Top Tale is a card game that turns the process of getting to know your fellow humans into a fun experience through telling tales!
Latest Updates from Our Project:
All Orders Shipped! What to Expect in 2022!
over 2 years ago
– Sat, Jan 01, 2022 at 05:58:58 PM
All International Backer Orders Have Shipped or Have Been Delivered!
As I mentioned in my last update, I was having trouble shipping out the final international backer orders. I was able to finally get VAT registered, and get set up with Amazon to fulfill orders in the UK and EU. With that, I've placed the final orders a couple of days agoand received shipping confirmations with the expected delivery to the last two backers on January 11th. The international shipping issues were not at all what I planned for, but I've learned a ton to improve upon in the future. Thank you all for your patience and I hope you all enjoy playing Top Tale!
If anyone, international or domestic orders alike, is not satisfied with what they received, please e-mail me at [email protected] and I will do my best to make things right!
Final Donations Delivered!
In early December, I delivered the final donated copies from the Kickstarter campaign. There were 41 copies designated for the Marine Corps Foundation Toys for Tots from all of you generous backers! I rounded up to 50 games for the final deliver to the Marine Corps Recruiting office in Fort Collins, CO. The games were delivered in time to make their way to kids in the Larimer County area for Christmas! Thank you all for making this possible!
Toys for Tots Drop Off (Only half the donated copies shown)
What to Expect in 2022
Now that I've got stock of Top Tale: The O.G. Volume 1, and I'm selling through various online retailers, brick and mortar retailers, and I'm set up with Fulfillment by Amazon in the US, Canada, and the UK, I finally have some income to build the business further. Just about all of the income I get from sales of Top Tale will be going back into the company. This will include paying for improvements to the app, marketing, events, and development costs for the next two volumes of Top Tale.
I've already started work on Top Tale: The O.G. Volume 2 and Top Tale: Tall Tale. Both of these volumes I plan to playtest, pay for graphic design, and start socializing for a late 2022 Kickstarter campaign. The Kickstarter campaign will be to do a first print run for these two new volumes, including a second print of Top Tale: The O.G. Volume 1 (unless of course I sell out sooner and need to order another print run prior to the next campaign).
Once I have the next Kickstarter page set up, I'll provide another update in case all you wonderful backers want to support me again. For all those that went "all in" on the first campaign, your copies of the next two volumes are locked in as part of the lifetime subscription. The biggest thing you all can do to help is to play Top Tale and enjoy it with friends, family, co-workers, acquaintances, or whoever you happen to come across in 2022! The more people that enjoy it, the more that may want to buy a copy,which will helpme build out the series.
2022 is shaping up to be the year where Yub Nub Games grows into a recognized board game publishing business! The training wheels are off, and I'm ready and eager to take it all to the next level!
If you don't want to wait for the next Kickstarter update, I welcome you to follow my social media pages and join my mailing list (I don't send many e-mails, so you shouldn't expect spam).
I welcome you all to post pictures of you playing Top Tale on the Yub Nub Games Group, or simply tag Yub Nub Games. Sharing is caring! :D
Thank You!!!! Happy New Year!!!!
Peter
Fulfillment Update, Charity Donations, and Where To Buy!
over 2 years ago
– Sun, Oct 10, 2021 at 10:39:41 AM
Fulfillment Update...
At this point, all but the UK, EU, and AU backer orders have been fulfilled. Please let me know if anything arrived damaged or if there are any other issues with your order, and I will make it right!
Some backers had a bit of fun with the pledge manager...
That said, I'm really beating myself up for not preparing well enough for VAT! The VAT laws changed to remove the cost of goods exception I was relying on for Top Tale. I am in the process of setting up VAT through Amazon, and as soon as I'm set up, I will likely fulfill through Amazon for the remaining orders. That said, with how long I've heard others waiting for VAT registration to be completely set up, and with increasingly challenging supply chain issues, I'm afraid the UK, EU, and AU orders will be 2-4 months delayed from the rest of the order fulfillment.
I've reached out to the individual backers affected with options (I am very sorryfolks!), but I'm doing all that I can to fulfill 100% of orders without charging additional funds, and without going bankrupt in the process. For instance, I could pay $117 USD to ship one game to Australia via FedEx, but that simply makes no sense for a $20 game.
Now on to much better news...
Charity Donations (I Love These!)
As part of the Kickstarter campaign, I had a few backers elect to send games to a designated public space. All of those games were fulfilled soon after the backer orders were fulfilled. It was awesome to see the causes where those went!
Many of the backers elected to donate a copy of Top Tale to Child's Play Charity, totaling 29 copies. Since Top Tale comes in cases of 12 units, I took the liberty of rounding up to send a total of 36 units! I posted a video about it on social media if you're interested: https://fb.watch/8yJumNeNv2/
The other featured charity during the campaign was the Marine Corps Foundation Toys for Tots organization (semper fi!). In total, we had 41 games that backers designated to go to Toys for Tots. Again, I'm rounding up to 48 games to be donated. I'm in contact with the Larimer County Toys For Tots coordinator, and am working to set up a special promotion for delivering those games, but rest assured they will be delivered in plenty of time for the 2021 Christmas toy distribution.
A non-Kickstarter related donation recently happened is that I sent six games to the Extra Life Charity Auction, happening November 5-12th to raise funds for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. The Auction is hosted by GJJ Games, and if you're interested in participating in the auction, you can find more information in the following link: http://gjjgames.blogspot.com/p/extra-life.html
It's a great cause, and you can get some pretty awesome games through the auction!
Where to Buy More Copies of Top Tale!
Many of you probably don't want more copies of Top Tale for yourself, but in case you want to point your friends and family, or even complete strangers, to where they can get a copy of Top Tale, there's now a growing list of options!
My personal recommendation (not playing favorites here...), is to get a copy from the kind folks at Board Gaming with Education. The BGE store is all about using board games with education, which is an awesome way to cultivate the next generation of board gamers. I was also invited to join one of the BGE Podcast streams if you wanted to check it out:
A picture of Top Tale, available for sale at The Toy Store in Quincy, California.
I'm working to get many more retailers stocking Top Tale in the Northern Colorado area, but if you have a game store (or any kind of store), where you would love to see Top Tale available, let me know and I'll do what I can to make it happen!
Amazon
I primarily plan to sell games wholesale, and one of the primary means I plan to sell is through Amazon. This is starting with the US, but I will soon have Amazon Canada online (games are on their way!), and then hopefully once VAT is all set up, I'll have Top Tale in the UK and EU. Future expansion beyond that is still TBD.
Something very exciting that happened last week, is that Yub Nub Games was accepted into the Amazon Launchpad program, which helps to elevate small companies on Amazon who offer unique or innovative products. I'm hoping that the extra exposure will really accelerate sales of Top Tale, but I need to get my product page in shape!
One thing that would greatly help me, is if you all would take a few moments to leave a customer review on my product page (using the link below). You don't need to have purchased the game through Amazon to leave a review, and it truly helps to include a picture of Top Tale in use (so Amazon knows for certain it's a valid review of Top Tale: The O.G. Volume 1).
For those in the US, here's the Amazon Product Page Link for Top Tale: The O.G. Volume 1:
With that, I believe that's all the news for now. I won't likely bother you all again for a while, but when some news is available for Top Tale: The O.G. Volume 2 and Top Tale: Tall Tale, I will be sure to let you know! In the meantime, I hope you find a lot of joy in playing Top Tale, and most importantly, I hope it aids in getting to know your fellow humans!
THANK YOU!!!
Peter
Fulfillment Begins!!!, iOS Update, and Other Fun Stuff
over 2 years ago
– Fri, Sep 10, 2021 at 10:46:37 AM
At Last, Fulfillment Has Begun!
The games all arrived in the Denver area on August 31st, but they were not available for pick up until this Wednesday. I was so excited that I decided, shortly after getting the e-mail stating they were ready, to make a run for it! I shuffled around some meetings and took my ol' ranch truck to pick up the two pallets of games.
It was a precarious load, to say the least. So I drove slow and steady.
Starting last night, my wife Kirren and I began fulfillment, starting with those that pledged at the TOP-TALE-FOR-EV-ER tier.Those will ship out this morning! We also got all of the rest of orders assembled, but still need to print shipping labels and do final quality checks. If all goes well, we should have all of the games shipped out by tomorrow (9/11)!
They games all turned out great, and I'm really digging the carton labeling too!
After all the backer games ship out, I'll be fulfilling the donation orders, shipping games to designated public spaces, dropping off games at the local Marine Corps Foundation Toys for Tots, and shipping cases of games to Childs Play Charity. All of the fulfillment steps will be thoroughly documented on social media, so I encourage you all to check out YubNubGames on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, if you'd like to see more behind the scenes work.
For those that chose the immortalization reward tier, now that I'll soon have fulfilled the Kickstarter, I'll be working on "Top Tale: The O.G. Volume 2", and other games in the Top Tale series. I'll be reaching out in the next month or two to get your topics developed and ready to publish in an upcoming game!
Top Tale Mobile App v2.0
As I mentioned in my last couple of updates, I've been having a heck of a time getting the iOS update for the 2.0 version of the Top Tale Mobile App released. Well, it finally happened on September 4th, but not without a casualty.
Apple refused to allow me to have an Unlock Content button that allows customers to use the unlock codes in the physical games and promo packs, to unlock those same cards in the mobile app. They require that I use the Apple In-App purchases capability, but there is no way to use the codes already printed if I go that route.
I am frantically trying to enable some work arounds, but need to do more research to determine the least painful way to go about it. For now, unfortunately, iPad and iPhone users will not be able to unlock content through the iOS app. You can create an account, and you can send me a copy of the code such that I can manually unlock the content for you, but for now, there will be a discrepancy between Android and iOS users. (An easy fix is just to buy an Android device. ;) )
As a temporary work around, iOSusers can borrow a friend's Android device, log into your account, and unlock the content. Once unlocked, the content is forever available to the user that unlocks it, so you can then use the content on your iOS device. I apologize for this mess, but I assure you I did everything in my power to fight it.
Where Can You Buy Top Tale?
I've had people ask where they can buy Top Tale already, and that's an awesome feeling! My answer so far, is that you will soon be able to go to the Board Gaming With Education website to buy Top Tale! In the near future I hope to lock in other retailers, but I am a huge supporter of the Board Gaming With Education mission, so I'd love for folks to show them some support. I don't plan to sell retail through my website or otherwise.
This may be the last update for a while, but I truly hope you all enjoy playing Top Tale and getting to know your fellow humans! I could not have done all of this without you, and there is still a lot to look forward to in the Top Tale series and more from Yub Nub Games.
Quick Shipping Update, Addresses Locking
over 2 years ago
– Thu, Aug 19, 2021 at 06:37:38 AM
Where's our game(s)?
Since in the last update I mentioned that the games might arrive in Denver by August 17th, I wanted to send this short update so you know where we're at. The games are now expected to arrive in Denver on August 25th. I then hope to be able to pick them up by August 28th after they clear customs, and will promptly ship them out to all of you lovely humans!
Addresses Locking In BackerKit
To ensure I have the right shipping address, I plan to lock down shipping addresses by August 25th. I will send a reminder notice for folks to update their address, but please go ahead and update your address if you happen to have moved since first responding to the BackerKit survey.
Here's the link again, so you don't have to dig for it:
That is all for now. Expect another update once shipping has commenced. :)
Thanks!
Peter
Games Under Way! BackerKit Closing Soon!
over 2 years ago
– Sun, Aug 01, 2021 at 09:36:38 AM
It's Confirmed, Top Tale has Set Sail!
It took about a month to get a cargo vessel lined up and other logistics in place, but the 2,000 copies of Top Tale: The O.G. Volume 1 are under way on the Matson Niihau container ship. The ship is headed for the Long Beach, California (estimated arrival August 10th), and will then be shipped to Denver, CO (estimated arrival August 17th) by semi truck, where I'll pick them up with my truck and trailer. After they clear customs, they will then be brought home to the Wild Horse Ranch in Wellington, CO. Since customs clearance won't happen until arriving in Denver, I'm hoping that will avoid some of the delays that are happening in the major coastal ports. I've also completed all of the necessary paperwork well in advance to make the process as smooth as possible.
Not the actual Matson Niihau.
You can track the progress of the Matson Niihau here:
If all goes well, I'll get the games in time for my birthday (August 23rd)! I plan to take the day off as soon as they can be picked up in Denver, so I can get them home and start shipping them out to all you lovely humans! With any luck, backers will start receiving games by the end of August!
Top Tale Mobile App 2.0
It's been a struggle to get the iOS version of the Top Tale Mobile App version 2.0 ready to publish. That said, it's ready to publish minus having new screenshots to show off the UI improvements and new features in the Apple Store. I'm still struggling to get the iPhone emulators to work with the latest version, which is holding up progress. Either way, the iOS version should be released soon, and the Android version is already released on Google Play. This is important to keep in mind, as when you receive your copies of Top Tale, you'll receive unlock codes that allow you to unlock content in the app. You'll need to create a user account first so the content is always available to you, even if you switch devices or want to play on multiple devices.
Example Unlock Code in Instructions Booklet
BackerKit Surveys Getting Locked In One Week!!!
I keep pushing out the BackerKit pledge manager survey lock down due to not having a critical need to finalize addresses and collect additional funds from add-on's and such. Often times publishers will lock surveys before manufacturing to collect the necessary funds to pay for manufacturing and logistics. I was able to cover this (mostly) with the Kickstarter funds collected. That said, I will now commit to some dates that you should be aware of:
Surveys Lock Down (in case you've moved recently, please update your address): August 8th
CreditCards Charged: August 11th
If you wanted to order more copies of Top Tale at a reduced rate($14 eachfor Backers Only), or getyour Christmas present shopping done, now is the time! After the BackerKit survey is closed, the next opportunity to buy will be when Top Tale: The O.G. Volume 1 is through retail stores. I can use all the help I can get to spread the word about Top Tale, and word of mouth and giving the game as gifts is one of the best ways you can help!
In case you need to access your BackerKit order, here's the survey Link:
