Which brings me to some big announcements. The question on everyone's lips (or at least the lips of people who don't already have Gloomhaven) seems to be, "When will the game be available again?" You see, I apparently didn't print enough the first time around. I printed as many as I could, but we ended up with only about 2000 copies going into retail distribution, and we had about ten times that many orders. A lot of people ended up being disappointed, and we immediately started working toward getting a reprint going.

For various reasons, I decided the best way to fund such a venture would be through another Kickstarter, but that avenue presented its own unique challenges. For one, I am gearing up for the Kickstarter of my next project, Founders of Gloomhaven. And for another, a Kickstarter, in general, should be for a new product, not something you just want to reprint.

Typically with reprint Kickstarters, creators add a bunch of new stretch goals and add-ons to justify going back to Kickstarter, but I didn't want to do that with Gloomhaven because I am happy with how it is. Sure, we'll need to fix some errors, reinforce the box, and solve the issues with the tracking HP and EXP on the character mats, but the last thing I want to do is add more stuff to the box. There's enough in there already.

So the obvious answer to me was to combine the reprint with the Founders of Gloomhaven Kickstarter. They are very different games, but they are set in the same world, so the combination makes enough sense to me. The Kickstarter and the stretch goals will be mainly focused on Founders of Gloomhaven, but there will be a separate pledge level to order the second printing of Gloomhaven.

This is sort of new territory here, and I'm a little scared. Due to the popularity of Gloomhaven and the fact that Founders is very much more of a niche Euro product, I fully expect Gloomhaven pledges to eclipse Founders pledges, leading to a project that is focused on something that only amounts to a small percentage of the pledges. It might be a little weird at first, but with a little ingenuity, I am hoping to be able to combine the two disparate products into a single, coherent Kickstarter project.

By now, you may have a lot of questions. Luckily, I have become well-versed in answering questions these last couple months, so present to you now the Gloomhaven/Founders of Gloomhaven combination Kickstarter FAQ:

Do I have to buy Founders of Gloomhaven in order to buy Gloomhaven?
Oh heavens, no. That would be silly. I don't want to force people to buy a game that they don't want. That sounds like a terrible business practice.

What versions of Gloomhaven will be available?
Due to the timing of the reprint, I don't think I can make standee-only copies available this time around. I need to focus on making a single big-box product, so that will be the retail version with minis, but it will also include the cypher key for the glyphs found in the game. I will also make available options to get separate packs of just character minis and separate packs of just character standees, as well.

What will be changed in the new Glomhaven printing?
As I said above, we will be fixing errors in the rule book, scenario book and cards for the new printing. I will make a list of all of those changes available on BGG after they happen. We will also be reinforcing the box to reduce shipping damage and we will be making custom dials to track HP and EXP instead of using tokens on those poorly cut tracks.


Can I get updated books/dials for my current copy of Gloomhaven?
Like I said, I can let you know what the changes are, but it is just not logistically viable to give or even sell new books to everyone who would want them. I can, however, help you with the dials. Or rather, Meeple Realty can. We are working with them to offer everyone an opportunity to buy official Gloomhaven HP/EXP dials for their current game. They will very soon be offering a wood option, and a cardboard version exactly like what will be in the second printing will be available in the future.

Will the solo scenarios be available to purchase through the Kickstarter?
No, but progress is being made to make these available on the Board Game Geek Store for anyone who doesn't want to print the stuff out themselves. I'm not sure when it will be available, though. We're still working out the details.

Okay, enough stalling. When can I get my hands on the new version?
Right, I guess this would be the most important question. It depends on how quickly we can get enough of the art and graphic design done for Founders to get sent off to reviewers, but I am optimistic that we should be able to launch the Kickstarter in early April, aiming for April 6 specifically (4 weeks!). We will ideally begin proofing the Gloomhaven second printing files next week, with the goal of actually starting the print run in the middle of the Kickstarter. This would allow us to have it ready for release by Gen Con in mid-August. We'll need some more time to finish up everything with Founders, though, so I expect that to be out in more of a September/October time frame, ideally in time for Spiel.

Gosh, this letter has gone on way too long. I hope it was comprehensive enough to cover all the major points of the big news. Like I said, the future is looking good! As busy as ever, but good. Maybe some day I'll find some time to continue work on an expansion.

Well, I'll be back in a about a month to let you know when the Kickstarter goes live. Until then!

Can you please link the source?

Can you please link the source?

Hm, makes me want to sell my unused copy right now, so I can get the better copy soon (and probably make more money in the process than it's going to cost me)...

-shnar

Madness, then you miss out on playing for most of the year!

Why not just buy another copy... it's a legacy game right? Need another copy for another full play through!

J/K of course, but I do want some of those upgraded components too.

Will this be a better option to get the game sooner than waiting on a retail pre-order (ordered it from Miniature Market in early December)? Or will outstanding retail pre-orders just likely be fulfilled at the same time?

You see, I apparently didn't print enough the first time around. I printed as many as I could, but we ended up with only about 2000 copies going into retail distribution, and we had about ten times that many orders. A lot of people ended up being disappointed, and we immediately started working toward getting a reprint going.

For various reasons, I decided the best way to fund such a venture would be through another Kickstarter...

This is what he said in the email, so it seems that the outstanding pre-order print run will be paid for by this kickstarter:

Will this be a better option to get the game sooner than waiting on a retail pre-order (ordered it from Miniature Market in early December)? Or will outstanding retail pre-orders just likely be fulfilled at the same time?

Can you please describe what an 'outstanding pre-order print run' is?

out·stand·ing
adjective

remaining to be paid, done, or dealt with.
"there was a small charge outstanding"
synonyms: to be done, undone, unattended to, unfinished, incomplete, remaining, pending,

Are you saying that all unfulfilled retail pre-orders will be fulfilled by this 2nd print run?

You see, I apparently didn't print enough the first time around. I printed as many as I could, but we ended up with only about 2000 copies going into retail distribution, and we had about ten times that many orders. A lot of people ended up being disappointed, and we immediately started working toward getting a reprint going.

For various reasons, I decided the best way to fund such a venture would be through another Kickstarter...

I wonder if the price of the reprint will be the same or if it will be more expensive.

No campaign reset kit ? so sad about that.... well, I'm going to have to spend $50 on a professionally printed map and stickers.

You can hear it from Isaac in my interview with him at http://www.TabletopGameTalk.com. The interview will be up March 9th at 5:00am central time.

Not trying to troll, but a sincere question. If the new edition is $100 on KS, why would you pay $50 for a "good-enough" reset kit instead of getting a whole second copy?

One reason could be to avoid waste.

Can I get updated books/dials for my current copy of Gloomhaven?
Like I said, I can let you know what the changes are, but it is just not logistically viable to give or even sell new books to everyone who would want them. I can, however, help you with the dials. Or rather, Meeple Realty can. We are working with them to offer everyone an opportunity to buy official Gloomhaven HP/EXP dials for their current game. They will very soon be offering a wood option, and a cardboard version exactly like what will be in the second printing will be available in the future.