Button Shy
patreon
Status Update on Status Updates
🕑 Added 2023-06-12 13:33:06 +0000 UTCHey everyone, I just wanted to pop in here as it’s been a while. There have been some requests to get the status updates going again and I’m working on the best way to do that. Basically a less-depressing way to post that things are running behind, every time. It’s always a bit painful to write that and I'm sure it's painful to receive it, so I think we just need to shift the goals a little.
NEW PATRONS: Before that a quick welcome to new patrons as we haven't done this in a while. Thanks for joining us! If you have not received a package since your first payment, this long winded message will explain a bit of that. But the short version is, your payment comes out on the first of the month. Patreon will call that the previous month (say May), but we call it the current month (say June). You will receive that package and every package after that you pay for. Since we are running behind, that package might not get here for 2 months. There's no easy way to bring you into the most current package that is going out (next up is April), because of the way that the payments work. But if you want to start receiving packages immediately, we can setup a separate payment for those packages that aren't shipped but have already been paid for. I hope that makes sense.
So here's how I think we should shift the goals. When we originally started this, we would get the payouts on the 5th of the month and place our orders. Everything would be here in about 2.5 weeks and we could technically get the packages out the door by the end of the current month.
If there were delays with one of the parts, it would set it back a month. But things have changed a lot since then. Our printers have doubled their production times in the last few years. So now if we order on the 5th, we will likely have it on the 5th of the next month. The other part that has doubled/tripled/quadrupled in time is our production timelines in house. When the games arrive here, we need to split the cards up, cut the rules, assemble the games, and then assemble these packages. Each of those steps has gotten way more complex over the years just because of our growth. We have a few full time employees working on it, but it really just takes a lot longer. If there are delays now it will push us into the second month, or even the third.
An example is splitting the cards. Since we’ve grown, our card decks are much much bigger, consisting of more and more games. So a split of 1000 216-card decks can take a few weeks. Back in the day, we only needed to get through a few hundred to do the BGOTMC packages, but nowadays we need all 1000.
Another example is making the packages. They really take a while, especially the limited level envelopes. It’s generally a few days for 2 employees. There are just so many parts. And don’t get me started on packing and mailing the wallet game swaps. Those are all custom orders that require 1:1 handling, instead of working in bulk like the others.
So with that in mind, I think it’s best to assume that each package should arrive about 2 months after the payment month. If we got our act together, we could order these way in advance and get them out the same month, but if history proves anything it proves that we haven’t been able to do that consistently. Juggling the timing of Kickstarter fulfillment and incoming shipments, and even just getting ahead while trying to keep up with the backlog just proves very difficult. We’ve even hired a handful of people specifically for BGOTMC packages and for whatever reason it’s just never worked out. Maybe it’s just their inconsistency that is both the nature of the project (once a month we need to work on it) and the biggest issue (once a month things go wild when everything finally arrives).
Let’s look at the current status:
April Packages:
These include River Wild which is starting to arrive. I feel like we can get these going in the next few weeks. I’d love to hit June as it would be right in that
May Packages:
These include Ancient Realm which is right behind River Wild. July is 100% doable for these, and I don’t see any reason they’d take any longer than that.
June Packages:
These include Super Slopes, which is expected to arrive early July. August is 100% doable for these as well. If not late July.
July Packages:
This is where we start to look at our catalog as nothing is already ordered for it, and it’s really all about what comes in the door next. There are a few options, including some recently signed games that might fasttrack their way into the packages.
Now the above is just talking about the wallet line. The bonus material is a little all over the place right now as we’ve been shifting some things in our release structure. We used to release one off expansions all the time and add them to the $10+ packages as bonus material. Lately we’ve moved the Kickstarter bonus expansion to the $18+ levels and we have been saving expansions for things like expansion collections. So there is a little bit of a disconnect at that bonus material level. We have some things that are planned for the above packages, but we’re really looking at a plan for the ones that follow.
And then there’s the limited postcard line. We have been doing some one off games for the postcard line and will likely continue for a little bit. The yearlong / half year games are problematic as we’ve discussed before. Stopping the postcard line is also problematic, so we’re currently in a period of individual games that are mostly on the light end. I hope you still enjoy them as we work things out here.
Oh And Let’s Not Forget The Long Lost December Packages:
If you remember, we pulled the December packages as a last ditch effort in catching up. Has that worked? Not really, but we are in a better position than if we didn't. I can say that the held December package is getting closer. The wallet games are on their way here. The rest is still in the works, but closer. The role playing game is part of our next order. We’re probably a few weeks out from having everything here (except for the role playing game) and we can start assembling and shipping those.
I think that’s everything for now. Going to spend this week looking at better ways to track the status here, mostly just trying to not repeat “delayed” over and over and over. That’s not fun for us or you.
Hope all is well with all of you!
Comments
temp_anon
It's a shame things have slid into July without any update on packages. Hope it is going smoothly behind the scenes.
Michael Auger
Personally, I'm in no rush. the way I see it, you're basically running a full Kickstarter every month and release full fledged new content for most of them. In our household we allow ourselves a few subscriptions packages in the monthly budget and there is a very good reason I refuse to put this one on pause to make way for another. You and your team do fine work. Even if one of your status updates was "We won't (or didn't) get anything done for a week because the entire team took a break" my thought would be "good for them, they need one" Take your time, the quality of Button Shy's work is why I subscribe, not the speed.
Michelle Skevington-Carter
Please email Michelle at buttonshyhelp@gmail.com and she'll sort out payment to get you started sooner.
Diana Sharpe
Billed May 1st would be May for Button Shy but Patreon will label it as April. June payment labeled as May, etc. The post says hoping for April game in June and May game in July.
Steve Bowman
I’m one of the new members and I’m interested in making the extra payment you mentioned to start receiving things sooner. Love the ones I have bought from the store.
Mark Baum
Thank you! I emailed Michelle today and I look forward to the news on AdvanceQuest. I liked AQ Among I, The Fungi and I'm excited to have the others
T3knshn
This is still so confusing. If, as you described, I was billed May 1, that would be considered as April by Button Shy. We are now in June and there has yet to be a call for Game selections since the post for "March" selections. When will the next call for April and May games be?
Button Shy
To get the extra packages, please email Michelle at buttonshyhelp@gmail.com. She'll sort out payment with you and make sure you get added to the shipping lists. We are checking on Advance Quest, but it takes a little longer as we have stock in three different locations at the moment.
Mark Baum
Thank you!
Button Shy
Let me talk to Michelle here on the logistics of getting the packages as they release. We meet on Wednesday. As for Advance Quest, we need to see if there's stock sitting around. Some sold out quickly and are in need of a reprint.
Mark Baum
I just signed up last month with the first payment that came out this month. I have no issue with the delays and I'm excited to support Buttonshy games. Im interested in receiving packages immediately how can I make the payment for those packages that aren't shipped yet that I missed? Lastly is there anyway I can get the other Advanced Quest games? I have the pnp files but I want them on the nice card stock
Justin Antezana
Thanks for the transparency as always Jason. I know you all have an enormous workload and I for one appreciate you taking the time to help everyone get on the same page. Please know I’m behind you all 100%, so take your time and try to enjoy the summer amidst the craziness! Can’t wait to hangout with y’all again at Shy-Cago ;)
Liz Cohn
I discovered your company a little under a year ago. I’ve bought and gifted many of your wallet games and I love them all. I joined your Patreon in March right when it appears things got extra busy. Like many others have said… I don’t care WHEN the games come… just looking forward to the day they arrive in my mailbox. Thanks for the update. Happy to support you and your amazing company. Thanks also to Michelle in customer support.
Button Shy
You are in the tier where you don't have to check Kickstarters. But you should check the messages that we post for each Kickstarter because if there's bonus material that won't come here. That's usually something like an extra expansion collection or something deluxe. Those are rare but the only thing that's really extra. Otherwise, we'd post here.
b.evil.c
I appreciate the update and the information. I was never a fan of the long form game postcards so I changed when the UK-RPG offer started. I am not disappointed I missed the one-off postcards so would love a way to get them...mind you, more work :-)
Michael Gay
I see the next couple wallet games I'll have to swap out since these are in KS releases. I think I'll have to get a second copy of Revolver Noir to have 3-4p game.
Bart
Im at the top tier Patreon level and honestly only really care about getting everything “wallet” related! I just want a tier that automatically gives me every “wallet” release without having to check kickstarters etc? I’ve been filing the Postcard stuff away but never look at it. (I guess I should re-look at what Patreon level I should be at, but maybe you wanna survey people and see who really cares about the postcard stuff if it’s time-consuming?)
Button Shy
It sure is a complex process. Putting a ticking clock on it makes it even harder. But we're pushing through it.
Button Shy
Reprint campaigns are definitely a core goal. That just restocks our store to keep us in business. I think (I know) the pull back would be the $5 and $10 levels here where we are making small things almost exclusively for the club. We do best with the wallet games and expansions and would love to focus on just that. With that in mind, I have a small budget for someone to handle the $5 and $10 level stuff, but the hurdle has been that it needs the full team for all of the steps in the process. And pulling the team from the wallet line has been too hard.
JestAGoof
Trying to keep coordination with so many variables in delays cannot be helped. Thank you for reaching out and I will see the mailings once they are ready. Best of luck!
Button Shy
Likely in small numbers at first (200 or so)
Joseph Bozarth
I have been a parton for a few years now and I have to say, I really don't mind at all that things get delayed. They get here when they get here and it is a fun day when they do. I stay subbed to the patron because I just really enjoy the games you all put out and want to support it. Publishing is a complex process and things happen.
Eric Harvey
I appreciate the detailed rundown of things. Are you too far along to pull back to basics? What if you ditched reprint campaigns and efforts that distract from the original core goals? Either way, I think you're doing a fine job and none of the delays really bother me. At the end of the day, no one is getting hurt and this is a pure-fun service that I enjoy (and envy) thoroughly. Keep up the great work.
Paige Lass
Will Super Slopes be sold on your website as well? I PNP'd that one as soon as I heard about it but would like the wallet version (and I am only doing the PNP Patreon tier right now).
Button Shy
Yep, this is easy enough that there's no reason it shouldn't exist.
Button Shy
No, and we don't have the budget for one either :(
Will Templeton
Great to see this update! I can see that pulling together something that's this detailed every month would just add to the pile. Personally I trust you folks implicitly, and I only need the status to figure out if I should expect something to arrive or worry about it being lost. I don't need updates on every single part of the process, just top level, something like: Dec: On hold Jan: All sent Feb: All sent Mar: All sent except RPG level Apr: Not yet sent May: Not yet sent etc. It's not often that I want to check in, but when I do this would give me all I need.
Kyle M
Do you have a dedicated operations/project manager? Or someone experienced in a CPI framework? Might have to tear it down to build up your business for scale. Keep making great games I’m sure you all will figure it out.
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