Button Shy
patreon
Overall status update - important news for 2024
🕑 Added 2023-09-29 15:09:29 +0000 UTCHey everyone, I know we just hit you with the weekly art post, but I think we're due for an overall status update. Especially because we started discussing some changes at discord that will come here by the end of the year.
1) WHERE ARE MY PACKAGES:
We are going to send what's in, and not hold it for the additional parts. So this means if you are owed the missing December 2022 Wallet Game (Championland: Track and Field), the June 2023 Wallet Game (Super Slopes) and the July 2023 Wallet Game (The Royal Limited and Second Line Expansion), we are looking at a way to get these out next week in one package. They are sitting here waiting for the little extra stuff that goes in some but not all of your packages, and we're just going to ship what's here. We're going to just take a look at how we can get those wallets out to everyone they are owed to (and if only one or two of those three, we'll get those out as well).
That means we need to get details on any game swaps going as well, and I think we can have that done Monday. So expect a post Monday asking for swaps (or a post Monday saying that this was too complex on the logistics end and we're shifting gears, but I think we can make it work.)
2) WHAT ABOUT AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER:
If you remember recent updates, I've said we're running on a 2 month backlog. So August would be due in October and September would be due in November. If we just send out the wallets as they arrive, both will go out together, late October / Early November. But guess what else is in the same shipment as those games? The October and November wallet games! So if we ignore everything else, and make sure the wallet games are going out as they arrive, by mid November you should have the November wallet game, and everything prior.
3) WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER ITEMS:
We will catch them up when they arrive. Some other parts are arriving next week, but others the week after, but with so many things in each package, that cycle could go on forever. So when we have enough to send in a package, we will send it and update the status here. Most of this shouldn't be too far behind, but we want to make sure you are getting something, and that nothing is holding that back.
4) THE CORE ISSUE:
This has been repeated so many times before, but I'll do it hopefully for the last time. The core issue is that the most complex of our packages includes:
- postcard game
- rules for that postcard
- a few additional cards
- rules for those cards
- an expansion or small game
- rules for that.
- Sometimes more than one of those
- with rules for each
- A wallet game
- with wallet
- and rules
- a free expansion
- with rules
- A role playing game
- with wallet
- and rules
- and the content card
That's 13-17 different items that we are waiting on to send the most complex ones, and because of the nature of the process we do all of them at once, so the least complex ones are held as well. The least complex ones use 6-10 different items per month. It only takes one to hold up a package, so dropping 7 of them on average is a big, big, deal when it comes to bottlenecks.
5) THE SOLUTION
I've avoided this forever but at the end of the year we are ending the limited postcard tiers and the role playing tiers. We will have one physical games tier:
Wallet Games and Extra Stuff
This is essentially the current unlimited $18 level and the least complex of current tiers. It's going to be the current wallet game, it's expansion if offered, and something extra (usually an expansion or small game. This also includes the $5 coupon code for our site, and PNP access and a one time t-shirt. We're looking for some fun ways to spice up this level as well, without complicating shipping. But it's essentially the existing unlimited level.
6) WHAT IF I'M ON A LEVEL THAT IS GOING AWAY?
We will give a heads up starting Dec 1, that you can move to another level if you'd like to stay. I'm not sure what happens to everyone who doesn't move from their level to an active one, and what happens when we cut a level, but I will be reaching out to Patreon for some guidance here. You could move today if you aren't interested in getting the last of your current tier, but if you want to get the last parts, hang there until December 1.
7) MY THOUGHTS ON THIS
I'm sad that we need to cut these levels and some of the lower tier patrons have been here since the very beginning. I don't expect you to go from $5 a month to $18 a month. That's not feasible or realistic for everyone. I am happy and proud of everything we did, but I'm extremely frustrated with the bottleneck that 17 items per month can cause. It's not just a bottleneck in receiving those items at the same time, but it weighs down the art, graphics, development, testing and fulfillment teams. I've tried to hire someone to manage this, but that person really needs a team, and that's why it's always struggled. It's a lot of products. And it can get behind very quickly. We are best at making the wallet games, so we need to make them and get them out on time and not hold it back for a very limited item that is delayed for rules edits.
So it's the right call, and while it's a bummer due to the history of those tiers and product lines, it just has to happen. And I think and hope as a result, we can find the space to look back at the things like the postcards and roleplaying games and make some really good ones without the pressure of hitting every month. And then if we come across a ton of really good ones, develop them and have a nice backlog of completed designs and art, etc.. we can find new ways to get them out.
But I think the answer is not that it's part of the monthly rewards. The rewards should stay simple just to keep them going out every month. That is the ultimate goal, and without 7 things getting in the way, it should be much better. I think this also opens the doors to getting those BGOTMC staff members that we want, but they aren't in charge of getting the packages out the door, but instead in charge of the things that aren't holding up the packages. A better PNP process. Better features of upcoming games. Better Patron only sales and offers. Better digital content. Better communication in general. That's all on my list of where our energy should be spent. Remember the big 2022 preview that was so awesome? Removing half of the items that go in each package helps make it so we can have a 2024 one, and not skip it like we had to do in 2023. I'm feeling very positive about everything these changes bring, including a massive stressful weight lifted. The club stresses me out daily because it's gotten too complex.
8) YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS
Would love to hear your thoughts, as always.
Comments
Liz Cohn
I love Button Shy so much! I don’t mind the delays. It gives me time to show love to the older games. I’m also excited for the day when Banned Books or Anitomy (which has disappeared from the sight) get reprinted. I’m a wallet supporter because when I joined the bonus option wasn’t available. Is there a way to get a t-shirt? I’d love to be a walking advertisement for my favorite game makers.🥰 Keep up the amazing work and thanks to Michelle for your amazing customer service.
Justin Honold
I'm all for whatever is the most sustainable.
Michelle Skevington-Carter
We will send everything due for all subscriptions paid for.
Michelle Skevington-Carter
Patreon records the level paid for each month, so switching now won't change the records for what is due.
Michelle Skevington-Carter
You will receive some updates (like this one that is for all supporters), but not those relating to choosing any wallet games as those are only visible to members currently at those tiers.
Chris Ferejohn
Thank you for taking the time to fully explain this decision. I know it's hard knowing that some people will be disappointed, but I think your clear communication gives them the best chance to understand you.
Brian
Makes all the sense in the world. Your company is known for the wallet games. Make them the best they can be, and simplify everything to help that process. Amen.
Domenic Casciola
I was on the $23 tier, but with the delays I couldn’t justify anymore. Dropped down to the $3 tier, will I still receive the updates for the backlogged months?
Mikael Brown
It was the postcard games that attracted me to BGOTM Club, but I get far more utility out of the wallet games. I'd rather the time be spent to roll out Chain Mail 2.0 on Kickstarter than postcard games continue to cause a struggle to BGOTM.
Eli Salzgeber
I have the “grandfathered in” $20 tier. I’ve been thinking about changing levels to the $18 current tier but was concerned internally through Patreon this would “reset” me and lose the record of what I am expected to get on backlog.
Eli Salzgeber
This sounds like a good option. Simplify…especially if it seems like the postcard game stuff is the frequent delayed item holding it up. I wonder how much of the postcard game is done in advance and could maybe be their own kickstarter once a year. A small box with 12 envelopes sent. (All printed at one time so not having to wait monthly for each piece to be created and/or lag behind). I find it hard to believe that the game isn’t basically designed and finished when you decide to start a new years worth of game.
Uwe Kripp
I´m missing an offer for international Patreons (ie Germany).
James M.
Well, I understand why this is necessary, and agree that the company needs to do what it has to in order to thrive. However, it's not a great development for me, and I think it puts people at the mid-tiers in particular in a tough spot, having to choose between paying more for physical items they may not want or dropping to PNP and losing physical items they may want. I guess everything will be fine in the future after this all takes effect, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's a rocky transition period because of how big these changes are.
Jared
As a long time Patron at the highest tier I support this solution. I think a lot of can agree that we would rather great quality games and content created without creating undue pressure on your team. Maybe it’s the project manager in me talking, I just know how stressful it can be managing multiple products with single bottleneck in supply chains can be really frustrating. Reducing the overhead of projects while reducing the tier cost is the right move. Thank you, and your team for all the passion you put into each game you create. My hours would be very dull if it wasn’t for the countless hours I have had playing your games and teaching them to coworkers. I will be supporting my tier till Dec 1st, and wait to hear how you would like us to downgrade to lower one in January:)
tiffany Gregory
I am currently on the everything and RPG tier, but will be canceling today. Hope that I will still receive the stuff due from the backlog.
Matthias Nagy
All for it! Good decision. What about International tier?
Marcel de Jong
I too am in it for the wallet games. The other parts were a nice bonus, but the wallet games are the main attraction. If pnp is the only option left, I'm going to have to reconsider.
Eric Anderson
Makes sense to me. I'm on the postcard level, but really what I've always preferred was if it was just one small game (6-9 cards in a plastic sleeve with instructions, no wallet) per month. Getting a game like Rube always excited me a lot more than the other things. I'd rather pick and choose wallet games to buy, and subscribe to those small games (especially since they are very difficult to find on the website), so I don't think I'll double up. But given that you have to simplify somehow, the option you chose makes sense.
Zachary
Makes sense. My only question is, will we still be able to switch out the July 2023 Wallet Game? I backed the kickstarter for that game and was hoping to choose another.
Leon Spencer
As much as I support and have supported button shy, I’m very much in this for the wallet games shipped to me in Australia. If you can do that then I’m in, if you can’t, I’m out. I hope you find a way for me to be in.
Ken Tidwell
Sounds like the right call: simplify and focus.
Joseph Lee
That's makes sense, thanks for the explanation. Is it confirmed then that everything included in the monthly packages would be available for sale separately at some point? Because I don't think that is the case now.
Benjamin Jelley
This makes a lot of sense. It has become baffling to me to work out what I am due. I will probably up from Postcard to the physical tier described as long as the monthly fee was the same as it is currently. I’d also like to be able to make swaps like I understand you can now to make sure I can choose solo games or those with a theme I like. Would these monthly wallet games be the ones on Kickstarter? Would help me keep up on the range easily without even thinking 😂
Button Shy
Everything but the wallet game would require a postcard as we can't ship those without support. But the other reasons are that most of the things you get in that level will be unusable without the wallet games (as it's probably 3/4 expansion content), and I know you aren't forced to buy the full games, but it seems like a dud of a level. You'd be better off buying those things when they come out for the games that you have.
Joseph Lee
Just to clarify, there won't be an option to get everything but the wallet game? Just asking because it doesn't seem to me that fulfilling that would be any harder than the wallet game tier (since it's only removing an item from the wallet game tier), but maybe I'm missing something. If there is still an option that allows that, it would be ideal since as a solo-only player, not every wallet game is playable for me (and I already own every other Button Shy game that's soloable and in print).
b.evil.c
Happy to support and will change my level from RPG as needed.
Michael Keeley
I understand and support the decision but will miss the postcard games. I enjoyed playing and collecting Personal Space, Hush and The Final Lightyear. I would support a Kickstarter should any further postcard games be developed.
Wendell Hicken
Sounds like a good call, I'll drop down to the $18 level in December, or whenever the time is right.
Seth
I support whatever decision is best for the BS team! Just one question for clarification...if we are on a tier higher than the $18, those will be going as well?
Jeff Delbert
This makes sense to me. Happy to continue to support at the $18 level.
CK
I'm at INT-Everything level. If ultimately there is no physical tier to offer, then I'll still support you at your crowdfunding projects. I always adore Button Shy. I think the hard part for us is just coping with the expansions coming through BGotMC. Hopefully you can bundle them at your crowdfundings. Wishing you the best!
Christopher Yudichak
I'm one of those old-school types who considers things like Patreon and (most) Kickstarters to be more like a PBS pledge drive. I pay because I like the company/artist/creator/etc, and I want to support them. And if I get something in return, I tend to think of it as a bonus. I know my sort of thinking isn't typical, but there are certainly a handful of us, at least. 😄 Anyway, all that to say I really enjoy all that Button Shy does, and I want you all to succeed. So, if that means changes to how Patreon works, that's obviously fine with me. I imagine it's tough to make decisions like this, precisely because some people don't view it the way I do. (…and understandably, perhaps some can't.) But you make great stuff and treat customers/fans incredibly well. So, I have a feeling no matter what you do, it'll work out just fine. Thanks for the update, and looking forward to even more great things in the future! 🎉
Badger
I know it sucks, but you have to make the right decisions for the business, and for the customers. Ultimately this will improved the quality for both.
Ian Johnston
As a Canadian backer I'm sorry to hear that. That said, if the Kickstarter's keep letting me add expansions to the games I have that would be fine compared to the monthly package. I did enjoy the postcard games. The growth over time was great but I get the need to simplify. Maybe the postcards can become something on their own.
Randel Wood II
I support you and Button Shy. What you have to do to provide quality service is alright by me. I'd rather you be realistic with what can be done than continually overreach, cause issues for yourself and your customers, and endanger your business.
Justin Antezana
Huge support from my end. You guys have gone above and beyond for a long long time so it’s rightfully time to do what you gotta do. As always, if I can help however I can, please do let me know!
Josiah Mahon
I'm a Product Manager by trade so very much appreciate this decision and what it took to get to this point. Thanks for the great communication on this as well! To confirm, since I'm in Canada... the only option will be PNP for me going forward?
Isaac Irvin
Heavily support this decision. I’m a big fan of what y’all do, but candidly the delays this year have been quite frustrating (as I’m sure it is for you) to the point of considering canceling my $18/mo subscription. This update restores my faith in BS and makes me very hopeful. Good to see that you’re deciding to focus on what you do best. A hard but necessary decision.
Button Shy
We kickstarted one before. But essentially they will go to the store (or Kickstarter) and we won't commit to the current release schedule of 6 per year. We will make them as they come to us. And you as a patron would get a $5 discount at the store.
Iain Stanford
Just to double check I understand correctly (i'm a brand new patreon in at the full Wallet + RPG tier). What does this mean for the roll playing line, will they become Kickstarters (don't think they've been kickstarted before have they?) Or just become straight to online store?
Kyle M
Great moves Keep it simple and get the product out on time.
braigoPN
Yes yes, take a year or two off (or more) from postcards to sign, design, and produce them so they're on hand for when (if) you bring them back into the reward tiers. You should liken the patreon reward packages to FFG's Marvel Champions LCG. They are about 2 years ahead on designing and producing products, so a new pack is ready to release at the scheduled time. Even with the covid impacts the delay in release wasn't too bad and they also switched to a two releases every two months instead of a release per month. So if you structure this along those lines, even if it means cutting a bunch of reward tiers so you can build up the backlog, I think that's the best way to operate it. But you know, I'm just an armchair quarterback, you're in the thick of the weeds there. Ultimately do what you feel puts you in the best possible position going forward.
Button Shy
That makes sense, I think the games that are on Kickstarter are the most consistent ones that can go out here. If they are here and made, they can ship to both Kickstarter and BGOTMC at the same time (as long as 10 other things weren't holding up the package - which will no longer be the case). And games like the Dec 2022 one won't go to Kickstarter.
Marcus Cuellar
I’ve been an on again off again bgotmc member for many many years and the one thing thats made me cancel my sub several times is not receiving anything for months on end. So glad to hear this will allow you all to catch up. I put my vote in on last years big update that I wouldn’t be disappointed if everything but the wallets went away. The postcards could be PnP. I’m pretty cool with the changes.
Button Shy
Two things I failed to mention: Yes the PNP Tier is staying. And should improve as a side effect of this. The only unlimited tiers are US/UK only. So what does that mean for non US/UK? It looks like it means PNP is the only option. I'm going to think some more on this if there is anything that we can possibly do, but our previous answer was to bundle 2-3 months together at a time. That was really messy and equally unsuccessful. So I will think. But at worst, it means there is no physical pledge.
SBSmith
I've been following the discussion on Discord and know what hard decision this has been. I will continue to support you guys where ever this ultimately lands.
Button Shy
Yep, the issue with that 6+ month backlog is that you can't make it when you are already behind. And if you try to, you just rush it out. The signing to release cycle even on the simpler postcard games is about 3 months. So we'd need to sign 6 today to be ready for March 2023. We still have 6 needed for those months and a few needed for the months we're behind. It's so hard when the months don't stop. So we're stopping the months and then hopefully some magic happens. :)
JazzFlight
I've been subbed to the $10 postcard tier for maybe 4-5 years now and have highly enjoyed getting that package every month (or so). I also pledge for each new Kickstarter wallet game. Ultimately, I guess this change won't be that bad ($10->$18) considering I still order all the same stuff from you. However, there was something about feeling more secure in pledging at Kickstarter with a more guaranteed delivery, pledge manager, and update schedule rather than inconsistent BGotM drops. I'm still missing the Dec 2022 package like everyone else, as you mentioned. Of course, this might simplify the mental load I have to carry every new Kickstarter figuring out which expansions would be free in future months and which I should pledge separately, so maybe this is all for the best?
FTP
Agree with everyone -- thank you all for everything you do, and all the work that goes into it behind the scenes. Whatever you decide to do will end up being the right decision.
braigoPN
The year long ongoing postcard games has been the pull for me. Obviously, the simplest solution is to have a 6 month (or more) backlog of product on hand so that when packages go out everything for that package is already there and just needs to be picked and packed. The reality is that for such a small operation it's not very realistic to count on happening. So many different items and plenty of points along the way to get backed up and delayed that your 6+ month or more lead time goes away quickly. Even if you take a year off from postcard and other small items, that can give you time to build up a backlog of designed and produced postcard games for the future. But in the end, do what is most practical for your company, you don't need to bend over backwards for us.
Button Shy
It really was a long time coming, but there's a bit of failure involved and a fear of what happens to the big big group that is in the unlimited levels. But we need to take risks to move forward.
Kurt
Cool with me - I'm so behind on playing the postcard games anyway because I'm too busy playing the wallet games :)
Button Shy
Separate is key. If we get the designs and the team going on it and don't hold up everything else, it would be awesome.
capnbishop
I'm mostly surprised that you lasted until now. I figured that this decision was a long time coming.
Lucas Sorenson
Full support here! I love the club and all the history, but moving towards something that will result in less stress, more consistent packages, and cooler stuff from ButtonShy is a good idea.
Hank Heyming
Nothing but kudos and support. I can't even imagine the logistics hassle all of this is. I love my wallet games and just want them to keep on coming.
Mark Baum
I support you guys whatever decision is made. Maybe we can do a separate quartly postcard / RPG tier or kickstarter because they are still cool ideas.
