Guillman's Guide to Speed

GGtS Update #20: First Private Playtest & Addresses Locked
3 months ago – Fri, Aug 16, 2024 at 02:16:03 PM

Good Afternoon!

We have some exciting updates for you today, ranging from the release of our first private playtest to the progress on dice production and the upcoming September draft PDF! This update is a bit shorter but packed with important info, so be sure to check out the highlights below.

QUICK BREAKDOWN 📔

1. First Private Playtest Package: Available now!
2. Credit Card Charges: Please confirm payment.
3. Dice Production Update: On track and progressing smoothly.
4. Editing and Art: September PDF preview on schedule.
5. Address Locking: Contact us if you need to update your address.

1. First Private Playtest Package 🎮

We’re thrilled to announce that our first private playtest package is being sent out today via BackerKit to all backers! We can’t wait to hear your feedback. The content includes over 50 pages of content, giving you an early look at what’s in store. Keep in mind nothing in here is set, everything is still being edited which means if you see mistakes or have suggestions we would still love to see them.

Keep an eye out for an email with download instructions!

2. Credit Card Charges 💳

As of August 7th, we’ve charged all backers for shipping fees, taxes, and add-ons. However, a few backers experienced issues with their credit card payments. If you haven’t seen a charge on your account, please double-check your payment information on BackerKit. If you encounter any problems, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

3. Dice Production Update 🎲

Great news on the dice front! Production is moving along smoothly, and we’re pleased with the progress so far. The revised Aether Shards set now has the richer purple hue we envisioned. We’re still waiting on final samples for a couple of the other sets, but everything is on schedule. 

Guillman's Gilded Metal Dice Set Sample below!

4. Editing and Art Progress 📝

We’re making strong strides in both editing and artwork. Everything is currently on track for our now planned late-September release of the draft PDF (Aiming for editing and art to be done Sept 15th - and sending out the draft Spet 30th). This preview will give you a near-final look at the book in its entirety, and we’ll be seeking your feedback to make any final tweaks before moving into full production. 

While there might be a slight delay with the physical books due to ensuring everything is perfect, rest assured we’re committed to delivering the best possible product. 

5. Address Locking 🚚

We’ve officially locked addresses to prepare for the next phase of fulfillment. If you need to update your address, please contact me directly at [email protected], and we’ll manually adjust it.

Thank You 🙏

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or comments at [email protected].

Stay tuned for our next update on September 15th!

Warm regards,

Eric Brewerton

P.S. Don’t miss out on discussions and updates in our Discord community! Join us here: Join Discord

GGtS Update #19: Charging Cards Soon
4 months ago – Fri, Jul 19, 2024 at 08:37:16 AM

Good Morning Everyone!

We hope you're all doing well. We have some important updates to share with you regarding shipping fees, taxes, and the next steps for our project. This update is really long so feel free to use the quick breakdown below to find what you need.

Important Notes:

• I highly recommend you read the shipping section.
• Please make sure your payment type / credit card is up to date on backerkit

QUICK BREAKDOWN 📔

• Shipping Fees: Details and next steps
• Taxes and VAT: Key updates
• Kickstarter Update: What you need to do
• Charging Cards: Important information
• New Artwork: Progress and teasers
• Dice Sets: Production updates
• Private Playtest: Exciting announcement
• Editing Progress: Current status

1. Shipping Fees Update 📦

Firstly, we have some exciting news about the shipping updates. We were able to finally lock down some consistent shipping costs, and we want to thank you for your patience while we had the "Charge Shipping Later" feature active.

When we launched the book last year, we had only planned for it to be 250 pages. Today, we have over 320 pages of content! Thanks to all of your support, we were able to significantly increase the size of the book. This increase is due to a mix of the stretch goals and Rory's incredible ideas that we just had to include in the book.

However, this means the hardcover book is almost 30% heavier than what we initially expected, leading to higher shipping fees. We hope that the extra content in the book is awesome enough to justify the additional cost! On top of that, global shipping rates have increased since last year, further impacting the shipping fees, especially for certain countries like the USA. Thankfully, there will be NO customs fees, meaning everything you see here is what you pay—no hidden fees at all.

Key Notes:

• Added 70 pages of content to the book.
• Shipping fees are higher than expected due to the extra pages and increased shipping rates from last year.
• Shipping fees will be automatically calculated and added to your order.
• You can preview your shipping fees by accessing your survey on BackerKit.
• Please note that the shipping prices are reflected in CAD, so keep that in mind for conversion rates.

2. Taxes and VAT 🧾

We have set up tax rules for various regions, ensuring compliance and transparency. You can review the tax details applied to your order in BackerKit. If you have any questions, please reach out to us.

3. Backerkit Update 📢

We have made some updates to our BackerKit products due to our revised tier consolidation plan. If you now go onto BackerKit and you're in one of the higher tiers (Racers Crate or Above), or if you've purchased a discontinued item as an add-on, you will notice some updated complimentary products added to your profile, as well as a discontinued tag on the discontinued items.

Please note if you ordered these add-ons directly on BackerKit as an add-on, we were able to remove them from your order before cards were charged. We will be sending out the Only Crits Adventure Compendium, Discount Credits, and more when sending out GGtS.

Feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any questions about this process, or if you missed any of the previous emails about it! [email protected]

To review the add-on costs, updated products, shipping fees, & tax fees:

1. Log in to your BackerKit survey.
2. Navigate to the "Shipping" section.
3. Review Shipping fees & please make sure your card is up to date on backerkit.

4. Charging Cards 💳

We will be finalizing and charging cards for all backers soon. This will include shipping fees, add-on costs, and applicable taxes. Please ensure that your payment information is up-to-date in BackerKit.

Important Dates:

• July 31st: Deadline to review and update your shipping address and payment information. (Please note that your shipping address can be edited later, but you will need to message us to do it manually)
• August 7th: Cards will be charged for shipping fees, add-ons, and taxes.

5. New Artwork Milestones 🎨

Our collaboration with Bad Moon Art Studio continues to produce stunning artwork for GGtS.

The pipeline is full of insanely cool art pieces, and we're excited to share some teasers with you. These are color sketches, meaning they still need a final pass to render them out, but they give you a sense of the high quality you can expect.

6. Dice Sets 🎲

Samples of all the dice sets are in production. We are working on each set to ensure they meet our quality standards. A revision on the Aether Shards Sharp Edge Set was needed to address some design concerns. The initial sample lacked color compared to our first mockups, we want more of a purple hue. Please see the photo of the first sample!

• We will be sharing more images of the samples in the next update as they are ready.

7. Private Playtest Package 📅

We are thrilled to announce that we will be releasing a private playtest package for all backers on August 16th! This marks the one-year anniversary since we launched on Kickstarter last year. It feels like the time just flew by, and we can't wait to share more content with you.

8. Editing Progress 📝

The editing continues to click on, making more progress every day. The editing process is funny in the sense that it’s less about making corrections, though there is plenty of that as well, and more about adding and subtracting bits to improve the quality and cohesiveness of the book.

For example, when I “finished” writing the material for GGtS it sat at just over 250 pages. Since then I’ve cut more than 16 pages of material that didn’t make sense, distracted from the theme, or simply wasn’t a good time. And despite all of those cuts, the book has still continued to grow far beyond our initial 250 page mark. More and more the book is coming together into what we believe is a useful, boundary-pushing, and (most importantly) fun piece of playable material. We are only getting more excited to share the full thing with you.

9. Upcoming Steps 🚀

• Next update: August 16th!
• Charging Cards: We will be charging cards for shipping fees, add-on costs, and applicable taxes.
• Production Preparation: We are finalizing all components for manufacturing.
• Fulfillment Plans: Ensuring a smooth and timely delivery to all backers.

Thank You 🙏

Your support and engagement have been crucial in bringing GGtS to life. As we enter this next phase, your continued feedback and enthusiasm are more important than ever. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or thoughts at [email protected].

Stay tuned for our next update on August 16th, and thank you for being part of this incredible journey!

Warm regards,

Eric Brewerton

P.S. Don’t miss out on the latest updates and conversations about GGtS on our Discord! Join Discord

GGtS Update #18: Surveys Closing Soon
5 months ago – Tue, Jun 18, 2024 at 01:46:07 PM

Hello everyone!

Here are some exciting updates on Guillman's Guide to Speed:

QUICK BREAKDOWN 📔

• New Artwork: Latest designs and revisions completed!
• Survey Deadline: June 30th
• Dice Sets and Bags: Samples in production
• Book Editing Progress: New premade vehicles, new spells, better balanced bestiary

1. Survey Deadline 📊

The BackerKit survey closes on June 30th. Finalize your selections to ensure your rewards are processed smoothly. Look out for a reminder email soon!

2. New Artwork Milestones 🎨

Our collaboration with Bad Moon Art Studio continues to produce stunning artwork for GGtS. 

Here are a few new pieces:

We are consistently chipping away at the art for the book! Working with BadMoonArt has been a fantastic experience so far. There is not much I can show at the moment that is fully complete, but believe me when I say the pipeline is full of insanely cool art pieces!

Here is a little teaser for some art in the book. These are color sketches so that means they have not been painted over and finished. They still need a final pass to render them out but it will give you a sense of the high quality you can expect from the art inside the book!

3. Editing Milestones

The book is still being edited every day, which means lots of progress has been made! New spells have been added, the bestiary has been better balanced, a slew of new premade vehicles as well as a more comprehensive set of mechanics to build vehicles are have all been integrated. Guillman’s Guide to Speed continues to become the well-oiled machine we’ve all dreamed it to be, and huge thanks to all of you for supporting the dream.

4. Playtesting Feedback & New

Every little bit of feedback we get is helpful. The last update came with a new package of sample material that you can take a look at and let us know your thoughts. The closer we get to release the more vital playtesting and feedback become, so please don’t hesitate to hop in and use everything we’ve published!

Your feedback is crucial. Please continue to share your thoughts on Discord to help us perfect GGtS. Join Discord

5. Dice Sets 🎲

Samples of all the dice sets are in production. We are working on each set to ensure they meet our quality standards. A revision on the Aether Shards Sharp Edge Dice Set was needed to address some design concerns. I will be sharing some images of the samples when they are ready on the next update!

6. Introducing the New Metal Dice Set Logo

We’re excited to unveil the new Guillmans Gilded Metal Dice Set d20 logo, selected with your input.

7. Upcoming Steps 📅

• Survey Closing: June 30th
• Finalize Shipping Fees: Detailed notifications will be sent soon after the surveys close.
• Production Preparation: Finalizing all components for manufacturing.
• Fulfillment Plans: Ensuring a smooth and timely delivery to all backers.

Thank You 🙏

Your support and engagement have been the driving force behind GGtS. As we enter this crucial phase, your continued feedback and enthusiasm are more important than ever. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or thoughts at [email protected].

Stay tuned for our next update on July 18th, and thank you for being part of this incredible journey!

Warm regards,

Eric Brewerton

P.S. Don’t miss out on the latest updates and conversations about GGtS on our Discord! Join Discord

GGtS Update #17: Dice Samples & New Art
6 months ago – Sat, May 18, 2024 at 07:18:05 PM

Hello, everyone!

Hope you’re all having a great spring. Lets dive right in.

QUICK BREAKDOWN 📔

• Artwork Milestones: First revisions and coloring underway! (Examples below)
• Surveys Closed: June 30th
• Dice Sets and Bags: Sample production starting soon, community input needed.

1. Artwork Milestones 🎨

We're happy to share that while the final artwork designs are still in progress, they are coming along beautifully! Some pieces are now getting color and undergoing their first drafts. Our collaboration with Bad Moon Art Studio continues to bring the world of GGtS to life. Here are a few examples of the current progress:

2. Surveys: 📊

Important reminder: We’re currently planning to lock in the BackerKit survey on June 30th. This is your last chance to finalize your selections and make any changes. Please make sure to complete your survey by this date to ensure your rewards are processed smoothly! I’ll send out an email to everyone in June as a final reminder!

3. Playtesting

Please continue to leave your feedback on Discord—it’s crucial for refining GGtS to perfection. DISCORD

4. Dice Sets and Bags 🎲👜

Exciting news! We are starting to produce samples of the dice sets and bags. More updates on these will be coming your way shortly. Additionally, we are seeking your input regarding the logo design for the d20. Check out the options below and let us know your preference:

• Option 1: 

• Option 2: 

I think option 2 looks the best, but it might be too detailed for a d20…

5. Next Steps 📅

We’re gearing up for the final stages of production and fulfillment. Here's what's coming soon:

• Finalize Shipping Fees: Detailed notifications will be sent out soon. (Planning to do this when Surveys close!)
• Production Preparation: Finalizing all components for manufacturing.
• Fulfillment Plans: Ensuring a smooth and timely delivery to all backers.

Thank You 🙏

Your support and engagement have been the driving force behind GGtS. As we enter this crucial phase, your continued feedback and enthusiasm are more important than ever. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or thoughts at [email protected].

Stay tuned for our next update on June 18th, and thank you for being part of this incredible journey!

Warm regards,

Eric Brewerton

P.S. As always, don’t miss out on the latest updates and conversations about GGtS! - DISCORD

GGtS Update #16: Public Playtest Package #2 is out!
7 months ago – Fri, Apr 12, 2024 at 06:43:54 PM

Hello, wonderful backers!

As we edge closer to summer, our journey with Guillman's Guide to Speed continues to gather momentum, thanks to your enthusiastic support. We’ve got some important updates and exciting developments to share, so let’s dive right in!

QUICK BREAKDOWN 📔

• Playtesting: First official package live, check Discord or your email!
• Artwork Progress: Closing in on the final designs!
• BackerKit Survey Closing: June 30th—mark your calendars!
• Survey and Shipping Updates: Navigating new features and planning ahead.
• Tier Consolidation: Update Coming over email next week.

1. Artwork Progress 🎨

We’ve made fantastic strides in the artwork department, with our art team currently going through the entire book, carefully placing and integrating sketches into the layout. Checkout a few examples of these sketches below!

2. Surveys 📊

Important reminder: We’re currently planning to lock in the BackerKit survey on June 30th. This is your last chance to finalize your selections and make any changes. Please make sure to complete your survey by this date to ensure your rewards are processed smoothly!

3. GGtS Public Playtest Package #2 🔥

The first official—and last public—playtest package is now live! You can access it via the link below, check your email, or join the discussion on our Discord. Moving forward, we will distribute playtest packages exclusively over Discord, so it’s a great time to get involved if you haven’t already. Additionally, please let me know if you received the playtest package via email. I’ve sent out this package over email as a little test to make sure everything is smooth when we move to private releases. Thanks!

Guillmans Guide to Speed Public Playtest Package #2

4. Shipping Update 🚚

We are making great strides with our shipping process and would like to extend a big thank you for your patience as we navigate through the logistics. We've utilized BackerKit’s “Charge Shipping Later” feature, which has allowed us to focus on perfecting the product and addressing your feedback without the immediate need to finalize shipping costs.

Here's where we stand:

• Shipping Surveys: Your addresses have already been collected through BackerKit. This means there’s no need for you to re-enter your information. We've delayed charging shipping fees to ensure that we can provide the most accurate costs closer to the shipment time.
• Next Steps: As we finalize the product details and get closer to fulfillment, we will lock in the shipping fees in BackerKit and notify you of the upcoming charge. You will receive an email notification with a detailed breakdown of these charges and a link to review them. This will happen about 48 hours before any charges are applied.

Please Note: It's important that you keep an eye on your emails for these updates. We aim to over-communicate during this phase to ensure that no one is surprised by the shipping fees.

5. Tier Consolidation 📧

We’re gearing up to provide a comprehensive update on the Tier Consolidation situation, which will be sent directly to your emails by no later than April 19th. This important update will clarify all the specifics regarding what this consolidation means for those of you in higher tiers. We do have some really good news to share right now: We're going forward with all the dice sets! We'll soon be hosting surveys on Discord to let everyone pick their favorite dice set designs. It's a chance for you to have a direct say in which dice sets make it into the final selection. Join the discussion and help us choose the best options together! These dice set surveys will likely go live sometime late next week, after all the emails go out!

6. Discord 🔥

Dive deeper into the GGtS by joining our DISCORD!

Our Discord channel is the vibrant heart of our community. With our latest playtest package available, we've set up specific channels for detailed discussions on everything from the unique Speedracing Rules to puzzles. Your feedback is vital in refining the game, so come help spot typos, suggest improvements, and engage with fellow creators and gamers. We look forward to seeing your active participation in our community!

7. Next Steps 📅

In the coming weeks, our focus will be on continuing the editing phase, playtesting, working on art and reviewing the surveys to ensure we align with your expectations. You can expect the next update from us on May 14th.

As always, your feedback, questions, and engagement are invaluable to us. If you have any concerns or need clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out at [email protected].

Warm regards,

Eric Brewerton

P.S. Please note that the playtest package you received is just that—a playtest. It is an unformatted PDF document, and everything within it is subject to change before the final release. Your feedback is crucial as we refine and finalize the content, so we value your insights on every aspect of the game. Looking forward to chatting about it!