TGG2 Update #65 – The Foundry Is Hot!

After loosing so much time this summer because of the Paypal crisis, things are now back to full speed. As you can see in this update, there is plenty of prints and moulds and test spins done, and you'll also get more specific information about delivery dates and about our other projects. And don't forget the survey at the end, with a special bonus for you !!

New Prints - New Casts

If you have a hard time envisioning how massive our current output is, here are just a few of images of the minis that were printed and moulded since our last Update. Please keep in mind that not everything is shown here. For specific details on each model and its production status, please scroll down to the last section of this Update.

Production Update

In our last Update, we promised you we would go into more details on what's currently manufactured and how our new workflows impact the production.

Some of you have been concerned about the fact that we did not share much info about when the next shipments would start to happen. Of course, we understand that you want to get your Rewards as soon as possible, yet it is always tricky to give precise planning information as there are always the chance of a few mishaps happening that might just delay the production a bit more. So we try to stay very prudent every time we give you dates.

But today, we are very happy to announce that the work we put in to upgrade the workflow and processes has been super positive. Everything we had planned regarding manufacturing has been running right on schedule for the past few weeks!

From an outside perspective, this might seem perfectly normal, but if you look at the amount of minis that moved into production, got moulded, and are now ready to be cast since the last Update, you may realise that this is nothing short of extraordinary. We don't think that even the biggest names in the industry output more than this in a full year. Anyway, we are currently keeping up with our best projections, that is, outputting a full unit every day!

Why update the workflows?

If you are among those who've been commenting on why we once again chose to update our workflows, well, it's precisely for this: to finally be able to get the kind of output rate we are now getting. Thanks to your backing our project and your constant support, Raging Heroes has grown in a very short time from its early days as a small craft studio. This transition continues to be a massive daily challenge on each and every member of our team, and of our suppliers.

We are doing more and more parts of our business (design/creating/production/sales/marketing/logistics/etc.) fully in house. Ultimately, this integration means more and more efficiency on all level and the current 3D Printing / Mould Making process is a perfect exemple of that.

When Will You Get Your Rewards?

As creating the moulds for all Troops and Heroines will be done by very early December, the Foundry will then enter a massive casting phase for all of December. The improvement we have made to the production process with the pizza pie Family moulds (which we showed you in our previous Update) means that we will have a faster and more effective process of picking, quality control, and packing, thereby speeding delivery.

Consequently, this means that the next round of shipments would start in January for the bulk of our backers, and possibly earlier for some of you. We look forward to working with the Foundry in this upcoming casting phase to more accurately forecast the delivery process for you.

What If Your Rewards Selection Includes the Avatar of Shaah, the Altar of the Succubi, or any of the other Creatures/War Machines?

• Yscarloth, The Harvester of Flesh SF and Fantasy
• Avatar of Shaah Fantasy/SF
• War Pulpit SF
• Asharah on Pegasus Fantasy
• Spider Mother SF/Fantasy
• Draahk Chariot Fantasy
• Altar of the Succubi Fantasy
• Horse Chariot Fantasy

... it is pretty likely that the moulds for these models will be created towards the end of December. However, before giving you any precise scheduling on this, we need to see the speed rate of the casting production process. So we'll have more to share with you on this in our next Update.

That being said, the first one to be moulded and cast will be the Avatar of Shaah, the most popular of our Monsters and Machines. So it is very likely that the shipments of Rewards containing the Avatar of Shah will start in late January. And the others will follow.

Next Kickstarters

You may remember that we announced a scenery Kickstarter for November... But as you might have noticed, this campaign has not yet launched. One of the reasons we are always reluctant about making announcements on what is coming is that much happens while we develop projects: new ideas come up, new concepts, new twists... Very often, it feels like it would be quite sad not to give that some extra time in order push the best of these ideas to fruition. So we decided to allow more time to this project.

During this Fall, two things happened. First, there were a few pretty big projects running on Kickstarter in November, and so it felt that the timing to launch our campaign was not optimal. Then, we received new concepts for the Sisters of Eternal Mercy's fortifications and other buildings. They were so crazily good that, in turn, new interesting ideas popped up and so, it made a lot of sense to reorganise this Scenery project.

So, since there will be much more than expected for this gothic themed scenery, we have decided to push back the whole Scenery Project a little, and break it up in 3 distinct Kickstarter projects.

• The first one will be the Sisters / Gothic theme.
• The two other ones will be KST scenery, split in 2 different projects: brutalist/Art Deco/Soviet-looking fortifications, and a Ghost in the Shell-type urban environment.

The idea of splitting the Scenery Project in 3 will have several positive impacts:

• It gives us more time to design more awe-inspiring constructions
• We are likely to have all the 3D work done before we even launch each Kickstarter project
• Fulfilment for each project will go much faster as the Foundry will only have one third of the Scenery to manufacture at a time.
• If you are very excited about these pieces, it will allow you to spread your expenditures over a longer time period.

So we definitely think this will be a win-win for everybody.

So, will it really look cool?

Well, here is a sample of something we are working on.

Imagine some sort of labyrinthine construction into which the Sisters store their massive knowledge and prayer tomes. Something like a giant underground library that would make The Name of the Rose's one look ridiculously simple.

We've designed this environment, as well as the others we are working on, as a series of building blocks from which you'll be able to create simpler, smaller, but gorgeous and evocative structures all the way to a massive convention-like table. In fact, to be honest, we think you might have rarely seen convention sceneries as awesome as what we are preparing for you...

What About Games???

We are working hard on this. We had a first set of alpha tests last month, and we have another series all of next week.

We currently have 2 games in development. They somehow run on the same DNA and are very complementary in terms of development. What it means is that working on one help us finesse the concepts of the other.

Of course, one is the 28mm TGG game. The other, also set in the TGG universe, is a 54mm game for up to 5 players. This will be a fast and fun game where you'll be able to unleash your inner megalomaniac super-villain...

So stay tuned! We can't wait to share more on these 2 projects.

Production Status

If you have not taken a look recently at our live production spreadsheet, here's a quick summary of what's going on (as of Wednesday Nov. 16. Please note that this spreadsheet is updated every day or so.

Status: 5/ Back-ordered
These 5 models are back-ordered, but they should be back in stock within 14 days:

• Shiveriah, Sorceress Fantasy
• Lady Kashala, Dark Elf General Fantasy
• Santa Dolores, The Lady of Sorrow, Psychic Seer Fantasy/SF
• Arkiish, The Black Reaper Fantasy
• Silkeeriss, Hunter Pack Leader Fantasy

Status: 4/ In Stock
There are 44 items in this category, or 45 items when we count the Freebies box (which is made up of items from this list, but which does take a while to assemble). All of you who made their Rewards Selection before July 28 have already received most of these items. Some of you missed out on some, because we could not anticipate their success. The reorders were made over the months of September and October, and will be shipped along with the remainder of your Rewards Selection.

• 3 Stingrays - Troopers Fantasy
• 3 Stingrays - Troopers SF
• 3 Stingrays - Command Group Fantasy
• 3 Stingrays - Command Group SF
• 5 Daughters of the Crucible - All Stars Troopers SF
• 5 Daughters of the Crucible - All Stars Command Group SF
• 5 Mantis Warriors - Troopers Fantasy/SF
• 5 Mantis Warriors - Command Group Fantasy/SF
• Sisters' MINIONS Fantasy/SF
• Manticore (NOT unlocked) Fantasy
• Arthenya VI The Archpapess SF
• Sister Altarii Fantasy
• Asharah TGG2 SF
• Asharah TGG2 Fantasy
• Sister Altarii SF
• The Huntress Fantasy
• Sister Trematta, Field Resurectrix Fantasy
• Zaraya, Pilgrim Priestess SF
• The Huntress SF
• Lady Darkryss Fantasy
• Zaraya, Pilgrim Priestess Fantasy
• Sister Trematta, Field Resurectrix SF
• Arthenya VI, The Archpapess Fantasy
• Silkeeriss, Hunter Pack Leader SF
• Lady Darkryss SF
• Kraash SF
• Lady Kashala, Dark Elf General SF
• Kraash Fantasy
• Tobias the Tenacious (Sisters' Mascot)
• Vladimir the Virtous (Sisters' Mascot)
• Violet (Dark Elves Mascot)
• Sister Ardanna, Pillar of the Faith Fantasy/SF
• Sister Celenia, Scout Fantasy/SF
• Doralys, Virgin Oracle Fantasy/SF
• Rithali-in, Expiatrix Fantasy/SF
• Sinzirith, Blood Vestal High Priestess Fantasy/SF
• Sephea, Executrix Champion Fantasy/SF
• Xarsiss, Harpie Queen Fantasy
• Lady Melith, Lust Elves Courtesan Fantasy/SF
• Shaliah, Death Dancer Soloist Fantasy/SF
• Zailith, Blood Vestal Secultrix Fantasy/SF
• Liligrith, Exsanguinatrix Fantasy/SF
• Vanvyssah, Lust Elves General Fantasy/SF
• Onyx, Master Assassin Fantasy/SF
• (The Freebies kit is included in this list)

Status: 3B/ Ready to Cast
The production moulds for these 34 items are ready. The casts prototypes have been validated. The moulds will be spun as soon as everything that is in category '3A/ Moulds in Progress' is finished. So we are looking at A LOT of spinning in December.

• 5 Daughters of the Orphanage - All Stars Troopers Fantasy
• 5 Daughters of the Orphanage - All Stars Command Fantasy
• 5 Sisters Regular Troopers - Troopers SF
• 5 Skinners - Troopers SF
• 5 Sisters Regular Troopers - Command Group SF
• 5 Sisters Regular Troopers - Troopers Fantasy
• 5 Davidians - Troopers SF
• 5 Davidians - Command Group SF
• 5 Blood Vestals - Troopers Fantasy
• 5 Angels - Troopers Fantasy
• 5 Flesh Eaters - Troopers Fantasy
• 5 Skinners - Command SF
• 5 Flesh Eaters - Command Group Fantasy
• 5 Sisters Regular Troopers - Command Group Fantasy
• 5 Angels - Command Group Fantasy
• 5 Icariates - Troopers SF
• 5 Icariates - Command Group SF
• 5 Blood Vestals - Command Group Fantasy
• 5 Blood Vestals - Command Group SF
• 5 Blood Vestals - Troopers SF
• 3 Vestal Riders - Troopers Fantasy
• 3 Vestal Riders - Command Group Fantasy
• 5 Hunters - Troopers SF
• 5 Hunters - Command Group SF
• Ascended Sister Erzebel, Great Seraphim Fantasy / SF
• Sister Reyallia, Sanctifier of the First Legion Fantasy
• Sister Reyallia, Sanctifier of the First Legion SF
• Mahleezariah, Lust Elves Matriarch (new name) Fantasy/SF
• Augusta, The Mother Superior Fantasy
• Augusta, The Mother Superior SF
• Angel wings for Icariates x5
• 1 Sister Regular with Flame Thrower
• 1 Sister Regular with Fusion Gun
• 1 Sister Regular with Heavy Submachine Gun

Status: 3A/ Moulds in Progress
There are 44 items in this category, and they are swiftly moving up to the next one.
The 30 Troops will be done first, and should move up in 7 to 14 days.
The 14 Heroines will be done immediately after, and are expected to be done in less than a week.

• 3 Mounted Knights - Troopers Fantasy
• 3 Mounted Knights - Command Group Fantasy
• 3 Worm Riders - Troopers Fantasy
• 3 Worm Riders - Command Group Fantasy
• 5 Death Dancers - Troopers Fantasy
• 5 Death Dancers - Command Group Fantasy
• 5 Blade Maidens - Troopers Fantasy
• 5 Executrix Regular Troopers - Troopers SF
• 5 Long Swords Regular Troopers - Troopers Fantasy
• 5 Executrix Regular Troopers - Command Group SF
• 5 Long Swords Regular Troopers - Command Group Fantasy
• 5 SpearWomen - Command Group Fantasy
• 5 Crossbowmen Command Fantasy
• 5 SwordWomen - Command Fantasy
• 5 Blade Maidens - Command Group Fantasy
• Shiveryah, Sorceress SF
• 5 SpearWomen - Troopers Fantasy
• 5 Crossbowmen - Troops Fantasy
• 5 SwordWomen - Troopers Fantasy
• 5 Knights of the Chalice - Command Group SF
• 5 Knights of the Chalice - Troopers SF
• 5 Harpies - Troopers Fantasy
• 5 Harpies - Command Group Fantasy
• 3 Draahk Riders - Troopers Fantasy
• 3 Draahk Riders - Command Group Fantasy
• 3 Centaurs Fantasy - Troopers Fantasy
• 3 Centaurs SF - Troopers SF
• 3 Centaurs SF - Command Group SF
• 3 Centaurs Fantasy - Command Group Fantasy
• 5 HalberdWomen - Troopers Fantasy
• 5 HalberdWomen - Command Group Fantasy
• Varanith, Captain of the Draahk Riders Fantasy
• Varaseesh, The Venomous Fantasy
• Sol-Sarya, Priestess of the Sun of Thorns Fantasy
• Templar Mona de Costemore, Demon Slayer Fantasy
• Sol-Sarya, Priestess of the Sun of Thorns SF
• Templar Mona de Costemore, Demon Slayer SF
• Varaseesh, The Venomous SF
• Senshyrha, Slave Master SF
• Senshyrha, Slave Master Fantasy
• Keshyrii, Centaur Heroine Fantasy
• Keshyrii, Centaur Heroine SF
• Mistress Slithiss, Excruciatrix SF
• Mistress Slithiss, Excruciatrix Fantasy

Status: 2/ Sculpted (and awaiting 3D printing and moulding)
There are 12 references in this category. The first 2 will move up to '3A/ Moulds in Progress' within the next 5 days. The remaining ones (mainly Creatures and WarMachines) will deliberately NOT be Moulded for several weeks, while the Foundry shifts its focus from Moulding to Casting.

• Xehzirhya, Demon Steed Rider Fantasy
• Xehzirhya, Demon Steed Rider SF

• Yscarloth, The Harvester of Flesh SF
• Yscarloth, The Harvester of Flesh Fantasy
• Avatar of Shaah Fantasy/SF
• War Pulpit SF
• Asharah on Pegasus Fantasy
• Spider Mother SF/Fantasy
• Draahk Chariot Fantasy
• Altar of the Succubi Fantasy
• Horse Chariot Fantasy
• And all Male Elves Bits

Status: 1/ WIP
This category is empty. Everything is done.

Reopening of the Pledge Manager? Additional Shipments?

And to end this Update, we need your feedback:

1. Would you like us to re-open the Pledge Manager?
   As the Christmas season is approaching, this would allow you to add more stuff to your Rewards Selection and get it sent over with your second shipment?
   
   
2. Also, if your Rewards Selection includes one of the larger items (which won't be ready at the same time as the Troops and the Heroines), would you want to be able to purchase an additional shipment, so that you can get your Heroines and Troops as soon as they are ready, and the large items later in another shipment? The cost for this would be $14.

To reply, please complete this one-minute survey no later than Wednesday, November 23, and to thank you, we'll add a bonus $5 Store Credit to your TGG2KS account for you to spend if/when the Pledge Manager is reopened.

We'll share the results in our next Update!

Edit (Nov. 22): Also, don't hesitate to leave a comment and tell us what you think about The Toughest Sceneries of the Galaxy... (Note: Comments are moderated to avoid SPAM, of which there can be A LOT; they are approved once a day on the 3 days that follow the publication, and less frequently after that.)