Explore a dark-fantasy future with your hero, completing their quests to win in this retro solo to 4 player adventure game!
Latest Updates from Our Project:
April Update: Approvals and Manufacturing!
6 days ago
– Mon, Apr 29, 2024 at 07:17:57 AM
Hello Backers!
While I had a lot to do this month (reviewing, revising, and approving the final Dark Venture BLANK SAMPLES and COLOR PROOFS), there isn't a lot of new project news so this update will be short and sweet.
Earlier this month I approved the BLANK SAMPLES and the COLOR PROOFS, minor revisions were made to both: In revisions to the blanks samples of Khrag Pit and CRAWL!, we changed the cardboard inserts slightly to accommodate the 10 plastic standee bases better; a few pages of the color proofs required art updates and minor revisions. All-in-all, there were very few changes so there will be no delays on that front. Dark Venture 2nd Edition has been scheduled to begin manufacturing mid-May, manufacturing and assembly will continue into June.
This month we discussed our shipping plan with GAMESQUEST in the UK who will handle fulfillment in the UK, EU, AU/NZ, and Asia. US/CA fulfillment will be handled by FULFILLRITE.
That’s it for now. We’ll have more detailed shipping information in the coming months. Also, news on a 2nd printing of Battle of the Ancients (with new content) is forthcoming.
Stay safe, thanks for everything!
Rob
PS: For those who already own the 1ST Edition of the game (and for those who'd like prep before receiving their copy of the 2ND Edition): The ANDROID version of the DARK VENTURE COMPANION released back in early March!
It can be used to track your character's stats, their inventory, and the locations in your game (it contains the LOCATION and ACTIONS guide entries for each location). It's not required, but it can help to reduce the table footprint of your game.
March Update: The Blank Samples and Color Proofs!
about 2 months ago
– Tue, Mar 19, 2024 at 10:43:47 AM
Hello Backers!
The COLOR PROOFS (for the CORE GAME and EXPANSIONS, all wrapped up) and the BLANK SAMPLES.
Good news, I just received the Dark Venture COLOR PROOFS and BLANK SAMPLES and they look great. See for yourself! First, the blank samples:
The CORE GAME, 2ND EDITION UPGRADE KIT, ALDERKANG and BEASTS & MONSTERS mini-expansions, KHRAG PIT, VILE INVADERS, and CRAWL! expansions.
The blank samples are unprinted copies of each item containing all the components. These are produced to (a) make sure all the components for an item fit in the box, (b) present the finish of all the components (the matte linen finish on token sheets, for example), and (c) determine the weight of each item. Here are photos of several expansions:
CRAWL! blank sample unpacked
KHRAG PIT blank sample unpacked
BEASTS & MONSTERS blank sample unpacked
I've reviewed these, found a few very minor issues, and received confirmation that the changes will be made (the final versions will look a bit different from the photos), so we're good to go.
Next up are the color proofs. These full color prints of all the game components are used to review the print/ink colors and to check for any graphic glitches. These are also used to review the game content one last time (although, at this point, you don't want to make any huge changes).
I'll be reviewing the proofs this week (so much content!!) and will likely give final approval soon after. We are well on our way to having this game printed! Hope you enjoyed this look behind the curtain.
Talk soon,
Rob
February Production Update: The Digital Proof!
2 months ago
– Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 09:57:58 AM
Hello Backers,
I wanted to start by saying thank you so much for your support during the production of Dark Venture 2nd Edition. I have been working on this project daily for quite a while now, and the show of support and encouragement from backers all the way through this process has kept me amped, excited to make the best game (and expansions) possible.
WHAT’S NEW? We delivered all final game files in January, but the Chinese New Year holiday shut down our manufacturer for most of February. However, YESTERDAY we received the DIGITAL PROOF of the core game and all expansions!
It is going to take some time to dig through all the files, cross-check against our final 2nd Edition files (and the 1st Edition files), while proofreading and making sure that everything looks great. Check out these layouts!
NEXT STEPS: The factory is currently working on the BLANK SAMPLE, an unprinted copy of the game that allows us to be sure that everything fits in their packages (while also enabling us to get an exact shipping weight). When I receive that, I’ll post an update. Next, we'll receive a COLOR PROOF of all game components (to check the exact print colors) and once that is approved, the game will print (we will see a production sample, but at that point, everything is more-or-less locked in).
That’s it for now! Hopefully we will receive the BLANK SAMPLE and possibly the COLOR PROOF in March, talk to you then!
Thanks,
Rob
January Production Update!
3 months ago
– Fri, Jan 26, 2024 at 07:02:39 AM
Hello backers!
This month: some final news on CONTENT, a MANUFACTURING update, and a short note on ANDROID COMPANION APP development.
CONTENT (ART, WRITING, EDITING): This month I have been reviewing the digital production, specifically last minute revisions to the CRAWL! and KHRAG PIT manuals, but as of right now we’re done with content production on Dark Venture 2nd Edition!
MANUFACTURING: Good news! We are finally beginning to nail down the manufacturing schedule. Realistically, we’re looking at a bit of a production delay due to the Chinese New Year, but the DIGITAL PROOFS should be sent to us (for approval) in February. The BLANK SAMPLE and PAPER COLOR PROOF for the core game and expansions should be ready by late February. Pending approval, factory production will begin late March/early May. Then shipping and fulfillment. I will be sure to update you on each stage of development.
ANDROID COMPANION APP: In other news, testing on the DARK VENTURE COMPANION APP for Android is virtually complete and it will will soon be coming to the Google Play Store (it is already available on iOS, FOR FREE, here: https://apps.apple.com/zw/app/dark-venture-companion/id1448288727 ).
Screenshots of the iOS Dark Venture Companion App
After the Android release, NERD ROOM will be updating the app to Dark Venture 2E and will add all the new expansions (on both Android and iOS).
That’s it for this month, more production news soon.
Stay safe, warm, and dry!
Rob
A Quick December Update!
5 months ago
– Fri, Dec 22, 2023 at 10:40:52 AM
Hello Everyone!
Hope that you are having a great holiday season.
There isn't a lot to say in this update, this is a quiet period where the manufacturer sets up the digital files for printing…and there are a lot of files to prepare. I’ll post an update as soon as we receive the digital proofs from the manufacturer.
This month, the CASSETTE TAPES were assembled and packaged. I think they look (and sound) great! Well, they sound "great" for a cassette tape (but remember, there’s a download code included with each tape).
That’s it for now. Here's to hoping your holidays are happy, speak to you next year!
