Core Game Photos!
over 3 years ago – Mon, Nov 09, 2020 at 12:28:39 AM

Sabrina and Sam are, as I type this, reviewing the core game samples that arrived over the weekend. International shipping delays slowed delivery of the latest tooling samples, but now that the components have arrived, everything is being carefully checked so that we can flag any issues for discussion with our partners at GPI.

While Sabrina and Sam make their checks, we have a new round of photos for you to enjoy. Sam shot all of these today as he started sorting through the latest package; there are no doubt minor errors here and there to correct (there always are, especially in a project this big), but that in no way ruins the joy of seeing these newest samples land in our team's hands.

(In addition to the four-player box, the samples for the two different two-player sets also arrived this weekend.)

Once everything is checked and we discuss the latest samples with the factory, then we'll start to get a better feel for our next steps. For now, please enjoy the pics!

- Phil Reed

Latest Tooling Samples: Clear Bases
over 3 years ago – Wed, Nov 04, 2020 at 12:36:59 AM

One tiny step forward today as the first clear bases have arrived! Not the most exciting of components, but every new component that comes in -- and is approved! -- is a cause for celebration.

- Phil Reed

Another Round of Tooling Samples!
over 3 years ago – Sat, Oct 31, 2020 at 04:45:17 PM

If this were a normal year, today would have been the annual Steve Jackson Games Halloween Game Day. Each year, the team gets together and instead of working on games, we play games! Of course, with 2020 being as it is, that wasn't an option. So instead, we gave everyone today off.

That said, several of us have been working today, and I'd like to personally thank Sabrina and Sam for reviewing the latest round of Car Wars tooling samples. We knew these were expected this morning, but I didn't expect the two of them to knuckle down and jump into checking the samples today. I was wrong. Not only did they start checks, but Sam also snapped a new round of pics for us!

Double thank you to Sabrina; she continues to drive samples around the Austin area and drop them off at our homes so we can keep checking things and keep the project moving forward. 

Shipping?

For those of you who have asked, we are still unable to offer a detailed shipping schedule. 2020 has disrupted a lot of things, and the shipping notes we made on August 25th (post here) remain as true today as they were then:

• "Lastly, there's one big variable that is 100% outside of our control: international shipping rates and times. In the past, it took roughly 35 days for a container to reach our primary warehouse at a shipping price we could fit into our budget. Now, even when spending more money than we have before, that same container requires roughly 52 days to make the journey."

All we can say is that the team is doing their best to work through the project under these conditions. The GPI office, the factories, and our own team are focused on completing the game, but we refuse to rush the process. While the global pandemic does interfere with our scheduling and plans, I am proud to say that everyone involved is tackling the situation and adapting as necessary. 

We will be able to work on a detailed shipping schedule once the tooling stage is complete and we move the game into the manufacturing stage.

Next Week?

The big one is expected next week: The core game tooling sample! Of course, shipping may cause a disruption and delay. (For example, a recent round of factory samples that was shipped overnight took far longer to reach us because it sat in Hong Kong for days. The shipping company did their best, but everyone along the chain is facing obstacles and all any of us can do is be patient and understanding.)

We will definitely share more pics once the core game reaches us.

- Phil Reed

New Car Wars Pics: You're Gonna Need a Bigger Shelf.
over 3 years ago – Thu, Oct 29, 2020 at 12:09:30 AM

Yesterday, the tooling sample for the Double Ace box* -- the outer cardboard shell that's designed to contain several items -- arrive and it's a biggie. Sabrina and Sam reviewed the tooling sample, and then we joined Gabby for a video chat to discuss the small technical issues that require attention. Today, we will join Alex and David at GPI for another video chat to go over things, but none of that stops us from sharing this latest round of photos.

Please note that we have not yet seen all of the tooling samples. We will continue to share pics as we review physical tooling samples. Once all samples are approved, then the project will officially shift into production.

-Phil Reed

* We use the word "box" in the loosest of ways here. This is not a permanent storage/carrying solution for the game. This is a 12" x 12" x 12" outer wrap that helps contain several items that are included in the Double Ace rewards. When shipped, this hefty cube will be protected by an outer shipping carton.**

** The outer shipping carton, as with this full-color shell, exists for one reason: contain and protect the contents. Stepping in front of things now, we do not guarantee that the outer carton or the full-color shell will be free of dings, blemishes, and imperfections. Their job is to protect the actual game. When we ship the rewards, a shipping label will be applied directly to the outer carton and shipped to you without any other packing materials. This guarantees that the carton will be scuffed and dinged in some way.

New Tooling Samples Have Arrived or: We Heard You Like Pics!
over 3 years ago – Sat, Oct 24, 2020 at 06:24:08 PM

A new round of tooling samples landed this morning. Sam and Sabrina have to go over everything and check the details. First, though, Sam snapped several photos of the latest tooling samples so that we could post them ASAP. 

We still haven't seen everything for the game, but the tooling samples are starting to come in a little faster now. Enough words. Enjoy the pics!

- Phil Reed