New and Improved Rulebook, new Score Tracker and Other Updates
8 months ago
– Tue, Dec 16, 2025 at 10:27:08 AM
Pledge Manager Update & Production Progress
Hi everyone — we have another update as we work toward opening the pledge manager.
At the moment, there are a few remaining items that prevent us from opening it on our originally anticipated timeline. The primary factor is finalizing our VAT registration approach, which depends on how EU fulfillment is ultimately handled. Alongside this, we’ve been in active discussions with distribution and fulfillment partners worldwide and have had roughly a dozen meetings as we evaluate the best long-term logistics solutions.
On the pledge manager side, a significant amount of setup work is already complete. However, we’re intentionally holding back on opening it until we can roll everything into a single, clean “phase.” While it’s common practice for backers to enter a pledge manager more than once (often once for VAT and again later for shipping details), our goal is to minimize friction and ask you to provide your information only once. This makes setup more complex on our end, but it leads to a smoother and more time-respectful experience for all our backers. This continues to the be the goal we are striving for on the PM side of things.
We’re hopeful to open the pledge manager soon, but at this point several decisions are dependent on responses from external partners. Until those details are confirmed, we need to wait for those conversations to conclude. And, as you can imagine, timelines for these types of conversations are greatly slowed this close to the Christmas season.
Rulebook Redesign & Second Prototype
In parallel, we’re continuing work on our second prototype. Choosing to redo the rulebook was a big decision, but one we’re extremely happy we made. We had a 4-hour working meeting yesterday and another one scheduled tonight in which we believe we'll have everything ready for the 2nd prototype at its conclusion.
We’re excited to be working with Ammon Anderson as the graphic designer for Cat Nap. While Ammon is relatively new to the industry, he’s already made a significant impact — with 23 accredited Board Game Geek entries as a graphic designer in just the past two years, 15 of which released this year alone! That’s a massive body of work in a tiny timeframe, and it shows in the care and quality he’s bringing to this project and how sought over he is to work with. We were incredibly lucky that he agreed to work with us on Cat Nap. =)
As shown below, our original rulebook served its purpose but wasn’t exactly a visual standout. The new version Ammon is developing is far more visual and approachable, featuring rendered assets that truly pop off the page. A tremendous amount of thought and polish has gone into this redesign, and it’s shaping into something we’re very proud of.
Here's a portion showing the a rulebook page of some of the expansion content.
We’ve also been working behind the scenes on ways to make scoring Cat Nap easier and more intuitive. Keeping track of who is currently ahead in each scoring category can introduce unnecessary mental overhead during play. When we got briefly reviewed by Dice Tower on their "Crowd Surfing" show (near the end of the campaign) this was Zee Garcia's complaint about the game, and it's a fair criticism, one we've been aware and working toward a solution for in the background for a long while now.
While we initially explored the idea of a companion iOS/Android app to assist with score tracking, Ammon stepped in with an even better solution: a physical Score Tracker designed to clearly show who is leading in each category at a glance. This tracker also supports all three mini-expansions, incorporating their additional scoring options seamlessly. Whomever is leading has their token placed on that category, if tied there is no token on that category, and all the scoring tokens are double-sided so you can just flip them when the other player takes the lead.
As a result, every copy of Cat Nap will now include this Score Tracker. (It's in the bottom right of the below screenshot.)
As mentioned during the campaign, our goal is to create the best possible version of every game we release—even when those improvements don’t translate into additional revenue for us. Our highest priority is delivering a top-quality experience and making sure everyone is happy with Cat Nap.
Thanks for taking the time to read this update. We’ll share more news as soon as we have it. If we’re unable to open the pledge manager later this week, it’s increasingly likely that it will open after Christmas—but please know this would not be for lack of effort on our end.
Rest assured, this timing does not impact the overall project schedule. Until the second prototype is received, approved, and our production date is locked in with the factory, none of our broader timelines are affected. There is still ample time built into the schedule.
Unless we speak sooner, we hope everyone has a wonderful holiday week. We’ll be in touch!
-- Matthew, Aerobellum Games
Pledge Manager Updates!
9 months ago
– Sat, Nov 29, 2025 at 10:22:39 AM
Pledge Manager
Hiya folks! We’ve officially chosen our pledge manager for Cat Nap — PledgeManager.com, one of the earliest companies to offer pledge-management services. Their process is very “white glove,” and they’ve already been a tremendous help as we get things set up.
A few extra benefits worth mentioning:
They are an official Kickstarter partner, which means their API pulls your data straight from Kickstarter. No manual copying, no mismatched records, and no risk of data-entry errors when importing the backer list.
They are not a marketing company, nor do they intend to be. Unlike several other pledge managers, your email address will only be used for fulfilment and verification, not be used for any third-party or indirect marketing. Ever.
With that said, a couple things have pushed back the opening of the Pledge Manager — but one of them is genuinely great news. =)
Delays on Pledge Manager Opening
Delay #1 — The Holiday Week & Kickstarter’s 2-Week Funding Window
Kickstarter requires two weeks after a campaign ends to finalize charges, resolve payment retries, and prepare funds for transfer. Our two-week window happened to land directly on Thanksgiving (my oversight!), which meant the final backer data only became available during a holiday stretch when many folks — including the Pledge Manager team — were on vacation.
We’ve made strong progress on the early build, but the holiday timing added about a week of unavoidable delay.
Delay #2 — Distribution & VAT/Tariff Considerations (The Good News!)
We’ve had several notable distributors reach out with interest in carrying Cat Nap regionally. We’ve already met with some of them, and more meetings are coming next week. This is absolutely the kind of news a small publisher dreams of, and we’re thrilled these companies see potential in Cat Nap and Aerobelllum Games.
These conversations matter because distribution pathways can affect VAT, tariffs, and import fees — especially for the UK/EU, Australia, and New Zealand. Before opening the Pledge Manager, we want accurate, stable information so you don’t have to enter details twice or risk being charged the wrong amount.
Original Shipping Plan vs. New Shipping Opportunities
Our original plan was:
US fulfillment: bulk pallets shipped to a U.S. partner → then to backers.
Non-US fulfillment: point-to-point shipping direct from China, using small-parcel fulfillment partners.
(All international shipping rates during the campaign were based on this.)
However, with distributors now potentially stepping in, the fulfillment plan for Australia, New Zealand, and the UK/EU will likely shift to something more cost-effective. Direct-from-China shipping would still apply to areas outside those regions (e.g., SE Asia, South America, etc.).
If regional distributors can ship locally at better rates — or consolidate freight to reduce VAT/tariff costs — we absolutely want to pass that savings directly to you.
This is a true win-win:
You may get better rates and lower import fees, especially when ordering multiple copies.
We get to build stronger long-term relationships with distributors instead of relying solely on point-to-point shipping.
Radical Transparency is "How We Roll"
Lastly, a quick note on shipping costs and distributor partnerships. If regional distributors cannot offer better rates than direct-from-China shipping, your shipping costs WILL NOT increase beyond what was quoted on the campaign page. While these partnerships offer long-term advantages for Aerobellum Games, we will not pass along any marginal cost increases that might come from choosing a more sustainable fulfillment path.
To be completely clear: if distributor-based fulfillment ends up costing more, we will absorb that difference — not you. We don’t view shipping as a way to generate hidden profit. It is standard practice for Kickstarter campaigns add a buffer of 25% on top of shipping quotes, but we simply passed along the direct rates from our partners without markup on the original quoted price on the campaign page, and will do so again if there are additional savings to be had through distribution partnerships.
Our goal is to build strong, lasting relationships with both backers and distribution partners so the logistics load becomes lighter and the process improves for future campaigns. For example, the customer service workload of fulfilling 1,700+ orders becomes far more manageable when handled through trusted distribution networks instead of my small team doing everything in-house.
We want Cat Nap to reach players smoothly and affordably, and we will not shift additional costs or risks onto backers in pursuit of distribution opportunities. This approach is the right long-term move for the game and the company — and it ensures your experience remains exactly as promised, or even better than originally promised if those savings can be realized. =)
Delay in Context
Even though this delays the Pledge Manager opening, it does not delay the rest of the overall timeline.
We’re still actively:
Working through revisions for the new rulebook
Finalizing factory layouts for the “Secret Unlocks”
Preparing for the next prototype
We cannot enter mass production until that next prototype is physically received and approved — and that timeline is totally separate from the Pledge Manager’s opening window. In other words: fulfilling a Kickstarter is not a strictly linear pipeline, and progress is happening in multiple areas simultaneously. The delay of the pledge manager opening has not delayed our overall timelines.
Scratching Posts Packaging Update
Our manufacturer has confirmed that the Scratching Posts expansion can be bundled directly into the main game box, with no need for a separate baggie or add-on package. In the Pledge Manager you’ll still see “Scratching Posts” listed as an Add-On for SKU purposes, but you’ll receive one unified box, which reduces the chance of fulfillment errors and makes retail stocking much simpler. This is great news. =)
The version without Scratching Posts will be the Deluxe Edition.
The version with Scratching Posts included will be the Super-Deluxe Edition.
Both of these will also be printed on the box (bottom left cover) so it'll be easy for customer service inquires in knowing what product you received.
What’s Next
Our next intended update will walk you through everything you’ll see in the Pledge Manager once it opens. Thank you so much for your patience — this extra time ensures smoother fulfillment and potentially lower shipping costs.
We have a lot happening behind the scenes to streamline this phase. When the Pledge Manager opens, we’ll also highlight what we’ve already solved (like VIPs who signed up with one email but backed with another). We are trying to come up with every hypothetical scenario that a backer would face, and build that into the system so everything is easy-peasy when you log into the Pledge Manager. But if we miss your specific circumstance then please contact us regarding your scenario when the pledge manager opens.
We intend our next update to be in a few weeks. We have to look over the offers that we are receiving from these various distribution partners and choose who we'll be working with to move to the next phase.
More info soon!
— Matthew, Aerobellum Games
What's Next for Cat Nap? The Fulfillment Roadmap Update.
9 months ago
– Fri, Nov 14, 2025 at 09:36:16 AM
Good morning, everyone — and thank you all!
Because of your support, Cat Nap just wrapped an incredible campaign last night, and we couldn’t be more grateful. This little game found its audience in a big way, and that’s entirely thanks to all of you who shared, backed, commented, and championed it. Huge thanks from us to you!
Now that the campaign has officially closed, here’s what the road ahead looks like:
Timeline & Next Steps
1. Kickstarter Processing (Next 2 Weeks)
Kickstarter takes 14 days to process funds. During this window:
Failed payments will be automatically retried by Kickstarter. We can see that already 96% of our backers have already been charged successfully, but regardless of what this percentage is, Kickstarter always takes 2 weeks to then relay funds to creators like us.
In this timeframe, the campaign is open for late pledges from folks who followed the campaign but missed the deadline. However, for late backers the price has gone up from the campaign-price of $39 to post-campaign price of $44.
2. Pledge Manager Launch (Late November / Early December)
Sometime shortly after Kickstarter releases the funds, we’ll open the pledge manager. This is where you’ll:
Enter your shipping information, pay shipping + VAT (where applicable), add any optional purchases (additional copies and/or Scratching Posts add-ons for non-VIPs).
VIP backers: your Scratching Posts expansion will be added automatically in this phase — you won't need to do anything. Unless you used a different email address to sign up than you use for Kickstarter, in which case email both of those addresses to me at [email protected] and we'll get it sorted, there are a few dozen people that are in this same boat but it is an easy fix, no worries. =)
If you’re a VIP and you added $5 for Scratching Posts during the campaign anyway, you’ll be refunded that amount in the pledge manager (or via PayPal or Venmo if we can't charge back from the Pledge Manager). In short, we'll figure out a way to get your money back for overpaying.
The pledge manager will remain open at least until we enter manufacturing early next year, so there’s plenty of time to update your pledge when it’s convenient.
We are still deliberating between which Pledge Manager we plan to use, we've narrowed it down to a handful of options and will announce which one we go with in about 2 weeks, maybe earlier.
3. Pre-Production & Manufacturing (Early 2026)
Between now and the end of the year, we’ll be:
Finalizing all files, completing pre-production checks, approving proofs, preparing the next prototype in preparation for the final production version. Our next big milestone is that we are redoing the rulebook. The earlier one was perfectly fine but "fine" doesn't cut it for us, we have to have everything be exceptional. The finished product version will be as visually oriented as possible and resemble more of the aesthetic of the campaign page. We'll share screenshots when it's ready. =)
Once everything is locked in, we’ll begin manufacturing in early 2026.
4. Fulfillment & Shipping (After Manufacturing Completion)
As soon as the factory hands things off, we’ll share:
Freight timelines (presently for US only), regional fulfillment timelines, any adjustments based on real-world logistics (weather, customs, tariffs, etc.)
And that's about it! At that point people will have begun to receive Cat Nap, and then we'll just have the occasional customer service issues and whatnot. In shipping 1700+ packages around the world something is bound to go wrong for someone. And if you happen to be one of these people who's package shows up damaged or incorrect just have confidence that we'll get your matter fixed and you'll be made whole. =)
So once again, thank you!
If you have any questions at all, you’re always welcome to reach out — we couldn’t do this without you. 🧡😺
--Matthew, Aerobellum Games
Final Week Update! Digital to Physical Upgrade! And Tiny Toe Beans!
9 months ago
– Mon, Nov 10, 2025 at 09:15:28 AM
6 Secret Unlocks Unveiled - 2 to go!
Today we've revealed another Secret Unlock — a brand-new pack of stickers featuring our mischievous Cat Nap characters in all their usual antics. You know how they do! (Below is a mock up, we'll make sure we pack as many stickers on the sheet as possible and that they are each of a similar and satisfying size!)
2 Digital Secret Unlocks upgraded to Physical!
And there’s more good news: our "Purr-suit Cards" (the 8th Expansion we recently announced) are getting an upgrade! What was originally planned as a digital bonus will now be a physical component included right in the box! Additionally, the Wednesday Secret Unlock is also getting a physical edition "upgrade" too, before it's even announced! (A Big thank you to our factories that were able to answer these questions quickly!)
Tiny Toe Beans!
Lastly, we wanted to give a quick shoutout to our friend behind Cozy Games Studio, who have a delightfully chaotic cat game called Tiny Toe Beans: Ultimate Mischief that is live on Kickstarter right now! I recently had the chance to play the finished version and was blown away by the level of work that went into this game— over 90 unique illustrations, full of personality! It really shines as a lightweight 3–4 player party-style romp where you and your feline friends race around the house, break things, cause mayhem, and try to frame each other for it! And pulls all of this off in a way with minimal rules and overhead.
So if you’re looking for another great cat-themed game to pair with Cat Nap for a larger group, definitely give Tiny Toe Beans a look!
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Wednesday is our next Secret Unlock! I'm looking forward to sharing it with you. =)
--Matthew, Aerobellum Games
But wait… there’s more!? 4 new "Secret Unlocks"!
9 months ago
– Fri, Nov 07, 2025 at 02:21:34 PM
Just when you thought all the "cats were out of the bag" — we’ve added 4 more secret unlocks to Cat Nap!
These aren’t stretch goals we need to unlock — they’re secret surprises we’re adding as a heartfelt thank you for all your amazing support! Each one will be revealed as we head into the final days of the campaign… so keep those paws crossed and your eyes peeled!
Two are digital surprises, one of which we just unveiled and constitutes an 8th Expansion: "Purr-suit Cards". (We also considered calling them "Stretch Goals", get it? =P). These mix up the game, just draw 1 at random at the beginning of the game which gives an alternative way to gain +1 VP at game end (and in this game, every point is hard to get, so 1 is a lot!)
Below you'll see a mock-up of those cards, but the final ones will look much more fancy. =)
We'll unveil the last digital Secret Unlock on Wednesday!
Two of the Secret Unlocks are physical additions that will slide right into your copy of the game — new components that we will be unveiling on Monday and on Thursday (the final day of the campaign)!
We also updated the chart, each reward lists its intended delivery type — Digital or Physical — but wherever possible, we’ll include a physical version (excluding the Print-and-Play edition, of course). Our top priority is maintaining the shipping rates we’ve already quoted, and as long as we can do that, we’ll gladly make these bonuses tangible! Rest assured — these additions won’t delay our shipping or fulfillment timeline.
Stay tuned for the next three unlocks coming next week — and have a wonderfully cozy weekend!
--Matthew, Aerobellum Games
