Cytress: Cyberpunk Board Game

Shipping Progress, Score Showdowns, SOLO MODE Reveal & The Final Push!
9 months ago – Thu, Jul 17, 2025 at 12:06:11 AM

Hey Cyberpunkers!

We're so close to crossing the finish line on fulfillment, and it's incredible seeing so many of you already diving into the neon-drenched world of Cytress! Massive thanks for your patience and support. Let's get down to business:

🚢 Shipping Status: The Home Stretch!

• USA & EU Backers: The vast majority of you should have your games in hand by now! If you haven't received yours, PLEASE reach out via Kickstarter DM ASAP. I've contacted some missing backers already but may have missed others.
  
  • ⚠️ Address Issues?
    • If you received a shipping notification with an incorrect US address: Contact FedEx immediately to divert your package to a pickup center.
    • If you received a shipping notification with an incorrect EU address: Contact DPD immediately to divert to a pickup center.
  • For recent address updates (past few weeks):
    • We've processed your new addresses from emails/BackerKit and forwarded them to our fulfillment partner.
    • However, shipments were dispatched March 7th-14th using labels generated in mid-February.
    • Critical limitation: Carriers (FedEx/DPD) cannot reroute packages after labels are printed due to logistics restrictions.
    • ➡️ If your package is en route to an old address, contact the carrier (FedEx/DPD) URGENTLY to intercept or redirect.
  • AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND Backers: Great news! The games have landed at the warehouse in Sydney! Fulfillment kicks off THIS MONTH!
    
    • CRITICAL STEP: You should have received (or will receive very soon) an email asking you to confirm your shipping address and email. PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL PROMPTLY, even if you think you've already given me your current details. (BackerKit has been... temperamental lately, let's say!).
       
    • Didn't get that confirmation email? Don't panic! Send me a Kickstarter DM right away so I can chase it up and make sure you're on the list.

Our Goal: Let's get all physical games delivered within the next month! We can do this! 🏁

🎮 The Games Are LIVE! (And So Are Your Scores!)

Seriously, it warms my cybernetic heart seeing your setup pics and hearing your first experiences! Some of you are diving in deep – I even saw one backer playing a 3-player game by himself!

But the real news? THE SCORES ARE ROLLING IN! 🔥

• Shoutout to Leo who blasted past our very own publisher last week with a stellar 129 points! (The publisher put up a valiant 124, which is seriously impressive too!).
• Remember: Scoring above 100 points already puts you above the average Cytress rebel! That's no small feat.

The Ultimate Challenge: Can anyone crack 150 points?! 🧠⚡️ Honestly, that might require a neural implant or a serious IQ boost! If you've played, I'd LOVE to hear your high score in the comments below! Let's see who reigns supreme in the early days of Cytress!

Need a Rules Refresher?

Got specific mechanic questions? Post them in the comments of our How To Play video (just like other savvy backers have done). This helps everyone find the answers easily, and we might just add the best ones to the official "Cyberpunk Index"! 😉
 

🤖 NEW CONTENT: SOLO MODE & Add-On Showcase!

The moment some of you have been waiting for! In this update, I'm thrilled to finally unveil the SOLO MODE PLAY + KS ADD ONS for Cytress!

What's in the video?

1. Partial Solo Mode Rules Walkthrough: Battle against the cold, calculating Corporation AI! I'd rate it "Normal" difficulty – expect a challenge, especially in your first game if you haven't mastered the core strategies (hammer down that Tube Building Majority and Area Control!).
2. Kickstarter Add-Ons in Action: While absolutely not required to enjoy the base game or solo mode, this is how I love to play solo! I'll show you how I integrate the add-ons to really crank up the cyberpunk theme and narrative depth. Pure immersion!

Onwards to the Neon Horizon!

We're almost there, rebels! A huge thank you again for making Cytress a reality. Keep those scores, stories, and strategies coming. The future of Cytress is bright (and slightly dystopian)!

Let's crush fulfillment this month!

Keep running the nets,

Sean

🚢 Shipping Progress, Gameplay Videos & A Heartfelt Thank You!
10 months ago – Wed, Jun 11, 2025 at 05:32:04 AM

Hello Cyberpunkers!

First and foremost: THANK YOU. Seeing your unboxing photos, comments, and excitement as Cytress arrives worldwide has been absolutely incredible. This journey wouldn’t exist without your trust and patience.

📦 Shipping Status Update

✅ 50% of backers have received their games!

🚚 The remaining 50% are on track for delivery by the end of this month.

🇦🇺 Australian Backers (110 crewmates):
Your games are sailing aboard the Hyundai Privilege (VO1111S), estimated to dock in Sydney late June. Deliveries will follow in early July.

⚠️ CRITICAL REQUEST FOR AUSSIES:
If you’ve changed your address since the campaign ended (even via BackerKit), PLEASE message me directly on Kickstarter. We’ve had sync issues with BackerKit updates, and I want to ensure your game finds you!

🔔 All backers: If you received an address-confirmation email from our fulfillment partner but haven’t replied (or recently moved), message me ASAP so we can adjust your shipment. If I missed your earlier message, nudge me again!

🎉 We Made It!

This is it—Cytress is in your hands. It’s surreal, humbling, and deeply emotional. As my first Kickstarter, this journey stretched me in ways I never expected: design, development, manufacturing, logistics, community… all while balancing a full-time job and family. I own the delays completely—thank you for your patience as we navigated these challenges. But the journey was worth it! Why?

Because I love board games. 

As my Steam library proves (hundreds of hours logged in digital board games!), I live and breathe this hobby. 

Creating mechanics, themes, and moments that spark joy? 

That’s the dream. 

You backed Cytress because you love that magic too—and delivering it was my driving force.

Now, together, we rise.

🔄 Cytress: Evolved, Not Altered

Over 3 years, Cytress transformed based on 500+ hours of playtesting. If you missed updates like #33 (side-by-side comparison), the changes might surprise you. But every tweak—from components to iconography—was to enhance clarity, strategy, and immersion.

Rest assured:

The core tension, climactic scoring, and cyberpunk soul remain unchanged.

What’s new? Streamlined gameplay and richer decisions.

▶️ Learn the New Cytress in 10 Minutes!

I’ve created a full "How to Play" video (in the style of Watch It Played) to quickly guide you through the game:

🔮 What’s Next?

Share your games! Tag #Cytressboardgame on social media.

Min-max, experiment, break the system—then tell us how you did it!

This is just the beginning. Thank you for believing in a dream. Now go conquer the streets of Cytress.

With gratitude,

Sean

Important Update: Shipping Progress, Challenges & Our Commitment to You
11 months ago – Sun, Apr 27, 2025 at 06:09:08 AM

Dear Valued Backers,

First and foremost, I want to sincerely apologize for the delays in both shipping and communication over the past two months. I understand how frustrating this must be, especially after the promises made in earlier updates. Your trust means everything to us, and I take full responsibility for falling short of expectations. Let me address where we are today, the challenges we’ve faced, and the concrete steps we’re taking to resolve them.

The Situation: Challenges & Solutions

1. US Fulfillment Delays & Tariff Crisis

What Happened:
Our original US fulfillment partner’s costs skyrocketed due to inflation (packaging, labor, etc.), forcing us to seek alternatives. Unfortunately, negotiations with new partners dragged on, and their quotes were unsustainable. By the time we regrouped, the tariff hikes (first 54%, now 245%) upended all prior plans.

What We’ve Done:
To avoid passing costs to you, we pivoted to a Chinese fulfillment partner (SFC). The games are already en route to their warehouse, and once received, deliveries will take 25–30 days to reach you. Timing Note: This countdown starts after SFC receives the games (expected in 1–2 weeks). We’ll share tracking details immediately.

Regional Updates

Asia Backers:
Your games have arrived at the regional fulfillment warehouse! We’re now finalizing last-mile logistics. Barring unforeseen issues, deliveries should begin within 2–3 weeks. We’re monitoring daily and will provide tracking as soon as it’s live.

EU Backers:
We’re actively resolving VAT registration and clearance processes. While we don’t have a firm timeline yet, we’re working closely with local experts to expedite this. I’ll share a detailed EU-specific update next week once we finalize agreements.

AUS Backers:
Our US retail partner (who handles AUS fulfillment) paused shipments to reassess tariff risks. To avoid further delays, we’re negotiating to either:

Secure space in their upcoming container (if they proceed), or

Ship separately via a trusted partner.
We’ll confirm the path forward within 10 days and prioritize your orders accordingly.

Our Commitment to You

No Additional Costs: We’re absorbing tariff/inflation impacts internally.

Transparency: Monthly updates will resume, even if progress is incremental.

Quality Assurance: Every game will ship with protective bubble wrap + carton box—no compromises.

Final Note

I know “sorry” can’t undo the wait, but please know we’re working tirelessly to deliver the game you deserve. This project is a labor of love, and your support fuels our resolve to get it right.

If you have questions, reply here or message us directly. We’ll respond within 24 hours.

With gratitude and accountability,
Sean

P.S. As promised, here’s the video comparing the original Kickstarter prototype of Cytress with the final retail version you’ll receive: 

Your feedback shaped these improvements—thank you for being part of this journey!

Cytress is Ready to Ship! Unboxing, Freight Timeline & What’s Next
about 1 year ago – Fri, Feb 21, 2025 at 03:37:15 AM

Hey everyone! Welcome to this massive Cytress update.

I’m holding the final retail version of the game and all add-ons—fresh from the factory! This is exactly what you’ll receive when shipments begin. I’ll explain the shipping logistics in a moment, but first… let’s unbox this beauty together!

Key Points in the Video

First, the Cytress box itself. It’s doubled in size from the KS version! The sleek matte finish and bold title give it a cinematic feel. Inside, you’ll find:

• Premium Rulebook: Months of refinement, now printed in crisp, professional quality.
• Thick Black-Core Boards: Durable punch-out tokens and redesigned faction boards for readability.
• 3D Towers: Custom-molded minis (now dark brown!) with a stable, stackable design.
• Solo Mode Board: A polished system for organic solo play against an AI opponent.
• Dynamic Map: Double-sided and endlessly replayable—literally millions of combinations!

ADD-ONS REVEALED

Now, the Kickstarter-exclusive upgrades:

• Travel Pack: Compact cards for on-the-go play or small tables.
• Character Lore Books: Deep backstories and gameplay enhancements for all 5 heroes.
• Mission Packs: 70+ interconnected story-driven quests that shape your journey.
• Cyberpunk Graphic Novel / Origin Novel: The origin story of Cytress, blending art and lore.
• Stratolite Cards: Featuring backer names and refreshed art.

Everything fits neatly in the box once assembled—no wasted space!

Next up: A 4-part video series! I’ll compare prototypes vs. final components, demo solo mode, and showcase the staggering improvements we’ve made since the campaign. Trust me—you’ll prefer this version!

Now, Let’s Talk Shipping

In our last update, we mentioned that Cytress was expected to be ready for shipping by late January, but there was a chance it could leave after Chinese New Year, depending on logistics. That’s exactly what happened—while production finished on time, our shipping agent had to wait for the next available freight departure due to port congestion and priority bookings from larger companies.

The good news? The wait is over. Cytress is ready for freight shipping between March 7–14. From there, it will begin its journey to regional distribution hubs before heading to your doorstep.

Shipping Process Overview

Freight Timeline

Cytress will be shipped via freight between March 7–14.

What is Freight Shipping?
Freight shipping refers to the bulk transportation of game from the manufacturer to regional distribution hubs. This stage does not involve direct shipping to backers. Instead, large containers are transported via sea freight to ports in different regions. Once they arrive, they go through customs clearance before being sent to fulfillment centers, where individual orders are processed and shipped to customers.

Regional Delivery Estimates (After Freight Arrival)

• UK: ~20 days transit
• US: ~30+ days transit
• Australia: ~19 days transit
• Asia: ~15–25 days transit (varies by country)

Customs & Delays

Once containers arrive at their respective ports, they may undergo customs inspections (which can add approximately 5 extra days). After clearing customs, the goods will be transported to fulfillment centers—this additional step can take 24–48 hours in Sydney and 3–4 days in the US, depending on local logistics.

Potential Delays

While we aim for efficiency, there are factors beyond our control—such as customs inspections, port congestion, or fulfillment center workloads—that may impact timelines. For example, a fulfillment partner may initially estimate a 1-week turnaround but later require 3+ weeks due to high demand. We’ll keep you updated as shipments progress.

Final Notes

We’re thrilled with the production quality and can’t wait to get these into your hands! Thank you for your patience as we navigate the logistics. Stay tuned for photo updates and tracking details soon!

Best,

Sean and the Cytress Team

Production Progress, Behind-the-Scenes Insights and What’s Next for Your Game!
over 1 year ago – Fri, Dec 20, 2024 at 10:20:40 PM

Hi Cyberpunks,

I know it’s been a while since the last update, and I want to start by explaining why. Getting updates from the factory can be a slow process. Something as simple as requesting a photo or video can take months to materialize. Here’s how it typically works: I send a message to the publisher, who then contacts the manufacturers, who then need to relay the request to the factory where the actual printing happens. With so many links in the chain, it’s easy for a message to get delayed or forgotten. And when that happens, I follow up, the publisher follows up, and so on. Rest assured, I’ve been pushing hard for updates, and I appreciate your patience as we navigate this process.

Since it’s been a while, this update will be a long one to cover everything we’ve missed.

Printing the Components (Video from Factory!)

We’ve been making progress on printing all the components for the 5,000 copies of the game you’ve backed. Take a look at this image—it shows just one box full of resource boards. Now imagine boxes upon boxes, each containing different components like faction boards, tokens, and cards. It’s a massive operation.

I had asked for photos of the black punch boards (the ones with the faction boards), but unfortunately, they forgot to send those. Not to worry, though—I’ve already sent a follow-up email to get those photos. This is just part of the back-and-forth we’ve been dealing with, but it’s all part of ensuring we can keep you in the loop.

Printing the Rulebooks

Another big milestone is the printing of all 5,000 rulebooks. Here’s an image of the rulebooks fresh off the press. At this stage, they still need to go through the cutting process to remove the bleed margins. These were one of the last components to be printed, which ties back to something I mentioned in a previous update: the factory prints everything in chunks.

Here’s another image showing trays upon trays of rulebook pages—it's super hectic but also kind of exciting. You can also see a sheet of rulebooks before they’ve been cut into individual pages. It’s incredible to finally see all the designs come to life on paper. Balancing the colors for printing was a journey in itself. I remember spending months tweaking the colors because what looked perfect on a screen often didn’t translate well to printed material. It was a learning process, and seeing the final results is so rewarding.

 

Behind the Scenes

I’ve also got a video to share with you, showing the printing process in action. In it, you can see someone taking a fresh sheet hot off the press and preparing it for the next stage—cutting. I’ve been waiting a long time for this video, as the rulebook was completed a while back. It’s great that they were able to record this for me, but like everything else, it takes time to get these materials sent through.

I wasn’t the one filming, but I’m glad we could get a glimpse of the process. It’s a fascinating look at the sheer effort that goes into making all these components.

Miniatures and Component Previews

We recently received samples of the miniatures, which you can see in the images below. As you can see, these tubes look fantastic (can you tell that its actually brown color?)—they’ve got that darker, gritty cyberpunk feel we were aiming for, especially compared to the grey tubes we had before. For those of you interested in painting your minis, these are a great choice. They’re straightforward to paint, and with a quick airbrush job, they’ll really pop, looking just like the ones on the box cover!

 

Understanding the Printing Process

To give you a bit of insight into what “we started printing” really means in the manufacturing process. It’s not as straightforward as you might think!

When we say printing has started, it doesn’t necessarily mean the components are immediately rolling off the presses. At LongPack (our manufacturer), starting printing usually means the job has entered their queue. For example, something like the game boxes might only take a day or two to print, but that’s just one step in the process.

After the boxes are printed, they typically remain flat-packed until assembly. Why? Because fully assembled boxes take up a huge amount of space. The factory waits until all the components are ready to assemble everything at once. This helps them manage space and logistics, but it also means there’s often a delay between printing and assembly.

Here’s where it gets even more interesting: I don’t usually know exactly where assembly happens or how they coordinate it. The manufacturers don’t tend to share those details with us—it’s all part of their internal workflow. As long as everything moves smoothly, I’m happy to let them handle it.

What I can tell you is that things are moving forward. While it might seem like printing and assembly should be quick and linear, it’s actually a carefully orchestrated dance of managing space, timing, and resources.

Component Production and Quality Assurance

Manufacturing is scheduled to finish in late January, but there’s always the possibility of a few days of delay as the factory recovers from unexpected issues. So far, everything is moving along well. Most of the components have been signed off, but there has been some back-and-forth on a few items like the miniatures and Kickstarter extras. These extras are more complex to produce, and while they add risk of delays, we want to ensure the quality meets expectations.
 

Production Timeline and Chinese New Year Challenges

The game is scheduled to finish production by January 23rd (as you can see from the production schedule sent by Long Pack). However, there’s always a risk with timing because of Chinese New Year. We're working to get everything out of China before the holiday, but that’s not always guaranteed. Every year, this period creates challenges because everyone is trying to ship their products before the holiday starts. Depending on the timing, operations in China can shut down for seven to fourteen days as you'll see in the next section.

 

Shipping Risks During Peak Season

Even if the game is finished before Chinese New Year, there’s no guarantee it will get on a boat. For instance, in the past, we’ve been lined up for a boat leaving before the holiday, only for someone to pay double to take our spot. Since paying double is extremely costly for us, especially with lower-value products like board games, we often have to wait for the next available shipment.

 

Estimated Shipping Timeline

At this stage, we’ve been told the game should be ready to ship by late January. However, there’s a chance it could leave the port after Chinese New Year, depending on logistics. Our shipping agent will handle all the arrangements, including booking the containers, and we’ll provide updates as soon as we have more details.

 

Closing and Appreciation

If everything stays on track, the games should ship by late January or, at the latest, early to mid-February. We don’t anticipate any further delays beyond that point.

Thanks again for your patience and support. I’ll keep you updated with progress and share more photos and details as we go.

Best,

Sean and the Cytress Team!