Cytress: Cyberpunk Board Game

Dear Backers,

Yes, you read that correctly – this is not a joke! I'm ecstatic to share that Cytress is finally ready for print! After a long, winding journey, we've arrived at this thrilling milestone, and I couldn't be more grateful to have you by my side.

This process has been filled with highs and lows – happiness, excitement, and everything in between. Your incredible support and understanding have kept us pushing forward through every challenge. Your belief in Cytress has been truly humbling and has motivated us to create the best possible game for you.

One of the key components that had been holding back our decision to print was the Stratos Tower. Ensuring the tower's structural integrity and functionality was crucial to delivering the best gaming experience possible. After extensive collaboration with our manufacturer, we've now resolved these issues and are confident that the Stratos Tower meets our high standards. With this obstacle behind us, we're thrilled to have the green light to move forward with printing Cytress.

In fact, our publisher has a few words to say to you all and would like to contribute to this Kickstarter update as well, here it is:

I'm pleased to report that we're wrapping up final print file confirmation checks and will begin printing next week. I can't wait to hold the final product in my hands and, soon after, share it with all of you!

Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and understanding. I'm eager to embark on the adventures that await us in the world of Cytress. Stay tuned for more updates as we near the finish line!

Warmest regards,

Sean

Another month has gone by, and I wanted to personally share the progress we've made. I've been diligently chasing the manufacturer to expedite the process, working towards a sample that we can finally say yes to.

1. The slots are still too tight. And damaging the paper layer. I think the manufacturers didn't address this well enough and they know it. They are reprinting these blackboard sheets with widened slots this week.

2. The tower's height was incorrect on the wide tower support level on level 2, preventing it from sitting flat. The manufacturer is working on fixing this issue as well.

These updated samples should arrive next week. Once I approve the new widened slots, the printing components should be ready. I'm also considering using a mat laminate on the box for added strength and protection. Although it may dulls and darken the final colors, your input would be invaluable. Should I request both versions for comparison?

While we've faced some challenges, we're getting closer to the final print date. Thank you once again for your support and understanding as we make the final push in this marathon to bring Cytress to life!

Lastly, I apologize for the delayed update—it was due to ongoing communications with the manufacturer. Rest assured, if the next sample arrives early, I won't wait until the start of the new month to update you; I'll provide an update right away!

Best regards,

Sean

Dear Backers,

I hope you had a good Easter break. I want to share with you the progress we’ve made since the last update last month. There were a few things that needed tweaking—some minor and some requiring structural changes. As I mentioned in the last update, these things needed to be fully addressed before we head into printing. So please understand, we’re not striving for perfection here; it's for the integrity of the product. Now, I’ll be breaking down each of the changes. You can reread the last update to see why we needed to address them, but without further ado, let's begin.

1. Brightening the box cover: DONE. It took us a few iterations to find the right saturation and exposure that we're happy with. This task took us a week to get right.

2. Enhancing Token clarity: DONE. To counteract the murkiness, we actually changed the artwork slightly so it stands out more. This task also took us a week.

3. Improving transport tokens: DONE. See “enhance token clarity”; we took the same approach.

4. Completing Faction Boards: DONE. This was quick and easy, taking only 1-2 days.

5. Enhancing Stratos Visibility: DONE. Besides the repositioning of a few elements, this took up half a week.

6. Strengthening Structural Integrity: Tested a few designs, now waiting for the next sample to see how it holds up.

7. Consistency in Finish: We've requested a slightly different finish for the next Pre-Production Copy (PPL) to address any concerns regarding consistency in appearance.

Now, you might be asking, does it really take that long for these things to be done? Yes, surprisingly, it does. From sending feedback to the graphic designers, them working on those, and then them sending it back to us, followed by discussions on where to go from there (i.e., “did we reach our goals, etc.”), and then sending it to sample printing, and finally shipping the samples back to us to review and provide feedback. They all add up, and all of a sudden, a month passes. We were due to print late March (last week), but the work that came back to us didn't make us feel like it was ready. It still needed a couple of tweaks. So, in terms of timeline, some of you have been asking, all I can say is, as soon as possible AND as soon as we look at the PPL and feel “okay, this is good, let’s pull the trigger.”

As you can see, now that we’ve addressed many of these changes across the board, the next PPL will tell us how soon we can get to print. We're not trying to hide anything; the stuff that we’re working on is the only thing we’re working on to get right, so there won’t be any “oh, there’s more things to be worked on, etc.” in the future.

Yes, it's taken some time, but we’re nearly finished, so please be patient once more.

Best regards,

Sean

Hello again, cyberpunks! 

It's time for another exciting update on our journey together. Your patience and support have been unwavering, and I'm thrilled to share some promising news with you.

Last month, we discussed our production timeline and potential scenarios. Well, I'm pleased to report that we've made significant progress since then. We've received the latest sample from our manufacturer, and while there's still some work to be done, it's nothing we can't handle.

And a special shoutout to those of you who were part of our sample playtest group! Your invaluable feedback helped us identify areas for improvement. As the very backers of the game, your insights guided us in making necessary adjustments before committing to the print. So, thank you!

Let’s get into what you guys have pointed out:

Brightening the Box Cover: We've heard your feedback about the dark tones on the box cover. To ensure that the vibrant purple really pops, we're adjusting the color saturation and enhancing the contrast. This will bring out the intricate details, ensuring the cover captures the eye just as it does digitally.

Enhancing Token Clarity: We understand the frustration with tokens' details being murky, especially for the blue and purple characters. To tackle this, we're implementing a better finish that will significantly improve contrast, making the characters stand out crisply against their backgrounds. Say goodbye to muddiness!

Improving Transport Tokens: While the new transport tokens are an improvement, we acknowledge that they still suffer from low contrast, particularly in dim lighting. We're exploring options to enhance visibility, considering both design tweaks and alternative materials to ensure these tokens remain clear and vibrant, even in low light conditions.

Completing Faction Boards: We've noted that the 4+ player yellow and orange sides are missing on the faction boards. Rest assured, this oversight will be rectified, ensuring that all factions are fully represented and balanced for every player count.

Optimizing Component Fit: Tight slots for Stratos levels have been causing fraying and bending issues during assembly. We're adjusting the dimensions to provide a smoother fit, eliminating any potential damage and ensuring seamless assembly for all players.

Enhancing Stratos Visibility: We recognize that Stratos can obscure details for players seated further away. To address this, we're refining the design to improve visibility of costs, points, and special iconography from all angles, ensuring that everyone can fully engage with the game regardless of their position at the table.

Strengthening Structural Integrity: Concerns have been raised about the thin spine of the Stratos tower piece. We're reinforcing this critical component to ensure long-term durability and structural stability, preventing any risk of bending or weakening over time.

Consistency in Finish: We've heard your feedback regarding inconsistencies in the finish of game pieces. Our production team is working diligently to achieve a uniform finish across all components, striking the perfect balance between glossiness and matte textures for a polished final product.

With these adjustments in mind, we're now in the final stages before production. While our initial target was mid-March, it's looking like it might be a tad later, possibly late March. However, please understand that this timeline is not set in stone, and we're doing everything within our power to expedite the process.

Our team is fully committed to delivering a product that exceeds your expectations. We've taken your feedback to heart and are sparing no effort to ensure every aspect of the game is polished for print.

Thank you once again for your continued support and understanding. Together, we're not just creating a game; we're building a community bound by a shared passion for gaming. So stay tuned for more updates, as we eagerly anticipate bringing this game to life!

Best,

Sean and the Cytress Team