Kickstarter - Have you backed? What did you think?

[llamastorm.games]

So for the first time today I backed something on Kickstarter. Mostly because I really like Zach Braff and also because I like the idea of being involved with the creation process of something like a film or a game, and being a part of that, almost like having a front seat to the development, being able to watch it evolve.
I hope it's a good experience.

My question is have you backed on kickstarter? 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? How much did you pledge? Was it a good experience? Bad experience? Did you get a sense of really being involved in the project?

Many of the pledge bonuses are exclusive forum access, voting rights on certain decisions, first looks and so on.
Did you get a sense of being important? Did the bonuses increase your donation or did simply believing in the project dictate whatever you gave?

Would you pledge again?

 

[Hoplon]

Have pledged to two kickstarters. One was a book thing, the other was Dreamfall chapters since I badly want that game to come out. pledged enough to get the digital copy since you know, that made sense, Don't care about the bonuses. Would pledge again for the right project.

System Shock 3 or something.

 

[DoPo]

My question is have you backed on kickstarter?

Yes, I have. I think that's 5 right now. Or 6, not really sure.

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?

Well both, in a way - I was interested in the product and wanted to help the creators at the same time.

How much did you pledge?

Sadly, couldn't pledge much - I went for the tier that would get me a copy. Though, I did avoid the lower price ones (the limited slots that got you a copy for $5 less). Hey, I did what I can, I don't have much disposable income. Though, for one project, I pledged for the premium edition - I think it included a soundtrack and a digital artbook or something.

Was it a good experience? Bad experience?

No, I wouldn't say so. I would definitely describe it as "neutral", yes, that fits. The act of pledging was neutral.

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

Not exactly. All I did is give them some money. Although, I did pledge for Project Eternity in order to meet a stretch goal - the goal was met (yeah...) but I really wanted the multiplatform support. And I got it, so that's sorta kinda like being involved, I suppose. And I filled in a couple of surveys after some Kickstarters ended to offer feedback on how it was, what I liked and what I think could be improved. Kinda sorta involving me again.

Many of the pledge bonuses are exclusive forum access, voting rights on certain decisions, first looks and so on. Did you get a sense of being important?

No, not really. I haven't even used the forum access ones and similar. They are cool, I suppose but whatever.

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

Mostly believing in the project dictated it, but my pocket limited it.

Would you pledge again?

Yes, I would.

 

[Gatx]

I haven't. The closest I've come to backing one was Coup from the makers of Resistance and Resistance Avalon at the very affordable level where you got not only Coup but also Resistance and Resistance Avalon, and promotional cards like Merlin and Assassin for cyberpunk Resistance, and Lancelot and Excalibur cards for Avalon. I was geeking out so hard when I saw it but slipped my mind and I forgot to pledge.

 

[Esotera]

I would have backed the glowing Arabidopsis plant, because it looked insanely cool and might potentially help someone down the line make glowing trees. But it was obviously going to get enough money, and as they don't deliver seeds to the UK I saw no point...

 

[devotedsniper]

I have once, for the Lightpack system; http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/woodenshark/lightpack-ambient-backlight-for-your-displays

I would have backed some more but a lot are US only and some of the ones which aren't charge extortionate amounts for postage ($40 to post to UK for something the size of my smartphone??).

 

[BrotherRool]

I've backed 4 games, 1 webcomic and a online original series.

For me it's really important that I backed them for things that I'm happy get made regardless if I enjoy them. Because I couldn't pick a game and guarantee I like it and there is a large chance for disappointment. But I also had to really believe they could make a good game, and the strength of that belief changes how much I donate.

And for games, the development updates alone have been worth a small backing, it's so cool to get insights to the specific goings on in design. The different rewards do have an effect on me, but only in combination with whether I really want the thing and how much I want the thing to get made and the developer to do well. For example I really want Obsidian to make games, I'm excited about the stuff they want to make and so I looked to see if I could give them more money and searched for a reward tier that was worth it for me. But Dreamfall Chronicles, I just want to support that type of games so paid the minimum to receive a copy of the game.

So far it's been a good experience, but the only thing I've received so far is the webcomic, which I knew would be great. I don't feel involved (in fact I'm always terrified that the developers will care too much about me as a backer and make bad decision to please me), but I do feel satisfied.

 

[frizzlebyte]

I backed the Double Fine Adventure, and Jeremy Soule's symphony "The Northerner." Both of those seemed really great. I wanted to back Dreamfall Chapters, but it looked like the POV is going to be a migraine-inducing mess for me, so I waited on that one.

 

[generals3]

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.

 

[BrotherRool]

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.

I'm in total agreement that if we pay for less plays and films and more for people not dying of hunger, that would be a better situation all round. But in most cases kickstarter isn't a fancy name for charity because you tend to be acquiring something for yourself, but with a little more risk involved. I'm essentially paying a $20 pre-order of Dreamfall Chronicles, but with the added risk that it might suck. Or I paid $5 to watch 12 episodes of Dolareus and Associates. And it is that direct relationship, because if collectively there isn't enough money to create that project at the end, we don't pay anything. We only pay on the expectation we'll receive a project (of course not all Kickstarters are like that. But normally if you're paying for someone to do something creative, then you get to look at that creative thing in the end).


There are lots of tiers where this isn't true, charitable feelings are part of the process and I'm incredibly uncomfortable about high reward tiers in kickstarters. I don't think people should be asking for $10 000 even if there are people out there willing to pay for it, but at the right level of investment, everyone involved in Kickstarter hopes to get something selfish out of it (which is why people don't back projects they wouldn't personally like to watch/play) which keeps it from being charity. (although does everyone being selfishly motivated make it much better The world would be a better place if we stopped buying games probably)

 

[chozo_hybrid]

I would but most things only ship to the US or have extreme amounts to ship to non-US peoples. That said, I like Kick-starter overall, it gives things a chance to happen when companies are too afraid to take any risk at all.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

I've backed Project Eternity, Wasteland 2 and Double Fine Kickstarter. I also put a little money towards Broken Sword.

I like the idea of kickstarter it allows us to show what we want in a constructive manner.

 

[Antitonic]

My question is have you backed on kickstarter?

Basically, yes.

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'll admit, I'm basically in it for the rewards. I've increased pledges for believing and wanting to help, but I don't think I started there.

How much did you pledge?
From $2 to $800. Depending on what the rewards came out to.

Was it a good experience? Bad experience?
A few projects have gone out of their way to personally say thanks, or whatever, but mostly it's been rather impersonal and business-like.

Did you get a sense of really being involved in the project?
Same as the previous answer. A few have made their updates very personal, while others are presenting facts.

Did you get a sense of being important?
Not particularly, but I know I am, at least a little, in the grand scheme of things.

Did the bonuses increase your donation or did simply believing in the project dictate whatever you gave?
A bit of both.

Would you pledge again?
Depends on the project/s.

 

[Sean Strife]

Have you backed on Kickstarter?
Yes, yes I have. I've backed the Kickstarters for the Ouya, The 90's Arcade Racer, Road Redemption, and Among The Sleep.

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?
It's a little bit of both: I do want to see these things, but I also want to support things.

How much did you pledge
I usually pledge enough to get what I'm pledging for.

Was it a good experience? Bad experience?
It's been a pretty good experience, but a funny story is when I backed The 90's Arcade Racer, the creator messaged me and asked me to support Road Redemption (which I was already supporting anyways). I actually got the first thing I donated to on Kickstarter today (an Ouya, just in case you're curious). I actually have a bit of a streak going on: everything I've backed has been successful.

Did you get a sense of really being involved in the project
Yes, yes I do. It makes me get this feeling I'm making a difference and helping to change the established system to something a little more consumer friendly.

Did you get a sense of being important?
Ask me this when the AAA Market crashes and I'll give you my answer.

Did the bonuses increase your donation or did simply believing in the project dictate whatever you gave?
A little bit of both.

Would you pledge again?
If something else came along that caught my interest, hell yeah I would. In a heart beat.

 

[Bat Vader]

No, I haven't backed anything on Kickstarter yet. I have wanted too but usually when I find out about the stuff I am either trying to save money or the time has run out to back something.

I am always surprised to see the really high $10,000.00 backing usually get backed first. It makes me wonder what type of job someone has that can drop $10,000.00 on something like that.

 

[Ftaghn To You Too]

Have you backed on Kickstarter?
Reaper Bones Miniatures, the Kingdom Death boardgame, and Fat Dragon Games. Probably too much on the first two.

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 for cool stuff, to be honest. Though I love Reaper and Kingdom Death, and I want them to do well.

How much did you pledge
Too much. Way too much. But Reaper had an amazing cost ratio. Like $700 of miniatures for $250.

Was it a good experience? Bad experience?
Fat Dragon has delivered, and my Reaper Bones will be coming in the next few weeks.

Did you get a sense of really being involved in the project
I did. Constant updates, and the fun of watching stretch goals get unlocked.

Did you get a sense of being important?
Sort of. I felt like I was in something huge with Reaper and Kingdom Death.

Did the bonuses increase your donation or did simply believing in the project dictate whatever you gave?
The bonuses, to be honest.

Would you pledge again?
In a few weeks, Song of Swords goes up for pledging. It's a tabletop game I've been looking forward to for years. I'll be backing the shit out of that.

 

[Harlemura]

No. But I have backed something on IndieGoGo, which I think is pretty much the same thing.
I would have backed it regardless of what website it was set up on because it was to fund the Skullgirls DLC characters. I pledged about £70 which, I'll admit, was very much influenced by the bonuses. But Skullgirls t-shirts don't usually ship outside the US and I wanted my chance gosh darn it.
But like I said, I would have pledged anyway. Probably would have gone up to £25-£30ish if there weren't any goodies to be nabbed because I already had Skullgirls and liked the game, but stopped playing because there weren't enough characters to keep my interest. If I can pay some money to fix that, why wouldn't I?

I don't know if I really feel like I'm involved in the project just because I chucked a bit of money their way, especially when there were people donating thousands of dollars towards the project. But I do get my name in the credits of the updated version, so that's nice. Even if I am alongside every single other person that donated.

I'd pledge for something again if it took my interest, sure. Probably not as much because the more I reflect on it the more I think I shouldn't have spent so much money on claims that they'll make some more virtual pictures to punch each other.
Probably wouldn't donate to Skullgirls again because I doubt I need to. Lab Zero Games are now sitting on about 7 times what they originally set out for.
And I helped.

 

[OtherSideofSky]

I pledged to a book on which a friend of mine worked as an editor. The book hasn't been released yet (the Kickstarter is funded, but still running), but I am entirely satisfied with my investment because my chief aim was to support the people involved.

It didn't hurt that it's going to net me a neat book.