We want to remind you that if you do not complete the Survey that Backerkit sent you, we will not be able to send you your reward. So if you still have postponed, please do it now!
>>> This will help us a lot to understand the shipping procedure! <<<
Choose your preferred pledge, confirming the Kickstarter one or choosing to upgrade and add as many add-ons as you want.
After the Pledge Manager closes, you will still be able to update your shipping address before shipping starts. Don't worry if you need the game shipped to a different address.
Also remember that your card will not be charged until we'll close the Pledge Manager, so you don't have any more excuses! :D
Dance of Muses is now in PUBLIC BETA on BoardGame Arena! You don't need an invitation anymore, just a BGA account! There are already more than FOUR HUNDRED ACTIVE GAMES! ๐ฒ Can you climb the ranking chart and face the champion, LiviuzK17 from Italy? ๐
๐ฒ Another question for you about the GEMSTONES dice!
While you can see a juicy UNBOXING of the GEMSTONES DICE on our Instagram, we are still not quite sure about the white gemstone to use. Can you help us decide?
White quartz: whiter. Cleaner. Probably more readable, even if it has opaque transparent zones.
Opalite: more elegant. Has wonderful reflections and nuances... that sometimes go to blue-ish. It also is transparent and can become less readable in darker ambient (see picture 2).
Let us know in the comments!
๐ฝ๏ธ And now the video you were expecting. ๐
Directly from our manufacturer in China.
And here are the dice from the base game:
And from the Additional Dice Expansion:
Everything you see in this video is a PROTOTYPE. They will ship everything to us this week, so that we can first-hand test that everything is correct and has the quality we want. We will also weight and measure everything and better understand what is needed for shipping, ask for definitive estimates and understand what are the costs.
๐ Updated Timeline
November: as soon as we receive the prototypes, and if everything is ok with them, we'll greenlight mass production. A maximum of 20 days are needed to set the molds, and another month for the printing and assembling.
December: with the definitive files sent for printing, we will be able to deliver the Print&Play files, in time for the Holidays. ๐
January 2025: if the mass production is on time, the manufacturer will dispatch the games to the fullfilments centers. We should have one center in Europe and another in China (to cover the rest of the world), but we will confirm this after we'll receive the definitive quotes. Also, the new elected American President announced additional taxes on import, especially from China. We doubt they will be active so soon to be affected, but obviously, it's nothing we can predict. We hope to have everything done with China BEFORE January 29, because that's when the Chinese New Year begins, and they will be completely off until about February 12. Worst case scenario: a 15-20 days delay.
March/April 2025: about 2 months is the time we are expecting for fullfilment. As you may know, Suez Canal is the main passage for everything commerce, and it's very near to several war zones. No one really knows if and how that will work.
As you can see, if everything goes right, we should be able to deliver the game about 2 month in advance of what we promised in the campaign (May 2025). ๐ฏ๐
Though, working 10 years with crowdfunding taught us to always have a cautious approach, so we will continue to keep you posted month by month.
Do not expect updates as juicy as this one in the next months ๐
As you have read, the next months will be about defining quotes and long periods of mass production and fullfilment, so... shorter updates with less pictures, sorry! :D
๐ If you want to be updated more than once in a month...
Join our private group, already! ๐
We post THERE, before everywhere else! You can also find players for BoardGame Arena, talk with the authors and ask questions about everything related!
We want to remind you that if you do not complete the Survey that Backerkit sent you, we will not be able to send you your reward. So if you still have postponed, please do it now!
>>> This will help us a lot to manage the load of work for the next months. ;) <<<
Choose your preferred pledge, confirming the Kickstarter one or choosing to upgrade and add as many add-ons as you want.
After the Pledge Manager closes, you will still be able to update your shipping address before shipping starts. Don't worry if you need the game shipped to a different address.
Also remember that your card will not be charged until we'll close the Pledge Manager, so you don't have any more excuses! :D
If you encounter any problems, absolutely write us here, through Backerkit, or directly at [email protected]
๐ Work in progress diary - October
We are still working with our manufacturer in China to produce an almost definitive prototype.
Let's start with the tray!
How it was:
How it will be:
How about the tiles? It's not greatly evident, but you can spot the golden foil on the graphics. ๐
And of course also on the box:
Here's the print graphics for the Token Expansion:
๐ฒ Now we need your help on the dice design!
First of all, here's a good look at the GEMSTONE DICE SET produced by MistyMountaingGaming:
You can recognize the design we made for the custom dice.
Unfortunately, the chinese manufacture doesn't have the same engraving machine, and we had to create a simplified version of it (Alternative dice expansion in the picture):
This isn't the final design yet! It still has some problem (for example, they didn't print the "6" inside the sun).
With this different design for the basic dice, the Gemstone Dice get even more value, since they also have a finer design!
What do you think? Do you like the simpler design for the basic dice? Do you think we can make it even more simpler by reducing the "angles" in the greek framing on the borders?
>>> Let us know everything in the comments! <<<
Connect with us!
While we see you again in a month or so, remember that there is an exclusive Club where we can discuss Dance of Muses!
You can ask whatever you want, and most importantly, previews come sooner than anywhere else. This place is our private Facebook group which you can JOIN HERE!
Until next time! XOXOXO Francis&Jules
87% BackerKit Surveys Completed ๐ First shots of the components! ๐ท
2 months ago
โ Wed, Sep 11, 2024 at 09:11:46 AM
Heyheyhey!
We reached 87% completion for the Backerkit survey! That's good but you really can do better :D
We want to remind you that if you do not complete the Survey that Backerkit sent you, we will not be able to send you your reward. So if you still have postponed, please do it now!
>>> This will help us a lot to manage the load of work for the next months. ;) <<<
Choose your preferred pledge, confirming the Kickstarter one or choosing to upgrade and add as many add-ons as you want.
After the Pledge Manager closes, you will still be able to update your shipping address before shipping starts. Don't worry if you need the game shipped to a different address.
Also remember that your card will not be charged until we'll close the Pledge Manager, so you don't have any more excuses! :D
We know this is what you are waiting for :P For all summer we worked with our manufacturer in China to produce an almost definitive prototype.
This serves to see if the final product is right as we want it, or we have to make more editing. The factory is working on some components and already printed something, so, there you go:
These are some samples for the embroided cloth bag! Which one do you prefer? Let us know in the comments!
YAY! Also the ceramic chips are quite ready! You can't tell from the picture, but they are huge and sturdy 39 millimeters (1,50 in.) chips! So cool!
Stay with us!
While we see you again in a month or so, remember that there is an exclusive Club where we can discuss Dance of Muses!
You can ask whatever you want, and most importantly, previews come sooner than anywhere else. This place is our private Facebook group which you can JOIN HERE!
Until next time! XOXOXO Francis&Jules
83% BackerKit Surveys Completed ๐ Exciting News and Sneak Peek! ๐ท Our next project!
4 months ago
โ Thu, Aug 01, 2024 at 07:46:09 AM
๐Woo-Hoo! Survey is 83% completed!
BackerKit Surveys were out for a month or so, and a whopping 83% of you already filled in their surveys! Good job! ๐ฅณ
We'll close the Pledge Manager when the games will be ready to be shipped, but don't waste time and risk to forget:ย
Complete your survey now!
We want to remind you that if you do not complete the Survey that Backerkit sent you, we will not be able to send you your reward. So if you still have postponed, please do it now!
Choose your preferred pledge, confirming the Kickstarter one or choosing to upgrade and add as many add-ons as you want.
This will help us a lot to manage the load of work for the next months. ;)
After the Pledge Manager closes, you will still be able to update your shipping address before shipping starts. Don't worry if you need the game shipped to a different address.
We will send PLENTY of reminders before shipping starts, so don't worry (but always check ย out our updates from Kickstarter and the Newsletter, if you are subscribed).
Last Chances to UPGRADE your pledge and grab exclusive add-ons!
Inside the survey, you will have the Last Chance to UPGRADE your pledge and and grab exclusive add-ons and unique items. These limited-time discounted Kickstarter prices won't be available again!
Hey Francis, I can't find the survey ...๐
Don't panic! We have your back:
Double-check the email you signed in to Kickstarter
If you authenticate through Facebook, check your Facebook login email.
Add BackerKit email to your address book and make sure you have not marked the email as spam.
Search inbox, Promotions tab, spam folder, or archive for emails with the following subject lines: "Response Needed -- Get your reward for Dance of Muses" or "Reminder -- Response needed to deliver your reward for Dance of Muses"
If you still cannot find the survey, ask for another one HEREย
If you are logged with your Apple ID, check the email address used for Apple ID, or write us another email that we can add to the Pledge Manager.
Top-rated UPGRADE choices โฌ๏ธ
We are happy to see that the hard work done together with the Backerkit staff has paid off, since the surveys are working well and a great number of you have decided to enrich their Dance of Muses experience (I know, those gemstones dice are quite irresistible).
If you need some help, check the previous update: I made a tutorial video to make it easy for you.
There are also some slots left for your CUSTOM MUSE COMMISSION by our artist, Sara Marino!
Some of you were also curious about our other products...
We are very glad that you are also eager to try our Comics Anthology - Out of the box, because...
Our next project: Out of the box Volume #3!
Yes: we do not only make board games! :D
Out of the box is actually our FIRST project as Space Otter: it runs since 2021 and we are about to launch the campaign for issue #3!
As Giulia - our Art director AND main graphic designer - took her summer break from her dayjob, we began actively working on the print files for the game!
This will take a couple of weeks, before starting the prototype manufacturing process.
Oh! We decided to upgrade the Tiles from 85mm to 90! They are HUGE! We also adjusted the design for the dice to be more readable from any angle. We wanted to see them in action, so we made a new homemade prototype, and it's stunning!
Don't miss anything!
Remember that there is an exclusive Club where we can discuss Dance of Muses! You can ask whatever you want, and most importantly, previews come sooner than anywhere else. This place is our private Facebook group which you can JOIN HERE!
Have a great summer, and see you next month!
Love, Francis & Jules
๐ PLEDGE MANAGER FINALLY OPEN! ๐ช NEW REWARDS and Space Otter Perks! ๐ฆฆ HAVE A GREAT SUMMER! ๐
5 months ago
โ Mon, Jul 01, 2024 at 08:03:10 AM
Hello Dancers, it's summertime already!
Francis & Jules here, FINALLY ready to open the gate to our Pledge Manager! Are YOU ready?!
๐ช Pledge Manager opened!ย
We had some troubles to understand and resolve, but here it is: our Pledge Manager is now on Backerkit!
If you don't know what it is, don't worry: it's easy!
We previously wanted to make it on Gamefound, but turn out that it doesn't have the features we wanted, so... We used Backerkit lots of times before, and always works as a charm
โฐ Please reply ASAP! โฐ The sooner you fill in the survey, the sooner we will know how many items and add-ons we will have to produce and ship, and where to. This will greatly help us!
How to access
Right after this update, we sent the "Smoke test": only the 5% of you will receive the invite, to test if everything is working as intended. Please write to [email protected] if you notice anything strange (prices, things tha you should see and aren't there or vice-versa, errors of any kind, etc...)
In the next days, the invitation e-mail will be extended to everyone.
Please note that the invitations are sent to the e-mail you used for your pledge on Kickstarter. If you are logged with your Apple ID, check the email address used for Apple ID, or write us another email that we can add to the Pledge Manager.
By logging in in Backerkit, you should find the pledge you made on Kickstarter, and be able to manage it. Here's a brief video-guide on how to do it:
What is it and what you will be able to do on Backerkit
Backerkit is a website where you will be able to login and manage your pledge for Dance of Muses. This will allow you to:
UPGRADE your Pledge/Add additional items, including multiple copies of the game and add-ons, to your reward.ย You will find 2 brand new Reward tiers that we didn't published here on Kickstarter. Don't worry: you still got the BEST prices and offers! But if you are willing to upgrade your pledge, you won't be disappointed. :)
Enter your shipping address + phone number + additional info (languages, reward preferences, etc...) and pre-pay a temporary shipping fee (see F.A.Q. below).
Pay the remaining balance (shipping costs + upgrades) when we'll be ready to ship.
IF YOUR CARD HAS BEEN DECLINED during Kickstarter checkout, this is the best of second chances, as you are still getting the invite to the Pledge Manager!
[PLEASE NOTE] Your Credit Card won't be charged right now
Instead, it'll be charged nearer to the shipping date (to be announced). This approach ensures that all Backers have sufficient credit. You can confidently upgrade to your desired pledge and secure exclusive add-ons; the payment will occur much later. Sounds good, doesn't it?
UPGRADE your pledge and grab exclusive add-ons
Inside the survey you will have the last chance to UPGRADE your pledge and grab unique items. These discounted prices won't be available again!
How can I upgrade my reward to another reward?
You can upgrade your pledge level from inside the Backerkit survey in the first question. Check out the video we've posted above.
What's new respect to the Kickstarter campaign?
You'll be happy to know that as our first supporters, you got all the best deals during Dance of Muses Kickstarter campaign! New backers will find different prices and missing rewards on Gamefound Late Pledge. Still, there are a couple of BRAND NEW REWARDS that could interest you!
๐คฉ๐ Chosen by the Gods [NEW!]
Basically a Deluxe edition PLUS the Playmat.
If you already purchased the Playmat as an AddOn, with a pledge of 35 or 40โฌ, this is nothing new for you. But coming from a base game pledge... this could tingle your interest!
๐๐ฒ Gemstone-Hard Gamer [NEW!]
This new reward tier includes the wonderful Gemstones Dice Set by Mountaingaming.com
If you already purchased the Gemstones Dice as an AddOn here on Kickstarter, the price should be the same. We re-thinked the bundle, though, and as you can see this doesn't includes the "Alternative Dice XP", which has been replaced by the Gemstones Dice. You also get the Playmat and a copy of DecKreative, so this is the ultimate pledge for every board game enthusiast, and the perfect upgrade if you have lower reward tiers. ย
๐๐๏ธ Artist's delight [NEW VERSION!]
This is now the ONLY reward tier that includes the "Art Collector Bundle" (which contains the 9 Muses + Mnemosyne Postcards and the double-sided Poster with the subjects you voted)*.
This bundle also has been rearranged and has the "Alternative Dice XP" replaced by the Gemstones Dice. But most of all, includes ONE OF THE LAST 5 HANDMADE DRAWINGS BY SARA MARINO! These are one-of-a-kind commissions of a Muse of your choice, and they will NEVER BE SOLD AGAIN! * Of course, YOU WILL NOT lose your "Art Collector Bundle", if you already purchased it during the Kickstarter campaign!
๐ก Still losing on BoardGameArena? Learn from the MASTER! ๐จโ๐ซ
Marco is one the two authors of DoM, and at this very time, World Champion :D Book an online session with him, and he will teach you how to play and maybe even give you some strategic hints. ;)
After the end of the campaign, you will receive a link to an external platform to book your session with Marco.
๐ Check out other games and comics from Space Otter Publishing! ๐ฆฆ
We did other games before Dance of Muses... and we also have a running comicbook anthology! Now, in the AddOns section of the Pledge Manager, you will be able to add anything that tickles your interest to your order, check it out!
๐ฏ Rate DoM on Boardgamegeek!
Boardgamegeek is the largest website/database of the world of boardgaming! Dance of Muses' page is online AND NEED YOUR VOTES! Click here!
You need an account to vote, then you can click on the rating you think fits - expressed in stars - and then click "Save" in the next window. You can tick "Pre-ordered" too, if you are a backer, or "Wishlist" if not.
If you want to add a Review too, that will help us even much! Thank you!
๐ Join our Community!
For any assistance on the Pledge Manager and Space Otter products, the Facebook Group is your #1 resource you can rely on!
The production of Dance of Muses will be very interesting to follow, but from now on, we will only send 1 update per month. So, if you want to follow every step, ENTER OUR PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP and join our amazing Community!
F.A.Q.
Are the shipping fee the definitive ones? No. with new and more precise quotes, we managed to adjust the shipping fees. Please note that those are still estimates, though! Unfortunately it's very hard to have reliable numbers when we talk about shipping. We will know the exact amount only when we'll be very near to the fullfilment. We'll ship the games for Europe (and some other countries) from Italy, and the ones for U.S.A. from China in DDP - meaning that we'll grant "Friendly shipping" for those countries, as stated in the campaign. ย
I cannot find my survey! Please help? 1. Click here https://danceofmuses.backerkit.com/ and fill in the email you use for Kickstarter to retrieve your survey.
2. Make sure you are logged into the email you use for Kickstarter. Not sure of the email? Go to Kickstarter and check under the "Settings" menu here.ย
3. Look in the "Spam" and "Junk Email" Folders.
3b. If you are logged with your Apple ID, check the email address used for Apple ID, or write us another email that we can add to the Pledge Manager.
