The Kickstarters Trend

[monochromaticx]

You are all probably aware of the new kickstarting fad that is now used to fund the development of other wise dead IP's. The whole thing has been a massive success to say the least. Personally I think its great way for gamers to get IP's that they have been craving for but didn't have enough success to be funded by publishers. One part I am not sure of: if I pay for the kickstarter will I pay again for the game when its done?

So,
What are your opinions on the whole thing? Do you support it or not? Do you think its getting out of proportion? And what games do you want to see a kickstarter for?

[knowname]

a) I'd support it if it's a good game upon release. I might suppot it beforehand like I SHOULD... but not on my budget lol.

b) obligatory Shenmue 3 vote! Anything by Overworks (makers of Skies of Arcadia) would be nice. Heck I'd pay Sega JUST to shapen up and make some good business decisions!!

[Chip]

In most situations pledging money to the development of the game gives you a free copy, but you have to pledge a certain amount. It's just a really cool way to pre-order a game as Kaid has put it. I like the idea behind it but it feels like it will get sucked dry really fast to the point there's no use for it anymore. We've already seen a fair amount of projects get more then the required funding, however, each time it has been less and less. It may be simply that people weren't interested sure, but if you've pledge to a few you are probably out like $60 with nothing to show for it yet, and I think that will be a huge factor that people will need to take into account. Personally I fucking hate spending money and not having anything to show for it, which is why I'm so goddamn impatient when I'm waiting for delivery. In the future I think it would be good if they can give something to a donater straight away just so they feel like they bought something.

[Sunflower]

One part I am not sure of: if I pay for the kickstarter will I pay again for the game when its done?

If you closely inspect what you donate to, you'll know whether or not you get the game.

[Epke]

you can read on the pledges what people get depending on what they pay.

i like the idea, but nothing has delivered yet so we will see, if the games funded by kickstarter will be any good

[Maxim]

It shows that we don't need publishers. If Kickstarter actually works I'd love to see things like this continue to pop up.

[quahgg]

It shows that we don't need publishers. If Kickstarter actually works I'd love to see things like this continue to pop up.

Not true. It is dependent on the platform. The only way a publisher wouldn't be needed at all is via the PC platform. The rest have to go through the console groups which are controlled by the hardware owners (Nintendo, MS and Sony), which happen to be publishers.

That said, it is just a trend unfortunately. I can't imagine it will be an indefinite income source for developers.

[OboeCrazy]

I think there is a limit of the amount of money that can be raised from a Kickstarter...the few million that some of the recend Kickstarters companies have done is probably the high end with big names behind current studios. I doubt that trend can continue, however I think indy developers or smaller projects might do well by it. It could be a good way to get those smaller games made.

[StealthAssassin]

Do people not think that maybe it won't be long until publishers use this sort of system to completely fund their game development?

It would allow them to de-risk their projects and get an understanding of which programs may succeed - by getting the die-hard fans to fund the next development the publishers can just concentrate on marketing to a new fan base.

[knowname]

if it goes through a publisher I don't think it'd fly. it'd be like a Dennys employee skimmin the top with tips. Some might do it, (it might be against the law... but if not some might do it) but I wouldn't. I don't tip anybody that doesn't use it to supplement their income (ie flight stewardesses, sales associates or anybody who doesn't ask for it :/ some ppl go WAY overboard with their tips I have no idea why but hey! if you got the money). If you think about that in a more publisher- developer sense, actual ppl you might tip (taxi drivers, waitress' or waiters, bartenders) are your developers the folks you don't normally tip (bathroom attendants etc.) I think of as publishers. I'm not paying for their salary (I can't afford it and it's not in my forte...) so don't ask me for money please.