Update from the factory | Back in Business!
about 4 years ago – Thu, Mar 05, 2020 at 02:34:55 AM

Update From The Factory

This is from Feb 28. Sorry I couldn't get this to you sooner, but I think this is good news regardless:

Dear valued customers,

We are pleased to inform you that our factory will resume production starting Monday March 2. Due to travel restrictions arising from the Coronavirus, some of our workforce have not been able to return to our factory yet. We will be operating at around 50% of our maximum output next week, but we expect that our output will increase to full speed within a month as our remaining staff return to work. We have also implemented all the safety measures to ensure a healthy working environment for our staff by providing regular temperature checks, face masks, disease prevention education, and regularly disinfecting our factory. We will continue to be diligent and do everything we can to protect the safety of our team.Your project manager will be in direct contact with you with regards to the impact this has on production schedules.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this challenging situation. Your support and care for our team has been truly heartwarming. We look forward to getting back to business and making the best games in the industry!

Fill out those Surveys!

If you have not yet gotten an email about your surveys, please reply to this email, I will handle it personally and make sure you get your survey. 

Again, without the survey, you won't be getting your decks. Over 91% of you have already filled out theirs, but if you're one of the unlucky 9%, please get back to me. 

Stay gefährlich,

Friedemann

Those Surveys, Files Approved
about 4 years ago – Wed, Feb 19, 2020 at 01:44:54 AM

IMPORTANT: Surveys

Please, if you haven't yet filled out your survey, do it! This is a requirement if you want to receive your copy of the Songwriting Decks - we need to know where you live and you need to pay for shipping!

Please search your email inbox for the Survey if you haven't filled it out yet. The subject line should read "Response Needed -- Get your reward for The Songwriting Decks"

Files Approved

Just got this from Panda:

Everything is looking good from here, so if you are okay to proceed I will submit your files to the factory for digital proofs. They will do a final check and then create and upload the digital proofs. Occasionally our production team will find something they are not happy with. If they do, they will contact me and I will resolve it with them, or I will contact you if I need to.

Really happy to hear that because it was quite a bit of back and forth with panda on the files. That means we're one step closer to the digital versions being sent out if you ordered those in the pledge manager. 

Corona Delays

Still no news on how much Corona will delay our production, but the extension of the Chinese New Year holidays is something that affects all productions coming out of china, so we'll just have to be patient. It's still totally possible that we'll make it on schedule since it's such a simple product, but we will just have to see. 

Moving Back

Also, I just released a second single under my Canohead name. You can check it out here. 

Stay gefährlich,

Friedemann

Quick update on our schedule (the Corona update)
about 4 years ago – Thu, Feb 13, 2020 at 02:20:34 AM

Hey everyone, 

heard back from the factory - and I got another list of small changes that need to be made to the print files. Good news is: That's already done. I want to make sure that you get the decks as soon as possible and my #1 objective right now is ensuring a speedy production. 

The bad news: The Corona virus may delay production. As it's a simple product my contact at panda expects us to be able to make up for lost time in production, but it is an unfortunate possibility. 

On a completely unrelated note...

Ok, so this is going to seem pretty tactless, but it honestly has nothing to do with Corona: I just released a single called "The Virus". If you're into grunge or nu metal, check out the video below, I'm really happy with how it turned out:

Enjoy! ...and subscribe to the YouTube channel if you do. More is coming soon and an album is on the way!

Stay gefährlich,

Friedemann

First look at the digital version (SPOILER: It's looking great!)
about 4 years ago – Wed, Feb 05, 2020 at 11:18:36 PM

First look at the digital version

I'm really excited to share a first look at what the digital integration of the Songwriting Decks will look like. Check it out:

How can I get it?

If you were a kickstarter backer, this is included in your pledge and you will have free lifetime access to this digital version! If you got the decks after the fact, you'll still be able to buy the digital version for a very low price through Songcraft. 

When can I get it?

As stated in the Kickstarter, the digital version will release in March. 

Is this an app?

No, this is an integration into the online software Songcraft. The benefit is that you'll be able to access Songcraft (and the digital decks) from any device, you just need your login data (which we will give you when the digital version launches). 

What is Songcraft?

Songcraft is an online writing software. It's basically Google Docs for Songwriters, with all the cool features Google Docs doesn't have, like TABS, chords, playing back music, sharing demos, recording yourself, and much more. I don't know about you, but I'm really over Masterwriter and a lot of the old writing tools - they're ugly, they're clunky, and they're the furthest thing from creativity I've ever seen. Songcraft looks and feels really appealing to me, and the team I'm working with for the digital decks is seriously cool and creative. 

Do I need a Songcraft account?

Yes, to be able to access the digital Songwriting Decks, you will need a Songcraft account. You can access the Songwriting Decks with ANY kind of account, even the free plan, and if you were a kickstarter backer, you're also getting 3 months of Songcraft Pro for free. Use this time to get to know the software, it's worth it!

What about digital versions for the Rhythm and Structure Deck?

Right now, we're focusing our efforts on the 3 core decks. When those are done, we can move on to the stretch goals. One of my favorite things about the Songcraft integration is that it's infinitely expandable. Gabe, my contact over at SC, is a really creative type and it's been a ton of fun coming up with possible ways to make the digital version come to life. 

In other news...

I got back a report from Panda with a list of changes that still need to be made for the various print files. I'm starting with the revisions today, and see no big issues I won't be able to handle. So yes, we're still absolutely on schedule. 

Stay gefährlich,

Friedemann

The Box, What's next?
over 4 years ago – Thu, Jan 23, 2020 at 02:20:07 AM

The Box

I'm sure you're all dying to know what the Songwriting Decks will actually look like when you get them. So here's a sneak peek at what you can expect:

While technically, we didn't unlock the magnetic box during the campaign, I'm more than happy to pitch in the remaining money, because... I mean, look at it! It's gonna look awesome! Plus, I've added a cool new feature which I'll tell you about in a future update. 

Please fill in your survey!

Before we start our little update today, 26% of you still haven't completed your surveys - please do it now! We need to know where we're shipping the decks to and we need to collect your information and shipping fees. 

You should have gotten an email from Backerkit that reads "Response Needed -- Get your reward for The Songwriting Decks" or something similar. 

What else is new? I've been working day and night the past month to get all the files done, so finally I'm able to put a big ol' 100 at the top of this to do list:

To Do List (100% DONE TOTAL)

• Color Correction Cards DONE
• Small changes to all 3 decks DONE
• Design Section Deck DONE
• Design Rhythm Deck DONE
• QC every single card front and back DONE
• German translation DONE
• Write & design rule book DONE
• Design Box DONE
• Get files ready for print DONE
• Send files off to Panda DONE

And yes, we are still very much on schedule. 

Next: Waiting for approval

Now all we can do is wait. With the time I have now, I've already sent out some first emails with the access codes to courses you ordered. 

If you ordered the print files for the Songwriting Decks, you will get those as soon as I can be certain that they will not change any further. 

Stay gefährlich everyone!

Friedemann