Frustrating delays & other news
over 3 years ago – Tue, Oct 20, 2020 at 04:35:46 AM

Hi everyone, 

Unfortunately I have some frustrating news - shipping of the game has been delayed. Given everything that was going on in the world, and the complexity of the product, I was - relatively speaking - pleased we were looking at an overall delay of only around 6 weeks from our original estimates made in November 2019. Unfortunately, now it looks inevitable that we'll be further delayed.

Both my hope and professional pride to bring you something that was only slightly delayed in the face of 2020 and the current crisis are now dashed. I thought we really could be different. My sincere apologies.

Why are we delayed?

We were making great progress on the plastics side, but we've hit some really frustrating hurdles in the final sampling of the paper/card products. I'd allowed a lot more time than we were projected to need and the factory are working to optimise the production but it seems things are still suffering knock-on effects from disruption earlier on in the year. As always, components move at the rate of the slowest part and Magnate has a lot of parts!

We also have wrangling  to do to get the right design on the insert, which is unpleasantly interdependent with the other components. That's critical: we all know many games are made smooth set-up/packdown experiences based on how well designed their inserts are. There are components - like the tenant tokens - that I am keen to make fast to get at using this insert, if I can. It's all about reducing friction to play and getting to the actual fun bit faster. As I've said before, a late product is late to backers once (which isn't great at all) but a rushed product is bad forever (which is much worse). So much as it pains me, I know taking extra time to nail that is the correct call; even after one delay already.

How much of a delay do we expect ?

I had hoped the vast majority of backers would get their games by Christmas. That was my internal target as part of the December fulfilment. Some backers may start getting their games by then but it looks like most will now be waiting for after. The factory and I are actually looking at speeding-up on the shipping for backers to catch-up to the original timeline, but until we're well into actual mass production part its hard to say.

It now looks like we'll be shipping the game for the majority of backers early next year. As I get more information, I will provide a clearer estimate. I am very reluctant to nail it down too precisely at this point until we're over the next hump. I want you to have confidence in our estimates, rather than just provide something overly optimistic that keeps getting pushed. I know I absolutely hate that. It's enormously frustrating that we've already missed one.

What progress do we have to show?

On the plus side, we have been making more progress in areas that are those which are typically more painful or subject to delay.

1) Plastics samples are now approved

We got the sample of the plastics to be sent ahead to make sure  tooling could get underway even if other elements were delayed. I am glad to say these are all approved with only minor modifications:

The new purpose built crash marker and Apartment tower also look great - the first time we've got to see them in the flesh:

All of these masters are beautifully detailed, correctly hollowed-out by the factory designers and reflect the kind of quality you should see in your models when the game arrives.

2) Rulebook proofing

We've been using the extra time to do as much final checking as possible on our end on the rulebook, tycoon rules flyer and tutorial. This makes the time gap between getting the final sample and hitting the big red button as small as possible. Hopefully another small catch-up. 

Pledge manager update

It looks like the vast majority of pledges have now been updated. Thank you so much everyone. I am going to start individually contacting people who are still having problems. If you need any help, just let me know!

Apologies again for this frustrating news. I shall hopefully be in touch again soon with more details on more exact fulfilment estimates. Until then, please be well.

All the very best,

James

Cards charging in less than 48 hours / Rulebook ready
over 3 years ago – Thu, Sep 03, 2020 at 01:31:51 AM

Hi everyone - just a really quick reminder that orders will be locked and cards charged very shortly - you should have got the final notice.

Last chance to get the KS exclusive

This is also the last chance to  for anyone to get a KS edition with the gold 10m notes. We'll only ever produce one run of these particular notes - and that's it. It will be a lasting souvenir - to say thank you for taking the chance on us and making Magnate a reality.

Rulebook link

If you're keen to get a glimpse of the production rulebook, you can get it right here. It's been very extensively blind tested and edited so barring any minor proofing / small style  or asset changes (like our new core game wallets... that don't feature in this rulebook version yet) this is what will be in the box. But please note: its a bit low res to make it load in a reasonable time. Feel free to comment if you spot any typos!

Progress report

All the tutorial testing is now complete, as is the rulebook (as above). For the last few weeks,  I've been head-down in preparing final files for the factory - and not a lot else! It's been tough but exhilarating. Very soon we should get a sample box with all the final components as close to real manufacturing quality as possible.  It will also be the first time we see the final buildings: master copies that will be mass produced in plastic.

As soon as it arrives I will be sharing pics!

That's all for now. I hope you are all safe and well!

All the best,

James

Date updates: Pledge manager lock & estimated delivery
over 3 years ago – Fri, Aug 14, 2020 at 03:11:33 AM

Pledge manager lock date - September 3rd

The print run is almost upon-us so its time to confirm final quantities!

As a result, the lock date is coming up. The pledge manager will close on the 3rd of September and we'll be charging cards at that point - so please make sure you get your surveys updated by then. If you did want any extra copies of the KS version you'll also need to make sure you get your orders for those in ASAP. They too will be coming off the store at the same point. As I promised, those banknotes will be a true limited edition. They'll never be sold again after that date. 

Progress update

It really is just finishing touches now! We're polishing the final visuals on all the components, preparing final files, ready for the sample box and looking for typos. It's utterly bonkers to me that we're finally this close. It's a little bit surreal and - if I am honest - a little nerve racking.  It's a pretty substantial manufacturing project after all. We do however, feel very confident. We have spent a lot of time this year perfecting everything we can and double checking every part of the game to make this the very best experience it can be. Progress here is also what has given me the confidence to finally project a new delivery date...

Estimated delivery: December 2020

As I warned a few months back, the impact of the pandemic was certain to delay us. I am glad to say, it hasn't delayed us too much. So as long as things go roughly to plan (we have some buffer on this estimate) we should start fulfilling in early December. This means that most of you lovely backers, should get your games in time for Christmas. Of course this is subject to any acts of God (such as massive new shutdowns) or major manufacturing issues that crop-up before then. As always, quality comes first! 

Magnate is at Virtually Expo!

We're a the virtual UKGE show next weekend (21st-23rd). Join us over there for streamed Magnate demos - as featured in our new virtual event calendar. We'll be available on Discord to answer any questions you may have, 

That's it for now. I hope you are having good time and you and your loved ones are safe and well. 

All the very best,

James

First bank note portraits are in & general update
almost 4 years ago – Fri, Jul 17, 2020 at 02:18:36 PM

Progress update

Things continue to tick over here nicely. The rulebook is being graphically laid out now and the final touches to graphic design are being implemented. You won't see a radical shift from the prototype: that was very much the closest to the final thing we could make as possible. We wanted it to be easy to envision the final version from there. But there are a lot of small "quality of life" improvements: materials upgrades and optimisations, not to mention overhaul of the companies etc. Plastics development continues apace. 

Banknotes - First portraits are in! 

I'm incredibly pleased with how these have come along: we're almost to the final design so I thought I'd show you these example note reverses, featuring one of our superbackers! Just check out quality of the portrait. It's all hand drawn -Amazing! 

There's still ONE OF THESE LEFT! If you want to be immortalised on a banknote, you still can. Just upgrade in the pledge manager and you or a loved one will be featured on one demonination in every copy of the game. You'll also get a copy of the original sized high-res image, should you want to make a print or use it in other ways. 

Btw - we're keeping the original building artwork too. Just like real banknotes, these are on high quality materials and have different designs on each side. 

Pledge manager

There's still a hundred plus backer that haven't filled their surveys yet. If that's you, could you get a filled? You can get access here. We'll be announcing the closing date of the pledge manager soonish. After it closes, you won't be able to adjust your pledge. We need that shipping information to actually get a game to you!

Hope life is treating you well!

All the best,

James

New company logos & pledge manager reminder
almost 4 years ago – Tue, Jun 30, 2020 at 03:29:09 PM

Progress report

We've now seen the first prototype buildings from the factory and they are looking great - exactly as designed and very close indeed to those lovely resin prototypes. With things starting to move there, I am also more  hopeful that I can give you you revised timeline soon. I think getting the game to you before the end of the year is still very much in reach, right now. But I don't want to make any promises until the quality of time estimates improve and once we have the full sample version in our hands.

Tutorial testing - the last substantive thing we are working on before we go to press on the card components - is also coming gradually to an end. I still don't want to say too much, but it still seems to be going really well. As long as our testing results haven't been a series of flukes, I think it will make the game much more accessible. It's been quite a challenging to do remotely. But with Zoom, Google Hangout etc and the ability to record tests... it might actually be superior method to in-person observed testing: at least for the blind testing stage. Since you're not in the room, people actually forget about your presence which also results in a cleaner test. Unless you have one of those great multiple-angle camera set-ups though (Like Paul Grogan over at Gaming Rules - who we worked with on this live blind test last year) you do miss a few things. 

New companies & their logos!

As we promised on that stretch goal, we've been re-designing the company logos that represent players to inject a bit more personality into them. They're not 100% finished quite yet (and one them still needs some major work) but I thought you'd like to see them.  

Here are the current versions of the full logos, complete with the company histories we created to inspire them. Each one will also have a small icon version of the logo that will actually appear on the tokens. Our plan is to include these larger versions, with their histories, of the on a page in the rulebook; just to provide some playful inspiration. You don't have to roleplay as these companies and there are no gameplay differences. When you're using them they can be whatever you like!

Vector Properties sees itself as the ultimate “work hard, play hard” business. They’re always ultra-professional and slickly presented to their clients. Based in swanky offices and wearing perfectly tailored suits, Vector’s team are hyper-aggressive risk-takers. At the office, or out-on-the-town until late at night, their top sales people are constantly competing to assert their status as the Alpha. At Vector how big your property deal is the ultimate test of manhood. How long will it take for their lifestyle and exceptional risk taking to catch-up with them?

Greyfield’s obscure origins were as a company providing power for early district electrical systems more than a hundred years ago. Now their holdings are so vast and numerous it’s not clear to even say what business this huge multinational is in. Nuclear power? Ball bearings? Petrochemicals? Public sector contracting? Finance? Greyfield’s property division is but one part of a sprawling corporate empire that quietly eschews the limelight in favour of a bland but tasteful corporate image that gives nothing away. Will anything stop their gradual and relentless advance?

Penforth Davey is an old fashioned family-run property firm with its roots in suburban housebuilding in the interwar years. Once widely trusted for their cosy family-friendly values, a series of PR and marketing missteps has seen the company fall on hard times, showing them to be out of touch as their once famous - and now quietly retired - “Local homes for local families” slogan. Their offices are old and creaking - their business practices older and creakier: some of their sales staff only just recently learned to use email. But the youngest and most ambitious scion of the Penforth family was just made the CEO and they’re looking to shake things-up: as far as they’re concerned, PD needs to be dragged kicking and screaming in the 21st century.

Run by ex-Silicon Valley tech entrepreneurs, “UrHme” (prounounced “your home”) is  on a mission to build affordable homes for young people increasingly locked-out of the housing market. Their slick website and conversationally-toned marketing literature is littered with revolutionary slogans about taking power back to the young and images of carefree millennials having fun. They would say their co-living facilities revolutionise the way people will live and work... Others might say the tiny floor space of their apartments represents an amazing return on investment for UrHme. Since UrHme seem to have become curiously diversified in their property investments of late, you’ll have to be the judge. 

A non-profit trust founded by a clique of the city’s current affluent residents, the Humble Foundations’s stated aims are clear: To preserve the architectural character and quiet dignity of the community as it is today, free from the ‘undesirable ‘elements’ large scale development will bring. But what better way to keep ‘undesirable ‘elements’ out and preserve that character than run all the large scale development yourself?  Questions have been raised about the humble foundation’s complex finances and where some of the money ends-up, but you can’t fault the tastefulness of their architectural plans.   

Pledge manager reminder

81% of you have already filled your surveys  - thank you very much for that! But there's still quite a few backers to go. So if you haven't yet, it would be brilliant if you could fill that survey out. We're not ready to lock orders yet (and will give you plenty of notice when we're planning that) but filling it out sooner, rather than later will really help. There's still a ton of great add-ons available too. 

That's it for now! Hope everyone is doing well. 

All the best,

James