delayed Black Hallows Townsfolk II

[DavePgh]

I'm probably not going to get the shack, as much as I'd like to. Between cost & size constraints, I'll like just stick to figures.

[SamuraiJack]

Hello everyone,

We know you have been waiting longer than expected for this update and that some of you have questions and concerns as to when this project will be fulfilled. We hope to answer your questions and give you a clearer picture of exactly what is happening here. Some of you may already know some of this as you are Townsfolk I backers and have read that update.

First and foremost, we are going to fulfill this project.

Our main issue at the moment is finances. This project was always more about getting the name and the brand out there, so we were making very little profit. As a lot of you may realise that prices of the miniatures + the stretch goals was low. Ours were approximately £2.50 in comparison to the industry average of nearer £5 for a mini with a metal base topper.  So we knew that there was a fine line for staying on budget. Subsequently we've been hit with a large unexpected tax bill which has put us in the position we are now - very low on funds. To the point that we are unsure if we can actually pay the tax bill.

Additionally, we've had staffing issues, so the speed of the production, checking and packaging has been severely reduced. The whole point of the deadline was to ensure that the project didn't overun, but because it has, we are now in this financial position. We still have the same wages, rent, etc.

So, you may be asking how we intend to move forward? We have been advised that liquidation is a possibility, where all responsibility is passed to the liquidators. This is not an option for us, as we set out to build the company and we are still determined to make this work. There has been suggestions about backers taking legal action against Z1 Design, in that situation we may be forced into winding up the company by HMRC. We intend to use the industry that we were in before we started the gaming to generate funds so that we can continue with the final production and ship the product.

Whatever it takes we will make this work and fulfill the projects. We have too much to lose by not fulfilling - the designs, the moulds, the brand, etc..

The E-book and Audio book are completed and will be first to be delivered.

The 3D print files will follow.

We will update you as and when we have progress.

We're determined to make this to work as we value our backers.

Jon Stynes

[Knight of the Dinner Table]

Sad for the folks who backed those Kickstarters ... could have been me, too. I nearly backed but there were some projects at the same time that I wanted more.

[ced1106]

I didn't have any reason to back the project.

* AFAIK, the creator didn't fulfill Townsfolk I before starting Townsfolk II. Large creators, such as CMON and Reaper, I'm okay with multiple KS projects. Smaller ones, no.

* Companies with more experience, like Reaper and Tiny Furniture, also offer similar miniatures in their KS campaigns. Less risk.

* AFAIK, Despite the creator running several KS, Townsfolk was his first miniatures KS. No proof of fulfillment.

[Darsc Zacal]

Well, all I’ve to say is I’m glad I wasn’t able to back this.

[WhiteWulfe]

I remember really really wanting that cart, but was broke at the time.  Sad to hear about the Kickstarter, but at the same time also happy I couldn't afford to buy in... 

[JoeGKushner]

I'm in both and feel worse for those who added during the backer kit section. People who backed both kept saying "I'm not adding anything till I have the goods from the first one." Hope they didn't.

[Highlander]

Yeah, gloat  --- you guys that didn't back.  This is one of two of mine that have crashed.

[lexomatic]

On 11/27/2019 at 6:30 AM, SamuraiJack said:

Our main issue at the moment is finances. This project was always more about getting the name and the brand out there, so we were making very little profit. As a lot of you may realise that prices of the miniatures + the stretch goals was low. Ours were approximately £2.50 in comparison to the industry average of nearer £5 for a mini with a metal base topper.  So we knew that there was a fine line for staying on budget. Subsequently we've been hit with a large unexpected tax bill which has put us in the position we are now - very low on funds. To the point that we are unsure if we can actually pay the tax bill. 

I would never back something if I knew the business was playing this tight with the margin, unless they have huge reserves and this is a loss leader type project, for exactly this reason. This is just terrible, terrible project planning. It sounds like nothing would have had to go wrong for this to be successful, and then the 2nd kickstarter is just negligent on their part. If the goal is exposure, do a small KS for one mini.

Edited November 28, 2019 by lexomatic

[EvilJames]

Didn't have the money for the first one and the second one was a warning sign that they might not know what they were doing so I didn't back. Was really hoping they could pull it off though. Shame.

[Nunae]

Well, seems like this is my first failed KS project. Should this go bankcrupt, I hope whoever takes over the assets will send out all the metal we've seen produced so far. I'm not sure they've really cast everything they claim they have though, given that they were also talking about only needing the plastic bases before fullfilment could start in their first KS. This one also seems kinda tacked on and isn't receiving as much creator attention as the first one, even though he is now only going into the comments to defend himself against accusations of lavish spending.

[Disciple of Sakura]

I'm so glad I didn't wind up backing these. Sucks for everyone who did, though.

[ced1106]

(deleted!)

Edited December 8, 2019 by ced1106

[Highlander]

No, definitely not directed at you.  Just a bit of envy that some of you had the good sense to get enmeshed in this tar baby.