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Post by shadrack on May 10, 2013 6:53:18 GMT -8
I also listened to the Bearswarm episode that Stu did, and it got me thinking.
Here's a list of my personal experience with Kickstarter
Bulldogs! (FATE sci-fi game) - Brennan Taylor, Galileo Games - fund date: 6/16/2011 => I don't remember when exactly I received the pdf, but I was pleased with the turnaround. This was before expected delivery dates became mandatory
Technoir (cyberpunky game) - Jeremy Keller - fund date: 7/1/11 => I received the pdf of technoir in what I felt was a timely fashion. 2 of the stretch goals are not out yet, and there have been no official updates since 8/1/2012. quote from the creator @ 4/16/13 "My involvement on Marvel Heroic Roleplaying, Fate Core, and Atomic Robo have been demanding much of my time. But you will get your stretch goals!" we'll see.
Far West (western wuxia) - Gareth-Michael Skarka of Adamant Entertainment - fund date: 8/25/11 => not delivered yet. he has been doing updates regularly, and there was just a press release that it will be out in time for GenCon 2013 and we now be published by Cubicle 7. So I guess it's picking up steam. Honestly, it's been so long I can't even remember why I was interested in this game. I'm glad I only went the pdf route.
Mobile Frame Zero - make 'mechs with Legos! - fund date: 4/11/12 - scheduled delivery pdf 5/30/12 print 6/30/12 => pdf delivered timely, print arrived March 2013. Overall I'm satisfied, the pdf was good enough and the book is slick, but at least I didn't have a whole pile of nothing while I was waiting for my book. (I would recommend this for anyone who likes mechs and Legos) I need to build some frames and teach the kiddoes!
Dinocalypse - pulp fiction books - Fred Hicks, Evil Hat productions - fund date: 4/22/12, scheduled delivery:5/31/12 => actual delivery (print book 6/30/12). I'm satisfied, I had the ebook, and the print copy is sweet. Now I have years of pulp ebooks coming in still (8 in total I think) The book was a fun read.
Kaiser's Gate - Savage Worlds alternate history WW1 sourcebook - Battlefield Press - fund date: 4/22/12, sched delivery: 5/31/12 => actual delivery 8/5/12. These guys did the 'opened another Kickstarter before paying out on this one' trick. I sent a message, said I would've been more likely to chip in for #2 if I had received #1, and got a douchy response. I feel that soured my relationship and now I wouldn't give them $0.01 for something I really wanted.
Deadlands Noir - Shane Hensley, Pinnacle entertainment - fund date 6/14/12, sched delivery 11/30/12. I can't remember when this one fulfilled, I feel it was a little late, but I 100% didn't care.
No Security - systemless mystery adventures - Caleb Stokes, Hebanon games - fund date: 6/24/12, sched delivery 9/30/12. actual delivery first was immediate (basically ransom model). He got overfunded so he's done a few of the stretch goals, and is still working on some. I'm good with it. You can actually go download the first 3 from his website now. They are sweet.
Dungeon World - um yeah... - Sage Kobold Productions - fund date: 6/30/12, expected delivery 8/30/12, actual delivery (print 2/28/13). I had the pdf for ages. so I put this in the same category as mobile Frame zero. I had the pdf, I just had to wait awhile for the book.
Cthulhu playing cards - Albino Dragon - fund date 10/11/12, sched delivery: 12/31/12, actual delivery Feb 2013. pleased enough, I could go with another from them if I like the subject matter.
Nova Praxis - transhuman FATE game - Mike McConnell, Void Star Studios - fund date 11/10/12, sched delivery 2/28/13, actual delivery 3/19/13. The FATE core announcement came out and he re-tooled some things so it would be FATE core compatible.
FATE Core - Fred Hicks, Evil Hat - fund date 1/29/13, sched delivery 3/31/13, I don't have my book yet, but I've had the pdf since I made my pledge, and all the settings. I'm okay with the delay on the hard copy.
nothing due as of yet Base raiders - FATE superhuman dungeon crawls Interface Zero 2.0 - Savage Worlds cyberpunk Achtung Cthulhu - CoC and Savage Worlds WW2 cthulhu!
TLDR
boo! Technoir - Jeremy Kellar - no updates since 8-2012, missing some stretch goals Far West - Gareth-Michael Skarka, Adamant - lots of updates... little progress nearing the 2 year mark Kaiser's Gate - Battlefield Press - personal preference
yay! really everyone else. so far I feel good about Kickstarter, but you do need to go in with your eyes open.
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Post by Stu Venable on May 10, 2013 10:05:07 GMT -8
My Kickstarters:
Deadlands Noir-Shane Hensley Funded: 6/14/12 Est Del: 3/2013 Last Update: 3/4/2013 though frequent updates in the comments section PDFs of everything delivered (as far as I know). Waiting on print version and poker chips. According to comments section everything's on the slow-boat from China (literally).
Traveller 5-Marc Miller Funded: 7/1/2012 Est Del: 12/2012 Last Update: 5/7/2013 Fulfilled: 4/2013 Everything arrived at the end of April 2013. Fulfillment according to comments is slow going because of the number of contributors. Would fund again, though I'd suggest a tennis elbow brace be one of the stretch goals ;-)
Ace of Aces Rotary Series Limited Edition Reprint-Richard Loomis Funded: 7/22/2012 Est Del: 9/2012 Last Update: 4/15/2013 though more recent updates in comments section. Problems with original artwork files caused this to be pushed back quite a bit. It's also changed from a "reprint" to essentially a "new edition," as they're integrating rules from various printings and editions. Was hoping for a simple reprint of the game I remember, but it's not. He really doesn't give updates until someone pings him. Hope of fulfillment (and product) fading slowly. Asked backers to back a second project without fulfilling the first. Don't like that at all.
Reaper Miniatures: Bones-Reaper Miniatures Funded: 8/25/2012 Est Del: 3/2013 Fulfilled: 4/2013? Don't remember exactly, but it was close to Est Del date. Amazing deal. What am I going to do with all these minis?!
Cthulhu Playing Cards-Erik Dahlman Funded: 10/11/2012 Est Del: 12/2012 Fulfilled: 1/2012? Again, don't remember exactly, but it was either on-time or only barely late. Got 'em. Liked 'em. BTW, this is the Kickstarter where Chaosium clumsily exerted their trademark -- lest we forget that.
FATE Core-Fred Hicks Funded: 1/29/2013 Est Del: 3/2013 Fulfilled: Received physical book July 3rd.
Dice Cards-Ian Millington Funded: 1/31/2013 Est Del: 3/2013 Fulfulled: 5/2013 Arrived from Jolly Ol' England. Very happy with the quality. Only played cribbage with them so far, but can't wait to use them in some crazy way.
Founders Playing Cards-The Department of Design Funded: 3/13/2013 Est Del: 7/2013 Last Update: 4/4/2013 They're holding off sending the survey until their closer to their fulfillment date -- less of a chance of having to update addresses.
Shroud of the Avatar-Portalarium Inc. Funded: 4/7/2013 Est Del: 10/2014 Last Update: 4/24/2013
RPGs are Evil - Dark Dungeons: the Movie!-JR Ralls Funded Received questionnaire in early July 2013. Also received draft of script. Baldrick Windydraws dies almost as soon as he is mentioned :-(
It seems that few publishers have trouble fulfilling PDFs, but printed books seem to be a sticking point. China takes as long as China takes for printing.
As a note: the Traveller 5 book, which is the only book I have fulfilled, was printed in Canada, not China, IIRC.
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Post by CreativeCowboy on May 10, 2013 11:46:49 GMT -8
I nominate this thread for Sticky - the go-to resource for personal experiences with Kickstarter.
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Post by greatwyrm on May 10, 2013 15:17:56 GMT -8
Far West / Adamant Entertainment- Some stretch goals have been delivered, but main book way overdue. This was my first Kickstarter and still hasn't really completed delivery.
Spirit of the Century: Dinocalypse Trilogy / Evil Hat - Funded expecting one book. To date, I've received four of six. Not too shabby.
New Fire / can't remember - Aztec inspired story rpg. Took longer than expected and not great on updates, but final product blew my mind.
Blade Raiders / Grant Gould - A first fantasy rpg by an artist. Proceeded in a reasonable pace and got exactly what I was promised.
Project Ninja Panda Taco / Jennisodes - As expected and in a reasonable time.
Shadows of Esteren book 1 / can't remember - Not quite what I expected, but that was my fault entirely. Funded for the final pdf which I think was delivered the next day.
Hillfolk / Robin Laws - Got draft of rules immediately. Waiting on final product, but fully expected stretch goals to make that time consuming.
Fate Core / Evil Hat - Excellent updates. Drafts of everything fast. Final product expected soon and stretch goals moving quickly.
Cortex Hackers Guide / Margaret Weis Productions - Draft documents to review very quickly. Not sure on timetable for final product, but happy with progress so far.
Wicked Fantasy / John Wick - Got an alpha (?) pdf already and looks better than a lot of finished products I've seen. Lots of updates and moving along nicely.
My personal advice to Kickstarter people:
If you are thinking about doing a Kickstarter, you should study any of the ones Evil Hat has been involved with. I'm not in love with every one of their products, but I sure wish more people did business that way.
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Post by malifer on May 10, 2013 18:34:12 GMT -8
Oooh Lists. So far. Tephra: the Steampunk RPG - My first Kickstarter. I backed this only at the core book level. I don't think the book arrived late for me, but I live in the States and the guys running the kickstarter have run into big problems when it came to the actual cost of shipping overseas. Robot 13 Trade Paperback - Help getting a cool foreign comic printed in English for a modest $13. Sold. Shipped on time and well packed. The Order of the Stick Reprint Drive - I really just wanted some of the Digital Stretch goals. I have enough funny paper minis to last a long while. I will be getting pdfs from this for a long time as well. Mass Transit IV Maps & More - I don't always use maps and minis, but when I do I like scifi maps. Shipped on time. Chris West has had a few successful kickstarters. A Show with Ze Frank - I had no idea who this was, but the KS video made laugh so I donated $1. I am now a huge fan of the youtube channel. Best dollar I ever spent. Double Fine Adventure - One of the few video games I backed. I haven't been following it. It's not done yet, there is the documentary but I haven't been watching. Advanced Encounters: Alternate Objectives - I quick little supplement for 4e or 3.5. It's okay. I got the pdf quickly. Full Moon: An RPG of Life on the Lunar Frontier - Yup I was backing FATE games before it was cool. But really if you are going to give me a pdf of a game for $5 I am pretty much guaranteed to give you $5. I got it quickly but I haven't read it. Shadowrun Returns - Other video game I backed. I don't pay much attention, they post a lot I barely read them. I think it might be late? but it's a video game and I would rather it be good than rushed. The Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes - Jess Nevins has written a few nerdy encyclopedias. Technically done? We essentially have a beta version, but the published version has had a snafu. But I'm kind of okay with it. Kittens in a Blender: The Card Game - The one bad egg in my lot. I spent $10 bucks for the core game. I liked it so much that I googled it on a whim and found the kickstarter then pledged $12 for an expansion. The whole point of the kickstarter, beyond the expansion, was the original publisher had been struggling before Kiab and went out of business shortly after printing the first run. The new company that got the rights just didn't know what they were doing. Hi-jinx ensue. It's only 6 months late and they have started to get their shit together so it probably wont be long now. Amanda Palmer: The new RECORD, ART BOOK, and TOUR - $5 dollars and I found a new artist I really dig. I had heard of her previous band, but never heard them. It's shipped on time with a splendid amount of updates. Fantastic. This is why I love kickstarter. Probably my favorite project so far. DungeonCraft: Hero versus Guardian - Simple board game still in production. Evil Baby Orphanage - Got this fast. Although the stretch goals I think are falling behind and I am really waiting for one of them. It's a fun game. Spears of the Dawn RPG - OSR mythical African setting based on the Stars without Number game. Shipped fast. The Reliquary- still in production. Fate Core - Still in production. The Adventures of the 19XX: Book One Hardcover Reprint - Awesome pulp comics. Shipped very fast. Interface Zero 2.0: Full Metal Cyberpunk- Still in production. Wicked Fantasy - I question why I backed this one. I think the stretch goals for $10 won me over... Indiegogo: Monster of the Week RPG - A kickass Apocalypse World game to emulate Buffy or the X-Files. Five fucking dollars for the pdf. I liked it so much I ended up buying the book and having it shipped from New Zealand. There were plenty I backed then had second thoughts about and canceled my pledged. Kind of scary when I look at that list. Quantum Roleplaying Game: An ALL NEW Science Fantasy RPG Far West Metamorphosis Alpha Hillfolk Dwimmermount Myth & Magic Player's Guide Axes & Anvils Tabletop Forge The Terah Project: Steampunk for Pathfinder I know Hillfolk is only a little late but the rest of those are pretty much disasters and I mainly didn't back them because I didn't have the money at the time not some kind of spooky future sight. Whew I dodged a few bullets though.
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Post by muntjack on May 11, 2013 5:24:29 GMT -8
I haven't backed quite as many KS projects, but here's my list:
Numenera -Monte Cook new RPG system -Funded: Sept 17, 2012 -Est. Delivery: July 2013 -He sends updates periodically. I'm not super concerned as this is a huge name in the gaming business. What did worry me was the amount of money he got, yet he hadn't actually written the game when the KS was established. I'm not worried about this not being made since now the world has also been picked up for a major video game.
8-Bit Playing Cards by Home Run Games -Funded: Jan 1, 2013 -Est. Delivery: June 2013 -Actual Delivery: May 10, 2013 -These guys are awesome! They updated all the time. When something was finished, they sent info. I believe they started a new card KS, but the product was done and just needed to be sent out. I wasn't sure what I was getting with all their talk of stretch goals, but for $12 I ended up with two decks of cards, two additional card deck holders, a poker chip, "gold" arcade token, and two d6s. VERY pleased!
Drunks & Dragons Podcast -I only gave them $1 to at least chip in on their podcast, so my experience really doesn't matter here. They DID do at least two of their stretch goals already, providing live podcasts for the fans.
HabitRPG A website project by Tyler Renelle -Funded: Feb. 19, 2013 -Est. Delivery: Feb 2013 -Actual Delivery: March 2013 -I only kicked in $5, and I did not get back a physical thing (I got in-game tokens). This is the one website that I visit EVERY DAY and has kept my life in order. Basically it's an online schedule book that is also an RPG. You level up as you accomplish your real life tasks. They've been working hard with the money they received to keep their servers in better shape and add more content.
Obsidian Portal Reforged -Funded: April 26, 2013 -Est. Delivery: Aug 2013 -Actual Delivery: N/A -I already got my free time. The KS just ended, so we'll see how the reforging process goes.
The only one I'm disappointed in is...
The Bleeding Hollow: PF RPG Adventure by TPK Games -Funded: July 8, 2012 -Est Delivery: Aug 2012 -NOT DELIVERED YET -All I kicked in for was a PDF. I hate to badmouth this guy, as I've met him, talked to him, and even gamed with him a little. He has apologized for the lateness, and he even admits he made a big mistake with doing this KS. The work was not even started when he established his KS. His last official update was in May (to pimp someone else's KS), and he has produced some other projects (not on KS) since then. Hate to say it, but I'm not sure I'll be really buying anything else from them.
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SirGuido
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Posts: 2,127
Preferred Game Systems: L5R, Traveller, Fate Accelerated, Masks
Currently Playing: Nothing.
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Favorite Species of Monkey: Anything in a Cage.
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Post by SirGuido on May 12, 2013 15:51:24 GMT -8
As I've mentioned before, I don't Kickstart much.. because my requirements for a good Kickstarter are so rarely met... so my list isn't as prolific as most of you folks but...
Impotent Nerd Rage: A Comedy Album For Geeks by Mikey Mason Funded: 5/5/2011 Promised Delivery: early 2012 Received: February 2012
Mikey did a great job with updates and let everyone know exactly where he was in the process from beginning to end.
Barbarian Jetpack: A Comedy Album For Geeks by Mikey Mason Funded: 7/10/2012 Promised Delivery: early 2013 Received: March 2013
Mikey is a great Kickstarter user without a doubt.
Dice Rings by CritSuccess Funded: 12/22/2012 Promised Delivery: By March 2013 Received: 5/23/2013 (Not bad as far as I'm concerned!)
I love this ring, its crazy awesome. Looks amazing, spins well(after a quick warm soapy water scrub), and is a great conversation piece.
This is the penultimate example of Kickstarter as far as I'm concerned. they had the rings fully designed, they had examples made, their work was basically 85-90% done before they hit Kickstarter. The biggest things they had to do after the Kickstarter was work on new type of rings. Updates are frequent and quite informative. Even though they just had this unfortunate software issue, they are still ahead of schedule on delivery. If you go to GenCon I recommend you check out their products. I think you will be pleased.
Chaos and Alchemy by Game Salute Funded: August 23, 2013 Promised Delivery: May 2014 Received: Received Oct 27 2014
There have been lots of updates throughout the entire process and I know that Game Salute is a reliable company that has done many, many successful Kickstarters. I'm not worried. After many failures with one of their manufacturers producing substandard components they finally got the games made and I couldn't be more happy with the quality of the game.
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Post by kaitoujuliet on May 13, 2013 16:19:42 GMT -8
I haven't funded very many Kickstarters either, and not all of the ones I backed were gaming-related. Just the gaming ones are below.
Cossbysweater (Allie Goertz) debut album (actually on Indiegogo) Funded: 9/25/2012 Estimated delivery: Unspecified at time of pledging; fixed at 5/4/2013 in January. Status: Digital downloads available right on time. Physical CDs expected by the end of the month.
Tavern Cards: Playing cards that create a tavern Funded 2/12/2013 Estimated delivery: April 2013 Status: Slightly delayed due to illness/injury, but expected to deliver by the end of the month. Hannah Lipsky, the creator, has been very good about communicating with her backers.
Reaper Bones Funded: 8/25/2012 Est Del: March 2013 Status: My group is still waiting for our box because we pledged as a group and couldn't resist going for some of the extras. Hopefully it will be in the next shipment.
The Gamers: Hands of Fate Funded: 9/7/2012 Estimated delivery: September 2013 Status: Seems to be on track. Frequent updates.
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SirGuido
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Posts: 2,127
Preferred Game Systems: L5R, Traveller, Fate Accelerated, Masks
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Favorite Species of Monkey: Anything in a Cage.
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Post by SirGuido on May 27, 2013 15:14:28 GMT -8
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Post by daeglan on Jun 18, 2013 23:15:37 GMT -8
I haven't funded very many Kickstarters either, and not all of the ones I backed were gaming-related. Just the gaming ones are below. Cossbysweater (Allie Goertz) debut album (actually on Indiegogo) Funded: 9/25/2012 Estimated delivery: Unspecified at time of pledging; fixed at 5/4/2013 in January. Status: Digital downloads available right on time. Physical CDs expected by the end of the month. Tavern Cards: Playing cards that create a tavernFunded 2/12/2013 Estimated delivery: April 2013 Status: Slightly delayed due to illness/injury, but expected to deliver by the end of the month. Hannah Lipsky, the creator, has been very good about communicating with her backers. Reaper BonesFunded: 8/25/2012 Est Del: March 2013 Status: My group is still waiting for our box because we pledged as a group and couldn't resist going for some of the extras. Hopefully it will be in the next shipment. The Gamers: Hands of FateFunded: 9/7/2012 Estimated delivery: September 2013 Status: Seems to be on track. Frequent updates. I also am waiting for the second batch of Bones. Email on saturday to confirm address. i am hoping that means it will ship this week. So many dragons coming
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Post by uselesstriviaman on Jun 24, 2013 9:17:02 GMT -8
Who has two thumbs and a giant box of Reaper minis?? THIS GUY!!
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Post by daeglan on Jun 28, 2013 17:16:14 GMT -8
Reaper shipped mine today . 9 pounds of bones... holy crap.
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Post by ayslyn on Jul 5, 2013 17:26:47 GMT -8
Got my Fate Core rulebook this week.
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SirGuido
Supporter
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Posts: 2,127
Preferred Game Systems: L5R, Traveller, Fate Accelerated, Masks
Currently Playing: Nothing.
Currently Running: Nothing.
Favorite Species of Monkey: Anything in a Cage.
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Post by SirGuido on Nov 3, 2014 8:56:17 GMT -8
Chaos and Alchemy by Game Salute Funded: August 23, 2013 Promised Delivery: May 2014 Received: Received Oct 27 2014
There have been lots of updates throughout the entire process and I know that Game Salute is a reliable company that has done many, many successful Kickstarters. I'm not worried. After many failures with one of their manufacturers producing substandard components they finally got the games made and I couldn't be more happy with the quality of the game.
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jimto
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Post by jimto on Jun 4, 2015 11:49:52 GMT -8
My Kickstarters: Cthulhu Playing Cards-Erik Dahlman Funded: 10/11/2012 Est Del: 12/2012 Fulfilled: 1/2012? Again, don't remember exactly, but it was either on-time or only barely late. Got 'em. Liked 'em. BTW, this is the Kickstarter where Chaosium clumsily exerted their trademark -- lest we forget that. After the trademark bullshit happened I said I'd never give Chaosium another dollar. And I haven't. That said with all the changes over there in the past few weeks, and most especially with Charlie Krank being gone, I am willing to revisit that stance. I will be keeping an eye on how they move forward. I am most curious to see how they handle shipping all the extremely overdue Kickstarter rewards. No one knows for sure, but it seems like they are only sending a few packages out at a time due lack of funds. This thread has more details: www.yog-sothoth.com/topic/28763-stafford-and-petersen-back-at-chaosium/
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