Here’s the sad news: In Too Deep was canceled before the Kickstarter campaign completed and right before fully funding on the crowdsourcing platform.

The team at Burnt Island Games is working on an overhaul for the campaign. There were a lot of content additions and improved game components that were planned for the game that wouldn’t have been reached with the initial pace of the campaign and there were ways in which the Kickstarter process could have been better prepared.

With feedback from backers, colleagues in the tabletop industry, and Kickstarter experts, the revamped campaign will return in September with the purpose of launching bigger and better than ever.

Specific steps are being made to recalibrate and refine the campaign page; polish up elements of theme, gameplay, and presentation; and continue actively spreading awareness.

Changes involving the game include:

• Focusing more on the solo mode

• Communicating and refining the unique thematic elements

• Explaining the innovative gameplay more clearly

• Enhancing the Deluxe edition further

• Making In Too Deep public on Tabletop Simulator and Tabletopia so that you can get a taste of gameplay earlier

And one of our staff writers discussed yesterday the frustrations of game delays and the expectations that consumers maintain regarding when games release and how much developers can strain that patience.

While I do think some valid points are addressed, I, for the most part, fall on the other side of the debate. There are so many games out there. My backlog is insane. My tabletop library is stuffed. And with the glut of physical and digital releases exists an ever-expanding selection of mediocre games.

Excellent games are few and far between.

So when a developer takes the time to self-reflect, to consider if waiting would make a game better, and to delay personal and financial gratification by continuing to work on a game, I’m liable to assume the developer isn’t aiming for mediocrity. I tend to hope that something excellent might just result from the delay.

Burnt Island Games, I’ll happily wait for the return of the Kickstarter campaign. The game may arrive on my shelf later, but I’ll probably like it more.

And here’s the good news: In Too Deep is now available for players to check out on Tabletop Simulator.

Click on the link below to sign up for one of these sessions!

Play In Too Deep

And here are some tips if you decide to play:

• Study the rules to make the learning process and gameplay experience faster and smoother

• Know how to use Tabletop Simulator to save time

• Sign up for one of three sessions that will be available every week until September 15th

• Wait for more information sent right before the session via email

Maybe this isn’t what you were hoping for. And it’s going to be a little longer before the game is fully realized. But now players can check out the game before the Kickstarter even begins. Also, it looks like it will be organized even better than the first time in a way that will truly reward all backers for this exciting project.

If you want more information on the game, check out the Kickstarter page and read my first impression of the stylish board game.