BackerKit Starts this Week
almost 5 years ago – Tue, Jun 11, 2019 at 02:14:52 AM

BackerKit (our pledge manager) goes live this week! 

This is where You can confirm or change your pledge level, you tell us your shipping address, you select any add-on products you would like and we charge for shipping and for any add-ons.

We'll explain how this process works, including a step by step walk through.

Surveys

Your order related to this Kickstarter when managed in BackerKit is referred to as a Survey, so whenever we mention surveys we are talking about your actual order of goods, so it's vital you complete the survey to be able to receive any goods from us related to this Kickstarter.

Your survey will have your funds from Kickstarter imported and will show your selected pledge level.

Survey Links

We will start sending out the BackerKit Survey Invites via email this week (it may take a few days for them all to be sent).

You will receive an email with a unique customised link to your BackerKit Survey (this will be sent to the email address you had registered on KickStarter at the end of the campaign).

Please keep an eye on spam, junk, promotion and similar inbox folders for your survey link email in case it's auto filed (it'll be from [email protected] or similar).

It's also possible to go direct to BackerKit (https://www.backerkit.com/are_you_a_backer) and search for our campaign and enter your email to be sent a new link for your survey.

Survey Stages

Once you have the link and can access your survey it will go through the following stages:

• Unanswered Survey - A survey that has not been completed by a backer. For details on answering a survey see the step by step below.
• Completed Survey - A survey completed by a backer including payment details. A completed survey may still be edited by the backer until it is locked. 
• Locked Survey - A completed survey that has been marked as locked by us, cards are charged for any outstanding amounts on locked surveys and the survey cannot be edited anymore (with the exception of the shipping address). We lock down surveys so we know how many units are required to fulfill orders. This is the state a survey needs to be in to receive digital goods. 
• Locked Survey with Finalised Address - A locked survey we have marked as having a finalised shipping address. We finalise addresses closer to the actual shipping date to allow for a change of address. This is the state a survey needs to be in to receive physical goods. 
• Fulfilled Survey - Your goods have been delivered!

Key Dates

These are the current dates we're working towards.

• Week Commencing 10th June - BackerKit Opens and survey links sent
• June 30th - First survey lock-down - This is when we mark any completed surveys as locked. This is also when we should have enough completed surveys to know our print run numbers.
• From 14th July - fortnightly lock-downs - We'll continue locking down newly completed surveys every 2 weeks.
• September - Addresses Finalised - We finalise shipping addresses as shipping process begins. Any survey still unanswered at this stage will risk missing the fulfillment stage. 

We'll send updates out before each of these events.

BackerKit Step by Step

The following screenshots will walk through the stages of completing a BackerKit survey.

Our test backer is US based, selected the '£25 - The Dungeon' Pledge Level and pledged £30 during the Kickstarter.

Welcome Screen

Either click Get Started! to continue – or if you want to you can click switch pledge level

For this example we'll show a switch of pledge level. We are presented with these choices when clicking switch pledge level. Our test backer has switched to 'The Double Dungeon' by selecting it and clicking Switch. When returned to the welcome screen just click Get Started! to continue.

1. Questions

We only have the one question in this survey, simply select the Got it, thanks! option and then click Next: Add-ons to continue.

Note that it's possible to switch pledge levels from here onward by just clicking the name of your current pledge level under the Your Pledge Level section in the top banner.  

2. Add-ons

The Add-ons section is where you can see what is included in your pledge level, check the shipping cost and select any add-on products.

Our test backer has all of the items showing for 'The Double Dungeon' pledge level, has a shipping cost of £10 and has selected a digital bundle and one of our existing books as add-on items.

Please note that as we're using flat shipping rates it won't increase by adding items here (unless you're on 'The Digital Dungeon' pledge level and choose a physical add-on).

Just click Next when ready to proceed from here.

3. Shipping

This section may be pre-populated with your information from Kickstarter, you just need to check the details are correct or enter them. Click Next when ready. 

Note: if you only have digital rewards this section will be skipped.

It'll be possible to update your shipping address right up until we finalise Addresses, which will be just before shipping begins.

4. Confirm

Double check your details on the Confirm page then enter payment details or use the PayPal checkout link to complete your survey. Click Place My Order when done.

Remember it'll be possible to go back and make changes up until we Lock-down the Surveys, and we'll warn everyone before that happens.

You can use the Need Help? option in the top right of any BackerKit page to contact BackerKit support staff.  

If you run in to any problems or have any questions please get in touch (Kickstarter comments or messages). 

Tam & Matt

Loke BattleMats 

Add-ons & Pledge levels in BackerKit explained #1 - Digital add-ons
almost 5 years ago – Mon, Jun 10, 2019 at 10:57:50 PM

Backerkit will be opening next week

As we approach our Pledge Manager phase we have been having a lot of questions about our digital back catalogue, so we have focused this update on our digital add-ons for this catalogue.

You will be able to select any add-on products you would like in the Pledge Manager (we will be using Backerkit). We will also gather your shipping information and charge shipping in Backerkit.

We will be opening Backerkit by the end of this week.

Digital Add-On Items

As well as the new content that makes up the Digital Dungeon, we are also making our existing digital map titles available in bundles as add-on items.  

(please note the digital dungeon is included in The Digital Dungeon, The Dungeon and The Double Dungeon pledges so you will not need to add it on if you select one of the pledge levels).

These Virtual Tabletop (VTT) map bundles are all taken from our existing catalogue of designs and just offer a good value and convenient way to get a lot of digital assets (there are around 200 designs across 300 titles so bundles is the way to go).

We have put our content in to three bundles, Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Terrain. 

We have also created a special add-on for all three Digital Bundles

If you would like a closer look at our maps please visit our DriveThruRPG publisher page here -  https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/10749/BattleMats  with all our designs.

We will be fulfilling the digital add-ons through DriveThruRPG.  You will receive a code and will be able to download the maps at your leisure. If we update the maps you will also have access to the updated versions.

All backers receiving digital rewards will receive a combination of:

• Full size high resolution image files (1:1, 300DPI, .jpg format) for large format printers.
• Smaller images (72 DPI, <10mb, .jpg format) for use in virtual Table Top applications.

The vast majority of these designs have grid, hex and grid-less options included.

Please note that these digital files are for personal use only, commercial usage or printing for re-sale is not allowed.

You will be able to add-on to your pledge in the Backerkit phase. Backerkit will be opening at the end of this week. 

You will also need to confirm your shipping details and pay for shipping in Backerkit.

If you have any further questions please reach out!

Another Design

The main change on this design is we've taken out the coin hoard from the right hand page, this was to make the design more generic and usable for encounters that don't need a massive treasure pile (we'll include the treasure hoard as one of the tokens). The thinking on these designs was to allow space for a huge or gargantuan creature to move while still offering some cover for smaller combatants (like PC's).

Some of that cover comes from the various objects that a huge creature has already knocked over, like pillars and statues.

For anyone interested this tile pattern is from the gardens of Overbecks House in Devon UK; we tend to take a lot of photos of the floor when out and about...

Tam & Matt

Loke BattleMats

Cover art for the slip case
almost 5 years ago – Thu, Jun 06, 2019 at 11:28:02 PM

An update on our cover artwork

Things are starting to move quickly our end as we start to finalise designs (thanks again for your feedback, please keep it coming! We want this to be as perfect as possible and while there are things at this stage we won't be changing we really want to address feedback where we can).

As we approach the launch of our pledge manager (Backerkit) we will be sending out more information on what you can expect to find from add-on products to how to navigate your first BackerKit survey. Please reach out to us via the comment section or direct message if there is anything you are not sure about.

Today we have the finalised cover art for the Slip Case and time to unveil the full name of The Dungeon (spoiler it's The Dungeon Books of Battle Mats).......

Jim Gray has done another amazing job on the art, here are the official covers for Volumes 1 & 2 of the Dungeon Books!

And for those of you who want to know more about Jim - and yes he does commissions - here are his details.

And as usual we will leave you with the latest version of a design, today it's the 'Dingy Rooms' from Book 1.

See you all soon!

Tam & Matt

Loke BattleMats

An Update from the UK Games Expo
almost 5 years ago – Wed, Jun 05, 2019 at 03:08:47 AM

Some Feedback on The Dungeon Prototype!

As you may know we have just got back from the UK Games Expo where we have been lucky enough to meet lots of you!

We took the prototype of The Dungeon with us so we could show you why we are so excited by this project, and we are thrilled you like it as much as we do!! The prototype we took is about 3 months old, and the designs have evolved significantly since we had it produced as we reflect the feedback and thoughts from the Kickstarter. 

A closer look here courtesy of Warren from On TableTop (nee Beasts of War) who dropped in to say hi during the press preview. 

https://www.beastsofwar.com/liveblogentry/plan-out-your-adventures-on-new-battlemat-books/#entry

We also brought copies of the Little Book of Battle Mats which went down amazingly! It has been pointed out that now, if you so wish, you can play on the go on trains, planes and coach tables as this handy little book will fit!

The Little book will also have a hard cover to match the dungeon.

An update on our tokens

If you came to see me I would have mentioned that we are expecting vinyl decal samples from our printers this week, and we hope to be able to nail down the token sheet format before we launch Backerkit so we can feature them as add-ons for you.

We have had yet more ideas for tokens and we are definitely struggling to fit them all onto 4 sheets!!!

We won an award!!!!

Our winning streak at the UK Games Expo continues! The Giant Book of Battle Mats won the Best New Accessory awards (Judges choice and People's choice). We are really humbled as the awards shortlist this year for all categories had some truly amazing games and we are just so proud to be included in that company! The Giant Book Awards join our Best New Accessory (People's Choice) Award for the Big Book of Battle Mats in 2018. 

The Big Book of Sci-Fi Battle Mats was also shortlisted by the judges this year.

And Finally

Backerkit will be opening next week! Look out for your link as we do need you to fill in your survey!

A quick reminder BackerKit is where - 

• You can confirm or change your pledge level
• You tell us your shipping address
• You select any add-on products you would like
• We charge for shipping and for any add-ons

As usual we will leave you with an updated design!

Thanks again, we have had such a fab time meeting you and chatting through the project we just can't wait to see the finished products now!!

These are the four pages across both books with the entrance set of designs, shown here in one of the combinations possible with just this design.

Matt & Tam

Loke BattleMats

Progress update and an in depth look at a design
almost 5 years ago – Fri, May 31, 2019 at 02:56:03 AM

We are fast approaching the Pledge Manager stage (BackerKit will launch 2nd week of June) and so it seemed like a good time to share more about what is happening.

Kickstarter have finished charging cards

This means that if you have had a payment issue or your card was declined please contact me directly and we will see what we can do.

The Pledge Manager (Backerkit) opens second week in June!

You must fill in your BackerKit survey or we won't be able to ship your pledge!!!!!!!! You will receive a link when BackerKit is open in the second week of June (each link is custom and unique per person).

BackerKit is where - 

• You can confirm or change your pledge level
• You tell us your shipping address
• You select any add-on products you would like
• We charge for shipping and for any add-ons

A brief introduction - What is BackerKit?

BackerKit is the pledge manger we use to gather information about you and what you are ordering from us.  Kickstarter has no adequate back-end management tools for logistics, so we need to use a pledge manager to gather vital information such as shipping addresses and offer you the option of add-ons and the opportunity to change pledge levels.

Your funds from Kickstarter will be automatically imported and will show as a credit in your BackerKit survey. You then confirm your pledge level (you can also change pledge level at this stage), select any add-ons etc. and input your shipping details. When you check out you will be charged shipping based on your location. 

Remember we have set flat rate shipping costs so you will only be charged the one flat cost regardless of how many books and add-ons you order (as a reminder we list these shipping costs in the shipping section of the campaign page).

We will send out a screen shot step-by-step guide to completing your BackerKit survey in an update next week.

We will soon "smoke test" our Pledge Manager - BackerKit

"Smoke Testing" is when we send the survey out to a sample of backers from different pledge levels/countries etc to ensure everything is working as it should be. We will then review before officially opening the BackerKit! Everyone will then receive a link to their survey. Future updates will go through BackerKit in more detail for those of you who are unfamiliar with it! 

(also worth mentioning that if you are on the smoke test list and see your survey early it is real, it does count and if you're not sure about anything just ask :-) We have never yet made any errors on BackerKit but it pays to be safe and test it first!!).

Some Pictures!

Here's a look at the progress of one of the designs, Page 25 and page 26 from Book 1

This is the initial layout for the design with a cavern/dungeon mix on p25 and a bridge on the other.

Now nearly complete, the design now has a full dungeon design for p25 with four rooms and a larger central area. The bridge has gained some damage allowing for some heroic jumps.

UK Games Expo

If you are at the UK Games Expo come and find us on stand 1-426 (we are exhibiting with GamingBooks!)

See you soon

Matt & Tam

Loke BattleMats