Lead your faction, deploy agents, and compete for relics… while expanding your influence across the city during the Boxer Uprising.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Pledge Manager is now live!
4 days ago
– Tue, Sep 22, 2026 at 12:42:02 PM
Hello Rebels!
We hope you have been doing well. Thanks again for your support of Red Lanterns!
We apologize for the confusion from the last month with wanting to jump to Gamefound and then going back to Backerkit. With things changing so rapidly on our end we didn’t want to post an update until we had a final answer.
With the Backerkit Pledge Manager now ready and tested we’re moving on to the next steps!
Pledge Manager is going live
Smoke tests for 5% of the backers went out yesterday, and the remaining 95% will go out later today.
Late Pledges go live today.
After every Kickstarter campaign, we run a pledge manager. The pledge manager is for backers to add-on extra games, or simply to confirm your pledge. It's also how we collect your shipping addresses. We are using BackerKit for our pledge manager.
We have launched the "smoke test" for the pledge manager, which means 5% of you will get your Backerkit pledge manager email invite today (or already have it). Assuming that goes well, the rest of the emails will go out within a couple of days. (These emails will be going to the email address you have attached to your Kickstarter account, so be sure to check spam folders and the like!) Note that if your Kickstarter account is linked through an Apple ID, it might not deliver the BackerKit survey email. Please submit a ticket (see below) in this case.
The BackerKit system is pretty straightforward forward but we do have a quick guide (below) for anyone new to it. If you have any questions or issues using the pledge manager, contact BackerKit support or submit a customer support ticket with PTS (our logistics partner), here:
For local pick ups at Essen,please select “Local Pickup” for your country instead of wherever your billing address is.
This removes shipping charges from your order.
Please note that German VAT is due on the order.
Backerkit Walkthrough...
Welcome Screen
This is where you'll be able to select the country to which your game will ship, or switch your Pledge Level (if you backed at $1 for Example).
For most people, you just need to click the big green button here. But if you want to change your pledge level just click on "Switch Your Pledge Level" (a link in small type below the big green button) and you can select any of the pledges from the drop-down menu. If you backed at $1 you will probably need to do this.
Questions
Since this campaign didn’t have language options there aren’t any real questions here. There is a confirmation for Kickstarter backers that your items are already in your cart.
You'll be able to add more copies, etc., in the next step.
Add-Ons
In this part of the Pledge Manager, you'll be able to add additional copies to your pledge. We have a limited number of copies available though and its first come first serve.
You'll see your shipping fees here, which may increase if you add extra games to your pledge. Shipping is weight-based, so the costs will be dependent on the weight of your items.
PLEASE NOTE: If you don't have a country selected before this screen (as often happens if you are doing a $1 or Late Pledge), shipping defaults to show "Rest of World" prices. Once you enter your address on the next screen, it will fix itself (and then you can come back here to try different game and cost combos).
If you live in a country where VAT is applicable, you'll also see VAT fees here. Please note that VAT is based on the amount charged for the items and shipping.
Shipping
Next is the “Shipping” section where you'll have to fill in all your details so we can ship your games to you as soon as everything is printed and ready! All that is left to do is click “Place My Order” and confirm your Pledge.
Late Pledge
You've missed the campaign and still want to join in? Or have a friend who'd like to pledge? Anyone can join us in our Late Pledge - I will post a button linking to this on the campaign page when the full mailout happens in a day or two.
Closing of the Pledge Manager/Late Pledge
The pledge manager is due to close its doors on October 20th. I will update everyone (and you will receive warning emails) in the lead up to its closure.
For Local Pick Ups, please have your pledge completed by October 16th at the latest. This lets us register the orders with the Essen staff and have your details ready to go.
Note that any extra payments you may accumulate through add-ons, etc., will not be charged until we close the pledge manager! These surveys will still be editable for a while after that, so if you move, etc., you will be able to use the link in your emails to return to the pledge manager and edit your address, etc., if needed.
You can also return to your pledge manager before it closes any number of times to edit your items if you change your mind :)
Keep the lanterns burning.
Pledge Manager Update — Returning to BackerKit!
9 days ago
– Thu, Sep 17, 2026 at 12:24:24 PM
We are shifting our pledge manager back to BackerKit so we can finalize fulfillment details immediately and get copies of Red Lanterns on the water.
While we aimed to run the pledge manager through Gamefound, we hit unexpected technical hurdles that threatened to stall our schedule. Transitioning back to BackerKit gets our timeline back on track and ensures a smooth survey process for everyone.
Current Progress & Launch Timeline
Build Status: The BackerKit setup is being built and going through internal testing today.
Platform Submission: We will be submitting the system for BackerKit’s official review tomorrow.
Invite Schedule: Assuming approval proceeds smoothly, email invites will start landing in your inboxes next week.
What to Expect Next
Keep an eye on your email inbox next week for your unique BackerKit survey link.
Once received, please complete your survey, select any remaining add-ons, and confirm your shipping address promptly so we can lock in numbers for ocean freight.
We sincerely apologize for the delay and appreciate your patience while we worked through these technical snags. Thank you for standing with us as we bring Red Lanterns to life!
Keep the lanterns burning,
-The Moon Gate Design Team
Gamefound Express Pre-Orders, Pledge Manager Launch & Essen Pickup Updates! 🏮
24 days ago
– Wed, Sep 02, 2026 at 11:39:04 AM
Greetings, rebels! Keeping the lanterns burning means bringing our uprising to even more tables. To fulfill our factory run of 1,500 units, we’re officially hosting a short Express Pre-Order campaign on Gamefound alongside our upcoming Pledge Manager, opening up direct orders for those who missed the main campaign.
Gamefound Express Campaign & Pledge Manager
Kickstarter Editions: The items offered during the Gamefound campaign are identical to the Kickstarter editions.
Direct Exclusives: Our Deluxe Shadowboxes remain exclusive strictly to direct orders through us and partners who sell on our behalf in certain countries.
Shipping Wave: Express pre-orders will ship in a separate wave shortly after Kickstarter rewards are fulfilled in that region.
Pledge Manager Opening: As part of our agreement with Gamefound for hosting the express campaign, we are also using their platform as our official Pledge Manager, going live next week alongside the pre-order campaign.
Order & Address Updates: We will upload your Kickstarter pledge details directly to Gamefound so you can review your items, finalize details, or update your shipping address as needed.
Essen Spiel Pickups
Pickup Availability: Essen Spiel pickup options are still fully available for backers attending the convention.
Submission Timeline: All Essen pickup orders will be submitted to the PTS team at the beginning of October.
Reminder Emails: We will send out dedicated reminder emails closer to the event detailing exact booth locations and pickup procedures. (Pickup at Hall 3 3F110)
Videos!
While we weren't able to get these in time for the campaign, we now have a How to Play video from Kovray and a review from Alex with Board Game Co.
Unboxing
We received an unboxing video from the factory of one of the new samples. We're getting these copies setup for shipping to Germany for Essen pre-orders and once assembly is finished on the others, we'll setup the remaining copies for sea freight.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we move into the next phase of bringing Red Lanterns to your tables!
We Did It! Thank You for Keeping the Lanterns Burning! 🏮
about 2 months ago
– Tue, Jul 28, 2026 at 06:43:28 PM
Greetings, Rebels!
What an incredible journey! Thanks to your overwhelming support, our Kickstarter campaign for Red Lanterns has officially wrapped up as a resounding success, reaching well beyond our initial funding goal with 344 passionate backers leading the charge.
Following our success with Panda Spin, everyone here at Moon Gate Design is deeply grateful and energized by the enthusiasm you’ve brought to this project. Together, we are bringing this high-tension tactical duel and its historical world to game tables everywhere!
What’s Happening Behind the Scenes?
Print File Preparation: We are already hard at work preparing all graphic assets, card layouts, and component files for print. This includes ensuring the gorgeous card art and the Kickstarter Exclusive Deluxe Shadow Box look top-tier. We expect to have fresh news and pre-production updates from the printer to share with you very soon!
Pledge Manager Launching Soon: We are actively setting up the pledge manager right now. In just a few weeks, you will receive an invitation to log in, confirm your shipping details, select any add-ons, and finalize your pledge. We’ll post another update as soon as invite links are ready to go.
Thank You!
Whether you backed on Day 1, shared our campaign on social media, or joined the discussion in the comments, you played a vital role in making this uprising a reality.
Keep an eye on your inbox over the coming weeks for our pledge manager announcement and manufacturing updates. Until then, keep the lanterns burning! 🏮
— The Moon Gate Design Team
A Round in the Life of a Rebel
2 months ago
– Mon, Jul 27, 2026 at 06:20:22 PM
A Round in the Life of a Rebel
The game is played over 5 rounds, each following a four-step structure designed for maximum player interaction.
1. Preparation: Setting the Scene
At the start of the round, the First Player sets the "market". They draw one Treasure per player; the first is placed face-down (hidden), while the rest are placed face-up. Each player then draws 4 Lantern cards from their personal deck to form their hand.
2. Playing Lantern Cards: The Tactical Duel
Starting with the First Player, you will take turns playing cards one at a time. You have two main options:
Play Face-Up: Use the card’s unique power immediately to manipulate the market or your deck.
Play Face-Down: This is your "bid" for a Treasure. Playing a card face-down ends your actions for this phase immediately.
The first player to play a card face-down takes the Initiative Token. This token is the ultimate tie-breaker during the high-stakes reclamation phase.
3. Reclaim the Treasures: The Reveal
Once everyone has played a face-down card, they are all revealed. The order of reclaiming is determined by the card’s Reclaiming Power (the value from 1 to 9).
Priority: The player with the highest value (9 being the highest) chooses their Treasure first.
Emblem Unlocks: If you play a card valued 1, 2, 3, or 4 face-down, you permanently unlock its corresponding Emblem of the Elders during this phase.
4. End of Round: Reshuffling the Guard
Any remaining Treasures in the play area are returned to the bottom of the deck. To determine the next round's First Player, look at who reclaimed the last Treasure—they take the Round Tracker and lead the next charge.
Breaking the Tie: The Initiative Token
In a game of secret bids, ties are inevitable. When two or more players reveal face-down Lantern cards with the same value, the Initiative Token decides their fate:
Direct Priority: If one of the tied players holds the Initiative Token, they reclaim first.
Clockwise Priority: If the token holder is not part of the tie, priority goes to the tied player seated closest to the token holder's left (proceeding clockwise).
The Final Victory
After 5 rounds, the points are tallied from your claimed Treasures and unlocked Emblems. If the total scores are tied, the winner is the player with the least total Reclaiming Power on their Elders—proving that true mastery lies in doing more with less.
Now on TTS
Red Lanterns is now on TTS! If you want to try the game before you buy, now is a great time to test out the game with your friends.
