We've launched an exciting new project of our own! Introducing the Kickstarter app for iPhone!

Funded! This project successfully raised its funding goal on January 21.

Photo-main

Keep your Settlers of Catan game board from falling apart in any layout you can think of.

Hexels are now an officially licensed product of Catan and Mayfair Games!

Featured On

You can now order Booster-Packs to add extra Hexels to your reward level!

Here is how the Booster-Packs work:

Domestic backers - for every 10 extra Hexels you would like to receive on top of your reward level, just add $20 to your pledge. You can add as many Booster-Packs to your pledge as you like, and all reward levels from $28 and up qualify to order Booster-Packs.

International backers - for every 10 extra Hexels you would like to receive on top of your reward level, just add $25 to your pledge. You can add as many Booster-Packs to your pledge as you like, and all reward levels from $28 and up qualify to order Booster-Packs. 

The slight increase in cost per Hexel for the booster packs as compared to the reward levels also covers the increased shipping costs as well as the extra man-hours required to offer this level of customization!

Designing the perfect modular game board for Catan has been a bit of an obsession of mine for over a year now.  Throughout that time I have come up with many iterations that ranged from a large single board with indentations for the pieces to various versions of interlocking pieces and ultimately to the final design in its simplest form.  What I like to call, a Hexel.

A Hexel is a single hexagonal piece to reflect the hexagons of the board which they were designed for that magnetically connects to each of its neighbors by allowing each magnet to freely orient itself in whatever direction creates the strongest bond.  The result is a board that stays together when playing, allows complete modularity, can be used as a storage device, and it all fits into the original box your game of settlers came in.  

Creating something that mostly worked would to be okay if it were only for myself, but since this was for you it had to be amazing!   Here is the process that brought this humble idea to be something deserving of your attention.

The Evolution of The Hexel:

The very first design. Play the original Settlers and be able to easily pop out the pieces when you are done with little finger-holes
The very first design. Play the original Settlers and be able to easily pop out the pieces when you are done with little finger-holes
A whole board in one piece was too large to store conveniently, so it was broken up into three interlocking pieces
A whole board in one piece was too large to store conveniently, so it was broken up into three interlocking pieces
The three interlocking pieces placed near each other to show how it would create the board
The three interlocking pieces placed near each other to show how it would create the board
The previous designs forced the board to be limited to a single layout. By splitting up the board into groups of three pieces it allowed for more modularity and could more easily fit in the original box
The previous designs forced the board to be limited to a single layout. By splitting up the board into groups of three pieces it allowed for more modularity and could more easily fit in the original box
Groups of three placed next to each other to show how they would create an entire board. The board no longer had anything to hold it together well and couldn't quite make the original layout without lots of extra pieces
Groups of three placed next to each other to show how they would create an entire board. The board no longer had anything to hold it together well and couldn't quite make the original layout without lots of extra pieces
A single piece was designed to hold each hexagonal tile. This allowed a reduction in plastic of 35% compared to old models while also introducing the chambers for the self-orienting magnets
A single piece was designed to hold each hexagonal tile. This allowed a reduction in plastic of 35% compared to old models while also introducing the chambers for the self-orienting magnets
Hide the magnet chambers and increase the number of magnets to create a stronger hold (top view)
Hide the magnet chambers and increase the number of magnets to create a stronger hold (top view)
(bottom view of the four magnet chambers)
(bottom view of the four magnet chambers)
The previous versions still weren't good enough, so we upped our game. Six magnets! Also, reducing required plastic makes the part more eco-friendly while also making it easier to produce!
The previous versions still weren't good enough, so we upped our game. Six magnets! Also, reducing required plastic makes the part more eco-friendly while also making it easier to produce!
The first prototype from our manufacturers (bottom view).
The first prototype from our manufacturers (bottom view).
Top view of the manufacturer's delivered prototype (top view). LIKE A GLOVE!
Top view of the manufacturer's delivered prototype (top view). LIKE A GLOVE!
A whole board assembled using various prototypes including the completely modular harbor piece!
A whole board assembled using various prototypes including the completely modular harbor piece!
A close up on the pieces next to each other. The top two pieces are 3d printed and not quite as accurate as the bottom piece, but even so the pieces sit very snugly next to each other.
A close up on the pieces next to each other. The top two pieces are 3d printed and not quite as accurate as the bottom piece, but even so the pieces sit very snugly next to each other.

Flex Goals

Currently being updated.  Stay tuned!

The Shake Test!

The Hold Test!


Everything for 3-4 player Settlers of Catan all in the original Box!
Everything for 3-4 player Settlers of Catan all in the original Box!
Everything for 5-6 player Settlers of Catan all in the original Box!
Everything for 5-6 player Settlers of Catan all in the original Box!
Check out the stats on the project at Kicktraq!
Check out the stats on the project at Kicktraq!

Patent Pending.

Risks and challenges Learn about accountability on Kickstarter

A major challenge we could run into that seemingly all Kickstarter projects encounter is fulfillment. It's something that I have been paying particular attention to while preparing for the project. Currently, using Amazon as a fulfillment center seems to be the best option. They have great customer service, a proven track record, and more resources available to them than either you or I could imagine.

If other issues arise I will approach them as I have for this entire project. Hobbling something together wont be good enough. Getting the right solution for the right situation is important. It sets the tone for future decisions and expectations and I am confident that when an issue arrises a great solution will not be far behind.

FAQ

  • What are the internal dimensions of the Hexel?

    length of one side = 4.6 cm 

     from side to side = 7.97 cm 

     from corner to corner = 9.21 cm

    If your game tiles measure either the same or just slightly smaller than these dimensions then you will be  just fine!

    Last updated: Monday Dec 10, 9:39pm EST
  • I have a lot of tiles. Can I buy multiple sets at the Early Bird pricing?

    Kickstarter does not allow projects to offer multiples of its rewards, so we can't have a reward like "Four sets of 30 Hexels for the price of three".

    Last updated: Monday Dec 10, 9:48pm EST
  • Do all reward levels include the 3D printable files

    Yes.  All reward levels from $5+ will include the option to receive the 3D printable files.

    Last updated: Tuesday Dec 11, 12:17pm EST
  • Doesn't the 5-6 Seafarers require 63 hexels?

    Yes.  I made a mistake when I created the reward level for 5-6 player Seafarers. The set should actually have 63 Hexels and not 59. Rest assured, if you have selected the reward levels that say 59 Hexels, you will end up receiving 63 Hexels. Since we already have a few backers at that level Kickstarter wont allow me to modify them.

    Last updated: Tuesday Dec 11, 12:51pm EST
  • Will these fit the Kosmos tiles?

    Yes!

    As I understand it the Kosmos tiles have these dimensions:

    length of one side = 4.6 cm 
    from side to side = 7.9 cm 
    from corner to corner = 9.1 cm 

    And the internal dimensions of the Hexels measure:

    length of one side = 4.6 cm 

    from side to side = 7.97 cm 

    from corner to corner = 9.21 cm 

    So you are covered!

    Last updated: Tuesday Dec 11, 1:29pm EST
  • Does this come with the game too, or just the Hexels?

    The $66 reward level includes a set of 19 Hexels as well as a copy of the Settlers of Catan.  All other reward levels contain only Hexels.

    Last updated: Wednesday Dec 19, 1:44pm EST
Ask a question
2,166
Backers
$130,084
pledged of $50,000 goal
0
seconds to go

Funding period
Dec 7, 2012 - Jan 21, 2013 (45 days)

Photo.medium

See full bio

  • Pledge $1 or more

    9 backers

    Stay informed of all the Hexels news! Hear about what we are working on, new products, and what to expect in the future!

    Estimated delivery: Jan 2013
  • Pledge $5 or more

    85 backers

    For the 3D printing community! Receive all the files necessary to print your own set of Hexels + harbor pieces.

    Estimated delivery: Jan 2013
  • Pledge $28 or more

    200 backers All gone!

    Early Adopter Special! A full set of 19 Hexels for a 3-4 player game of Settlers of Catan

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2013
    Add $12 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $35 or more

    345 backers

    A full set of 19 Hexels for a 3-4 player game of Settlers of Catan

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2013
    Add $12 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $35 or more

    200 backers All gone!

    Early Adopter Special! A full set of 30 Hexels for 5-6 player Settlers of Catan

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2013
    Add $12 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $50 or more

    480 backers

    A full set of 30 Hexels for 5-6 player Settlers of Catan

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2013
    Add $12 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $66 or more

    52 backers All gone!

    An Early Adopter Special for those of you who do not own a copy of The Settlers of Catan, but are interested. A full set of 19 Hexels for a 3-4 player game of Settlers of Catan (at the $28 price) PLUS of copy of The Settlers of Catan by Mayfair Games so you can play this awesome game!

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2013
    Add $24 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $75 or more

    165 backers

    49 Hexels, which allows you to play the original Settlers 3-4 player, Settlers 5-6 player, and Seafarers 3-4 player.

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2013
    Add $12 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $80 or more

    200 backers All gone!

    By popular demand - another Early Adopter Special! 59 Hexels, which allows you to play the original Settlers 3-4 player game, Settlers 5-6 player, Seafarers 3-4 player, AND Seaferers 5-6 player. Make sure to say thanks to Jerry and Naomi for this suggestion!

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2013
    Add $12 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $100 or more

    373 backers

    59 Hexels, which allows you to play the original Settlers 3-4 player game, Settlers 5-6 player, Seafarers 3-4 player, AND Seaferers 5-6 player.

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2013
    Add $12 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $150 or more

    25 backers All gone!

    You are a Super Backer! You get 59 Hexels, which allows you to play the original Settlers 3-4 player game, Settlers 5-6 player, Seafarers 3-4 player, AND Seaferers 5-6 player. PLUS, you get one of the original 3D printed prototypes to help prove that you were an initial backer!

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2013
    Add $12 to ship outside the US