Get your copy of Bubble Net, its expansions and accessories right here!
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Post Gen Con Update!
over 1 year ago
– Sun, Aug 11, 2024 at 07:26:49 AM
Hello, friends and Podmates!
We're back from Gen Con and swinging back into the rhythm of being a tiny, 2-person game studio with full-time jobs (lol?).
So, what's happening with the game?
TL;DR: The files for Bubble Net are going through some final tweaks. We will have some examples to show you very soon!
We need to finalise the design and art for all the game components, then send the files to the manufacturer to check for formatting issues, after which we can move towards our first pre-production copy.
We want the Print and Play files to be as perfect as we can make them, so we are waiting until they have been fully checked by us, Jovial Graphics, our editors and proof-readers, the manufacturer, Gameland, and our PNP expert, Martin Gonzalvez, before we send them out, because we know how upsetting it can be to work hard on a build only to find an error.
Right now, here's where things are:
Game logo * Design - complete
BASE GAME
Player boards * Art - complete * Graphic design - final draft in progress
Cards * Art - complete * Graphic design - final draft in review
Box * Art - complete * Graphic Design - in progress
Podmate tokens * Art - complete * Graphic Design - final draft in progress
Rulebook * Text - in review * Diagrams - first draft, in review * Art - WIP
Print and Play files * Awaiting final inputs so they are ready to send to Martin
FISH CLOCKS EXPANSION
Fish Clocks * Art - complete bar some tweaks to fit with design * Functional Design - in testing * Graphic Design - complete * Punchboard Design - awaiting testing
Box * Art - draft * Graphic Design - Draft
Rules * Text - draft * Diagrams - not started * Art - WIP
Print and Play files * Awaiting final inputs so they are ready to send to Martin
So as you can see, everything is moving along nicely. We expect to be sending our first set of files to the manufacturer in the next few weeks, which means we are also still on track for delivering the Print and Play versions during September as planned.
What else is happening chez Drayer?
HOMEBODIES
We are still isolating as much as possible, given how many people came home from Gen Con with COVID. No symptoms and tests remain negative, but better safe than sorry. It's also nice to have a bit of quiet time at home, working on our games and being with our pets.
To prepare, we have also been making prototypes of a game she designed recently, WillaMET, to give the students a starting point for their own design journey.
Prototype of Puddle Boats made for us by Print & Play
We are also bringing some of our other prototypes and game design kits.
We have received sponsored donations from Print&Play and Panda Game Manufacturing, which will help enormously. Check out our socials for more on all that as the course progresses -we are @drayerink on all the things!
FAREWELL
We had to say goodbye to our much-loved feline matriarch, Queen Shasha, who was almost 21. We are devastated, because she was a core member of our family, and there is a small black-and-white hole in our hearts. Our other two pets, Lizzie and Loki, are a bit disoriented without her firm rule, and need a lot of reassurance. It's all a bit subdued in the Drayer household at present.
Throwback to a rare family photo; Sha was due to turn 21, Lizzie is now 15, and Loki is 11.5
NEXT UPDATE
We will update you again soon with renders of the finalised base game and expansion components as soon as we have them!
Have a wonderful August, stay safe, hug your family - and if you want more frequent updates, follow us on Instagram TikTok Facebook (page and group) BlueSky Join our mailing list here
Ngā mihi,
Cat and George
Late pledges closing tonight, pledge manager opening tomorrow!
over 1 year ago
– Thu, Jul 18, 2024 at 03:10:47 PM
The subject says it all; tonight (8pm PST) Late Pledges on Kickstarter will be closing, and soon after the first surveys will be heading out to backers. If something seems odd with the survey you receive, PLEASE let us know!
Tomorrow morning the pledge manager will be available at https://bubble-net.backerkit.com!
As mentioned before, here you'll be able to add those items that you might have missed during the Kickstarter. Have some friends who missed out on the campaign and late pledges? No worries, we'll have a pre-order store available for them too at https://bubble-net.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders!
Due to the volatility of shipping prices globally right now, shipping fees for this project will be calculated at a later date once we have the best estimates for everyone. We plan to enter & charge backers for shipping a month or two before fulfillment when we have better estimates of what it will cost to ship backers rewards. We will alert backers when shipping costs are finalized & before we charge your cards in your BackerKit survey. We will keep you informed all along the way!
See you all on BackerKit!
We're nearly ready to open Pledge Manager!
over 1 year ago
– Tue, Jul 16, 2024 at 09:10:51 PM
Hi team,
Our BackerKit project is now in review, which means that shortly we'll be ending late pledges on Kickstarter and moving to full Pledge Manager mode!
So what does that mean for you?
It means you'll be able to add any elements, like the Fish Clock mini expansion, or maybe some pins, that you might have missed during the Kickstarter. Friends and family who didn't get in on the Kickstarter won't miss out either; we'll have a Pre-Order store open on BackerKit for non-backers to get in on the Bubble Net fun!
Speaking of Bubble Net fun, Cat's been hard at work creating the box and board art. Here's a sneak peek at the process and the work in progress:
Are you in the Portland area, and have kids that might be interested in game design? Cat is teaching a course in August at the Portland Art Museum's Center for an Untold Tomorrow (or PAM CUT for short). Here's a short video about just what you can expect:
Finally, we're putting together our rulebook, and that means a shout out to everyone who's playtested the game over the course of its development. If that's you, please comment/reply and let us know? We have been keeping records but we don't want to let anyone slip through!
That's all for now, talk to you soon!
An Update on Late Pledges (we're working on it!)
over 1 year ago
– Fri, Jul 12, 2024 at 08:02:02 AM
So, our late pledges are live! And if you've not backed before (so not you!) then you can access all the new rewards (YAY), but if you have backed (thank you!) you can't (BOOOOOOOO).
We thought the late pledge system would allow existing backers to add more to their pledge, but it doesn't. Don't worry, you will be able to add to your pledge through our chosen pledge manager, BackerKit!
To give those folks who just missed the Kickstarter run to have a chance to back we'll leave late pledges open here until July 22nd, but after that its over to BackerKit's pledge manager, where you'll get you access to those juicy new items!
Thank you all for your patience!
In other news:
- We'll be sending out our first survey to all of you shortly; this is some early info to help us understand you, how you found us, and what the geographic details of our fulfillment look like. Thank you in advance for your input!
- Print & Play fulfillment is currently targeted for September!
Back to work, updates to come!
Late Pledges are open and some new items!
over 1 year ago
– Thu, Jul 11, 2024 at 10:31:17 PM
We did it! Bubble Net is going to be a real game, thanks to you. For anyone who didn't get in before the Kickstarter closed, we're now opening late pledges! This is a brand new feature Kickstarter is offering so please let us know how your experience with it is.
Cat has been hard at work on the updated visuals; here's a teaser of just what you can expect to see when you open that box that arrives at your door:
Are you excited? I'm excited! If you'd like to see some of Cat's process when it comes to illustration be sure to check out our Instagram for some work in progress videos!
Speaking of things coming to your door, our reward tiers for the Fish Clock mini-expansion are available now for you to pick up!
And don't think we've forgotten you Print & Play fans! We'll be offering the Fish Dice (as a sticker sheet) and the Fish Clock expansions as a Print & Play add-on (available by the time you read this) for just $2!
If it all didn't feel real before, it certainly does now!
Speaking of reels, here's one from this morning, when our very first Kickstarter finished successfully! Click the delightful screenshot to view it on Instagram.
