A tactical strategy game set in a dark-fantasy future where players control asymmetric factions engaging in brutal conflict.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Fulfillment Update: Finishing Up!
about 1 year ago
– Thu, Feb 02, 2023 at 08:16:33 AM
Hello Backers,
A short update to let you in on a few developments!
LOST EGGMEN FOUND: Firstly, to update you on the Eggmen situation, the lost EU “Beasts and Eggmen” expansions were found! Thanks to GameQuest for their help in investigating this issue and finally finding the lost expansions.
FULFILLMENT UPDATE: Fulfillment to backers is virtually complete. We have been working to get any final pledges out, but almost all orders have now been processed and shipped.
If you are in the US, Canada, or anywhere else (Rest of World) and have an issue with your pledge/order, please let us know at [email protected] .
THE DUNGEON DIVE: Daniel at the Dungeon Dive youtube channel (Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thedungeondive ) did a great review/preview of the game. He goes into detail about the variety of ways to play Battle of the Ancients (there are many!!), covering all the things that he enjoyed. Give it a look! (SIDE NOTE: You can find a RESOURCE GUIDE for the Main Map here: https://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/252622/dark-venture-battle-ancients-main-map-resourceroad . There will be one available soon for the Underground Map; when playing the Dhargon, don't discount their ability to create MEAT and to exchange prisoners for new units!)
ALIMITED NUMBER OF BATTLE OF THE ANCIENTS COPIESAVAILABLE: We now (finally) have a LIMITED STOCK of games available for sale worldwide. If you know someone who might enjoy playing, the only place to order Dark Venture: Battle of the Ancients (from us) is on Backerkit: https://dv-battle-of-the-ancients.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders
PLEDGE MANAGER OPENED FOR DARK VENTURE 2E: Last week we opened the pledge manager for the second edition of the original Dark Venture - Adventure Card Game (a completely different adventure game set in the same weird universe as Battle of the Ancients). For a limited time, you can pre-order it (and new expansions for it) here: https://dark-venture-2nd-edition.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders
That’s it for now, thank you and stay safe!
Rob
Some Eggmen are Missing in Europe
over 1 year ago
– Tue, Dec 20, 2022 at 01:11:44 PM
Hey all.
In the interest of transparency, I wanted to let you in on some bad news that I received today. About 130 units of the “BEASTS & EGGMEN” expansion have gone missing from our EUROPEAN UNION freight shipment. We accounted for extra units to the EU, but even so, we are going to be short units of this expansion in the EU.
We are working with ShipQuest (and "Intermail" in Germany, who handled our EU freight shipment) to investigate, and have contacted the manufacturer to make sure there wasn’t a mixup at the factory (that all the correct units were packaged and shipped to the EU).
This is likely going to be a significant blow to us. The bottom line is that it is very possible there will be backers in the EU who will be refunded for their BEASTS & EGGMEN expansion (they will, however, receive the rest of their pledges). Any EU orders that do not include the "Beasts and Eggmen'' expansion remain unchanged. Also, all pledges from backers in the US, CA, UK, AU, Asia, and ROW (not including the EU) remain unchanged.
ON A POSITIVE NOTE: All copies of the CORE GAME and the KINGS & HEROES expansion arrived in the EU just fine (all have been inventoried, and delivery of EU orders will begin soon, in waves).
We are looking into several other options and will keep you updated as the situation develops.
Thanks for your understanding, and stay safe.
Rob
November Shipping and Fulfillment Update
over 1 year ago
– Tue, Nov 29, 2022 at 08:02:19 PM
Hello Backers!
A short shipping and fulfillment update: Shipments arrived at the UK warehouse for distribution (GameQuest) last week. Australian (GameQuest/Aetherworks) and Asia shipments arrived at warehouses the week before. Fulfillment should have begun now. I requested dates/confirmation from GameQuest late last week but have not heard back from them.
The shipment for EU distribution (GameQuest) was held in customs for some time (several weeks), but was released last week and shipped to the EU warehouse. Distribution should be happening soon, no dates from GameQuest as of yet.
The US shipment arrived in the US (and was unloaded) but was also held in customs for an extended period. I just received news that it was released and it will be on the way to the US warehouse for fulfillment (Fulfillrite) this week or next week (due to it being “peak season” and a backlog at the docks). From there, Fulfillrite assures me that it will only take 2-3 days for the orders to be packed and sent out.
I wanted to have a few copies of Battle of the Ancients for demos at PAX UNPLUGGED this weekend, but it looks like I’ll be showing/demoing the 1 pre-production copy that I have! If you happen to be going to PAX UNPLUGGED in Philadelphia this weekend, keep an eye out for a small, red DARK VENTURE banner. I'll likely be under it, demoing Battle of the Ancients. Stop by and say hello!
With regard to additional shipping and fulfillment info, I will keep you updated (check out our social media: TWITTER and FACEBOOK).
Thanks,
Rob
October Update: Shipping Arrivals and First Look!
over 1 year ago
– Fri, Oct 28, 2022 at 06:03:46 AM
Hello Backers!
In this update: some exciting shipping developments, a meticulous unpacking and preview of the game, and some news on things to come!
Firstly, we received word last week that the Australian shipment has arrived in port. It will need to be cleared, then shipped to the Aetherworks hub (this week) for distribution/fulfillment, but the first stage of delivery in Australia is complete! Fulfillment in Asia will also be happening soon. The UK shipment is expected to arrive early next week, and the shipments to the USA and EU will land soon after that. More on those shipments as they arrive.
I wanted to say that as much as I’d like everyone in all territories to receive their orders on exactly the same day (ha!), the reality of our current world shipping situation is that we had to get the games onto freight ships as soon as we had the opportunity! The amazing people at GameQuest and Fulfillrite did their best to book these shipments as quickly as possible and, all things considered, we are in a very good place.
Next, I wanted to showcase the Dungeon Dive YouTube channel. Earlier this month, Daniel took an ultra detailed look at the Battle of the Ancients production copy (one of the only two that we have!), meticulously reviewing *every* included game component of the core game and both expansions. Here is that video:
I highly recommend checking out the Dungeon Dive channel. Daniel covers a mix of new games by independent studios (boutique games that often fly under the radar), classic dungeon crawlers and adventure games, solo games, and games from larger companies too. His aesthetic is refreshing, and his choice of subject is often surprising.
Lastly, now that shipments of Battle of the Ancients are starting to arrive, I am working on final preparations for the launch of the 2nd Edition DARK VENTURE: ADVENTURE CARD GAME Kickstarter! There’ll be new content, unexpected offerings, and, of course, a reprint and update to the original Dark Venture game. I plan to launch it VERY SOON, so keep an eye out for a Dark Venture newsletter (sign up here: http://eepurl.com/cQL3c1) and check our social media (specifically, Twitter: https://twitter.com/gildedskull ) if you are interested…
That’s it for now. I will send out a short update when the other shipments have landed, and to pass along any new information regarding the Australian fulfillment. Until then, stay safe!
Rob
September Update: The Games are Traveling and Underground Adventure Video!
over 1 year ago
– Fri, Sep 30, 2022 at 10:54:54 PM
Hello Backers!
This month I have been focused on finalizing the freight shipping of Battle of the Ancients, getting the game to the local hubs in the US, UK, EU, AU, and China. Making sure everything is ship-shape has not been easy, but our partner in the UK, GameQuest, has been doing their best to organize the EU, AU and UK freight shipments. Fulfillrite is handling our US freight shipment. We don’t have exact dates for shipment arrivals yet, but we will in the coming month (I’ll post an update when the arrival dates are set).
In the meantime, I’ve put together a video about the Adventure Game, played on the Underground map (included in the core game)! It details how adventure games are played, and provides a basic explanation of how Auto-Enemies work (NOTE: there are no story spoilers in the play-through). ENJOY!
Remember, there are unique adventure games included in each of the expansions that spotlight the factions and maps included in them!
