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:
Pre-Production Sample Unboxing Video!
12 days 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!
18 days 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!
about 2 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!
Until then, stay safe!
Thank you,
Rob
May Production Update: Color Proofs, Blank Samples, and MORE!
3 months ago
– Thu, May 21, 2026 at 06:49:06 AM
Hello!
Hope you are doing well. Last week, I received several packages from the manufacturer containing the final COLOR PROOFS, the BLANK SAMPLES, and a few other interesting items, including the NEOPRENE MAP MATS (say that quickly 5 times!). In the videos below, YOU can relive my experience of opening these packages and seeing these items for the first time!
Firstly, the NEOPRENE MAPS! I'm very happy with how these turned out (as you'll see in the video). The edge stitching is interesting because it matches the printing of the mats (as opposed to being a single thread color).
Next up, the COLOR PROOFS! These are prints of the final artwork for all printed game components. In addition to a final scan to make sure that all the content is correct, I review them to make sure that all the colors are consistent (for example, I check the card-backs to be sure they are all the same across the core game and expansions).
Lastly, a video of the unboxing of the BLANK SAMPLES. The blank samples are unprinted copies of the core game, expansions, as well as the EPIC BOOKS, and the 2E UPGRADE KIT. In this video, I go through the new Ghosts & Robots expansion and Upgrade Kit in detail, explaining many of the components within! Also of note, this is the first time we're seeing the new vacuformed core game box insert!
I hope you enjoy these unboxings, it's always exciting to see ideas come to life as full 3D objects for the first time!
As far as MANUFACTURING next steps: Mass production should begin before the end of the month, finishing in June. Full production samples of the game, expansions, and other components (the Upgrade Pack, Epic Books, and Neoprene Maps) will be sent to me for final approval, to be sure every component is correct before the games are mass assembled. Next, shipments will be arranged (we’re looking at late June/early July for initial shipments). I’ll let you know the exact dates as we progress. Thanks for your patience.
That’s it for now, stay safe!
Thank you,
Rob
April 2026 Update: Spring Progress!
4 months ago
– Mon, Apr 20, 2026 at 07:55:25 AM
Hey,
Hope you are doing well and that the sun continues to shine on your side of the street. Unless you prefer the shady side. In this update, I'm excited to share photos of the HARD GOOD SAMPLES sent to me from the manufacturer. Also, a manufacturing update. READ ON!
HARD GOODS: Last week I received samples of the wood tokens, cubes, cloth bags, and prototype 3D-printed building clips (from the core game and expansions) that will be included in the new printing of the game. Check out the photos below!
Here's the pile of HARD GOODS: Wood tokens, wood cubes, plastic cubes, cloth bags, and more!
Firstly, the GHOSTS & ROBOTS tokens, plastic cubes, and the new "Move Reward Token" bag. In multi-map Epic Games, players can complete objectives to pull +3, +4, and +5 MOVE tokens from the bag! Ghost tokens are printed on both sides (hidden and the revealed sides).
The Update Kit includes these wood tokens: All beast tokens that are not affiliated with factions (now BROWN to differentiate them from purple Beast faction units); Darvin the Merchant; mercenary units with contracts players can purchase from Darvin; tokens for the three new Heroes; and tokens for Orpal RIFT CRYSTALS.
Beasts & Eggmen Expansion wood tokens and the draw bag for the Beast faction (not pictured are the wood cubes for this expansion, pink and black).
Kings & Heroes expansion wood tokens and cubes.
All the Core Game wood tokens and cubes. There are A LOT!
3D prints of the Building Clips (used to make 3D buildings out of the building punch-outs). The white ones were printed by the manufacturer, the grey one is a clip I printed, they are exactly the same size. The final clips will be grey molded plastic, sturdy yet flexible. Clips will be included in the Core game, Beasts & Eggmen, Kings & Heroes, and the Update Kit.
MANUFACTURING UPDATE: I’ll keep this short and sweet. We expect to receive the blank samples and color proofs before the end of the month. Printing will be completed in May and we will likely receive the first assembled copy for final approval (before mass assembly) around the end of May. Shipping to worldwide hubs will begin soon after (late spring, early summer). That said, I’ll post updates with photos at each stage.
