096)
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/projects/1480229/posts/1104798/image-348184-full.jpg?1421005185)

More to follow as we have them.

Thanks

Gary
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: Timbor on January 12, 2015, 04:18:32 PM
Excellent!  Bob does dwarfs quite well, I would say.  :D
Title: WIP picture of the first batch of conversions
Post by: shredder on January 13, 2015, 04:05:44 PM
WIP picture of the first batch of conversions.

(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/003/135/822/5cd793e4d1abb133240538b263424a50_large.JPG?1421163532)
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/003/135/821/5e9f600518c4562cafba5d544bf05bd6_large.JPG?1421163526)
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/003/135/818/d19ca30d3e550be395c8f8c5d8538440_large.JPG?1421163508)
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/003/135/817/b5d16daa6481d20cb96800e526a8308e_large.JPG?1421163490)
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/003/135/816/3381a2a32e4afad48b3a059a51166d72_large.JPG?1421163484)

Enjoy

Gary
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: Svennn on January 13, 2015, 04:11:17 PM
I so very nearly broke my no Kickstarter stance with these but didn't so that serves me right

These are great and a couple are absolutely awesome  :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on January 13, 2015, 04:18:54 PM
I so very nearly broke my no Kickstarter stance with these but didn't so that serves me right

These are great and a couple are absolutely awesome  :-* :-* :-*

;-) They'll be on the shop once I've sent all the KS orders out.

Out of interest, why do you avoid KS? I've never used it before myself and probably stay away because I would soon spend all my money, but as a way for companies (or individuals) to launch a project I think it's great… just interested, not judging.

G
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: Timbor on January 13, 2015, 09:38:52 PM
While I am not averse to the KS scene, as you may well know, I would venture a guess that the results for the holdouts are:

- they are grumpy and old  ;D
- some folks just prefer the traditional model of buying models as they are released
- many people are wary due to the lack of recourse a backer has if a project goes belly-up (we have seen a few of them)
- some have moral reservations about large companies using the service as a 'pre-order' system when it was originally envisioned as a platform for smaller independent companies to secure capital.
- others don't like the idea of pledging for a miniature/product which has not yet been sculpted and thus the quality/style cannot be evaluated prior to purchase.

Those things being said, I would think that you, as the project creator, would agree that to produce so many figures would not be possible in such a short time span using traditional financing methods?
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on January 14, 2015, 10:46:06 AM
Agree with all of those, although "old grumpy" should probably be changed to "used to doing things the old way" or something similar ;-)

From my viewpoint I am thinking it will allow me to propose several options to the marketplace and then go with those that you actually want, rather than launching figures that I like but nobody is interested in.

I play a lot of 15mm napoleonics but don't make them (for obvious reasons) and doubt I could sell enough of them if I did so I need to try other things, which is always risky.

G
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: Timbor on January 14, 2015, 04:12:55 PM
Old and grumpy was surely in jest... though I would admit most of us here on the board could qualify every once in a while  :D
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on March 31, 2015, 03:38:37 PM
Pictures of last 4 sculpts.

(http://www.forlornhopegames.co.uk/media/com_hikashop/upload/thumbnails/384x336/grn014.jpg) (http://www.forlornhopegames.co.uk/media/com_hikashop/upload/thumbnails/384x336/grn015.jpg)

(http://www.forlornhopegames.co.uk/media/com_hikashop/upload/thumbnails/384x336/grn016.jpg) (http://www.forlornhopegames.co.uk/media/com_hikashop/upload/thumbnails/384x336/grn017.jpg)

Enjoy (http://www.forlornhopegames.co.uk/category/19-samurai-dwarves-korobokuru)

Gary
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on June 26, 2015, 12:26:17 PM
Here we go again…

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/forlornhopegames/samurai-dwarves-mounted-on-ki-rin-sculpted-by-bob (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/forlornhopegames/samurai-dwarves-mounted-on-ki-rin-sculpted-by-bob)

Enjoy
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: Timbor on June 26, 2015, 02:01:13 PM
I would start a new thread for these, Gary  ;)

The concept art looks stellar, even if they are not goblins.  lol
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: shredder on June 26, 2015, 02:35:05 PM
I would start a new thread for these, Gary  ;)

The concept art looks stellar, even if they are not goblins.  lol

Make this a success and who knows.

Goblin foot soldiers by the thousand :-)
Title: Re: [Kickstarter] Samurai Dwarves
Post by: Quendil on June 26, 2015, 03:16:24 PM
I'm in