Leaving Kickstarter

Due to Kickstarter's move to blockchain technology coupled with their rather ambiguous follow-up statements and recently increasing lack of support for indie designers, many creators do not feel comfortable utilizing Kickstarter for future projects. Therefore, many of us are leaving. Unfortunately, unless Kickstarter comes back with better-reasoned responses than what they have sent out already, I will not launch future projects on Kickstarter. If they do make a change, I will completely turn around and jump back into Kickstarter. I know that's frustrating for many, especially for those of us who have built up followers on that platform, but I can't in good conscience continue as-is. Please, do not follow up to try and educate me or debate this issue.

So where is Press Pot Games launching projects? Well, that's the enormous question. I have poked around on Gamefound, considered opening up orders on my website, and/or itch funding. Currently, launching zines and train games on my site is the front runner.

So I am asking you to follow me on whatever platform(s) you feel comfortable with so that you can stay in the loop:

• Twitter

• Itch.io

• Press Pot Games website

I know it's weird and tiresome, so thank you.

Patreon Launch

I have decided to launch a Patreon. While most people use Patreon as a large revenue source, I'm not. I'm using Patreon as a way to create and disseminate all of the quirky, small, not-big-enough, weird RPG ideas I have running around in my brain. Through Patreon, I can make and release stuff that can't really go into a zine or crowdfunding campaign. Instead, it's something that works best for people merely wanting to support indie designs and creations.

Unlike monthly subscriptions to Patreon, mine will only charge when I create and release a project. Why? Because I create in spurts. Because of this, Patreon is set to charge by creation. I might go a couple of months not making anything (mostly due to graduate school), and then I'll knock out a few things all at once. Even then, I will spread out creations over months as to not incur multiple charges during the same month.

What kind of stuff can you expect?

• Digital downloads of small-form RPGs or LARPs

• First looks at and copies of RPG zines I make

• Physical copies of RPG designs mailed to you

• Eventually would be fun to create and share train game maps, but that will be down the road. Choo choo, my friends!

Click here to check out the Patreon page.

RPG ZINE: RITE

In February, I will launch pre-orders for RITE: a midwinter sacrament for 4 humans. In it, 4 players will take turns creating 4 rituals they must perform in the deepest of night that night. It's about life and creation, the earth and our ties to it. It can be played with 2 or 3 people instead, but players will have to take on multiple roles. You can play as: Ritualist, Initiate, Thinker, or Evoker.

RITE is a 16-page, A6-sized zine. You will be able to get a physical or PDF copy like always. Considering this will be very different than the past, I probably won't do anything super special with this one. Just a good old zine!

Scroll to the bottom to sign up to be notified!

February's Zine Month: In lieu of Zine Quest, there is an incredibly large community of indie zinesters launching zines on different platforms. However, there's no place to find all of them, until now! A group of people have launched a website to showcase all of the projects.

RPG ZINE: REUNIFICATION

Reunification is a letter-writing game for 3-5 players where each person takes on the role of a family member whose family is reuniting after a civil war. This was my first RPG zine. You can read about it here. But for years I have wanted to rework (and resize) it. Now, I want to make it available in a 32-page A6-sized zine (like most of my other titles).

This will not be crowdfunded. Instead, I am going to order a bunch of copies and sell them with the proceeds going to international refugee relief. I'll post about it later in the Summer probably.

CARD RAILS JUNCTION

Card Rails Junction is a 90-card route-building and share holding game. Much like the original Card Rails, I have condensed the cube rails genre into a super, small and portable package. However, unlike Card Rails, this will not be limited to 100 copies, nor only be available in the US. It will be open for all!

Initially, Card Rails Junction was going to launch in January, but between Kickstarter's announcement and the wackiness of shipping (still), I've decided to hold off. I am planning on launching it during early summer. I am still uncertain whether I will launch on Gamefound or simply open up pre-orders on the website. Either way, you'll know in advance!

FERROCARRILES MEXICANOS

Ferrocarriles Mexicanos is the next "full-sized" cube rails game I'm focusing on. Due to Union Station's and Westward Rails' success, I've moved on to other designs (I have about 5 or 6 others to tinker with). Ferrocarriles Mexicanos (Mexican Railways) is a hex map that takes players through the mountainous center of Mexico, connecting major cities along the way, increasing Company value and more.

Interesting bits about Ferrocarriles:

• No auctions.

• Finite money in game.

• Track leasing!

• Loosely follows Mexican Railway history (Foreign Investors and Mergers leading up to Nationalization cause by the end of the Mexican Revolution).

I would say this is about 95% there. This game hasn't been signed or anything, but maybe I'll be able to share some good news about it in a few months.

Phew!

Thanks again, everyone. There is quite a bit of upheaval for many indie artists. Fortunately for me, I do game design part-time when I can and do not need it to make a living. Regardless I am incredibly appreciative of the consistent support you all have given me.

Talk to you soon, Travis.