DARK VENTURE: BATTLE of the ANCIENTS 2ND PRINTING!
Created by Rob Lemon
A tactical strategy and adventure game in a dark-fantasy future where players control asymmetric factions engaging in brutal conflict.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
September 2026: Shipping Update
2 days ago
– Mon, Sep 28, 2026 at 07:29:30 AM
Hello!
Short update this month as we play the waiting game. Not the game I’d like to be playing…and not the game I’d want for you to be playing either!! I can guess which game you’d rather be playing right now, ha. However, we are making progress and shipment details are locking into place.
The factory is packaging all the games on pallets for world-wide shipping, splitting up shipments for each territory, and confirming shipping plans with our fulfillment partners.
As I mentioned last month, concurrently, the games are being tested for safety (following EU, UK, and US regulations), a customs requirement.
So, if everything keeps moving as smoothly as it has been, Battle of the Ancients 2E will be on a freighter, traveling toward your country, by mid October! More on that next month.
Until then, stay safe!
Thank you,
Rob
August 2026 Production Update: Ghosts and Robots Preview!
about 1 month ago
– Thu, Aug 27, 2026 at 09:59:06 AM
Hey!
I hope that you're doing well and keeping cool. In this update, I'm happy to share a video preview and unboxing of the pre-production GHOSTS & ROBOTS expansion to Battle of the Ancients. Also, I have a short update on our shipping progress this month. Read on!
THE PREVIEW: In the video below, while unboxing, I go over the components included in Ghosts & Robots. There's a lot in this expansion, much more than originally offered at the beginning of the campaign!!
As you'll see, there are many "quality of life" updates to the main game (like the TERRAIN and RESOURCE reference cards, for example), as well as some great new ways to add variety and replay to VICTORY GAMES (like the SIDE QUEST system, and the "RANDOM PLACEMENT" cards). I hope you enjoy watching!
PRODUCTION UPDATE: Over the past month, I've been working behind the scenes (not behind the scenes anymore, pulling back the curtain now!) to make sure there are no issues importing the games into the EU and UK. This involves making sure the games (and expansions, and add-ons) are properly chemically, durability, and "recyclability" tested (and labeled as such). There are a lot of guidelines that we must follow, often different in each country that we're shipping into.
Even though we've been doing this for quite some time, regulations change and we have to adapt. To be totally honest with you, the requirements to ship this campaign have required a lot of additional time and energy (you know why: we're an indie game maker without the resources that other, much larger, game companies have)...but we're getting through it!!
I'm currently also working with ShipQuest to nail down our shipping plan for most of the world, and getting our shipment arranged with Fulfillrite for the US, Canada, and South America. I'll share dates when I have them, thanks for your patience.
I'm looking forward to the next month as I continue to work to get your games to you as quickly and SAFELY as possible! Exciting things to come.
Again, thanks for backing, hope you stay safe!
Rob
Pre-Production Sample Unboxing Video!
about 2 months ago
– Mon, Aug 03, 2026 at 10:02:58 AM
Hello!
This past weekend I received the pre-production samples of Battle of the Ancients (Second Edition) from the factory and, as promised, I shot an unboxing video. Enjoy!
I wanted to note that parts of this video have been sped up (I was taking too long, reviewing all the parts as I un-boxed!). I plan to do full component overview videos for the CORE GAME and for GHOSTS & ROBOTS soon!
(To summarize: Log into Backerkit, click "Settings" (Top right, click your avatar, then click the "gear" icon). In the left column, select Shipping Address, then "Update Address". Click your address, and you can make changes to it, as it appears in any pledges you have.)
If you have any issues updating your address in Backerkit, message me and I'll change your address manually.
Thank you and stay safe,
Rob
July Production Update: Short! More Soon!
2 months ago
– Tue, Jul 28, 2026 at 07:17:33 AM
Hello!
Hope you're having a GREAT summer! All the Battle of the Ancients components have been printed/molded and are awaiting assembly. The pre-production samples (a fully printed 2E Core game, expansions, epic books, and neoprene mats) are on their way to me. I have the tracking numbers and expect them next week. Once these are reviewed and approved, mass assembly will begin then the games will be put in cartons for freight shipping.
PRODUCTION UPDATE: Over the past month I have been preparing for freight shipping. One element that I’ve been working on recently involves safety testing the games to follow worldwide regulations, and specific regulations for the US and EU. Our games go through rigorous testing before you receive them to be sure that all printed and molded components follow strict chemical and physical safety guidelines. Another production step happening in the background!
UNBOXING THE PRE-PROS: I’ll receive the pre-production samples, barring any shipment issues, next week and I plan to film them being unboxed so you're able to experience that with me, so expect another update soon!
Thank you, stay safe!
Rob
June 2026 Production Update: Printing Almost Complete!
3 months ago
– Fri, Jun 26, 2026 at 08:33:20 AM
Hello!
I hope you are having a great beginning to your summer. Battle of the Ancients 2E is currently being printed and I am awaiting the PRE-PRODUCTION SAMPLES from the factory, so there isn’t much new to talk about in this update. However, I have included something great to watch, below, while you prepare for the next update. Read on!
PRE-PRO SAMPLE: Over the month of June, the manufacturer has been printing the games. In the next week or so, printing will be complete and one copy of the core game, each expansion, the large books, neoprene mats, and the upgrade kit will be assembled and sent to me for final approval. I will post photos (and maybe some video) of the pre-pro samples in an update as soon as I receive them.
I’m not anticipating any changes or revisions…so after I give final approval, the manufacturer will begin assembling, shrink-wrapping, and putting all the games into cartons for shipping!
Once I have the pre-pro games in hand, I can confirm their weights as I continue working with our fulfillment partners to secure the best (and fastest) freight shipping options.
So, for now, that’s it. I will update you again as soon as I receive the pre-pro samples.
IN THE MEANTIME: I urge you to check out these incredible videos on The Al Gore Rhythm youtube channel. Firstly, I'd recommend checking out the clear, concise, and well edited OVERVIEW and SETUP videos. They're perfect for initiating new players to the game and getting it to the table quickly!
The Al Gore Rhythm has also created highly useful (and entertaining) FACTION GUIDES for each faction in the core Battle of the Ancients game!! These guides dive deep into how to control each faction and provide tips on how to best use their unique special abilities. They are *very* comprehensive. I hope you enjoy watching these videos (I sure did) and learning about the various factions as you await the next update!
