Kodiak, Hydra, and Shuriken Test Shots
almost 4 years ago – Fri, Jun 19, 2020 at 01:16:35 AM

As the team works on checking, re-checking, and re-re-checking all of the files before final submission to the factory, we also continue to review factory test shots of the miniatures. So far, we've got about one-third of the test shots, with more of them coming in every few days as the steel tools are completed and the factory shoots plastic into the molds.

Today, we have photos of test shots of three different minis for you. 

A question: Does it help to see pics of the painted prototypes next to the gray test shots? Would you like to see more photos of how the prototypes compare to the final miniatures? Please let us know in the comments!

- Phil Reed

Test Shot Pics and Most Useful Duplicates
almost 4 years ago – Thu, Jun 18, 2020 at 06:02:15 AM

Test Shots?

Up to now, the photos of minis that we have been sharing have been mostly of factory prototypes. Early stage designs that are used to move the project forward and make sure that all of us -- at the office, in the GPI offices in the U.S., as well as the Hong Kong office and the factories in China -- are on the same page when it comes to the look of the miniatures.

Starting this week, we now have test shots -- minis created using the steel molds -- to review and start sharing with all of you. These test shots are the absolute closest representation of the game's final miniatures . . . and everything is looking great!

Most Useful Duplicates

If you have been wondering about which items are most useful to have more than one of, then today's update is for you!

First off, we would like to state that you won't need duplicates of any of these items to play Car Wars Sixth Edition. The following information is for those of you who wish to create larger and more elaborate battlespaces, as well as any of you seeking extras of the game's most-used components. 

NOTE: If you have already completed your survey, please remember that we have not locked surveys. Up until lock, you may add/modify your selected add-on items.

•  Dice. Perhaps the single item where extras will greatly improve your experience. Having an extra set or two of the dice will mean less passing dice between players during the game. 
•  Wrecks. Having extras of the four miniatures included in the Wrecks box will allow you to design arenas littered with destroyed cars. Why would you want to do this? Those wrecks will serve as obstacles that force the duellists to maneuver more often, as well as add more places for cars to hide when you wish to run cat-n-mouse events.
•  Road Tiles. The 18 double-sided tiles in this expansion are all you need, but some of you enjoy longer and more complex tracks, making the Road Tiles a perfect item to double up on. And if you're running a rolling roads scenario, shuffling a second set of tiles into the "deck" will make things a little more random as you deal out and place new tiles.
•  Playmats. If you have a large table -- or play on a floor -- extra playmats open up your options when it comes to arena design. Please see the below image (scroll to the bottom of this update) for a few possible ways that you can combine duplicates of some of the playmats.
•  Vehicle Guide. Adding extras of the Vehicle Guide will reduce the amount of "pass me the book" that happens during gameplay. Extras of the Vehicle Guide will also make a great gift for those friends you're introducing to Car Wars Sixth Edition. Once someone spends time reading the book, they're sure to have an urge to play the game!
•  Miniatures Sets. There are a few different ways that extras of a miniatures set or two could prove useful. You could create two-on-two teams, painting up two of the same miniature the same way and adding identifying numbers to each. Or, for the skilled hobbyist, you may wish to take the duplicate minis and craft your own wrecked versions, drilling and chopping your own battle damage into the plastic model. 

Those are just a few of the possible ways in which you could use extras of some of the Car Wars Sixth Edition expansions and accessories. Of course, it is impossible for any one of us to imagine every possible way in which extras could be used, so please share your ideas in the comments. How would you use duplicates of some of the game's expansions and accessories in your game sessions?

Any Questions?

If you have questions, or need help completing your survey, please email [email protected] and the team will help as best they can. Please remember that emails are the best way to reach us. Kickstarter comments and messages will be addressed as best we can manage, but the interface isn't ideal and things can -- and do! -- slip through the cracks when it comes to communicating using the Kickstarter tools. Emailing [email protected] is the best way to reach us.

- Phil Reed

Red/Yellow Starter/Core Miniatures Pics
almost 4 years ago – Sat, Jun 13, 2020 at 08:12:32 PM

We've already looked at the Blue/Green set car miniatures (posted here). Now for photos of the six Red/Yellow set cars! 

(Again, all of these have been painted by Ben Williams to give you an idea of what your minis could look like once they're in your hands and you get the chance to paint each one of them.)

Those of you who are getting the four-player core set as a part of your Kickstarter rewards will have all twelve of the minis found in the two different two-player sets . . . unpainted, of course. 

We will be back later this month with pics of test shots straight from the final molds. So far, all of the minis pics have been of prototype miniatures from the factory. Now that the test shots are coming in, we're excited to see how the finished minis will look when they're pulled fresh and clean from the finished game.

- Phil Reed

What is the Double Ace Box?
almost 4 years ago – Sat, Jun 13, 2020 at 07:54:21 PM

Thanks to your support of Car Wars Sixth Edition, we unlocked several stretch goals that added completely new expansions and accessories to the line. So many of you selected the $139, $140, $145, $146, $300, and higher reward levels that we were able to create a package at the factory that combines several items into a single box. This will make our fulfillment easier and allow the team to ship more packages each day than if they had to pick every item separately.

Inside the Double Ace box you will find:

• Car Wars Sixth Edition
• Car Wars Miniatures Set 1
• Car Wars Miniatures Set 3
• Car Wars Dropped Weapons Pack
• Car Wars Crew Pack
• Car Wars Armory Pack
• Car Wars Linked Weapons Pack
• Car Was Dice Bag
• Car Wars Road Tiles

If you selected one of the $139, $140, $145, $146, $300, or higher reward levels, your BackerKit survey includes both this box and Playmats 1 and 3.

If you did not select one of the $139, $140, $145, $146, $300, or higher reward levels, you may upgrade your pledge* to a higher level to get the Double Ace box. You can do this by clicking the "switch your pledge level" link underneath the big green "Get Started" button on the welcome page of your survey.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] for support.

* Please note that if you upgrade a $50 or $74 pledge, you will lose the bonus Uncle Al's Upgrade Pack.

- Phil Reed

Car Wars Miniatures Set 3 Pics
almost 4 years ago – Sat, Jun 13, 2020 at 05:49:34 PM

As Gabby, Sam, Sabrina, and the rest of the team wrap up the final files and send them to the factory, we're ready to share more photos of the Car Wars miniatures that Ben has painted. As with all of the pics we have shown so far, these are prototype stage minis; we'll have pics of the test shots -- minis pulled from the finished steel tooling -- within the next month or so.

Below are the five minis that are included in Car Wars Miniatures Set 3. (The Avalanche and Jackal are two of my personal favorites.)

Any questions? Please email [email protected] for support.

- Phil Reed