I meet with Playford Games recently. We talked mostly about the rule book. I thought I had the rule book pretty much nailed. After some more user testing we've been working really hard to fine tune the rules so that they flow better and are more understandable. I think this is a really important task and we've made some good improvements. Playford is also working on a small strategy section on their website. This could help those unfamiliar with Go get a jump start.

I've reached out to the translators. They are all ready to start translating just as soon as Playford is done with their last few updates. A huge thanks to all of you who have offered your help.

Playford made some changes to the dimensions of the box. They are also working on the design to make it more presentable on the shelves. I'd love to get your feedback. What do you think?

We should be receiving the birch tile proofs soon. I'm really excited to start seeing stuff come together! Look for another update soon!

Thanks again,
Jon Adams

Better Faster Stronger

Months ago, before the Kickstarter launched, a boutique game publisher approached me at the gaming convention Strategicon. We talked briefly then, and regularly during the campaign about how they could get involved. Over the holidays we worked to formalize our partnership, and I'm excited to tell you about it!

Playford Games (www.playfordgames.com) originally a German-based game company, recently moved to the US. They are deeply rooted in the European board game tradition of quality and artistic design. They have already shown their insights and expertise in helping to improve Cartography. They are moving very quickly and as of yesterday, they have proofs files nearly ready to submit to the factory. They understand manufacturing, distribution and fulfillment. It's because of these qualities I've decided to partner with them to bring Cartography to you better, faster, and stronger!

They have a great mission statement: 
"To challenge you and inspire your development in strength, mind, heart and soul."  

As an abstract strategy game, I believe Cartography fits well with their values and I'm so excited to see what they can do.

What does this mean for your pledge?

You should see a better Cartography: 
For all the reasons stated above I believe Cartography will be better.
Your copy of Cartography should arrive sooner:
We are working hard to make our deadline. I can't see the future but Playford's experience gives us a better chance at hitting our May goal.

You should see a Stronger Cartography:
Looking into the future Playford will continue to support and develop Cartography. This is just the beginning. 

Thanks again, 
Jon Adams

Hello lovely Cartographers,

I'm nearly ready to take the wraps off something that will bring cartography to you better faster and stronger. Progress slowed over the holidays, but I'm really excited to tell you that I'm in the final stages of forming a partnership with a board game company. The experience and efficiency they bring to Cartography will be tremendous and make production run a lot smoother. Over the last month we've been very busy. I'll be posting another update with the details once it's all official.

Thanks again,
Jon Adams

Yesterday I celebrated Thanksgiving with my Family. I'm very thankful for them and I'm also thankful to you. You made this campaign a success. Thank you for your amazing support!

Status Update

It's been two weeks since the campaign ended. It's such a busy time of year, but I've been making progress toward making Cartography a reality. I've been meeting with people, crunching numbers, and talking with vendors, tax advisers, layers, and government clerks.

First Rewards

Today I'm excited to deliver the first Cartography reward! All who made pledges from Explorer on up can access Cartography digital art wallpaper. Please go download it here!

Stats

I love stats. After the campaign closed, the funds were collected and I'm in the process of quantifying everything. I've been pouring over the data and I've found a few interesting stats to share with you. Cartography will be delivered to 540 of you. Here is a breakdown of how many components that includes.

• 540 Boxes with trays and rules book
• 69210 Game Tokens
• 39648 Chipboard Tiles
• 5670 Wood Tiles

People from every corner of the globe backed Cartography. International backers accounted for nearly 25% of you. We have backers from Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech republic, Denmark, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, The United Kingdom, and The United States. That's of all the countries represented so far, but Kickstarter doesn't even have data on everybody. It's fun to think that my game will be delivered to every content except Antarctica. Maybe one of you could take a trip to the south pole and bring a copy.

That's all I have for now. I'm excited to keep you updated on the progress!

Thanks again,
Jon Adams

Nimrod Glacier

Map of Antarctica by the United States Antarctic Resource Center of the US Geological Society. 1964

source file: (3486×3239)

Pl. LXVI. MAP OF THE GLACIER SYSTEM, MOUNT RAINIER, WASHINGTON

U.S. Geological Service, 1908

source file: 1750x1404

Larger map of Mount Rainer: 3024×2550, USGS, 1934

A Portuguese portolan nautical chart detailing the coasts of western Europe, part of north-western Africa and the eastern corner of present day Newfoundland, Canada.

Pedro Reinel, c. 1504

Portolan charts are navigational maps based on realistic descriptions of harbours and coasts. They were first made in the 14th century in Italy, Portugal and Spain. With the advent of the Age of Discovery, they were considered State secrets in Portugal and Spain, very valuable in the description of Atlantic and Indian coastlines for newcomer English and Dutch raiding, and later trading, ships. The word portolan comes from the Italian adjective portolano, meaning “related to ports or harbours.” -wikipedia

source file (3418×2312, 4.58MB)

Map of the Strait of Magellan

Jodocus   Hondius, 1606

The geographic details for the map of the Straits of Magellan came from Bernardus Joannis Monasteriensis[?] who had participated in the first Dutch expedition to sail through the Straits in 1599-1600. The map was printed from a copper plate engraved by Lambert Cornelisz in 1606. Made prior to the confirmation of a route around Tierra del Fuego, the Strait was, at that time, the only passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Controlled by the Dutch, exorbitant fees were charged for the passage.

The map is oriented with South at the top as indicated by an elaborate compass rose. On the left (East) is the “Mar del Nort,” with one ship exiting the Eastern end of the Strait and a Dutch fleet on the right (west) sailing in the Mar del Zur. At the top is “Tierre Del Fuogo.” Except for mountains lining the shore and six named bays along the Strait, Tierra del Fuego is truly a terra incognita. The amorphous island actually fades away as it reaches the border of the map. “America Pars” defines the map’s lower land mass. The Strait

The History of Science Fiction, ver. 1 (54" X 30"), Ward Shelley, 2011

wardshelley.com: “History of Science Fiction” is a graphic chronology that maps the literary genre from its nascent roots in mythology and fantastic stories to the somewhat calcified post-Star Wars space opera epics of today. The movement of years is from left to right, tracing the figure of a tentacled beast, derived from H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds Martians. Science Fiction is seen as the offspring of the collision of the Enlightenment (providing science) and Romanticism, which birthed gothic fiction, source of not only SciFi, but crime novels, horror, westerns, and fantasy (all of which can be seen exiting through wormholes to their own diagrams, elsewhere). Science fiction progressed through a number of distinct periods, which are charted, citing hundreds of the most important works and authors. Film and television are covered as well.

source file (4400x2364, 2.8MB)