Bones Kickstarter #3 Discussion

[goblu79]

I remember in the tour it was said that you needed a larger machine for the big figures. Would the machine you have now do all the medium sized ones or do you need two of Thomas?

[OneBoot]

The weapons sprues from this KS will also be made on Thomas; I can locate where I quoted that in this thread.

 

*puts on running boot* Alrighty, folks, get ready for a whole bunch of infobits from the KS comments incoming! I'll try to group things at least somewhat by topic rather than chronologically, as well as putting things in spoiler tags to help avoid Wall Of Text syndrome. :) We'll see how well this format does.

 

As always, any bolded bits are emphasis added by me, to draw attention to particularly important or cool info.

 

Note: As fun and awesome as the teases and guesses for what turned out to be Expansion one are, I will not be including them in this update since they are now no longer relevant.

 

Starting with info posted back on Sunday/Monday:

 

Random useful/interesting information:

 

 

@Jordan Brauer - we try to have a good mix of basics and exotics, but with almost 500 models already, many of the basics are well covered. Still, we have aded more Orcs and more Goblins, and many more "basic" monsters are planned. Certainly Bones I covered the fundamentals better, but from a business perspective, while it certainly covers your needs to have basics in every project, for us we only need so many of our molds and part numbers consumed by those models, so that we can increase variety. Remember that our objective os a wide ranging, stable product line with something for everyone - niche, mainstream, and in between. We can certainly appreciate that individuals needs vary, but our hope is that when the needs you have aren't covered by this project but are, rather, covered by existing models form Bones I or II, that you will seek out those product in retail.

 

@Michael - the translucent [bones] tend to be slightly firmer than the opaque whites. Although within the range, there is variation and some mold were sot in softer plastics.

 

@Jordan - I am unaware of any Out of Print Bones except for a few figures which failed to pass Quality Standards and, although we issued the reward as promised, we never released the product into retail.

 

@reaper I was looking at bones 2 and it looks like u got everything shipped within 6 months. Is there a reason u put this one out by a year?

@JDizzo - Bones 2 Launched in October of 2013. Rewards shipped February/March of 2015. Bones I Launched July 2011. rewards shipped April-July 2013. In both cases, the wait was over a year, and we, learning from that model, planned for over a year this time, as well.

@DWM - August 2016 is what we currently estimate. Bones 1 Lunched August 2012 and was fulfilled in July 2013. Bones II launched August 2013 and was fulfilled March 2015. 13-16 months is reasonable, given our past experiences.

 

Somebody asked about videos - we are working on those this week

 

@Devin - people continually post wishlists, and they can tell you that we do listen to feedback and adjust future goals based upon them.

 

@Reaper: What are the expected retail plans for the centipedes and ticks? Individual blisters, or sprues of 3 like the rats?

@DSM - probably 2 or 3 per package, like the rats and swarms.

 

@Robert Burbank - if you add Texas Taxes to your KS pledge, we do lose 10% but we're ok with that. It helps to count towards the total. If you do not, that is also OK, it's whatever you are comfortable with.

 

@Reaper - So what are some cases where a figure won't transition well from metal to Bonesium?

@Magnus, typical difficulties include size and shape. For example, Narthex's wings are beautiful, but we could never get the metal to make that shape in a centrifugal caster. Size is a great limitation, we could never get Khanjira on a mold in fewer than 2 dozen pieces. We cannot change the color or opacity of a model, so we cannot cast clear components in metal. We also have limits because the metal freezes so fast in the molds that thin or complex designs often fail to fill out.

or taking a figure from metal to Bonesium, we prefer two points of contact with the base - both feet together makes them kind of floppy. For cavalry, we have learned we want 3 points of contact instead of two. We prefer also to have well defined faces and hands, which in metal can be made more realistic and less exaggerated. Further, long thin parts, such as spears, tend not to fare well in Bones. And of course, details in recesses, like faces inside hoods, tend to come out badly.

 

@reaper has the bones material changed at all since bones 1. 

@Paul Coleman - largely, no, although the material can be produces in different durometers - different levels of bendiness. Some models are firmer, others are softer. And recently, we have been asking for higher durometers (firmer figures) than in the past, within the tolerances of the molds

 

@Richard Lehmann - 34% of our retail sales are Bones as of this month.

 

@Richard - we do most of our business to retailers and distributors directly. I cannot break down specifics, but direct to consumer sales on our webstore are only a fraction of our total sales.

 

@Ptrick - for the first map, the monsters were pretty much all out there for the world to see, but now we move goals around and the monsters are sometimes a little on-the-nose (not always) so we hide the monsters.

 

@Reaper, Do you plan to make all sizes of your bases available for purchase in your online store?

@Dale - yes. Many of them are, others are coming July 22nd.

 

 

Questions about stretch goals or the core set:

 

 

Also will the expansion "take" SG spot like last time? Or will they come fully expanded?

@Garlok - we're doing them differently (sort of) this time. No firm details, but in a nutsehell, they will be parceled into sub groups, but the sub groups do not take up a "SG" spot, in that each subgroup is paired with another SG also. SO a goal might be "at $X - Expansion A part two, AND This other reward also" so people who do not like Expansion A have something to anticipate and people who do like Expansion A have either One or two things to anticipate.

 

@ Reaper - Is it possible to assign a number to each figure just like last time?

@Greatlich - we do that on the final day, when all possible models have been revealed. The numbers revealed too early confuse newcomers who cannot figure out what they mean.

  

Will there be more stretch goal models that are either scifi, steampunk, or modern themed?

@Corbin - it remains very likely, yes.

 

Is there anyone who is market savvy who can explain why they don't release the addons as timed instead of connected to total funding.

@Jonas Bostrom - we want to be 100% certain that the mold and production costs are covered, as we are a small family owned company, and none of us want to risk losing money on a project intended to be a fundraiser. Timed reveals are interesting in theory, and probably very fun, but unless the money materializes, they risk huge losses, and should they fail to be met, end up disappointing our fans

 

@Reaper - This is a suggestion to maybe increase pledges for this kickstarter. How about posting what the final unlock will be; say the Tianot, and the dollar amount where it will be unlocked (say $2 million). Along the way, keep the other stretch goals hidden, but shown as the pledges reach or surpass that goal. Knowing the final goal might help, and the hidden goals revealed along the way should be a pleasant surprise to backers. Just a thought.

@Runepriest - if the final goal were $2,000,000, we feel that such a reveal would be discouraging, rather than encouraging, as the gap would have the impression of being too large relative o the current pace. We prefer smaller goal whose end point is cealrly visible and doesn't feel like a mountain, only a molehill.

 

OK, that was a rare productive meeting. We moved some Flexible goals higher based on the amazing feedback so far from this comment section. The $110,000 reveal, for example, includes models originally slated for next week (at current trends). Including the model I teased Talae about that was the one I begged Ron for. [Note from OneBoot: This turned out to be the Brain in a Jar from Expansion 1]

 

We use the slow middle to adjust the goals to suit the requests of the audience as much as possible.

 

Brian do we have to earn all the add-ons? I think maybe we could use a log on the fire right about now.

@emery - We understand. Slow days are hard. but we need to pay for the models to make these things,and cannot do that by giving away free things before we are confident that the mold costs are covered. We have been expecting the slowdown. it's normal for this stage in the project.

 

 

Questions about specific models in either the core set or stretch goals:

 

 

@Reaper, are there any new models in the core 30? Or are they all existing ones?

@pcktlnt: the Fomorian is new from the 30 Base Set. 2 of the 4 Lizardfolk and both insects of the Bonus Set are also new.

 

@Ravendas - the ticks are new but a similar script of tick appears in our Savage Worlds line. The SW ticks are spicier and more deadlands-y. These are closer to a "real" giant tick. Given fantasy parameters, and for given values of "real"

 

@Cerity - sprue bits are kind of popular in metal, and this will be our first experiment with it in bones. It remains to be seen if the Bones buyer enjoys the customization aspects that our metal buyers enjoy.

 

Reaper, is there any chance that the blacksmith will be released in the regular line some day in the future?

@Finnpalm - it's possible someday. Especially if she proves popular in Bones.

 

@Reaper I'm looking at that artillery piece, and I'm really thinking I'm going to have drill out the bore on that gun to put in some metal supports....

@Granite 26 - we intend to produce that model from styrene (similar to the Arsenal weapons and our bases). It is similar also to the compound manufacturers such as GW use on their plastic models.

 

@D3migo - we are close to saturating the product line with Skeletal undead. For now, few more are planned, and certainly no basic skeletons. These are available at retail for less than $2 each.

 

[ReaperBryan confirmed that the Bahir is a new sculpt]

 

 

This is super useful, so not in a spoiler:

 

Apologies because I'm sure this has been asked a bunch, but has anyone done a Greg Botch style list of the Bones in this KS?

@Ian Clark - The list you seek may be found here http://forum.reapermini.com/index.php?/topic/62506-ks-bones-iii-list-of-miniatures/

 

Answers to frequently asked questions:

 

@Duane Fleck - At this time we have not announced an intention to allow people to pledge for addition copies of the "Bonus 24" as rewards in the project. Bones I and Bones II likewise did not allow for extra sets of the Bonus figures, so this is normal for our projects. We do make them all available in retail after fulfillment ends.

 

@Doanld Ritchie -we do not allow individual minis [to be purchased] as this is a fundraiser, not a store. We set this up to offer great value and great rewards, but still encourage retail sales to ensure the future of our business and sales model.

 

@trenton - we will not be offering the Bones 2 Core or Vampire rewards in this project. This projects purpose is to find additional molds for new models, not to have a clearance sale on existing figure sets.

 

When adding on after the KS ends, the KS prices remain available to anyone who backed during the project's run, right? I have a friend I'm trying to convince to $1 it now, as he's too broke to do more, and I don't want to misinform him

@Marvin - correct, if he does not have at least a $1 pledge he can expect the prices to go up by 30-50% from what is shown here

 

@michael - we do make our profits from the retail sales, and yes, a slight profit (1% ish) from the project itself. But mostly, this is a fundraiser to finance the molds, which are the real profit over the next few years.

 

Excellent to see some more paints available, is it generally only two lots of paints for each of these kickstarters or is it worth checking back for more?

@Patient 0 - just the two sets in this project.

 

@Reaper I purchased a Bones II Core set today and would like to have more of some of the figures. Why is it I can't find some of them in the online store. Are they exclusive to the KS?

@Dale - no, many of them simply have not yet been released due to the amount of time it has taken us to package for retail thousands of each model.

 

Is there any chance that you will release an add-on/expansion that includes minis from the Bones I and/or Bones 2 Kickstarter for those of us who missed those campaigns?

@LamarrsAnomaly - No. Those models are either available on our website now, or will be soon. Further, it is a violation of Kickstarts terms of Service to offer pre-exisitng rewards as sale items or to use this site to promote existing inventory in that fashion.

Okay, that wraps up Sunday and Monday. Info from yesterday and today will have to wait until after my second shift at work. :)

 

Is this format (with majority of info in spoilers) more friendly for you folks on mobile?

 

Huzzah!

--OneBoot :D

Edited July 15, 2015 by OneBoot

[willmontgomery]

 

It will happen, but with Reaper, things rarely, if ever, happen overnight.

 

 

Actually, it seems like most new releases happen overnight. One day -- not available. Next day -- available. Overnight.

 

The problem is that they rarely happen over the night that I want them to (i.e., last night, or some night before then).

 

Speaking of which... where's "my" 29848 Jungle Camo and 29849 Umber Brown?

 

Seriously, I am never passing up any new KS paints ever again. Never mind that I wanted only 2 of 12 from that second HD set in Bones II. The wait for them to come to retail has been... longer than anticipated.

[Talae]

Numbers Based on 1700-1800 Reaper time today:

Total Gain Today - $28,098

Total to Next Goal - $34,444

New Backers This Hour - 6

Gain in last Hour - $1,723

Current Average Pledge - $121.71

Average Hourly Pledges Today - $1,561

Average Hourly Backers Today - 5.5

Hours to next goal based on Hourly Avg - 20.0

Hours to next goal based on Daily Avg - 22.1

 

 

 

Current Total Pledges $1,185,556

Current Total Backers 9733

Previous Hour Total Pledges $1,183,833

Previous Hour Total Backers 9727

[Last Knight]

Seriously, I am never passing up any new KS paints ever again. Never mind that I wanted only 2 of 12 from that second HD set in Bones II. The wait for them to come to retail has been... longer than anticipated.

Learned that lesson in KS I.

 

So, secret unlock coming at 1.19million... bases? Armory? Rampant speculation, gogogo!

[nakos]

 

Seriously, I am never passing up any new KS paints ever again. Never mind that I wanted only 2 of 12 from that second HD set in Bones II. The wait for them to come to retail has been... longer than anticipated.

Learned that lesson in KS I.

 

So, secret unlock coming at 1.19million... bases? Armory? Rampant speculation, gogogo!

 

The Frost Giant Woman.

[Last Knight]

The Frost Giant Woman.

 

?

[GentleGiant]

 

The Frost Giant Woman.

 

?

 

No, this one (in front of the two Frost Giant Warriors - although seen from the back):

[nakos]

 

The Frost Giant Woman.

 

 

?

 

No the new one. 

[dwarvenranger]

Froghemoth! Worth a shot

[Harrek]

Froghemoth! Worth a shot

 

Whatever the surprise goal is, I'd think it would be something simpler than that!  But who knows.

[Canuck]

 

Speaking of which... where's "my" 29848 Jungle Camo and 29849 Umber Brown?

 

Seriously, I am never passing up any new KS paints ever again. Never mind that I wanted only 2 of 12 from that second HD set in Bones II. The wait for them to come to retail has been... longer than anticipated.

 

 

I have backed all 3 Reaper Bones KSs and the items that excited me the most were the new selection of bundled paints. I jumped on all of the paint offerings. Such a good deal of half price paints and a lot of them you still cannot get outside of the KSs.

 

I highly recommend anteing up for the paint offerings. The Reaper drop bottles are great and ready made washes and liners are a huge help.

[dwarvenranger]

 

Froghemoth! Worth a shot

 

Whatever the surprise goal is, I'd think it would be something simpler than that! But who knows.

You're probably right but nothing ventured... Actually it would be cool if froghemoth and a couple of vegypygmies showed up as the next part of of the expansion.

[Harrek]

 

 

Froghemoth! Worth a shot

Whatever the surprise goal is, I'd think it would be something simpler than that! But who knows.

You're probably right but nothing ventured... Actually it would be cool if froghemoth and a couple of vegypygmies showed up as the next part of of the expansion.

 

 

I think whatever they put into Expansion 1 will be awesome.  They did a great job with the initial figures and the theme is cool.  Hard to think anything else added will be less fantastic!

[ratsmitglied]

my apologies if this has been asked here already,

 

is there anyone from Australia here who may have got the last bones kickstarter that may have an idea on what postage may be for Bones 3, i heard some NZ people got massive import duty, not sure if Australians did

My bones 2 order cost ~$50US shipping, but the pledge manager/calculator tells you what you'll pay anyway.

 

Regarding duty, as long as you don't go over $1000 AUD equivalent (and the AUD doesn't tank, and the Government doesn't change the rules) you won't have any import duties.