🦁 18Zoo – The Pledge Manager Is OPEN! New Map Preview & Behind the Scenes!
18 days ago
– Mon, Oct 12, 2026 at 02:37:40 PM
Hello everyone!
We're back with one of the most important updates since the end of our Kickstarter campaign: the 18ZOO Pledge Manager and Pre-order Store are finally OPEN!
Over the past few months, we've been working on several aspects of the game, from graphic design and illustrations to preparing everything needed for the next steps toward production.
Today, we're excited to share all the information you need to complete your orders, along with a preview of the complete 2–3 player map and a special behind-the-scenes video from our artist!
Let's get started!
🛒 The Pledge Manager Is Now Open!
Our Pledge Manager is hosted on BackerKit and will remain open until November 15, 2026.
All Kickstarter backers will receive an invitation email from BackerKit with instructions on how to complete their orders.
Please check your inbox and spam folder!
If you don't receive the invitation, don't worry. Simply visit the BackerKit page using the link above and enter the same email address you used for your Kickstarter pledge.
Through the Pledge Manager, you'll be able to complete your order, provide your shipping details, and purchase additional items.
Please note that payment will be collected immediately when you complete your BackerKit checkout.
🗺️ The Complete Map Pack – Special Backer Price!
As promised during the campaign, the Complete Map Pack will be available as an add-on!
It includes 4 additional maps printed on 2 double-sided map boards, bringing the total number of playable maps to 6, including the 2 maps already in the base game.
And thanks to the overwhelming support for this option in our survey, we're happy to confirm the special Kickstarter backer price:
€15 instead of €20!
You'll also be able to add extra copies of 18ZOO and additional Map Packs to your order.
🛍️ Missed the Kickstarter? Pre-orders Are Open Too!
If you missed our Kickstarter campaign, there's still a chance to join the world of 18ZOO!
Our Pre-order Store is also open on BackerKit, allowing new customers to reserve their copies of the game.
The Pre-order Store will also remain open until November 15, 2026.
If you know someone who missed the campaign but might enjoy 18ZOO, feel free to share the link!
🚢 Shipping and Customs
We've also been working on shipping arrangements to make fulfillment as efficient as possible.
For certain countries, including the United States, we're planning to ship orders directly from China using a dedicated shipping service that is expected to avoid additional customs duties upon delivery.
We're still finalizing the details of these arrangements, so we cannot guarantee duty-free delivery at this stage.
We'll continue to keep you informed as our shipping plans are confirmed.
🇮🇹 Ritiro a mano – Informazioni per i backer italiani
Per i backer italiani sarà disponibile anche l'opzione Local Pickup, che consentirà di ritirare il gioco senza ricorrere alla spedizione a domicilio.
Il ritiro sarà possibile esclusivamente nelle seguenti città:
Reggio Emilia: ritiro organizzato da Aleph Game Studio.
Roma: distribuzione organizzata dall'autore del gioco, Paolo Russo.
Per usufruire di questa possibilità sarà necessario selezionare "Local Pickup" nel Pledge Manager di BackerKit.
Le modalità e le date effettive di ritiro verranno comunicate quando i giochi saranno disponibili.
ATTENZIONE: non sarà possibile richiedere la consegna o il ritiro in città diverse da Reggio Emilia e Roma, nemmeno in occasione di eventi o manifestazioni.
Vi chiediamo quindi di selezionare questa opzione soltanto se siete effettivamente in grado di ritirare il gioco in una delle due città indicate.
🗺️ A First Look at the Complete 2–3 Player Map!
Now for something a little more exciting than payment instructions!
We're delighted to share a first look at the complete 2–3 player map, one of the two maps included in the 18ZOO base game.
Our graphic design work is progressing, and the different elements of the map are finally coming together.
Please remember that this is still a work in progress!
Although the overall design is taking shape, we're still refining several graphical details, so this preview doesn't represent the 100% final version.
Nevertheless, we're excited to show you how the game is evolving and give you a glimpse of what 18ZOO will look like on your table!
We hope you enjoy this first look!
🎬 Behind the Scenes: Meet Davide Romanini!
We also have a little surprise for you!
Today we'd like to introduce Davide Romanini, the artist working on the illustrations for 18ZOO.
Davide has prepared a special video for all our backers, showing part of his creative process as he works on one of the game's Invention illustrations.
It's a chance to take a peek behind the scenes and see how the artwork that will appear in the game is being created.
And, of course, Davide also wanted to personally thank all of you for supporting the project!
We hope you enjoy this glimpse into the creative work behind 18ZOO!
🏭 Production Progress and Estimated Delivery
Finally, a quick update on where we stand with production.
We're currently running slightly behind our original internal schedule, as some aspects of the game's development and graphic design are taking a little longer than initially expected.
However, work is progressing, and we're focused on completing everything to the standard we want for 18ZOO.
At this stage, our estimated delivery date remains May 2027.
Although we're keeping a close eye on the schedule, we don't currently have any confirmed changes to announce regarding delivery.
As always, we'll keep you informed of our progress and promptly communicate any changes that might affect the timeline.
Our priority is to deliver a game that lives up to the expectations of everyone who supported us.
❤️ Thank You for Being Part of 18ZOO!
Opening the Pledge Manager is another important milestone for this project, and we're happy to be moving one step closer to bringing 18ZOO to your tables.
Your enthusiasm, feedback, and support throughout the Kickstarter campaign have meant a great deal to us.
We're looking forward to sharing more progress with you in the coming months!
Remember: the Pledge Manager and Pre-order Store will close on November 15, 2026.
Don't forget to complete your order before the deadline!
See you in the next update!
The Aleph Game Studio Team
Summer Progress & A First Look at the Inventions!
3 months ago
– Mon, Jul 27, 2026 at 06:47:34 AM
Hello everyone!
It's been about a month since the campaign ended, so we wanted to share a quick progress update.
First of all: yes, we're working!
Like many of you, we also took a short summer break to recharge our batteries. The studio will be back at full speed by the end of July, but even during this period we've continued coordinating with our artists, reviewing components, and planning the next production steps.
As we mentioned during the campaign, our current focus is transforming the prototype into the final production version. That means refining the graphic design, preparing the production files, and making sure every component reaches the quality we want before printing.
A First Look at the Inventions
One of the areas we're currently working on is the Invention cards.
These cards are one of the elements that give each game its own personality, so we wanted illustrations that felt unique and perfectly matched the whimsical world of 18ZOO.
Today we're happy to share a few early concept illustrations with you!
Please remember that these are work in progress. Some details, colors and compositions may still change before production, but we'd love to hear your thoughts.
Our goal is to create artwork that's immediately recognizable across the table while maintaining the playful, slightly steampunk atmosphere that defines the world of 18ZOO.
What's Next?
During August we'll continue working on:
Finalizing the game's graphic design.
Completing the remaining illustrations.
Preparing the production files.
Organizing the Pledge Manager before its opening.
We'll keep sharing previews as development progresses, so you'll be able to follow the game's evolution step by step.
Thank you once again for making 18ZOO possible.
Enjoy your summer, and we'll be back soon with another update!
— Luca & Andrea Aleph Game Studio
🎉 The Campaign Has Ended... The Journey Has Just Begun!
4 months ago
– Sat, Jun 27, 2026 at 07:59:47 AM
Hello everyone!
What an incredible adventure!
After an amazing campaign, the Kickstarter for 18ZOO has officially come to an end.
From the bottom of our hearts...
Thank you.
Whether you joined us on the very first day or discovered the project during the final hours, you helped turn an ambitious idea into a reality.
Together we:
🚂 Successfully funded the project.
🎯 Unlocked every Stretch Goal.
💡 Improved the game through your comments and suggestions.
🦁 Built a wonderful community around 18ZOO.
We couldn't have asked for a better campaign.
❤️ What's Next?
Although the campaign has ended, our work is only beginning.
Over the coming months we'll focus on transforming everything you've seen during the campaign into the finished product that will eventually arrive on your table.
Here's our current roadmap.
📋 August – Preparing the Pledge Manager
Our first priority will be setting up the Pledge Manager.
This will allow you to confirm your shipping information, purchase any available add-ons, and make any final adjustments to your pledge before production begins.
Our goal is to have everything ready around mid-August.
🎨 Summer Development – Final Artwork & Graphic Design
At the same time, we'll continue refining every graphical element of the game.
Many of you have followed the development of the tile palette, share certificates, company charts, and other components during the campaign. That work will continue over the next few months as we finalize every detail before sending the files to the printer.
Our target is to have the graphic design substantially completed by the end of September.
📦 September – Opening the Pledge Manager
Once everything is ready, we'll officially open the Pledge Manager.
We're currently aiming to launch it between late August and mid-September, giving everyone plenty of time to confirm addresses, choose add-ons, and finalize their orders.
We'll of course keep you informed well in advance.
🚂 Looking Beyond 18ZOO
18ZOO is an important milestone for Aleph Game Studio, but it's also part of a much bigger journey.
While we complete the development and production of 18ZOO, we're also preparing several new historical board game projects that we hope to manufacture alongside it.
Among the titles currently in development are:
Spiders' Nests (I Nidi di Ragno) – a strategic game set during the Italian Resistance.
The War of the League of Cognac – a card-driven historical wargame set in Renaissance Italy.
Make Italy – a game about the Italian Risorgimento and the unification of Italy.
It's still early to share many details, but we're excited about these projects and look forward to showing you more as development progresses.
If everything goes according to plan, producing several titles together will also help us streamline manufacturing and logistics.
🗺️ Survey Results: You Have Spoken!
Before the campaign ended, we asked for your opinion about a possible map add-on.
The response was overwhelming!
Almost 90% of participants voted for the Complete Map Pack, featuring four additional maps. Combined with the two maps included in the base game, this would give players access to all six official 18ZOO maps.
First of all, thank you to everyone who took the time to vote. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and helps us understand what the community is most excited about.
Based on these results, we'll focus our efforts on developing the Complete Map Pack as the primary add-on for the Pledge Manager.
We'll share more details—including pricing, production plans, and the final contents—as development progresses, but we're excited to know that so many of you are interested in expanding the replayability of 18ZOO from day one.
As always, we'll keep you updated every step of the way!
❤️ Thank You Once Again
Crowdfunding isn't simply about funding a game.
It's about building a community around an idea.
Throughout this campaign you've shared your enthusiasm, your constructive criticism, your questions, and countless great suggestions.
Many of the improvements we've made during the campaign—from graphic design to components—were inspired directly by your feedback.
For that, we're sincerely grateful.
This campaign may have ended...
…but the adventure of 18ZOO is only just beginning.
We'll continue sharing updates as we move toward production, and we can't wait to put the finished game on your tables.
Thank you for believing in us.
See you in the next update!
The 18ZOO Team 🦁🚂
⏳ Less Than 24 Hours to Go!
4 months ago
– Fri, Jun 26, 2026 at 08:09:32 AM
Hello everyone!
It's hard to believe, but we're now in the final 24 hours of the 18ZOO Kickstarter campaign!
What started as an idea has become a reality thanks to an incredible community of backers from all over the world. Together we've not only funded the project, but unlocked every Stretch Goal and helped shape the game through your feedback and suggestions.
For that, we simply want to say:
Thank you.
Every pledge, every comment, every question, every share, and every word of encouragement has helped make 18ZOO the best game it can be.
🚂 One Final Opportunity
If you've been considering increasing your pledge, adding a second copy, or inviting a friend to join the campaign, this is your last chance.
If you know someone who enjoys economic games, trains, or is curious about the 18xx genre, we'd be incredibly grateful if you shared the campaign one last time.
Every new backer makes a difference.
❤️ Looking Ahead
Although the campaign is almost over, this is really just the beginning.
Over the coming months we'll be refining the artwork, completing the graphic design, finalizing the production files, and working closely with our manufacturing partners to deliver the best possible version of 18ZOO.
We'll continue sharing updates throughout the production process, so you'll be able to follow the journey from Kickstarter to your gaming table.
Thank you once again for believing in this project and for being part of this adventure.
See you at the finish line!
The 18ZOO Team 🦁🚂
⏰ Less Than 48 Hours to Go!
4 months ago
– Thu, Jun 25, 2026 at 08:05:01 AM
Hello everyone!
The finish line is finally in sight!
In less than 48 hours, the 18ZOO Kickstarter campaign will come to an end, and we wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you.
This campaign has exceeded our expectations in so many ways. Together we've unlocked every Stretch Goal, improved the game with your feedback, and built an amazing community around 18ZOO.
We couldn't have done it without you.
If you've been thinking about upgrading your pledge, adding another copy, or sharing the campaign with friends or your local gaming group, now is the time.
Once the campaign ends, the Kickstarter prices and exclusive offers will be gone.
Every new backer during these final hours helps make the project even stronger and introduces more players to the world of 18ZOO.
❤️ Thank you once again for believing in our project and supporting us throughout this journey.
Let's enjoy these final hours together!
The 18ZOO Team 🦁🚂
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