Dark Venture: An Adventure Card Game

Created by Rob Lemon

Explore a dark-fantasy future with your hero, completing their quests to win in this retro, competitive, cooperative and solo adventure game!

Latest Updates from Our Project:

Dark Venture: Vile Invaders Print and Play
almost 5 years ago – Thu, Jun 20, 2019 at 10:05:15 PM

This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.

June 2019 Production Update
almost 5 years ago – Thu, Jun 20, 2019 at 02:25:51 AM

Hello Fine Backers,

Another very busy month. I’ll get right into the production update! 

PRODUCTION UPDATE

Over the past month, we’ve had a lot of back-and-forth with the manufacturer, making sure all the game components are correct and ready to print. All of the “eproofs” (a series of digital PDFs with all the components laid out on pages, set for printing) have been approved to move forward to the next manufacturing stage for both the CORE GAME and the EXPANSION.

Over the past month, we had a few last minute card revisions, one CORE RULE revision (see below!) and we fixed some shifting of die-cut templates. The HERO and FOLLOWER DASHBOARDS were edited to make sure that the cubes have lots of room to slide and the cards and tokens can be removed and swapped easily. 

We want to publish the best game possible and, this being our first published title, we want to be thorough. We spent extra time working with an editor on all the books, and there is a lot of text to edit in Dark Venture (and the expansion)! Editing, approvals, and redesigns each took several weeks longer than we expected.

The good news is that we are moving forward at a very good pace. TODAY we received the “digital proof” and “blank sample” for Vile Invaders. Here are some pictures: 

The packages, as they arrived. Sent to "ROB" in "NEW JERSEY, NEW JERSEY, NJ".
The packages, as they arrived. Sent to "ROB" in "NEW JERSEY, NEW JERSEY, NJ".
The Vile Invaders BLANK SAMPLE. It's an unprinted version of the whole expansion showing the finish on the box, cards and die-cut pieces. It's missing two plastic zip-bags. See that one little, stubby standee on the page with all the tokens? That's the boat.
The Vile Invaders BLANK SAMPLE. It's an unprinted version of the whole expansion showing the finish on the box, cards and die-cut pieces. It's missing two plastic zip-bags. See that one little, stubby standee on the page with all the tokens? That's the boat.
Unrolling the DIGITAL PROOF. Imagine this wrapped around the box of the blank sample!
Unrolling the DIGITAL PROOF. Imagine this wrapped around the box of the blank sample!
This is a print showing the whole expansion book (new rules, location entries and all action choices).
This is a print showing the whole expansion book (new rules, location entries and all action choices).
This print shows a double set of token sheets (with tokens and standees). Rich colors!
This print shows a double set of token sheets (with tokens and standees). Rich colors!

CORE RULE REVISION: QUEST POINT TIE

After a lot of internal discussion, we’ve changed the way a tie is resolved in the game. Originally, if there was a Quest Point tie at the end of a competitive game, there was a VICTORY SCORE system to determine the winner (points are earned based on items held by a player’s heroes and followers). If Victory Scores were tied, players rolled 4d6 (re-rolling on a tie) to determine a winner. The idea of a whole game coming down to a dice roll seemed a bit too random. It doesn't happen very often, and while it can make for a very dramatic game ending, it can also result in a somewhat unsatisfying win.

Instead, we decided to remove this dice roll. A Quest Point tie in a competitive game is now broken using a Victory Score (as before) but, if still tied, the player having completed the most HEROIC QUESTS wins. If still tied, the player having completed the most SIDE QUESTS wins. Then, in the rare instance where players are STILL tied, tied players “...regale one another with wondrous tales of their escapades while rejoicing in a shared victory over this harsh land!” It is our feeling that it is much more satisfying for tied players to clink glasses and share the win. 

PRINT and PLAY

We will be sending links to the VILE INVADERS EXPANSION Print and Play in a “backers only” update tomorrow!

Also, we have updated several components in the core PnP (the CORE RULES and the CARDS) and have added a new PDF to create folding STANDEES. If you’d like to revise your PnP version, you can use the link from the previous update to access these new elements (the old versions have been replaced).

That’s it for now! As I said, we’ll post a private (backer) update tomorrow so I’ll talk to you soon!

Thank you,

Rob

May Production Update and Print & Play V1!
almost 5 years ago – Wed, May 22, 2019 at 12:30:08 AM

This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.

Locking BackerKit April 16th & UPDATE!
almost 5 years ago – Sat, Apr 13, 2019 at 02:12:57 AM

Hello Backers!

I wanted to send out a short note to remind everyone that BackerKit orders will lock and credit cards will be charged (for any add-ons) APRIL 16th 2019. That’s next Tuesday.


If you are a backer who'd like to add additional copies of the game, the expansion, or extra custom game dice to your order, you have until Tuesday (April 16th) to update your BackerKit survey. NOTE: We will leave addresses open to edit until we are ready to ship the game. 

Follow this link to review or complete your survey: 

https://dark-venture.backerkit.com/

If you know anyone who missed the Kickstarter, here is a link to Pre-Order (the pre-orders that are made on or before April 16th will ship close to when the Kickstarter orders ship):

https://dark-venture.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders


Over the past month, production has been running smoothly. We have been finalizing all game elements. The tokens have been revised (so you can see their character type at a glance). We've updated the Hero and Follower Dashboards, adding die-cut tracks for the wood cubes to slide along instead of the old "grid of holes". The tracks keep the cubes secure while allowing them to be moved easily as your character changes throughout the game. 


Also, we've completed editing and proofreading the (A) versions of the Location and Action books. I'll be releasing a "final" Print & Play (with additional guides, boards, tokens and cards), but in the meantime, you can download the Core Rules and the first set of books here:

http://www.gildedskull.com/darkventure/rules/DV_CORE_FINAL.pdf
http://www.gildedskull.com/darkventure/rules/DV_LOCATION_FINAL.pdf
http://www.gildedskull.com/darkventure/rules/DV_ACTIONS_FINAL.pdf

WARNING: If you'd like to have a spoiler-free first game, you may want to hold off on reading the Location and Action guides, at least until we release the rest of the Print & Play!

That's it for now! Thanks for backing and (again!) remember that we're locking BackerKit orders on Tuesday, April 16th, 2019 so make sure that you've completed your survey and included any add-ons that you'd like to order before then.

Rob

New METAL DICE and a Progress Report!
about 5 years ago – Wed, Mar 27, 2019 at 02:16:08 AM

Hello friends!

We are excited to share a quick production update, but first...a new Dark Venture product! Feast your eyes upon the DARK VENTURE HEAVY METAL DICE, available now! 

These hand-made, laser-etched, custom dice are officially licensed by Javelin Dice Works. They come in two colors: BLOOD RED and JET BLACK. The four 16mm, six-sided dice in anodized aluminum weigh over 1.5oz! We are offering them at an introductory price of $15 for a set of four dice (USA: $5 shipping for the first set, $3 for each additional set). 

Get them here: https://javelindiceworks.bigcartel.com/product/gilded-skull-dice-set

Due to recent increases in shipping from the USA to international destinations,  ALL INTERNATIONAL BACKERS who would like to purchase the HEAVY METAL DICE should email Javelin Dice Works directly ( [email protected] ) with requests. Shipping will be calculated for each order. 



Now for the production update. Last week we sent out our first shipment of hex dice trays to a small "test group" of backers in the USA. The rest of the trays are in production and we plan to send them out to everyone else who ordered them in mid-April.

Our development is progressing at a speedy clip. The big news today is that the CORE RULES, LOCATION GUIDE A and ACTIONS BOOK A are complete and edited. The "B" versions of the Location and Action books are on their final round of edits. Once they are complete, soon, we will post the PRINT & PLAY.  

Here is a link to the PDF of the final CORE RULES: http://www.gildedskull.com/darkventure/rules/DV_CORE_FINAL.pdf

Testing is ongoing (until we send the game files to print). The cards (characters, items, quests) are virtually complete, pending another round of review. We have finished layouts for the BIGGER BOX and it looks great. It's taller and much deeper, allowing for a lot more art on the sides of the box.


One more important piece of information: We are locking all the BackerKit orders on April 16th. You will still be able to edit your address, but you will be unable to order additional add-ons and your payment will be charged on April 16th.


That's it for now! Thanks again for backing and helping to make Dark Venture a reality!

- Rob