Kickstarter - Have you backed? What did you think?

[lacktheknack]

I've only backed Torment: Tides of Numenara, but I dropped $140 on it, so I think I'm good for a year (I promptly ran out of money afterwards, and I'm working 45 hour work weeks to make up).

I pledged partly because I really liked what the project stood for, but I pledged all the extra because I wanted cool things.

I don't know if it will deliver, but inXile seem cool and I imagine they'll do it.

If I get results from Torment, I'll certainly back again.

 

[fletch_talon]

My question is have you backed on kickstarter?

No

Did you pledge because, for some, you are really interested in and want such a game/film/item to come out or simply because you believe in and want to help out the creator?

I didn't pledge because kickstarter is nothing more than a fancy name for "charity". And I'd feel bad to do that type of charity while ignoring the much more pressing issues which require charity. If I was given a part in the capital of the projects invested i'd might rethink that.

All other questions are irrelevant to my particular case.

Its only "charity" if you choose a tier which doesn't come with a reward (or choose to opt out of recieving a reward), or if you don't think they'll be able to deliver the promised reward.
If its the first, I'll somewhat agree, investment without return is charity and there are more worthwhile causes out there.
If its the second, you shouldn't be pledging in the first place.

I've pledged to 4 kickstarters, all successful.

Reaper Miniatures - I love to paint minis and for $125 or so I get a shitload of minis, plus some paints.
-Slight delay on shipping but other than that no troubles have been encountered.

Broken Sword - I love point and click adventure games, broken sword is one of my favourites despite only having played it more recently, I had to help out, and being a sucker for collectors editions, I had to go in for theirs.
-Just gotta wait for release, my pledge level gives me access to progress notes I believe so I should probably check that out.

Imbrian Arts Miniatures - Some of the most beautifully sculpted minis I've seen.
-Creator had trouble with the casting service who seemed to promise more than they could deliver (a lot of kickstarters using the same service) so he's switched to another. This meant I added an extra $3 or so for shipping (it was requested, not demanded) but the plus side is I get metal minis instead of plastic (albeit high detail/quality plastic).

Games and Gears brushes - Kolinsky sable brushes for mini painting, 9 brushes plus brush soap and towel for 25 pounds.
-Funnily enough the most recent one yet the first one I recieved rewards for. The brushes are good, worth the money I paid, though perhaps not quite as good as hyped to be. Still very happy considering for the price I paid I could have gotten maybe 2-3 of the same material brushes from another brand.

 

[Gennadios]

I pledged 7 projects. Wastelands 2, Torment, Shadowrun Returns, Hero U, and Project Eternity, Worlds of Magic, and Grim Dawn.

For the most part it's nice having the constant e-mail updates and Grim Dawn, Shadowrun, and Worlds of Magic had backer polls up the ass. Grim Dawn is already in it's pre-order alpha testing stage, and while it's pretty rough and buggy it's a great ARPG imo.

I was only really active early on in the Wastelands 2 project, and then I realized that I trust the devs more than the fans and decided to just back off and let them do what they do best. Just because they're backers doesn't mean they're not retarded. I retired from the boards to help out my blood pressure, and now just enjoying Grim Dawn and waiting for Shadowrun to hit it's early access stage next month.

Now, I pledged mostly because I don't play AAA games anymore. They bore the sh*t out of me. Most of my money goes to GoG and indie projects nowadays anyway, and those are alot cheaper so I had extra money to spend on games.

For me it's just a statement that I want my Baldur's Gate and Master of Magic back, dammit! I don't want a Dead Space 3 where I can't tell the difference between that and Mass Effect 3.

 

[MorganL4]

I have backed two things: 1. I backed the Ouya, because I thought the idea of an indie console was pretty cool.

and 2.I backed Doraleous and Associates. If you want to know why, then go watch the show on youtube, you will understand.

 

[lunavixen]

I've never backed on kickstarter, but there is a few things i wanted to back, but the item wouldn't have come out here at all, or i'd had a lack of money, maybe i'll find something to back at some point.

 

[jpoon]

Right now I'm backing Star Citizen [http://robertsspaceindustries.com/star-citizen/], which EVERYONE should be doing.

Also backing Starbound [http://www.playstarbound.com] because I really enjoyed terraria, and space/sci-fi is always a blast to me!

Not sure if this is considered a kickstarter but I backed Edge of Space [http://www.playedgeofspace.com] on desura.

Lastly I have backed another small game called Overgrowth [http://www.wolfire.com/overgrowth], it's going to be awesome brutal melee fun but it's still missing a lot of content.

Sadly I didn't get into Planescape: Tides of Numenera on time...

Oh, forgot about Project Zomboid [http://projectzomboid.com/], though I haven't checked in on that game in months, it's progress is pretty slow though.

 

[aelreth]

I've backed 10 projects, with 1 so far one is still trying to reach funding and it doesn't look like it will make it. Another failed to launch. I don't see it as a charity, for that I have kiva.

If I had the chance I would have have backed Planetary Annihilation, Wasteland 2 & Project Eternity. Unfortunately I wasn't paying attention to kickstarter yet, it wasn't until Star Citizen that I began participating in it.

 

[Mylinkay Asdara]

The only Kickstarter I backed was for Allison's arm surgery thing - for Extra Credits I suppose, and that was more like charity than backing something in my mind.

Now, I'm all for getting fledgling projects up off the ground, but something rubs me very wrong with Kickstarters that are for products that will almost surely profit - the ones big companies or major names are talking about "needing" funds for etc. when it's really ... well here's the thing in my head:

If I pay for a product to be created, that's called investing. If I invest, when there is a profit, I should see a return. I should not, after investing in a product, get a t-shirt and a request to go buy the thing I invested in. This makes no sense to me. Again - charity, sure fine. I am all for giving to those who need and cannot get something critical to them and if I have a vested interest in them having it - like continuing to enjoy the things they are providing already - so much the better, but... I don't really feel like the whole Kickstarter thing is being used the way it should be, or that we as backers are being used somehow because we are being called backers instead of what we are - which would be investors in most cases, simply to avoid the profits being shared.

 

[uzo]

I backed two projects - one, SuprGood wallets (little stretchy buggers). There's a flood of the 'minimalist wallets' now on Kickstarter, but I'm happy with my Supr. Threw in $100 for 6 wallets that I'm using as novelty gifts to friends and family - being Aussie, they're quite possibly some of the only Supr wallets in the country.

Other thing was LiftPort - a Washington (I think) engineering/scientific attempt to create a space elevator (or at least, the prototype thereof). It's a long term thing so Christ knows when I'll get my reward (a strip of their prototype ribbon & a bracelet n' stuff).

But yeah, I have no qualms with Kickstarter. If you invest in it, then, fine, go for it. If it's a failure you've got no one to blame but yourself.

And didn't realise Project Zomboid was on Kickstarter. I'd already bought the full licence to the game for 5 quid two years ago or so. Not holding my breath but hopefully it'll turn out awesome.

 

[BathorysGraveland2]

I haven't and won't pledge on kickstarters for the same reason I don't pre-order anything. I just don't feel comfortable spending money on something that isn't completed. If I'm going to spend money, I like to know exactly what I'm getting and know that it's worth it.

 

[Kolby Jack]

I backed Shroud of the Avatar because I'm excited to see LB's return to gaming and what it will bring. But that's all so far. It takes a little more than a promise of wish-fulfillment to get me to donate to stuff like that. I need to be reasonably sure there will be tangible results and I will be pleased with the final product.

 

[Lazy Kitty]

No.
I've wanted to. Unfortately, they use Amazon for their payments.
Amazon neither supports my bank card not paypal.

 

[loc978]

I've backed two games, both isometric RPGs (Wasteland 2 and Shadowrun Returns), both by legendary developers from the golden age of the industry.

I did it because I loved several of their previous titles and these ones look very promising. Also, I'd love to see more developers of the past get out great games on this business model... so I consider this voting with my wallet.

I pledged a step over the minimum to get a copy (I think it was $25 or $30 each, something like that), because in both cases that was about equal to the going price of a premium indie game nowadays... so I thought it was fair.

The experience of having followed the development of both games was an interesting one... but I never really got involved with suggesting content for either game... mostly because everything I thought of was already addressed either by the devs or by another backer.

As for pledging again... if I see another project that will create media I really want to consume, absolutely. So far, a few more projects have caught my eye, but none of 'em got me very excited.

 

[Jaythulhu]

I have on a couple of things, but since some rather big industry names and companies have started using it to get us to pay for their projects (and the end result as well) instead of using their own considerable funds I've shied away.

Like most things, Kickstarter was a great idea that got hijacked by vested interests that shouldn't be allowed in the same room, let alone building as the people it was intended for.

 

[Kyrian007]

Have you backed on Kickstarter?

Yes, 2 projects so far. Fallout Nuka Break Season 2 and Star Citizen.

Did you pledge because, for some reason, you are really interested in and want such a game/film/item to come out or simply because you believe in and want to help out the creator?

Just wanted to see more and wanted to help the creators. Just wanted more content and was willing to pay for it.

How much did you pledge

Not much in either case. Less than 100$ total I think.

Was it a good experience? Bad experience?

Sure, unless I never see Star Citizen or Nuka Break.

Did you get a sense of really being involved in the project

No, it's really no different than supporting something after it's created... except you aren't guaranteed what you paid for. And I don't get that sense from simply buying something. Maybe if I had contributed hundreds or thousands... but I don't.

Did you get a sense of being important?

Nope

Did the bonuses increase your donation or did simply believing in the project dictate whatever you gave?

No, I'd just donate enough to get the dvd or game and that would be all.

Would you pledge again?

Sure, given a good enough project.

 

[The Eupho Guy_v1legacy]

My question is have you backed on kickstarter?

Yep, 28 projects so far.

Did you pledge because, for some, you are really interested in and want such a game/film/item to come out or simply because you believe in and want to help out the creator?

That depends, some were for either sequels or spiritual successors of games that I enjoy (Planetary Annihilation, Project Eternity, Torment and Distance). Other games I backed because they presented something different, or looked like an interesting concept (Cryamore, Enemy, Maia, Telepath Tactics, etc.)

How much did you pledge? Was it a good experience? Bad experience? Did you get a sense of really being involved in the project?

Generally I'll go for the backing level that receives a digital copy, if it is a game, or the basic physical package if it is a product. However, I did back the OCRemix FFVI Album for $500, and Planetary Annihilation for about the same >_>. As far as experience goes? About the only one I was somewhat involved with was the Cyramore Kickstarter.

Would you pledge again?

I keep saying no, but that never works out

 

[Fimbulvetr3822]

Right now I'm backing Star Citizen [http://robertsspaceindustries.com/star-citizen/], which EVERYONE should be doing.

Couldn't agree more

OT:
Have you backed on Kickstarter?

Yes, Star Citizen, Planescape: Tides of Numenera, wasteland 2 and Shroud of the Avatar

Did you pledge because, for some reason, you are really interested in and want such a game/film/item to come out or simply because you believe in and want to help out the creator?

I pledged because it is the only way the PC games that interest me will get made. Although, whit Star Citizen especially i am hoping that it will prompt a change in a few "Mainstream" developers to produce a few more PC oriented titles.

How much did you pledge
i'm not sure I know i am in for at least £1k with Star Citizen and enough with the others that i will receive the full game on launch at least

Was it a good experience? Bad experience?

I am only actively participating in the Star Citizen community of the projects I funded and so far i can say that it is well worth it, easilly the best online community i have ever been a part of.

Did you get a sense of really being involved in the project

Again, i can only really talk about Star Citizen here. But yes i do feel involved, between the frequent content updates on the website, the devs and crew posting actively on the forums and the weekly community show i feel incredibly involved.

Did you get a sense of being important?

Not overly, Star Citizen has almost raised $10,000,000 and i know many people have contributed more than i have, i'm just glad to be part of something that i will believe will change the industry for the better

Did the bonuses increase your donation or did simply believing in the project dictate whatever you gave?

Yes, definitely yes

Would you pledge again?

For the right project yes

 

[llamastorm.games]

This was a very interesting read, seeing what projects everyone has backed, their motivations for doing so.
No one seems to be having many negative experiences with it.
Thanks for all the replies