Manufacturing Update
about 2 years ago – Tue, Mar 12, 2024 at 05:54:23 PM

Just a quick update to keep you backer legends up to date with the progress. 

It's been a somewhat challenging few months this year, involving a lot of back and forth, re-negotiation, re-design of many little details on the miniatures and massive amounts of time in between waiting for new samples, replies and product specifications. Time just evaporates. 

All changes have to be tested and this has led to the delays you would probably expect. This combined with the general Chinese production delays currently being experienced by all publishers, has obviously rippled on to more delays with Fjord Serpents. We haven't exactly been the main priority over much larger publishers, but that is changing. 

I was waiting to post this update when I had solid movement to report on. I can confirm the following final steps are now in place:

• Product box dimensions, layout and suitable protection of components have been designed and agreed to. This includes a plastic moulded insert into the main box to protect the ships and provide compartments for miniature and component storage. I wouldn't compromise on this, as ultimately I wanted a box that could not only keep your models safe, but one that could be used to transport your whole fleet and parts. 
• Product box design is in process now that we have the box dimensions finalised. All artwork has been done for this for a year now, but the process of putting it all into a final product is underway. 
• By the request of the manufacturer, we have made a series of changes to the miniatures included in the game to make some parts more robust. This included beefing up the aft sections, rudders and decorations of the ships and also the removal of some long, protruding parts on some of the crew that were causing printing problems. These changes have been submitted and we are awaiting new samples. 

There really isn't much to do after the above changes and samples are approved, so we are very close to pressing the green button. I apologise for the delays and will no longer set dates based off what I am told will happen. Instead, I will let you know when it's all underway and then give you guys the information I have at that time. 

All of this is actually a good thing and will only lead to a better product in the end. I am sure next time I will be armed with a wealth of experience to tackle the issues I have faced, but I am living a true Kickstarter experience as it was meant to be. A new idea, by a new company, used to start up their existence and deliver the best rewards possible to its backers. 

I am doing this while working basically 2 full time jobs, managing a family and homestead, plus just keeping afloat in a rapidly declining economy; so ultimately, it's going pretty good. Once this manufacturing stuff is out of the way, I look forward to diving back into being creative again. 

I look forward to the next update, it should be full of pretty miniatures, box designs and forward progress. 

Thank you all :) 

CanCon 2024 and Cool Review
about 2 years ago – Sat, Feb 10, 2024 at 04:28:39 PM

We are not long back from Australia's largest tabletop gaming event CanCon, and wanted to give you guys a few cool photos and introduce an awesome ozzy podcast crew called Hobby Homies; who caught up with us at the event and gave their honest review of Fjord Serpents. 

Please be sure to subscribe to the Hobby Homies Podcast and gives these guys some well-deserved likes. 

CANCON

What a massive 3 days of show and a total of 28 hours of travel to get there and back over 2 days! Anyone who lives in Australia knows my pain...

We played so many demo games, kicking off our 2024 tour of Oz and honestly met so many cool people and contacts. Thanks to all the new backers and stores that took the plunge. Love you all, can't wait to get the game to you. 

Further Production Updates and Coolness
about 2 years ago – Tue, Jan 23, 2024 at 12:31:36 AM

Another round of keeping you fine people in the loop and up to date with Fjord Serpents news.

PRODUCTION

After much extended negotiation, comparing alternatives and pondering, we have settled on our manufacturing and have initiated the process (for a second time!). 

I should have all remaining samples to me by the months end, then there is a slight delay with the Chinese New Year, then its guns blazing for production. 

This is a huge relief for me, and I wanted to thank you all for your patience and continued support; it really means a lot to me. It's pretty savage out there for a new company, I honestly wouldn't recommend it in today's environment. 

I am not going to commit to an exact date until everything is well underway, but I can give you an estimate based on what I know. Manufacturing should be completed in March and shipments should be to you all sometime in April. Obviously, we will be aiming to speed this up in any way we can, but primarily it is out of our hands. 

CANCON

This weekend we are at Australia's largest gaming convention showcasing Fjord Serpents to the greater public. If you have been following our progress, this is the second year of touring around Australia. 

We have literally showcased the game to 100s of gamers (new, old, shops, distributors, even many that have never played a wargame), gathered tons of feedback, and incorporated the best of it back into the game. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and it has been a mutually fun experience for both us and the players. 

We solemnly wish that we could do the same in other parts of the world, but it is not possible at this stage. I am sure the future will be bringing much international exploration and look forward to meeting international backers then. 

MERCH

We have a line of merchandise for CanCon, but if you are interested in this kind of thing let me know below? If we have enough interest, we will definitely invest into producing more. 

New Year Updates and Convention Dates
over 2 years ago – Tue, Jan 02, 2024 at 09:34:13 PM

Happy new year backers, I hope you all had a good one!

We have been waiting for more detailed information to share with you all but have been delayed over Xmas and New Years with everything being shut down. 

MANUFACTURING

When we were due to push the green button for printing at the end of last year, I was immediately told that the pricing I had been given was quoted wrong (and increasing significantly) and that the manufacturing time had more than doubled. 

Obviously, I was a little upset by this, as I had planned everything based around the information I had agreed to and had informed you all about. Although this is 100% out of our hands, I take full responsibility. I would call it teething problems as this is our first project in 20 years and dealing with international companies has been challenging to say the least. We are a pretty small fish in a large sea, but we will get there. 

The project is looking great though, and everything has been ready to go for some time from our end. I am now waiting on an alternative manufacturers quote and still have the original one ready to go. I will make a decision on which way to go later this week and will have more detailed information to share with you all then. 

All it means for you guys is an extra couple of months of waiting. I am very sorry for the inconvenience but do hope you can understand and can sympathise. One thing this extra time does though is give me time to make a couple of small changes to the product I was hoping to do, and to keep writing the next supplement. 

DISTRIBUTION

At this stage we are looking at Amazon to warehouse our product range internationally, at major world centres. We will also be able to set up a facility for retailers to order from us and receive product directly from Amazon in their country. This will be fast, affordable and super convenient for all parties. 

CONVENTION CONFIRMATIONS 2024

CanCon (Canberra) - Jan 26th / 28th
BrisCon (Brisbane) - May 4th / 5th
TableTopCon (Gold Coast) - May 25th / 26th
PAX (Melbourne) - October TBC

If you know of an event you would love to see Fjord Serpents - Vikings at War at, please let us know in the comments below?

If you are a content creator or demo player and have an event you think you would like to showcase Fjord Serpents - Vikings at War at internationally, please send us a direct message? 

CONTENT

Due to the delay in manufacturing, we are endeavouring to create more content for YouTube and break down all of the interesting parts of the game for you in article updates. If you have any suggestions of what you would like to see, then please let us know below? 

We are thinking battle reports, event showcases, rules breakdowns, painting guides etc.

Thank you, I hope to give you updated manufacturing information ASAP. 

General Project Updates
over 2 years ago – Fri, Dec 01, 2023 at 07:31:49 PM

As the year winds up, so does the preparation for the manufacturing of Fjord Serpents - Vikings at War. 

Currently, our manufacturer is doing the final tests on our miniature ranges, so that they are optimal during production. 

With luck, and hopefully no further setbacks timewise, we hope to have manufacturing finished by the new year and pledges to backers late January. 

Postage will be worked out ASAP, which will include any additional charges a country might impose. You will get plenty of notice on this process. 

FIRST SUPPLEMENT

Whilst we go through the mandatory checks and balances for the initial fulfilment of our Kickstarter / Indiegogo campaign, Hammer of the North have been back in the creative zone. We have started writing the next instalment....

This supplement for Fjord Serpents - Vikings at War will introduce mercenaries, religion, allies, 2 new playable factions, many new crew types, and some exciting missions and new ways to enjoy the game. 

We are unsure if this will be a Kickstarter or a normal release at this stage but will keep you posted as it unfolds. As a new company with limited resources, we can't overstretch at this early stage; but we can have everything ready to go to keep the game relevant and evolving upon its release. 

KINGS ANNOUNCED

The unique Kings that will be included in the Heroes & Kings booster set will be the legendary Harald Fairhair (Norwegian) and King Gorm 'The Old' (Denmark). 

These 2 Kings have a fair bit in common, as well as existing at a similar era. They suit the early / mid Viking age theme well, as both were staunch pagans. They were also both fathers to a string of famous leaders and bloodline, and both were considered to be unifiers of their countries. 

In-game, they will have their own unique rules that replace those of your normal Jarls. Many more are in the works, and new famous Kings will be added in the first supplement.