(KICKSTARTER) Deadzone Kickstarter - Funding Successful

[kalamadea]

Glad we're getting a free faction. I had been planning on Asterians since I'm all about the pointy ears in pretty much every game I play, but I wanted to play space ELVES, not space elf + a dozen cylons. I totally get the fluff reasoning for it, it makes a lot of sense actually. A LOT more sense than a certain other game's pointy eared dying race  using it's civilian militia as frontline troops wearing paper mache armor. But an army of drones is not an army of pointy-ears, so I'll pass.

Which now leaves me with a difficult decision, a free Enforcers starter or free Rebels. ARGH! Decisions are hard!

[Giger]

Ronnie did another Q&A session on facebook last night, here are some of the highlights (taken from Willem-Jan Bertram summary on the KS comments):

"I think taking it to a 2x4 game is easy - so you can have 4 player - 2 per side and they ally vs the 2 opponents. however we have also talked (at length - today even) about the 4x4 and if we get the funding this would be brilliant (it will be season 3/compendium 2 in effect). at this point you can add 2 man weapon teams and weapon ranes become really significant - as does more commander figures of different ranks, and I definately think the game will scale really well into that space (well we have designed it thus) _ i hope we can make it there. I don't think it will scale much bigger than 4 feet between forces because of the time it will take to close into hand-to-hand combat. Anyway we will have Warpath for that "

"probaly something about that, amybe a bit before but not much - we have planned to over $800,000 and we need to get there - becuase there is soooo much cool things to do!!!"

"Ben Sandum (our photo wizard) has been locked in a room for 2 days - photos of DeadZone and KoW on a computer screen near you soon. promise! (I love the Rebs too - I think they will make a lot of peoples preferred faction)"

"I think if we get there we might see plastic zombies (as part of a campaign upgrade) - kind of roaming across the battle field getting in the way! and I would love the REALLY heavily armour Enforcers in hard plastic - but not much after that (unless this goes Bones KS crazy)"

" the idea is the army (Asterians) is based around 1 - but for sure several other will turn up to help him out, he'll probably have a second-in-command in case he gets dead etc and a few specialist, but the primary idea is that 1 'senior level' elf is all this planet is worth - and they are not there to help the Corp - they have their own objectives - and are very happy to see a Corp planet die - they just dont want the plague to spread towards them!"

On future stretch goals:
"we are definitely going to focus some time and love on the Forge Fathers and Asterians and bring them up to the same level as the other factions - and they will all be free to anyone that picks up the faction itself. We also intend to do another scenery sprue to keep that rolling on. We will also be doing some character/storyline models - such as PAthfinder N-32 and Professor Symond. these characters will feature in the short stories collection (also a soon to be chased stretch) and then can be objectives in scenario/narrative campaigns and then feature in the armies as heroes in future battles. I think we will be going deeper into the 6 factions we have first - so they are really rounded out forces (rather than 4 complete and say 4 more that are only 1/2 as good), also want to put on with this style of scenery. I think ZZ'or vs Corporation could carry their own expansion/upgrade - especially when you add in the Veer-Myn) after all the council don't just have to deal with Plague outbreaks (Contagions!) they also have Swarms (!) to deal with! and Infestation (not a great name, but you get the idea) - also power wise Corp vs RAts and ZZ'or feels more balanced - as does Plague vs Enforcers"

On turn activation:
"there is a little detail below - and I will get it wrong if I try to explain it - but his solution is pure genius, and scales up. basically you have a command level (which is a sum) and you can move up to that many in your phase, then the opponent goes and so on, until every model has acted, so it cuts the turn up nicely, but you can still do a co-ordinated move with a few figures. there are a few other touches too but best he details those in a full explanation. The new updated alpha/beta rules will be going up in the middle of next week so keep your eyes peeled."

On Orx Commandos:
"yes, they will be fixed by next week and we will show them off again then. thanks for that, we showed them off before we had really looked at them, they will be cool (or we will just remake them - simple as that!)"

On individual, optional units instead of boxed warbands:
"at the start it is based around the factions - however there are some merc types appearing and i think a warband of those would be really fun to play - bit kike Butch Cassidy meets the magnificent 7 - probably a compendium upgrade faction - but really great to play, so that might happen, and thye are available individually to different factions"

[Giger]

As we approach $500k mark here's a break down of all the stretch goals achieved so far (with thanks to Robzilla):

$50,000 – funded
$100,000 – One FREE scenery sprue upgrade
$125,000 – FREE specialist minis added to Faction Starters – Enforcer Engineer, Plague 2nd Gen, Marauder in Ripper Armour with Long-ranged Weaponry, Rebs Grogan with Desolator Heavy Weapon
$150,000 – One FREE scenery sprue upgrade
$175,000 – FREE faction support minis added to Faction Starters – 2x Enforcer Sentry Guns, 2x Plague Hounds, 2x Mawbeast Bombers, 2x Rebs Drones
$200,000 – FREE mini The Survivor, Mercenary character
$225,000 – FREE specialist minis added to Faction Starters – alternate 2nd Gen, Marauder Goblin Sniper, Enforcer Sniper, Teraton Brawler
$250,000 – FREE additional scenery sprue
$275,000 – FREE minis added to Faction Starters – Enforcer with Assault Rifle, alternate 2nd Gen, alternate Yndij, two extra sets of Ripper Suit Weapons
$300,000 – FREE deluxe gaming mat upgrade
$315,000 – Shadrek Mal-Raz mini add-on
$315,000 – FREE Nexus Psi Digital Campaign
$332,500 – FREE Enforcer with Assault Blade mini added to Enforcer Faction Starter
$340,000 – FREE Rebs Yndij rebel fighter mini added to Rebs Faction Starter
$347,500 – FREE Marauder Sniper mini added to Marauders Faction Starter
$355,000 – FREE 3rd Gen Plague with Heavy Machinegun added to Plague Faction Starter
$375,000 – FREE scenery sprue
$400,000 – Landing Zone BattleZone terrain option
$415,000 – Four specialist minis unlocked as add-ons – Marauder Hulk, Rebs Kraaw, Enforcer with Incinerator/Burst Laser weapon options, Plague 3rd Gen with Grenade Launcher
$430,000 – FREE trooper minis added to Faction Starters – Enforcer with Assault Blade, Plague 3rd Gen, Rebs Sorak, Marauder Commando
$450,000 – Fortified Defence Line BattleZone terrain option
$460,000 – Chovar mercenary mini add-on
$500,000 – Unlock Expanded Universe minis and FREE Faction Starter

[Momotaro]

There's a nice range of aliens in the Kickstarter now - the Rebel set is definitely my favourite so far.

Starting to feel a bit overloaded by all the options, so I'll do what others here have suggested, and wait until a couple of days before it finishes to make my choices.

[eMills]

Newest update:

Unbelievable!

We’ve done it – that’s half a million dollars achieved… simply a mindblowing amount in the time frame!

So to recap, that’s now:

- A fifth free faction of your choice added to a pledge of Strike Team and up!
- The Asterian Faction Starter locked in!
- The Forge Father Faction Starter locked in!
- Digital rules for the two new factions added to your pledge!

Thank you so much!



The Expanded Universe Bundle is the best way to get the two new factions, saving $20 off adding them individually.

$510,000 – BattleZone Upgrade: +1 Buildings Sprue

If we hit this goal we will add 1 additional Building Sprue to each BattleZone FOR FREE.

Currently the BattleZones are at 3 Building Sprues and 1 Connector Sprue. Hitting this stretch goal will change that to 4 Buildings Sprues and 1 Connector Sprue, adding the equivalent of 6 tiles into each set. We will make sure that the Connector Sprue is resized to give you enough connectors for the extra tiles.



All future BattleZones will get this starting number of sprues as standard.

So, what does that mean for our scenery pledge levels and add-ons?

Only-click Urban Battlefield ($100 + early bird):
PLUS 4 additional Building Sprues - approximately 24 Tiles

Only-click Urban Wargames Table ($285 + early bird):
PLUS 12 additional Building Sprues - approximately 72 Tiles

Urban Fight ($25) Scenery Add-on:
PLUS 1 additional Building Sprue - approximately 6 tiles

Urban Skirmish ($50) Scenery Add-on:
PLUS 2 additional Building Sprues - approximately 12 tiles

Urban Battle ($95) Scenery Add-on:
PLUS 4 additional Building Sprues - approximately 24 Tiles

Urban War ($185) Scenery Add-on:
PLUS 8 additional Building Sprues - approximately 48 Tiles

$520,000 – FREE Doctor Gayle Simmonds



One of the stars in the lead up to our Kickstarter launching, Doctor Simmonds unfortunately met an untimely end as the Plague outbreak just got too much for her…

Doctor Simmonds was one of the genius minds on Nexus Psi, stationed as both an archaeologist and biotechnician.

By the time the Containment Protocol was ordered and the Enforcers landed, Simmonds had already lost her team to the mutant beasts roaming the streets. Having received basic training by the security teams on board her ship during spaceflight, Gayle managed to preserve her life a little better than the others – but it was only a matter of time before the Plague caught up with her.

Defiant in the clutches of a rabid second generation, her body succumbed to the mutant virus, warping far faster than any other victim previous. She eventually awoke from the turmoil, her need for knowledge greatly exaggerated, a base desire to cause pain greatly inflamed.

With vengeance on her mind, Simmonds vowed to destroy those that had left her to this fate.

If we hit this goal we will be able to sculpt and tool Doctor Gayle Simmonds, a brand new special character for the Plague – and include her free with pledges of Recon ($100 + Early Bird) and up*

Not only that but such is her importance to the Nexus Psi story that Jake will centre one of the scenarios around Simmonds, as the Enforcers will need to quickly end her life if they are to escape her thirst for blood!

* Not including the scenery only pledges.

$525,000 – FREE Deadzone Short-Story Compilation

Enriching the Warpath universe was one of the key motivations behind Deadzone and, if we hit this goal, you’ll allow us to delve further into the background as we will write a short story compilation written by the likes of esteemed authors Guy Haley, Alessio Cavatore, Jake Thornton PLUS special guests.



This epic new compilation will feature all-new explosive stories between the warring factions and special characters both new and old.

If we hit this goal, we will add a FREE digital copy of the Deadzone Short Story Compilation with every pledge on the Deadzone Kickstarter.

There you go guys, let us know what you think in the comments. Let’s get these goals hit!

Edit to fix formatting.

[Giger]

I've updated the opening post with the new stretches.

Also I was at Sheffield Triples today where Mantic were showing off the new Deadzone Enforcer sculpts (amongst other things) so I took a couple of snap:

[tnjrp]

Basic terrain sprues on parade:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1744629938/deadzone-the-sci-fi-miniatures-board-game/posts/485317

Now that you can get 4 of those per Battlezone it's they are actually starting to look faily sweet a deal.

[Giger]

The terrain deals of becoming exceedingly good value and there is talk of potentially increasing the about of sprues you get at the Recon and Strike pledge levels too.

[Vermis]

I dunno about the excuse but the action is solid. I was willing to accept them but knowing they will have a cool and awesome injection makes me happy. There is something about this company that I just plain like a lot. I know they cop flack for some of their decisions but taking a neutral overview of the whole shebang its pretty much what you want in a company.

Acting on feedback and criticism is good, but I can't help but think they could put in just an iota more effort to cop a lot less flak in the first place.  Too many of their sneak-peeks are spoiled by a handful of minis with shoddy and amateurish design and execution - makes me wonder if they really do neglect to 'really look at the minis before showing them off'.

[Giger]

Just updated the OP, Dr. Simmonds is now in and the next stretch goal is the Ruined BattleZone terrain option.

[eMills]

Acting on feedback and criticism is good, but I can't help but think they could put in just an iota more effort to cop a lot less flak in the first place.  Too many of their sneak-peeks are spoiled by a handful of minis with shoddy and amateurish design and execution - makes me wonder if they really do neglect to 'really look at the minis before showing them off'.

I tend to agree with you here, Vermis.  I think they need a good, strong-willed, art director.  Someone who will tell their freelancers to do things over when necessary, and someone who will keep all of the creative types (artists, sculptors, writers) on a consistent, singular, coherent track.

I really want to get into their game, since I am a bit tired of the grim-dark future, so I hope they do listen to their criticism.

~Eric

[Inso]

I've just backed this... only at scout level... but I am just keen on getting the rebs because there is a nice mix of alien types in there.

I don't really speculate too much on the ins and outs of a kickstarter, I just see if there is anything I like the look of and take the risk.

[emperorpenguin]

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1744629938/deadzone-the-sci-fi-miniatures-board-game/posts

Fair play to Mantic, this model is excellent! The "Survivor" or "Not-Quarian" 

[tnjrp]

Well, it does have a somewhat similar helmet and some other details do match, but overall it's not a very good not-Quarian. Which is good.
http://www.creativeuncut.com/gallery-21/art/me3-quarian-male.jpg

On the subject of not-Xs, how about this for not-Deadzone?
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rolljordan/maki-games-high-quality-modular-wargaming-terrain/posts/486826

[Giger]

New update just gone up with a new stretch goal:
$537,500 – Recon Unit N32-19 (free at Recon and up)
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1744629938/deadzone-the-sci-fi-miniatures-board-game/posts/487084?ref=activity