Kiwi Chow Down

Created by Detestable Games & Draco Studios

Feed, grow, and push! ... or explode. A bombastic game for 1-4 players with funny art & miniatures from the creators of Dodos Riding Dinos. Redefining area control in a swift but deeply strategic game with a ton of replayability.

Latest Updates from Our Project:

Happy New Year Kiwi Island!
about 2 years ago – Tue, Jan 04, 2022 at 12:52:40 AM

Hi Kiwi Island!

Our best wishes for this New Year! We hope everything is going well and we hope 2022 will be better than 2021.

We want to share with you a short update about the project status. We still are in the translations stage. You can take a look at the Italian translation here. Please leave us your comments! Pretty soon the French and German versions will be available.

In the same way, the next steps in the way will be the white sample and the preproduction copy. We'll check any production and quality issues through these samples, before the beginning of the mass production. Stay tuned for news about this, we'll share it with you ASAP.

Finally, we would like to remember you that during 2022, with the Kiwi Chow Down delivery, you'll get the digital rulebook with the first Creature Kingdoms merge experience with the Avian Archipelago Trilogy.

Digital and physical tests looking for the best experience.

See you soon Kiwi Island!

Kweeeep!




Backerkit surveys lock & charge in November 30th
over 2 years ago – Fri, Nov 26, 2021 at 11:49:13 PM

Hi Kiwi Island!

81% of the Kiwi Chow Down backers have finalized their survey on Backerkit. The info collected is crucial to making production decisions.  

As mentioned previously, surveys will be locked and charged on November 30th. We will charge you cards at the end of the day. So hurry up if you didn't fill the form yet! It is imperative to notice that if you're a returning backer and don't complete this process, you'll lose your complimentary $5 USD credit for buying add-ons.  (If you are a returning backer and didn't buy add-ons this credit will be lost as well because it is not meant to go for shipping, which we are already subsidizing for some regions).

If your charge fails you will be able to correct it in the coming weeks, and we will enable PayPal afterwards.

If you need to log back into your survey you can do so in https://kiwichowdown.backerkit.com

What will happen during December? Backerkit will continue available for late pledges and preorders in case you know a friend who might be interested. 

Next week, after charging cards the Print and Play and STL files will be fulfilled.  You'll get a message with the steps for claiming your reward.

Kweeeep!!! The Print and Play file is ready!

Right now, the rulebook and the Print and Play file are ready in English and Spanish. Translations will follow and once those are done, you will get the Print and Play files in the other langueges. 

See you in December with more news! 

Kweeep!!!

IMPORTANT: Pledge Manager Surveys - SENT
over 2 years ago – Wed, Oct 27, 2021 at 08:57:17 PM

Dear Kiwi Island, the moment has arrived.

We have finished setting up Backerkit, our chosen pledge manager.

Within the next hours you will receive an email with a personal link. Yesterday, a smoke test was sent and 5% random backers of each reward tier have already received their survey so we can check if there's anything we need to fix before sending the rest of the surveys. We are sending this update a couple of hours in advance so you can learn what to expect from the pledge manager.

If you already know Backerkit or other pledge managers, you can skip the following and scroll down to the add-ons section.

If you are not familiar with Backerkit please read the whole update. In short, here's what you need to know:

  • Backerkit is a pledge management system that helps backers to manage their pledges and creators to securely collect all the needed info for fulfillment.

As a backer, here you can do one or more of the following things:

1) Upgrade your pledge

2) Include add-ons (optional buys)

3) Let us know your mailing address

4) Pay shipping fees

5) Answer questions such as the language for your rewards or whether you prefer to keep the Nest miniatures in your pledge, change them for the 5th player extension, or get both.

Getting your survey

Within the next few hours you will receive an email to the address linked to your Kickstarter profile.

The email will look something like this:

Please answer your survey as soon as you can

 Backerkit is the place where you let us know your shipping address where to send your rewards, include any extras and pay shipping fees according to the total weight. We encourage you to fill your survey as soon as possible, the pledge manager will be open for a short period of time so we can move to place mass manufacture order. During this window, you have the opportunity to include limited add-Ons for Kiwi Chow Down and other of our past game titles, like Dodos Riding Dinos and War for Chicken Island. This is the only way to get many of them.

Here's what the timeline looks like

One great thing about Backerkit is that you can reply to your survey as soon as you get it with the addons you like and get charged for them later. In this case, you must answer your survey within 1 month and your card will be charged on November 30, 2021. (Don't worry, we will be in touch to remind you when the date is closer).

Once you open your survey, the first screen is the place to confirm your pledge level and country of residence if you are awaiting physical rewards (so you get the proper shipping fees).

To upgrade your pledge, click in the small blue letters below the green button "Switch your pledge level"


Local pickup: Backers in Mexico City or Guadalajara will be able to select Local pickup in the country drop-down menu for the waived shipping fees (flat $5).

Before selecting optional buys (add-ons) you will need to answer a few pledge questions depending on your reward tier, including the language version for your game.

Depending on your pledge level, you might have to answer specific questions but the most common ones are:

  •  Language for your games
  • Keeping the Nest miniatures in your pledge, changing for the 5th player extension, or getting both (+$15)
  • Choosing whether you want to receive War for Chicken Island / Dodos Riding Dinos together with Kiwi Chow Down until May 2022, or now on 2021 as split shipping. (We highly encourage you to pick split shipping, Dodos Riding Dinos is starting shipping from China now and War for Chicken Island is ready).
  • Joining to our community mailing list to receive loyalty rewards on new Creature Kingdoms projects.

 Once you answer these questions, you will go into the most important section where you will be able to include optional buys.


Add-ons

Returning backers will find their extra $5 credit ready in their shopping cart for buying Add-ons. As noted before, this credit is only good for add-ons (logistics is already in complex times), if not used for add-ons it will expire before surveys are locked and charged. We have included a wide variety of add-ons!

Some add-ons are available in limited quantities and are offered in a first-come/first-served basis, so hurry up! 

Let's take a quick glance at them.

NEST MINIATURES & 5TH PLAYER EXPANSION (GOOEY CHOW DOWN)

Choose your favorite!

The first step in your Backerkit selection will be choosing one of the following options. Whichever you select will be included with the base game.

  •  The Nest Miniatures pack includes 30 Nest Miniatures (Tree, Control, Cave - 10 each). Remember its plastic tray with miniatures can be transferred to the main game box and will fit nicely.
  • On the other hand, the Gooey Chow Down expansion and 5th player extension include 5 colored snap bases, 24 more cards from the Powers & Goals expansion, and a new Leader (Gelatinous Kiwi) with its miniature and cards. All of this also fits in the main game box. Here is a sneak peek.
Once again, Gnomosapiens and Marchen Atelier did a great job!

Second If you're interested in getting both, you'll be able to do so for +$15usd. Please don't forget If you're a returning backer, the price will be 10usd due to your complimentary credit.

Finally, the last item available for Kiwi Chow Down is the pack of sleeves. These sleeves are considered a must for protecting and extending the life of your cards. These sleeves are standard poker size. Includes 150 (enough for all the cards in this campaign including Gooey Chow Down expansion and even some spare ones). The box will fit sleeved cards.

NEW CHICKEN GAME — REGROUP! CHICKEN ARMY

A fun filler appeared on Chicken Island! This is the second game for the Chicken Island in the Creature Kingdoms

 The Test Table Games is a board game incubator. Each year, we open a board game design course to share our learnings and experiences in making games. All the games we publish as Detestable Games are from designers that studied with us. We choose the projects that fit in our catalog and the other ones are promoted to other publishers.  Regroup! Chicken Army was designed by Alejandro Pazarán from the 4th Generation of our program. It is a fast-paced and enjoyable card game. When William from Draco Studios played it, he had, as usual, good idea for re-theming the game based on the concept of "banding" from War for Chicken Island. 

A perfect "banding" for the roost!

In Regroup! Chicken Army you organize your army of chicken warriors or chicken wizards to fight with the other players' armies. Only one chicken army will emerge victorious from battle!

Each turn you choose a card and place it over another card on your grid seeking a match between physical or magical attack and defense. Once all the players have placed and organized their card, the round ends and the combat begins. Each player deals or absorbs damage (physical or magical) based on the connected chickens of the same type (sword, shield, wands, barriers). The last player standing, wins!


The extra funds collected will be very helpful for us during these challenging times. Similar to another add-on named Shipping Crisis Fund for backers who want to share extra support. We did our best to honor our promises and lock shipping fees offered in the campaign and absorb VAT one last time for our EU/UK backers.


CREATURE KINGDOMS DIGITAL REWARDS

What else you can find in the pledge manager? Since this is part of a Kickstarter campaign, you can get the Kickstarter exclusives from our previous campaigns: Dodos riding Dinos and War for Chicken Island.

Last copies of Mecha-Chicken-Dinosaur with Chicken Nicholas and the elder chickens: Cluckthulhu & Yolk-Sothoth
  • The Crossover pack introduces the Mecha Chicken Dinosaur to be played as a machine in War for Chicken Island or as a Racer in Dodos Riding Dinos, it also includes a couple of crossover cards between those games to bring a mini from one game to another.
     
  •  Cluckthulhu and Yolk-Sothoth are large miniatures that enable the co-op mode (or alternate solo mode) in War for Chicken Island (required to play). Bring your chickenstigators to defeat the Cult of Cluckthulhu!
     

Finally, if you have a maker spirit like Draco Studios, then, the STL (for 3D printing) or Print and Play files are for you. These will be fulfilled by the end of November, including the English version of Kiwi Chow Down print and play (with the other language versions fulfilled in February). Optimized for home-printing in A4 or letter size.  


On the other hand, if you like the art from Creature Kingdoms, Gnomosapiens has created the digital Art Book for each game in the Avian Archipelago trilogy.

Final steps

After selecting your add-ons, you will be prompted to enter your mailing address to which we will send your physical rewards along with your payment info. Backerkit is a secure site and encrypts your payment information. Once we lock surveys you will be charged for any outstanding balance.

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to click on Place order to finish the survey. You will still be able to modify your survey and add-ons for some weeks. 

Once surveys are locked in November, you will still be able to modify your address (and only your address) until April 2022.  

If you run into any issues, don't hesitate to contact Backerkit support on the site, if needed, they will forward the issue with us, but most of the times they are able to help.  

If you have not received your survey by Friday, please go to https://kiwichowdown.backerkit.com/ and enter your Kickstarter email.  

——  

Backers who pledged in the $12 reward tier during the live campaign can expect their STL and PnP files Fulfillment to start within the next few weeks. Backers who add those items as add-ons in their survey will get them after locking and charging surveys.

——

Kweeep!!!, this was a long update... but hopefully, by the time you read all of this in detail, you will have received your survey. In less than 12hrs 100% of you will receive your survey. 

Thank you so much for keeping pushing the Chow Down!

New Plan: Nest minis or 5th player... why not both?
over 2 years ago – Mon, Oct 18, 2021 at 04:15:36 AM

Hello Kiwi Tribe, 

We are very sorry for the controversy caused by the previous update.

We are extremely grateful with you for voicing your preference and concerns regarding the proposed plan.

You are right.

Whether you like games with immersive and beautiful miniatures and components, or games with expanded gameplay options (maybe both), it is not ok to change in a radical way the rewards you pledged for and agreed to. 

Whether you play solo, with a small group, or with a large group, you backed Kiwi Chow Down because you found something special in it and you decided to join us on this adventure.

You deserve our very best. Always. That includes during times of uncertainty such as this one with the current shipping situation.

After all, the series of Creature Kingdoms games came to life thanks to your unending trust and support.

Your comments encouraged us to find creative solutions to cope with the shipping crisis next year.

Now we see that reducing the volume in the containers is possible without removing components from the rewards you already pledged for, but just the ones going to mass distribution (after fulfillment).

Let us introduce to you our:

New plan

As mentioned before, your feedback encouraged us to think harder the question: how can we optimize volume?

By looking back into the game contents and how they were planned to fit in the plastic trays in the box we realized the plastic trays had a lot of extra space.

Before

We started using War for Chicken Island as reference with 2 plastic trays: one for all the miniatures (leaders and nests), another one for cards and tokens.

That caused the box to be 90mm in depth.

Until yesterday...

Now

Here's our train of thought: 

"What if the Nest miniatures were not included only in the copies that will go to retail?"

—One of the great benefits of being a Kickstarter backer is having deluxe components of a great game that are either hard to get elsewhere or have extra cost.

That would mean the Nest miniatures should be produced separately in their own package and include enough for 5 players... but we still want them to fit nicely in the main game box.

Which implies that we need to plan for modular plastic trays for the miniatures that can be transferred to the main tray in the game box.

Ok, but what about the Gelatinous Kiwi and the extra gameplay content we announced? We know many backers were already excited for those too...

Well, the 5th-player components is using a plaque of cards just for 9 cards, there's space in there to include the extra Power & Goal cards and the leader cards for the Gelatinous Kiwi...

Therefore, the 5th-player pack could include the extra content, and if the Nest miniatures for the 5th player are located with the rest of the Nest miniatures in its own package, the box for the 5th player components has enough space to fit that.

And by having both items separately, every backer can choose in the pledge manager whether they prefer to get the base game with Nest miniatures or with the 5th player pack (with extra components and even the STL files to 3D print the Nests). Of course, without extra cost (unless they want all three).

Eureka! 

––

Using our prototype and rulers, we realized the plan with the modular and transferrable trays allows the box to be 70mm-80mm in depth and fit ALL the components from the base game, 5th player components and Nest miniatures, even with sleeved cards and well-protected miniatures in their own trays.

Reducing the box by 10-20 mm may not sound as much, but that allows a pallet to carry 135 games, instead of 108, and when producing thousands of games, they can fit in less containers.

––

In conclusion

  •  Nest minis will be produced and you will be getting them in a separate package (its plastic tray with miniatures can be transferred to the main game box and will fit nicely).
  • That item includes 30 Nest miniatures now instead of 24. So enough Nests are supplied for up to 5 players. Of course, without extra cost, because you already pledged for the game WITH Nest miniatures.
  • The 5th-player pack no longer includes 6 Nest miniatures because those are included in the aforementioned item. But it has additional value with the 5 colored snap bases, 24 more cards from the Powers & Goals expansion, and a new Leader (Gelatinous Kiwi) with its miniature and cards. All of this also fits in the main game box.
  • The only missing info we have right now is the updated quote, since the Gelatinous Kiwi is a new mold, the price of the 5th-player pack might range between $10 and $15 USD. We will keep you posted.
  •  In the pledge manager, you will be able to make a personal choice in case you prefer to drop the Nest minis and instead, get the 5th-player pack for free along with the STL files to 3D-print the Nests.
  • If you already added $10 for the 5th player pack, you will be able to allocate it in shipping fees, other add-ons, or cover the difference now that the pack includes the new miniature and extra components. 
  • If you are a returning backer, you will find in the pledge manager your $5 complimentary credit for add-ons (not for shipping fees).
  • We are including more add-ons in the pledge manager, such as the official card sleeves and a new card game named Regroup: Chicken Army! If you would like to support this project a little bit more, we would appreciate it very much if you could consider adding any of these or the 5th-player pack (if you are keeping your Nest miniatures too).
  • Getting add-ons is an excellent way to help us with the increased costs in freight shipping, while still getting physical rewards. We are making a commitment to stay within the shipping fees range shown in the campaign description for the items included in your reward tier. 
  • Once this project is fulfilled, the game in retail will not include the Nest miniatures or 5th player pack for free, which means you got a better deal for joining us since the beginning! None of these items are Kickstarter exclusive but the Nest miniatures and 5th player pack are produced in limited quantities and might be obtainable at special events with us or our localization partners.
  • If you are a Retailer backer in this campaign, you get the same benefits as non-retailer backers: every copy of the game with the Nest miniatures or 5th-player pack, and can get more as add-ons (in wholesale quantities) in the pledge manager.

What do you think?

We want to read your comments again! 

We believe this plan might be appealing to everyone because you have the chance to choose whatever you prefer.

Also, let us now if you have a great name suggestion for the 5th player pack now that it includes the Gelatinous kiwi. We are thinking of a pun with Kiwi, or gelatin, or more chow down!

One of the cards for the Gelatinous kiwi allows to "absorb and capture" (disintegrate permanently) an enemy's kiwi token in the same hex, if you have more fun ideas for the alternate leader card (all Kiwi leaders include 2 different abilites) we want to hear it too!


On behalf of everyone at Detestable Games and Draco Studios, thank you so much for the dialogue and for trusting in us. We don't want to let you down, and we apologize for the inconvenience with the previous update.


—Kweeep!

First samples, changes needed and secrets revealed
over 2 years ago – Thu, Oct 14, 2021 at 08:24:24 AM

Hi Kiwi Island! How are you?


We have had interesting times during this turbulent period. But let us start with samples. The factory is already working on the Non-printed components. They are making samples, and some of them are already traveling to The Test Table HQ in Guadalajara. So, you can expect we'll show you the Kiwi tokens, miniatures, and stuff like this:

Wood Kiwi tokens. Fruits and Domain markers bags are on the way!

This is the stage when we make slight adjustments with the factory to the colors or finish of the samples. For example, we plan to have a lighter blue color in the bag and darker colors in the Kiwi tokens to increase contrast.


Now, we have to talk about changes. The First one is the Kiwi tokens terminology. Now that we have included more Season Cards, Leaders abilities and the effects from Power cards, we spotted an issue with terminology. Marco yeye in BGG also catched this.

Thanks Marco!

 We have put a lot of effort into the Kiwi Chow Down rulebook. for getting the best one in the Creature Kingdoms. In fact, we did external developmental editing with Vincent Salzillo from Double Exposure. 

In the same way, William from Draco Studios also has invested a bunch of hours in this job. And this terminology issue was one he pointed out once we developed all the abilities and effects. The "Kiwi token" term was accurate before developing the expansions and the new leaders' abilities.  What is the conclusion? We're having a final editing pass to the rulebook. The team determined that "Kiwi token" is the name for the pieces (component) in your Flock board and Reserve, and "Kiwi" refers to the individual units on the board, regardless of their size (amount of kiwi tokens). As you already know, we have a solid commitment to delivering the best game with a solid ruleset that is not confusing. 


Facing freight shipping challenges

As you may know, the container shortage has defiance the whole Kickstarter-related industry. Here's the Kickstarter statement about this. The creators are trying to find solutions in the best way they can. We have a strong commitment with you and we do not plan to ask for extra shipping costs, even though they kept raising in the past months and experts say the prices we knew will never come back again. 

We are moving forward with freight shipping to deliver Dodos riding Dinos, consolidating it with another project from Draco Studios.  That project provided enough insight for us in this topic.

So, it's time to apply the lessons learnt to this project to deliver the best result without facing more shipping surprises.

We want to share with you the most significant challenges we are confronting in this project in terms of volume (space needed in containers).

1. Fifth player expansion. If you remember, we offered this option during the campaign as an Add-on you can get in the pledge manager.

What's the problem? Taking into account the changing shipping rates, delivering this through a second box will increase a lot the fee for you and we think it is not fair, not for the extra weight but because of the volume. Since it includes punchboards, the box cannot be smaller.

2. Nest miniatures. While the models look great, they are entirely a cosmetic upgrade that in some cases may clutter the board, and if you don't plan to paint your minis, you steel need the cardboard tokens to place below and mark ownership. The cardboard Nest tokens show the art and work great in terms of gameplay.

3. Pledge manager delayed. This is a chain reaction consequence strongly linked to point number 1; despite PM having been ready since months ago, at this point we haven't sent surveys because freight shipping still is providing a very uncertain scenario.

Our plan to solve this

Making board games is our passion and it is of paramount importance for us to deliver rewards that you will proudly bring from your shelf to your gaming table. After a huge analysis, our plan aims to optimize volume (for freight shipping) and be the best fit for all stakeholders, specially for our backers.

Gameplay is the most important for us but also offering a very-nice looking game (that's why we re-created the island boards to show better art). The key for us is to offer the same (or even more) value to you. 

Our plan is to remove the 24 Nest miniatures from the base game and instead include all of this:

  • Base game with components for 5 players (that includes a new asymmetric player board, another island tile, +20 kiwi tokens, +9 action cards, +6 Nest tokens)
  • 5 colored plastic snap bases for the leader miniatures (to quickly identify each player's leader on the board).
  • The Power and Goals expansion will have 48 cards instead of the 26 we had promised during the campaign.
  • 18 leader cards instead of the 12 we had promised during the campaign.
  • Here comes a new challenger! You met it during the campaign. With the changes in the box insert and tooling, we have space for it. 
Finally the Gelatinous Kiwi achieved the goal! Welcome to the Chow Down!
  • You will receive the STL files for the nest miniatures for free. If you don't have a 3D printer, don't worry! Draco Studios have a wide net of 3D printers around the world. So, if you want this aesthetic component, you can contact them asking for a Draco partner in your country.

By including the 5th player components in the base game, we are able to greatly reduce the volume for shipping. And by removing the Nest miniatures, we are able to include all the extra content in the game you are already receiving.

If you have already added the $10 to choose the add-on or you were eligible for a loyalty reward (returning backer) do not fret! We are adding a new card game from Creature Kingdoms in the pledge manager as add-on (or loyalty reward). Or you can also choose to allocate the extra $10 USD towards shipping fee.

To summarize: We believe this solution allow us to simplify the freight shipping by reducing volume. While we are losing a cosmetic upgrade with the Nest miniatures, that doesn't impact gameplay and we are also sending all backers the 3D printable files for those. We are also including a new unique miniature for the Gelatinous Kiwi, a total of 28 additional cards with gameplay content, the 5th player components in the base game and colored snap bases for your minis. All of the aforementioned were the result from our research based in the comments you shared for the stuff you felt that was missing. 


As mentioned at the beginning of this update, these have been interesting times for making decisions, we think these actions are the best for all of us, but maybe we could have tunnel vision, so we would love to read your thoughts. Please leave us your comments in this update. Once we read from you we will know if we are able to move with this plan and start prepress to get the pre-production copy from the factory.


Thank you so much for being so supportive Kiwi Island! You're the best! Stay safe!