Comments on: Kickstarter: Something exciting is happening to computer games

By: Pardoz

Pardoz — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:17:39 +0000

In other words “not that different from buying any other product”.

By: Aufero

Aufero — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:45:20 +0000

That’s the thing with Kickstarter – there’s no guarantee except your knowledge of the people involved.

In the case of the Double Fine and Wasteland projects, most backers have known the names and games associated with the project leads for decades. There’s no real uncertainty about whether Tim Schafer or Brian Fargo knows how to deliver a game given funding, or whether they’ll take the money and deliver nothing. Both have lifelong reputations to uphold, and both are clearly the people they claim to be.

In other cases, caveat emptor.

By: Goodmongo

Goodmongo — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:09:56 +0000

I have no clue how good or bad, honest or dishonest this kickstarter situation might be. But I’m alwyas sceptical when it comes to donations.

In the US you see many ads on TV about helping abused animals or hungry kids. All asking for money. The problem is that when they are investigated maybe 5 cents out of each dollar go to the actual cause.

Con men have been around forever and they have no problem getting people to give them money for things that the individuals thought was a good idea. Most of the time the only ones that amde out were the ones that ran those scams.

I’m not saying that this situation is the same. I’m just asking if anyone really checked them out.

By: Redbeard

Redbeard — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 23:52:52 +0000

I know of writers who are using Kickstarter, and even webcomic artists such as Order of the Stick’s Rich Burlew used Kickstarter to help fund a reprint for his OOTS collections.

The concept is really great, because it allows people to put their money where their mouths are.

By: spinks

spinks — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:14:06 +0000

That’s between the backer and the project creator. They’re not required by Kickstarter to pay the money back, so there has to be some trust involved and some acceptance of risk.

I’m sure all these computer game type projects will also be for sale afterwards so if you don’t fancy taking the risk you can always buy in later after the thing is on sale and you can check reviews.

By: bhagpuss

bhagpuss — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:55:02 +0000

I’ve looked at the Terms and Conditions on Kickstarter but there’s one thing that doesn’t seem to be covered, or I couldn’t see it at least. What happens if the goal is reached but the project is never completed? There could be many completely reasonable and valid reasons why something might never get made, from the person having bitten off more than they could chew to illness or death.