You Can Help Get This Game Made!
If you’re a regular reader of our game articles (you are…aren’t you?), then you know we try to highlight both current and out-of-print games that your family might enjoy. We don’t tell you what you will like, we try to show you the quality of the product and an overview of the game play so you can decide for yourself if it is a game you and your family might enjoy. Today is different (and a first for SahmReviews). I’m going to show you a game that hasn’t been made yet and how you can participate in the process of getting this game to market!
Last month we told you about a silly game we tried out over the Christmas break called Magic Feather. The memories the girls have from playing it with their grandmother are ones they cherish and still talk about months later. We hinted that the publisher, Wiggity Bang Games, had a new offering in the works for a fall release called Alpha Bandits, but we really didn’t have much information to share at that time. Now we do and we’re super-excited to tell you about what’s in the works!
Yep, that’s the box! Well, at least a mock-up of the box. While Wiggity Bang has had success with the traditional retail route for their games, this time they’re taking a new path through Kickstarter. If you’re not familiar with Kickstarter, it is a website devoted to helping people raise funds for a project. Backers pledge an amount of money towards the project, usually in exchange for a finished product, souvenir or a hearty “thanks” from the designer/creator. It’s a great way to crowd-source an idea that might otherwise never get to market. And you, as a backer, get access to exclusive items, better pricing and the eternal gratitude of everyone else who backs the project. You see, if they don’t meet their fundraising goal, not only does the project not go forward, all backers keep their money and they’re back to square one.
So I’d like to introduce you to the Alpha Bandits Kickstarter campaign!
Now normally if you want to participate in a Kickstarter, you’ll still have to wait until the project ends, the item is manufactured and then shipped to you before you can enjoy it. This campaign is a little different and is a great way for you to test out the game for yourself before ponying up for the full retail box.
When you purchase any board game, the vast majority of the cost is for the manufacturing of various parts and pieces. The folks at Wiggity Bang want you to be able to enjoy this game NOW and have created a custom paper “Print and Play” version of the game. Available through the same Kickstarter campaign, for only $5 you can test this game out in your own home before deciding if it is a good fit for your family (I’m sure it will be).
Already like what you see? Get your own finished copy for a discounted price of $30 shipped through Kickstarter or upgrade to a full case of six for only $150 shipped and have them in time for Christmas!
Again, I realize this isn’t the typical type of game article you’ve come to expect from us, but based upon Wiggity Bang’s track record, we believe this will be one for our (and your) game shelf. We’re anxiously awaiting our own print-and-play copy and encourage you to share this information with anyone you know looking for family-friendly game ideas for this holiday season. Odds are you won’t see it on retail shelves by the 4th quarter, and this will probably be your only opportunity to get it this year!
Follow Wiggity Bang Games on Facebook and Twitter to track the progress of this campaign and to read about some of their other game offerings. (Update: Now available on Amazon!)
BREAKING UPDATE!
Matthew Rivaldi (the game’s creator) has made a generous offer to readers of SahmReviews.com, but you have to hurry! The first 10 people who comment below about their favorite thing about the game from either the video or Kickstarter page will receive a Print-and-Play edition right away for no charge! Matt is standing by with postage in hand, so what are you waiting for!?! Comment now and be sure to put in a valid email address so I can contact you for your shipping address!
So let me see if I got this right. For $5, I can print a trial game to play to see if I like it. Then, if I like it, I pay $30 I can get the finished copy shipped to me. Sounds like a great way to try it out before I buy.
That’s exactly right! You don’t even have to print it, they’ll send you a printed copy that all you have to do is punch/tear it out!
Hi Terry, We actually have the $5 copy already printed on card stock with the letters all pre-perfed, so you can you just break apart the letters and mask and play (you don’t have to print anything). If you back us today, I’ll mail it out to you during the campaign so you can try it out.
And thanks Scott for taking time to mention this game. I really appreciate it!
— Matthew Rivaldi
Creator of Alpha Bandits
This is seriously cool and you can’t possibly beat the price
It looks like it would be a great game and I hope the campaign goes well.
what a cute game I hope that their campaign is successful!
I really like the logo allot.. What an awesome kickstarter video.. i think it was explained to us very well! Looks like a newer/fresher version of scrabble..
This looks like it will be a great game if it ever gets to market. I live alone and won’t be trying this out as I doubt my cat will be able to play it with me.
What a fun idea! Love how colorful it is! Good luck with the kickstarter!
Word games are fun! Adding this chaotic mechansim… Even more fun!!
Winner #1 – Emailing for address.
I seriously the love the design and the overall mechanic of the game! Definitely will become a modern classic! 🙂
Winner #2 – Emailing for address.
Awesome 🙂 ! However I haven’t received the email yet. I think that might have been an error with my email i used earlier. Hopefully this comment’s email address will work. Sorry about the inconvenience.
Looks like an interesting game, love the colors. Would love to try it out with our weekly gaming group.
Winner #3 – Emailing for address.
I like the fresh look of it and the material looks like…Bakelite? Tgere’s nothing like the smell of Bakelite in the morning! Furthermore I love word building games.
Winner #4! Only six left!
I’ve never really been a fan of word games, but this looks great!!!
This looks like a fun game. We are big fans of Scrabble here so I’m sure this would become a family favorite.
I love word games & Wiggity Bang! What a great combo!
My group loves Scrabble, and while different, the fact that it looks similar gives it added appeal.
Winner #5!
I love playing Word games and this one looks fun. Good luck with the campaign guys! 🙂
Looks like a lot of fun. I’m sure we’ll get a lot of play from this game. I may actually have a chance to win a word game for once.
I LOVE word games, and I think the idea of sabotaging someone else is fabulous! I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy… Plus I think the little “masks” are so clever!
Winner #6!
Really enjoyed the game box creation fast play video. It’s really nice to see how things come together. I’m a big fan and supporter of Kickstarter. The how to play video really helps explain the rules.
Winner #7!
Scrabble and rummikube! Two favorites. Didn’t know you made quelf. I own and enjoy that too! Now yell “pizza party” and lick your teeth and say willy wonka. What a hoot! I belong to a board game group with over 100 members in Orlando. Many are teachers. We will probably enjoy this new one from you guys! Looking forward to it.
Oooh! a truly fun version of scrabble! I love it!
I like the black tiles with the vibrant colors instead of just using white.
I enjoy a good game of Scrabble Slam and Bananagrams which this game compares to with the fast pasted ever changing words.
#8!
I love word and letter based game. Literacy AND fun for the win! I really like the color scheme on these tiles also, they look to be much cleaner to read on a table from various angles.
#9! One copy left!
I love word games and strategy games. This one sounds like it is very chaotic with all of the grabbing! I love it!
And #10 – thanks to all!
This is ingenious. I wish I had this to work with my son – we would both be entertained. Word games like Scrabble and word finds are great for his growing vocabulary and short order processing disorder. I like the vibrancy of using the black tiles with the colored words.