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[CecilRousso]

Does this not irk people somewhat? I mean, great, we can fund our favourite developers to make the games we've always wanted. That's genuinely great. But by the same token, am I the only person who thinks this is essentially charity, and we're giving these people our money to make something, who are then going to potentially rake in the profits whilst all we get in return is a game?

I mean, sure, we get a game that perhaps we really wanted, and if that's worth $x to you and that's what you've donated, fine, you'll be happy about it. But still. This seems a little shady to me.

It doesn´t bother me at all. If the difference between giving them the money now or when the game is released is that I through this can get more games in the genres I actually care about, then shut up and take my money developers. I want the game, I don´t need the profits. The more successful they are, the more can they continue to do the games I want.

Shady? Not even the slightest. It´s more shady that such a small percentage reach the actual developer when a game is made through traditional publishing.

 

[rabhw]

I got an answer from amazon about my account. Apparently it is set up to only receive money through mechanical turk.

They gave me two options.

1: Make a new account with another email.
2: Ask them to delete your amazon payments account, which will have no effect on the amazon main account. Then log in again and create a new one.

Heh, okay then. #2 it is. How they can't just fix it without doing either of those silly options is beyond me, but whatever.

 

[HTuran]

Future of the industry, right here.

 

[Mabase]

I can't wait until EA snatches it up. Makes it origin exclusive on the PC and throws in an online pass for a console version. Ohh the gnashing of teeth will be glorious.

How would EA do that?

 

[rozay]

This is awesome. Can't wait to see what they come up with, I used to watch my brother play maniac mansion, monkey island and full throttle when I was younger.

 

[Madrugador]

Donations are over $515,000 and backers are about 12,000.

That means that the average donation is about $43. That's an amazing number.

 

[Jocchan]

Does this not irk people somewhat? I mean, great, we can fund our favourite developers to make the games we've always wanted. That's genuinely great. But by the same token, am I the only person who thinks this is essentially charity, and we're giving these people our money to make something, who are then going to potentially rake in the profits whilst all we get in return is a game?

I mean, sure, we get a game that perhaps we really wanted, and if that's worth $x to you and that's what you've donated, fine, you'll be happy about it. But still. This seems a little shady to me.

I'm just trying to be devil's advocate here. There seems to be overwhelming positivity about this in this thread, with nobody as far as I can see questioning it from this angle. I mean, am I right in assuming that Schafer and co will keep profits?

Probably because it's the wrong angle to question it from.

 

[JaseC]

How would EA do that?

He was making a joke, but forgot to ensure it actually made sense.

 

[SovanJedi]

Does this not irk people somewhat? I mean, great, we can fund our favourite developers to make the games we've always wanted. That's genuinely great. But by the same token, am I the only person who thinks this is essentially charity, and we're giving these people our money to make something, who are then going to potentially rake in the profits whilst all we get in return is a game?

I mean, sure, we get a game that perhaps we really wanted, and if that's worth $x to you and that's what you've donated, fine, you'll be happy about it. But still. This seems a little shady to me.

I'm just trying to be devil's advocate here. There seems to be overwhelming positivity about this in this thread, with nobody as far as I can see questioning it from this angle. I mean, am I right in assuming that Schafer and co will keep profits?

How is it shady? They're very upfront about what you get out of it and what's being made. You pay to see something you like the idea of come to fruition. I'm really baffled by how many people keep questioning why they don't get a share of the profits from this venture when they pledge a donation. It's a donation. For enough people this is worth so much more than a financial return.

 

[TerryWogan]

First of all, no, it's not all you get in return. See the rewards tiers. People like both cool stuff and the warm fuzzy feeling they get when donating.

However, let's assume that people are exclusively donating fifteen dollars to get a free game. As I assume this will be the actual price of the game on Steam, this is not charity. In fact, it's better than a preorder: yes, we're paying to get the game, but we're literally deciding what the game is going to BE with this purchase, and we're deciding we want a PC Point-and-Click. Were it not for us, Double Fine would be forced to go the traditional route via publishers, and be forced to make a certain type of game, and likely be at least partially controlled by external parties.

We all get what we want. If I get a great game, and I didn't pay any more than I felt I should, why should anyone have a problem with talented people getting paid? I'm totally cool with that, and it's a shrewd business move by Double Fine.

I can totally get on board with donating the price you would pay anyway for the game to be made. It's the options to donate very significant sums of money above and beyond that that are making me uneasy.

 

[Jintor]

I mean, sure, we get a game that perhaps we really wanted, and if that's worth $x to you and that's what you've donated, fine, you'll be happy about it. But still. This seems a little shady to me.

I'm just trying to be devil's advocate here. There seems to be overwhelming positivity about this in this thread, with nobody as far as I can see questioning it from this angle. I mean, am I right in assuming that Schafer and co will keep profits?

Well duh. You do, presumably, know what you sign up for.

If you want to invest and take a share in the profits go talk to them directly, like any other investor would. You can't take a course of action and then complain that your route is not a completely different route entirely.

 

[mclem]

Maybe they can start hiring voice actors like Nolan North, Mark Hamill, or Dwight Schultz!

Richard Sanders.

 

[Fjolle]

I can totally get on board with donating the price you would pay anyway for the game to be made. It's the options to donate very significant sums of money above and beyond that that are making me uneasy.

I guess that you have never bought a collectors edition then?

 

[Corto]

Does this not irk people somewhat? I mean, great, we can fund our favourite developers to make the games we've always wanted. That's genuinely great. But by the same token, am I the only person who thinks this is essentially charity, and we're giving these people our money to make something, who are then going to potentially rake in the profits whilst all we get in return is a game?

I mean, sure, we get a game that perhaps we really wanted, and if that's worth $x to you and that's what you've donated, fine, you'll be happy about it. But still. This seems a little shady to me.

This kind of thing is inherently limited in scope. You won't see next Call of Duty, or Gran Theft Auto funded this way. Only small projects with high niche interest and a enthusiastic audience, or projects from personalities with high credibility (creative and personal) will have a shot at success with this. It's all a matter of trust. This is always a risky move to do. Trust is very difficult to earn and keep. Though it may seems that Double Fine and Tim are not putting anything in the table, they are, they have now the responsibility to deliver a final product that lives to all this movement/hype. This could all blow in their face and destroy their name. It won't but it can.

 

[Seraphis Cain]

I can totally get on board with donating the price you would pay anyway for the game to be made. It's the options to donate very significant sums of money above and beyond that that are making me uneasy.

But there's the operative word: option. If someone wants to contribute $100, $200, $1,000, or even $15,000, and they fully understand exactly what they will get out of it (as they should, since it's all spelled out very plainly right there on the page), should they not have the right to?

 

[Zoibie]

Wow, this is incredible. Half a million dollars raised overnight! I'll have to pitch in some before the deadline.

 

[civilstrife]

I really think that Notch and Minecraft opened this door.

Truly revolutionary.

 

[SovanJedi]

Just as an aside; many Kickstarter projects alter the rewards for different pledges based on how much they go over the goal amount, in the backers' favours. NOT ALWAYS, but I expect some of the more valuable awards to trickle down to smaller backers, such as the HD version of the documentary.

Essentially if the project goes really well (as this one has!) you may get even more out of it than what you were told before. So honestly, I couldn't be happier with what I'll eventually get out of this.

 

[Zalasta]

Jury is still out though. I think it's an interesting experiment that's off to a great start, but whether the final product will warrant more projects being funded in the same way is yet to be determined. Double Fine could screw up royally and never recover...this is a great way to kill off your fan base if you don't do it right

 

[thefro]

I really think that Notch and Minecraft opened this door.

Truly revolutionary.

It's not really surprising at all... the only thing that surprises me is that it's taken this long to bring it to video games.

It's been going on in politics for over 8 years

 

[MightyHedgehog]

Does this not irk people somewhat? I mean, great, we can fund our favourite developers to make the games we've always wanted. That's genuinely great. But by the same token, am I the only person who thinks this is essentially charity, and we're giving these people our money to make something, who are then going to potentially rake in the profits whilst all we get in return is a game?

I mean, sure, we get a game that perhaps we really wanted, and if that's worth $x to you and that's what you've donated, fine, you'll be happy about it. But still. This seems a little shady to me.

I'm just trying to be devil's advocate here. There seems to be overwhelming positivity about this in this thread, with nobody as far as I can see questioning it from this angle. I mean, am I right in assuming that Schafer and co will keep profits?

$15 isn't going to bankrupt any fan who has decided to buy this future game with. That same money could be lost in a purchase of vastly inferior or disappointing games in the meantime, but this way ensures the money is spent toward a release in a dying category of games by some of the masters and pioneers of the genre. Whether the game is a great sales success or not shouldn't matter in this case, as the quality of the finished product is the only concern. Any further success, I'm sure, will be treated as a means of providing a continuing income for the much-loved set of creators and a studio whose involvement is the only reason so many have donated in the first place.

 

[EatChildren]

This kind of thing is inherently limited in scope. You won't see next Call of Duty, or Gran Theft Auto funded this way. Only small projects with high niche interest and a enthusiastic audience, or projects from personalities with high credibility (creative and personal) will have a shot at success with this. It's all a matter of trust. This is always a risky move to do. Trust is very difficult to earn and keep. Though it may seems that Double Fine and Tim are not putting anything in the table, they are, they have now the responsibility to deliver a final product that lives to all this movement/hype. This could all blow in their face and destroy their name. It won't but it can.

This is the good thing though, I feel. The main issue many seem to have with the current state of the industry is not so much the games getting made, but the games that aren't, because of the limited, niche audience and the disinterest from publishers in stepping out of their comfort zone.

We wont see huge budget niche games, but I don't think many people expect that. They just want games in the genres they love, games that play well. If this is the kind of business model that can support them, then more power to the fans and developers.

And I think the high risk potential backlash of failure is a good thing, as it should inheritable prevent exploitation. This is the most literal case of voting with your wallet. If a developer makes wild promises they cant ever keep, the backlash from failure is warranted, and they caution from fans investing in their future projects will serve as a harsh lesson.

Ideally this would help keep the scope of the project and the promises reasonable, and most importantly believable.

 

[Krauser Kat]

I would bump up my donation to 100 if the 10k person is notch. greedy bastard.

 

[Mabase]

He was making a joke, but forgot to ensure it actually made sense.

ah, I see...

 

[SteveWinwood]

Donations are over $515,000 and backers are about 12,000.

That means that the average donation is about $43. That's an amazing number.

And I thought I was being generous with my donation. Can't even beat the average!

 

[SparkTR]

I would bump up my donation to 100 if the 10k person is notch. greedy bastard.

It isn't Notch.

 

[mclem]

When he's not asleep, I must remember to try to collar Tim on Twitter with one simlpe question...

"Is this the first time you've attempted to get funding for this particular project... or have there been publishers you brought it to who turned it down?"

I'd also want names if there were, but I bet *those* wouldn't be forthcoming

 

[IdreamofHIME]

guys what if...

they don't reach the donation goal in time

or simply don't reach it?


will tim personally refund our money in person along with a very sorry hug?

Less than a day and this post becomes super worthless.

I love geeks.

I donated and I dont even have Steam.

 

[Broder Salsa]

This is fucking fantastic. Hopefully the game will be as good as all their oldies, the concept of gamers funding it like this just makes me smile.

 

[Krauser Kat]

It isn't Notch.

is it gaf member? well i think i still going for 100 hav to talk to my wifey first, i want that poster though.

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

Donations are over $515,000 and backers are about 12,000.

That means that the average donation is about $43. That's an amazing number.

Imagine if all games released like that in the future. I would so pay $15 knowing its all going to the devs.

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

It isn't Notch.

From what I read, Notch did pay $10,000 but not for the $10,000 bundle. He split it into two donations of $5,000 .

 

[SteveWinwood]

Less than a day and this post becomes super worthless.

I love geeks.

I donated and I dont even have Steam.

It's a Jenga post.

 

[Broder Salsa]

is it gaf member?

Maybe Evilore decided to fund the game with a bit of all his GAF shirt money.

 

[Orayn]

They should use the budget surplus for hiring voice actors - $100,000+ buys a lot of Steve Blum.

 

[indigo-cyclops]

I pledged, wish I could put in more. Can't believe how fast they got the goal - this is so fucking awesome I can't wait. Diehard P&C fan here. Loved the bit about P&C only existing in dreams and Germany.

 

[Teppic]

Backed with my $15. It's great that people are supporting this.

 

[Corky]

Imagine if all games released like that in the future. I would so pay $15 knowing its all going to the devs.

I'd happily do all in my power in order to cut out the money guzzling marketing-machines err I mean publishers.

These kind of things usually annoy me but hot damn if that video didn't make me happy and more than willing to give Double Fine my money. Sometimes I just wish I had so much money that I could "indulge" in things like those crazy expensive donations.

 

[Keasar]

1 day, it just took 1 bloody day.

Sometimes, I really love this world.

 

[Kabuki Quantum Lover]

I should toss in $30 after work. Loved Psychonauts + Grim Fandango.

EDIT: Ah fuck it, I'll just do it now.

 

[MightyHedgehog]

Despite the fact that this form of financing has been around a while, I wonder if Double Fine's success will be felt almost immediately with a rush of niche genre developers jumping in within the month. Could be the return to the importance once placed on people's names on the box instead of just brand names and franchises.

 

[grkazan12]

Just put in my $15 for this, so excited. <3 Tim and the awesome people at Double Fine.

 

[Orayn]

Despite the fact that this form of financing has been around a while, I wonder if Double Fine's success will be felt almost immediately with a rush of niche genre developers jumping in within the month. Could be the return to the importance once placed on people's names on the box instead of just brand names and franchises.

Pretty much. Can you imagine what would happen if Volition did this? People Can Fly? Obsidian? It's a brave new world.

 

[Corto]

We need to decide what percentage of the total pie will go to hookers and blow for the Press. Should we shoot for a high 80s on Metacritic? Or just go crazy and go 90s on this bitch? ahah 90% then.

 

[Andiie]

Wow, just saw this, mind-blowing that they received so much in so little time. Amazing.

 

[Orayn]

We need to decide what percentage of the total pie will go to hookers and blow for the Press. Should we shoot for a high 80s on Metacritic? Or just go crazy and go 90s on this bitch? ahah 90% then.

There should be a set of sliders like for the Humble Indie Bundle so each backer can decide how much money is for the game and how much is for hookers and blow.

 

[MightyHedgehog]

Pretty much. Can you imagine what would happen if Volition did this? People Can Fly? Obsidian? It's a brave new world.

I'm being simple here, but I want Million and Treasure to go for this immediately with new shooter and beat 'em up games proposed. Even Platinum could jump in on this shit.

 

[Hot Coldman]

Despite the fact that this form of financing has been around a while, I wonder if Double Fine's success will be felt almost immediately with a rush of niche genre developers jumping in within the month. Could be the return to the importance once placed on people's names on the box instead of just brand names and franchises.

Few people in the medium command as much respect and adoration as Tim Schafer and Ron Gilbert, and that's why this has worked. So we probably won't see many attempt similar efforts, at least not to this extent.

 

[Amagon]

So when can we have a kickstarter for Shenmue 3???

 

[The Wizard]

Half a million in less than a day, I love the internet.