Do you accept group pledges or retail pledges?
We’ve learned from experience that managing group pledges is logistically challenging. For this campaign, we are not accepting group pledges; however, you may bundle up to three copies in a single pledge. Retail stores will have access to the base game during its retail launch through our distribution partners worldwide.
Last updated: January 14, 2025 02:19
Can I choose my language?
Yes! At the end of the campaign, you’ll be able to select your preferred language for free through our pledge manager (Backerkit). The available languages are: English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.
Last updated: January 14, 2025 02:19
Do returning backers get any bonuses?
Absolutely! If you’ve backed any of our previous Kickstarter campaigns, you’ll receive the Golden Tent Mini-Expansion for free. Details about this item are available in the add-on section of our Kickstarter campaign.
Last updated: January 14, 2025 08:32
Why don’t you offer the retail edition on Kickstarter?
Our goal with this campaign is to give backers another opportunity to get the Collector’s Edition. If you’re looking for the base game, we’re running a special promotion on our website at thundergryph.com: the base game is available for 45€ with the Darwin Mini Expansion included for free. You can also use the code OCEANIA10 for 10% off your order. These items ship immediately.
Last updated: January 14, 2025 02:19
How can I buy additional items?
All add-ons for Darwin’s Journey are available directly on Kickstarter. Back any pledge tier to gain access to these additional items. Important: Some add-ons are already included in the Collector’s Edition.
Last updated: January 14, 2025 08:32
Why isn’t Oceania a stand-alone game?
You’re not alone in wondering about this, as seeing both the full board and player board might naturally suggest the idea of a standalone game. Let us explain our reasoning in more detail:
1) Oceania Lacks Key Components for Standalone Play While Oceania is packed with new content, it does not include essential components needed for standalone functionality. These components include wooden pieces (workers, tents, trackers), accessories such as wax seals, metal coins, plastic beads, temporary knowledge tokens, and key elements like basic characters, the base game pool of special actions, and starting and normal objectives.
Additionally, making Oceania standalone would require at least 16 additional pages for the rulebook, updated player aids, and more, all of which would significantly increase its scope and complexity.
2) Standalone Production Would Increase Costs Significantly Producing Oceania as a standalone game would greatly raise costs for both us and our players. Many fans already own the base game or previous expansions, so including duplicate components would result in unnecessarily higher prices.
Material costs, production processes, tooling, and freight expenses (including containers and customs brokers) have risen dramatically since 2021, making it impossible to offer a standalone version at the original pledge price set during the campaign.
3) An Upgrade Pack Isn’t Feasible Creating an upgrade pack to make Oceania standalone would require a minimum production run of at least 3,000 units in today’s economy, units that would not be available in retail. This essentially equates to developing an entirely new product for a limited audience.
Moreover, an upgrade pack would require a localized rulebook for standalone functionality, adding further complexity to production.
Instead, we’re offering a promotion on the retail edition of the base game in our shop, which ships immediately. While this might cost slightly more than an upgrade pack, it provides a complete, ready-to-play game you can enjoy right now.
4) Supporting the Original Design Darwin’s Journey has been a tremendous success, approaching the Top 100 in board game rankings. We’ve consistently reprinted the game to meet demand and support its growing player base.
Creating a standalone version of Oceania might inadvertently compete with the base game, potentially undermining the ecosystem we’ve built over the years. Maintaining this balance is important to us, as it ensures the original design continues to thrive.
5) Complexity of the Expansion Oceania introduces significant complexity, which could overwhelm players new to Darwin’s Journey or worker placement games in general. Understanding the mechanics of the base game is crucial before diving into this expansion. Even experienced gamers often find themselves challenged during their first few plays with Oceania.
We hope this explanation clarifies our decision. Thank you for your support and enthusiasm for Darwin’s Journey. If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out, we’re always happy to help!
Last updated: January 14, 2025 08:32
Is the Thundergryph Bazaar your pledge manager?
Not anymore!
After the campaign concludes, we will invite you to our pledge manager on Backerkit, where you can:
Resolve any payment issues from failed pledges. 1) Upgrade to a higher pledge tier. 2) Pay for shipping if you haven’t already. 3) Add additional items for Darwin’s Journey. 4) Select your preferred language. 5) Update your shipping address (until fulfillment begins). 6) Access a special link to our Thundergryph Bazaar.
Our Thundergryph Bazaar is now a permanent feature on our website but only for a limited time. It can only be accessed through a secret link shared via the pledge manager. Here’s what you can do on the Bazaar:
1) Shop for items that ship immediately. 2) Access a limited selection of past Deluxe editions and retail titles. 3) Enjoy special sales and bundles. 4) Earn Thunders for purchases as part of the free Thundergryph Club loyalty system, which lets you redeem rewards.
Last updated: January 14, 2025 08:32
What is the card size for Darwin’s Journey?
The game uses only one type of card: 59 x 91 mm (2.32 x 3.58 inches).
Last updated: January 14, 2025 02:19
Will pledging €1 give me access to the pledge manager?
Yes! By pledging €1, you’ll gain access to the pledge manager for two weeks after its launch. During this time, you can upgrade your pledge. After the two-week period, any €1 pledge will be considered “No Reward” and forfeited.
Last updated: January 14, 2025 02:19
What’s included in the All-In pledge level?
The All-In pledge includes:
Darwin’s Journey: Collector’s Edition Includes Fireland, most mini-expansions and upgraded content already inside the box. (add-ons that are inside the Collector will mention it in the description)
Darwin’s Journey: Oceania Expansion – Founder’s Edition A Kickstarter exclusive version that includes all unlocked stretch goals.
The following extras have also been added to your cart during the survey:
Golden Tent Mini-Expansion
Komodo Dragon Mini-Expansion
Realistic Wooden Lenses
Darwin Mini-Expansion
Falmouth Port Mini-Expansion
Please note: The playmat and card sleeves are not included in the All-In pledge and would need to be added separately if desired.
Last updated: June 04, 2025 08:26
What is BackerKit?
BackerKit is a service that crowdfunded project creators use to keep track of hundreds to tens of thousands of backers—from shipping details, pledge levels, preferences and quantities, whether they have paid or had their card declined, special notes, and everything in between!
The BackerKit software and support team is independent from the campaign’s project team—BackerKit does not handle the actual reward shipping. For more information about the preparation or delivery status of your rewards, please check the project's updates page.
How does BackerKit work?
After the campaign ends, the project creator will send you an email with a unique link to your survey. You can check out a walkthrough of the process here.
I never received my invitation. How do I complete the survey?
The most common reasons for not receiving a survey email is that you may be checking an email inbox different from the email address you used to sign up with Kickstarter, Indiegogo or Tilt Pro account, or it may be caught in your spam filter.
Confirm that the email address you are searching matches the email address tied to your Kickstarter, Indiegogo, or Tilt Pro account. If that doesn’t work, then try checking your spam, junk or promotions folders. You can also search for "backerkit” in your inbox.
To resend the survey to yourself, visit the project page and input the email address associated with your Kickstarter, Indiegogo or Tilt Pro account.
How do I update my shipping address?
BackerKit allows you to update your shipping address until the shipping addresses are locked by the project creator. To update your address, go back to your BackerKit survey by inputting your email here.
When will my order be shipped, charged or locked?
That is handled directly by the project creator. BackerKit functions independently of the project itself, so we do not have control of their physical shipping timeline. If you want to check on the project’s status, we recommend reading over the project's updates page.
I completed the survey, but haven't received my rewards yet. When will they arrive?
As BackerKit does not actually handle any rewards or shipping, the best way to stay updated on the shipping timeline would be to check out the project's updates page.