How do you Feel about KICKSTARTER funding for games?

How do you Feel about KICKSTARTER funding for games?

ive donated to a few since the money explosion that was Doublefine Adventure. Just that, banner saga and Wasteland 2. Did any of you guys donate? is this something you guys are for or against? because there really isnt anything holding any of those companies to their word. obviously i doubt people like brian fargo and tim schafer would **** over their fans, but as for the smaller companies im less certain.

Its an untested method for games. im curious to see how all of these projects work out. How about you guys? pro or anti kickstarter funding?

I've donated to some board games, a movie, the Angry Video Game Nerd Movie, gave $100 to Double Fine, $250 to Brian Fargo, $125 to Shadowrun, and $50 to Banner Saga.

I think it's great, I'm very happy to see some of the old developers being able to make games the way they want and the way that their old fans want. With everything being turned into a FPS, dumbed down, or trying to fool new gamers with the illusion of having choices, it's great to see projects like Wasteland 2 and Shadowun. At the very least, if I wanted to just get the game I could just donate the minimum and get the game at a discount when it comes out, kind of like a long preorder but getting the game at a discount.

People are too eager right now. I've seen a bunch of projects get a bunch of funding and people getting hyped when they project has practically nothing but an idea and a couple drawings. A whole bunch of these will turn out to be nothing but vaporware. It happens all the time, a few people get an idea in their head to make the next great game and end up taking on way more than they can deal with and quitting when they realize what game development actually encompasses. Unfortunately when people finally realize that, they will be more reluctant to fund projects that actually have a chance of succeeding.ferret-gamer

I think it's the best thing to happen to gaming in a long time. I've happily supported Doublefine's adventure game, Wasteland 2, Banner Saga, Shadowrun, and Grim Dawn. Once Dead State starts their Kickstart I'll help fund that, too.

Patronage is a good thing.

Patronage is a good thing.

Baranga

I have no problem with it.

In my view, it is a great way for indie developers to get funding for more 'niche' projects, or at least projects that traditional publishers aren't interested in making. With the potential for gamers to input their own ideas to a project, and the developers more closely engaging with their respective target audiences, it is more likely that their projects will have content that the gamers actually want.

Certainly it is a risk, and no-one should go into it thinking otherwise. You could lose your money if something goes wrong. But as long as you are aware of that risk, then there is no problem, and you could potentially get a good game at the end. That's also not a guarantee, so you have to temper your expectations. The current high-profile projects in development, like Wasteland 2 and Double Fine's project, have a lot to prove in order to convince people that this is an avenue that works for game development.

Knowing all of this, at this point I've contributed to Wasteland 2, Grim Dawn, The Banner Saga, and Takedown - and I was careful to read everything on both their Kickstart pages and developer/game websites to be certain what they are offering is realistic and achievable. If a couple of other projects I know about get onto Kickstarter, I will back them as well.

In closing I'll say that I'm more likely to back projects from well-known developers that I trust, and I'm much more cautious about other projects if I haven't heard of the developers before. So for me there is an element of faith in the people involved.

I don't plan to use it extensively unless I'm fairly certain the project will be finished and I'll get the final product for a good price. But I think it's a good way to do business, and Kickstarter seems to be getting a LOT more exposure than regular preorders on the developer's site would.

I think its a good thing for now. Its cool to see some devs be able to prove/get funding for a game that may not have come out otherwise.

I feel in the long run it will cause problems, sooner than later one of this projects will just never come out and all the people who payed will be SOL. And will have so much backlash it will be ridiculous.

There usually is a reason why many of these games can't get investors, the risk is so high. Most of these games are nothing more than an idea.

I mean, generally speaking, it's venture capital for the business impaired. Unfortunately, it's poorly thought out and lacking credibility and it's not going to help PC gaming in the slightest. I don't support it or waste any money on it. If I end up investing money on projects I always stand to make a profit. This site just doesn't add up.SKaREO

Its not even VC, its nothing more than throwing your money at someone and praying you get something.

I like Kickstarter a lot. I've backed many project so far, mainly RPGs and card games (Far West, Quantum RPG, Omen and Low Life, can't wait for the last one. Love Low Life). But, I never backed up a video game project before until Grim Dawn. Besides Grim Dawn, and assuming expected delays and setbacks, the projects I backed I would see the benefits of my pledges within 6 months time. I find that usually the limit I'm willing to wait before I start to get uneasy. But, video games can take years to get developed, so I'm not entirely keen on the idea. it's just too long to wait. It's a very extened pre-order, but at least on pre-orders, you don't have to pay all of it upfront (Amazon mainly). Grim Dawn is the exception, while I do have to wait a year or so to get the game in my hands, I know that this kickstarter would allow them to realease the game faster than pace they're currently going at. If I can help speed that along, sure why not. But more often than not, I don't see myself backing very many video games.

It's a good way of giving people money to buy cars, houses and other material goods.

[QUOTE="Baranga"]

Patronage is a good thing.

jettpack

[QUOTE="jettpack"]

[QUOTE="Baranga"]

Patronage is a good thing.

Elann2008

[QUOTE="Elann2008"][QUOTE="jettpack"]i generally agree. as an art student i hope people feel the same waySKaREO

[QUOTE="Elann2008"][QUOTE="SKaREO"] And when you get out of school and wake up from that dream, let us know. The world actually revolves around making money, not giving it away.SKaREO

Did you forget the part where I said I work a full-time job and I pay ALL OF MY BILLS? That includes rent, car note, auto insurance, health insurance, ultilities, food, clothing, everything I provide for myself. I don't live with my parents nor do I borrow money from them. I donate money to charities every month. My cousin and I sponsor children from 3rd world countries. So, again, would you like to edit your comment or is it too late? You do not know me. You do not know Jettpack or anyone here for that matter.

Since you like to assume so much.. Maybe I should too. I bet you pirate games. I bet you buy used games. I bet you hate cancer patients. I bet you hate disabled persons, and corporations... game developers and publishers. Man, you're the most cynical person that has posted on Gamespot.com. You sir win the Gamespot.com Man of the Year award.

The guy you quoted said he was still in school, and apparently so are you. Which doesn't surprise me. You have this jaded sense that money should be donated to game developers as if they are cancer patients in need of chemotherapy treatment in a 3rd world country but just can't get their hands on that life saving money that you, the consumer, so reluctantly hold back.SKaREO

I haven't seen a couple of guys this interested to sell me a bad idea since Jehovah's Witnesses came to my door.SKaREO

[QUOTE="SKaREO"]I haven't seen a couple of guys this interested to sell me a bad idea since Jehovah's Witnesses came to my door.Elann2008

SKaREO seems to like trolling Kickstarter threads and starting an argument. Best to ignore him.

I haven't seen a couple of guys this interested to sell me a bad idea since Jehovah's Witnesses came to my door.SKaREO

I think Kickstarter funding is a great idea. It's a risk, but taking a risk supporting the artists you love is fine by me. And greedy publishers are effectively out of the equation.