Kingdom Death

Once more it's early in the A.M. and I'm up. That's just my schedule. But I've got another batch of galleries to show off from Day 2 of Gen Con. Remember, the best way to see these immediately is to follow us over on our Facebook page. Anyway, let's get to it!

Soda Pop Miniatures loves to do crossovers. They look to their other properties, as well as other popular games and integrate them into their games. It's cool to see characters you love from one game making their way into others. In this case, they have started taking pre-orders for the Twilight Knight from Kingdom Death, as well as Takoashi schoolgirls as characters for Super Dungeon Explore.

There's just a couple days left to get in on the Kingdom Death Kickstarter campaign. Though, chances are, you've already done so. How do I know? Because there's over 16k backers that have raised over $9 million, making it the highest funding gaming project on Kickstarter, beating out Exploding Kittens.

Pretty much every gamer out there knows of Kingdom Death. The original Kickstarter campaign made over $2mil. But then... oh the troubles. It was one of the campaigns that took the longest to actually deliver. However, from all I've seen, it was worth the wait... and worth the weight, since the final game's components made it so heavy that selling it retail wasn't really an option. Well, the game is back up on Kickstarter with a new, revised version, and a new record-breaking Kickstarter.

It's Saturday. Those of you that are at KingdomCon, be sure to selfie responsibly. #RossFace
For me, it's the weekend before CMON Expo, so I'm super-busy getting things put together for the show. Lots to do, both work-related and just other things I need to get done.

In the meantime, though, I'm taking a break from baking German Chocolate Cake Cookies to bring you your regularly-scheduled Review Roundup.

Today we have: Blood Rage, Gempacked Cards, Star Realms, Polyversal, Scathach Games M.T.S Shipping Containers, Tash-Kalar Everfrost Expansion, VS 2PCG Defenders Expansion, Twilight Struggle Digital, Onimata, Warfighter, Stronghold 2nd Ed., Adventure Land, Thunder & Lightning, Celestia, Greedy Greedy Goblins, Splendor iOS, Feed the Shoggoth, Kingdom Death: Monster, and Res Publica 2230AD.

Well, it's a day that many of us never thought would come. But it's finally here. Kingdom Death: Monster is about to ship from the manufacturer in China and make its way across to distribution centers and start heading out to backers. And in addition to backers, they are taking pre-orders as well. So if you want to get your set at ~33% off, you'll want to jump in on the pre-order, but you'll have to hurry. You only have a couple days.

Kingdom Death posted an update about how things are moving along with Monster, their board game that's been in production for quite some time. The first bit is that fulfillment hasn't started yet. However, they are moving forward with things and have a schedule for the core games being printed. The first set of games should be done around the end of May. Plastic piece creation has been completed and the pieces have been sent to the company that will be packaging the game.
They also posted up a small preview shot of the Gorm sprue from the game.

From the update:

Kingdom Death released their new Great Game Hunter Rogue mini over in their webshop.
Hey, it's a KD model I can post. That's kind of different.



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From the website:

Strong-willed sons and daughters of powerful Great Game Hunter houses sometimes find themselves bored of the intricate courtly intrigues they must entertain. These Rogues will eschew the stuffy machinery of the city, turning their attentions to mastering the wilderness beyond. Armed to the teeth and rich with all the advantages of their houses' resources, they set out to live rough, or as rough as nobleman of fine-breeding and plentiful wealth can live.

Kingdom Death lets us know how things are going on Monster. Though the title says much of it, "This project is not finished yet."
Note: Being Kingdom Death, of course there are some elements that may not be safest to view at most places of employment.



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From the post:

The amount of effort that has gone into each and every miniature is akin to squeezing a diamond from a lump of coal. Metaphorically speaking, I’m covered in soot, my finger nails are cracked and I’m coughing up black chunks.

I’ve been busy, more busy then I’ve ever been in my life, trying with every ounce of myself to keep the plastic production on track. It has been a huge challenge and has required more of my attention than I anticipated. When I tried to step back, I had to balance it against more lost time or worse yet, a loss of quality and thus, I’ve just had to keep my nose to the grindstone.

I could not step away from the tasks at hand and thus, could not get this update out any sooner. Between preparing it and getting my brain ready to respond to the follow up messages, I decided to finish the time sensitive stuff, and then return to the public surface.

And well... here I am!

Kingdom Death has their new Nightmare Ram available over in their webshop.



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From the website:

The nightmare ram is the living spawn of a parasitic plant. It subsists on the salt of creatures which it metabolizes to power the glowing bulbs that grow atop its tough horns and the large lantern organ on it carries outside its body. They are sensitive, lonesome creatures that carefully cultivate beautiful, hidden gardens containing the plants that produce them. They will often beat trespassers into a pulp and use them as salt-rich fertilizer.

Like any fruit that has been picked, their life span is short.

Kingdom Death has a new Pinups of Death hard plastic collection available for a special price over in their webshop.



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From the release:

I am thrilled to introduce the very first Kingdom Death hard plastic kit. As a big thank you to our fans we have decided to launch the kit at an optional discount for the first 48 hours.

Hard Plastic Pinup Collection
Packaged in a deluxe kraft wrapped box printed with original artwork by Lokman Lam. Each box contains remastered hard plastic versions of the first 8 pinups ever released by Kingdom Death and a matte black envelope with an art card for each pinup and a promo Kingdom Death: Monster settlement event card and gear card. Players of the upcoming game may optionally add these fun promo’s to their campaign if their gaming group agrees.

Kingdom Death gets in on the Black Friday fun with their sale going on now.



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From the announcement:

Hello Everyone from Chilly NYC!

The following offerings are available for the next 24 hours:

50% off Resin Miniatures!!! ( and a super tiny restock )

Late KD:M Backer Pledges
We're celebrating the 1 year anniversary of the incredible kickstarter campaign for Kingdom Death: Monster and by overwhelming popular demand have decide to allow late backer pledges for the next 24 hours only. This will be the last chance to join the backer ranks.

Thank you!

Kingdom Death has updated their Kickstarter project for Monster to say that they're having to push back release of the game in order to make the pieces more detailed and of higher quality.



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From the update:

I decided long ago to match fans enthusiasm by offering my absolute best. Today that same decision has led me here. To ensure that the entirety of the project is the absolute best I can offer, I must delay it. Additional time will be spent on play testing, expansions, and plastic production. This includes a return trip to China to oversee the final 2-3 weeks of production in person.

If there is any one to blame for this delay, blame me and my absolute refusal to compromise the quality of Kingdom Death. A brand built entirely by fans and now thousands of backers. I have never before rushed anything to market or compromised the vision for this project.

This kickstarter has been an amazing opportunity for Kingdom Death and we will not squander it by simply rushing to the finish line.

Kingdom Death posted up a pretty huge update on their Kickstarter page for their Monster game. It includes info about all aspects of the production and how it's moving along, plus a lot of preview photos.



From the update:

Schedule Update
We are still aiming to hit our target date to begin shipping rewards in november. At this time the manufacturing partners involved have made it their priority to meet our very aggressive timeline. Things will be close as time is tight. As we work as hard as possible, If I feel the quality of the game or its components will suffer in any way, I will let you know and we can decide if we should delay it or not. While I feel that maintaing our timeline is of the utmost importance, Anna has reminded me several times that actually you, the backers, are the most important and that no one wants anything to be rushed.

Cipher Studios is teaming up with Kingdom Death on the Hell Dorado Kickstarter. Now you can add a special Twilight Knight to your Hell Dorado pledge.



From the update:

We are very excited to partner with Kingdom Death to bring our two brutal worlds together with the Pinup Twilight Knight's descent into Hell.

This amazing Special Edition figure re-imagines the Pinup Twilight Knight as she would manifest in the realms of Hell Dorado.

The concept art was illustrated by legendary artist Bertand Benoit (Rackham & Helldorado) with some key art direction provided by Lokman Lam (the artist behind the Pinup Twilight Knight). Sculpting this beautiful figure will be the famous Thomas David.

Play Unplugged recently sat down with Adam Poots of Kingdom Death fame. They wanted to share what was said.



From the interview:

Play Unplugged's Paul Carboni interviews Adam Poots, the man who reigns supreme over Kingdom Death and the mind behind a monstrously successful Kickstarter!

Kingdom Death has a lot of wonderful models in their line (and of course, there's that Kickstarter thing that they did semi-ok with...). Anyway, here's a look at another: The Beetle Knight.
This was posted up by the sculptor, Thomas David.



From the preview:

Hello everyone!

New article in Kingdom Death, Monster's serie. Today here's the second monster; the Dungle Beetle Knight!
This impressive miniature have been very fun to do, especially the aspect of the armor.
It is 68 mm tall ( at the top of the horn) and have been made with Fimo and Magic sculpt putty.

Stay tuned!

Monster from Kingdom Death has only 7 hours or so to go and has made it well over $1.5mil. If you want in, now's the time.



From the update:

We are in the very final hours of the campaign and my mind is just blown.

This campaign had shattered all of my expectations. Thank you to all the backers, all my friends and this amazing community for making my tiny man dreams come true!

Kingdom Death has made it over $700k and keeps on rising on Kickstarter.
Note: they're getting into some nudity over there. Just so you know.

BOOOMM!!!! The 700k barrier has been shattered and we still have 19 days to go! Is this starting to get crazy or is it just me?!

Please welcome Spidicules! Chop of its legs, steal its egg sacks, start your own spider silk farm and chase your pets around the house! ( your real life pets, no sorry there are no pets in KDM as humans are you know… bottom of the food chain etc )

This Major Game Expansion includes everything you'll need to add Spidicules to your campaign and includes the new Spider Silk Armor Miniature Kit. Enough parts to make 2 unique male and 2 unique female models! The Expansion will retail for $65 and you can add it to your rewards by increasing your pledge by +$40.

Kingdom Death rounds out this morning's Kickstarter updates with a new stretch goal.



From the update:

We reached 600k and have unlocked an upgrade for the Lion Knight expansion, which now additionally includes : Ash, Ryan & Sam miniatures, extra AI cards, Extra hit locations cards, extra gear cards, a miniature lion claw that is compatible with the armor miniature kits a one shot challenge scenario and a rulebook upgrade covering the Lions Court. I am very happy we managed to add these as it gives me the development room to further explore the Lion Knight's unique character and potential relationships with the survivors.

Kingdom Death is up and over $500k over on Kickstarter.
As if nobody saw that coming.

And so on this day... the impossible has been reached and we are stepping into the lands beyond rational possibility! Half a Million Dollars have been pledged to this kickstarter and I my pants will never be the same again.

There is just so much to say, so much to share, feelings, game insight, miniatures and special rules that I can't even begin to find the words at the moment.

So please, instead of me babbling on, just look at the pretty pictures. It is much more coherent then I am at the moment. I am so excited I don't even know how I am typing this up

Kingdom Death continues to break stretch goals as they pass the $475 mark over on Kickstarter.

475k Went down fast, much faster then I anticipated! I had just finished my round of communication on the few forums where people are talking about KD:M and BOOM. You guys blow the door off and I'm scrambling to put this HUGE update together!

The Man Hunter is a nemesis monster. If you add him to your campaign not only will he show up at your settlement for his nefarious reasons he will also sometimes track a particular Survivor, to represent this he has a few special event cards that get scattered into various places. If your really unlucky he might even show up while your fighting another monster! ( don't worry he'll either just kill you outright or wait his turn... )

Kingdom Death put up a little video on their Kickstarter campaign to give you a look into how the gameplay works.



From the update:

I forgot just how long video editing takes! This should give you a very solid idea of what to expect during the showdown phase of monster. Please excuse any editing / spelling mistakes as I worked on it like crazy to get it finished in time. I've been getting everyones messages and I LOVE it!

Kingdom Death continues to break through stretch goals over on Kickstarter.



From the update:

I thought it would be fun to add this! If we hit 420k The Adam & Anna kickstarter exclusives are getting an upgrade! A one shot challenge scenario will be added to the rulebook, and a bonus copy of each of their heads, modified to be compatible with the armor kits will also be included with them!

Kingdom Death is doing well on Kickstarter (like nobody saw that one coming). With getting over $350k, they've added the Dragon King expansion.



From the update:

The Dragon King is a major content expansion that adds a whole new huge monster, new armor kit ( 2 male and 2 female as usual ), rules, AI cards, hit location cards, new special resources, settlement events, innovations gear and new lore to the game. Everything you will need to step up and challenge this dangerous entity.