UPDATE 21
And Number 88 is in – great work everyone!
Number 88 has now been added to Jack and Striker!
There seems to be a lot of love for the girls we posted up yesterday so…
$175,000 – Female Corporation Team
If we hit this stretch goal, we will sculpt and produce the Female Corporation Team andadd two female models to the Striker! package.
This concept art is still work-in-progress but we’re working it up based on your feedback.
You can now add a Female Corporation Team to your pledge through the extra add-ons for just $20 (MSRP $25). Check them out!
Cheers guys!
UPDATE 22
The interwebz always amazes us - we’re seeing some great DreadBall hobby already and the game isn’t even out yet!
Carmen Cerra has produced some great looking alternate colour schemes for the Corporation Jacks in this pic we found on the DreadBall Fanatics page on Facebook:
We've even seen a review on Board Game Geek of the game too, simply judged by what we've shown off in Jake's Quirkworthy blog (which is now close to bursting with DreadBall content) and the BGG rules thread!
There are plenty of ways to get involved with DreadBall - we’ve got the fantastic newDreadBall website (have you all found Buzzcut yet?), and liking us on Facebook andsigning-up to our newsletter means you’ll get all of the latest gossip and rumors straight away!
Not only that but we’ve got the Mantic Open Day, our exclusive event held in Nottingham, UK on the 29th September where you’ll be able to walk the glorious halls of the Mantic Bunker (though watch out for our pet Orc).
If you’re excited about DreadBall you’ll be able to play the game, see the miniatures and meet the designers. We’ll even have a dedicated workstation in the corner for you to monitor your Kickstarter pledge (and see Chris beavering away posting updates, updating stretch goals and answering as many questions as he can!)
Seminars with Ronnie are always popular. You can see all of the photos of our last event on Facebook here.
In addition, we’ve got two great painting seminars with Golem Painting Studio, the talented team behind our excellent studio paint jobs and the fine folk who will be painting the Team Colour rewards (tickets are now on the website!). Jake Thornton and James M. Hewitt will be in attendance – and of course we’ll have seminars with Ronnie and other celebrities!
The Mantic Open Day is a great way to meet the team at Mantic, play some games, see the miniatures and have a jolly good time - for full details check out our dedicated Open Day Page here.
You can pick up an Open Day ticket here. Kick-off is at 10am – don’t miss it!
PS: Progress update - Roberto Cirillo has completed the back of the concept art for Wildcard so the sculptor can start work. Every player in DreadBall features a disc of their back so that you can paint their player number on the back.
Check it out:
Let us know what you think!
UPDATE 23
We've just had this through from Roberto and couldn't resist sharing. Here's a revised copy of the female Corporation Jack for your consideration, still work-in-progress as she needs a DreadBall glove but we think she's nearly there (and don't forget you can add a team to your pledge on the main page!)
Let us know what you think in the comments!
UPDATE 24
We couldn’t let the week end without some of the coolest add-ons we’ve created yet -Team T-Shirts and Dice, exclusive to Kickstarter!
DreadBall Kickstarter Exclusive Team T-Shirts
Available in Small, Medium, Large, XL, XXL, XXX - check out the main page for all of the designs.
DreadBall Kickstarter Exclusive Dice
Guaranteed to roll 6s every time*, these unique Kickstarter Exclusive Dice are branded with your Team Badge (on the 6, not the 1!)
More pics on the main page!
Thanks again for all of your support and please keep spreading the word – like us on Facebook (you can win a Forge Father Master Resin from Ronnie's personal collection!) , become a fan on Board Game Geek and tell your mates all about it!
* Well not everytime, but we’re told the dice gods will be kinder if your dice match your new T-shirt.
PS - any feedback, please drop it in the comments below!
UPDATE 25
In anticipation of our gameplay video being launched next week, Jake Thornton has put this handy Example Rush together for the rulebook, and we’ve made it available for free download. Check it out!
PS – we’ve hit a major milestone today – over 1000 backers have now pledged, a simply incredible number. Let's see if we can get the girls today.
Update 26
As we approach the $200k milestone we thought we would share the vision we have for the DreadBall game. With the fantastic support we have received so far, and with so much time to go, we think we could get this supported all the way, so read on and find out about the vision Ronnie and Jake share for the future of Dreadball, and see if you want to ‘Get in the game’…
Hi everyone, Ronnie here from Mantic.
I thought as we passed the monumental milestone of 1000 pledgers now was the right time to share some of the visions we have for DreadBall. While each of the points I make will be covered in far more detail over the coming weeks, I thought an overview would help excite you all to the same level of anticipation I am in with this game.
I have felt from the first time I played the ‘final prototype’ of DreadBall that it was an amazing game, and from the play test days and from every development and feedback session it had gotten better and better. I knew Mantic would be able to support it with amazing miniatures - the last 3 years has allowed us to develop a network of great concept artists, sculptors, graphic designers and painters – and on this project there would be no expense spared. This meant I really felt we would bring a sensational game to the market. With Mantic’s pedigree as a real hobby company I knew could support it – we just needed a great forum to launch it…
When we started the Kickstarter we genuinely had no idea where we would get to. The Kings of War one had taught us a lot, but this was a new venture - so we planned for three scenarios!
1) If we had done $80- $100k in the KS we would have been pleased (but not delighted)! We would have got a great leg-up with the tooling and up-spec-ing the base set – it would have helped develop the game and the 4 core teams and given the game a super platform to launch from – but we are already well past that, with 21 days still to go!! So Scenario 1 is history.
2) We have around the $400k area where we will have been able to launch the game with a big splash, have a community behind it - and commit to and produce all of ‘DreadBall Season 2’ – with 4 more new teams, and rules and models for cheerleaders, Coaches, and a pile of great MVP’s – the whole 9 yards (sorry!). This is possible, but with 21 days to go, and such fantastic support so far (1000 backers already!) we could well get past this by a long way.
3) If we sail on past those figures (the $1m mark looks nice!), we will have 2 more sets we can launch, one of which is another complete game called DreadBall Xtreme. Anything over $400k Mantic will also be able to hugely support organised play, and theStriker! reward level will get over 80 models!
- So, first let’s look at ‘DreadBall Ultimate’ - as we go past $400k we will look at 4 more teams, some more MVP’s – but this is the expansion where Jake gets free reign – he also has designs on multi-hex players for the teams – big robots, large creatures and massive damage. It will also allow him to create a world series type tournament – so some really sensational stuff.
- Then we go down and dirty with ‘DreadBall Xtreme’ – where the game comes out of the arena, and into the street! It has no referees, extreme violence, extreme teams (pick your players from any list you want – you want an Orc guard and Veer-myn striker – you got it!) Add in a new pitch and 3D terrain and you can see why getting all the way up there would be very, very exciting!!!
As you would expect from Mantic we will be arranging a hosts of tournaments to get the competitive play up and running, and with the world knowing there are 3 expansions on the way (and backers getting them all – and early) we hope to have a thriving growing community right out of the blocks. We will also have this range available from all good retailers across the world, making the game available to new comers, and with Mantic’s great value for money we will be able to draw in more new players.
With 7 more teams, over 12 new MVP’s, 4 coaches, 4 (maybe more if you want them) cheerleaders, 3 expansions and new pitches to take this on to new heights, supported by sponsored tournament and competitive play we have loads and loads to play for.
In the next few days we have the game play video, a number of interviews, a competition on Board Game Geek and several other big surprises, so stay close.
Finally, we're so close to get the Girl team we couldn't resist teasing you with what the next stretch goal might look like...
and this is only part of it... you get TWO MVPs in the next stretch.
So what do you think – do you want to get into the game?
UPDATE 27
What an incredible day! The momentum is building - we've shot past the $175,000 goal and we're ready to put the Female Corporation team into production. Not only is the team available for just $20, but everyone who's pledged at the Striker! level will now get an additional two female models added into their ever-growing box of DB goodies!
So, what next? First off, it's time to unlock those last two mystery figures on the table for the first season of DreadBall... We were going to give you both at once, but we really want to get these awesome characters out into the world, so we've split them and you get the first one in just over five and half thousand dollars' time!
$182,500
DreadBall began in the stark steel shell of drop hangar 91 aboard the Corporation warship Dread. The first games were played with dismantled cluster munitions for a ball, wearing decommissioned Enforcer armour. There's one player who never strayed far from these beginnings...
It's possible that the Enforcer was a DreadBall player before he joined the military, and is simply returning to his roots. What is a particular curiosity is his armour, which seems to be almost an entire suit of Enforcer battle armour - a rare and expensive piece of kit. It even retains its integral jump pack, which allows the Enforcer to be even faster and more agile than he doubtless is naturally.
This is just early concept art, but that's right, the Enforcer (an MVP who will play for any team) has returned from the war-zones, and at just $182,500 he will be available to purchase as an add-on. As a special thank you, all backers who have pledged Jack orStriker! will get him added to their reward absolutely free! And that's not all, he's bringing a friend along to the party!
$190,000
If eating your greens makes you grow up big and strong, then Buzzcut must have devoured forests as a child because he is huge. On the pitch he wears some armour, but generally plays almost stripped to the waist as if preparing for some manual labour which, in a way, he is. His usual excuse is that the uniforms come off when he gets into a fight anyway, and it is true that things seem to break when he is about. This doesn’t stop him being fined in almost every game for being improperly attired. As if he cared.
At $190,000, we will unlock Buzzcut, a massive MVP who will play for any team. Not only will you be able to purchase him as an add-on, but everyone who has pledgedStriker! will get him absolutely free!
And with that, Season 1 draws to a close - are we done? I don't think so!
As Ronnie explained earlier today, we have so much more to come, and next up is the beginning of the next phase of DreadBall:
Season 2 introduces the next wave of teams, MVPs and other exciting personalities to DreadBall pitches across the galaxy! With 4 new teams, many new MVPs, coaches, cheerleaders, and more, there's something for everyone. All of the above comes in a brand new expansion rulebook so you can take your leagues to a new level. Want a copy?
$200,000
At $200,000 we will be able to start work on the new book and the many things it has to offer, and to reward you for helping us get there we will add a digital copy of the book absolutely free to EVERY pledge level. Yes, you read that right, that's every pledge level from Visitor up to Man of the Match!
In addition, Ronnie will personally sign all of the DreadBall event tickets that you received from the $100K stretch goal. And yes, that means real signatures, even if we have to chain him to the desk for weeks on end to do it! ;-).
And off we go! Time to up our game!
UPDATE 28
And… The Enforcer is in! Incredible.
Warpath Enforcer Armour Concept Art for illustrative purposes
The Enforcer has now been added to Jack and Striker! ready to play for one of your teams.
Now then, let’s try and track down the big fella…
$190,000 - Buzzcut
If eating your greens makes you grow up big and strong, then Buzzcut must have devoured forests as a child because he is huge. On the pitch he wears some armour, but generally plays almost stripped to the waist as if preparing for some manual labour which, in a way, he is - read more on the DreadBall website.
If we break this stretch goal we will unlock Buzzcut, a massive MVP who will play for any team. Not only will you be able to grab him as an add-on, but everyone who has pledged Striker! will get him absolutely free!
$200,000 - DreadBall Season 2
DreadBall Season 2 introduces the next wave of teams, MVPs and other exciting personalities to DreadBall pitches across the galaxy!
We've plans for 4 new teams, many new MVPs, coaches, cheerleaders, and more. If we pass this goal we will be able to start work on the new book - and include a free digital copy in EVERY pledge level.
In addition, Ronnie will personally sign all of the DreadBall Event Tickets that you received from the $100K stretch goal. And yes, that means real signatures, even if we have to chain him to the desk for weeks on end to do it! ;)
Check out Jake's latest blog post to read more about DreadBall Season 2 - he's got some really great ideas for what the four teams are going to be!!
Have at it guys, let's see if we can get two MVPs in one day!
UPDATE 29
Thanks to your efforts, that's two Stretch Goals in a day - and a massive MVP added toStriker!
That's right, Buzzcut joins The Enforcer as today's second new addition!
He's big and he's mean - he can only be Buzzcut!
$200,000 - DreadBall Season 2
DreadBall Season 2 introduces the next wave of teams, MVPs and other exciting personalities to DreadBall pitches across the galaxy!
We've plans for 4 new teams, many new MVPs, coaches, cheerleaders, and more. If we pass this goal we will be able to start work on the new book - and include a free digital copy in EVERY pledge level.
In addition, Ronnie will personally sign all of the DreadBall Event Tickets that you received from the $100K stretch goal. And yes, that means real signatures!
Jake has already been musing on what DreadBall Season 2 will entail on his blog in fact. Here's a snippet (check out the full post for more, it's very long!)
Which Teams?
Glad you asked.
This quartet of new teams has undergone a number of iterations so far, and this isn’t entirely final though I feel like we’re getting close.
Ladies First. Yes, the girls really ought to go in here. They are still humans, and will have human stats the same as the Trontek 29ers, but there is a spin or two I’d like to introduce to change their playing style a bit and make them a separate team in their own right. I think I can do this without adding any new rules too, which is a bonus. Needs more playtesting though. Of course, you could still use the miniatures to play as a 29ers sort of human team if you like.
It came from… who knows? It’s the Z'zor, and they’re not telling. This is one of the Warpath races which hasn’t seen the light of day on those battlefields yet, but which we might get to see first on the DreadBall pitch. nasty, nasty bitey things, so lord knows how they got to be in teams. Maybe mind control devices and shock sticks, controlled breeding programmes, stunt doubles or some other cunning piece of showmanship. Perhaps their hive minds just like a bit of sport. I suspect their Guards might be quite mean.
Robots! Well it’s the far future, so it would be rude not to. I had a really cool (in my head, anyway) idea for this team, and have sort of dumped a production headache on Mantic. I want the team to be able to change roles as the game goes on. Not like Transformers visually, but a similar idea of mutability...
Judwan. Who? Well they are made up aliens (it’s science fiction, remember). These were spawned by an MVP I was working on, whose race suggested a whole different play style, and that’s what you need for a really good new team. I’m going to try them out with only Strikers, and we’ll see if they work as see them in my head…
DreadBall Season 2 will mean hitting a landmark milestone and we couldn't have done it without your help. Onwards to the next one!
UPDATE 30
... here is our basic gameplay video!*
This is only intended as a demonstration of some of the core mechanics, just so you can get a taster of what to expect.
We’ve also filmed a second video, continuing the game on for another five rushes. This will be made available in the couple of weeks – check this one out and look out for Part 2 coming soon!
* we realize the audio is a little bit shaky in places but we didn't want to keep you waiting any longer :o)
Shipping Dates
We also promised news on shipping dates. The vast majority of the reward levels** will ship in December 2012 (or earlier if we can manage it!), with the following exceptions:
- Everything from DreadBall Season 2 onwards - including Wildcard and the Female Corporation Team.
- Gorim Ironstone, Number 88, John Doe and Buzzcut MVPs
The front page Striker! image has now been updated to show this information.
** reward levels that include painted armies and/or unique sculpts will vary.
New Stretch Goals
Since we're so close to getting Season 2 underway with our latest Stretch Goals, we thought we'd post up some more for you to sink your teeth into!
$210,000 - Team Keepers
The DreadBall rulebook contains rules for both League Player and Player advancement. When a player goes up a rank, they get a roll on an advancement table, meaning that aGuard can potentially gain the Keeper ability.
A Keeper is issued with new armour and a DreadBall glove, though unfortunately he is not really trained in its proper use and simply uses it to cannon the ball downfield. Unlike pure Guards who cannot Pick up the Ball or catch, a Keeper can, though he cannot Throw the ball like a Jack or a Striker, but they do have a unique action called Punt.
If we pass this stretch goal, we'll produce a Keeper model for the Trontek 29ers, Greenmoon Smackers, Skittersneak Stealers and the Midgard Delvers. If you want to get these awesome new figures, we've created a Special Keeper Bundle ($15) where you'll get four models for the price of two - grab it in the Extras now! (note: Keepers will also be made available separately.)
$220,000 - Wyn Greth'zki, All-Star Season 2 MVP
We're going to be having a bit of fun during this Kickstarter with certain special players, and this one has a touch of the Superstar Sportsman about him. If we hit this stretch goal we'll sculpt and produce Wyn Greth'zki - a limited edition Kickstarter MVP (you'll only be able to pick him up on Kickstarter and one or two other places as well) - and we'll add him to Striker!
Early Concept Art with alternative designs for the head and legs to choose - let us know in the comments which you prefer!
Wyn Greth’ski was once consigned to the dank back rooms of the advanced cybernetics laboratories on Ico IV; a by-product of failed A.I. research and over-ambitious technicians stretching too far, too quickly. Wyn was eventually sold on to one of the major league sponsors as parts but was instead re-programmed; the game’s history and the tactics of the sport’s greatest players downloaded straight into its knowledge banks. Whether it was by some coding coincidence or that the scientists were too quick to abandon their project, it turned out that Wyn couldn’t just play like the greats, he could adapt what they did, optimizing their performances and maximizing the output. Put to the test, Wyn soon became legendary for his ability to analyze the game, process a response and enact it in milliseconds. So 'talented' is Wyn that he has become the center of debate regarding fairness and the use of robotics in the Major Leagues.
Cheers, and please leave us your comments below!
If we pass this stretch goal, we'll produce a Keeper model for the Trontek 29ers, Greenmoon Smackers, Skittersneak Stealers and the Midgard Delvers. If you want to get these awesome new figures, we've created a Special Keeper Bundle ($15) where you'll get four models for the price of two - grab it in the Extras now! (note: Keepers will also be made available separately.)
$220,000 - Wyn Greth'zki, All-Star Season 2 MVP
We're going to be having a bit of fun during this Kickstarter with certain special players, and this one has a touch of the Superstar Sportsman about him. If we hit this stretch goal we'll sculpt and produce Wyn Greth'zki - a limited edition Kickstarter MVP (you'll only be able to pick him up on Kickstarter and one or two other places as well) - and we'll add him to Striker!
Early Concept Art with alternative designs for the head and legs to choose - let us know in the comments which you prefer!
Wyn Greth’ski was once consigned to the dank back rooms of the advanced cybernetics laboratories on Ico IV; a by-product of failed A.I. research and over-ambitious technicians stretching too far, too quickly. Wyn was eventually sold on to one of the major league sponsors as parts but was instead re-programmed; the game’s history and the tactics of the sport’s greatest players downloaded straight into its knowledge banks. Whether it was by some coding coincidence or that the scientists were too quick to abandon their project, it turned out that Wyn couldn’t just play like the greats, he could adapt what they did, optimizing their performances and maximizing the output. Put to the test, Wyn soon became legendary for his ability to analyze the game, process a response and enact it in milliseconds. So 'talented' is Wyn that he has become the center of debate regarding fairness and the use of robotics in the Major Leagues.
Cheers, and please leave us your comments below!
UPDATE 31
We think our creative team have truly excelled themselves with this game and Remy Tremblay, master sculptor of all of the Season 1 teams (with the exception of the Veer-myn Guard) has posted up a new blog about sculpting the Corporation Trontek 29ers.
The photos are just gorgeous (though google translate might be required if you can't read French!). Here's a sample:
We think our creative team have truly excelled themselves with this game and Remy Tremblay, master sculptor of all of the Season 1 teams (with the exception of the Veer-myn Guard) has posted up a new blog about sculpting the Corporation Trontek 29ers.
The photos are just gorgeous (though google translate might be required if you can't read French!). Here's a sample:
For more, check out R.T.Art!
UPDATE 32
And we’re through the stretch goal, meaning a set of very tasty new Keepers for the Season 1 Teams have now been funded!
If you want to grab these models, we've created a Special Keeper Bundle ($15) where you'll get four models for the price of two - grab it in the Extras now! (note: Keepers will also be made available separately soon.)
Right then, let's hunt this superstar sportsman down...
$220,000 - Wyn Greth'Zki, MVP
If we hit this stretch goal we'll sculpt and produce Wyn Greth'zki - a limited edition Kickstarter MVP (you'll only be able to pick him up on Kickstarter and one or two other places as well) - and we'll add him to Striker!
Early Concept Art
Wyn Greth’ski was once consigned to the dank back rooms of the advanced cybernetics laboratories on Ico IV; a by-product of failed A.I. research and over-ambitious technicians stretching too far, too quickly. Wyn was eventually sold on to one of the major league sponsors as parts but was instead re-programmed; the game’s history and the tactics of the sport’s greatest players downloaded straight into its knowledge banks. Whether it was by some coding coincidence or that the scientists were too quick to abandon their project, it turned out that Wyn couldn’t just play like the greats, he could adapt what they did, optimizing their performances and maximizing the output. Put to the test, Wyn soon became legendary for his ability to analyze the game, process a response and enact it in milliseconds. So 'talented' is Wyn that he has become the center of debate regarding fairness and the use of robotics in the Major Leagues.
Let's get this MVP in and then we might start talking Alien teams!
UPDATE 33
At the weekend we started to share our thoughts about the vision for DreadBall and over the next few days, weeks and months we will deliver on our promises.
What seems to be happening is that the excitement this game is creating is generating funding support for future releases – it looks like with a bit of a push and more supporters we could fund the first 3 or 4 Seasons!
With this in mind we’ve been looking for a way to properly thank our backers on this project, a nice simple method that can roll through the whole campaign. We want something that offers a great reward to those who are taking a risk on us, and will only ever be available during this one off event. So...
More Free Figures!
Everytime we hit a goal that allows us to create a new team we will:
- Add one free figure to Jack!
- Add two free figures to Striker!
With the optimal starting number for your team being around 10 figures (6 on the pitch and 4 on the bench will start you off very nicely!), we wanted to make fleshing out the rest of your teams a bit easier... so we've only gone and done the unthinkable!
Buy a team and get one free!
Add any Season 2 Team (starting with the Female Corporation) to Striker! for $25 and we’ll give you any other Season 2 Team absolutely free. If we get past Season 2 and onto Ultimate DreadBall or DreadBall X-treme, we’ll keep the deal rolling.
There are a few things to bear in mind:
- Offer only applies when you add a Season 2 Team to Striker! or above because of the postage involved (and we don’t want to charge more for something as dull as shipping!)
- You can choose from any combination of Season 2 teams (it can be two Female Corporation Teams or One Judwan Team and One Z’zor team for example)
- This offer does not apply to the “Season 1” teams - Skittersneak Stealers, Midgard Delvers, Greenmoon Smackers or the Trontek 29ers.
All of the teams will remain available individually at the special Kickstarter rate of $20. Check out our FAQ at the bottom of the front page for more details on how to add an Extra to your pledge.
Currently we’ve got one Season 2 team available (Female Corporation) and as Jake states, we’ve got a total of four planned for this expansion…with this being the next one!
$235,000 - The Judwan, Season 2 Team
Judwan - Alien Concept Art
The alien Judwan are unique in that they're probably going to be a team of Strikers - and they don't require a DreadBall Glove to catch the ball (well, this is the current thinking anyway, depends on the playtests!) If we pass this goal we will:
- add One Judwan Figure to Jack!
- add Two Judwan Figures to Striker!
- Make the Team available as a Buy One Get One Free!
Drive us on to great heights and get all 12 teams backed and available!
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