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Fed up with searching for stores? And tournaments? And not having your army list with you? Looking for a local club, or the next show in a town you are visiting? Me too, so I figured it would be good to get all that in 1 place. After many conversations with gamers, clubs, and podcasts, we have come up with the Community App that you see in the video. A single place to find all the standard info you need no matter where you are in the world, or which genre of game you play. And it will be free to use.

What will it do?
The KR Community app will maintain an up to date GLOBAL directory of Shops, Clubs, Shows and Tournaments and Podcasts, so that wherever you are you need only look in one place to find all you need for purchasing, playing or competing. You will be able to sort by name, by location or by date to find the places or events that suit you, as well as quick links to websites and directions.

The App features ArmySelector - a simple selector wheel to pick your models, rotate and tap and they will be added to your list – no typing needed! The list can be edited for title, custom text, points value, and even add pictures of your own models to it. Model detail screens show all you need to know for particular models. Uploads from csv files will also be catered for. It will be compatible with the soon to be launched “AutoFill” feature on the KR website, enabling you to use ArmySelector to take all the hard work out of creating your army lists and optimising your transport of them.

A simple traffic light system enables you to see at a glance which models are finished ready to game with, those you need to make, and even those you need to buy to finish your army or collection.

There are links to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Wargamers Consortium too, so you have easy access to all your social networks.


What do you get by supporting it’s creation?
App development is a costly process, and my aim is to provide a free app for wargamers. The way I can do this is if the Wargaming community supports us by making their next purchase of a KR Multicase via this Kickstarter Project. There are lots of levels, from single cases to suit a small army, to fantastic deals such as the “Bakers Dozen” which gets you a Kaiser2 and 11 additional cases! Think that may be too much for your collection? – then why not club together with a few friends and it will get you all the best cases for your armies. Some are from our yet to be released range of KR furniture so there is a slightly longer shipping time on them. See the rewards listed, and pick one to suit you. The funds raised will be simply split between manufacturing and shipping (where applicable) your cases, and the coding and launch of the App. And remember the App will be a free download.

Anyone who contributes to this project can have their name permanently on the App credits page as a contributor to getting the KR Community App created – you will have been there at the start!

The shipping dates are based on getting the physical cases/products out, the app will be available from June onwards. Shipping is FREE for UK and USA supporters as we can ship form our UK and our USA factories. If you are outside those locations sorry but you will have to add a shipping cost.

You can choose the trays from the current KR range to suit your army in your case, and on some levels choose the case type. We will send you a form by email to confirm the case type and trays you want after the Kickstarter ends!

How Stores, Clubs, Shows, Tournaments and Podcasts can benefit
The store, club, tournament, show and podcast rewards are a great way of getting your name in a prime spot on the app, as well as getting a good range of cases too – limited availability on those !

If you run a store, check out the “Retail Bonanza”. Not only do you get a featured position on the shop landing page, but stock to fill your shelves as well ! This reward is only available to store owners - for full details, including shipping rates, please contact KR directly before committing.

If you organise a Show, check out the “Show Off”. Not only do you get a featured position on the show landing page, but a superb set of prizes for your next show too. This reward is only available to show organisers - for full details, including shipping rates, please contact KR directly before committing.

If you run a Tournament, check out the “Tournament Tussle”. Not only do you get a featured position on the tournament landing page, but a great range of prizes for your tournament too. This reward is only available to tournament organisers - for full details, including shipping rates, please contact KR directly before committing.

If you run a Club, check out the “Club Sandwich”. Not only do you get a featured position on the club landing page, but a large range of cases to suit your club members too. This reward is only available to club organisers - for full details, including shipping rates, please contact KR directly before committing.

If you broadcast a Podcast, check out the “Cast Away”. Not only do you get a featured position on the Podcast landing page, but a great range of prizes for your next listeners too. This reward is only available to podcast hosts - for full details, including shipping rates, please contact KR directly before committing.

Stretch Goals
If the initial goal is reached we will be able to complete the iPhone version of the App. We have exciting stretch goals planned, and if we begin to meet them then the KR Community App availability will be increased to Android phones, and then Tablets too. Stretch goals and increased rewards will be posted here when needed!

And Finally:
Thanks for reading all the info, and if you can, do support us getting the app launched and use it to spend more time making, painting and playing !

Enjoy the video, it tells the story of the app and why it will be a great addition to gamers worldwide.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1665056583/free-app-for-the-miniature-wargaming-community-by

Daryl
KR Multicase

My initial reaction is that the concept images of the app are hideous. Didn't we leave those gradients behind when we left the 90s?

 KR wrote:
The KR Community app will maintain an up to date GLOBAL directory of Shops, Clubs, Shows and Tournaments and Podcasts, so that wherever you are you need only look in one place to find all you need for purchasing, playing or competing. You will be able to sort by name, by location or by date to find the places or events that suit you, as well as quick links to websites and directions.

So how is it kept up to date?


Because I have never seen a store listing that was actually up to date. Stores either don't wind up listed at all, because the guy running the place doesn't know about the listing to submit his store, or you wind up with a whole gaggle of stores listed that went out of business years ago.

The way I can do this is if the Wargaming community supports us by making their next purchase of a KR Multicase via this Kickstarter Project.

Lol.

Six months ago, this would've caused such a deliciously epic gak-storm.

KR wrote:
The KR Community app will maintain an up to date GLOBAL directory of Shops, Clubs, Shows and Tournaments and Podcasts, so that wherever you are you need only look in one place to find all you need for purchasing, playing or competing. You will be able to sort by name, by location or by date to find the places or events that suit you, as well as quick links to websites and directions.

insaniak wrote:
So how is it kept up to date?

Because I have never seen a store listing that was actually up to date. Stores either don't wind up listed at all, because the guy running the place doesn't know about the listing to submit his store, or you wind up with a whole gaggle of stores listed that went out of business years ago.

It will be kept up to date in 2 ways. Firstly, we will add the stores that are current when the app is launched, as well as working with Wargamers Consortium to help maintain the list. Secondly, the app has a feature which enables anyone to request a store be added (or removed if it has gone out of business). It will be one of the roles of an emplyee here who will be making those updates on a weekly basis. The same applies to the Tournaments, Clubs, Shows and Podcasts directories. I think the wargaming community has an interest in information which is current and so we will get informed regularly. The fact that there will be a simple page to submit the information from will help that process.

Kind regards
Daryl

What about a section for relevant retailers (pay to advertise)?

I read stores as bricks and mortar but upon rereading it is not specific.

at the moment there are 4 advertiser slots, the current plan is to stick with them. there is already good interest to fill those slots,

Kind regards
Daryl

I see potential issues for this as an 'independant' source as it's affiliated with a particular industry producer (KR multicase) & a fixed number of advertiser slots

you certainly see this in some of the affiliated online news services which supposedly report info passed in by the community, but seem reluctant to post news relating to competitors as often or as thoughrouly as their own

You'll also need some sort of robust program to stop stores/events (or their supporters) falesly reporting competitors closed/unreliable etc

So, I want an app leading me to the nearest store to purchase something why? There is already an app for that. It's called the Internet.

 SoloFalcon1138 wrote:
So, I want an app leading me to the nearest store to purchase something why? There is already an app for that. It's called the Internet.

And theres other generic Apps like Yelp

 OrlandotheTechnicoloured wrote:
I see potential issues for this as an 'independant' source as it's affiliated with a particular industry producer (KR multicase) & a fixed number of advertiser slots

you certainly see this in some of the affiliated online news services which supposedly report info passed in by the community, but seem reluctant to post news relating to competitors as often or as thoughrouly as their own

You'll also need some sort of robust program to stop stores/events (or their supporters) falesly reporting competitors closed/unreliable etc

The aim of the app is for it to be a useful place for all gamers, the directories will be just that - a comprehensive list of stores, clubs, tournaments, shows - irrespective of any particlar vendor or manufacturer. The app will have a submit page for new additions, with info required for location, date contact etc. As long as the data can be validated it will be added.

I like the cut of your jib KR!

Yelp, but targeted sounds good to me.

Looking on the internet for up-to-date info on stores is horrible.
Dakka'a store finder is better, but difficult to use on a mobile device.

KR's approach looks good.
I could find no no mention of when stretch goals kick in. If I knew when the Android version would be developed, I'd pay more attention.

 Skinnereal wrote:
Looking on the internet for up-to-date info on stores is horrible.
Dakka'a store finder is better, but difficult to use on a mobile device.

KR's approach looks good.
I could find no no mention of when stretch goals kick in. If I knew when the Android version would be developed, I'd pay more attention.

It should work out a s a straight forward directory of shops, clubs, tournaments and shows.

Good point on the stretch goals, they kick in when the target is met, I will add info tomorrow on the Project for that,

Kind rgards
Daryl

There have been quite a few questions, so I thought an FAQ section would be useful to you all, here is a copy of the update on the Project –

Why does Kickstarter still charge US shipping when you say it is free?
Please note that if you are located in the USA the pledge may insist that postage is added - it seems to be a quirk of the Kickstarter system which is hard to avoid as we will be shipping from both our UK and our USA facilities, rest assured that the postage cost will be refunded to you in that instance if you are USA based and if the project is successful.

What are the Stretch targets?
The stretch targets to cover additional devices are as follows:
£30,000 – Android Phones
£40,000 – Windows Phones
£50,000 – Android Tablets
£65,000 – Apple Tablets

Can I combine pledges?
You can combine pledges, just select the ones you want, we will combine them and ship them as one package.

What is the upgrade to Custom trays?
The upgrade relates to the custom trays on the KR website, and that the cases are offered with any of the other trays if the upgrade is not chosen. Reward levels with no upgrade can have any trays, including custom trays in them.

What is a WarDesk?
The WarDesk is part of the range of KR Furniture that will be launched in April. It will cover WarTables, WarDesks, and shelving – bespoke designs to suit the KR system. The WarDesk itself is a hobby desk which as well as being able to hold your KR cases and be a modelling desk, it will transform into a 4 x 4 foot gaming table. That combined with the KR Scenery range will mean that you can keep your scenery tiles and terrain pieces well protected when not in use, or indeed if you take them to your club or any other venue.

Can I suggest Additional Features to be added!
Yes please do! The app is for the community, the better it functions the more you will get out of it. Already one backer has suggested that we should add a feature to the Army Lists options for a “Battle Tracker”. It will enable you to keep a record of date, points size, factions, scenarios, results, and additional notes. It will be able to be exported to a csv file to allow data to be analysed in excel or similar. That will now be in there!

and I have now put them in the correct place on the KS description page rather than the update page !

"The WarDesk is part of the range of KR Furniture that will be launched in April."

Do you have more information about any of this?
Since the KS ends before April, any PoC shots or descriptions would be good.

I'm looking for shelving for my hobby stuff, and clearing my KR cases away would make that far easier.
I have a desk and a table though, so I have no need to pledge for the full desk.

Wait, so you're not even doing this for Android devices unless you hit a stretch goal that is -double- your original funding target? Pass.

The Android OS holds nearly 70% of the smartphone market globally, and 49% in the USA(compared to 19% globally and 45% USA for iOS), developing primarily for Apple devices makes no sense if you're aiming for worldwide support, and is even questionable if you were focusing exclusively on the United States.

 Yodhrin wrote:
Wait, so you're not even doing this for Android devices unless you hit a stretch goal that is -double- your original funding target? Pass.

The Android OS holds nearly 70% of the smartphone market globally, and 49% in the USA(compared to 19% globally and 45% USA for iOS), developing primarily for Apple devices makes no sense if you're aiming for worldwide support, and is even questionable if you were focusing exclusively on the United States.

Unless you're shooting for ease of development, of course.

 Yodhrin wrote:
Wait, so you're not even doing this for Android devices unless you hit a stretch goal that is -double- your original funding target? Pass.

The Android OS holds nearly 70% of the smartphone market globally, and 49% in the USA(compared to 19% globally and 45% USA for iOS), developing primarily for Apple devices makes no sense if you're aiming for worldwide support, and is even questionable if you were focusing exclusively on the United States.

As somebody with 2 brothers in the computer programing/app writing business I can tell you that Apple devices are far easier to write for as they have a single stable platorm, Andriod is a mixed bag of semi-compatable software which interacts with different manufacturers hardware to make it much harder to write for

There is also the problem that Andriod owners are far less likely to BUY an app (generalising they'll use it if it's free, or pirate it if it's not, but if you want to sell go for iOS)

so from a software developer point of view you write for iOS first, and then convert to Andriod if the idea works

The double price for Android is silly.

Seeing how the majority of iOS holders are young teen girls, and rarely any young teen girls play war based model games it seems silly to focus on that.



Not to mention, why would I pay money towards an iOS development?

At no point, unless it was at 99% funds would I risk my money for an iOS app.


Also why use kickstarter when there is indiegogo?

Its basically the EXACT SAME except offers insurance to backers. (A vital piece that kickstarter is missing)

 OrlandotheTechnicoloured wrote:

 Yodhrin wrote:
Wait, so you're not even doing this for Android devices unless you hit a stretch goal that is -double- your original funding target? Pass.

The Android OS holds nearly 70% of the smartphone market globally, and 49% in the USA(compared to 19% globally and 45% USA for iOS), developing primarily for Apple devices makes no sense if you're aiming for worldwide support, and is even questionable if you were focusing exclusively on the United States.

As somebody with 2 brothers in the computer programing/app writing business I can tell you that Apple devices are far easier to write for as they have a single stable platorm, Andriod is a mixed bag of semi-compatable software which interacts with different manufacturers hardware to make it much harder to write for

There is also the problem that Andriod owners are far less likely to BUY an app (generalising they'll use it if it's free, or pirate it if it's not, but if you want to sell go for iOS)

so from a software developer point of view you write for iOS first, and then convert to Andriod if the idea works

Perhaps from the PoV of a lazy software developer, sure.

Windows has the exact same "problem" as Android in terms of compatibility and hardware interaction issues, but their market share is so overwhelming in comparison to Apple that it's still senseless to develop for Apple first and port to Windows, and the same holds true for Android, particularly when you consider the target market of this app.

As for the derogatory characterisation of Android users as unstoppable software pirates, even if we accept your statement as correct, this is supposedly a free app, meaning it doesn't apply.

Again, look at the market shares; asking up to 69% of your backers to fund development for up to 19% of your backers, without even a concrete assurance that those 69% will be catered to in the future? That's just plain cheek.

As I said, I was generalising based of the info I have from my brothers.. sorry if I seemed offensive

certainly not all, or even most android users are pirates, but more android apps are pirated, and less are sold,

whether that's down to the fact it's easier to hack/pirate andriod stuff (so more potential pirates buy into this OS) or simply that there are more users I certainly don't know (my guess, a mix of all three + other stuff I've not thought of)

I can't address wargaming apps specifically as that not someting either have done

Clearly in an ideal world you'll develop for all platforms, but where money is limited it makes sense to go for the easiest &/or biggest market first, and branch out as your funds allow

as this is an app the main target is smartphone & tablet users (computer users will have access to the full web anyway) so the smart way, to go is iOS 1st (as they plan to)

again based on what info I have from my brothers (they can't talk actuall numbers due to client confidentiallity) adding Andriod to a project can easily double the costs to get things working so the stretch goal does not seem outragous.

If you're interested but run Andriod you can wait for apple users to fund the project and only back when they're looking to fund the Andriod bit of the development......

Jacob29 wrote:
The double price for Android is silly.

Seeing how the majority of iOS holders are young teen girls, and rarely any young teen girls play war based model games it seems silly to focus on that.



Not to mention, why would I pay money towards an iOS development?

At no point, unless it was at 99% funds would I risk my money for an iOS app.


Also why use kickstarter when there is indiegogo?

Its basically the EXACT SAME except offers insurance to backers. (A vital piece that kickstarter is missing)

I'm trying to figure out which part of your comment makes any sense, but after further review, it's so asanine that it's almost not even worth responding to.

Regardless, you claim that "the majority of iOS holders are young teen girls" is categorically absurd.

 OrlandotheTechnicoloured wrote:


If you're interested but run Andriod you can wait for apple users to fund the project and only back when they're looking to fund the Andriod bit of the development......

Why would I risk it?

If they get iOS version then they get it.

If I put money in, and it doesnt reach £30k then I lose EVERYTHING for NOTHING.

Why should I have to risk it?

When Android has majority market.

Jacob29 wrote:
Seeing how the majority of iOS holders are young teen girls, and rarely any young teen girls play war based model games it seems silly to focus on that.

The iOS users in this thread are not the ones sounding like teen girls.

 cincydooley wrote:


I'm trying to figure out which part of your comment makes any sense, but after further review, it's so asanine that it's almost not even worth responding to.

Regardless, you claim that "the majority of iOS holders are young teen girls" is categorically absurd.

Bah yeah your right, my post about with the young girls.

Although "Gender

The AdMob survey showed Android users are more likely to be male than iPhone users.

Age

iPhone users are almost twice as likely to be children as Android users. Users who are 17 years of age or younger comprise 13 percent of iPhone customers and 7 percent of Android customers. Users who are between 18 and 24 years of age comprise 12 percent of the customers for iPhone and 17 percent of the customers for Android. Users between 25 and 34 years of age comprise 21 percent of the customers for iPhone and 30 percent of the customers for Android."

Also what was wrong with everything else I said?

 Cyporiean wrote:

Jacob29 wrote:
Seeing how the majority of iOS holders are young teen girls, and rarely any young teen girls play war based model games it seems silly to focus on that.

The iOS users in this thread are not the ones sounding like teen girls.

Im not saying they are. But surveys show that iOS users and more likely to be both female, and younger. So if your audience is male it surely means you will head for a different OS.

Jacob29 wrote:

 Cyporiean wrote:

Jacob29 wrote:
Seeing how the majority of iOS holders are young teen girls, and rarely any young teen girls play war based model games it seems silly to focus on that.

The iOS users in this thread are not the ones sounding like teen girls.

Im not saying they are. But surveys show that iOS users and more likely to be both female, and younger. So if your audience is male it surely means you will head for a different OS.

You need to read his comment again. You missed his point completely.

Regardless, companies still go to iOS for development. Which means they know something random internet users don't. Which isn't shocking, really.

 -Loki- wrote:

Jacob29 wrote:

 Cyporiean wrote:

Jacob29 wrote:
Seeing how the majority of iOS holders are young teen girls, and rarely any young teen girls play war based model games it seems silly to focus on that.

The iOS users in this thread are not the ones sounding like teen girls.

Im not saying they are. But surveys show that iOS users and more likely to be both female, and younger. So if your audience is male it surely means you will head for a different OS.

You need to read his comment again. You missed his point completely.

Regardless, companies still go to iOS for development. Which means they know something random internet users don't. Which isn't shocking, really.

I didn't miss his point, I got it.

It was just a silly point.

As a software developer of mobile apps, I can tell you that most people on the internets have it wrong:

1) As you say, Android has a larger (worldwide) market share. However this is more dominant in emerging markets (eg Brazil) than major ones (eg UK).

2) Android appeals more towards the GW's target demographic than Apple does; more towards 13-30 demographic, towards men, towards geeks. This would be a huge driving factor. More iPhone users are female than male.

3) Android is only difficult to develop for multiple devices if you are doing something moderately complicated, and doing it badly. Every Android app my company has made uses a single binary to target all languages, Android versions (2.0+) and screen sizes from 3" to 12". If you use the standard Android themes and tools, then it really is quite simple. Games developers obviously have a harder time of it than most, but if KR gets away from their 90's design and makes a UI from *this* decade, it will be quite easy.

4) The tools for Android development are also generally more well known to software developers, and are free for use on all PC OSs.

5) Given Samsung's new dominance in the smartphone marketplace, companies are now looking very hard at the target demographics and who their app will appeal to most.

6) Once you have the program logic written in one language, converting it to another language which uses similar paradigms is relatively easy. Its the logic and data-structures which are the time-consuming bit. KR are free to do whatever they want with stretch goals, but my company typically charges less than 50% more to target both platforms.