Project Progress Update

• ✅ Game Design: Finished! 
• ✅ Writing: All printed writing is complete as well. We are still creating the digital FAQ and appendix/resource page, but naturally, this will be an ongoing process as it will be populated based on your own responses once you get the game yourself. 
• ✅ Pledge Manager: Pledge managers are locked and cards have been charged. Note you can still change your address until shipping time next year. We'll discuss how once that time comes up. 
• ✅ Graphic Design: Finished!
• ✅ File Submission and Verification: Finished! This was the part where we officially locked down all game design, uploaded files and had our manufacturer approve them for colouring, bleed, margin, legibility, sizing, etc. 
• ➡️Preproduction Copies: Next step after quote finalization is getting a preproduction copy made. 
  • First, we receive digital proofs of the game where we'll look over all of the files and really make sure there are no typos, missing files, low-resolution graphics or other mishaps. 
  • Once approved, Panda will build a single preproduction game and mail it to us. The preproduction copy is designed to look and feel as close as possible to the actual final product. 
  • Once we receive it, our job is to thoroughly investigate every part and make sure it all feels & plays correctly. 
  • This time period can vary depending on how satisfied we are with how components look in practice (is the ingredient tray large enough? Do the tokens feel right? Do the Upgrade Boards assemble properly?). 
  • Either everything is great and we sail through immediately, or something doesn't feel right and we need to fix it. By next month we'll have an update either way on how the PPC review went!
• ⏩ Manufacturing: This begins once we approve the PPC.
• ⏩ Shipping: We've already lined up our shipping plan, so the shipping stage will be a matter of execution once manufacturing is complete.

Project Progress Update

• ✅ Bill of Materials: Our manufacturer knows our specifications and is gearing up for pre-production copies (PPCs). Remaining details are part of File Completion & Manufacturing.
• ✅ Game Design: Game design remains ship-ready. Since last update, we've had time to implement a "Beginner mode" for groups with high experience gaps between players.
• ✅ Writing: We've completed a full round of copy editing for all components. An example change is that cards that used to say "Stash [lemon]" now say "Stash 1 of your [lemon]" for improved clarity. We're always triple-checking and repolishing as we go, but we're comfortable declaring it ship-ready.
• ✅ Gen Gon: It was great playing The Big Squeeze with so many of you at Gen Con! These games helped solidify some of our final copy-editing changes, so thank you for joining. If you're one of the groups who late pledged after demoing at Gen Con, welcome to the party!
• ➡️ Pledge Manager: This is where you come in. Fill your survey by August 11!
• ➡️ Graphic Design: Graphic design is ongoing for things like the block of legal text on the back of the box, UV print design for Cosmic Ingredients, and other final pieces.
• ➡️ File Completion and Manufacturing: Our real deadline for keeping on our projected timeline is September, but we're still aiming to be earlier to give us extra wiggle room in case something unanticipated comes up.
• ⏩ Manufacturing and Shipping: This stage is largely out of our hands. It'll be our partners building the game and shipping them out to depots around the world. The part we can control, however, is sending consistent updates so you know where we are in the process.

Timeline

• ✅ Bill of Materials: We've submitted our component specifications to Panda, our manufacturer. This will let us pick order quantities and ensure that Panda is ready to configure the machines that'll assemble the game as soon as we submit files.
• ✅ Game Design: Game design is ship-ready, including the stretch goal characters and mini-expansion. For our process, we always continue testing even after it's ship-ready just in case — but we're happy with the game, and don't have anything remaining to design.
• ⏸️ Writing: We're almost complete editing: we've gone through components, rulebook, box text, etc for the first round of copy editing. After feedback from the community and team, we'll make final adjustments and lock in.
• ➡️ Graphic Design: Graphic design is complete for almost everything except the box sleeve, rulebook, batch code and legal elements like the little CE thing that shows up on the back of the box.
• ➡️ Pledge Manager: Concurrently with game completion, we've been collecting shipping info and names so we can enter manufacturing as soon as possible after Gen Con.
• 🎲 Gen Gon: Speaking of which: I will be at Gen Con next week running demos of the prototype version of The Big Squeeze. Come find me at the Outset Media booth and say hi! This does mean email replies will be slightly slower than normal, but we will still be checking our inboxes.
• ⏩ File Completion and Manufacturing: In order to fulfill by our projected timeline, our file completion & manufacturing cutoff is start of September. That being said, we're aiming to be zippy with an early-August submission time so we can enter manufacturing with plenty of buffer.
• ⏩ Manufacturing and Shipping: This stage is largely out of our hands. It'll be our partners building the game and shipping them out to depots around the world. The part we can control, however, is sending consistent updates so you know where we are in the process.

Rulebook Update

What is this for?

• You will not receive your game unless you complete the Pledge Manager.
• This is how you'll provide your address and phone number for shipping purposes.
  • If you're planning to move in the near future, don't worry: you can change your address right up until we ship.
  • We will be offering a local pickup option in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, right in between London ON and Toronto. If you'd like to save on shipping costs and say hi, choose "Local Pickup" as your country. Details on local pickup will be finalized later.
• The Pledge Manager gives you a chance to add more copies of the game and other add-ons. You can also change your base pledge level if you'd like.
• You'll enter your credit card information here to pay for shipping, taxes and add-ons/upgrades.
• We will not be charging cards until we lock down the surveys in August.

When will I get the survey?

• You'll receive it this week from [email protected]. Check your spam folder if you don't see it!
• If you haven't received an email by the end of this week, or if you have further questions about how the Pledge Manager works, send us an email at [email protected]. 

What is the name submission part?

• We'd like to thank you for supporting us on BackerKit, so all of you have the option to submit your name to be immortalized!
• By default, you're invited to have your name shown on our digital rules file. This is regardless of your pledge tier and when you pledged, so even backer #1631 can join.
• For the first ~500 backers for the Small Batch Collector's Edition, your name will also be on the box sleeve as promised.
  • We can guarantee at least 500 names for the back of box sleeve, but we're aiming to fit as many as possible. So even if you're name #550 or #600 or so, you may still make it in!
  • The deadline for submitting your name for the box sleeve is July 28, 2026.
• More details about names can be found in the Pledge Manager, including what to do if you'd like to 'pass it on' instead.

How long do I have to finish this?

• If you want to submit your name, complete your survey by July 28, 2026.
• You can adjust your order until August 11, 2026. That's when we'll charge cards and enter manufacturing.
• If you miss this deadline, we might not be able to fulfill your order.

How does my Returning Backer / Early Follower bonus work?

• It'll be automatically applied, so you don't need to do anything! Look for the "Complimentary Credit" line in checkout. 
• If you don't have it, email us at [email protected] and we'll cross-reference you with our email lists.