FINAL WEEK: Add On Rewards
almost 5 years ago
– Sun, Jun 16, 2019 at 09:26:54 PM
Avast & Ahoy, me hearties!
We're into the final days of the campaign - only four days remain on this voyage! As discussed in Friday's post, I'll be highlighting a few key concepts and areas over the next few days, just to make sure everyone has the information they need to get the most of out this Kickstarter campaign.
Whether you're a new backer (welcome aboard, ya scuvy swab!) or have been with us from day one (You salty sea dog!), these are good items to review to make sure that we all end up where we want to be.
(An aside, if you're a new backer, make sure you check out the MANUSCRIPT PREVIEWS that have been posted - the entire manuscript will be available to review before the campaign concludes).
Ahoy! It's James, your coxswain on this journey!
Today, I am going to talk about ADD ON reward options. On Thursday, before the campaign finishes I will post an update with a Final Checklist & What Comes Next.
First Step: Reward Tier
The absolute best way to ensure that you're getting all of the available rewards you want from this kickstarter is to ensure you've selected the appropriate Backer Reward Tier, as detailed in our Reward Tier Update. Selecting the right Reward Tier covers about 95% of the options available to you. If you want the PDF only, make sure you've selected the correct reward. If you want the hardcover version, double-check your reward tier to ensure it's featured. If you were thinking about maybe getting a Print-On-Demand version at some point in the future, make sure the "At Cost" PoD Option is included with your choice.
Once you've completed that important step, you're going to want to look at the extra rewards or any reward "bits" that don't automatically fall into your reward tier. That takes us to Add On rewards.
Step Two: Add-Ons.
If you've selected one of the "core" Reward Tiers, you've likely already included most of the rewards you want. In addition to the rewards offered as part of the Reward Tier configurations, there are a few other possible rewards you may wish to add. All Add-On rewards will be described below.
Each add on includes an extra amount to add on to your total pledge amount. Remember that your total pledge amount includes all shipping charges and not just your reward tier level.
Using myself as an example, my BUCCANEER Reward Tier is a $20 pledge, which is the same as my total pledge amount, since I'm not ordering any physical items and don't require any extra for shipping charges to Canada.
The details of my current reward tier - it also converts to approximate Canadian dollars for me.
Reviewing the list of rewards with my Tier, I see that it doesn't include the "At Cost" Print-on-Demand option: Pirates of Pugmire. In addition to that reward, there is an Add On item (the Monarchies of Mau Core Book PDF) that I'd like to add to my rewards list. As noted, the first step should always be to select the proper reward tier to see if there's one that offers everything you want.
So, I've decided to add these two items to my rewards list, and I need to change my Reward Tier (to Freebooter) and then adjust my Total Pledge Amount to cover the additional pledge amounts required.
The big blue Manage your pledge button, me hearties!
To update my Reward Tier, first I click MANAGE MY PLEDGE and then select my new Reward Tier.
Make sure you select CHANGE and not CANCEL by mistake!
The Freebooter reward tier includes all of the main rewards I'm interested in.
Now I can update my TOTAL PLEDGE AMOUNT to include the cost of the ADD ON reward I wish to add to my rewards list.
Checking my digital library, I find that I have Pugmire but I'm don't yet have Monarchies of Mau, so I have decided to add the Monarchies of Mau Core Rulebook PDF +$10 Add On Reward.
I updated my pledge amount to include my new Add On selection.
I can change the pledge amount to include my Add Ons. My new Total Pledge Amount is now $35:
$25 for the FREEBOOTER Reward Tier (which includes the PoD Option I was interested in)
+$10 for the Monarchies of Mau PDF
Once I've done that, I click Update Pledge (or Continue, depending on your browser and interface).
A note for non-U.S. Residents (like me) - all currency show is in US Dollars, so be aware of exchange rates when planning your purchase.
It's important to note that there is NO PLACE in your kickstarter reward tier pledge to indicate which add-ons you wish to include, or give any reason why you are adjusting your pledge to a new amount. You aren't adding items to a shopping cart in this scenario - instead, you're adding pledge dollars that you will assign once the campaign ends. With this in mind, you may want to make a note of which add-on items and the associated add-on dollar amounts you've included if you're forgetful like I am.
Once the campaign ends and Kickstarter processes the payments, I will send out a survey via Backerkit - a complex system of tools used to manage the back-end of the kickstarter fulfillment process. When you receive the survey, you will confirm your Backer Reward Tier and assign your pledged dollars to any add-on items that you wish to include. I'll repeat and expand on this information in an upcoming post about "What Happens Next?" in Thursday's update.
ADD ON REWARDS
PDF ADD ON REWARDS: These PDF rewards can be added to any tier that includes the Pirates of Pugmire PDF (anything higher than LANDLUBBER):
All PDF Rewards will be fulfilled by DriveThruRPG. Previously-released titles are the ones currently available from DrivethruRPG.com and were created as best they could be depending on the state of the files. So quality may vary from title to title.
PHYSICAL ADD ON REWARDS: Note that physical rewards (extra copies of the hardcover books and screens) can only be added to Reward Tiers that already include the hardcover version of the Pirates of Pugmire, and therefore, appropriate shipping charges (CORSAIR or higher). Also note the different hardcover Add On prices for US- and non-US residents.
PIRATES OF PUGMIRE GUIDE SCREEN - A sturdy three-panel screen featuring the beautiful collage of Pugmire art on the outer side, and on the inside it'll have pirate-specific tables and references for your chronicle, including the sailing rules, the new weapons (including gunpowder weapons), and rules for Gunpowder Panic, along with some information that will be useful for any Pugmire or Monarchies of Mau game!
Not final image
Don't fret if you had forgotten to increase your pledge amount to cover an Add On by the end of the campaign. These Add Ons will be available to select in our post-campaign Pledge Manager. So, if you are undecided at this time, you will be able to hold off until we're closer to the final reward shipment goes out.
Add Ons AFTER Reward Tiers
Again, your first step should always be choosing the proper reward tier. I've had a few backers ask about adding a second (or fifth...) hardcover copy to their CORSAIR reward tier. You are much better off selecting the Multiple Reward tiers if you want additional copies (SEADOG and PRESSGANG).
It probably goes without saying that all funds are expressed in US Dollars, although Kickstarter displays the approximate conversion rate.
It Adds Up!
That should explain the process of Selecting your Reward Tier and increasing your TOTAL PLEDGE AMOUNT to account for any additional rewards you wish to receive. Since increasing your pledge amount increases the overall funding level of the project, add-ons can help us achieve our funding target, so it benefits us all to suggest that you double-check to make sure you're getting all of the rewards you want.
Additionally, this may go without saying,please review your personal budgetand ensure you've selected the appropriate reward tier and add ons for your current financial situation. Kickstarter will begincharging your payment methodonce the campaign ends, so ensure you've budgeted correctly.
Conclusion
As we move through these final days of the campaign, please ensure you've chosen the correct Reward Tier for the rewards you want. And beyond that - please make sure you've adjusted your TOTAL PLEDGE AMOUNT to include the additional funds that will cover any add-ons you wish to receive.
On Thursday, just before the campaign ends, I will send an update detailing the steps that occur after the campaign concludes, including how and when to confirm your add-on rewards.
So, just like every update: Spread the word! Share your excitement on social media! Tell your friends! We're about to enter the rapid race to the finish line, so let's make sure that none of our friends miss out!
#PiratesOfPugmire
#UnfurlTheSails
#FinalWeek
FINAL WEEK: Reward Tiers!
almost 5 years ago
– Fri, Jun 14, 2019 at 07:20:34 AM
Avast & Ahoy me hearties,
We're in the final week of this pirate journey - it ends on Thursday, June 20 at 2:00 PM EDT - there's still time to recruit additional crew and unfurl our sails, but we're definitely getting closer to shouting "Land ho!" With that in mind, I wanted to touch on some of the basics over the next 6 days to make sure that everyone has all of the information they need to support the project in the way that works best for them.
Review topics to cover over these final days:
Reward Tiers
Add-Ons
Final Checklist & Next Steps
Whether you're a new backer or have been with us from day one, these are good items to review to make sure that we all end up where we want to be.
(An aside, if you're a new backer, make sure you check out the MANUSCRIPT PREVIEWS that have been posted - the entire manuscript will be available to review before the campaign concludes).
It's James, doing his best to navigate us through this journey!
BACKER REWARD TIERS
Like it says right at the top of the campaign page, we've come together to help create a traditionally printed game book featuring pirates in the Realms of Pugmire. To borrow an analogy that I've used in past Kickstarter campaigns, this works similar to the "Viewers Like You" support campaign from your local PBS Station (for those who get American television channels or watched Sesame Street): There are various levels of support that you can pledge to, and these come with various levels of rewards ("booty," to keep with pirate themes!) offered as a thank you. Like getting a tote bag or t-shirt when you give money to public broadcasting to fund them doing their thing, you can get rewards for helping Onyx Path work on this project.
Let's review the Backer Reward Tiers to ensure that you've pledged to a Reward Tier that provides all the rewards you wish to receive.
Setting Sail: Digital Only or Hardcover + PDF
The main reward offered in this campaign is, of course, the main goal of the entire proposition: the Pirates of Pugmire chronicle sourcebook. The first decision you need to make in figuring out your reward tier is whether you want to receive a digital PDF version or if you want the prestige hardcover book.
These are PDF-only reward tiers. So, if you're saving trees or saving shelf space - or avoiding the shipping charges that seem to be ever-increasing - these are the reward tier options that you should begin with. The PDF will be fulfilled by our partners at Drivethrurpg.com - when it is ready, you will receive a link to add it to your DTRPG library and be able to download at your leisure.
HARDCOVER+PDF REWARD TIERS:
CORSAIR
PICAROON
SEADOG
PRIVATEER
BOATSWAIN (BO'S'N)
SUTLER
PRESSGANG
ARTILLERY MASTER, SAILING MASTER, QUARTERMASTER, FIRST MATE
CAPTAIN
These reward tiers include the traditionally-printed prestige hardcover version of this book. That means the books are produced in a large print run at one time, and will have the best production values, from color clarity and appearance to binding and materials. In addition, these options also include the PDF version, so you will get a digital copy as described above.
And, yeah, Bo's'n (or bosun) is how you pronounce boatswain! Yar! Pirates have no time for all the letters!
The only Reward Tier that does not include the PDF version of the book is the LANDLUBBER tier. You should select this Reward Tier if you want to read the manuscript previews posted in the Backers-Only updates (and continue to have access to them after the campaign ends) but do not wish to receive either a PDF or hardcover version of the final book.
Once your primary decision between PDF-only or hardcover + PDF (or neither, landlubber) has been made, it's time to learn about the additional rewards you may wish to receive.
There are few additional reward options we'll cover before discussing Multiple and Premium reward tiers:
MANUSCRIPT PREVIEWS – All Reward Tiers include access to Backers-Only manuscript previews. With the exception of the final adventure preview (which will be posted on Tuesday next week), I have posted the entire manuscript across multiple sections. You must be a kickstarter backer to access these previews, as the link will remain in a backers-only update post. The manuscript previews are not available to those who pre-order the book at a later date.
PUGMIRE DICE SET - A set of seven bone white dice: two d20s with special Pugmire symbols in place of the 20, and a d12, d10, d8, d6, and d4. Dogs love bones! Limited Quantities Available.
MONARCHIES OF MAU DICE SET - A set of seven ebon black dice: two d20s with special a Monarchies of Mau symbol in place of the 20, and a d12, d10, d8, d6, and d4. Cats love to bat things around! Limited Quantities Available.
PUGMIRE GUIDE SCREEN - A sturdy three-panel screen featuring the beautiful collage of Pugmire art on the outer side, and on the inside there's a selection of charts and other info to make the Guide's job a little bit easier. Limited Quantities Available.
OPTIONAL "AT COST" PoD VERSION – For Pirates of Pugmire, you will have the option of using DriveThruRPG’s Print-On-Demand service to purchase a physical, printed copy directly from their PoD partners at as close as we can get to the cost of printing and shipping (this cost is not included in your pledge, and you do not need to increase the cost of your pledge to use this option). When the PoD versions are available to order (which will be some time after the book has gone to print), you will receive links to purchase these versions of the book from DriveThruRPG.com. You DO NOT need to take advantage of this PoD offer as it does not affect in any way your pledge rewards.
Choosing Your Reward Tier
There have been some changing winds this past week - a few Reward Tier adjustments and changes by backers, as budgets changed and parts of the manuscript were released. In these final days it's best to ensure that you've selected the Reward Tier that offers you the options and rewards you want to receive and are ready to lock down. This timing - before the campaign ends - is the absolute most affordable and inclusive these rewards will be, and will save headaches and heartbreaks if fully considered now.
AVAST! What about special reward tiers?!
Right! In addition to our "core" Reward Tiers, we've got two other areas for consideration. These are Multiple Copy rewards and Premium Rewards.
If you are backing for yourself and a friend (or just want a second copy for your collection), the SEADOG Tier was designed for you.
If you are the point person for your entire gaming group and need 5 copies of the hardcover, the PRESSGANG tier is your clear choice.
And, finally, if you are a retailer interested in making this available in your store, a special retailer tier, the SUTLER, is open to you upon prior approval from Onyx Path (please email [email protected] prior to selecting this reward to confirm your status).
As discussed on the second day of the campaign, shipping outside the US has gotten quite expensive. Splitting the shipping cost across multiple copies in a single shipment is one way to bring the cost per book down, if you're able to coordinate your backing and delivery with friends.
These special reward tiers offer some enhanced interaction with the setting, from naming characters, having your pet serve as inspiration for an interior illustration, or just collecting signatures from the writing team behind this book. These options are extremely limited, but we've been able to slightly increase availability this week, so a few slots may still be available.
If you were interested in a premium reward tier that is completely accounted for, keep an eye on them during the final days of the campaign, as there is sometimes movement that opens them up as we approach the conclusion.
Summary
So, with all of that said - consider your Reward Tier selection. Are you backing to receive your copy of the PDF or hardcover version of Pirates of Pugmire? Have you considered which additional rewards you're most interested in and selected the configuration that best works for you? Did you jump on one of the limited premium reward options?
Make sure your Reward Tier matches what you're looking for - or, at least, covers most of what you're interested in. On Sunday, we'll cover Add Ons and talk about how to tweak your Reward List to ensure you're getting anything that's missing from your list.
And, with that, the final leg of our journey begins. Let's lock in our Reward Tiers and keep working towards growing the project so everyone has a chance to join in. DO NOT MISS OUT! And on to our destination and our funding goal!
#PiratesOfPugmire
#Bo's'n
FINAL WEEK - Be a Pirate Ambassador
almost 5 years ago
– Thu, Jun 13, 2019 at 01:29:41 PM
Avast and Ahoy, me hearties!
Yar!
We've started our FINAL WEEK countdown! We've come far in the past 23 days - more than 620 backers, just over $34,000 and 85% funded! But we've still a ways to go before we make it to shore and fund this project.
At this part of every campaign I urge everyone to Be An Ambassador - spread the word about the campaign, share your excitement on social media and in your social circles, and let everyone know that not only is this campaign nearing the end, but it's definitely one you want everyone to climb aboard! Let people know what the parts are that excite you! Encourage them to read the previews - especially the new callings and new species - birds and lizards! Plus gunpowder rules and weapons!
A parrot pirate! A feline first mate! A canine quartermaster!
Sometimes the concepts of a game just seem so *obvious* and natural. I like Pugmire a lot - the idea of uplifted dogs questing for the lost treasures left behind by Man is an amazing idea, and just clicks so perfectly with my imagination. When Eddy started talking about Pirates of Pugmire, and adding lizards and birds and creating a space for Pugmire to overlap with Monarchies of Mau, I was on board immediately.
I like the swashbuckling. I like the exploring. And I love the opportunity to expand the Realms of Pugmire. And then when I started seeing preview art, I was locked in. I mean, just look at this...
Poodles, Turtles, Parrots...
I love that this is a Chronicle Sourcebook - not only introducing new rules, new species, new callings - but also providing a framework to bring it all together and make use of both your Pugmire and Mau books. Thanks to another fantasy game's recent pirate- and sailing-inspired adventure, there's a ton of accessories and other options to also bring into this setting, from ship schematics to treasure maps, and Pirates of Pugmire can make use of all of it! And a three-part chronicle to help launch a fully-crewed ship on a new adventure.
I know you've told some friendly gamers that you know about this campaign, and shared your pledge on Twitter or Instagram, and seen the banner ad on the messageboards and people are in the know. Believe me when I tell you, though, how many e-mails I get after every campaign from a huge fan of the property who didn't know or had just missed out.
There's so much going on - massive pop culture events pop up like giant kaiju, epic video game trailers and announcements, the start or finish of sports seasons, difficult and challenging political times, culture clashes, terrible accidents and natural disasters in the world - it can be overwhelming. People can miss out on the things that bring them joy. And, for so many fans, the Pugmire and Mau games are their escape - an awesome hobby in the middle of chaotic world. It's a shame if they miss out because they were distracted by the noise - both important events as well as the daily buzz of regular life.
And, to maybe be a little maudlin for a moment, it's not just about adding to the world of Pugmire. One of the things I enjoy most about these kickstarter campaigns is building these communities - as momentary or focused as they may be - that see us coming together with common purpose and achieving a goal. It's important to reach out. It's important to find something to work toward with a group, to build a community. My family adopted a dog just before I ran the Fetch Quest campaign last year, and like many of you - I LOVE talking about everyone's furry friends.
Now, I'm not saying that anyone should spam the internet with links and ads. But, if you have an opportunity to share -again - your enthusiasm and excitement for this project with friends or friendly gamers, go for it. Let them know what's being built here - a framework to use both Pugmire and Mau and to expand with turtles and geckos and crows and parrots! A swashbuckling tale ready to be told across many tables, and over many Discord sessions.
Let our pirate flags fly, and let's invite others to join in with our project! Take a little extra effort - share your enthusiasm and tell others what excites you. Talk about gunpowder panic. Talk about Waterdog port. Share ideas - what creatures lurk in the Acid Sea? How would you crew your ship? What treasures will you hunt?
Let's see how much further we can sail over the final 7 days!
Additional Opportunities
When we build these kickstarters, we try to leave some wiggle room for organic adjustments and/or expansions while the campaign is running. One of the things we've been able to look at as we moved through the campaign is the possibility of adding a few more slots to the dog- and cat-themed premium reward tiers, where backers can name an NPC after their pet or submit images of their pet for artists to use as models for interior illustrations. (It turns out we still have a lot of interested dog and cat families, and a lot fewer bird and lizard families than I'd anticipated!)
Today, I've re-balanced the reward tier slots and expanded the opportunities to back at the Canine Quartermaster, Feline First Mate, and Captain of Teeth and Tails reward tiers. So, a few more opportunities for some backers to get their dog or cat included in the pirate canon. (Get it? Pirate Cannon!)
#PiratesOfPugmire
#FinalWeek
#SetSailWithUsOverTheAcidSea
Audio Design Diary 6
almost 5 years ago
– Thu, Jun 13, 2019 at 05:46:44 AM
Avast and Ahoy, me hearties!
We've got our latest episode of Eddy Webb's audio design diary to share today - this one recorded back at the end of January. In the past few episodes, we've heard Eddy talking about conferencing with the writers as they prepare to turn in their first draft. In this episode, Eddy talks about redlines and revisions and getting the book working as parts of a whole.
It's great to listen to Eddy's thoughts back in the early days of this project, but you can also read a recent interview with him that was just posted at FlamesRising.com - CLICK HERE TO READ THE INTERVIEW
We've made substantial progress over the past week, and with still more than a week to go we're closing in our our funding target! But we'll still need everyone to pitch in to get us across that finish line and to our destination. Don't forget to share on your social media and in your social circles! Let's keep sailing!
