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Journey To The Overland: Redux

Created by Overland Games

Journey To The Overland is Solo Tabletop Roleplaying Game that allows you to experience the fun and enjoyment of roleplaying all by yourself in the comfort of your own home! Journey To The Overland: Redux is the second printing of Journey To The Overland and introduces a new greatly Revised and vastly Expanded Hardcover Rulebook!

Latest Updates from Our Project:

August 2021 Update!
over 2 years ago – Sun, Aug 01, 2021 at 10:59:31 PM

Welcome to the August Update! As the July update got later and later I decided to roll everything over to the August update.

THE GM SCREEN

First up this month is a look at the prototype “GM Screen” which I was finally able to format through GameCrafter.Com. I am happy with the size of the screen and the text as well as the tables I selected to include. There were really a lot more tables I would have liked to add to it but that would have entailed continually shrinking the text and font and really defeating the whole purpose of the GM Screen as a quick and handy reference for the tables you use most in the game.


All of that being said the material and die-cut that GameCrafter uses for its GM Screens leaves a lot to be desired but this is the largest and thickest GM Screen they offer other than a “pocket folder” type of GM Case that I don’t consider to be a GM Screen. 

For those getting the GM Screen I would recommend reinforcing the folds with some good clear tape as soon as you get it. I do intend to monitor any improvements Gamecrafter offers between now and when I do my order but at least that is another “pledge” item out of the way.

I am also showing the first print of the Town of Misery Supplement Book. This is printed by Lulu Press and overall I am really pleased with it. 

This book will be shrink wrapped with a supplement specific set of Event and Encounter cards that you see pictured. Even after you complete the Expansion you can use the cards in your normal games of Journey To The Overland by adding them to the appropriate deck(s). And because all the “card backs” are the same there will not be any spoilers when drawing these cards. Which will generally be the case with all the supplements that include supplement specific cards.


I have sent out a good deal of Core Games in the last month and the offer to send Core Games to anyone still waiting for the Stretch Goals or Master Storyteller Pledges remains open. As of last month I had mailed all the “Core Game only" pledges both USA and International so now my focus is shifting to completing the Upgrade Pledges and compiling the Stretch Goals included in all the NextGen Pledges. Most of which are complete. My only real hold up at this time is the printing times from GameCrafter. The turnaround for a large order (i.e. 100 or more items) is almost 60 days. This is somewhat of a problem for me as I will be moving to the Dallas Area at the end of September and such do not want shipments scheduled to be delivered here around the same time. And I don’t want to use my new address until I am actually moved in as you never know what can go wrong if the unit becomes unavailable or some other problem with my lease arises. So between now and the end of September I am simply going to focus on completing more of the remaining expansions.

Finally, the last few months have seen a modest number of new Backers join our journey through late pledges. Other than the support these new pledges provide to the project, the best part of picking up these new Backers is the enthusiasm and anticipation they bring for the game. I can’t express how this has not only encouraged but revitalized me over this long process. That being said I thought that maybe sharing one of the conversations and exchanges I have had with a self-described “retired and single” ‘young’ lady (and one other Backer) that has touched me the most with you all, could reinvigorate you all as well.

Until next month!

*  * * * * * *

Hi Deano:

Thank you so much for your speedy reply.

I'm extremely excited by this incredible game.  I am systematically watching all of the videos on your YouTube Channel, and making notes as I'm going along.  Currently, I am almost finished with Episode #9 of "Let's Play Journey To The Overland".  I'm immensely enjoying everything about Maverick's daily adventure (whether positive or negative to his character's development).  I can't wait to start my own journey of discovery and progression in The Overland.

While I'm patiently waiting for my shipment to be sent, I'm using the time productively and matching up miniatures (as you recommended doing) from my extensive collection with every NPC Encounter card featured in your videos.  This project in itself is very thrilling in eager anticipation of eventually meeting these NPCs in Overland itself.  I also have some creative ideas for House Rules such as developing a Weather chart for each season (weighted somewhat towards more common seasonal occurrences such as a bright sunny day instead of much rarer Earthquakes).  I will use the Weather Table instead of flipping Weather Cards to get optimal but still random results.

Thanks again, Deano, for allowing me to make the add-on purchase to this labor of love that you have so skillfully created.  I'm retired and single so I will be able to devote 4 hours each day to The Overland for the foreseeable future.  I have lots of other games I'll be playing solo as well.

I'd like to add that I have already developed preliminary but greatly expanded tables for my own hunting sessions  ----  raising the potential animal/bird/reptile count to a whopping 39 for added excitement and variety.  These are all North American species, and my inspiration was the beautiful original artwork for these animals in "Hunt: The Deckbuilding Game".  At a later date, I may start fishing the rivers of Overland to see what species lurk in the rivers and seas.  As you can see, my creative juices are already flowing strong  based on the thought-provoking videos you've produced thus far.

I'm really keen on digesting the contents of everything in the manual (except the spoiler sections) and then starting the pre-planning process for my Overland adventures. Your videos (even if they are mostly for the 1st edition) have been extremely educational and inspirational.  I've watched them all and have taken notes!  Backer H.T.   (shared with permission)

* * * * * *

Hi E,

[ As long as you are eating and have lodging the only other thing you do on a Job is follow any "Events" that may come up while you are working. So remember if an Event says "...head to Kings Castle" you HAVE to do that and cannot keep working. Also in the 2nd Edition there are some "Evening Actions" that you may be able to do depending on your skills and so forth. But be careful if they take you out of the town and you cannot get back to work it is treated as "...leaving a Job early" and could result in a Warrant being issued for your arrest. Hope that helps! ]

That's how I was doing it. The last 4 days on the job a plague hit so when I went to work I rolled 30%or lower to see if the blacksmith had it and with luck I came out safe and I am now a blacksmith with only a 34 skill score but wow it's like I'm writing a story and I love it. Thanks so much Deano….. This is a real masterpiece!!!  Backer E.M.

More Shipping News and Playing Journey To The Overland Online!
almost 3 years ago – Mon, Jun 07, 2021 at 12:12:37 PM

Hi All,

Welcome to the second consecutive update.  With fulfillment resuming on Journey To The Overland I am hoping to be able to post some kind of update every month for the foreseeable future.  As I have said in previous updates I do not like to do updates if I do not have anything new or worthwhile to say but I have a lot of coals in the fire with Journey To The Overland at the moment so am anxious to update you all.  

RULEBOOKS ARE SHIPPING ONCE AGAIN

As I have shared with you guys in the last three updates being forced to transition from Ingram Spark to Lulu for our rulebook printing and international shipping has been a real challenge over the last six months.  But as of today I think I can confidently say the worst of that is behind us and I am quickly incorporating Lulu Publishing and all of its International Shipping options into my fulfillment.

With that being said, as of this update everyone who paid International Shipping for the rulebook this year or last year has now had a rulebook posted to them.  As far I am aware this includes the following Backers who were left out of the Ingram Spark shipping:

  • Peter Hansen
  • Martin Klagenberg Andersen
  • Paul Wilkinson
  • Graziano Mioli
  • William Brand
  • Jesse Dilkes
  • Stephen seaborne
  • Kory Walsh
  • Joao Daniel Santos Fernandes
  • Vaniokiotis Dimitrios
  • David King
  • David Lucardie
  • Kevin Wales

If you received a Paypal invoice for shipping last year (or this year)and PAID IT and do not see your name above or have not already received the Core Rulebook and you are an International Backer please message or email me and I will see what the issue is.  Those named above should start receiving the rulebook in their respective countries in the next 7 to 18 days.  I do not know where the rulebooks will ship from as Lulu maintains several hubs throughout the world but if you are notified of a parcel from Lulu Press or Overland Games then it is the rulebook.  

Core Game Shipping

With the large rulebooks mostly out of the way I am will now be resuming shipments of the Core Game to those  INTERNATIONAL Backers who ONLY ordered the Core Game and those USA and International NextGen Backers who specifically requested that the Core Game be mailed to them now separate from their other pledged for items.  

If you are an International Backer who previously paid for the rulebook and only ordered the Core Game or did a NextGen pledge but requested to receive the Core Game now then you will be getting a Paypal invoice for $39.00 to cover the cost of shipping the remaining Core Game components overseas using Priority Mail as stated in the last update.  There are a few International Backers that I am aware of that paid the total shipping ($55) last year and I will be sending the entire game to them unless they were already sent the rulebook.   Those who paid to get the Core Rulebook but for some reason are not listed above or did not get it previously will be getting an invoice to ship the Core Game and rulebook less the shipping already paid (i.e. $55 minus $25.87).  Finally any USA Backers who just pledged for the Core Game and have still not received it will be getting an invoice for $18 to cover the cost of shipping the game in the USA Priority Mail.  This includes any new or recent Core Game only Backers. As of this update the following individuals should be receiving an invoice of some sort (i.e. International or Domestic):

  • Olli Oosi
  • Martin Mandler
  • Arthur Harmon
  • Jonathan Garcia
  • Miquel Salom
  •  Peter Hansen (rulebook is being shipped via Lulu. Invoice for rest of Core Game components only)

If you receive the invoice and are not ready to pay it just email me and let me know and when you are ready I will put your pledge together at that time including anything else that might be ready by that time. 

RULEBOOK REORDER

About two weeks ago I put in a rulebook reorder from Lulu for both the 2nd Edition Softcover and 2nd Edition Hardcover rulebooks.  These are books I need to fulfill Core Game Orders and are separate from those listed above that Lulu Press will be shipping directly to Backers.  In addition to those Backers listed above who will be receiving invoices for the Core Game the following Backers will have the Core Game sent to them once this order is received from Lulu:

  • Bruce Wiggins
  • Gregory Romans

If either of you prefer to receive the rulebook shipped separately please let me know and I will place a separate order with Lulu for a direct shipment and bill you for the separate shipping (probably anotehr $9 to $12).  However I cannot guarantee that it will arrive any earlier as there are several orders in the queue as indicated above.

Upgrade Backers

I am also preparing an order from GameCrafter to obain the remaining components for all Upgrade Backer pledges.  Hopefully I should have all of these items in by the end of July and shipping for them will begin shortly thereafter.   I cannot say what the shipping costs for these items will be as many Upgrade Backers added additional items to their pledges so I would like to ship as much of those items together as possible at once especially for International Backers.  So I will have to calculate shipping individually for each of these pledges and do the invoices one at a time instead of a group invoice as was done with the drop shipped books.

USPS SHIPPING INCREASE

The United States Post Office has announced a postage increase in the United States coming this August 29, 2021.  Typically when First Class Mail postage increases all other postage, especially International and Priority Mail, go up even higher.  As a result any Backers in any pledge level that want the Core Game mailed to them now can still let me know and make arrangements to pay the applicable postage. Any remaining stretch goal or pledge items will obviously still have to be shipped separately but as the main rulebook is the largest and heaviest item in the game it may still represent a decent savings.

JTO ONLINE!

For a long time I have been curious about using online RPG resources like Roll20 or Virtual Tabletop for games of Journey to the Overland.  Unfortunately I do not have the money, acumen or time to make this a reality at the moment. 

And while there is an online archive of much of the Journey To The Overland lore available to all Backers on Archivos.  It is more of a repository than an interactive game environment.

JTO on Archivos

OWLBEAR RODEO

All of this is a very long winded lead up to Owlbear Rodeo.  At the time of this update Owlbear Rodeo is a freeware browser application that allows you to load  your own RPG content onto the site and access it later, or allow others to access it, using a link.

JTO on Owlbear Radio

After having played with this I have found it to be perfect for JTO.  By simply uploading a JPG of the JTO Game map and creating a custom icon for your character you can move and keep track of your character's location (as well as the location of any encounters he or she reveals) right on the screen.  You can also select and roll various dice on screen.

Exploring the Unknown Islands

Most of the tools are very intuitive and easy to use and depending on how skilled you are you may be able to add other assets like cards.  

I have no relationship with the makers of Owlbear Rodeo and other than my own assets there aren't any specific JTO content in the freeware but I thought it was worth showing to those who might be interested.  

In the weeks ahead I hope to show my set up using the browser on the JTO Youtube Channel.  Long term I believe it will be an excellent way to "save" my games for one or several different player characters and allow me to know exactly where they were when the campaign ended and where any map items they had revealed were located on the game map.

Any Backers who would like to try it out and need digital assets that are part of their pledge please email me and let me know and I will send you a WeTransfer link with the appropriate JPG files.  

Expansions, Supplements and Modules

Finally work on all the stretch goal expansions, supplements and modules continues.  I intend to do specific updates on each of these going forward even if it is in addition to the normal monthly update.

I would also like to thank and welcome any and all new Backers to Journey To The Overland in the last few months.  The influx of interest has really motivated me to keep pressing forward and realize the shared dream that is Journey To The Overland once and for all.

God Bless,

DC Ware

Overland Games

JTO on the Dungeon Dive Youtube Channel!
almost 3 years ago – Sun, May 23, 2021 at 04:20:16 PM

Hi All,

Just a quick update to share the link to the "review" done by Daniel of the Dungeon Dive Youtube Channel. 

This was not asked for and as I stated in the previous update I did not pay him or comp him the game.  He says in the video he bought everything through the BGG market.  

That being said the review is pretty balanced and I believe fair.  Most of his critiques or issues are things that I have addressed (or attempted to address) in releasing the game for fulfillment.  Or hope to address in future iterations of the game.

Anyway if you are curious you can check it out on Youtube.  


GENERAL FYI

Finally for those just checking out Journey To The Overland for the first time. I would like to reiterate we are currently fulfilling "Core Game only" and "Upgrade Backer" pledges.  Like most operations we were shut down during most of the pandemic last year so are pretty much resuming where I left off at fulfillment.  All stretch goals are not being sent out at this time.  However anyone who backs at the stretch goal level (obviously including current Backers and Master Storyteller Backers) CAN get the Core Game and 2nd Edition Rulebook now provided they are wiling to pay the separate shipping for it and then the stretch goals that will be sent later.

Hopefully that clarifies where things stand at the moment.

Take Care and God Bless

D.C. Ware

Small Steps in the Right Direction!
almost 3 years ago – Mon, May 17, 2021 at 10:49:48 PM

I am still here and finally settled on doing an update for the year.  Even though I have corresponded with many of you over the first five months of this year I have not done a general update in some time.  First of all I wanted to simply say I am still here and Journey To The Overland is still moving forward - albeit slowly. 

That being said I would like to sincerely offer my thanks and appreciation to all the very patient Backers that have patiently had faith in me and my game.  

What I would first like to do in this update is fill you all in on me and my personal life since the start of this year. Not by way of an excuse but just to be transparent.  Secondly, I want to fill you all in on general news on Journey To The Overland in the gaming community and finally I want to update everyone on fulfillment and its resumption (?).

2021

This year started for me like everyone else still under the shadow of COVID. Without getting into personal financial details things have been very tough.  Not only with me personally but with me helping or assisting others in my family that have been financially affected by COVID.  On top of that my aunt, who helped raise me with my grandmother, passed away last month in Michigan which occasioned a trip back there (obviously).  Even though I am doing this update things are still uncertain financially going forward with the rest of this year but there are some things I can still do to get Journey To The Overland fulfilled that are unrelated to money.  So I'll update you all on that.

JTO Update

With COVID leading to a surge in "solo" games of all variety Journey To The Overland has gotten some attention in the social media community.  I have had at least two fairly well known solo Youtube Content Creators (Geek Gamers, Dungeon Dive) reach out to me about doing content on JTO.  And while I have been honored by their interest, for the most part, I have declined any offers to review or show the game until fulfillment is complete.  By declined I mean I have not sent out any "review copies" of the game.  Obviously I cannot prevent someone from ordering the game on their own or obtaining it second hand and doing whatever they want with it but I simply felt it wasn't fair to Backers still waiting to get their game to see someone playing a "review copy" online.  That being said I will now discuss the status of fulfillment.

FULFILLMENT

In the October update I informed everyone of the problem we had with Ingram Spark and fulfillment of the main rulebooks.  Most of that has been resolved although there are still problems I am working through ( I recently got billed for five copies of the Hardcover Book that sold and due to the price increase in printing I apparently OWED them $120!).  

Actually the biggest of my current problems with Ingram Spark is identifying International Backers who had paid for shipping for the main rulebook who still had not received a copy.  And these fell into two categories:  orders that had been suspended; and orders that had been submitted but delivery had not/has not occurred.  This has accounted for the bulk of the communications I have had with Backers since the start of the year and while I have an idea of who is still waiting for a rulebook there may be some I do not know about because their order was placed but simply not delivered.   

As I believe I also stated in the last update I was actively working on moving all my content from Ingram Spark to Lulu which involved reformatting a lot of the files (mostly covers) and then submitting them to Lulu.  As of today I have successfully moved the original Journey To The Overland rulebook, the 2nd Edition Softcover Rulebook and the 2nd Edition Hardcover rulebook as well as most of the supplements. Moreover I have successfully tested some "direct shipments" from Lulu to International Backers as you can see below.

Lulu shippping!

First of all I would like to thank Backer David Dias for sending me the above picture and confirming he had received the book directly from Lulu.  This occurred sometime in March.  In April I asked David to help see if I could ship the rest of the contents of the Core Game Internationally using what is known as a "DVD Priority Mail Box".  International Shipping for this box is $39 at the time of this update while International Priority Mail Shipping in a standard "medium" Priority Mail Box is $55.

Core Game Contents

According to David it took about 10 to 14 days for the box to arrive from the United States.   Unfortunately this box required me to fold the map "four times" and can only hold the cards that come with the Core Game.  Stretch Goal content and supplements simply cannot be shipped this way.  But it does save about $20 shipping for International Backers who are just getting the Core Game. That being the case not only am I now able to confirm direct shipment of the rulebooks through Lulu to the EU and UK but other content through US Priority Mail.  You can also see that this was a very recent development (May 14,  2021) which explains the timing of this update.  

Unfortunately I sent out three other rulebooks through Lulu to other countries in the EU, one of which the Backer says he has still not received (who also apparently did not receive the copy sent from Ingram Spark) but I suspect that may be a problem with his postal system.  The other two have not confirmed one way or the other so I only have David's input to go on at this time.  

That being said the following Backers pledges are ready to be fulfilled (International Core Game only):

Miquel Salom

Olli Oosi

William Brand

Gregory Roman

If you are named above and have already paid to have the main rulebook shipped and it was shipped then the cost for the rest of the Core Game content will be $39.00 and I will invoice you separately.  If you paid shipping for the main rulebook and it was "not shipped" that payment will be credited to the $55 Flat Rate International Priority Mail so your balance will be $30 and I will invoice the difference.   If you have not paid to have the rulebook shipped separately the cost to ship the entire Core Game only will be $55 and I will invoice you for that.   If your rulebook was "shipped" but you did not receive it (meaning you received an email from Ingram Spark that your order had shipped) then please contact me separately and I will help you anyway I can.  Most International Shipments are not trackable but I can give you any information I have to try and track it down from your postal carrier.  Otherwise I will work with you on getting you another copy sent out by Lulu for printing cost alone.

Earlier I said I had been working on other things for JTO fulfillment that did not depend on money and that includes completing the content on several of the "Stretch Goal" products.  Currently I am about 65% done with the Unknown Islands which I had to do some extensive rewrites on.   The Urban Expansion has been outlined but still needs to be compiled and entered into InDesign. The Two Player Expansion is still in draft.  Again other than the Unknown Islands supplement I really haven't devoted much time to the other two this year as the Unknown Islands is a very large expansion that I am anxious to finish and get right.   And I pretty much put that aside when my aunt passed away until today.

Most of the other stretch goals are done and are simply awaiting printing this includes the additional cards and so forth.  One item that I have had a lot of difficulty getting in a final state is the GM Screen. The screen that I got from Game Crafter was simply too small (and its the largest size they offer).   I've even tried printing the screen on a "game board" offered through Game Crafter but as you can see it's not much better.

GM Screens (No. 2 pencil for scale)

I am VERY much open to suggestions or recommendations if any Backers know where I can order a roughly 8.5 x 11 GM screen online with the understanding that I need probably less than 200 and I don't order JTO content from China.  

There are some places that offer what they call GM Screens like DTRPG but in reality are sleeved binders and are not what I am looking for or can afford.  


SUMMARY

I really hate doing updates when I feel I don't have anything positive to report but being a Backer of several campaigns I understand that saying something is still better than saying nothing so that essentially is what this update is.  I'm still here, still working on JTO and still appreciative of all the patience and support all my Backers have shown or given me.  

After concluding all the CORE GAME ONLY pledges I want to conclude all the UPGRADE BACKER pledges. Most of which should have already received the Hardcover Rulebook.  Of the remaining items included in that pledge (Unreleased Encounter and Weather cards, Scenario Book and Troop Counters) all of that is ready to be printed and shipped.  I believe it should be possible to send these small items to International Backers in a padded Flat Rate International Envelope for $27 (as of the time of this update) but I will not send invoices for that until I place and receive the content from the printers. 

Once those pledges are done everything else will be NextGen stretch goal Backers and Master Storyteller Backers.  Backers in both categories I have already offered the opportunity to get the Core Rulebook now if they are willing to pay separate shipping.   In addition to receiving all stretch goals all of the Master Storytellers will also be receiving the exclusive "Master Storyteller" Encounter Cards,  printed copies of both JTO Novels, an "unreleased and unannounced" Dwarven supplement I adapted for JTO called "The Mines of Hamm" and the exclusive "Collector's Box" (pictured below).  As well as a few more surprises I will not reveal.  Just to show my extreme appreciation for their level of support.

Collector's Box
Master Storyteller Box (In progress)

So as I said to begin this update.  I'm still here. I'm still working and I'm still grateful.

Take care and God Bless,

D.C. Ware

Overland Games

P.S. Going forward I hope to do more "smaller" updates including an update of my JTO painted STL Townscape Buildings and some info on a "virtual"/"online" way to play Journey To The Overland with very little work on your part. As well as the return of the Journey To The Overland Youtube series where I play through JTO 2nd Edition (well, we can always hope can't we!)

2020 Strikes Again!
over 3 years ago – Sat, Oct 17, 2020 at 09:33:07 AM

Hi all, 

The year that is 2020 continues and I suspect the obstacles and hurdles it has thrown my way (and this project's way) are no different than what many of you have had to deal with this year.  With all that is going on, updating a tabletop game campaign is not exactly any of our highest priorities right now.  That being said it has been some months since I even said hi "officially".  I say officially because as any of you know who message me directly I reply to all my messages individually when I hear from you all.

First  of all let me thank you all once and again for your patience and support with this project.  As I have said many times, many much larger projects than this and much larger teams and companies have been delayed (Trudvang) or sadly undelivered (Confrontation: Classic).  That is not the case with Journey To The Overland.  We are delayed but not out of action.  We are low on funds but not bankrupt.  We have a lot yet to do but not at a standstill. We press on.  In reality the difference between me and this project and many of the ventures I have mentioned is that this not a "product" for me that I conceived because I thought I could copy someone else's concept or sell something and raise a lot of money.  It is a passion that was borne 36 years ago to play a wholesome, fun, fantasy game alone that never had to end.  A game that celebrates light over darkness; virtue over vice; honor above ambition and love conquering hate.  No demons, no collecting "souls", no serving or worshipping dark gods.  The essence of Journey To The Overland if I could sum it up in familiar terms - is the "knight errant" and the "living quest".  Much about the game has changed over the years and I will probably change more before I finally lay it down when I take my leave.  But in the current RPG and Board Game climate, as a Christian, I feel there is more need for Journey To The Overland than ever before.  So I press on.  

Now the Update

As you all know in the July update I offered to start sending out the main rulebook to any Backer that wanted to pay the cost of shipping and get the rulebook now, to start looking through, and see the rules of the game.  I also indicated that International Backers had to get their copy shipped individually in order to cut shipping costs and ship it EU/AU/UK/NZ friendly.  I must say the response to that update was quite good and I started ordering and having books shipped immediately as the postage payments came in.  Unfortunately after getting such a large order my printer Ingram Spark decided they weren't charging me enough to print the book and put all the orders I had placed "on hold" and essentially said they wanted double the original cost to print them. This meant the cost for the 500 page rulebook went from $30 to $35 per book to $60 to $65 per book.  The only caveat was I had thirty days to get all the books I had ordered fulfilled before the price change kicked in.  After that I would have to either strip most of the color art out of the rulebook, take the book out of production or pay the new price...hello 2020!

Taking all the art out wasn't an option.  And since my file had been lost in a USB failure I couldn't do that easily if I wanted to.  That meant re-creating the working file, locating a new printer and getting the orders already placed fulfilled.  Which is what I have been doing for the last two months.  After locating the new printer and spending several weeks learning their platform and getting my content reformatted and uploaded I finally settled on Lulu.  The book would still be higher than the original price I had with Ingram but lower than the new price they wanted to charge me.  

Ingram notice

However once I got the issue with the book resolved I received an unexpected invoice from Ingram billing me the difference for all the orders I had previously placed - before the 30 days had expired.!!  Needless to say this was close to $1,000 and there were still orders in the queue to be fulfilled!  Due to COVID it took me two weeks to get this cleared up and get the money refunded/credited.  The problem is all of the orders still in the queue generate a new "bill" every time Ingram prints the book and sends it out. Ingram said this is a software bug that they do not know how to fix and they have flagged my account so the "bills" will not be charged.  They also said they did not know how many books were still in the queue so they could not tell me when the last one would come through.  So that is currently what is working its way out.  I have about two dozen Backers left who have paid their shipping but I have not placed their orders until the queue empties and I have about another two dozen Backers who were sent International invoices but did not pay their shipping.  I expect to ship via Lulu when they do pay but do not know what the shipping costs will be or if it will be EU, etc. friendly.  

Core Games Fulfilled

All of that being said, only International Backers were required to get the rulebooks shipped this way and ONLY if they did not want to pay the exorbitant International Priority Mail shipping rate I quoted in the last update.  Other pledges that should have received the main rulebooks by now are anyone who only ordered the updated rulebook and any UPGRADE BACKERS from the last campaign.  If you are in one of those two categories and did not receive the rulebook yet let me know and I will see what happened.  In addition all Second Edition Core Game Backers should have received the new rulebook and game.  If you had "add on" items they were not shipped with the Core Game and will ship separately and the costs for those will be sent when they are ready to ship.  

I have had Stretch Goal and Master Storyteller Backers reach out to me and inquire about getting the rulebook separately and informed them that they can choose to do so and pay the separate shipping or wait and get the entire order all at once.  That offer is still available.  Just message me and let me know.

In closing, I had hoped to do this update once I was ready to move to the next stage in fulfillment which is completing all the Upgrade Backer pledges additional content and then printing stretch goal content in mass.  But I have had several Backers ask for this update and felt everybody was owed one even if it is not a particularly upbeat one. 

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, in short, I am not going anywhere.  Next month it will be exactly 33 years ago that I copyrighted Journey To The Overland.  For most of those years it existed only as a manuscript on my word processor.  I do not intend to abandon this project.  I honestly got nothing better that I like to do.  I would love to speed things up.  And if I ever have an opportunity to do that I certainly will.  The odd thing about 2020 has been while it gave me all the time I needed to work on the game, I had no ability to "produce" the game as many printers, manufacturers, publishers, contributors and so forth were all shut down as well. But like I said, this is not just a "project" or just a "campaign" to me.  It's my game.  I have no intention of selling it or turning it over to anyone else.  It will never have mass market appeal (it's not dark enough)  but this project will get done and then we will see where we go from there.  As they say, "slow and steady wins the race."

JTO Copyright 1987

God Bless!