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Post by The Bloody Nine on Aug 23, 2018 14:07:46 GMT -5
GAME STAMPS a map-making tool for role-playing gamesA map made using inked stamps on hex paper, currently 12 designs for 1 inch hexes, plans for more variety and for 1/2 inch hexes. Future Kickstarter proposed. I don't want to miss this, it would let anyone who can't draw make a map.
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Post by The Bloody Nine on Aug 23, 2018 14:09:54 GMT -5
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Post by The Bloody Nine on Aug 23, 2018 14:11:55 GMT -5
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Post by ripx187 on Aug 23, 2018 18:25:56 GMT -5
I saw these! I am a stingy guy when it comes to buying a product, but these are definitely interesting. I had the same idea but it wasn't a strong enough idea to actually invest in or fill up my house with. I am glad that somebody else with more initiative thought of it too.
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Post by Bartholmew Quarrels on Aug 23, 2018 21:01:51 GMT -5
He puts up a Kickstarter that is anywhere near reasonable for the stamps and I am in.
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Post by El Borak on Aug 24, 2018 9:50:19 GMT -5
This is really good, I would back this Kickstarter, I would no longer have any excuse for not making maps.
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Post by ripx187 on Aug 24, 2018 10:22:04 GMT -5
I might get to be one of the play-testers. I didn't know how many backers one could find for a product like this, but I'm glad that it has some support around here
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Post by secretsofblackmoor on Aug 24, 2018 11:20:58 GMT -5
If they do a Kick Starter let us know. I would gladly post about it on our twitter and FaceBook. Our FB page has about 4550 followers.
It really needs a sea monster, perhaps as a set of hexes. What's a ancient map without sea monsters? Maybe a bonus three hex set!
Oh, and I want a skull stamp too!
Hate to be all money, but if you do the Basic terrain set, the castles and towns expansion set, and the sea monster set it triggers the collector urge and you sell more.
i.e. Well the basic set is ten dollars which is a bit, but for only 3 dollars more I could add in the... other set too... but if I want to make it really cheap I can spend X dollars and get all three - because now I am actually making money!
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Post by El Borak on Aug 24, 2018 21:00:17 GMT -5
I might get to be one of the play-testers. I didn't know how many backers one could find for a product like this, but I'm glad that it has some support around here How do you figure that? The play-tester I mean.
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Post by El Borak on Aug 24, 2018 21:01:37 GMT -5
I know one set of stamps that I would want. I want a set that will let me add a Grand Canyon to the map.
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Post by Hexenritter Verlag on Aug 25, 2018 0:45:33 GMT -5
I might get to be one of the play-testers. I didn't know how many backers one could find for a product like this, but I'm glad that it has some support around here How do you figure that? The play-tester I mean. This is what ripper is referring to.
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Post by secretsofblackmoor on Aug 25, 2018 2:11:13 GMT -5
These really are kind of charming little things. Makes me want to write real letters to people so I can stamp all over the envelope.
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Post by Crimhthan The Great on Aug 25, 2018 9:25:35 GMT -5
These really are kind of charming little things. Makes me want to write real letters to people so I can stamp all over the envelope. You are old enough to know the joy of real letters? I wish I'd had these things about 70 years ago with about 50-60 stamps in the set.
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Post by secretsofblackmoor on Aug 25, 2018 13:58:28 GMT -5
I am actually thinking of eventually just going off line. This would require hand written letters delivered by highly trained Corrugated Elastic Eel Monkeys. I will need these.
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Post by El Borak on Aug 25, 2018 14:10:26 GMT -5
How do you figure that? The play-tester I mean. This is what ripper is referring to. Oh I had not seen that post. Wish I had time to do that.
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Post by George Smith on Aug 27, 2018 13:31:05 GMT -5
You could have all sorts of specialty stamps, a set of four would also you to put in a rift valley but with some visual variation. I think the 1/2 inch stamps would be of greater use to me, of course I want them all.
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Post by El Borak on Aug 27, 2018 23:03:38 GMT -5
You could have all sorts of specialty stamps, a set of four would also you to put in a rift valley but with some visual variation. I think the 1/2 inch stamps would be of greater use to me, of course I want them all. I think you are on to something there. I would like things like that.
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Post by Paper Labyrinth on Aug 28, 2018 16:26:24 GMT -5
Hi – I’m the designer. It’s exciting to see the stamps being discussed on this forum. I'm happy to answer questions about the project, and it's great to get feedback and suggestions. I'll be launching a Kickstarter at some point. If you want to be notified when it launches, there’s a signup form at www.gamestamps.com. I spent a lot of time grappling with the question of scale. I started with the 1” stamps because they’re simpler to assemble and mount using traditional materials. This made the basic set a less risky undertaking, and allowed me to create more intricate artwork. I hope to start work on the ½” stamps in another month or two. After that, I have a lot of ideas for expansions, including a science fiction set inspired by classic Traveller, which can be used to create subsector maps. I may need to add an "Inky Depths" expansion, if there’s enough demand for the giant squid and sea serpent!
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Post by ripx187 on Aug 28, 2018 17:16:27 GMT -5
Welcome Paper Labyrinth to our community, and thanks for signing up! You've got a great idea! I've tried Hex crawling and exploration with my group but it was painfully slow and they gave it up, that and each mapmaker has a different code so when they don't show up for games we can't always read the maps that they've made. It always sounded cool to randomly determine terrain during the game, but we were just not talented enough, but this invention of yours should make it possible
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Post by Hexenritter Verlag on Aug 28, 2018 20:09:33 GMT -5
Hi – I’m the designer. It’s exciting to see the stamps being discussed on this forum. I'm happy to answer questions about the project, and it's great to get feedback and suggestions. I'll be launching a Kickstarter at some point. If you want to be notified when it launches, there’s a signup form at www.gamestamps.com. I spent a lot of time grappling with the question of scale. I started with the 1” stamps because they’re simpler to assemble and mount using traditional materials. This made the basic set a less risky undertaking, and allowed me to create more intricate artwork. I hope to start work on the ½” stamps in another month or two. After that, I have a lot of ideas for expansions, including a science fiction set inspired by classic Traveller, which can be used to create subsector maps. I may need to add an "Inky Depths" expansion, if there’s enough demand for the giant squid and sea serpent! OH! I want the Classic Traveller set! BTW how much will they cost on the market after the KS is funded Paper Labyrinth? They will be something I'll be saving for it and the current set plus any 1/2" sets you make.
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Post by Hexenritter Verlag on Aug 28, 2018 20:26:43 GMT -5
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Post by Harry Wolf on Aug 28, 2018 22:52:51 GMT -5
Hi – I’m the designer. It’s exciting to see the stamps being discussed on this forum. I'm happy to answer questions about the project, and it's great to get feedback and suggestions. I'll be launching a Kickstarter at some point. If you want to be notified when it launches, there’s a signup form at www.gamestamps.com. I spent a lot of time grappling with the question of scale. I started with the 1” stamps because they’re simpler to assemble and mount using traditional materials. This made the basic set a less risky undertaking, and allowed me to create more intricate artwork. I hope to start work on the ½” stamps in another month or two. After that, I have a lot of ideas for expansions, including a science fiction set inspired by classic Traveller, which can be used to create subsector maps. I may need to add an "Inky Depths" expansion, if there’s enough demand for the giant squid and sea serpent! This is one of the best ideas anyone has come up with in a long time gamewise.
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Post by Paper Labyrinth on Aug 29, 2018 7:23:00 GMT -5
BTW how much will they cost on the market after the KS is funded Paper Labyrinth ? They will be something I'll be saving for it and the current set plus any 1/2" sets you make. I'm still estimating my costs and labor, but I predict that each 1" stamp will cost $2.50 to $5, depending on the mount and the level of precision used to trim the rubber. The hexagonal mounts are expensive to make, so I'll offer traditional square mounts as a more affordable alternative. I like the idea of offering a “starter set” which only has 8 stamps. That would let more people try them out. What should the starter set include? A few options come to mind… “Borderlands” Starter: Mountains, Hills, Deciduous Forest, Grassland, Swamp, Sea, Village, Tower “Wilderness” Starter: Mountains, Hills, Deciduous Forest, Conifer Forest, Grassland, Swamp, Sea, Desert
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Post by Crimhthan The Great on Aug 29, 2018 7:23:39 GMT -5
Welcome Paper Labyrinth to our community, and thanks for signing up! You've got a great idea! I've tried Hex crawling and exploration with my group but it was painfully slow and they gave it up, that and each mapmaker has a different code so when they don't show up for games we can't always read the maps that they've made. It always sounded cool to randomly determine terrain during the game, but we were just not talented enough, but this invention of yours should make it possible I build the terrain on the fly during play, but it is not random, I have a plan in mind so there is never swamp and desert right next to each other, the terrain makes sense to me. There stamps would be really handy. But not for the players they create there rough map as a we go and I make the real map behind the screen. Gradually maps take form and the players keep sharing info until they get maps made from their rough maps.
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Post by Crimhthan The Great on Aug 29, 2018 7:34:57 GMT -5
I'm still estimating my costs and labor, but I predict that each 1" stamp will cost $2.50 to $5, depending on the mount and the level of precision used to trim the rubber. The hexagonal mounts are expensive to make, so I'll offer traditional square mounts as a more affordable alternative. I like the idea of offering a “starter set” which only has 8 stamps. That would let more people try them out. What should the starter set include? A few options come to mind… “Borderlands” Starter: Mountains, Hills, Deciduous Forest, Grassland, Swamp, Sea, Village, Tower “Wilderness” Starter: Mountains, Hills, Deciduous Forest, Conifer Forest, Grassland, Swamp, Sea, Desert Hills, wooded hills, badlands (scrub brush, broken terrain with eventually 3 or 4 different stamps), stamps with rivers running through of each type with three different sizes of rivers designed so the repeated stamps lines up top to bottom. Or maybe just a river valley set with edges that are one - mountains, two - hill and wooded hill, two - one of each kind of forest, two - one plains and one grassland, four - swamp, marsh, broad river, river delta. The square mounts are fine as long as the image fits into the hex on the paper. Keeping the cost down is a great idea. I would always try to keep the cost down, but eventually offer premium sets, that have more aesthetics for the collector types.
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Post by Paper Labyrinth on Aug 29, 2018 12:57:59 GMT -5
But not for the players they create there rough map as a we go and I make the real map behind the screen. Gradually maps take form and the players keep sharing info until they get maps made from their rough maps. This is a really good point, and I'll be exploring the issue more in the coming weeks. I like to create a map before a session, and then recreate it during play, stamping out each hex as the party explores it. Not every group will like this sort of "auto-mapping" feature, but if they do, there's only one major flaw... what if the characters get lost, or they're fleeing and don't have time to make a map? My solution is that if the players get turned around, they know it, because I stop using the stamps. I continue to describe the landscape as they explore it, and they can move a glass bead across the paper to estimate their location. When they manage to re-orient themselves I stamp their new location, which gives them a rough idea of the region they wandered through, and how far they veered off-course. That solution can also be used to scale back the auto-mapping feature, stamping terrain only when the party is near a settlement or road, and making guides even more valuable as hirelings.
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Post by Irish Warrior on Aug 29, 2018 17:25:14 GMT -5
Great product idea. I would get (or try to get the prototypes for as making stamps as you can worked out before you start the Kickstarter. If you can put together a really good set and then set your goal and then set the first few stretch goals and if it does really well you can add additional stamps as part of the stretch goals. With a little luck you might blow it out of the water and be able to fund a 100 or more different stamps with the Kickstarter and the stretch goals, add on sets 3. 4, 5 or 6 stamps to each additional set.
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Post by El Borak on Aug 30, 2018 13:19:58 GMT -5
He makes a good point Paper Labyrinth, the more you can have done before you do the Kickstarter the better. If the creative part is done, then you have Kickstarter to do the production and that will help you keep to the time frame you establish. Stretch goals are a really good thing, but be smart about them so that they don't overwhelm you, a trap many have fallen into. Having the creative work done up front for the stretch goals themselves will help with that. Think about how you are going to produce these going forward. You are going to want to be able to produce these without it being a labor intensive thing where you are making thousands of these by hand yourself. Either you get enough money to hire it done by an existing stamp company or you hire your own employees, just get that lined up with a plan ahead of time so that everything is ready to go once you have the funds. Build time to smooth out hitches into your time frame and try to be generous in giving yourself the financial room to accomplish things. You don't have to do it all this time around. You put this together and bring it off on time and within your budget, you can always do another Kickstarter later to expand the operation, once you bring this one off with happy customers. We are all suggesting lots of stamps (and there will be more) but some of those will be for future projects.
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Post by Paper Labyrinth on Aug 30, 2018 15:26:58 GMT -5
Excellent advice. I've been making prototypes for about a year, and exploring different manufacturing techniques.
I really want the stamps to be affordable, but I don't want people to buy cheap sets and be disappointed. Higher-quality art stamps are usually trimmed by hand using scroll saws, whereas less expensive sets can be punched out using die-cutting machines. I'm exploring both options, and experimenting with CNC machines.
I plan to assemble all the stamps for the Kickstarter myself, so I'll probably cap it at 100 sets. I'll be exploring other options at the next scrap-booking convention. As an aside, it is strange to attend a convention where bald, middle-aged men with scruffy beards are not ubiquitous. One women scrutinized me from afar for about ten minutes, and then walked up and said "Why are YOU here?". I explained my idea, and she said "AHA! I knew you weren't one of us.". I suppose that every community has its borders, and every member is a sentinel.
But back to the Kickstarter... I'm wary of stretch goals, although I may put up some digital files or adventuring guides as an add-on. If I offer any new stamp designs as a stretch goal, they will be finished long before I launch.
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Post by El Borak on Aug 30, 2018 17:51:48 GMT -5
Excellent advice. I've been making prototypes for about a year, and exploring different manufacturing techniques. I really want the stamps to be affordable, but I don't want people to buy cheap sets and be disappointed. Higher-quality art stamps are usually trimmed by hand using scroll saws, whereas less expensive sets can be punched out using die-cutting machines. I'm exploring both options, and experimenting with CNC machines. I plan to assemble all the stamps for the Kickstarter myself, so I'll probably cap it at 100 sets. I'll be exploring other options at the next scrap-booking convention. As an aside, it is strange to attend a convention where bald, middle-aged men with scruffy beards are not ubiquitous. One women scrutinized me from afar for about ten minutes, and then walked up and said "Why are YOU here?". I explained my idea, and she said "AHA! I knew you weren't one of us.". I suppose that every community has its borders, and every member is a sentinel. But back to the Kickstarter... I'm wary of stretch goals, although I may put up some digital files or adventuring guides as an add-on. If I offer any new stamp designs as a stretch goal, they will be finished long before I launch. Yes, I highly recommend that your stretch goals and the sets themselves be finished before you launch, it takes the pressure off of you. Your cap of 100 sets, you want as many donors as possible and it would not be odd if you got 1000-3000 backers so you might want to plan for small sets at a certain backer level and then a full set at a higher backer level and then a more full set at a higher level. I don't know how many stamps you mean when you say a set. But you want the $10 donors to get something, the $25.00 donors to get something and then you probably will want a $50, a $100 and a $500 donor level, just as an example. That is why the whole planning is good. If you have a time line, the more people that give you an email on your website the better as it will gauge interest. I have no advice for how many backers you might get. I know you don't want to limit your donor to 100, so that is why I suggest different size sets. You might look at the different size sets and how long it takes you to make one and do you have any friends who can or will help you make more. Plus how many can you afford to pre-make. Also to consider is what shipping will cost and is that included in the Kickstarter pledge or is that in addition. I have seen Kickstarter run it both ways.
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