Fulfilling LOAD the Board Game

[Knight of the Dinner Table]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1915792245/load-the-board-game?ref=hero_thanks

 

About this project

 

League of Ancient Defenders (LOAD) is a two-team 2-6 player skirmish board game with stunning miniatures and intense gameplay modeled after popular battle arena online games. The vile forces of Chaos have invaded the island kingdom of Atlantis, humanity’s last hope. Players must leverage the unique abilities of their Heroes as they push three lanes simultaneously toward the opposing faction’s base. By destroying key enemy objectives, towers and spawn points, they will force the opposing team to abandon the battle in full retreat.

 

Sounds almost too good to be true. 1st Kickstarter by that company (I've never heard of them) ... any opinions?

Edited December 28, 2016 by Darsc Zacal
Tag updated

[Suden]

Well, it has 1300+ people donating $150k+ on the first day, so it seems likely they have some established online identity already. Maybe through BGG or somewhere similar? They do seem to have the game pretty much ready to go. They claim to have minis ready to go with final production minis on the ks page, and on their web page they have the full rulebook and print and play options available. It looks similar to Demigods Rising. I'm considering backing, that's a lot of interesting looking minis.

[Carnacki the Ghost Finder]

Well, it has 1300+ people donating $150k+ on the first day, so it seems likely they have some established online identity already. Maybe through BGG or somewhere similar? They do seem to have the game pretty much ready to go. They claim to have minis ready to go with final production minis on the ks page, and on their web page they have the full rulebook and print and play options available. It looks similar to Demigods Rising. I'm considering backing, that's a lot of interesting looking minis.

 

My analysis:

 

I don't know -- I can find virtually nothing online about this project that gives me any sense of it beyond what is shown on the Kickstarter page.  BGG and facebook are just reflections of this material.

 

The only actual real-world proper name of any kind associated with it is: Mihajlo Vlaskovic.  I can't find any substantial information about him period,  In the Chicago area: possibly a cab driver?  There are two images that seem to be of the same person: one on myspace and one on facebook.

 

I think people are pledging because there is a Kickstarter exclusive miniature that is only available in the first 24 hours.  So there has been a high pledge total in a short time, and if you google "Kickstarter" right now THIS project comes up as "In The News" -- no doubt flagged by Kickstarter itself because of the high pledge total all of a sudden.  So people are noticing it and jumping on board because cheap, good looking miniatures.

 

And the miniatures appear to be of a very high quality.  They look (to my untrained eye) like resin a la KIngdom Death AND the project claims this will be the quality of the final miniatures. 

 

They claim they can do this because of "new, never before used technology that allows mass production of complex one-piece models."

 

And they say: "LOAD miniatures are made from a specially produced HIPS-based material. It is able to hold an amazing amount of detail (similar to resin minis) while at the same time providing the durability needed for regular play. Each miniature is produced as a single piece, thus no need for assembly. You will be ready to play straight from the box!"

 

HIPS appears to stand for High Impact Polystyrene.  I know nothing about this.

 

Now here is exactly where each individual looking at this needs to make a judgment call about the feasibility of this project, especially considering how little money is being asked for. 

 

And, with that somewhat cranky and skeptical post, I achieve my apotheosis.

 

EDIT: Also, I forgot to mention, they have stated clearly from the start that there will be no pledge manager or ability to add money later.  For a project that otherwise seems so well-organized and knowledgeable, this seems like an odd move off the top.

Edited May 20, 2016 by Carnacki the Ghost Finder

[Dan d'Lyon]

The new process they are talking about could be Unicast by Prodos.  The samples I've seen are really nice quality.  But that is speculation on my part.  Anyway, I'm going to jump in just in case.  Still plenty of time to change my mind.

Edited May 20, 2016 by Dan d'Lyon

[Chrome]

I backed it. I like the concept and my buddies all love MOBAs, so this should hit the table frequently.

[ced1106]

The Super Dungeon Explore folks gave 'em a plug, so that could also explain the response.

 

After reading the Prodos threads on Dakka, I'm iffy on any connection they have to KS, even if it's as a subcontractor in a project.

 

Okay, here's the response they gave when I contacted them via KS messaging: "This will remain in same status until project is complete. We let our project be our face here. We are under NDA until campaign is over."

 

Remind's on, but I'll probably pass because I don't know anything about the creator.

 

EDIT: We may or may not have found the company behind the KS on BGG... 

Edited May 23, 2016 by ced1106

[Dan d'Lyon]

@CED Can you tell us who you think it is?  Also, I'm encouraged that Ninja Division is involved in some way.  And I really do like the look of the models, so I'm staying in.  Not sure I'll add any of the Epic models though since they don't change game play at all.

[Knight of the Dinner Table]

I have to say ... it's bugging me that they want to remain anonymous. It is clearly an established company. A startup company would not have the funds to have such a streamline website and campaign (not to mention the fact that the miniatures are already "ready to produce" or even already produced in smaller numbers). A startup company under NDA?

 

So what reason could a well-known company have to remain unknown?

 

Prodos? The folks behind Demigods rising?

 

The game is basically Defense of the Ancients, a computer game by Valve (even the heroes are very similar) ... could Valve be behind it and contracted most of the boardgame / miniature aspect to Prodos for example?

 

I'm pretty sure I will drop my pledge if:

 

- the Demigods Rising folks are behind it (and looking at the Boardgame Geek discussion, this seems likely)

- the creator remains unknown till after the end (which they have said they would)

 

So it seems very likely that I will save $100 ... Massive Darkness can start now ...

[Carnacki the Ghost Finder]

Latest in the comments:

 

"We took down rulebook for now until we can check if CMON have valid concerns on not."

 

EDIT: someone (A backer) has suggested that there are sections of text copied from the Rum and Bones rulebook and has reported to to C'Mon and Kickstarter.

Edited May 23, 2016 by Carnacki the Ghost Finder

[Chrome]

After reading through this BGG thead, I am dropping my pledge. No way I'm touching this shady deal with a 10' pole, much less my wallet.

Edited May 23, 2016 by Chrome

[Knight of the Dinner Table]

I'll stay in till shortly before the end (early bird pledge) ... then I will have to think long and hard about what to do. As things now stand, I'll drop my pledge -- but oh those miniatures look nice.

[ced1106]

@Dan: See the post Chrome linked to.

 

Ninja Division was also involved in the Palladium Robotech KS and is a spin-off of Soda Pop Miniatures.

[Knight of the Dinner Table]

Just posted by LOAD in the comment section:

 

"we made a decision to lift NDA today ..."

[Nocturne]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1915792245/load-the-board-game/posts/1584625

 

It's Prodos. Or rather a company legally distinct from Prodos owned by Prodos which previously provided manufacturing services under the name of Prodos.

 

The image they use for part about Unicast is the same one Prodos published a while back but with the company logo swapped.

[Dan d'Lyon]

I'm guessing Archon was just created as their own entity and the NDA stuff was while they were waiting for it to become official.  Either way, I'm still undecided.  But leaning slightly to staying in.  I am VERY curious about Unicast.