What do you think about Kickstarter?

What do you think of Kickstarter? I've heard about it in the past and thought about it only passively, until a few moments ago when I stumbled upon a YouTube video about it. For those of you who are unaware of it, it's a site where people can raise funds for projects they want to create. In exchange for providing funds/ donations, backers, as they're called, receive some sort of gift from the project creator. Also, if the project does not raise at least the amount of money its creator hopes to raise, the creator receives nothing at all. I think it's the most innovative service since YouTube. It's absolutely brilliant. One of the most successful projects brought to realization via Kickstarter is the Pebble Watch. It's a Smart Watch that works in conjuction with any Android or IOS device. It's pretty cool, but quite expensive for a watch, in my opinion ($150.00).

it's getting overused

it's getting overused

lostrib

Do you think its effectiveness will decrease as its usage increases?

[QUOTE="lostrib"]

it's getting overused

BluRayHiDef

Do you think its effectiveness will decrease as its usage increases?

yes, and if there are too many issues with projects and rewards to backers

[QUOTE="BluRayHiDef"]

[QUOTE="lostrib"]

it's getting overused

lostrib

Do you think its effectiveness will decrease as its usage increases?

yes, and if there are too many issues with projects and rewards to backers

I heard about it via this Youtube video. ComicBookGirl19 is starting a project of some sort.

[QUOTE="lostrib"]

[QUOTE="BluRayHiDef"]

Do you think its effectiveness will decrease as its usage increases?

BluRayHiDef

yes, and if there are too many issues with projects and rewards to backers

I heard about it via this Youtube video. ComicBookGirl19 is starting a project of some sort.

I believe some of the prominent kickstarter projects have had problems with following through on promises: OUYA, pebble, Anita Sarkeesian

I only lately realised the Oculos Rift became successful from a Kickstarter. A great way to start a project but the projections need to be realistic. Some projects i've read about are more like they are trying to give it a shot and see what comes about rather than having a plan if it becomes successful.

If it wasnt for Kickstarter I would probably never have a GCW Zero handheld.........have one still on the way that is! Funded in January I think and im still waiting for that thing! Some of the projects are cool but theres alot of stuff Id never fund. I also dont like the idea of companies with money doing Kickstarters. 

[QUOTE="lostrib"]

it's getting overused

BluRayHiDef

Do you think its effectiveness will decrease as its usage increases?

This.

I like it. Games like Wasteland 2 and that new Planescape game are being made because of it. Also Obsidian got funding for a game and I'd love to see what they can do without a pubilsher.

Don't know much about it but it seems legitimate and organized. However, the only time I used it was to donate to Terminal Lance.

In a nutshell: 

Brilliant!

On a related note...

I like it. Games like Wasteland 2 and that new Planescape game are being made because of it. Also Obsidian got funding for a game and I'd love to see what they can do without a pubilsher.

cain006

I really like the idea of a game developer not being restricted by a publisher, but being free to forge its own destiny.

In a nutshell: 

Brilliant!

On a related note...

QuebecSuperstar

Her eyebrows are completely f*cked.

It's great as long as its used by people who really need it~

I was impressed with the amount of funding for the Veronica Mars movie earlier this year so I think it is a great platform when used right. I just fear Hollywood will really start abusing it in the near future. 

it's a great idea plus it's success or failure does not affect me, so i fully support it.

I don't like that it's used by people who should have access to enough funds for themselves. Aside from that, I have no complaints.

wasn't that robocop statue in detroit kickstarted?

It looks pretty cool. It makes me wonder if aliens would mistake it as a replica of an actual human being, long after we're extinct.

No qualms I don't mind supporting something I want to.

I think it's pretty great.  For games its allowed the return of some genres that publishers have been ignoring such as old style PC RPGs and adventure games.  I'm really looking forward to Wasteland 2 and Torment from inXile and Project Eternity by Obsidian.  

There are issues with it though, a lot of scam artists or projects that have been ignored by conventional investors for a good reason - such as weak project management abilities or a lack of ability to make a return on the investment.  It's still pretty recent, so I think after awhile people funding on KS will be a bit better about these kinds of things - wary of blatant scams and realizing that project management abilities is often just as important as creative vision or talent to make sure that the money being raised will actually be spent wisely to ensure the project is on target.  To that end I think those that have been able to deliver on their project will have an easier time going back to KS in the future, while those who don't and burn their backers will also be remembered.  It's only fair.

But again, I like that it offers a real alternative to the publisher model especially for independent devs to create something special and have control over their vision provided they're capable of working within the kind of budgets kickstarter allows.  You're not going to see big budget AAA titles come out of it but not every game needs to be that and with games like Project Eternity the devs can really focus on making the best game they can as the fans want it without executive meddling.  I'm really a fan of being able to cut out the corporate middle man like that and create direct relationships between players and devs. 

Plenty of intelligent projects can come to life with it. With proper moderation to filter out the scams it's a great way for people to really vote with their wallets.

Good things don't last long.

I think these are one of those sites that will be abused by bad people.

It's fine as long as people realize that they're not entitled to anything just because they gave money. Some people have an issue with that.Guppy507

Not sure it's necessarilly entitlement.  If you give money to a project and expect to be able to nitpick or dictate every little detail of its development then that's unreasonable.  However, if you invest money in something you should expect a return on that investment.  If the project turns out to be failure or a scam that's certainly reason to complain.

I think its stupid when celebrities use it, "zack Braff, Spike Lee" why the hell would you give millionaries more money? I understand you are a fan of their work but they have connections in Hollywood ESPECIALLY Spike Lee that most normal people don't. You are basically helping them do pet projects and again they millionaries who have made it in Hollywoood. But other than that it's cool, me personally I would never back anything on kickstarter because if I'm to give money to someone or an organization I wanna know exactly where my money is going.

didnt really pay too much attention to it until about a month ago. threw down like $30 on soul saga

I love it. I've supported some really enjoyable video games with a lot still coming (including Torment Numenera, Eternity, and Wasteland 2), great board games, tabletop roleplaying books, movies, web series, books. I've donated to 55 projects now and one on indiegogo. I've given as much as $350 to Monte Cook's Numenera and $250 to Wasteland 2 and Project Eternity. A little over $100 to some other projects and just $1 to a couple I was interested in following. I think I've had about four or five canceled/goal not met.

It's fine as long as people realize that they're not entitled to anything just because they gave money. Some people have an issue with that.

millionaires should stop using it BossPerson