Hello fellow space enthusiasts!
It’s been a YEAR.
Yes, an entire year since our last newsletter. And before you start wondering whether we got lost somewhere between Earth and Mars, here’s what happened.
We’ve been busy building something. Something that demanded pretty much all the dedicated time and bandwidth we had.
We’ve been designing, testing, tweaking, breaking, fixing, and testing again. And after countless iterations, we’re finally ready to introduce it to the world.
Meet PAYLOAD, our newest tabletop creation!
But first, a little housekeeping.
We’re back to regular transmissions!
Working on Payload meant putting our newsletters on the back burner. We didn’t want to send out occasional newsletters just for the sake of staying active. We wanted to give you something worth opening and reading.
Now that Payload is ready, expect us to get back to delivering consistent, high-quality newsletters covering the fascinating world of space, rockets, aviation, electronics, and computers.
There’s plenty happening in these fields, and we have a lot to talk about.
Now, let’s get to the exciting part!
Introducing PAYLOAD 🚀
Payload is a competitive tactical-strategy tabletop game for 1 to 5 players, with a playing time of 45 to 60 minutes. Here as player you will take the role of leading a space company.
Imagine running your own space company.
You have engineers to hire, rockets to build, payload contracts to win, and rival companies breathing down your neck.
Your job? Build rockets, secure contracts, and get those payloads into orbit before everyone else.
That’s Payload!
Whether you’re a board game enthusiast, a space nerd, someone who enjoys strategic challenges, or simply looking for something different to play with friends and family, Payload has something to offer.
And no, you don’t need a degree in aerospace engineering to play it. Though having one might make the theme feel a little more familiar!
So, what exactly do you do in Payload?
You start with a space company and a modest amount of money. From there, it’s up to you to build your space empire.
Here’s how things unfold.
1. Bid for Payload contracts
Space missions need rockets, and rockets need something to carry.
Compete against rival companies in secret bidding to win lucrative Payload contracts. The lowest bidder wins the contract and earns money in the process.
But be careful. Bid too high and you might lose the contract. Bid too low and you might leave money on the table.
2. Build your rocket
Head to the Parts Market and acquire the four essential rocket parts: Nose Cone, Propellant Tanks, Engine, and Nozzle.
Each part comes with its own characteristics, costs, and launch risks.
You’ll also need Engineers to improve your rocket’s capabilities. Hire Payload Safety, Propulsion, Guidance, and Junior Engineers to boost your rocket’s attributes.
And yes, the right combination of engineers and rocket parts can make quite a difference!
3. Manage your resources and outsmart your rivals
The market keeps changing as players purchase parts and hire engineers. The cost of a card depends on its position in the market.
You’ll also have access to special Operations that can help you upgrade parts, gain shields, manipulate the market, or squeeze in extra actions.
Money, shields, engineers, and timing all matter.
4. Launch your Payload!
Once your rocket is assembled and meets the requirements of a Payload contract, it’s time for the big moment.
Calculate your Launch Target, account for the launch risks, and roll the dice.
Will your rocket make it to orbit?
Or will your carefully assembled rocket become an expensive pile of scrap?
A successful launch earns you points and valuable bonuses. A failed launch can cost you upgraded parts and precious resources.
And here’s the interesting part.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING.
You have limited actions each turn. The market keeps shifting. Your opponents are building their rockets too. Waiting for the perfect opportunity might cost you a valuable contract, while launching too early might send your rocket straight into the history books for all the wrong reasons.
Every decision matters.
Why did we make Payload?
We wanted to create something that was 10% educational and 90% fun.
We’re big fans of space science, rockets, and engineering. And we wanted to bring some of that excitement to the tabletop.
But we didn’t want players to feel like they were sitting through an engineering lecture.
You don’t need any technical knowledge of rockets to enjoy Payload. Just bring your friends and family, pick your space company, and dive into the exciting world of space missions.
Along the way, you’ll encounter real rocket components, engineering roles, launch risks, and the decisions that go into running a space company.
Who knows? A few launches, failures, and victories might even inspire someone to pursue rocket science someday. 🚀
And even if they don’t, a fun evening with friends and family is never a waste of time!
Ready to Run Your Own Space Company?
Payload is now live on Kickstarter, and we’d love to have you on board! If the idea of building rockets, competing for contracts, hiring engineers, and racing rival space companies sounds exciting, take a look at the project.
Your support will help us bring Payload to life and get it into the hands of players.
Check out the complete gameplay and rulebook on the Kickstarter page. Feel free to send us any questions you have.
