A unique board game set in the ice age that combines worker placement and deck building in an innovative way.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Kickstarter Exclusive/Limited Items and Storage Solution Drafts
over 5 years ago
– Tue, Nov 03, 2020 at 09:33:22 PM
As you might recall from yesterday, the eraser caps erased themselves—how meta! 😅
Erasers Gone Wild!
Yes, we accidentally erased a stretch goal. But luckily, we already fixed it, and everything is back to the way it was before—basically... See, we also erased the draft of our solo mode update text too! Therefore, it will be postponed until a near future update. Stay tuned for that.
Fixed!
Kickstarter Exclusives?
Before the launch, we were trying to decide on whether or not to go with the Kickstarter Exclusives and Limited releases we originally planned for this campaign. It proved to be a task that needed some extra time to settle because we have so many publishing partners. Now we are happy to announce the clarifications on what is and isn’t Kickstarter Exclusive/Limited. Plus, we are ready to present the box-storage solutions we’ve looked into.
KS Limited
Some items will not be widely available after the campaign. These items will only be available for purchase at conventions, through direct sales, or via the BGG store. Thus, they will not be making their way into general distribution (unless retailers back the game during the Kickstarter campaign, of course). These items include:
Canine Familiars expansion module
Ceremony Grounds expansion module
Small/Large Playmats
Resin Upgraded Components
KS Limited
KS Exclusives
These items will be exclusively available to backers of this campaign; extras will not be printed or available after the campaign. These items include:
Washed Minis (Stretch Goal)
Digital Soundtrack
Carrying case (see below)
KS Exclusive
Please note: Additional KS Exclusive/Limited items may be introduced through subsequent stretch goals, add-ons, and updates.
Carrying Case
This was a bit of a tricky one. As we mentioned, we are trying to find a solution that will please a majority of the backers who asked for a “Big Box.” The main reason we didn’t offer a Big Box to begin with is that it would limit our future possibilities for extra content (such as a 5th player and other possible expansions). Plus, we love the individual box cover art. Nevertheless, we heard your voices and have few possible solutions to show you now.
Storage Solution Drafts
Option A: A deluxe case which can hold all of the expansion boxes with new artwork from The Mico, a carrying handle, and a magnetic clasp. This is an efficient solution for storing and transporting the game.
Option B: A slip case box (again, with The Mico’s art on it) that you can slide all the expansions into nicely, much like you would with a sleeved book collection. This is a great solution for storing the boxes on a shelf, and for light traveling situations.
Option C: Lastly, we had a proposal from one of our backers: a cloth tote bag with The Mico’s art printed on it. This would be made with durable fabric, and have cloth handles on top.
Disclaimer
We’d like to pull back the curtain a bit and offer some transparency about the possible storage solutions. Assuming Endless Winter has ongoing success after its initial release, both critically and commercially, we may create additional content for the game (such as a 5th player expansion, etc. If we do, the current storage solutions might not be fully compatible. Therefore, to accommodate the new material, we might offer a different storage solution (such as a Big Box) at that time. Thank you for understanding.
What’s next?
We are in the process of securing production cost quotes from our manufacturer. Once we have them, we will create a poll in the Endless Winter Facebook Group, where you can vote for the storage solution you like the best. From there, we plan to take the most popular solution and make it available as an add-on (in the Pledge Manager). We understand that the proposed storage solutions may not please everyone—as such is the nature of trying to cater to the wishes of several thousand backers. Yet, we hope that options shown, in combination with our transparency, will satisfy most.
📊 We will send an update out with a link to the Endless Winter Facebook Group pollas soon as it goes live!
Thank you again, from all of us at Fantasia Games. We’ll see you in the next update!
Factory Samples & Solo Mode Details
over 5 years ago
– Tue, Nov 03, 2020 at 09:30:25 PM
A picture is worth a thousand words, so here's five-thousands words worth of factory sample pictures.
SoloPhilosophy
Hey everybody! I’m Drake Villareal, the designer of the solo mode and several of the games modules. Today I’d like to talk a little about my philosophy for making a solo mode:
Create an Artificial Opponent
Beat-your-own-score can be compelling in very puzzly games, or games with low player interaction. Endless Winter is neither of these.
Replicate Interaction Points
The first step to making an artificial opponent is to identify all of the interaction points in the game. Then, I need to find a way to make the artificial opponent engage with each of these systems. There are various ways to achieve this. In general, I try to use techniques higher on this list when possible. However, each of them definitely serves a purpose to make sure the game is both challenging and manageable.
Simulation
Making the artificial opponent do exactly what a player would do.
For example, the AI will place tribe figures onto the action columns and claim first-player bonuses.
Approximation
Making the artificial opponent do basically what a player would do, but simplifying or changing things a bit.
For example, the AI will take turns of increasing strength each round, approximating the variable strength of a given player’s turn.
Fudging
Giving the artificial opponent the outcome of a certain action, without having them interact correctly with a system.
For example, the AI will interact with the map in a way that is fairly different than the player, but will produce a similar outcome.
Fluffing
Giving the artificial opponent victory points for interacting with systems that are too complex or variable.
For example, the AI will gain a flat number of VP for each Sacred Stone they build.
Semi-Predictable
Just like a real human, the actions of the artificial opponent should be semi-predictable. This allow people to respond to threats created at any given time. If the AI is threatening to place a Megalith in a certain space, or take a particular Sacred Stone, it might change your plans, or you might decide to risk it. As these behaviors are not completely replicable with an artificial opponent, I had to "fudge" them using a system of preference hierarchies to break ties.
Essentially, the AI will prefer to take actions no one else has taken yet - thus blocking the first player bonus. Additionally, each card they reveal will give some indication where they will go during the next turn. It gives players a percentile range to work with, and means that while you can influence what the AI does each round, you can’t completely steer it.
Existing Systems
Wherever possible I tried to let the AI score VP just as a player would. This (hopefully) means that you don’t need to hold too many extra rules in your head compared to playing a normal multiplayer game. Ultimately, it’s important that players get to experience the same game as they would in a multiplayer environment. That is to say, you can take the strategies you are employing in the solo game, learn from them, and apply that knowledge in multiplayer games.
Low Overhead
Lastly—but just as important as anything mentioned above—I don’t want players to spend more than 10-15% of the game managing the AI opponent. The lower, the better. Additionally, my hope is that players can feel confident to put away the solo rules after a round or so of play, since it isn’t terribly complicated.
How to Play, The Basics
This image gives a very basic overview of how to operate the solo mode opponent. Using the targeting arrows, the AI is able to signal their preference relative to the remaining actions—enabling you to play around them to some degree.
Rules & TTS Mod
We are in the process of finalizing the graphic design of the cards, the scripted mod, and rules that are compatible with TTS. We expect these to be released in the coming days. Thank you for your patience.
FacebookStorageSolutionPoll
We've also taken your feedback regarding using Facebook as a platform to conduct a poll, and will find a more inclusive alternative.
Until next time, thanks again from all of us at Fantasia Games. We are remain humbled by the enthusiasm and kindness of our backers.
Hot off the press! Over 5,000 backers! New media coverage!
over 5 years ago
– Tue, Nov 03, 2020 at 06:53:58 PM
Greetings! This is a quick in-between update to share a bunch of new videos on Endless Winter. And yes, we've passed 5,000 backers! Plus, we're really close to unlocking the new hex terrain tile, followed by the Kickstarter Exclusive washed ivory style minis—which look so cool! The details will really stand out this way. 🤩
MeepleTown:Playthrough + Final Thoughts
Dean and Jon of MeepleTown are such fun guys to watch. If you haven't checked out their channel yet, now's a great time. Their preview of Endless Winter is a delight! (Spoiler: Dean 💙 EW)
BoardGameCo: The Hunt for the Perfect Board game
The hunt is on—not only for mammoths, but for the perfect board game. And it looks like Endless Winter might just be one... ✨
BoardGameCo: Should You Back It?
😉 Yeah—you already know you made the right choice. But Alex's comments are totally worth hearing!
Liège of Games: Rise of Euro-deckbuilder Hybrids!
Here, he takes a look at what appears to be an emerging trend in worker-placement deck-building hybrid games. Is that true? Who knows, but Endless Winter is a unique blend of these well-loved mechanics.
We have new coverage for our Spanish audience. ¡Disfruta el juego!
Stay tuned for more updates this week, including info about the storage solution, and a full expose on the Cave Paintings expansion! We know you're anxious to learn more about it—and just how those dry-erase boards (and infamous erasers) fit into the game... 🖊😂
Yours truly,
—the Fantasia Games team
€265.000 Update & Eraser Cap Demonstration
over 5 years ago
– Tue, Nov 03, 2020 at 09:20:38 AM
❄ Today's update will be brisk. ❄
First, we'd like to highlight a few incredible numbers 📈
🎥 Content Creators
We'd like to extend our undying gratitude to all of the content creators who took the time to cover Endless Winter. Your kind words and honest thoughts are invaluable. A number of videos have been released since the campaign went live, check them out below.
🎲 Solo Mode
Our next update will be all about the solo mode. We'll show cards, give insights into the design, give an overview of the system, release the rules, and update the TTS mod.
EraserCaps
Finally, we'd like to talk some more, about our most talked about stretch goal - eraser caps.
Luxurious.
When planning our campaign, many thought eraser caps were impossible - a pipe dream, even. However, thanks to your support, this dream has become a reality. In order to demonstrate the power of eraser caps, I'd like to give you a little demonstration.
uh oh.
❄ So Cool It's Hot! 🔥
over 5 years ago
– Sun, Nov 01, 2020 at 07:58:17 AM
The Hotness
We just bumped to the top of the BGG Hotness list! And not just in Games, but in Companies and People too. That's a very exciting landmark for a new publisher—and we couldn't' do it without you!
In other exciting news, you've unlocked the Giant Beaver animal cards which will now be added to the Ancestors expansion (included with every game). Next up is the silk screen art for the rafts...
New Animal Card
Rivers & Rafts Expansion
Given the silk screen printing for the rafts is the next Stretch Goal, it's a good time to tell you a bit more about the expansion itself.
Rivers & Rafts brings new features to the hex terrain map. During setup, you arrange the three large 3-hex tiles to create a continuous river that winds though the map. The river replaces the base game’s middle starting tile and a number of basic glacier tiles. The new 3-hex tiles also feature areas for landmark pieces (1-3, depending on the complexity level you want). Which landmarks you play with each game is determined by the randomizer/rules summary cards. Then, in reverse player order, each player adds a starting tile to the edge of the board, and places one camp on it. Each player also begins the game with a raft on the river start tile.
River Tiles
Tribe Start Tiles and Landmark Randomizer Cards
During the game, you may add camps to your tribe’s start tile—or where your raft is along the river. Your raft essentially works like a movable starting location, from which you can place camps with any add-camps action. You can move your raft to any river hex by spending a single camp-movement action. This makes your raft very fast! Your raft also adds influence to the tile it is on during the Eclipse phase.
Wooden Rafts and Landmarks
Each landmark (such as the volcano, butte, arch, and giant tree) has a unique scoring effect during the Eclipse phase. The players with the most influence on each hex with landmark are affected. For example, the volcano has positive effects in the early half of the game, but later—when it erupts—its effects become negative, and you’ll want to move your camps away!
The modular nature of this expansion makes the map very different each time you set up the game. With very simple rules, Rivers & Rafts adds another layer of depth and replayability to Endless Winter. Once you try it, it might be an expansion you never leave out!
We're still in the midst of figuring out the best way to offer a way to bundle the core box and all the expansions into one sleek package. We will make a further announcement as soon as we can. But don't worry; we have heard your requests and will do everything we can to offer you the best option possible!
Stay tuned for more updates, including more information on the Cave Paintingsexpansion, solo mode, TTS mod, and much more.
We thank you for your endless support!
—Fantasia Games team, and all of our collaborators 💙
