Project L is a fast-paced, tile-matching strategic game with triple-layer puzzle tiles and lovely acrylic pieces for 1 to 6 players.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Behind the Shapes #4: The Story of the box
about 5 years ago
– Thu, Apr 11, 2019 at 11:00:11 PM
Hi,
In this update, we'll continue with a new Behind the Scenes episode, this time about making Project L prototype boxes, and also share with you the final rulebook text that includes the Line Clear variant!
Behind the Shapes #4: The Story of the Box
Final rulebook text including the Line Clear variant – we'd love to hear your feedback on it!
Behind the Shapes #4: The Story of the Box
Disclaimer: No finger was harmed in the making of this Kickstarter update (at least not while writing it).
Tools: The first step on the road towards the box was making proper tools. Particularly all kinds of trusty templates for holding and positioning the boxes came in handy, especially for making more than one prototype box.
Prototype templates.
Core: Moving on to the actual game box, we tried to be as accurate as possible by printing the dimensions on paper and working from there. Lesson learned: our printer cannot be trusted. It decided against keeping precise dimensions / angles on the pages so our trying to be smart didn't turn out so well (at first).
Measuring the dimensions.
Design: The next step was "the heart of the box", aka gluing the laminated paper that actually makes the box pretty. :) We found that the easiest way was to have the box layout printed on a sticker because it just wouldn't warp like a normal paper after gluing it on. This is also where some of the templates Jan made at the beginning of the process were exceptionally useful (bottom left) because it's much easier to smooth the sticker out evenly when the loose sides are all hanging down.
From a greyboard construct to a Project L box prototype.
Insert: While it may be possible to survive with a simple paper insert that is open on two sides, things get rather funny once you envision something a bit nicer (bottom left). For this prototype insert, we have used black cardstock that is thin and firm (although the final insert will be plastic).
Designing and cutting the paper prototype insert.
Finally, some utility knives later, the boxes were finished! :)
Jan and the finished prototype box.
Spot UV: We have issued three different Spot UV finishes to decide the spot density/size and to evaluate the black variant of the box (with Spot UV outside the black letter L) in action.
One of the three Spot UV density prototype variants.
While under the direct conditions it looked quite astounding, the visibility of the black letter was dependent on the source, amount, and angle of light to such a degree that the letter wasn't recognizable most of the time. On the other hand, the colored variant with the blue L is stunning no matter where it stands and how much light it gets.
Prototype boxes comparison.
This is why we have selected the blue L with Spot UV on finish on the actual letter, which is the variant that came out best in all our tests.
Project L box prototype.
Final rulebook text and the Line Clear variant
The Line Clear variant is here, and with it also vastly reduced downtime when playing with 4-6 players! It's furious and it's fast. But mostly furious. There are two sets of puzzle rows so two of you can play at the same time! It also includes new glass bead markers that show which rows are available for either player.
We'd really appreciate your comments and feedback on the rulebook text which is now, with the inclusion of the Line Clear variant, complete. The next step is to let Pavel (our graphic designer) give the rulebook a final shape.
Thank you very much for your support. We can’t wait to hear what you think!
Jan, Michal & The Project L Team
Project Status and Next Steps
about 5 years ago
– Tue, Mar 05, 2019 at 12:42:01 AM
Hi,
The pledge manager closes in 2 days (Wednesday). In the meantime, the production process continues according to the schedule:
BackerKit deadline – Wednesday 6 March
Project status and next steps – data for printed components are ready! :)
Translations – Join the Project L team!
BackerKit deadline
BackerKit surveys will lock on Wednesday 6 March. Please make sure to finalize your survey by then. If you have chosen to pay for shipping and extra add-ons by credit card, it will get charged shortly after the surveys get locked.
Don't worry, you'll still be able to change your address right until we start shipping the games.
Project status and next steps
With the Chinese New Year finished, we can continue finalizing the production specifications with Panda GM (the manufacturer). The production cycle starts the first week of March, and we are now working on the remaining bits and bobs in the production data so we can deliver the games in October.
Balancing Project L puzzles (truly a messy process).
Having all the data for the printed gameplay components ready, the first thing that will happen is that the technicians will evaluate the production data and start preparing molds for the pieces and die-cutting plates for the puzzles.
Project L checklist:
Solo variant (100%)
Line Clear variant for reduced downtime (100%)
Player aids (100%)
Base game box version (100%)
Deluxe box version (100%)
Final puzzle grids and gameplay balance of all puzzles from the base game, the Ghost Piece expansion, and the Ambassador Pack. (100%)
Rulebook (98%)
Next steps (in progress):
Aggressive gameplay variant
Alternative scoring gameplay variant
Final product design for the Ghost Pieces (level 5 pieces). Now that we have their final shapes playtested, we are looking at the different color variants.
Updated Print-and-Play kit
Translations to other languages
5-player test with Jan, Michal, Sisi, and Marek.
Translations - Join the team!
Now that the English rulebook is ready, we can start working on translating Project L to other languages. Our experience from our previous campaigns shows that the translations are best when done by players. We know that plenty of you expressed interest in translating Project L when the campaign was live, and we'd love to have you on board! Send a message to [email protected] and we can start working on translating the game together.
Project L prototype game boxes.
That's the end of our turn for now. In the next rounds (of updates), we'll share how we made the prototype boxes in our office and shed more light on the finished game components!
Thank you so much for your support!
Jan, Michal & The Project L Team
IMPORTANT: BackerKit Survey Deadline
about 5 years ago
– Sat, Feb 16, 2019 at 01:17:03 AM
*Please don't skip this update.*
BackerKit survey deadline
BackerKit surveys will lock on Wednesday 6 March and the payments for shipping and extra items will be collected. After that date, you won't be able to get any extra stuff or make changes in your BackerKit survey so make sure that your survey is correct before Wednesday 6 March. Don't worry, you will still be able to change your shipping address if needed.
2) Look at the confirmation page in the BackerKit survey. You will either see it right away or after clicking at the "Edit Your Order" button in the top-right corner of the page:
3) If your survey is ok, you will see all the copies of Project L you have pledged for in the “Add-on Items” section on the left. On the right side, you should see the "Shipping Total" fee and €0 remaining credit. (see the picture below as an example).
4)If your “Add-on items” section is empty, click on the "Edit Add-ons" button (see below) and add the games you want to get. All your rewards for this Kickstarter campaign appear as Add-ons in BackerKit.
5) Once you add the games into your Add-ons section, continue with the survey to fill in your address and select a payment option for shipping. For more information on adding rewards into the BackerKit survey, take a look at Update #19.
Do let us know at [email protected] if we can assist you in any way.
Thank you very much for your support!
Jan, Michal & The Project L Team
Most Anticipated Games and Solo Gameplay
over 5 years ago
– Thu, Jan 24, 2019 at 11:35:47 PM
Hi,
Are you enjoying the cold weather? We're having troubles handling the pieces with our frozen fingers these days. :) In this update, we'd like to share:
Most Anticipated Games of 2019 – Last days to vote for Project L (here)
Solo Gameplay – Challenge the AI with three difficulty levels!
Most Anticipated Games - Last Days to Vote
It's so wonderful that Project L has qualified into three categories of in the Most Anticipated Games of 2019 poll: Short, Abstract, and Solo. Thank you very much for giving Project L enough votes to get to the final stage of voting. The support from you has been nothing but incredible!
Why one of the most anticipated solo game? Let's take a look at the brand new AI opponent!
The solo game is played on a 3x3 puzzle grid and a single puzzle deck (see the picture below). At the top of each column of puzzles, there are pieces that prevent the opponent from taking (and immediately completing) a puzzle from that column. If there are no pieces above a column, the opponent is free to take a puzzle from it, and, cunning as they are, they will always choose the one that scores the most! However, you have the powers to stop them! In the solo game, it's up to you to carefully manipulate the opponent into taking the puzzles that are worth the least amount of points while also building your own point-scoring engine at the same time.
Jan and Filip (from left) playing the solo variant.
In the next update, we'll share more of the production news. In the meantime, let us know if you manage to beat the AI! :)
Thank you so much for your support!
Jan, Michal & The Project L Team
Let's Reach the Top of Most Anticipated Games!
over 5 years ago
– Sat, Dec 29, 2018 at 01:52:17 AM
Hi,
Are are enjoying the most wonderful winter holidays? How many games did you get to unbox? :) There are some exciting Project L news we want to share with you before the holidays end:
Project L is among Tantrum House's Top 10 Kickstarters! (video here)
Let's get Project L among Most Anticipated Games of 2019
Every year, board gamers can vote for the games they are looking forward to the most. Let's get Project L through to the final voting stage! It's as easy as giving Project L a thumbs up. Can we reach the top of any of the 5 categories into which Project L has been nominated?
Not even the holidays can tear Jan away from the new stretch goal solo variant!
Tantrum House's Top 10 Kickstarters from 2018!
We are incredibly happy that after reviewing Project L, Tantrum House has included it among the top 10 Kickstarter games of 2018! You can watch their top 10 video to find out what they specifically like about the game.
PF 2019 from Boardcubator
Finally, we'd like to wish you an amazing year in gaming and a multitude of wonderful board game (and other) experiences! We are looking forward to what 2019 will bring, and we are extremely glad that we have you on board with us!
