SUCKER PUNCHED!
Brace yourselves…It’s happening!!!
Photo by Max Kotchouro
March of 2020 Fists & Fiends was born. A martial arts wargame wrapped in a survival horror setting and atmosphere to convey fear, anxiety, and tension in combat. Today, almost six years later the project has come to fruition. By now you know the origin story. If not, you can watch the backstory videoand catch up. A reaction, a pivot, a survival mechanism to help my kids team navigate the pandemic, I had no machinations, or aspirations of being a game designer/developer. As a matter of fact, tomorrow will mark 22 years since starting my martial arts training center and embarking on my life path as a Mantis Boxer/BJJ practitioner and coach. Life though, has a funny way of creating opportunities; lightning we must seize onto or it will slip right by.
So here we are, March of 2026. I have quietly known for weeks that the books were on their way. No tracking number, no way of knowing where they were, or if it was all just smoke and mirrors. Friday, February 20th I received a series of questions regarding the delivery via email from the company in charge of bringing Fists & Fiends across the country from the port to my doorstep. Still no tracking number, no date, no information whatsoever. Thus, I had to drop everything and go into high gear to get the warehouse to a point where I could at least get the pallets of books inside and out of the snow, ice, and wind if they arrived unannounced. Would they be here tomorrow, or three weeks from now? I did not know.
SUCKER PUNCHED!
Yesterday, the message came out of nowhere like a sucker punch: “Your delivery arrives tomorrow. Driver will call you an hour out.” No timeframe, no information other than that. I dropped everything again, spending yesterday clearing out anything and everything that was still in the way from the construction, making way for today’s projected arrival. Another storm was inbound so it was crucial everything was prepped and we would have no interference getting things inside.
This morning I awoke early, checking my phone with anticipation and anxiety that I missed the call. Nothing. I went about my morning making sourdough bread for tonight’s dinner. Shortly before my morning workout, followed right after by the noon jiu-Jitsu class, my phone rings —
“I’m 12 minutes out.”
WHAM!!! What happened to the 1 hour??? Ha! Luckily we were ready. I rolled the mats up, opened up the doors, and prepared to receive the goods. Anthony pulled down the street in a 24 foot Ryder truck, deftly backing it down our narrow driveway and stopping within feet of the doors.
Luckily the snow and sleet held off. We were able to unload everything and move it inside without a giant mess, or worse…getting the boxes all wet. I did not have time to setup a video, but I was able to capture some still photos as we brought in each pallet. See photos below — 6000 lbs of Fists & Fiends has arrived!
SIGH OF RELIEF
Now I can breathe easier knowing this fiend of a project, managed and created entirely over the internet half a world away, is real. Now, very soon, I can start getting it into your fists! Thank you all again for your incredible support in making this dream happen, and for your patience as the process has slowly unfolded. Next up — inventory of all the goods. After that — shipping and fulfillment to begin. Stay hooked!
