Project Update: Packaging Test, Production Timing & Pledge Manager Survey
Hello Successors,
This week, the mass production sample went through a round of packaging transit testing. To be honest, we were not fully satisfied with the result.
While the outer box structure held up, the bottom storage area showed some damage after impact. The internal plastic tray also needs a tighter fit around the components. Because of this, we are adjusting the protection foam and the blister tray storage design before moving forward.
The current adjustments include:
1. Adding more protective foam padding inside the box 2. Increasing the thickness of the character storage tray blister 3. Adjusting the tray mold so the insert fits more tightly inside the box
The expansion content will be stored inside the big box, so we are also adding foam padding around it from multiple directions to reduce movement and impact during shipping.
After the revised packaging is ready, it will go through another round of transit testing. Our current plan is to complete production by July 20.
We are also preparing the Pledge Manager survey and will share more details with you soon. Once it is ready, you will be able to confirm your shipping information and any necessary pledge details there.
We know the wait has been long, but we want to make sure the game is properly protected before it leaves the factory. Thank you again for your patience and support. We will keep you updated as soon as the revised packaging test is complete.
Production Update: Enters Full-Scale Manufacturing
Dear backers,
Thank you sincerely for your continued patience, trust, and support for CROWN: The Succession War.
We are pleased to share that the project has now officially entered the full-scale production phase. All manufacturing processes are being carried out strictly according to the established schedule, with a strong focus on both production efficiency and quality control. Our goal remains unchanged: to deliver a board game that meets our highest standards and your expectations.
Below is the current production timeline for each component:
1. Rulebook & Game Cards Production period: May 10 – June 5 Estimated completion: All production finalized
2. Wooden Components Production period: May 10 – June 5 Estimated completion: All production finalized
3. Punchboards, Game Boxes, and Card Boxes Production period: May 10 – June 10 Estimated completion: All production finalized
4. Plastic Components Production period: May 10 – June 15 Estimated completion: All production finalized
5. Outer Box Production & Final Assembly Production period: June 15 – June 20 Estimated completion: All packaging work completed
Once production and assembly are fully completed, we will proceed with shipment as quickly as possible to ensure timely delivery to all backers.
In the meantime, we will continue to closely monitor every stage of production and maintain strict quality control. Regular updates will be provided to keep you informed of our progress.
We are truly grateful for your patience and support throughout this journey. It is your trust that allows CROWN: The Succession War to steadily move toward completion. We remain fully committed to delivering a polished, high-quality experience worthy of your anticipation.
We look forward to bringing this game to your table soon, and embarking together on this intense and thrilling struggle for the crown.
Thank you for your continued patience and for staying engaged with us — we’ve been closely reading your comments and feedback. We understand that consistent communication is just as important as progress itself, and we are committed to doing better moving forward.
Today, we want to share a clear and concrete update on where things stand.
Manufacturing Partner Confirmed
We’re happy to confirm that we have officially decided to move forward with Gameland as our manufacturing partner.
After extensive evaluation, sample reviews, and on-site visits, we are confident that they are the right partner to deliver the level of quality Crown deserves.
What’s Happening This Week
This week is a key milestone for the project:
We are actively finalizing contract details with Gameland
Both teams are working closely to lock in production terms
We expect to complete contract signing within this week
After the contract is signed, Gameland will work with us to finalize a detailed production schedule
Once these steps are completed, we will be able to share a much more precise and reliable timeline with you.
What This Means for the Project
This marks the transition from preparation into full execution. With the manufacturing partner now confirmed and contracts being finalized, the project is moving into a much more structured and predictable phase.
We know many of you have been asking for clearer timelines and more consistent updates — and that’s exactly what we intend to provide going forward.
Thank you again for sticking with us. Your support and feedback truly matter, and we’re fully focused on bringing Crown across the finish line.
Following up on our last update, we are excited to share that our March factory meetings have been incredibly productive.
But first, we owe you a sincere apology for the recent lack of updates. After the campaign ended, we encountered unexpected delays and obstacles regarding the project's fund settlement, and we did not receive the full funds until late January.
As we shared in our last update, we were not idle during this silent period and kept working on refining the game's details. In addition to that, we also spent time conducting on-site factory visits, negotiating, and carefully comparing multiple top-tier manufacturers. Since receiving the full funds in late January, we have been able to officially push things forward and make substantial progress with our factory partners. Moving forward, we will update you much more frequently so you always know exactly where the project stands.
We know that the absolute best way to repay your trust and patience is to deliver a high-quality game without a single compromise. That is our ultimate priority, and here is our next big step toward that goal.
Our Intended Manufacturing Partner After extensive comparisons and physical sample reviews, we are thrilled to announce our intended manufacturing partners: Gameland and their newly established Vietnam branch, Khai Minh.
Gameland is a highly respected board game manufacturer that has been operating since 2006. Over the past 17 years, they have grown into an industry powerhouse. We chose to partner with them for a few key reasons:
A Proven Track Record: They are the manufacturing force behind massive, highly-rated games with premium components, like The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era and Too Many Bones.
Exceptional Quality Control: Gameland operates with internal inspection standards that are stricter than the industry's baseline, holding major international compliance certifications like FSC and BSCI.
The Vietnam Advantage: Their Vietnam branch, Khai Minh, is a 12,000-square-meter facility specializing in premium paper goods and packaging. By utilizing a dual-hub approach (core manufacturing in China, packaging/export via Vietnam), we can heavily optimize our supply chain, navigate global shipping tariffs more efficiently, and ensure a smoother international delivery process for you.
Note: We are currently finalizing the very last contract details regarding exact volume and pricing, but both sides are fully committed to moving forward.
Production & Delivery Timeline With our funds secured and our manufacturing partner lined up, we are pushing full-steam ahead into mass production. Based on our latest discussions and the factory's schedule, we are optimistic that mass production will be completed in May.
We recognize that this shifts our delivery later than our original estimate. However, taking the time to thoroughly vet and partner with a factory of this caliber is the right choice to ensure Crown arrives exactly as envisioned.
Thank you for standing by us. We are putting everything we have into crossing the finish line, and we look forward to sharing more production milestones with you soon!
Factory Snapshot
Here is a quick look at Gameland’s facilities and their past work:
Factory Facilities
Trusted Partners
Manufactured Games on BGG
Quality Control Process
Best, All of us at BinaryStar Studio & Bifrost Games
First and foremost, we want to sincerely apologize for the lack of updates over the past few months. We know that silence can be frustrating, and we deeply appreciate your patience. While we haven't been posting updates, please rest assured that we have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to make Crown: The Succession War the best game it can possibly be.
We want to give you a transparent look at exactly what we’ve been doing during this time, where we currently stand, and our next steps. 🛠️ What We’ve Been Working On
To ensure the highest quality for the final product, we have been laser-focused on finalizing every single detail before mass production kicks off. Here is a breakdown of our recent progress:
1. Gameplay & Rulebook Polish
Rulebook Adjustments: We’ve been making final tweaks to the rulebook for maximum clarity and flow.
Language & Skill Verification: We conducted multiple rounds of rigorous language proofreading and double-checked all in-game skill descriptions to guarantee a smooth and balanced gameplay experience.
2. Miniature & Component Optimization
Sculpting & Details: We have been in deep communication with our manufacturers to adjust and refine the intricate engraving details on the miniatures.
Material Stability: We've been testing and confirming the material stability of the models to ensure they are both durable and highly detailed.
Final Accessory Checks: We are doing the final confirmations on all game accessories and components.
3. Print Readiness & Logistics
Die-lines & Layouts: We’ve gone through extensive back-and-forth with the factory regarding their feedback on die-lines and have finalized the various printing layouts.
Contracts & Warehousing: On the administrative side, we are locking in our final manufacturing contracts and confirming our warehousing and fulfillment partnerships to ensure smooth shipping later on. 📸 Sneak Peek: Sample Photos!
Sample
Testing the custom plastic inserts to ensure all components fit securely!
🏭 Current Production Status & Timeline
Currently, our team and our manufacturing partners are observing the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) holiday. Because of this, factory operations are temporarily paused.
What happens next? As soon as the holiday concludes, we have meetings scheduled with the factory in March to officially sign off on the final production details mentioned above. Once these March meetings wrap up, mass production will officially begin.
Fulfillment Timeline: Because we are finalizing the manufacturing contracts next month, we will provide a concrete, updated fulfillment timeline in our very next update in March.
Pledge Manager Status: Our Pledge Manager is currently being set up. We will notify everyone and send out the surveys as soon as our fulfillment timeline is finalized next month.
Thank you once again for your incredible support and understanding. We are putting our hearts into this game, and we can't wait to share more exciting news with you next month once the factory reopens!
The campaign has successfully concluded, and we are so excited to move forward with production!
However, we’ve noticed that some pledges have encountered payment issues and could not be processed successfully.
Please check your inbox (and spam folder) for an email from BackerKit with the subject line: "Your payment has failed; please update."
If you received this notification, it means your card was declined (potentially due to insufficient funds or bank security checks). It is crucial that you update your payment information as soon as possible to secure your pledge and keep your special campaign pricing and rewards.
This week, the mass production sample went through a round of packaging transit testing. To be honest, we were not fully satisfied with the result.
While the outer box structure held up, the bottom storage area showed some damage after impact. The internal plastic tray also needs a tighter fit around the components. Because of this, we are adjusting the protection foam and the blister tray storage design before moving forward.
The current adjustments include:
1. Adding more protective foam padding inside the box 2. Increasing the thickness of the character storage tray blister 3. Adjusting the tray mold so the insert fits more tightly inside the box
The expansion content will be stored inside the big box, so we are also adding foam padding around it from multiple directions to reduce movement and impact during shipping.
After the revised packaging is ready, it will go through another round of transit testing. Our current plan is to complete production by July 20.
We are also preparing the Pledge Manager survey and will share more details with you soon. Once it is ready, you will be able to confirm your shipping information and any necessary pledge details there.
We know the wait has been long, but we want to make sure the game is properly protected before it leaves the factory. Thank you again for your patience and support. We will keep you updated as soon as the revised packaging test is complete.
Pues lo dicho, estoy pendiente de actualizaciones, para bien o para mal. y no paro de ver a a gente que ya se a ido tocar las narices. Si estas fuera ya esta, deja de necesitar atencioncita. Esta será mi interaccion con ellos. Ala suerte con tu "tenia razón". Mas dinero tira la gente en Alcool y no voy a tocarles los cojones en los bares.
So, like I said, I'm keeping an eye on updates, for better or for worse. And I keep seeing people who've already left trying to be a pain in the ass. If you're gone, that's it, stop needing attention. This will be my interaction with them. Good luck with your "I was right." People waste more money on alcohol, and I'm not going to bother them in bars.
Funny Detail:
I rated the Game a 1 on BGG, the very Same day a quite inactive User Rated it a 10 some later in the very Same day.
Somebody wants to try it as Well and See what happens?
They have no web presence at all, outside of this BackerKit, some marketing submissions to BGG, and the same to IG. Nothing since the funding period ended. Bifrost Games does exist as a trading card shop in NYC. Binary Star Games likewise exists as an independent RPG writer.
The effort that went into this scam is pretty close to zero and I'm embarrassed that I fell for it long enough to pledge. At least I got my money back.
