Critical Kit

Created by Critical Kit Ltd

Creators of indie TTRPGs, solo and multiplier games.

Latest Updates from Our Project:

Stretch goal unlocked and a new one added!!
over 1 year ago – Mon, Oct 21, 2024 at 05:53:09 AM

Hey there,

Hope you had a great weekend, whatever you got up to.

First news of the week is that we made the sneaky 80k stretch goal which means that new green dice colour will be added as an option.

I've had a few people ask about how the dice colours work. Well, here's the answer... When the surveys go out, you will be be able to choose the colours of dice you would like. You will also be able to pick up more dice (in sets of two), again choosing the colours of each. The combination is entirely up to you.

Morever, we are now hurtling towards our next stretch goal, which will see a printed ribbon added to the physical rulebook. The ribbon will be in autumnal (groan) orange and will feauture Simon's specially designed wires and woods icons.


But there's even more good news. Rather than having to wait all the way to 100k for the next stretch goal, we are adding a sneaky little one at 95k. Once we hit that funding, we will add a special Wires in The Woods draw bag to the Upcycler and Wanderlust pledge levels.


Isn't it cute. A lovely drawstring bag to hold your dice, tokens and cards. And, you can use it to randomly draw artefacts when you come across them. And look at that lovely artwork that Simon has created to tie in with the game's overall vibe.

But that's not all!

If Upcycler and Wanderlust are not for you, we still have the bags available now as an add-on for a fiver. You can add them to your pledge any time between now and the end of the campaign!

I know a few of you have been asking for this little bag as an addition, so Simon and I got our heads together and delivered.

Right, that's all for this update, otherwise it could all get a bit overwhelming. I'll be back tomorrow with more news!

Take care,

Tim 

...
...
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(and Simon! Did you think I forgot?)

A poll and a pop quiz....
over 1 year ago – Sat, Oct 19, 2024 at 08:14:49 AM

Hey there,

Hope your weekend is going well! I've been busy fixing all the changes my proofreader came back with for my most recent game, Punk is Dead. That one is going out to backers next week in PDF format, and Iill also be releasing a "barebones" version on my Patreon.

Here's a small bit of marketing for my Patreon and then I promise I will get to the meat of this update:

It's only £3.50 and you get a game each month. As well as that, there are random updates from me, like the ones you get here, a chance to playtest Beta stuff I'm working on and the jump on any new games I create. You also get exclusive access to a Discord channel. You can also AMA, which I believe is young people speak for shoot questions at me. But please don't ask me just *anything*. Keep it focussed as I really don't have all the answers.

So, I love getting your comments and questions. I love it so much that I am going to start soliciting them more often and I am starting off with a double bill.

First up is a poll. I've previously asked you all, which forager you are most like (you can still get involved with that). Today's poll looks at the settings I outlined in a previous post. Which one of the following settings would you most like to explore?:

  • Empty Streets is an urban sprawl where you will explore backyards, parks, trash cans and shopping malls. Like everywhere in this world, nature has become the town planner.

  • Tangled Branches is a forest setting, not dissimilar to the Pacific Northwest. Think Twin Peaks, douglas firs, abandoned lodges, empty waterparks and secret nooks behind powerful waterfalls.

  • Fresh Snow is vast expanses of tundra, chill winds, remote research stations and glacial caverns. Hopefully your fur will keep you cosy.

  • Misty Lake is eerie waters, remote tree covered islands, muddy banks and dilapidated jetties. You may occassionally need to swim, or try your paws at rowing.

The poll is attached to this email.

Next up is a quiz!

Ready?

That wasn't the question. This is it:

We have a stretch goal at 150k for a new setting called Headlands. What do you think that setting is?

The winner gets 657 points. If there is more than one correct answer you will have to figure out how you share the points between yourselves. Unfortunately, I won't reveal what The Headlands are until we hit the stretch goal or the campaign ends; whichever comes first. Put your guesses in the comments.

Here's the small print for the quiz. It's the smallest I could make it.

Okay, that's me done for today. That quiche isn't going eat itself.

Have a wonderful remainder of the weekend. I'll be nipping in and out to read/answer your comments and questions.

Tim

(& Simon, currently selling his art somewhere in Leeds).

New add-on: punch out cards
over 1 year ago – Fri, Oct 18, 2024 at 06:34:45 AM

Hey there,

Happy Friday!

First up, Simon and I did an interview with the Soloist a couple of weeks ago and it's now available to read halfway down his latest update.

We've had a few requests to make the card punch outs available as an add-on, which makes sense as they are currently only available in the top pledge tier, but they are useful for playing the game in general.

So, it gives me great pleasure to announce that they are now an add-on! Here's a mockup of what you will get -- with the exception that both boards on this lovely image crafted by Simon are the same. That's because we (Simon) have to draw the remaining artefacts. Still, this is a good representation of the A5 boards you will receive. I also think we can trust he will do a good job on the rest of them if this is anything to go by.


They will be printed on sturdy board and contain the following punch out tokens:

  • Five foragers
  • 36 artefacts
  • A zeal tracker
  • Maybe another little suprise.

I shouldn't be telling you this, but we are also working on a stretch goal to include a little draw bag that will be added to this add-on and to the Wanderlust pledge level. Do not repeat that, and if anyone asks I will deny ever mentioning it.

You can grab the punch outs as add-ons right now in the pledge manager.

That's all I have today. Next week, I'll be shifting the updates to less about the campaign and more about the game and how it plays. I'm also working on a little video to show you the game set up and general play.

Hope you have a lovely weekend!

Tim

(This message is approved by Simon. Well, not officially, but I think know he trusts me).

A sneaky lil' stretch goal - Green dice option
over 1 year ago – Thu, Oct 17, 2024 at 12:36:13 PM

Hey there,

I'm a bit later than usual with today's update. That's because I've been busy writing some exciting things.

So, after yesterday's little poll about dice inks, it became clear that a good few people were interested in a green set -- yes, I do read the comments.

Well, I am excited to announce that we have added a sneaky little stretch goal that is tantalisingly close. If we hit 80k, we will add a third dice colour option. Drum roll.....

It's green... but you probably guessed that already.


That means that whether you back a pledge that includes the pair of dice, or you pick them up as add-ons, you will be able to choose which two colours you would like. They can even be the same colour. You, do you, as they say. Do they say that? And who are they?

Focus.

We may add more colours going forwards, so feel free to chip in below in the comments.

That's all for this little update. I hope it met your expecations.

I'll be back tomorrow with another little surpirse.

Until then, take care.

Tim

(& Simon, of course.. yes, he does exist and is definetly not some alterego I have made up).

More about the official Wires in The Woods dice (they are now add-ons!)
over 1 year ago – Wed, Oct 16, 2024 at 05:31:09 AM

Hey there,

Congrats on making it halfway through the week. Hope it's treating you well.

Today's little update is to tell you a little more about the official Wires in The Woods dice. If you have already played the quick start, you will know that, as well as a deck of cards, the game uses two six-sided dice (2d6 in the parlance of TTRPGs).

<Engage shouty bold marketing mode...>

BUT FIRST, THESE ARE NOW AN ADD-ON THAT YOU CAN PICK UP WHEN YOU PLEDGE OR ADD TO YOUR EXISTING PLEDGE!

</Disengage shouty bold marketing mode...>

Here are the official dice (we're not fully decided on ink colours yet, so please do put in your tuppence by means of the attached poll!).




There's a few things to say about these dice, other than that they are cubes with numbers on them.

Firstly, they are a two piece set, cast in different colours primarily because Wires in The Woods uses several d66 tables in the prompts. That's to say you will need to roll 2d6 and one will act as tens and the other as units.

  • Firstly, they are hand-finished, framed sharp edge dice made with two separate resin casts. The first cast is a tinted smooth cube containing prismatic foil. 
  • This first cast is then covereed with autumnal (!!!) leaf stickers.
  • Following that, a second cast is made around them that is clear resin with numbers etched into the surface. This is what gives the dice that "framed" appearance.
  • Finally, copper and steel inks are added (for now).

Here's a close up that kind of highlights that effect:


Of course, you can always use any other d6 you have to play the game. We always recommend taking the dice out of your Mo[REDACTED]ly set and throwing that game away.

As far as the ink colours go, please do chime in on the poll and let us know any other thoughts you have. 

That's all for now, other than a quick thanks for how far you've all helped bring this project. Enjoy the rest of your day!

Tim 

(& Simon <-- one day he will hijack these updates).