I hesitated to post this here because this isn’t a Gameplaywright project, but you might be interested in seeing it all the same. I’ve launched my first Kickstarter campaign to fund the completion and publication of a story-game adventure called Always/Never/Now. Everything you need to know is at this link.
Truth is, I’m eager to talk more about this project but I’m focusing on work (on the Dragon Age RPG and Always/Never/Now especially this week) rather than blogging. If you’ve got questions or comments on the project, though, let’s hear them! I’ve already been inspired to add new language, material, and ideas to the project from requests on Twitter for one-on-one player support to game forum discussions of maps and theme. This is all material that was built into the project before but I’m re-energized and re-focused in great ways, now. So my attention is on writing games rather than writing about games, right now. Thanks for bearing with us.
To open this up a little bit, though, let me ask you: What about Kickstarter? As we close out 2011, what are your thoughts on Kickstarter and gaming?
As you can probably guess, I’m a big fan of Kickstarter right about now. 😉
But outside my own vested interests, I love that it’s opened up the field to people with great ideas but who lack the funds to get them up and running. I don’t know if there is a “Kickstarter bubble” as some others have predicted but if there is I don’t think we’ve reached the apex. If the program is able to continue under its current model, I think its potential is far greater than has been realized so far.
“Far greater” meaning what? Loftier projects, more focused projects, unique projects? Will Kickstarter evolve and change, do you think, or will projects find cunning new ways to make use of what’s there already?
I mean, like a lot of designers, I have a pretty elaborate plan or two for future projects that are only possible through Kickstarter, that use the platform to create things I might not be able to create without it, sure. I’m being sort of vague because that idea is half-formed, but I’d love to see some speculation or brainstorming, if you’re willing to share.
For what it’s worth, while I think we’ll see (and may already be seeing) a degree of Kickstarter fatigue, I don’t think it’s a bubble, per se. Some creators may not be able to deliver on Kickstarter and thus report that the bubble has burst as their rep or enthusiasm drops, but I don’t see why Kickstarter or IndieGoGo would burst as long as artists and audience remain hungry for new things. Here’s hoping.
That comment was mainly speaking of scope. Right now, we have people funding movies, music releases, music tours, books, games, inventions. Personal projects, mostly, at least from my experience.
Y’know what? Let’s Kickstart a school. Put backer names on a wall, or desks, or name a section of the library after one. Let’s Kickstart a fresh water line for a village.
There’s also awareness. I live in a bubble where I estimate 4 out of every 5 people have heard of Kickstarter. Probably 3 out of 5 have backed a project. 2 out of 5 are probably backing active projects. I run across folks who have no idea what Kickstarter is. Others don’t trust it or don’t like the Amazon integration. (I, for one, would probably do more backing if it was tied to Paypal.) Some of that bias will fade.
Imagine the number of people buying into Kickstarter projects doubling. Tripling. That’s incredible market power. The direct line between audience and maker is the most exciting thing about Kickstarter. You earn your own angels.
I don’t know how many creators using Kickstarter are repeats but I’m confident that stars will shine and you’ll have people, such as Daniel Solis in our niche, who will have numerous highly-successful projects who become power players, able to bootstrap larger (say 6 figure or more) projects or elevate struggling third-party projects out of obscurity.
Fatigue is natural, especially as the same pool is buying into the same scope of projects over and over. I mean, I love games but I can’t back every game project that interests me *now* much less when twice as many open up. But fresh blood, and a cooling period for older backers, will revivify the flow.
The issue of volume is an important one, for sure. Even quality Kickstarter campaigns may well come out faster than the backers can recharge, so otherwise-viable projects might go un-funded because they came out two weeks after something else that’s really hot. Kickstarter campaigns can provide a lot of information, but they can also leave a lot to speculation, like any other transaction.
Right now, I think projects are growing faster than the audience is. That’s an obstacle. We’ll see how than pans out, I guess.
To be clear, when talking about Kickstarter versus crowdfunding in general, we have to remember that Kickstarter is expressly a creative-driven site. It’s for creative projects exclusively, so even worthy charities may not qualify if they’re not somehow creative (artistic?) ventures.
That said, lots of Kickstarter-like crowdfunding options may (and should!) continue to emerge in the next year or so, not unlike the microloan campaigns and projects that (to my knowledge) preceded Kickstarter.
We have a Kickstarter going as well and it has really made us feel better about our concept and game model/ I think KS is great as long as it isn’t a ‘charity’. I see plenty of musical oriented campaigns that are basically asking for a handout since there are no products offered at the end. I think as long as the campaign is more of a pre-order type formula than it is great.
As far as the concept of crowdfunding goes- the #1 reason small businesses don’t make it in 2011 is under funding. I hope the KS bubble doesn’t burst, it has helped creat some pretty cool stuff (especially games) and I think DIY minded people would suffer if it was gone.
-M
PS your game looks cool and I am pledging. Chicago gamers unite 🙂