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Post by Stu Venable on May 7, 2013 7:29:40 GMT -8
Jfever -- you're not taking into account that I'm a shit tactician.
I also forget to use some special abilities...
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D.T. Pints
Instigator
JACKERCON 2018: WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY June 22-July 1st
Posts: 2,857
Currently Playing: D&D 5e, Pathfinder, DUNGEONWORLD, Star Wars Edge of the Empire
Currently Running: DUNGEONWORLD, PATHFINDER
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Post by D.T. Pints on May 7, 2013 7:49:45 GMT -8
Ahoy! I posted this over on the L5R forums but I think it applies to the discussion regarding setting the scene (and I enjoy redundancy). Thinking about immersion and setting scenes that just draw you in and get you ready for SHIT TO GET REAL...I often think about what piece of music might capture the feel I'm looking to convey and in my mind an L5R game that opened with a scene like this would have me drooling for the coming action: In my Pathfinder games I've made it a rule that all of my sessions Chapters and Acts (scenes) have either a song title or lyrics as a title. It might be a tad bit obscure but it gets my players thinking about the coming game and also gives a chance to foreshadow the particular feel and theme of the scene I am hoping for...of course then the wrench throwing bastards play it and its all up for grabs. But, with that initial little seed of music thrown in I often get all of us on the same page. Example: The Awakening of the Desert King Act I : The Guillotine Will Claim Her Bloody Prize Act II: You'd Better Run All Day and Run All Night Act III: Exit Light, Enter Night! Chapter 2 As My Eyes Fill With Sand Act I: In the Still of the Night, By the Pale Moonlight Act II: Grisly Ghouls From Every Tomb are Closing In... Act III: Waiting for the Sun Chapter 3 Into the Great Wide Open Act I: Standing at the Crossroads Act II: Got No Time For Spreadin Roots Act III: On a Dark Desert Highway Chapter 4 This Could Be Heaven or This Could Be Hell Act I: Such a Lovely Place Anyway, I know I'm succeeding when I hear my players softly singing the song for the episode right before we play. That scene is set! Here's the campaign over on Obsidian Portal: www.obsidianportal.com/campaign/the-awakening-of-the-desert-king/adventure-logDoes this feel railroad to any of you ? Cheers.
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John Harris
Initiate Douchebag
Posts: 19
Preferred Game Systems: What have you got?
Currently Playing: L5R
Favorite Species of Monkey: Capuchin
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Post by John Harris on May 7, 2013 9:01:12 GMT -8
Stu, I fully understand and agree with your opinion on late KS projects. You should comment and push the publishers. The Fan Boy backlash is ridiculous. In my opinion the product should be DONE when you launch the KS.
The way I see KS is as a tool for small independent publishers to help bring their game to a larger market without risking our personal finances. We now have to put in a lot of time and hard work but don't have to risk our houses.
When the established companies and projects fail to deliver or take too long it hurts us all. I would say that overall KS has been a great tool for small publishers and gamers who now get a say in what gets published.
It would be interesting to see the numbers on un-delivered and average deliver times
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Post by Stu Venable on May 7, 2013 9:31:25 GMT -8
I agree -- Kickstarter is very worthwhile.
There are all kinds of projects that would never see the light of day, but Kickstarter connects the people who would buy it with the people who can make it in ways that has never existed before.
I like Kickstarter. I own several things I wouldn't even have heard about otherwise.
But we have to keep it working by hold those who don't follow through accountable.
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Post by malifer on May 7, 2013 10:29:36 GMT -8
My kickstarter rules typically include 1. Has this person done another KS? read progress or comments? 2. Does this project need my backing? From those two I can deduce how much money I'm willing to throw in the trash. For instance I didn't back Deadlands Noir because I knew my FLGS will be getting it and it funded like crazy, but I did send $8 to Spears of Destiny. Sometimes I am inticed by stretch goals, but mostly I tend to back a low amounts to indie projects. I have only one late Kickstarter, but after many complaints there trying to get their shit together. For a list of kickstarters gone right and wrong I reccomend Tenkar's Tavern which I posted previously somewhere on the forum. Some of the drama surrounding these projects is very entertaining. www.tenkarstavern.com/search/label/kickstarter
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tenkar
Initiate Douchebag
Posts: 5
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Post by tenkar on May 7, 2013 10:51:44 GMT -8
malifer - thanks for the kind words
I think I'm due to update the overdue kickstarter list...
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SirGuido
Supporter
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Posts: 2,127
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Favorite Species of Monkey: Anything in a Cage.
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Post by SirGuido on May 7, 2013 12:33:34 GMT -8
My number one rule for funding a Kickstarter is this:
Is it done? Or has it at least gone as far as it can go without serious funds?
I don't feel that Kickstarter should be used as a way to gauge interest in a project, I think it should be used in those cases where you've done all the work, but you just don't have the funds to take it to production.
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Post by malifer on May 7, 2013 13:25:04 GMT -8
My number one rule for funding a Kickstarter is this: Is it done? Or has it at least gone as far as it can go without serious funds? I don't feel that Kickstarter should be used as a way to gauge interest in a project, I think it should be used in those cases where you've done all the work, but you just don't have the funds to take it to production. Excellent point. I look for that as well.
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Post by jazzisblues on May 8, 2013 6:04:23 GMT -8
My number one rule for funding a Kickstarter is this: Is it done? Or has it at least gone as far as it can go without serious funds? I don't feel that Kickstarter should be used as a way to gauge interest in a project, I think it should be used in those cases where you've done all the work, but you just don't have the funds to take it to production. You make a very valid point, but I can also see the guy who's trying to finish a project, say a game book, and real life is in the way like the need to keep the rent and utilities paid so he's having to work 10+ hours a day and has nothing left to work on his very cool project. If he could raise some working capital to keep the lights on while he works on his project he could finish it and see it through. Cheers, JiB
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Post by CreativeCowboy on May 8, 2013 7:40:49 GMT -8
I have to say that I am very disappointed in Rick Loomis. I mean this gentleman has a history of being in business. His products are well done. They are well liked. Reputable. He’s not a kid. He knows about avoiding problems I assume. He knows about foresight. I usually do not need more due diligence than that. What more could I do: D&B him for suppliers? I would have thought Rick's kickstarter was safe. AND I would even be willing to cut Rick more slack because I would imagine terrible unimaginable things happening - unimaginable to Rick Loomis. Now such problems would have been truly unimaginable. And if the horse he's riding is too wild, I would expect he would address the rodeo. From what I gather from listening he has not done that. IF you are in the LinkedIn RPG group, you can send him a direct message. Stork mentioned the Better Business Bureau. I tried to establish one in Warsaw. For the Internationals, this is the BBB: www.bbb.org/us/mission-and-values You formal file a complaint through a questionnaire process against a business; someone from the BBB contacts the business, and it does not have to be a member; there is a lot of back and forth, especially if the business is a douche bag and leveraging the BBB you are free to make threats under your breath as weeks turn into months; if the BBB brings you no joy they will officially give up and notify both the complainer and the business; then the complainer is advised to turn the complaint to the local highest level prosecutor within the business' area (State Attorney General). I have gone this far and received a refund from some of the most disreputable douche bags (my bad for dealing with them) gossiped about businesses on the Interwebs. It never fails. I find all the gossip after the douche bags have my money. The BBB will work with you wherever you are concerning any business in their territory (USA & Canada). It works. Stu, try going that route. I have dealt with eCampus bookstore and sellers (business not individuals) on eBay and kickstarter is no more than a conduit for Flying Buffalo to do business. The BBB will be a non-emotional just the fact approach that is either more courteous or more threatening depending on the business intent. Plus there will be a record searchable on the Web indicating the type of problem and the result of the process for everyone to see. You can only read comments IF you have backed the Kickstarter. So no use for research. Kickstarter is not there to offer business investment or to allow serial kickstarter projects that do not complete. It is right there up front along with the no “fund my life” kickstarter rule. But Kickstarter gets a percentage of the money collected so it does not take a public relations dude to spin that. Also all communications is behind a walled garden system so you can blow as much as you want but no one outside your group will ever see your word balloon. BBB is the route. Now as for people not manning up… I have said that I had my knuckles rapped for writing in my opinion too many times. (Of course it’s my opinion! Who else wrote it?) But I see plenty gutless people who cannot stand up for themselves. Lead. Be an example of freedom. If you are not writing your opinion, provide the proof in support of your facts. And if some fanboy needs you to cower in fear of peer pressure, perhaps like they do hoping not to rock the sinking boat, that’s no more than a bully. Crucify the fucker. Nothing smells more like irony than someone standing up for their right not to stand up. On the upside, there are so many other wonderful pleasant and enriching experiences that are too numerable to numerate. Best to focus on the negatives so that others can focus on those other pleasant experiences. That’s not bad. And the people of Greyhawk thank you for your service.
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Post by ayslyn on May 8, 2013 8:48:50 GMT -8
The BBB is a joke, and has been for a VERY long time. They're useless, do no research into the complaints, and have admitted to selling A+ ratings.
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merryprankster
Journeyman Douchebag
Posts: 243
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Post by merryprankster on May 8, 2013 14:38:32 GMT -8
The BBB is a joke, and has been for a VERY long time. They're useless, do no research into the complaints, and have admitted to selling A+ ratings. I can pretty much verify this. They approached me to join and seemed to know nothing of me or my business, all they wanted was a check.
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John Harris
Initiate Douchebag
Posts: 19
Preferred Game Systems: What have you got?
Currently Playing: L5R
Favorite Species of Monkey: Capuchin
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Post by John Harris on May 9, 2013 10:49:20 GMT -8
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fredrix
Master Douchebag
Posts: 2,142
Preferred Game Systems: Fate, L5R, Pendragon, Gumshoe, Feng Shui
Currently Playing: Pendragon, Song of Ice and Fire, L5R, Feng Shui, Traveller
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Favorite Species of Monkey: 1970's NTV, dubbed by the BBC (though The Water Margin beats it)
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Post by fredrix on May 9, 2013 12:50:18 GMT -8
Hey guys! It was great you read my email out, and I even got applause for one of my points. Yay me!
But I had to go back and check my original email to make sure I hand mistyped it, and I hadn't - it's Em Tee Jay, not Em Jay Tee, your f*ckers!
I will forgive you though.
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Post by greatwyrm on May 9, 2013 19:54:35 GMT -8
But we have to keep it working by hold those who don't follow through accountable. I think I've been very patient and supportive of Far West. But I have to admit, today's big news of teaming with Cubicle 7 has me worried. I can't put my finger on it, but it just feels like I'm about to get burned somehow. I mean, if Adamant isn't even in control anymore, who the heck can be held accountable?
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