In over my head? Yeah. But I'm working.
11 months ago
– Thu, May 15, 2025 at 01:56:55 PM
Hey friends,
I've had quite the day. Well, year, really. Three years, maybe.
Someone said in a previous comment, "he's in over his head."
Well, yeah. Fuck yeah, I am.
It's been a tough couple of years, starting with the open gaming license fiasco in 2023 and ending recently with the 30-145% tariffs. I'm a superman in writing, but even at 10,000 words per day, I'm not as fast as I want to be.
I'm behind. Really fucking behind. And it's my fault. And y'all are pissed. You have every right to be. The fact of the matter is, I've got a shit ton of stuff on my plate and it's pretty overwhelming at times. As soon as I get comfortable working on one project, I have folks needing me for something else, and I have to switch gears. I've also got a store to run (purchased right around the same time the OGL stuff was happening) and employees to be concerned with. I wish I could say the store runs itself, but it doesn't.
It eats up probably about 20 hours of my week. Writing takes up another 40 hours or so.
I work six days a week, and even on my day off, Sunday, I usually bring my laptop home and crank stuff out. My hours are usually from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that this stuff is getting done. It's slow, yeah. And we ain't hitting the dates. And the tariffs aren't making it any fucking easier.
But it's getting done.
Maybe I acted rashly by issuing automatic refunds to folks—that's on me—but I'm spun out. I've been pretty excited about MekBorg from the beginning, and there is so much cool stuff I'm putting together for it. So it's pretty disheartening to read people thinking I've scammed them.
Damn. I wish I'd scammed folks. A lot less stress in that. (Joke.)
But seriously, I'm working.
I understand if you don't want to back future projects from me. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't either. But don't give up on hope on this project (or any others you've backed). It's a fun project and I'm excited to share it in its (what I'm declaring to be at least) final iteration.
I'm going to be heads down for a while working on this and the other stuff I have to do. I won't be posting updates until there's something for you to download. I don't know when that's going to be, and I don't want to promise anything concrete. I won't be surveying responses here, either, because I know I've been fucking up—I don't need to read it over and over again. Of course, you're free to vent here if you like (you've earned it), and you're welcome to report me to Kickstarter.
For those of you who've kept the faith, thanks. Y'all mean the world to me.
See you on the other side.
- Dave
May Update: Tariffs are paused, so we're back on. Finishing up a new version, and will have physical copies by the summer.
11 months ago
– Thu, May 15, 2025 at 12:23:38 PM
Hey all,
A few folks in the chat asked for an update, so here it is:
The tariffs are paused, so we're good with ordering again. I'm using a printer in China who's finishing up another project. Once they're done and I see how they performed, I'll probably go with them.
I'm retooling a new version, one I've been tinkering with and sharing on Instagram. If you haven't seen it yet, it's here: https://www.instagram.com/dungeonmasterdave/
I will print some basic POD b/w copies for Origins (end of June). If you're a backer and you're there, swing by, and I'll give you a copy for free. If you want one sent, I can send it via snail mail; you will just need to pay for shipping. So long as you're in the US, Canada, EU, or Australia, it's pretty cheap since I can send it directly from the printer, about $5 or so.
While some of you aren't happy with things being late, all I can say is I'd rather it be perfect than fast. If that doesn't work for you, you can send me a message, and we can figure something out.
Thanks to the vast majority of you who have been patient and generous. I'm excited to show you what we've got to offer.
- Dave
PS I deleted the Discord server. It's mostly been a distraction, and it doesn't serve any more purpose than a way for me to ping everyone simultaneously. If you need to reach out to me, you can do so by hitting me up on Discord in a DM at @dmdave or by email at [email protected]
Once the product is out, I'll create a new one to help us communicate.
Customer service inquiries can be sent directly to Bree at [email protected]
You can also message me directly on Instagram at the above link.
PDFs, Tariffs, etc.
12 months ago
– Thu, Apr 03, 2025 at 07:02:13 AM
Hey friends,
Final PDFs should be out either late this week or early next. I've been working on another project for a bit (such is the joy of being a solo worker!), but I plan to have all the content done and in the pre-proof phase. The folks over in the Discord channel have been pretty awesome with coming up with ideas and sharing their own work, which has had a huge influence on the final. If you aren't already in the Discord, make sure you come say hello!
But then, of course, there's the matter of the new tariffs.
Whatever your politics are, these tariffs are going to hit the gaming industry pretty hard, myself included. I've managed to pivot over the years to using domestic printers, but even then, that can be extremely costly (typically 3-4x the cost, even in high volume).
I don't want to freak out and say, "Oh no, the sky is falling!" What I do want to do is sit and watch what happens in the coming weeks, hoping—fingers crossed—it's all some sort of bargaining gimmick and it ends soon.
Either way, I'm prepared to pivot if necessary, and I'll keep you posted.
Please be mindful in the comments. No political discussion. If you have an issue or concern, message us directly at [email protected] or talk to me on Discord.
- Dave
MekBorg PDF minus appendices is in your Backerkit
about 1 year ago
– Thu, Jan 23, 2025 at 12:40:52 PM
Hey...
Yeah, yeah, another update. However:
You got mail. MekBorg PDF in its "pretty version" minus the appendices and the big ol' list of monsters and meks named after you guys (there's fuckin', like... 100+ of 'em) are in your Backerkit. There are 3,000+ files going out, all pretty large, so it may be slow to hit you.
If you don't see it by MONDAY, JANUARY 27th, message us here or at [email protected], and we'll see what's up.
Oh, and be nice. We're humans, and there are two of us doing this, one of whom is only part-time, working as a nurse full-time, and me. Shit happens. Either way, I'm placing orders once China returns from vacation in late February. This new company works fast but it's still a slow boat from China. and god only knows the state of things in the world by that time.
Steel Psalm will follow shortly. After that, it's just me making whatever strikes my fancy, well... forever. The way I see it is you basically paid for, like... a year of content. So that's what you'll get.
And if you don't want to be nice, fine. You'll be a slime in the book. Not even a cool one. Just, you know... mud with a face.
(By the way, for all of you who are cool with everything, y'all rock!)
- Dave
Yo, Check Out Sqwürmish
about 1 year ago
– Thu, Jan 23, 2025 at 07:58:50 AM
EGREGIOUS FRIEND PROMOTIONAL POST!
Hey nerds,
My pal Brian Colin from VAST GRIMM fame is getting ready to launch his minis-agnostic game set in the world of Vast Grimm. It goes LIVE in February.
Here's what it promises:
• Forbidden Psalm-Compatible
• Cool Design
• Space Horror
• WORMS
• MAGENTA
Follow and back it, or be turned into a slime creature in the MEK BORG universe.
LINK: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/creaturecuration/sqwurmish-a-vast-grimm-sci-fi-skirmish-game-and-miniatures?ref=7qzlny
Go!
Byeeeee
