Catstronauts: The Board Game

CatStronauts Web App & New Campaign
over 1 year ago – Wed, Oct 23, 2024 at 07:39:21 AM

CatStronauts is safely at press, and I'm working through approving digital proofs with our printer. But what do you think of this …

A CatStronauts Web App?!

So, as I was getting CatStronauts ready for press, I reviewed all the playtesting notes we'd gathered over the months. One of them was actually a video playtest report, where the two teenage sisters got really excited about the idea of having, "like, an EMERGENCY BUTTON, with like an actual ALERT and SIRENS going off!" 

It got me thinking, that's actually something we could do as a web app! In fact, we did something similar for the finale of our Unhappy Birthday at Castle Slogar puzzle gamebook, which has a web app for hints. 

Imagine a web page with a big shiny ALERT button, that you press whenever you draw an Alert! Card, to get a warning sound effect. And even better, it could have a LAUNCH button, too, with blast off sound effects and then cheers and noisemakers for the CatStronauts' parade. And a confetti cannon!

If that's something you'd be interested in, to enhance your Catstronauts Board Game experience, tell me about your ideas for it in the comments. (Ideas for "parental controls" are probably also a good idea to suggest!)

-Michelle Nephew
 CatStronauts Producer
 Atlas Games Co-Owner

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CatStronauts is Going to Press!
over 1 year ago – Fri, Sep 13, 2024 at 09:51:42 AM

Hi CatStronauts backers,

We're thrilled to announce that CatStronauts is officially going to press! It's been a long journey, but we're finally seeing the fruits of our labor.

We're so grateful for your support throughout this Kickstarter campaign. Your enthusiasm and belief in CatStronauts have been a driving force behind this project. 

Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to shipping your rewards. We can't wait for you to explore the galaxy with your very own crew of feline astronauts!

Thanks again for being a part of the CatStronauts adventure! 

Sincerely, 
The CatStronauts Team

Working On CatStronauts
over 1 year ago – Wed, Jul 10, 2024 at 10:48:56 AM

Thanks for making CatStronauts: The Board Game happen!

Right now we are actively getting things prepared for press. That means finalizing the files we'll send to the printer so they can start production. It involves a lot of little steps, so we appreciate your patience as we get things moving toward the production phase!

As a sneak peek, here's a closer look at some of the ALERT! cards from the Core Game! 

We'll be sure to update you as soon as we have more info. Feel free to reach out with questions or comment below! 

Thanks!
Audrey Deluca
Atlas Games Marketing Coordinator

Thanks for Backing CatStronauts!
almost 2 years ago – Thu, Jun 13, 2024 at 03:04:53 PM

Thank you for your support!

We just wrapped up our Kickstarter for CatStronauts: The Board Game. You helped us reach an outstanding $37,055! That's 741% over our funding goal! Thanks to everyone for your support in backing, sharing, or even just taking a look at our campaign! 

With the Kickstarter wrapped up, now we can focus on getting CatStronauts ready for press. Until then, don't forget about the digital freebies included with your pledge. If you didn't already grab those, the download link is in the first backer update. 

What’s next for us …

As soon as we wrap up CatStronauts, we'll be planning our next crowdfunding project, and this one is going to be huge. Ars Magica Definitive Edition is coming Fall of 2024. With over 2000 people signed up on the prelaunch site already, we're wasting no time in getting some amazing previews prepared for what could be our biggest crowdfunding project to date. Click here to sign up for a launch day reminder so you don't miss out!

Thanks again!

CatStronauts: The Board Game had a successful launch and landing thanks to you! 

Hat Restock + Q&A with Drew Brockington
almost 2 years ago – Tue, May 28, 2024 at 07:21:33 AM

More Pompom Hats!  

We have added 10 more hats to our Random Color Pompom Add-On! Go snag one now while you can! 

Q&A with Drew Brockington

I had a chance to ask Drew Brockington, author and illustrator of CatStronauts, a few questions about the creation of the series, the game, and his other interests!

So, what inspired the CatStronauts book series?

Drew: “The graphic novel started from a little mini-comic that I made for comic cons.  At the time I was creating a lot of ‘zines and mini-comics and trying different stories and characters. The “cat in a space suit” character was something that kept showing up in my sketchbook when I would sit down to doodle. Finally I said, “I like drawing this character, let’s make a little story about them.” I gave the book the name CatStronauts in Space, and in it a team of 4 cats went on a mission to fix the Fish Finder Satellite with a ball of yarn. It was fun and silly. That mini-comic caught the interest of my publisher, and I got a chance to pitch a graphic novel series based on the idea. The series quickly became a place to pour out my love of NASA, space, and bad jokes, and then mix it all together. I try to base each of the stories on plausible science inspired by actual missions from the past, present, or future.“

And what inspired you to create a board game for CatStronauts?

Drew: “The board game started when my brother and I started throwing around the idea of using my CatStronauts characters to build a space station. But we wanted to keep the humor and hijinx from the books involved. After that weekend I kept noodling at the game, and eventually I had a version that I could play with my friends.  After years of feedback and revisions, it morphed into the fun game that you see now!”

What is your favorite space or astronomy term/concept? 

Drew: ”GIMBLE LOCK!  This is probably more of an aviation term, but it’s when you lose one degree of rotation. When you’re flying you have 3 degrees of rotation: yaw, pitch, and roll. But if two of those axis’ become locked, you lose the ability to rotate in that direction. I first heard it in the APOLLO 13 film, when the LEM’s oxygen tank explodes and the crew is having difficulty regaining control of the vessel. 

The other great space thing I like is Hohmann Transfer Orbits. It’s the idea that the quickest way between planets isn’t a direct line. To execute it, you use the position of the planets and their orbits to slingshot from one to the other.

Also, that astronauts eat lots of tortillas. They say it’s really easy to wrap up their food, so the ISS has plenty of tortillas on board.”

What is one thing people may not know about CatStronauts?
 

Drew: “Each book contains the line “Prepare for Lunch!”  This joke was used in the original mini-comic, and I love it so much I make sure to include it in every story.”

Drew also included his first mockups for CatStronauts: The Board Game, and the original CatStronauts comic panel he mentioned above!

Thanks for your continued support of our campaign! Be sure to tell your friends and family about CatStronauts, and share the campaign link. Remember, there is no “I” in CatStronauts! 

-Audrey DeLuca
Atlas Games Marketing Coordinator