Twilight Struggle Kickstarter Update

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Hi Everyone!

This update is to let you guys know that we are making good progress on both the digital and the physical rewards for our Twilight Struggle project! I know last month’s update might have been a bit of a downer, as you read about delays on both the digital and physical fronts. So I’m happy to report this month that we’re going full steam ahead again! Here are a few specifics, to give you a sense of what we’ve accomplished of late:

Digital Version

The team at  Playdek has finished with the engine architecture work that Gary wrote about last time, and are back to working on the game itself. Here’s a list of recent improvements:

  • Updated upper HUD with graphics for player avatars, hand details, DEFCON track, space race track, and turn track
  • Fixed numerous issues with cards in play, including tap/mouse over to view card (instead of double tap to zoom)
  • Sorted discard tray and removed trays for easier identification of specific card types
  • Map now wraps around when scrolled horizontally
  • Identified major issue that was causing incorrect AI module to be used in Unity builds
  • Reworked most of the in-game UI to be device friendly (for different aspect ratio devices)
  • Updated and added HUD artwork to current mock-ups

We’re looking for a new version shortly, with our first look at the upgraded AI. As a player, I can’t wait – this game is fun!

Physical Version

We’re starting to see some better throughput at the ports, and several of the items for the Collector’s Edition have now been manufactured and proofs sent to us. The only issue Tony has run into in terms of getting the higher-quality components made is that he was unable to get metal miniatures for the tracks that had good definition. So, price being about the same, he got us some nice Resin Miniatures for the CE. There’s not much else to tell you guys right now, but I thought you might like to see some pictures of a few of the CE components, so here you go:

boxsample2

The Collectors Edition Game Box

 

 

boxinside

Inside the Game Box. Naturally, your versions will have some cool components inside!

 

TSMinis

Resin miniatures for the DEFCON, Military, and Space Race Tracks.

Tony says we still look good for a July release on the CE and other physical components. I hope you guys like these samples. We’ll show you more – and get you details on how to modify your KS pledge –  next month!

Gene

Gene Billingsley
Author: Gene Billingsley

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Categories: Designer Blogs, Digital Versions of our Games

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24 thoughts on “Twilight Struggle Kickstarter Update”

  1. Hi. I was wondering if the Twilight Struggle CE will be available for purchsse to the general public, or is it exclusive to kickstarter backers.

    Reply

  3. Gene – just for extremely busy/lazy ass folks like me, it would have been nice if you had included the link to that kickstarter site, just so I could bookmark it in case I can raise the cash in time – my brain is like a lumber room, whatever I need always ends up on the bottom of a pile! 😉

    Reply

    • Hi Rick.

      I left that off because the KS campaign is closed – it ran for a month last summer. We will still have some copies of the Collector’s Edition for sale – first come, first served, over the coming month or two. We’ll publicize it well in advance, so anyone who’s interested in picking up up a copy will be ready.

      Reply

  5. I have a copy of your game and are excited to see your KS edition.
    I am disappointed in the Resin tanks pictured and are happy to send you two 3d files of tanks if you are interested. I have a Abrams and can have a Russian or Chinese tank made if you need. Would just like to see better looking tanks. If you are looking for generic tanks as pictured, I fully understand.
    Doug

    Reply

    • Hi Doug!

      I’m copying my reply to Bryon, as you guys have essentially the same questions/comments.

      Thanks for the honest feedback. I THINK these are final, but Tony Curtis, who does all of our production ordering and scheduling, is going to be out here for the Weekend at the Warehouse, so I will sit down with him and show him you guys’ feedback and see if we have any options to improve the minis.

      Thanks again!

      Reply

  6. I haven’t really been following the kickstarter much, but honestly, I’m not too impressed with the quality of the minis. I’m concerned that they look rather cartoonish and unpolished for something that is supposed to be a collectors edition. Maybe a sharper looking metalic token of a Period Soviet Rocket and Saturn V would be more interesting and provide better purchasing quality for the buyer.

    The box is nice, but overall, it’s not something I would want to put my money into.

    Reply

    • Hi Byron.

      Thanks for the honest feedback. I THINK these are final, but Tony Curtis, who does all of our production ordering and scheduling, is going to be out here for the Weekend at the Warehouse, so I will sit down with him and show him you guys’ feedback and see if we have any options to improve the minis. Thanks again!

      Reply

  7. Hi Gene,

    I missed out on the kickstarter campaign for TS.
    Do you know if the Digital edition will be available to the general public?

    Thanks

    Reply

  8. Hi Gene,

    Thanks so much for all your work on this. I had the opportunity to review the comments below, and I have to say that I share Doug and Byron’s view on the miniatures. If they’re final, then that’s that, but I agree with their sentiment about the quality for a collector’s edition.

    Thanks again for everything!

    Regards,
    Matthew

    Reply

  9. Gene,
    If your factory is like the one we use, we should be able to send them a 3D file that can be received on their end with a very nice looking piece as a result. I am more than happy to donate a couple tank 3d drawings if that is what you need. Since we started using 3d Models, our piece detail is extremely good. I could upload a pic if I could but let me know, I am willing to help if I can. How many different models are they?
    Doug

    Reply

  14. Great work ! For future reprints of the game it would really please the dutch community if Benelux came without any flag or at any rate NOT the belgian flag 🙂

    Reply

  16. Hello, I missed the kickstarter campaign for twilight struggle. Is there any way I could jump in late. Im willing to work/pay extra, maybe take care of your paperwork and bothersome tasks. Anything really, Im sure I could do somethimg to make it worth while… Smiley face.

    Seth

    Reply