PROJECT UPDATE
Tinkerhouse Games
CREATOR
20 days ago
Project Update: 44 - Vault Update: Final Samples in Hand!
We’re back with big news: the final production samples for The Vault of Mini Things have arrived! That includes the core Vault, all Terrain add-ons, the Vaultstrider Bag, and the crowdfund extras. It’s the real deal—and it looks fantastic.
We’ll have some unboxing photos for you below, but the short version: everything looks and feels great. I spent about an hour punching everything out and then another three joy-filled hours sleeving and organizing all of the standees and props. It’s a process, but it’s the kind of process we Tinkers love: everything fits, everything works, and everything looks amazing.
Earlier today, the manufacturer sent us video walkthroughs of the Standee Add-ons and Extra Standee Bases Pack. Those pieces are en route to us now, and from what we can see, they’re just as spot-on as everything else. No red flags here—we’re incredibly happy with how it’s all coming together.
Shipping & Fulfillment Status
We’re down to fewer than 20 backers who still need to update their payment methods. A few of you have already reached out with special circumstances—we’re working with you directly to get everything squared away. A handful of BackerKit emails bounced, and we’re now following up by phone where possible. If you’re unsure about your status, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
We’re down to fewer than 20 backers who still need to update their payment methods. A few of you have already reached out with special circumstances—we’re working with you directly to get everything squared away. A handful of BackerKit emails bounced, and we’re now following up by phone where possible. If you’re unsure about your status, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
We’re deep in coordination with all of our fulfillment partners, and a huge shoutout goes to Will at InDiPro Games, who’s handling not only all of our US fulfillment and shipping, but also managing all outbound freight shipments to our global fulfillment partners. Will’s help has been instrumental in getting this complex logistics puzzle organized, and we’re immensely grateful to have him in our corner.
Just to recap our fulfillment regions:
- Asia Pacific: VFI Asia
- UK & Northern EU: Spiral Galaxy Games
- Rest of EU: Board & Dice
- Canada: Board Game Bliss
- US, Mexico, South America: InDiPro (with outbound freight support to all regions)
We’ll be delivering final backer data to each partner later this week.
Searchable Index Tool Incoming
As we move into August, we’re shifting focus to finalizing the online searchable index tool for the Vault. This will allow you to quickly locate standees by name, category, or tag—and it’s just the beginning. We’re designing this tool to evolve, with plans for account-based functionality and custom sorting down the line. If you have ideas or wishlist features for this tool, we’d love to hear them.
As we move into August, we’re shifting focus to finalizing the online searchable index tool for the Vault. This will allow you to quickly locate standees by name, category, or tag—and it’s just the beginning. We’re designing this tool to evolve, with plans for account-based functionality and custom sorting down the line. If you have ideas or wishlist features for this tool, we’d love to hear them.
See Us at PAX West — Booth 4333
We’ll be at PAX West in Seattle from August 30 to September 2, and we’d love for you to swing by Booth 4333 in the tabletop area. This is our hometown show, and it’s always a highlight of the year for us. It’s also the first time we’ll be showing the fully assembled, final production version of the Vault of Mini Things in public.
We’ll be at PAX West in Seattle from August 30 to September 2, and we’d love for you to swing by Booth 4333 in the tabletop area. This is our hometown show, and it’s always a highlight of the year for us. It’s also the first time we’ll be showing the fully assembled, final production version of the Vault of Mini Things in public.
We won’t have the Vault available for purchase at the show (those are headed to you first), but we will have the production samples on display—including the Terrain Add-ons, Vaultstrider Bag, and final packaging. If you’ve been curious about how it all comes together, this is your chance to see it in person.
We’ll also be bringing some brand new TinkerHouse products, available for sale at the booth. If you’re into sci-fi terrain, fantasy minis, or super fun party games, stop by and check them out. We’d be happy to chat about the Vault, the upcoming searchable index, or what’s next in the Tinker pipeline.
Whether you’re a longtime backer or a curious newcomer—please come say hello. Seeing your reactions and answering your questions in person is one of the most rewarding parts of this whole journey.
Now onto the photos…
PROJECT UPDATE
Tinkerhouse Games
CREATOR
about 1 month ago
Project Update: 43 - Charging Cards and Locking Addresses
Hello Vaulters,
It’s time for the next step in preparing your Vault for delivery: Charging cards for shipping and VAT (where applicable).
Charging Begins This Week
Tomorrow, BackerKit will send out an email notice letting you know that charges are about to occur. Following that, we’ll begin charging cards for shipping and VAT.
Tomorrow, BackerKit will send out an email notice letting you know that charges are about to occur. Following that, we’ll begin charging cards for shipping and VAT.
Please ensure your payment information is up to date in BackerKit to avoid delays.
If your card is declined, BackerKit will notify you and give you an opportunity to correct the issue. You will not be able to finalize your address until your payment is successfully processed.
Address Lock Will Follow Charges
Once we’ve completed charging cards, we’ll move on to locking addresses for backers whose payments were successful.
Once we’ve completed charging cards, we’ll move on to locking addresses for backers whose payments were successful.
- If you’re moving within your country, don’t worry—if something changes after addresses are locked, you’ll still be able to contact us and we’ll help update your address manually.
- If you’re moving to a different country, please reach out to us immediately so we can coordinate with your fulfillment center.
What’s Next
Our full manufacturing sample arrives next week, and we’ll be sharing photos and a full timeline update in the next Backer Update.
Our full manufacturing sample arrives next week, and we’ll be sharing photos and a full timeline update in the next Backer Update.
We’re getting close—and this is one of the final steps before the Vault begins its journey to your doorstep. Thank you for your continued support and patience.
Onward,
Mike, Lane, Chris, and Marshall
PROJECT UPDATE
Tinkerhouse Games
CREATOR
about 1 month ago
Project Update: 42 - Look How Far We’ve Come – Manufacturing Sample Arrives Next Week
Hello Vaulters,
We’ve got exciting news to share: Whatz Games has confirmed that the full manufacturing sample of the Vault of Mini Things is headed our way next week.
This is the complete, printed product—the actual materials, components, packaging, and layout, just as you’ll receive it. It’s not a prototype or a digital proof. This is the real thing, assembled and ready for final review.
The only exception is that this sample uses our old standee bases, simply so we could get the sample sooner and verify everything fits together as intended. The final base samples are scheduled to be ready for review on July 15th.
Final Assembly in Sight
What does this mean for the project timeline?
It means we’re nearly there. Once we review this manufacturing sample, and the standee bases—either via video call or from a small approval package—we’ll be ready to greenlight full production. And barring any unexpected hiccups, mass production will be complete and ready for pickup by our freight partners on July 25th.
That’s a major milestone. At that point, the Vaults will begin their journey to our fulfillment centers around the world.
Photos and First Impressions Coming Soon
We’re planning to share photos—and possibly some quick video—of the manufacturing sample as soon as it arrives. It’ll be your first real look at how this entire product comes together.
We’ll keep things a little surface-level, as there are a few fun surprises and Easter eggs we’d rather save for the unboxing experience. But you’ll absolutely get to see how the box is built, how the components are laid out, and how far we’ve come.
From Sketch to Shelf
It’s been just over a year since we launched this project, and here’s what we’ve accomplished together:
- Over 1000 minis, props, and terrain pieces—all fully illustrated front and back
- A complete card catalog system for fast setup and teardown
- Modular map tiles and vertical terrain for three biomes
- Vacuum-formed trays for props and terrain
- A universal wall connector system with custom door card inserts
- The custom-built carrying case for Vaultstriders
- A new internal organizational method: the Dungeon Decimal System (tongue firmly in cheek)
All of it is coming together. In the next update, you’ll get to see it with your own eyes.
Address Locking Notice
We’ll be sending out a final address change notification through BackerKit. If you’ve moved or are planning to move, please make sure your address is up to date before addresses lock in 48 hours.
If you’re not changing countries, you’ll still be able to update your address later if needed. Most of our fulfillment partners also send out a final address check just before your parcel goes out.
If you are moving to a different country, please contact us directly and we’ll make sure your order is routed properly.
Thanks for sticking with us. We’re almost there.
Onward,
Mike, Lane, Chris, and Marshall
PROJECT UPDATE
Tinkerhouse Games
CREATOR
about 1 month ago
Project Update: 41 - Shipping, Heavy Boxes, and a Production Delay
Hi everyone,
We have a lot to cover in this update, so let’s jump right in.
Dice Trays Shipping Separately
First, a quick note for those of you who added the Green Fox hardwood dice trays to your pledge: these trays will be shipping out ahead of the main Vault shipment. They’ll be fulfilled directly from our US warehouse rather than routed to international hubs. This approach will keep costs down and help get them into your hands faster.
First, a quick note for those of you who added the Green Fox hardwood dice trays to your pledge: these trays will be shipping out ahead of the main Vault shipment. They’ll be fulfilled directly from our US warehouse rather than routed to international hubs. This approach will keep costs down and help get them into your hands faster.
Shipping Rates and Address Locking
Production has moved far enough along that we have gotten actual weights and dimensions from the manufacturer. Now that these figures are in hand we’ve been able to solicit our fulfillment partners for shipping rates and add those rates to BackerKit.
Production has moved far enough along that we have gotten actual weights and dimensions from the manufacturer. Now that these figures are in hand we’ve been able to solicit our fulfillment partners for shipping rates and add those rates to BackerKit.
One important detail to keep in mind: The Vault is not a lightweight item. A single Vault weighs 10 pounds 3 ounces—about the same as:
- a large housecat
- a hefty bowling ball
- a full-size watermelon
For those of you who pledged for everything, including all the add-ons, your shipment will weigh a whopping 31 pounds 1 ounce. That’s roughly the weight of a small child, a car tire, or a microwave oven.
This all means that the final shipping cost will be high. You can now login to your BackerKit account to see what your shipping costs will be. We still need to add VAT charges to some orders, so if this applies to you, you’ll see those adjustments reflected in BackerKit soon.
We had planned on locking shipping addresses and collecting shipping fees this week, but are holding off due to a production setback. Details follow below.
Standee Base Mold Setback
We also received word from our manufacturer that the standee bases were produced with tolerances that are too tight. From the video they sent, it was obvious the fit wasn’t acceptable. The good news is that this issue was caught before the full run went into production.
We also received word from our manufacturer that the standee bases were produced with tolerances that are too tight. From the video they sent, it was obvious the fit wasn’t acceptable. The good news is that this issue was caught before the full run went into production.
The bad news: fixing the mold will take about 15 days, plus another 10 days to produce and ship corrected samples for approval.
This delay pushes our timeline into September. It’s a gut punch because we’d really hoped you would have your Vaults in hand before PAX West, and that we’d have finished units to sell at the show. We may still be able to showcase a manufacturer’s sample there, but it means we’ll be scrambling to adjust plans for our already-booked booth.
Looking Ahead
We know this is frustrating news. It is for us, too. But it’s far better to find problems now than after everything has been produced and boxed.
We know this is frustrating news. It is for us, too. But it’s far better to find problems now than after everything has been produced and boxed.
Here’s what comes next:
- As soon as the revised standee bases are ready, we’ll approve the samples and move into the final production phase
- Addresses will be locked when manufacturing is complete
- VAT charges will then be finalized for any affected orders
We’ll continue to keep you posted every step of the way. Thank you for your patience and your support.
Onward,
Mike, Lane, Chris, and Marshall
PROJECT UPDATE
Tinkerhouse Games
CREATOR
about 2 months ago
Project Update: 40 - **Action Required**. Address locks. Last Chance to Add-on. Dice Trays.
Hello Vaulters,
We’re closing in on the finish line, and it’s time for an important step in the fulfillment process.
We will be locking addresses this Friday.
If you’ve moved—or if you plan to move soon—please make sure your shipping address is up to date in BackerKit. If you’ve changed countries or moved to a different state and are unable to update your information in the pledge manager, reach out to us directly at [email protected]. We’ll take care of it manually. This is also the last time you'll be able to add anything to your order that you may have been holding off on.
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This is the final opportunity to make changes before shipping prep begins.
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Shipping Charges Are Next
This week we’re finalizing our shipping tables based on updated information from our fulfillment partners. Once the new rates are entered, you’ll receive another update letting you know that we’re ready to charge shipping and any applicable VAT.
At that time, you’ll be able to log in to your pledge manager and view those charges before anything is processed.
Hardwood Dice Tray Add-On Update
The hardwood dice trays made by Green Fox Woodworking are now finished. Originally, we planned to ship these trays separately to our fulfillment partners outside the US. However, we’re now looking into whether it might be more cost-effective to ship them directly from our US facility. We’ll follow up once that decision has been finalized.
Thanks again for your continued support and patience. We’re excited to move this next phase forward—and to get the Vault of Mini Things into your hands soon.
Onward,
Mike, Lane, Chris, and Marshall
