Street Masters Aftershock

Status Update 5/29/2020
almost 4 years ago – Sun, May 31, 2020 at 10:33:13 PM

Hello Global Gladiators,

For our update this week, we have quite a few different pieces of information to convey, and a special treat for you all!

VFI Asia/Asian backers

VFI Asia has shipped most pledges out to Asian backers, with the remaining few to be taken care of in the coming week, according to their latest update to us. There has been note that some shipments have left their facilities and are taking a while to enter a certain country due to high level entry restrictions from necessary Covid-19 precautions. Though VFI Asia is ready to provide whatever information and documentation is needed, a few of these countries are just taking longer due to their own redline procedures and there is nothing more VFI Asia can do to speed things up. Now, some backers might notice their shipment is missing some items, and the reason for this is they will be getting a second shipment in the near future. It seems that Blackbox, who had originally transferred some of our stock to VFI Asia, had miscalculated what was needed and did not send enough of some key items. That said, the extras are en route. Please note: these are not items that Blackbox has being saying they're missing, so this will not affect anyone around the world who is waiting on additional content.

Blackbox/AdMagic Fulfillment

Blackbox/AdMagic has advised us in their latest update that they are down to the final 1% of backers from the initial fulfillment list. They believe those should be going out in the coming week as well.

Items Missing from Shipments (including Aftershock Stretch Goals and Upgrade Packs)

Once we receive word from Blackbox/AdMagic and VFI Asia that initial fulfillment is complete on their ends, we will post an update here to advise you of such. That update will also provide further instructions to anyone who is still missing content on what the next steps are. We are still sorting things out with Ad Magic on our current inventory with them and how they are moving our inventory from Blackbox’s warehouse to theirs. This is a big move for them and with the COVID-19 restrictions everywhere, it’s a slower process than anyone would like.

Defective/Missing Components in Products (QA Tickets)

While we've been able to fulfill a few tickets logged by backers who emailed us regarding defects/missing components in their games, we're still waiting on the arrival of the majority of our QA stock to take care of the rest. QA stock is something that is available to us after a campaign is done fulfilling, and as you all know, this fulfillment has taken much longer than anticipated and has therefore delayed our ability to take care of tickets. 

So, if you have a ticket with us, it is normal that it hasn't been fulfilled yet. We will get to it the moment we have the items you need; thanks for your patience as we wait for our stock!

If you need to open a ticket for an issue regarding a defect, email [email protected].

Street Masters Digital - Beta Access for All Aftershock Backers!

Now, for some exciting news! We've recently announced Blacklist Digital, a new division at Blacklist Games, as well as its first product: a digital version of Street Masters.

While we're only granting access to the beta to small quantities of outside applicants, we are going to ensure every single one of our Aftershock campaign backers gets access if they desire it! This is our way of thanking each and everyone of you for your incredible patience and support over the last months, dealing with all the unexpected delays and delivery hiccups.

If you wish to play the beta, all you need to do is fill out the application form. Then, our staff will send you an access code in the next batch of invites (this can take a few days). VERY IMPORTANT: to get guaranteed access to the beta, you must apply on the form using the same email you used to back this campaign. This will ensure we can cross-reference our backer list and identify you.

Status Update 5/12/2020
almost 4 years ago – Wed, May 13, 2020 at 12:05:29 AM

Hello Global Gladiators,

For our update this week, VFI Asia has confirmed that 1/2 of the remaining Asia orders have been shipped out as of yesterday. We will be meeting with them later today for another update. They are very confident that Asian fulfillment will be completed shortly.

As for pledges that have yet to be fulfilled, we have been told that there is about 2% remaining. There has been some increased movement this past week with backers receiving missing pledge items from Blackbox. However, there have been some discrepancies with replies from our partner, saying that there are zero quantities of certain items. This is false. This confusion was followed by some surprising news that gave us some insight into why all of these recent shifts in inventory, miscommunication, and mishaps were happening. Late last week we received official news that Blackbox has been acquired by Ad Magic, and all their inventory is and had been in the process of being reallocated and shifted to new warehouses. During this transition, Ad Magic will be taking over all Blackbox projects and there will be internal shifting between both of their companies. Seeing how this news was just given to us amidst their transition, it became much clearer as to why some bumps have happened outside our control. Having said that, I will be looking forward to working with someone at Ad Magic to discuss how to efficiently take care of the remaining items owed to backers. As things move ahead with their restructuring, we are still working with them to continue to keep making progress on shipping and fulfillment. 

What about the possible low inventory for AS Stretch Goals?

As mentioned in our last update we have had the factory at the ready to begin printing more Aftershock Stretch Goals. They have already started the process of printing more copies intended for QA, but also in case things end up short due to the fulfillment issues. The factory is currently mass producing cards and miniatures (here are just a few of the many pictures showing their progress for approvals):

We are awaiting an official ETA as to when these will be ready, but given the progress of these photos, it will even quicker than we expected. We’ll continue to keep you updated!

Please stay safe out there!

5/3/2020 Update
almost 4 years ago – Thu, May 07, 2020 at 04:42:09 PM

Hello Global Gladiators! 

We have some updates for you on what we're told is the final 7% of US/EU/UK/CA/AUS pledges (this is not including pledges missing items). Blackbox is still sending them out currently and will continue to do so until they are complete. Since the last update, they have found, gathered, and are utilizing inventory that they have to circle back to pledges that are missing items and shipping them to backers. Just a reminder, while they are doing this, please continue to hold off on emailing customer service for missing items until we officially announce BlackBox has completed shipping all of the remaining pledges, as they may still be fulfilling items in separate shipments.

What are we doing about Aftershock Stretch Goals?

From what we know, the Aftershock Stretch Goals have been the item consistently short-changed to the current round of backers during shipment. While replies from our partners to backers have varied, they have not confirmed of any shortages since the usage of their reserve supplies began. Still, per our last update we had spoken to the factory to prepare them just in case we needed to print more AS Stretch Goals. Given this, internally we feel that with all the misallocation and issues thus far, we'll need to have some backup for QA parts. So we have told the factory to start printing for these upping the quantity slightly just in case, in order to have a supply ready for backers whether it be for QA or beyond what our partner currently has.

VFI Asia Update

In the previous update VFI Asia had begun shipping pledges in Asia. They had suddenly stopped because of an issue (which we confirmed was because of getting product into certain countries due to the Covid-19 precautions that varied from country to country per documentations and approvals) and was set to restart on the April 27th. During that time, they were finishing up the labels for remaining packages that they had yet to send out. Two days ago we asked for an ETA and a message from them to our backers specifically for this update. Here is what they said (this is a screen cap from their email): 

 We have since asked them to re-confirm this is the case and are awaiting their news. Fortunately, they are quick to respond and have assured us they are doing their best urgently because they understand how delayed we are, and they have stressed the importance to uphold their reputation as Asia's top fulfillment service.

Currently this is where we're at and we are looking forward to everyone receiving their games and have been on standby to do whatever we can to support our partners while they proceed in making this happen.

Please stay safe everyone!

4/18/2020 Fulfillment Update
about 4 years ago – Sat, Apr 18, 2020 at 03:29:13 AM

Hello Global Gladiators! Blackbox is continuing their wrap up of last pledges from each hub and are focusing their attention on pledges that are missing items. Per the last update they found a surplus of inventory they set aside for QA (that was not logged in as product inventory) that they are going through currently to satisfy pledges that had items that were missing. There's a different allocation in each hub but they are moving things around on their end to make sure they can meet the needs of various backers to close out orders as quickly as they can, while also working around freight/shipping congestion due to global issues affected by the virus. We also understand that besides this reason another reason for shortages are due to requests not made through our customer support, but directly to Blackbox. Because of this, they have mistakenly sent out replacements for backers without us able to note it on our own lists, thereby creating a double shipping of product when we send our lists to them to ship to backers missing or replacement items. 

So what is Blacklist Games going to do if they burn through all our inventory by mistake?

Although we ordered enough inventory to satisfy all backers, if there is an issue that indeed leaves us with no inventory for select items, we will reprint them on our own dime to ensure you get your product. Having said this, once again we have purchasing orders from the factory that show our partners that we ordered enough inventory for all the backers. To stay proactive, we have already notified our factory of this situation and they are more than ready to help us start reprints if need be. Because they understand the urgency of this, if we need to utilize the factory, it would take them approximately 2-3 weeks for printing. Following, we will airship to the hubs to save time for you. This is a backup plan but it's a solution in case our partner cannot recover enough inventory for specific SKUs.

VFI Asia Update

Since the last update VFI Asia has already sent out roughly 38% of all Asia orders. Currently there is a stop because of a queue stall on their end and per their official email to us yesterday, this is what they said as to when they can start up again for us.

"We are schedule to start packing around the 27th of April latest if not we will be packing sooner." 

I followed up and asked them to do their best to be sooner than later and they said that the 27th is a wide estimate and that it will be sooner (they are just adjusting something internally). On that day, they will knock out the remaining 62% in a full day so that all Asian orders will be complete. This is the most current information I've received. 

Hope your weekend is well no matter what part of the world you're in and once again, stay safe!

4/10/2020 Update: Happy Easter!
about 4 years ago – Sat, Apr 11, 2020 at 03:56:07 AM

Hello Global Gladiators, just a quick update to fill you in with things that went on the past week. As you've been seeing, Canada has started back up with fulfillment from its delay since the early part of this week. As of today, we've received 89 notifications indicating that many pledges have gone out. If you are missing any items, please don't worry as we will ensure you receive everything, but also give it 2 weeks as your package may have shipped out in multiple shipments, possibly from current global delays overall with fulfillment. 

For the US, EU/UK, AUS regions, pledges are still being sent though there are not many remaining. Contrary to previous instructions, we ask that anyone who receives their pledges starting today and happen to be missing stuff take note, but keep the information to themselves for now as Blackbox might be sending your missing items in the coming weeks in separate shipments. Once we post our official "Fulfillment Complete" update, we will invite anyone who is still missing items to contact us at that point. 

As well, to update you from last week we understand there could be a discrepancy with reserve inventory that was put aside by our partner for future QA. The amount was more than what was needed, which helps us better understand why there is inventory that seemed to have been "short". We are now getting those numbers in order to have them released so that they can satisfy missing items. It's a bit of a relief hearing that.

ASIA FULFILLMENT

 VFI Asia has begun test shipping with a couple of packages out the door just to make sure everything is ok. Next week will be when they take care of all of Asia regions in one fell swoop. We'll keep you updated if anything changes but from what we understand from their queue, it's our turn now!

Hope everyone is safe in your homes and healthy. For those who are celebrating, have a Happy Easter and until the next update, please take care.