At the bottom of the main page we have added four new stretch goals, including two which supplement upcoming goals that turned out to be SO noncontroversial that some of you were bored. Okay, we didn’t come here to be boring.

And yes, this is the update that announces the surprise.

Background: Because this project has gotten so much support, we’ve managed to address almost every one of your frequent requests. We ditched the dry-erase sheets in favor of an app; then we worked a flexible erasable sheet back in because some of you really wanted it. We have committed to re-releasing the miniatures and the separate miniatures rules. You asked for a pocket version of the game, and you got it, using the classic counter designs. There will also be a large-sized set of classic counters available as an extra. Even some “flat Ogre” counters will appear, thanks to the generosity of sponsor Michael Johnston. We said “no” to a couple of other requests that might go back on the table anyway now that our print run nears 6,000 (surrrrrvey coming, but later).

But one comment that appears over and over is . . . “Bring Back Car Wars!”

Which is not Ogre! But we’re about to make some of you very happy anyway.

We know that others will be unhappy because, well, it’s not Ogre. True. But we are enlisting help from Car Wars fans to get the word out about Ogre, and Ogre fans will like the new goal PAST the Car Wars goal. I hope you like that, at least!

Others will be unhappy because, once again, we are not following the standard Kickstarter model. We know that! We’re offering a new model, and it works. We are an established company, not a startup, and we are using Kickstarter, plus surveys, to tell us what NEW things the fans want us to do. Otherwise, we’d just keep doing the same things we’ve done for the past several years, and that doesn’t stretch US.

We’re learning a lot, and we’ve used the stretch goals both to make a bigger, better game, and to build up the Ogre community to last long after this project is done. This idea has proven itself by generating over a half-million dollars, a print run twice what we originally planned, and a busy 2013 schedule for a game that was going to be a one-shot. Others will do what we are doing now. It will be good for the game hobby. Enjoy the ride!

So enough beating around the bush. Let’s talk about Car Wars.The $700K goal for this project will be: We will start a survey-driven Kickstarter project for Car Wars. You can read more about it, and the other new goals, in the Stretch Goals section at the bottom of the main page.

What if you are a Car Wars fan who doesn’t want a big Ogre game? Then do not buy the big Ogre game! We built this company by selling you what you DO want. Okay?

Instead. . .

(1) We’re going to do a multicolored Car Wars shirt, based on the art from the very first edition of the game. Here’s a nice scan from BGG. Of course, this is a Kickstarter exclusive.

It will say “I Made Steve Jackson Work On Car Wars.” Today, Sunday, you have to see it in your head, because the art isn’t finished. It’s a new $23 support level, or $30 internationally, or you can add it as an extra to another level for $23.

(2) What will help the very most, if you are a Car Wars fan, is to spread the word! We have less than a week to go. Tell your friends about this Ogre project. Work that social media! If you reach fans of Car Wars, they can join in telling us to do that project. If they like Ogre, they can support us and get a good game, and their support will help this project . . . which will also prove to us that we HAVE to do Car Wars.

- Steve Jackson