DARK VENTURE: BATTLE of the ANCIENTS 2ND PRINTING!

March 2026 Update: Awaiting Color Proofs and Samples!
6 days ago – Tue, Mar 24, 2026 at 11:08:41 AM

Hello!

Warm weather is on the horizon here on the east coast of the US! Along with spring, we’re looking forward to receiving the color proofs and samples of all the “hard goods” to be included in the game. Also, at the end of this update, there's a very small sneak peek at a new project…READ ON!

COLOR PROOFS: All the digital “eproofs” for games, expansions, and extras have been approved and I’m now awaiting the printed color proofs. The color proofs are color-correct printed versions of all game components sent to us from the manufacturer.

This is (pretty much) our last chance to make corrections to game components and die-cuts (the cut lines for all the boards, maps, and tokens). This review should go very quickly as I took a bit of extra time to review the digital proofs to make last minute corrections.

I’m also awaiting the BLANK SAMPLES, full unprinted version of all games, expansions, and extras. The most exciting part of this will be seeing the new vacuum-formed plastic GAME INSERT. More on that when we receive the Blank Sample.

HARD GOOD SAMPLES: Samples of all the "hard goods" are on their way to me right now. This includes all wood tokens (for the core game, expansions, and upgrade kit), the new plastic cubes for the Ghosts and Robots factions, new printed cloth bags (for the core game, Beasts & Eggmen, and Ghosts & Robots), neoprene mats, and test versions of the Building Clips (used to 3D-ize the building punch-outs). I will post an update with photos of these when I receive them (likely in early April).  

NEW VISION: Now, as promised, a small look at new stuff. While I was finishing up the final eproof review, I started prototyping and testing a new game. This game may provide a link between Dark Venture and another “universe” that I worked on in the distant past. Check out this image of the game, a work in progress. 

More on the new game later this year!

That’s it for now. I’m looking forward to showing you the Battle of the Ancients Color Proofs, Blank Samples, and Hard Goods in April! Until then, stay safe!

Thank you,

Rob

February 2026 Update: Short!
about 1 month ago – Tue, Feb 17, 2026 at 09:10:43 AM

Hello!

Hope that you’re well. Happy Lunar New Year! I’m getting over a cold, so the production update this month will be short (just like the month). Read on!

All the game files have been sent to the manufacturer, and 99.9% of eproofs have been approved. The final edit of the "Ghosts & Robots" manual will be complete this week, and we should have full 100% approval of all digital files and eproofs before the end of the month (even though the manufacturer is pausing for the CNY holiday).

NEOPRENE MAPS: Earlier this month, the manufacturer of the (add-on) Neoprene Maps came up with a way to stitch the map edges so that the art is edge-to-edge. This means that there'll be no black stitched line around the map perimeters and the maps can be placed together seamlessly. I’ll see actual manufactured samples soon and will share photos!

PATH AHEAD: We expect to see the printed COLOR PROOFS and BLANK SAMPLES for approval early March. Soon after, we will receive the PRE-PRODUCTION SAMPLE for review. Once approved, printing will start, we’ll begin FREIGHT SHIPPING the games to hubs, then we’ll begin FULFILLMENT to you!

That's it for now, exciting things coming in the next update! 

Stay safe,

Rob

January 2026 Update: Production and Eproof!
3 months ago – Tue, Jan 13, 2026 at 10:11:40 AM

Hey!

I hope that your holidays were relaxing and fulfilling. I spent a good deal of my “vacation” working on the production of Battle of the Ancients, which I completed before the new year. With production finished, the manufacturer was able to complete the EPROOFS. We received them a week or so ago (images below!) and have begun review and approval. Read on!!

PRODUCTION: For the whole month of December I focused on finishing up all the production for the core game and the three expansions (making sure all the tokens, boards, books, cards, packaging, and other game components were laid out correctly in digital files). I delivered the files to the manufacturer. Done!

I also completed production on the neoprene map board set (and tube packaging), the wood tokens (made in a different factory, included in all the games and upgrade pack), and the large spiral-bound books.

The manufacturer reviewed all the files, and provided feedback on any "anomalies" with color, measurements, and graphics. I made minor changes as recommended and, this being the second printing for most of the components, the feedback and approval process went very smoothly. 

THE EPROOF: Engineers at the manufacturer placed all our digital files into printing templates for their presses, then sent us the final “pre-press” digital files: the eproofs. I’m currently reviewing them now, some changes are being made, and I expect to give full approval within a week or so.

THE PATH AHEAD: Next, after the eproofs are approved, the manufacturer will send us large color-correct prints of all the components, the COLOR PROOFS. Simultaneously, they will produce a BLANK SAMPLE (unprinted versions of the packages, box inserts, and game components) to be sure the varnish/finish on the parts is correct, the plastic components look great, and everything fits in the boxes nicely. Finally, once these are approved, the manufacturer will send us the first game off the assembly line for final review: the PRE-PRODUCTION SAMPLE. Once that’s approved, printing begins…then FREIGHT SHIPPING to hubs around the world, then FULFILLMENT to you! We are progressing quickly and steadily, albeit a bit slower than expected, fulfillment will (likely) begin in the spring.

That’s it for now. As soon as I receive anything new, I’ll let you know.

Stay safe!

Rob

Looking Ahead!
3 months ago – Wed, Dec 31, 2025 at 07:06:53 AM

Hey!

We’re less than one day away from a new year and I wanted to be sure you knew that I appreciate all the support and positive vibes I’ve gotten from you this year.

You are why I continue to create weird and unique game experiences.

I have a lot in store for you in 2026. I’m excited to deliver the second printing of Battle of the Ancients and for you to play Ghosts and Robots. I’m also chomping at the bit to show the new stuff that’s been brewing.

I hope next year is full of great things for you!

Stay safe in 2026 (and for the rest of 2025!),

Rob

DECEMBER 2025 UPDATE: DARK WEEK SALE and Finishing Up Production!
4 months ago – Mon, Dec 01, 2025 at 09:14:39 AM

Hello!

Hope you are doing well. For those in the US, hope you had a great (and uneventful) Thanksgiving! Where did November go?! I was so focused on finishing up the production of Battle of the Ancients (I'm almost done) that I didn't post a November update! I'm sure you understand ;)

THE DARK WEEK SALE! To kick things off, I wanted to let you know that we're having our 1ST ANNUAL full-site SALE at the Gilded Skull Games Store. Starting today, for 1 WEEK, everything in the store is 20% off (applied at CHECKOUT). CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT! 

Production: The components for the Battle of the Ancients 2E Core game and the 2E expansions are laid out and are virtually complete. I had to re-sort the cardboard token pages (the unit tokens are wood, so they are not in the cardboard layouts), and that took the most time. The updated 2E Core rules manual was updated and required a final-final-final review. I'll likely be sending all the digital files to the manufacturer this week. 

The Ghosts & Robots expansion is approximately 90% complete. The last remaining component to finish is the rule book, and it is in the midst of editing/review. All other component files are laid out and ready to send to the manufacturer.

Manufacturing: Last week I spoke with the manufacturer, Whatz Games, and got a head start on manufacturing any component that'll need additional time to produce (plastic parts like the "building clips," fences/walls, and the Fallen Star model; wood parts; the neoprene maps; the magnetic boards in Ghosts & Robots; etc.). Everything in this sphere is progressing well.

That's it for now. Thank you for your support!

Stay safe,

Rob

P.S. We are happy/sad to say that we're almost completely sold out of Dark Venture 2E. After a new stock count, the remaining copies of Dark Venture 2E core game and expansions will be listed on the GSG store until they're gone!