Here is a closer look at the Player Ships stretch goal and the Alien Incursion stretch goal images (on BoardGameGeek).

I absolutely believe in this game and know that it will succeed if enough people hear about it. Please help spread the word through your favorite social networks (online or not) and Corsairs will not only succeed, but grow and improve to unimagined levels.

"It is an absolutely fantastic space game, full of everything I want... "

~ Lance Myxter (Undead Viking)

.

"This is a game that has a lot going for it."

~ Ryan Metzler (Dice Tower)

.

"If you're missing a miniatures 4X space game in your collection I really think Shadowstar Corsairs is an excellent purchase."

~ Daniel Zayas (The Meeple Mechanic)

If you'd like to learn more about myself (Ryan Wolfe) and some of the thoughts behind the game, check out this written interview at iSlayTheDragon.com.

.

$1 Digital Bonus Content: To thank everyone willing to join the campaign, even if it's just to watch, I will periodically provide links to free issues of "Future Armada" and my other digital products that detail the ships in the game. They were created with role-players in mind but should still be interesting to anyone who wants a look at the origins of the Shadowstar fleet. A link to an extra bundle of documents will be part of every reward when Shadowstar Corsairs is successfully funded.

$16 Just the Ships - Plastic: WinGo is going to make some extra ship sets of exactly what goes into the Standard Edition Game box. These are injection molded grey plastic miniatures and they will be screen painted (by machine) if we hit that stretch goal. The set will include one of each player ship: so either 6 or 8 miniatures. It does not include flight stands or ship cards.

$64 The Game - Standard Edition: This is what it's all about! For this pledge you get one copy of the game, including all unlocked stretch goals, and my eternal gratitude for making this dream a reality.

$84 The Game - Exclusive Edition: This reward level is the Standard Edition described above, with the following additions:

Because I need some extra stock for replacements and returns, the ship and sector may eventually be used as ultra-rare promos available from me personally, but will never be available elsewhere. The cards are a limited, but "normal" promotional item that may later be available for sale at conventions or through special outlets.

$160 Founder: All Founders get the Exclusive Edition of the game and can specify a name for me to use on the A side of a sector board (the B sides will have different art and my names). This could be a planet, star, etc.. . I reserve the right to refuse things that are too silly, trademarked, obscene, or that just plain won't work with the setting. You will also be listed in the rule book accordingly. If stretch goals unlock new ships and sectors, additional Founder and Captain levels may be added.

$200 Just the Ships - Resin: These are resin miniatures hand cast either by myself or the folks at Trollforged Miniatures. They are made from the same masters as the game pieces but resin is much harder (less rubbery) and holds detail better. These are also hand poured and cast rather than mass produced by a giant machine; then they are professionally painted to "showcase" quality by the artists at PaintedFigs.

No matter what stretch goals we hit, this pledge level will include all 8 possible player ships as well as the exclusive Tachikaze interceptor and the ConFederation Cruiser (10 miniatures total). All will be hand painted (if you prefer unpainted, contact me). Clear acrylic hex flight stands are included.

Below are samples of some of the ships, with more pictures in the PaintedFigs Gallery. I may adjust some colors or details, but these are representative of the quality.

$210 Captain: This is just like the Founder option listed above except that a Captain can name a ship!

Add Ons

If you want to order multiple items (like an Exclusive Edition Game plus a set of deluxe Resin miniatures), that is certainly possible. Just send me a note, use the "Manage Pledge" button to manually increase your pledge, and then remind me again in the survey at the end of the campaign. If you want to pledge for both a game and a set of miniatures, the bookkeeping will be easier for me if you pledge for the game and then add on the funds for the miniatures (rather than vice versa).

What about shipping costs for Add-Ons?

If you live in the U.S. then you don't need to worry about this as there is no extra shipping cost for either games or miniatures. For international orders, up to three copies of the game can ship in one box, so you could add on two additional copies (of either version) without needing extra shipping. They all need to go to the same destination. The miniatures rewards will be shipped by me personally, from my house, and so incur a shipping cost that I cannot combine with the shipping costs of a boxed games coming from China. I can, however, send up to six sets of miniatures together if you want LOTS of ships for some reason.

.

Shadowstar Corsairs combines quick tactical engagements, both in space and on the ground, with long term planning in a game of area control, resource management, combat, and diplomacy. A variety of ships is provided to support different strategies; mix and match to fit your goals. Each can be customized and loaded with crew, cargo, and heavy ordinance. Crew can also hold resource-generating locations on the board. The resources buy ships, supplies, and cards with powerful effects. Demonstrating technical savvy and political clout through the use of these cards and contracts increases your reputation, which earns commendations and victory.

During your turn you can move your ships and load cargo as desired. You choose one concise action like enlisting recruits, negotiating for political favor, or buying new stuff; then you have the option of attacking any adjacent rivals. Combat is resolved with no more than a single card & die roll on each side and ships can usually survive an attack or two – giving you a chance to retreat, repair, or reinforce. If you do manage to lose your only ship, you’ll be given a replacement; but that’s not going to help your reputation any.

For more on mechanics, the 24 page rule book and single page reference sheet are available, both on my site and from the Shadowstar Corsairs page on BoardGameGeek. I've also put together a Print & Play version of the game, though it would be a herculean task to cut out all of those cards and tokens!

Rule Book

Reference

BoardGameGeek

Print n Play

Shadowstar Corsairs is different in that it provides tactical engagements with a purpose in a larger context. These starships have more important jobs to do than simply destroying the other guy's ships - though that can certainly be a means to an ends. The game provides a rich and vibrant environment, and a variety of ships and situations, leading to interesting and dramatic outcomes. There is all the fun of tactical maneuvering, but with more depth and importance because it must be done within a larger strategic framework. You'll need to keep the bigger picture in mind to gain ultimate victory.

Playthrough Video

This is a half-hour long video I made to demonstrate the game, followed by a two minute wrap-up. Note that these are prototype components. I'll warn you that after watching the pros above, my video, while informative, is not quite as exciting. Maybe I need theme music...

Post-playthrough wrap up, quickly touching upon what wasn't covered above.

.

• Shadowstar Corsairs will cost $74 for non-backers and won't be made available for at least a month after backers start getting their copies. That is for the Standard Edition and doesn't include any shipping. The Exclusive Edition won't ever be offered for sale through distribution or retail web sites.
• Backing right now is what gets the game made and it also helps unlock stretch goals for an even better experience. I can't do it without you!

Money Back Guarantee

If you don’t like it for any reason, you can return the game within 30 days of receiving it and I’ll refund you $64 or $84. You’ll need to provide the return postage (by whatever means you wish) so please take that into consideration, particularly if you are an international backer.

Why Kickstarter?

This really was a “one man project”, at least up until play testing and editing. I’m not a big company (I’m barely even a small company :) and there simply is no other way this game can be made. It’s been a long road – sometimes difficult, but always fun. This is my first game and it is truly the game I’d want to play. It’s not designed to maximize profit and the production costs are too high for retail distribution margins. You, the backer, are as important to this undertaking as I am and I am extremely grateful that you have taken the time to consider (and hopefully join!) this campaign.