Flight of Pollen

By JiL Hemming

PledgeMe.Project

Game,



NZ $4,550 pledged


40 people pledged


Closed


NZ $26,250 minimum target


17 17% Complete

This campaign failed to reach its target by 19/07/2017 at 12:00 AM (NZST) and is now closed.

Make a Pledge

About

Flight Of Pollen

Project 2017-06-07 15:04:18 +1200

See the latest news from Kakariki Games at kakarikigames.co.nz.

 

My first environmental game, Cloak of Protection, has sold 2,500 copies. So I know that gets played!

This time, I'd been working alongside an open (perspex) beehive, so I set out to make a board game about bees.

As my own knowledge widened, it became a board game based on the real behaviour, characteristics and interactions of our many pollinators - birds, bat, insects, gecko and wind - and the peculiarities of 14 native plants.

Because, as our final game testers say, good games are rich learning systems (watch the video for their feedback).

After three years of development, I'm now asking for your help to cover print costs to print 500 games.    In return, you can get a first edition copy of the game (with extras).  Delivery date, after 30 Sept.

If we don't achieve the target, we don't print.  But if we raise more than the target (!) we'll print more.

Inside the Flight of Pollen box, there'll be recycled materials (counters are the disgarded insides of washers, covers are found wallpaper); a canvas ground-cloth (screen-printed in Petone); 54 flower/berry/seed tiles & 13 playing discs (recycled board, printed in Levin); plus 41 element cards, and lids for the four chapters with instructions and science notes (printed on card with a Forest Stewardship Council certificate). 

It will be made local, with world-class illustrations and design. Wild-life artist Cushla McGaughey was recommended for this project by the director of the Mahara, the Kapiti Coast District Gallery.  Cushla also became the researcher for the project, as she'd studied Research Methodology (as part of her French degree!).  

There's an exhibition of Cushla's illustrations, at the Mahara Gallery, from mid-July.  We're also launching the game there on Saturday 2 September.  You can collect your advance copy then, if that's your reward, but please do let me know in advance.

Graphic Designer Don Little, has worked on both games. His skill as a stamp designer was very useful this time round, as we condensed the science of pollination into visual instructions and play.

Game play is both co-operative (DAY and NIGHT work together to pollinate the flower (TILES) or the game is ended), and finally competitive (the team that collects the most ensuing berries wins).

Played over four chapters, each chapter has its own attributes, added to the one before.  Level of difficulty is set by the addition of extra storm cards.

Challenge comes from the eight element cards (ROUNDS) of each chapter - the ground changes as wind and water move pollen and seed, tiles turn over as sun ripens seeds and berries - and pollinator movement is both helped and hindered.

But as each pollinator (DISC) has differing abilities, teams can choose each round, who (if any) to play.

In the final two chapters, as ripening occurs, berry eaters arrive.  Now teams choose - either co-operate to pollinate, or compete to collect the ensuing berries.

Because in the end, if all the flowers are pollinated, and you haven't both lost, then the team that collects the most berry tiles, wins!

For 2-6 players, 10 years +, playing time 1-2 hours (all chapters).

Reviewers, of all ages, are saying wonderful things "intriguing, inspiring, informative", "engaging, captivating, effective", and "calculating, tactical, strategic"

Visit my website kakarikigames.co.nz

 

Comments

Updates 5

Going to print

25/07/2017 at 11:25 AM

Flight of Pollen as received a grant that means was can go-to print. We still need your pledges and pre-orders though! Please visit KakarikiGames.co.nz

It is happening. Magic!

You need to pledge to see this update.

We're getting lots of hits. . .

10/07/2017 at 12:17 PM

Flight of Pollen is getting lots of hits - thankyou for sharing, particularly on Facebook. 

Meanwhile, the how-to-play video will be made, next term, by the students at Kapanui School. Students there did the video for Cloak of Protection - great to do it again!

Game review

24/06/2017 at 10:44 AM

In our final testing round I took the game twice to year 5&6 students. Where, as part of their free-choice Thursday afternoons this term, they were playing (& making) games.

Some students played Cloak of Protection. Others tested Flight of Pollen. 

They asked for a few changes, which my math-genius friends sorted, and then they were happy!

Here's what Steph, their teacher, had to say.

Also. Gratitude for your continuing supportive comments and pledges. Way to go!

We've begun

20/06/2017 at 1:36 PM

Thankyou for your pledges and your amazing messages of support on DAY ONE. It's a privilege to be making games in our rich natural world, and to be both making and playing with so many of you, nga mihi nui. JiL

    Pledgers 40

    Tanya Batt
    19/06/2017 at 7:09pm
    Ngaire Dolphin
    19/06/2017 at 4:30pm

    "Bees are essential to keep the balance of life."

    Diane Hobday
    19/06/2017 at 3:27pm

    "Thanks for creating enjoyable games that encourage people to care for our planet."

    Anna Crowe
    19/06/2017 at 2:44pm
    Anne Bennett
    19/06/2017 at 1:50pm

    " Jil, we wish you all the very best for a most successful launch and lots of sales of this wonderful new Game. A'n A"

    Alicia Hall
    19/06/2017 at 1:38pm

    "This game looks fantastic! FX you reach your target. "

    John Innes
    19/06/2017 at 1:11pm

    "Go JiL!"

    Ruth Blair
    19/06/2017 at 12:18pm
    Ruth Blair
    19/06/2017 at 12:14pm

    "Really interesting & beautiful game. Good Luck x"

    Ruth Blair
    19/06/2017 at 12:05pm

    "Good Luck :-)"

    Followers 1

    Followers of Flight of Pollen

    Flight Of Pollen

    Project 2017-06-07 15:04:18 +1200

    See the latest news from Kakariki Games at kakarikigames.co.nz.

     

    My first environmental game, Cloak of Protection, has sold 2,500 copies. So I know that gets played!

    This time, I'd been working alongside an open (perspex) beehive, so I set out to make a board game about bees.

    As my own knowledge widened, it became a board game based on the real behaviour, characteristics and interactions of our many pollinators - birds, bat, insects, gecko and wind - and the peculiarities of 14 native plants.

    Because, as our final game testers say, good games are rich learning systems (watch the video for their feedback).

    After three years of development, I'm now asking for your help to cover print costs to print 500 games.    In return, you can get a first edition copy of the game (with extras).  Delivery date, after 30 Sept.

    If we don't achieve the target, we don't print.  But if we raise more than the target (!) we'll print more.

    Inside the Flight of Pollen box, there'll be recycled materials (counters are the disgarded insides of washers, covers are found wallpaper); a canvas ground-cloth (screen-printed in Petone); 54 flower/berry/seed tiles & 13 playing discs (recycled board, printed in Levin); plus 41 element cards, and lids for the four chapters with instructions and science notes (printed on card with a Forest Stewardship Council certificate). 

    It will be made local, with world-class illustrations and design. Wild-life artist Cushla McGaughey was recommended for this project by the director of the Mahara, the Kapiti Coast District Gallery.  Cushla also became the researcher for the project, as she'd studied Research Methodology (as part of her French degree!).  

    There's an exhibition of Cushla's illustrations, at the Mahara Gallery, from mid-July.  We're also launching the game there on Saturday 2 September.  You can collect your advance copy then, if that's your reward, but please do let me know in advance.

    Graphic Designer Don Little, has worked on both games. His skill as a stamp designer was very useful this time round, as we condensed the science of pollination into visual instructions and play.

    Game play is both co-operative (DAY and NIGHT work together to pollinate the flower (TILES) or the game is ended), and finally competitive (the team that collects the most ensuing berries wins).

    Played over four chapters, each chapter has its own attributes, added to the one before.  Level of difficulty is set by the addition of extra storm cards.

    Challenge comes from the eight element cards (ROUNDS) of each chapter - the ground changes as wind and water move pollen and seed, tiles turn over as sun ripens seeds and berries - and pollinator movement is both helped and hindered.

    But as each pollinator (DISC) has differing abilities, teams can choose each round, who (if any) to play.

    In the final two chapters, as ripening occurs, berry eaters arrive.  Now teams choose - either co-operate to pollinate, or compete to collect the ensuing berries.

    Because in the end, if all the flowers are pollinated, and you haven't both lost, then the team that collects the most berry tiles, wins!

    For 2-6 players, 10 years +, playing time 1-2 hours (all chapters).

    Reviewers, of all ages, are saying wonderful things "intriguing, inspiring, informative", "engaging, captivating, effective", and "calculating, tactical, strategic"

    Visit my website kakarikigames.co.nz

     

    Comments

    Going to print

    25/07/2017 at 11:25 AM

    Flight of Pollen as received a grant that means was can go-to print. We still need your pledges and pre-orders though! Please visit KakarikiGames.co.nz

    It is happening. Magic!

    You need to pledge to see this update.

    We're getting lots of hits. . .

    10/07/2017 at 12:17 PM

    Flight of Pollen is getting lots of hits - thankyou for sharing, particularly on Facebook. 

    Meanwhile, the how-to-play video will be made, next term, by the students at Kapanui School. Students there did the video for Cloak of Protection - great to do it again!

    Game review

    24/06/2017 at 10:44 AM

    In our final testing round I took the game twice to year 5&6 students. Where, as part of their free-choice Thursday afternoons this term, they were playing (& making) games.

    Some students played Cloak of Protection. Others tested Flight of Pollen. 

    They asked for a few changes, which my math-genius friends sorted, and then they were happy!

    Here's what Steph, their teacher, had to say.

    Also. Gratitude for your continuing supportive comments and pledges. Way to go!

    We've begun

    20/06/2017 at 1:36 PM

    Thankyou for your pledges and your amazing messages of support on DAY ONE. It's a privilege to be making games in our rich natural world, and to be both making and playing with so many of you, nga mihi nui. JiL

      Tanya Batt
      19/06/2017 at 7:09pm
      Ngaire Dolphin
      19/06/2017 at 4:30pm

      "Bees are essential to keep the balance of life."

      Diane Hobday
      19/06/2017 at 3:27pm

      "Thanks for creating enjoyable games that encourage people to care for our planet."

      Anna Crowe
      19/06/2017 at 2:44pm
      Anne Bennett
      19/06/2017 at 1:50pm

      " Jil, we wish you all the very best for a most successful launch and lots of sales of this wonderful new Game. A'n A"

      Alicia Hall
      19/06/2017 at 1:38pm

      "This game looks fantastic! FX you reach your target. "

      John Innes
      19/06/2017 at 1:11pm

      "Go JiL!"

      Ruth Blair
      19/06/2017 at 12:18pm
      Ruth Blair
      19/06/2017 at 12:14pm

      "Really interesting & beautiful game. Good Luck x"

      Ruth Blair
      19/06/2017 at 12:05pm

      "Good Luck :-)"

      Followers of Flight of Pollen

      This campaign was unsuccessful and finished on 19/07/2017 at 12:00 AM.