Game looks awesome. I agree with your assessment for the $99 pledge. That's a crazy expensive neoprene mat that they're offering, though! Normally neoprene game boards draw me to a game. This one is pushing me away!
Not sure if you've seen, but the giant playmat being offered in the Luthier campaign isn't just to replace the central board, it's for your whole table (35.4 x 60 inches). Plus it is double sided so can be used when playing Luthier, or use the reverse wood effect side for any other game in your collection. A single sided playmat of this size will set you back a very similar amount, so $75 for a double sided one with free shipping is actually a really good price. There is another campaign live right now offering a 36x60 inch single sided playmat for $79 plus shipping! That said, if you have no use for the playmat then there are other cheaper pledge levels that don't include it. 🙂
