To Kickstart or not to Kickstart? That is the question.

GregRedd

GregRedd

New member
Recent comments made by [MENTION=4071]BeoTeK[/MENTION], [MENTION=4924]Wyzak[/MENTION], and some others over in the Star Citizen thread got me thinking about games that I've backed while they were still at Kickstarter-level. That led to this thread. Beo mentioned that he has "never backed one" at such an early stage of development. In contrast, Wyzak has "backed way too many (21 and counting)".

So, what are your thoughts on pledging to a game at such an early point in its' development that there's actually not much more than faith in the developers and their project pitch to back up your possible investment in their game?

I'm not talking about games that are already at an Early Access point, or pre-orders for the next installment of a known franchise. I'm talking about the games where at most you get a bit of a tech demo and a couple of artist concept images with a bunch of promises of what the "vision" for the game is. And not necessarily specifically through Kickstarter, any game that you've backed pre- or very early in its' development.

If you are a 'patron of the art of game development' :) what are some of the games that you've put money towards? And what are your feelings on the progress, or lack thereof? Are you satisfied that your money is being/was well spent? Any regrets, buyers' remorse moments amongst them?

Some of mine:
Star Citizen/Squadron 42
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Elite Dangerous
Project Cars
The Bard's Tale IV
Descent: Underground
Planet Coaster
Everspace
Battalion 1944

Generally, I'm happy with all of my funding contributions. Those that are at full release now (Elite and PCars) have given me many times my pledge cost in the form of entertainment value in return. Star Citizen and Kingdom Come are now both in alpha state, but even so, they have given me a good amount of enjoyment already. Developers of the others regularly update backers with progress reports and information to show that my pledge is actually being used to make a game. All-in-all, I'm satisfied that I seem to have backed solid projects so far.

What's your experience been?
 
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I dunno, I've never pledged before and actually don't see myself doing so in future. I prefer to lay the little extra money I have for gaming down on something guaranteed to be of a certain quality etc. (As much as can be guaranteed anyway with the broken releases we get these days).
 
Very good topic indeed. Well picked up and shows you do get around and read different aspect of the forums. Of course I have bought some bought some Early Access titles, though I don't really consider this backing or funding, is there a difference between Early Access and Kickstarter (and the like)?

They way I figure it is Early Access is a developer looking to finish an already partly funded title, or allowing people to fund a project and have immediate access and partake in the road map and development cycle.

Probably the worst hands down Early Access title I have purchased is H1Z1. These okes don't even listen to the community and don't give a shit and it's really sad, it's like the next DayZ. My biggest problem with Early Access titles is that they tend to stay in this limbo and never really come to v1 release, like Rust.

Some that I have had great success on and been a blast watching the development cycle and constant updates was something like Prison Architect which I've had since Alpha v0.6. The other nice thing is being able to play less than official release price and having already owned it at a lower price. I have learnt my lesson though and there are things you get to look out for and be wary of.

My proudest Early Access titles and how Early Access should be done!
Assetto Corsa
Prison Architect
Darkest Dungeon
Killing Floor 2
Dirt Rally
Speed Runners


Granted, while I'm not really interested in Star Citizen, this is not because of it being a kickstarter or "early access" or incomplete or anything. I just genuinely don't have much of an interest for it at this time. I get what they're trying to do and what thing I will give them credit for is that they seem to be very very open, honest and transparent about the funding, their development cycle and roadmap. I also just think they've promised far too much and thus this keeps pushing back the SDLC and causing delays and frustration on backers side.
 
I never have but think that is due to not playing games for around 6 years.
This trend only became popular quite recently from what I can tell.
 
I am very fussy and specific on who I back. So far I have backed only three kickstarters. I knew them and their heritage. I'll back devs I know. I am loath to trust anybody on the internet.

InXile Entertainment
  • Torment: Tides of Numenera (Chose the option to get Wasteland 2 as I missed the kickstarter)
  • The Bard's Tale IV


Obsidian
  • Pillars of Eternity

As for Early Access.....depends, games with a story, like Torment: Tides of Numera or Grim Dawn, I dont want to spoil the experience by playing the through the story just to test and find bugs. I'll rather wait for the finished complete game.

I can pay $5 to get early access to Torment, but I dont want to. Rather wait for the full, complete game.

But games like Besiege, thats another type of game, that I dont mind buying early access.
 
Only use Kickstarter if you have expendable income. If you don't, or if are on a tight budget, rather just wait for the actual release.

You're not an investor. This is something that a lot of people don't understand. Go in with the mindset that every project that you're backing could fail, and that it does, you're not entitled to getting your cash back.

I've only ever bought one Early Access title, Divinity Original Sin, which turned out great. So many games come out, that I don't feel the need to put down money months or years in advance for something that could never come into fruition. It's also obviously worth doing some research before hand. Take a look at the company, or the individuals, history. If it looks suspicious, then don't back it.
 
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The_Imp_ZA said:
Only use Kickstarter if you have expendable income. If you don't, or if are on a tight budget, rather just wait for the actual release.
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I do it for the opposite reason, I back a game for two reasons.

  1. For companies like Obsidian and inXile. Without kickstarter, we would most likely not have great games like Pillars, Wasteland 2 and the upcoming Torment. Plus it gives them freedom to do what they want and not be rushed or pressured.
  2. It's cheaper that way, most of the time, about half price. So if I am able to back it then, I do.

Like I said in my previous post, I only back devs I think are good. I still take a risk, good devs dont always bring out a gem, but its a risk I am willing to take.

The_Imp_ZA said:
I've only ever bought one Early Access title, Divinity Original Sin, which turned out great.
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OH JA! ALmost forgot, I backed the Divinity Original Sin 2 as well!
 
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My own rule is only one kickstarter/early access at a time. I bought Kerbal Space Program before it released, with which I'm still chuffed (in spite of still not being able to dock) and then Star Citizen, because I need a space sim in my life. I backed in February of 2014 and am waiting until the game is released before I jump in. Since then I've bought Elite when it came out, but I haven't played that enough. When I get a bit more free time, I'll probably join the other MyG folks on there, though.
 
VirtualForce said:
I do it for the opposite reason, I back a game for two reasons.

  1. For companies like Obsidian and inXile. Without kickstarter, we would most likely not have great games like Pillars, Wasteland 2 and the upcoming Torment. Plus it gives them freedom to do what they want and not be rushed or pressured.
  2. It's cheaper that way, most of the time, about half price. So if I am able to back it then, I do.

Like I said in my previous post, I only back devs I think are good. I still take a risk, good devs dont always bring out a gem, but its a risk I am willing to take.

OH JA! ALmost forgot, I backed the Divinity Original Sin 2 as well!
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Kickstarter does provide the niche audience that a lot of smaller companies need, but I don't think that a consumer should ever feel that he or she has to back a project, or else it won't happen. The ones that are worth it will usually always make it, a pledge of 30 or 60 dollars won't change that much. A company should also never guilt trip people into backing their project, that's just unethical.

Is it still cheaper though? With the rand still struggling against the dollar, how could a kickstarter project be cheaper than buying the finished game on SA Steam? You could also always wait for a discount later down the line too.

Divinity OS2 is going to be great! I didn't back it though, didn't have the expandable cash at the time.
 
The_Imp_ZA said:
Kickstarter does provide the niche audience that a lot of smaller companies need, but I don't think that a consumer should ever feel that he or she has to back a project, or else it won't happen. The ones that are worth it will usually always make it, a pledge of 30 or 60 dollars won't change that much. A company should also never guilt trip people into backing their project, that's just unethical.

Is it still cheaper though? With the rand still struggling against the dollar, how could a kickstarter project be cheaper than buying the finished game on SA Steam? You could also always wait for a discount later down the line too.

Divinity OS2 is going to be great! I didn't back it though, didn't have the expandable cash at the time.
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No, I dont see it as a guilt trip, not in anyway, for me anyway, its just a way to help fund a game that I would dearly like to see the light of day, especially with Torment. I like the fact that my little amount, although not pivotal in making or breaking the kickstarter, helps create the game.

True on the worth it part, esp with STEAM prices now in Rand. Depends on the final retail price of the game though, for example, at this moment, $30 is worth R463....so, depends on the final price. Heh, Torment is about on par, going for R449 on STEAM
 
VirtualForce said:
No, I dont see it as a guilt trip, not in anyway, for me anyway, its just a way to help fund a game that I would dearly like to see the light of day, especially with Torment. I like the fact that my little amount, although not pivotal in making or breaking the kickstarter, helps create the game.

True on the worth it part, esp with STEAM prices now in Rand. Depends on the final retail price of the game though, for example, at this moment, $30 is worth R463....so, depends on the final price. Heh, Torment is about on par, going for R449 on STEAM
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Maybe I said that the wrong way. What I meant, was that game companies should never use Kickstarter to guilt trip consumers. For example (this is a ridiculous one), if you don't back our project, we'll all end up homeless and starving. Because in most cases, Kickstarter funds contribute to the funding pool for a project, but they aren't the sole funding source. There are other external funders, or loans ect.
 
I've had mixed results so far.

Here's the stuff I've backed on Kickstarter to date:

Divinity: Original Sin 2 - In Development
Satellite Reign - Released. Pretty good
Armikrog. - Released. Garbage
War for the Overworld - Released. Fairly decent.
Star Citizen - In Development
Tex Murphy - Project Fedora - Released, it's okay.


Got a lot of early access games, but I don't want to look through my whole Steam library for all of them now.
 
After what happened with the ouya, I'm kind of skeptical about backing anything. In hindsight, I don't really know what I expected from an android games console.
 
nedGAR said:
After what happened with the ouya, I'm kind of skeptical about backing anything. In hindsight, I don't really know what I expected from an android games console.
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Apples and Oranges. It's a lot easier to make a game that it is to create an entire new platform. ;)

Plus, we got Towerfall out of the Ouya. It's not all bad.
 
I have been luck so far:

Shovel Knight $10 - Great Success

FTL: Faster Than Light $10 - Great Success

Race the Sun $15 - Great Success

SUPERHOT $40 - Releasing this month and I CAN NOT WAIT!! ...... SUPERHOT SUPERHOT SUPERHOT SUPERHOT SUPERHOT SUPERHOT SUPERHOT SUPERHOT SUPERHOT SUPERHOT SUPERHOT SUPERHOT SUPERHOT SUPERHOT SUPERHOT SUPERHOT SUPERHOT SUPERHOT :P

My opinion about crowed funding:
It is a luck of the draw when it comes to crowed funding. Just do some research or if you just really want it and have some money to spare take the lowest tier that will get you the product.
 
I am really curious about Star Citizen - Seems like descent amounts of money to fork out in order to play the game. Looks awesome - do not get me wrong, but $45-$75 dollars for starters or how does this work. I saw that you can purchase ships too. Even:
star citizen.JPG

How does all this work?
 
Avantar said:
How does all this work?
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SC moved their pledge collecting off of Kickstarter and onto their own site pretty early on, but the same basic Kickstarter funding approach still applies. Those 2 packages in your post are the two top tier pledge levels. Owners of those packages will get some serious goodies when the game is eventually released. The Completionist pack for example includes something like 65-odd ships which will be waiting for the owner in his hangar on launch, in addition to a bunch of other physical merchandise, and in-game flair items.

Taking a base level starter package gives you as much game access as the Completionist has, except you'll only have a single ship with which to start your Star Citizen "life". And no skins, or ship models and posters to decorate your hangar with.

Until a few weeks ago, you could have secured a $45 combo package giving you access to both the Star Citizen (the MMO) and Squadron 42 (the SP campaign). Now, the cheapest package includes only one of the two games at $45, and if you want the other game you'll need to buy a separate $15 add-on. (Or just pick up the $60 combo package.)

All the other ships available are considered stand-alone ships for Star Citizen. You do not need to purchase any of them in order to play the game. Consider them to be an increase to your pledge, for which you receive an additional ship (and maybe some flair items and additional start up game credits.)

Recommend you have a mosey around our dedicated Star Citizen thread here for more info, and to ask any other questions you have.
 
Thank you for the info [MENTION=15883]GregRedd[/MENTION] Never thought someone would be willing to pledge that kind of money.
 
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