Hi everyone, I hope you’re all doing well! A lot has been happening behind the scenes . We’re now deep into refining the product following our T0 samples, and overall we’re in a really strong position. Most of what we’re working on now comes down to fine tuning and improving the experience, rather than fixing major issues.
🎲 Rolling Behaviour – Making It Feel Right
One of the biggest areas we’ve been focusing on is how the dice actually rolls.
We explored increasing the internal weight by testing larger weighted inserts. Interestingly, this had very little impact on performance, which tells us the balance of the dice was already in a good place.
Where we did see a noticeable improvement was in the shape of the dice itself.
By subtly rounding the top and bottom edges, the roll feels:
more natural
more consistent
closer to what you’d expect from a traditional dice roll
This has been one of the most meaningful improvements so far, and we’ll be carrying this refinement forward into the next stage.
🔘 Button Feel Improvements
Another area we’ve made strong progress on is the button feel.
The earlier samples didn’t feel quite as responsive as we wanted, so we made small internal adjustments to the button mechanism.
The result is a much more positive, tactile press that feels significantly better and more consistent to use.
This is a real upgrade:
Small increase in pad height / engagement
Better tactile feedback
More consistent press
⚙️ Internal Components - What You’re Seeing
We’ve also included some images of internal components and test parts.
These include:
metal weighted inserts
internal structural parts
button assemblies
early component layouts
At this stage, a lot of these parts are:
prototype iterations
test variations
not final finishes
So they may look a bit rough or purely functional that’s completely normal for this phase.
What matters is that each of these parts is being tested and refined to improve:
overall performance
durability
feel in-hand
What’s Next
We’re now preparing for the next round of samples (T1), where these refinements will be implemented into the tooling. We’ll continue to keep you updated as we progress.
We wanted to share a quick update on where things are currently at with manufacturing.
For those unfamiliar with the terminology, T0 is the first version produced using the actual production tooling. This stage is where engineers review the parts in detail, test how everything fits together, and identify any improvements before moving forward to the next tooling revision.
Overall, the team has said they are really happy with where things are at this stage, with only a handful of relatively small adjustments needed before moving to the next iteration (T1).
Below is a breakdown of the main things that came out of this review.
Lid Improvements
One of the main areas identified was the charging case lid.
On the T0 samples the lid was slightly too tight, which made it harder to open and also meant it didn’t close over the dice as smoothly as intended.
The design team created a few revised prototypes and have now landed on a version that works much better. The fix only requires minor changes to the tooling before the next revision.
The only visible difference will be two very subtle raised areas on the sides of the lid. These act as natural points for your fingers so it is clearer where to open the case.
Iridescent Lid Finish
Another area the team reviewed was the iridescent finish on the lid.
In some lighting conditions it looks great and fairly subtle, but when the lid is closed the black dice underneath can make the finish appear much more intense and opaque than expected.
To test this further, the team has asked the factory to produce the effect using a different material process (a filler rather than a coating) so we can compare results on the next round of samples.
This will help determine which method gives the most consistent look.
Button Feel
The buttons on the T0 samples didn’t quite feel as tactile as intended.
The team has already prototyped a fix for this by adding small pads underneath the button gasket, which improves how the button engages and gives it a much more positive feel when pressed.
This change will now be implemented in the tooling for the next revision.
Drop Testing Results
The team also ran a series of drop tests to check the durability of the dice.
The samples were dropped from around 1.5 metres onto hard surfaces, including concrete, tarmac, and indoor flooring.
As you can see from some of the photos, the outer surface picked up a number of chips and scratches (especially from the tarmac tests). However, the important result is that:
• The dice did not crack or break • The structure remained intact • The internal components did not come apart
Even more importantly, the display face remained largely undamaged, which is a key durability area for the final product.
This type of testing is designed to push the product far beyond normal use, so seeing it survive these impacts is a really good sign.
Improving the roll behaviour
One area we’ve been looking at more closely is the rolling behaviour of the dice.
After reviewing the early samples, the team felt there was still some room for improvement. Because of that, they’ve been refining a few internal components and increasing the offset weight inside the dice to help improve how it rolls.
The goal here is simple: to make the roll feel as natural as possible.
Before committing these changes to the production tooling, the team is currently producing a new prototype with the updated internal weighting so it can be tested properly. Once those tests are complete, the results will inform the next tooling revision. We’ll share more updates on this as soon as testing is complete.
Surveys Going Out Soon
On a separate note, we’ve been finishing the final setup for the backer surveys.
Surveys will be going out next week, so please keep an eye on your inbox.
There’s no rush to complete them immediately, but they will allow you to confirm your details and selections.
A Quick Note on Tooling
As mentioned in the previous update, tooling is one of the longest and most careful parts of manufacturing.
Each stage involves reviewing parts, making refinements, and ensuring all the components work together correctly before moving to the next revision.
It can feel slow from the outside, but this is the stage where we make sure the final product is reliable and built to last. We’ll keep sharing updates as we move into the next tooling iteration.
The latest T0 sample of the charging case with the dice inside. This version is being reviewed for fit, finish, and overall usability before the next tooling revision.
The charging case opened to reveal the dice inside. One of the improvements identified at this stage was adjusting the lid so it closes more comfortably over the dice and opens more easily.
A close-up of the current T0 dice sample. At this stage the team reviews surface finish, materials, and how the different parts fit together.
A look inside the charging case showing where the dice sits during charging. Engineers review internal structure and alignment to ensure the parts assemble correctly in production.
One of the dice used during drop testing. The surface shows chips and scratches from repeated drops onto hard surfaces, but the structure of the dice remained intact.
A note on progress and timing
As we’ve mentioned before, tooling is one of the most important stages of the entire process. This is where the physical moulds are refined so that every part can be produced consistently and assembled correctly.
Because The One Dice is a fairly technical product with a lot of internal components, this stage involves a lot of testing, adjustments, and refinement. Small changes to one part can affect how others fit together, so the team carefully reviews each iteration before moving forward.
It can sometimes look quiet from the outside, but a lot of work happens behind the scenes during this phase. Parts are tested, samples are reviewed, adjustments are made, and new prototypes are produced to confirm improvements before committing them to tooling.
Right now our main focus is quality and reliability. We’re taking the time needed to make sure the components fit properly, the mechanisms feel right, and everything works together the way it should before moving forward to the next stage.
We’re not rushing this step, because getting it right here ensures the final product is consistent, durable, and built to the standard we want to deliver.
As always, thank you for your patience and continued support we’ll keep sharing updates as we move through each stage.
Received my SuperChonk and additional sets yesterday, and they are gorgeous! The staff was great when I followed up on the delays, which weren't entirely unexpected, and I am very happy they did.
Final sets look exactly like the promotional pictures, and I'm excited for the person I bought them for to open them up. Great work!
We have some great news. Things have gone so well, we are about to start fulfillment! Yes... that means we're starting earlier than the forecasted May timeframe!
If you have any address changes, please contact us as soon as possible and provide your new address. You can check your current address in the survey on your BackerKit survey page.
Click on the "View order" link to the right of the project image.
If the address on that page is correct, you do not need to do anything. You can close the page.
IMPORTANT: If you do need to update your address please completethis form and we'll get it sorted out. Please note that depending on fulfillment timing in each region and when we receive the request we can’t guarantee an address change will be successful. We will pass those updates as soon as possible however.
Fulfillment Timing
Asia/VFI - Packing of the orders is complete and orders will start to leave any day. For mainland orders these will arrive shortly after shipping starts. For other regions, travel times will vary depending on freight timing. You can check this VFI Status page to see estimated arrival times.
AU/Aetherworks - Items will arrive at our fulfillment warehouse in late March. You will receive an address verification email from [email protected] around the 17th of March to verify that your address is still correct. Fulfillment will likely begin late March or early April. If you have any issues with your order when you receive it you can contact [email protected]
US/Mountain Coast Logistics - Items will arrive at our fulfillment warehouse in late March. Fulfillment will likely begin in early April. If you have any issues with your order please contact us by sending an email to [email protected].
CA/Boardgamebliss - Items will arrive at our fulfillment warehouse very late in March. Fulfillment will likely begin early to mid April. An address verification email will be coming from [email protected] to verify that your address is correct on or around March 25th. If you have any issues with your order when you receive it you can contact [email protected] as well to resolve that issue.
UK-EU/Zatu - Items will arrive at our fulfillment warehouse in mid to late April. Fulfillment will likely begin in late April or early May. Address verification emails will be sent on April 7th 2026 from [email protected] You can verify that they have your correct address before shipping. If you have any issues with your order when you receive it you can also contact the same email address to resolve.
Orders will be in your hands very soon and we can’t wait to receive our stuff along with the rest of you! Please note that the dates above are estimates and can shift depending on freight timing. If we learn of any delays we will let you know as soon as we can. If you have any questions or concerns in the meantime you can contact us at [email protected]
Make sure to join our Discord and sign up for our newsletter to keep up on the latest Unmatched news. We've got some great things coming this year!
We wanted to share a short progress update and explain where things are at with tooling, as this is the most important step before we can move into full manufacturing.
Tooling is the stage where we create the physical moulds that are used to make every part of The One Dice. These moulds shape the outer shell, the internal parts, and how everything fits together. Once they are finished, they are used over and over again to make every single dice. As a result, this stage must be completed properly. There is no shortcut here.
This part takes time because it is very hands on and very precise. The moulds are made, tested, adjusted, and tested again. Samples are produced, checked, and refined until everything feels right. Small details like how parts fit, how the dice feel in the hand, how durable it is, and how consistent every unit will be are all locked in at this stage.
If something is rushed here, it can cause problems later that cannot easily be fixed. Taking the time now means the final product will be reliable, consistent, and built to last. It also means that once we move into full production, we can do so with confidence instead of crossing our fingers.
While tooling is not the most exciting stage to look at from the outside, it is one of the most important steps in the entire process. This is where The One Dice truly becomes a finished product rather than just a prototype.
TOOLING PROGRESS
These photos show real progress behind the scenes, even if it does not look flashy yet. This is the stage at which The One Dice moves from a prototype to a product that can be manufactured at scale.
The detailed steel items within the are components of the injection mould tools, assembled to produce the complete tools. Some of the photos show a process of these tool parts being produced (ref image below) and other photos are of the finished tool cavities, used to produce the plastic form of the design.
Here the mould is inside the machine during a test run, where early sample parts are made to check fit and alignment.
This is another angle of the mould halves, showing how the parts will sit and release cleanly during production.
These cavities show where the dice parts will form, with the surfaces smoothed and checked for consistency.
This shows one half of the mould being machined, where the core shapes that form the dice parts are cut into solid metal.
This image shows a more refined mould section, where the main cavities are already shaped and being fine tuned.
The finished tools shown will be loaded into the injection moulding machines and used to manufacture all plastic and TPE elastomer components of the One Dice and Charging Case. You can see one of the tools fitted into an injection moulding machine, with some plastic parts still in situ.
This photo shows the mould installed in the production press, where pressure and alignment are tested before full production.
These metal blocks are the outer sections of the mould, which hold everything firmly in place while parts are being formed.
These metal blocks are the outer sections of the mould, which hold everything firmly in place while parts are being formed.
On the survey side, we are currently preparing everything behind the scenes. Surveys will be sent out in the next two to three weeks, so please keep an eye out for them. Our main focus at the moment is ensuring the tooling and manufacturing setup is completed correctly before we proceed to the next steps.
As always, thank you for your patience and continued support. We will keep you updated as we move forward.
If we hit £6,000 we'll be ordering more cassette tapes! This poll is to gather interest to help us decide how many tapes to order. Currently, the tapes are sold out, and were only available as part of the Caver's Bundle, which gives you all the physical and digital rewards available in this campaign.
