January 2017 Package Sneak Preview #1

Hello everyone! This crazy month is already reaching the halfway point, so it's time to talk about what you'll be getting in January.

Each month in 2017 you will receive the following (and if you are a Patron as of December 31, 2016, you will receive the January package):

Postcard Game ($5+ Levels) 

This year's theme is One Hit Wonders. We have a whole bunch of awesome songs picked out and paired up with some wonderful designers. There is no designer crossover from last year so this is all going to be very fresh and new. I can't tell you anything about this yet, but I can say the January postcard game was designed by Heather O'Neill and Heather Wilson. Which song was their inspiration? You'll just have to wait and see. Maybe we'll give another hint along the way.

One of the following: Two Promo Cards, a Twin Stars Scenario, or a Nat Levan Nanodaption ($5+ Levels)

In 2016 you received two promo cards each month, but they were always WIld Cats and Movie Plotz. This year, we plan to mix it up a little. Each month, you will either receive two promo cards (from games across our entire library), or an all new Twin Stars Scenario set, or a Nat Levan Nanodaption.

In the January Package you will be getting two promo cards! Which games? Well let's take a peek. 

Universal Rule - CPM-0618

Universal Rule is going to be shipping out in a few weeks, and we're already making more cards. Between you and me, Chip is already working on a full second set. 

This new one is a planet card, with a severe lack of... planet. Little is known about CPM-0618, but enough that it was mapped by the Cheroans. The legend says that there's actually a planet there, but you need to get close enough for it to appear. But getting that close is dangerous in itself. Many try and don't make it back. 

As for the card abilities, well it's very different than any other planet card that you've seen yet. First of all it has no cost. But one of its not-so-hidden costs is that it provides no military and produces no credits. And along with that, it has no fleet icon. But what it does have is two killer abilities. Literally. 

Void - At the start of your turn, destroy this planet unless you pay 1.

So it has a little cost to keep it alive. And with just a 6 cost upgrade, it shouldn't take too long. But why would you bother?

Black Hole - At the start of your turn, destroy the cheapest planet in the universe.

Yes, that is a sweet ability. If you can get this out early enough, you may be able to knock out a few low level planets. Eventually it'll take itself out, but hopefully you can time it just right. 

Cow Tiger Santa Claus - Alternate Play Rules - Co-Op

Our second promo for January is a new Alternate Play Rule set for Cow Tiger Snata Claus. While it's winter-ish here in New Jersey, we still have plenty of long car rides. And instead of everyone fighting, we're going to work together and try to find some tough items (unless you pull the Santa Claus card in the next two weeks, that is).

This new rules card lets players join together and look for items as a group. More eyes should mean more points, but every 15 minutes you need to remove a card from play. Each time you find a new item you can bring a card back, but you need to keep your eyes peeled and not waste a minute. 

And now onto what you won't be getting in January, but you will be getting in the next two months. The Twin Stars scenario is a 3-card solo system by Jason Tagmire & Mike Mullins. We have 3 sets complete so far and the next set is a fun one. There's also the Nat Levan Nanodations, which are Nano sized versions of our wallet games. Nat has nailed the smaller-than-small format and has made some great games that capture the essence of their larger version, with less than 1/4 the components. Look for the first of these in the Avignon / January Kickstarter campaign next month. Pont D'Avignon will be available as an add-on in the campaign, and over the course of 2017, you will receive 4 of these in your packages. 

Extra Micro Game(s) ($10+ Levels)

Supporters at the $10+ levels will receive extra micro games! Usually it's 9 or so cards that are either a single game or 1-2 small games. This month we have 2 small ones and we'll be talking about them very soon!

Discount on Kickstarter / Buttonshygames.com

You may have already heard, but our January Kickstarter campaign is for the next three games. We will not have a campaign in February or March. Supporters in December will be able to use their February and March discounts all at once in the January Campaign and save big time. It's going to be an awesome shifting of gears here and we'll try to make it as non-confusing as humanly possible. :)

That's everything for now. More info very soon! And as a very quick update on the October, November and December packages, cards are in production now. You'll be getting a big triple catchup package in the next few weeks. We'll be pushing them out as fast as possible when they get here.

Thanks!