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:
May Production Update: Color Proofs, Blank Samples, and MORE!
4 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!
5 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.
That’s it for now. Stay Safe!
Rob
March 2026 Update: Awaiting Color Proofs and Samples!
6 months 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.
Photo of the 1st Edition Blank Samples of Battle of the Ancients
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!
8 months 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!
9 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!!
Eproof of the CORE GAME packaging (lid and inner package).
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.
Eproof of several CORE GAME token sheets (backs on the left, fronts on the right).
🤫 THERE ARE SECRET CARDS IN THE CORE GAME! I've covered them with purple-ish rectangles.
Eproof showing a few GHOSTS & ROBOTS token and dashboard sheets (backs on the left, fronts on the right).
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.
