A chance to breathe!
almost 4 years ago – Sat, Jul 18, 2020 at 03:33:48 AM

FIRST OFF - THANK YOU!

One of our favorite things about gaming is the unstoppable enthusiasm of the players.  As the pledges started rolling in, so did the comments and messages, and we've spent the last few days reeling in the constant stream of feedback and response - and we love it!

We started Fragging Unicorns because we love playing games, we love making games, and we want to be really, really, good to people. We've had a blast making, playing, and painting Gangs of the Undercity, and we know you will, too.  In many senses, the route we chose was the hardest. We have plans to make Role-Playing Games (the non-minis faction of Fragging Unicorns are hard at work there), card games, and board games, too. But miniatures wargaming has been a passion of ours for a long time. Even though the process of taking an idea and making it into a balanced game - with incredible minis that are dying to be painted - was difficult, all the other stuff - manufacturing and marketing, has been a very steep learning curve for nerds who just like making games. But we've done it! 

But also, we are keenly aware the world has been through an awful lot these last few months. We hope pledging and being a part of making something fun takes a bit of weight off you, even just a little. But I also wanted to give some clarity to some of the inquiries we've received so far.  

Costs

Everyone has been so supportive and incredible so far! Thank you! One question that has popped up a few times is about the cost of our box set and add-ons. Not complaints, just folk wondering why they are priced the way they are, especially in comparison to some other kickstarters with minis. First, we want to start with what we feel in our heart, then we'll use the facts, lol. First, our minis are brilliantly sculpted and manufactured, cast in metal to keep as much detail as we possibly can, and the feedback from every pro painter we've sent them to is that these are fantastic sculpts, great details, fun to paint, and the prints are wonderful. With that in mind, we feel they hold up to any other minis on the market - that was our goal! So a price point of $10 per mini as an add-on felt right when we compared them to others on the market, especially ones that are plastic. The box set is even more of a deal at $65 for 12 models. 

But that doesn't really explain why they are priced the way they are. The bottom line is: we are not a big company. We want to deliver on our promises to you and as a new company, we don’t have the warehouses and infrastructure to support the gangs roll out ... yet. With that in mind, we promised ourselves we wouldn't undercharge for our products and incur more debt or obligation than we could afford. We made OVERLY sure we could meet your expectations and fulfill what we promised. We want to make unique minis for cyberpunk fantasy, and for now, based on the scale of this kickstarter and our company, the only way we can do this and pay people fairly is to charge what we're charging.

A second, but no less important reason (to us), is that we pay people well. We pay all our sculptors, artists, freelance writers, and editors at the rate they chose. Our pricing ensures we can deliver on our promises as well as paying our artists a fair price up front, covering the costs of not just the initial Kickstarter, but keeping Gangs on an even footing once the Ks is fulfilled. But if you ask anyone who has worked with us this year -  they will tell you we've delivered on our promises. So you can trust us to do the same.

Now for the even better news!

Being funded is just the beginning!  We’ve received lots of great suggestions from our backers in the comments and we’re doing something that will meet everyone's needs, we believe! As minis get unlocked, it is important to us to keep a price point we think will allow us to sustain for the long term. So $10 per add-on mini is probably where we'll end up (but I PROMISE, if we can lower that price before the end of the campaign because of increased backers, we absolutely will!). But we will also be bundling up our minis by gangs and offering 5-6 minis in a gang box for a discount as we get more models unlocked. For example, we already have enough unlocks to offer a Lawjack gang box, featuring 4 Lawjack models and the Golem! So instead of the normal $55 that would cost as individual add-ons, we may price the box at $40 instead (not actual price, just an estimate). And we've also been listening to those of you who want an ALL-IN option, and when all is said and done, we're going to make that happen. So for those who want ALL the minis, we'll have an option for that, too, with a good discount. 

But here's where you come in - The more people you share our campaign with, the stronger it will become and the more minis we can offer.  OH! and don't forget our Social Goals: 

Social Media Goals

•  700 Followers on Facebook – if we reach this goal, we’ll release an anthology of fiction stories set in the Universe of Gangs, featuring Russell Zimmerman, O.C. Presley, and more. We're currently at 679, so almost there! https://www.facebook.com/FraggingUnicornsGames 
•  4,500 Twitter followers – if we reach this goal, we hire Russell Zimmerman to write a Novel for us! We're currently at 3,916! https://twitter.com/FragginUnicorns 
•  600 on the Mailing List – if we reach this goal, we will produce a Gangs of the Undercity cookbook, and give it away free to all backers! We're currently at 512!  https://1.shortstack.com/7j2SJ9 

Also... here's a sneak peak at the companion pets we have coming up. They aren't the final concept art, but they are so cute, we wanted to share, so maybe you'll be enticed to share with friends who will die of cuteness overload!

So.. a huge thanks to everyone that's helped us get here so far by pledging, posting, and encouraging us! We love you!  Here's to even more!

 - Opti

Climbing the Ziggurat of Love
almost 4 years ago – Fri, Jul 17, 2020 at 07:11:42 AM

Ok! Well, I woke up to even more stretch goals unlocked! You lot are unstoppable! As a result of the high demand, we are meeting together to discuss some of your suggestions and we hope to have some more interesting things to say, especially about future stretch goals and some improvements of our current offerings. 

With that said, I wanna talk about the goals that have been unlocked!

Backer Number Goals

400 backers – free Lawjack mini with every box. This has been unlocked! Now, every 2-Player Starter Set or Enhanced Starter Set will have a free Lawjack mini included inside!

Stretch Goals

Acrylic Street Signs

Here's an update on the street signs. First, we added some are to the stretch goal banner to show off the sort of designs you can expect. We'll add more as they become available. But as a "thank you" to everyone helping us get this far, every Half-Table and Full-Table set of terrain will come with 2 free acrylic signs: The crowbar/bottle sign and the redkebab shop sign. The others will be available as add-ons in the pledge manager after the main campaign is over. 

New Gang: The Neverkin

There’s a thriving slave trade in the upper city, focusing on human servants. The Neverkin are the ones who escaped and made a home in the Undercity. Life is still tough—but at least they’re free. Everyone in the Neverkin has been through hell, and their appearance and gear shows it. Nothing fashionable, neat, or glamorous, these refugees from the Overcity are scavengers, scappers, and survivors. This is a free update to the core rulebook. It unlocks rules, special characters, items, logos, and stories of this new gang, alongside the Valkyrs and the Flaming Skulls.

New Gang: Hetairoi

A gang originally created by Russell Zimmerman for his short story set in Neo-Babylon, the Hetairoi are a fight-the-power rock group by day (night?), but by night (day?), they are outcasts from various Undercity gangs. They banded together over mutual distaste for gang politics and mutual like of rock, but sometimes, rock 'n' roll doesn't cut it when the powers that be need to be taken down. At home nowhere but with each other, their turf is mobile. This is a free update to the core rulebook. It unlocks rules, special characters, items, logos, and stories of this new gang, alongside the Valkyrs and the Flaming Skulls.

New Gang: Nekrogoblikon

Speaking of bands, yes. you heard that right. Nekrogoblikon, the heavy-metal band you know and love in the real world is actually an all-goblin force of chaos in the Undercity of Neo-Babylon. Expect John Goblikon, Scorpion, and the rest of the band to be transformed into their goblin counterparts and ready to wreak havok. This is a free update to the core rulebook. It unlocks rules, special characters, items, logos, and stories of this new gang, alongside the Valkyrs and the Flaming Skulls.

UpR1z3r

UpR1z3r is another unlock which gives us a model from another gang. She is the leader of the Neverkin. Tight-lipped about how she learned how to fight, tend to the wounded, and lead,  none of the Neverkin ask, and none of them care.  All that matters to them is that she gave them hope that freedom was possible, and then delivered on it. Like all of our other single models, the rebellious UpR1z3r, will be $10 as an add-on in the Pledge manager after the main campaign is over. There will be other Neverkin models in the future, but until then, use any models you want to start your Neverkin gang!

Elf Male Mage

While it is true that this model will be an elf male mage, it is also true that it is modeled after the Hetairoi's lead singer, Greyson. You can use this model for any elf mage you want, but we are making sure to include some fun extras to the model in case you want a microphone or guitar in your hetairoi entourage! The model that is on the stretch goal graphic is just a placeholder and in no way represents the future sculpt. Like all of our other single models, the rocking male elf mage, will be $10 as an add-on in the Pledge manager after the main campaign is over.

More Fancy Art!

We have been restrained in our art budget, despite how much we love what we have so far, because we want to make sure we pay our artists a great wage and because we are committed to delivering on time. That has meant that until now, we had to be conservative. But now, you can expect even more Undercity and gang goodness to be spilling out into the rulebook! This is a free update to the core rulebook.

Shifty Goblin Model

This model is a shifty-looking Goblin. It will fit right in with your Shadow Caste, Hetairoi, Nekrogoblikon, or Flaming Skulls gang! Like all of our other single models, the shifty goblin, will be $10 as an add-on in the Pledge manager after the main campaign is over.

Unbroken

A new model is unlocked! This time, it is Unroken, the Neverkin Enforcer. The only member of the gang with combat experience before joining, his defiance of authority got him beaten and tortured in an attempt to crush his spirit. It never worked, and now he keeps a lookout over the rest of the gang, preventing their spirits from being crushed as well. Like all of our other single models, the undeniable Unbroken, will be $10 as an add-on in the Pledge manager after the main campaign is over. There will be other Neverkin models in the future, but until then, use any models you want to fill your Neverkin gang!

Extra Scenarios

We have 6 scenarios for battling in the Undercity in the core rules, but with this unlock, we raise that number! More options means your gangs have to keep flexible, as you never know which scenario you'll be battling in! King-of-the-Hill, type scenarios, random encounter scenarios (imagine lawjacks or gryphons descending disrupting your battle), snatch-and-grab scenarios, and more are a free update to the core rulebook.

More Info

We have heard that many of you thought our stretch goals could be explained a bit better, so we have added explanations and/or pricing to the stretch goal chart. Many of you have asked about an all-in option, and we are looking into that as well. We've heard from others that you want a rules preview - fair enough! We're talking about all of this and working as fast as we can to meet your every need and desire. We'll do what we can, and what we can't, we'll explain and discuss. We're trying to answer every question and message, and continue the momentum as it looks like our project is going from 2-player game to full cyberpunk/fantasy miniature line! 

Look for more updates coming soon, and thank you all for your support! 

 - opti

HOLY MARDUK'S MANY MASKS! FUNDED IN 1.5 HOURS!
almost 4 years ago – Thu, Jul 16, 2020 at 12:57:50 AM

Friends, 

Nothing could have prepared me for the surreal experience of getting fully funded while I was still groping around with a half cup of coffee trying to hype the campaign on social media. 1.5 hours, you lot! Great job. And now we have blown past so many stretch goals that I am having to play catch up in explaining how they work. I thought I'd have more time. But that is a great problem to have and explaining our stretch goals way earlier than I anticipated is a joy. So... deep breath... wow. Here we go. 

Backer Number Goals: 

We hit 200 backers (338 at most current count), which means that everyone who is getting a Mormeghul model is getting the Mormeghul fancy jacket for free. Plain Mormeghul just has his suit and vest, but this variant has his jacket flowing behind him like a cape. It's wicked. No extra money needed, just the jacket unlock in every box. 

Stretch Goals:

Lawjack Models Unlocked: 

Our first stretch goal was unlocking the three Lawjack models. As with all unlocked models, these will be available for purchase in the pledge manager, after the main campaign is over. Like all of our other single models, each Lawjack will be $10.

Lawjacks, Shadow Caste, Bulls of Heaven Gangs Unlocked: 

These three stretch goals are free updates to the core rulebook. They unlocked rules, special characters, items, logos, and stories of these three new gangs, alongside the Valkyrs and the Flaming Skulls. Art for them is incoming, but you should be able to see it soon! The Lawjacks are the corrupt police force of Neo-Babylon, but in the Undercity where the law doesn't reach, they act just like any other gang. The Shadow Caste belong to an ancient society of rogues and killers. They range from cut-purses to master assassins, but always quiet and always dangerous. The Bulls of Heaven are a gang made up entirely of Yetin. Yetin is the catch-all term for the "big" species like Sasquatch, Yeti, Bugbears, and Almaslar. The Bulls are much more reverent than the other gangs, but no less deadly or formidable. 

Naqar and Triggerman:

These models are Freebooters, meaning they can join any gang. They aren't pledged, but they may have sympathies (like turf, community, family, or money) that bring them to the fight. These models fit in any gang you want them to, just like all Freebooter models. Naqar is an elf breacher, which means he excels at hacking cyberlinks. He's a favorite of the Valkyrs for that reason. Triggerman is a former Flaming Skulls soldier who took way too many bullets and ended up with way too much cyberware. Like all of our other single models, Naqar and Triggerman will be $10 each as add-ons in the Pledge manager after the main campaign is over.

Demon Kober

Demon Kober is the first unlock which gives us a model from another gang. He is the leader of the Shadow Caste in the Undercity. The assassin known as Demon Kober, or just the Demon, where he is known at all, has been operating in Neo-Babylon for as long as there has been a Neo-Babylon. This has led many to suspect the Demon is more a title than a name.  Like all of our other single models, this master assassin, Demon Kober, will be $10 as an add-on in the Pledge manager after the main campaign is over. There will be other Shadow Caste models in the future, but until then, use any models you want to start your Shadow Caste gang!

Companion Models

Noe that this strech goal has been unlocked, companion models, such as elementals and drones, are added as free updates to the core rulebook. This unlocks rules and lore behind the use of these companions, which can be added into any gang. 

Drone Models unlocked

At this level, our drone models are unlocked. This includes our turret, which is made like a terrain piece, and the three true drones pictured on the stretch goal graphic. The drones were sculpted by Papsikels, and you can find his other work athis patreon https://www.patreon.com/papsikels! Like all of our other single models, the anthoid, wardog, and breachfly will be $10 each as add-ons in the Pledge manager after the main campaign is over. The turrets will be $6 for a pack of 4. 

Elementals

I'm psyched for these! These elemental models represent the 5 elements prevalent in Neo-Babylonian spirituality. Representing Air, Water, Fire, Earth, and Void, these models will be cast in transparent resin and will look great on a table whether painted or not. These models are sculpted by Printed Obsession, and you can find more amazing stuff on their sites: https://www.patreon.com/printedobsession and https://www.myminifactory.com/users/printedobsession. Like all of our other single models, the wind, water, fire, earth, and void elementals will be $10 each as add-ons in the Pledge manager after the main campaign is over. 

The Undercity Gryphons

Why the hell are there three wild gryphons in the Undercity? Why are two of them cybered up? Why do they help some gangs and fight others, only to flee afterwards? Just another of the Undercity's mysteries... This is an exciting strech goal. It represents our first "kit" unlock. A kit is not just another model. It is a set that allows you to make your gryphon your own. In this set, you can create a Arch Gryphon, unparalled in its majesty, but you can also replace that Gryphon's wings with brutalist cyberware wings and jets... or if you're feeling fancy, with elegant cyberware eyes and majestic light-bending wings. Or mix and match as you like. We'll have some renders and art for the Gryphon Kit soon. Like all of our other single models, the Gryphon kit will be purchasable as an add-on in the Pledge manager after the main campaign is over. Unlike single models, the Grypon kit will be approx. $25. 

Lawjack Model #4

The previous three Lawjacks are just variations on a theme. This Lawjack brings some much needed diversity to the brutal police gang because unlike the others, she is a woman. Like all of our other single models, Lawjack #4 will be $10 as an add-on in the Pledge manager after the main campaign is over. 

Yetin Kit Unlocked

Just like the Gryphon kit, the Yetin kit isn't a single model. instead, this kit allows you to make two Yetin models. Perfect if you want to start a Bulls of Heaven Gang. With this kit, you have Sasquatch heads, Yeti Heads, Bugbear heads, a cybered-up head, and a Bulls of Heaven mask. You'll have two bodies, one with more clothing, one with less, and options for cyberware arms, savage arms, maces, firearms, and more. Like our other unlocked models, the Yetin kit will be purchasable as an add-on in the Pledge manager after the main campaign is over. Unlike single models, the Yetin kit will be approx. $25. 

Golem Kit Unlocked

The Golem kit only makes a single Golem, but it will have many options. In particular, the Lawjacks are the only ones permitted to use or create Golems in Neo-Babylon. As such, they reflect the Lawjacks in thier armor, tactics, and detatched brutality. So you can add a Golem to your Lawjack gang! But rumor has it that the Bulls of Heaven have a rogue Golem on their side... Parts to make a single, large, golem model, either Lawjack or Rogue, are contained in this kit. Like all of our other single models, the Golem kit will be purchasable as an add-on in the Pledge manager after the main campaign is over. Unlike single models, the Golem kit will be approx. $15. 

Gang Graffiti Stencils

To go along with our Terrain sets, we've partnered again with Death Ray Designs to offer Stencils of our Gang Logos. We'll have stencils available for every gang that has been unlocked by the end of the campaign. What are stencils? They allow you quickly and easily paint gang-logo graffiti onto your terrain using an airbrush, paint, or even spraypaint (if you're careful). You can check out what they look like here and see what you'll be getting (but with Gangs of the Undercity factions): https://deathraydesigns.com/product-category/stencils/death-mask/death-mask-icons/ . Like our other physical unlocks, the Gang Logo Stencils will be purchasable as add-ons in the Pledge manager after the main campaign is over. Stencils will be approx. $3. 

Acrylic Street Signs:

While I was typing this update (admittedly a long one), a new stretch goal has unlocked! These are signs that hang on your Undercity terrain and give them that unique, cyberpunk-future feel. Death Ray Designs is once again coming through for us here, and we'll have pictures of what you can expect up soon. But if you'd like to see the sort of thing you can expect, you can go see what Death Ray has produced for another game, and know they will be good: https://deathraydesigns.com/product/odinheim-individual-signs/ . Like our other physical unlocks, the Street Signs will be purchasable as add-ons in the Pledge manager after the main campaign is over. Signs will be approx. $15 for a set of 5. 

Whew! That was a big update, but you are big supporters! I can't wait to see what happens next and what new stuff I get to show off and talk about! I'll be back as soon as I can!

 - Opti