Voidpilots Dispatch #20: October Update & Tariff FAQ
11 months ago
– Wed, Oct 29, 2025 at 01:49:00 PM
Hi everyone,
With Fall in full swing and Halloween approaching, it's time to share an update on Chronicles of the Stellar Drive Empire™: Voidpilot’s Legacy. Thank you, as always, for your continued support and patience as we move forward with production and navigate the ongoing tariff situation.
Project News
Tariff Case: U.S. Supreme Court Review Still Scheduled
The big news first: the lawsuit challenging the legality of tariffs is still scheduled to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court on November 5th. The ongoing government shutdown may affect that date, but as of now, it remains on the calendar. We’re watching it closely because the outcome could reshape the tariff landscape entirely.
Manufacturing Progress
We’re excited to share that we’ve submitted all main game and Pirate Expansion card files for manufacturer review. This is a major step forward. As we’ve mentioned before, we’re pacing production carefully while we monitor how the tariff situation develops, but it feels great to reach this milestone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many of you have asked great questions about the current situation, so we’ve gathered answers to the most common ones below.
Q: Tariffs have always been around, why is this an issue now?
Normally, tariffs change gradually and with significant government deliberation. Right now, they’re shifting at an unprecedented pace.
As we saw earlier in the year, for our manufacturing partner's country, tariffs increased dramatically past 100% with little to no warning and spiked again during an announced "tariff pause." The instability is the main challenge.
The manufacturing process will take a few months. Tariffs are due when our shipment enters the United States. If the tariff levels are higher than 30% when our game arrives, the project will likely become insolvent.
Q: Can you give an example of how tariffs affect costs?
Yes. Here’s how tariffs affect our original $15,000 shipping quote:
- A tariff of 10% (our anticipated, pre-2025 industry-standard tariff level) costs $1,500, making the shipment total $16,500.
- A tariff of 30% costs $4,500, making the shipment total $19,500.
- A tariff of 100% costs $15,000, making the shipment total $30,000.
- A tariff of 130% costs $19,500, making the shipment total $34,500. (This level was announced to start November 1st.)
For a small studio like ours, that kind of increase isn’t something we can simply absorb. We’re determined to deliver responsibly, which means not moving forward until we can do so safely.
Q: Can’t you just ask backers to pay the tariffs?
As we’ve stated from the start, backers are only responsible for shipping and duties on their own orders.
However, tariffs apply to the entire shipment, not individual orders. That means even if every backer covered duties for their copy, it would only offset a small portion of the total import cost.
We currently have about 240 backers, but we must produce 1,500 units to meet manufacturing requirements. Covering duties for 240 copies would only offset a small fraction of the total cost because the other 1,260 units are part of the same shipment and also incur tariffs.
While each backer will eventually pay shipping and duties on their own order, that alone isn’t enough to make the entire shipment financially viable. We want to make sure we can deliver everyone’s rewards, securely and responsibly, before collecting those fees.
Q: Why don’t you just manufacture fewer units?
We’re producing 1,500 copies of the game because:
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It’s the minimum print quantity required by our overseas manufacturing partner for this type of product.
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Our manufacturer is also producing all of our rewards, allowing us to maintain consistency and quality while simplifying logistics.
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This project is the first product line for our continuing business. From the start, our goal has been to build a sustainable business around the Chronicles of the Stellar Drive Empire™ universe. Retail and wholesale distribution are key to that vision by helping fund future expansions and ensuring this series continues to grow.
We’re proud of the product we’re building, and even though we’ve hit delays, these decisions are setting the foundation for the long-term success of the brand.
Q: Can’t you switch to a manufacturer outside of China?
We’ve explored this, but we’ve already paid a 50% deposit to our overseas partner and invested significant effort in preparing production files to their standards. Switching now would:
- Forfeit about one-third of our Kickstarter funds
- Introduce major delays and possibly render the project insolvent
- Require retooling and reworking assets from scratch
That said, we are researching a U.S.-based backup plan in case the tariff situation remains too risky. We’ll only pivot if we’re confident it’s financially viable and won’t compromise quality or fulfillment.
Q: Other companies are still delivering products. Why can’t you?
We’re happy to see others finding success! However, many of those publishers:
- Have larger budgets or alternate funding sources that allow them to absorb sudden cost increases, or,
- Operate in or ship from countries unaffected by these tariffs
We’re a small, self-funded team. Every dollar goes toward ensuring Voidpilot’s Legacy reaches you in the best possible form and survives as a business after it does.
Q: What about international backers?
We have fewer than 10 international orders. Producing and shipping those separately isn’t possible because the cost of small-batch manufacturing and freight would be extreme. Those orders will be fulfilled alongside the main production once we're manufacturing.
Next Steps
We know the delays have been difficult, but please know we’re not standing still. We’re working to position Voidpilot’s Legacy for a successful launch, whether that’s by refining files, exploring options, or keeping watch on the Supreme Court case that could change everything.
We remain optimistic. The game is awesome, the expansion is thrilling, and we're inspired by your support.
Thank you again for being part of this journey, and for your continued support, encouragement, and patience as we work to get the game into your hands. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way.
Sincerely,
Nick and Alex
Voidpilots Dispatch #19: Tariffs and Backup Planning
about 1 year ago
– Tue, Sep 09, 2025 at 02:47:14 PM
Hi everyone,
It’s time for another update on Chronicles of the Stellar Drive Empire™: Voidpilot’s Legacy. We'll be upfront: the ongoing tariff situation continues to present real challenges for us moving into production and getting the game fulfilled.
Tariff Update: More Instability
Since our last post, things have gotten even more unpredictable on the trade front. The “de minimis” tariff exception, a potential workaround that would have allowed us to import without steep duties, has been rescinded for all countries. On top of that, the entire U.S. tariff framework is now under legal challenge.
In fact, the U.S. Supreme Court has just agreed to hear a case that questions the constitutionality of the tariff authority itself, with oral arguments scheduled for November. Frankly, any outcome of the case will result in further instability.
We cannot emphasize this enough: this level of instability is unprecedented. Every time we start moving toward production, the rules shift again. Our primary concern remains the same: we want to make sure we can deliver your game without exposing the project to financial risk that could make fulfillment unsustainable.
Exploring a Backup Plan
Given this continued volatility, we are now actively researching a backup manufacturing plan.
That said, it is important to remember that we have already paid a 50% deposit to our overseas manufacturing partner, and we have invested heavily in adapting to their production systems. If we were to switch now, those funds would be unrecoverable, so any change would need to be carefully evaluated against our remaining budget, logistics, and timelines.
We are gathering quotes and other information so we can make a fully informed decision if we decide to pivot. We will keep you posted as soon as we know more.
We appreciate your continued patience, support, and belief in this project.
Sincerely,
Nick and Alex
Voidpilots Dispatch #18: Summer Update
about 1 year ago
– Thu, Jul 31, 2025 at 04:04:07 PM
Hi everyone,
We hope you're enjoying a restful and refreshing summer!
Pirate Expansion Sneak Peak: Interdiction
Let’s talk about a new feature we’re introducing in the Pirate Expansion: Interdiction.
Pirates can’t chase ships at faster than light speed, so they do the next best thing: intercept them at sublight speeds to force them into dangerous encounters. That’s where Interdiction comes in.
What Is It?
Interdiction is a brand-new Event type and introduces a new Module—the Interdictor—which replaces the Utility module on your ship.
New Interdiction Events and Interdictor Module
Your Objective:
Force a freighter out of its transit path and into combat. Target freighters have an Evasion value, and your job is to match or exceed it using the Interdictor.
How It Works:
Start by rolling 6 dice using the Interdictor.
- Every 6 rolled counts as a success against the target’s Evasion and is placed on the Module.
- If you roll at least one success, reroll the remaining dice.
- If you roll no successes, remove one die from the pool and reroll the rest.
- If you roll at least one 1, you may reroll that die (yes, even pirates get lucky breaks).
Allocating power to the standard Interdictor module results in automatic successes (up to the module's limit).
If your total successes exceed the freighter’s Evasion, you’ve successfully interdicted the target vessel! That's when a new Freighter Combat encounter begins (we'll go into more detail about that in a future update).
Fail, and your ship takes damage equal to the number of unmet success slots still visible.
We'll have more to share as we continue preparing for production. Thank you, as always, for your support!
Sincerely,
Nick and Alex
Voidpilots Dispatch #17: Steady Progress, Shifting Trade Winds
about 1 year ago
– Wed, Jul 02, 2025 at 02:00:04 PM
Hi everyone,
Time to share a brief update on Chronicles of the Stellar Drive Empire™: Voidpilot’s Legacy.
Production Update
The tariff situation between China and the U.S. remains unpredictable. During what was meant to be a 90-day period of reduced tariffs and negotiations, rates have continued to fluctuate. Most recently, the Treasury Secretary announced that tariffs on goods manufactured in China will start at 30%. We’re watching the situation closely and will update you as soon as we know more about how it will affect the production timeline.
On a more positive note, we've completed all of the digital files for the cards, including the base game and expansions. We are now moving on to preparing the files needed for the rewards.
Pirate Expansion Sneak Peak
We've been keeping quiet about a lot of the Pirate Expansion, but we wanted to share a glimpse today. In the Pirate Expansion, your primary goal is to build out your Asteroid Base before Authority forces reinforce the system. They’re coming fast, with only four runs of the deck available to build up your base before they arrive!
We'll drop more info soon!
Thanks again for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Nick and Alex
Voidpilots Dispatch #16: Navigating a Shifting Tariff Landscape
over 1 year ago
– Mon, May 19, 2025 at 03:52:07 PM
Hi everyone,
This is a quick update to keep you informed on where things stand with Chronicles of the Stellar Drive Empire™: Voidpilot’s Legacy. While there have been no major developments in production since our last post, we want to share more context about the situation we’re closely monitoring behind the scenes.
A Highly Unusual Trade Environment
At the heart of the delay is the fluid and unpredictable tariff situation between the U.S. and China, where our manufacturing partner is located. While recent tariff rates have temporarily dropped from 145% to 30% for a planned 90-day window, there is no assurance those rates will hold.
To give you an idea of the volatility: the initial spike from 34% to 145% happened in just 14 days. That kind of swing, without warning, adds a massive layer of uncertainty and business risk.
In typical scenarios, tariff adjustments move through Congress, which provides a natural buffer businesses can plan around. Unfortunately, current conditions do not include those guardrails, and shifts could happen again just as rapidly.
Why We’re Still Holding
If we were to proceed with manufacturing today and the tariff rate returned to 145% by the time the games are shipped, the resulting import costs could render the project insolvent.
It’s important to note that we’ve already paid a 50% deposit to our manufacturing partner and are fully committed to working with them. That means we have limited flexibility in changing our manufacturing approach, but it also means we’re ready to move quickly when the time is right.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: Why not just start production now and deal with tariffs when the game ships?
A: Because tariffs are applied when goods enter the U.S., not when they are manufactured. If rates spike again before arrival, it could dramatically increase import costs and push the project beyond its budget.
Q: Can’t you switch to a manufacturer outside of China?
A: We’ve already paid a 50% deposit, and work is underway to match all of our assets to match our manufacturer's requirements. At this stage, switching manufacturers would not only introduce major delays and additional costs, it would almost certainly render the project insolvent. The funds already committed cannot be recovered, and restarting production elsewhere would exceed our remaining budget.
Q: What changed since the campaign ended?
A: The trade environment has become unusually volatile. Earlier this year, tariffs jumped from 34% to 145% in just two weeks. While there's a temporary reduction in place, there’s no guarantee it will last, and little policy infrastructure exists to slow future spikes.
Q: Will backers have to pay more?
A: As stated during the campaign, shipping and any applicable import duties (including tariffs) will be collected closer to fulfillment. While we can’t guarantee final rates, our goal is to minimize costs wherever possible, and this delay helps reduce the risk of unexpected increases.
Q: When will you move forward?
A: As soon as the tariff environment stabilizes, or we identify a viable workaround, we will proceed quickly. Production files are nearly ready, and we’re actively monitoring the situation.
We know delays are never easy, and we truly appreciate your continued patience and understanding. We’re doing everything we can to move forward responsibly, without compromising the integrity of the project or putting it (and your support) at risk.
More soon,
Nick and Alex
