Cantih

Greetings BG, Cantih here. Some of you know me, some don't have a clue, and most kind of do but don't particularly give a shit. Well, with introductions out of the way, onwards!

(By the way, today's blog is a combination of the first one from the forum, and new material. Holiday craziness prevented it from launching in the blog section on time. If you just want the new stuff, head to this blogs thread on the forum. Going forward, all entries will be completely new. Also as such, apologies for the sheer length this time, normally it will be a little more compact.)

With this blog I'll be covering Kickstarters, and other crowdfunding once any other sites develop the same trustworthy reputation as Kickstarter. I'll specifically be focusing on video game and tabletop game projects. I may also highlight some Steam Greenlight stuff as well.

"Tabletop games," you say, "isn't this a video game site"?
They aren't a big enough thing on BG to merit it's own section (they tried once), but there is a thread or two, so here they live, a cursed half life. Also, I like them, and it's my blog, so you're getting them. Deal with it.

And while I won't be covering them, I do suggest you look into the Film & Video, Comics, and Publishing categories if you wish to directly support creators of media (Oh, and Art, Music, and Photography as well). If you would particularly like to help people trying to start a product or business, your best bet is to head to the Product Design, Technology, and Food categories.

So, what criteria determines what I bring to your attention?
I don't really have an answer for that, it's mostly subjective. Things that I personally find interesting, awesome, or important. I usually also have a gut check on if I think it can deliver, before I share. BUT DO YOUR OWN DUE DILIGENCE BEFORE YOU BACK SOMETHING. I don't have some kind of special sauce or experience judging these things, I'm just a dude. (A content obsessed dude, who's also been focusing on the subject for the better part of a year, but still, just a dude.)

So you can get a feel for my tastes and bias (for example, I generally have a knee-jerk disregard for any projects that try to bring in money using games made in RPG Maker, or even only use it in their promo pitch), I've put up a post of completed kickstarters that I've kept an eye on this past year.
It's also going to serve as an index of everything I've spotlighted, and note it's status (Failed, In Development, Delayed, Abandoned, Released). If you see something you missed the chance to back, but you like it, you should seriously consider hunting down it's current on sale version if it's out. Either on Steam, the creator's retail site, or w/e.

Why am I doing this you ask?
Well, firstly, I give a decent chunk of attention to crowdfunding for a number of reasons, and I may as well share the fruits of it with you lot. Secondly is, one of the hurdles of any kind of project, but especially in crowdfunding, is that obscurity is death.
One of the projects I have for you today has been in rather public development for three years, it's fucking AWESOME, but I had never heard of it until a couple weeks ago. There are so many incredible things that people do, that you NEVER know about, simply because there is just so much stuff out there. Not as many as grains of sand, but enough.
There's another project that I can't share with you now. Even though I think it's great and I've known about it for years, despite being a solid project it just didn't have a wide enough following, and it had to cancel the campaign only a couple weeks in. It is an absolute shame. It pushed me just enough that, well here we are, and one of the most unlikeliest of BG to do it, will now be writing a blog.

So, explanations are almost done, we're nearly to the meat of things.

I'll be doing this weekly, and it will come in two parts. If there are any new projects coming up, I'll highlight them by explaining what it is, why I'm mentioning it, and include a small overview of the backing price points, highlighting any that particularly stand out. In my personal backing I tend to stick to lower affordable tiers, but if you have Wop levels of cash, by all means consider the use of it.
If there happen to be no new projects, (I'm never going to pick crap just to fill out a post) I'll probably cover the topic of crowdfunding in general, 2013 will be a good year for that. This is also when Greenlight projects will pop up, though sometimes really awesome ones will get in anyway. If all else fails, I may do overviews of tabletop gaming, pray this does not happen.

The second part will consist of updates on projects I've mentioned previously. Current funding progress and some stats, important stuff from their updates page, any notable news coverage, that kind stuff.

Here we go.

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Kingdom Death: Monster - Ends January 7th TODAY! - @ $1.5 million (4,400%)

This is a tabletop miniatures game. Not a wargame like BattleTech or Warhammer, but a grid based tactical RPG. The gameplay is essentially Final Fantasy Tactics meets Monster Hunter, but with abominations instead of prehistoric beasts and dragons. Outside of combat, you use loot you get from killing things, to build weapons, armor, or develop your settlement across multiple phases. Flavor wise, the universe is Berserk's "The Eclipse Ceremony of Femto", except humanity has to live there permanently. Sucks to be them. Here's some gameplay demo videos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mboZZZ8TuV8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4lZ13VqQ38

I'm telling you about it because first off, it's absolutely fucking gorgeous, go LOOK at the pitch video. The art, sculpts, and production is simply incredible. The gameplay looks well done and a solid play. Secondly, it's one of those important kickstarters. It's currently the second most funded tabletop game on kickstarter, and the second to break one million dollars (Reaper Bones being the first).

It will cost you $100 to get just the base game (Sorry, minis tend to be pricy). If you just want to support and get a PDF artbook, you can toss in $10. Even now, right before it ends, I can't tell you how much it would be to get EVERYTHING, because it's still blowing up and hitting small but limited edition stretch goals.
I have a breakdown in the blog's thread, but the short of it is a minimum "get all the exclusives only" will probably run you $200 without getting the base game, and getting EVERYTHING may be a bit north of $700. (There's also a smart value pick $300 range set.)

Release - November 2013

Beyond the Gates of Antares - Ends February 28th - @ £63k (21%)
This is a tabletop miniatures wargame. The setting is a far future space era, full of AI, tech, transhumanism, clade-ing, and the travel conceit is Mass Effect-y (a bit darker than ME, but not quite as soul-shittingly grim-dark as Warhammer). What's unique about it is that all backers who want to will have a say in the direction and creation of the game from now, through alpha and beta, and well past release. Rules, story, art, sculpts, new factions, damn near everything. The universe will even be influenced by participating in games you play. Only a handful of properties do things like this (most notably Legend of the Five Rings), but never to this degree. In fact, right now, you don't even need to be a backer, until the end of February the site and process is open to all.

I'm telling you about it because in addition to all that, it's being made under the direction of Rick FUCKING Priestley. You know, just that dude who was one of the key designers at Games Workshop, and is largely responsible for Warhammer 40,000 and many other Games Workshop properties. Oh, but he's not working at GW anymore though. So by getting in on this, you will basically be able to be involved in a Warhammer 40k game, WITH NONE of the the Games Workshop corporate bullshit. Also, from the ground up the game is meant to be digital friendly, any time errata needs to be done, the PDF rulebooks can be updated, so no waiting on new editions for fixes. Lastly, this project, like Kingdom Death: Monster, is going to be important as well. Because of the people involved, this has a solid chance at being a record funded game for it's category, it's something you should be paying attention to in the industry.

It will cost you 65 pounds (about 100 US dollars at the moment) to get a basic starter box full of minis and rules PDFs. 125 pounds (about 200 US dollars at the moment) gets you a special double starter that also comes with a physical hardback rulebook. The higher tiers are very expensive, but have some pretty unique rewards, including professionally painted sets of minis.

However, a simple one pound donation (and any higher tier as well) will get you access to the alpha and beta rules sets, and participation in testing and development and basically involved creation of the game (but not the final release rules PDF, that's 20 pounds). A little more at 25 pounds however, gets you a physical final rulebook, and a kickstarter campaign exclusive mini.

Release - December 2013

Through the Breach - Ends January 10th this week - @ $200k (670%)

This is a tabletop Pen and Paper RPG. It's an extension of a miniatures skirmish/wargame property, Malifaux. The setting might be interesting to some of you, or you may know someone who might like it. It's a steampunk/magic/horror wyrd west style thing (In fact, the company's name is Wyrd Miniatures). It's kind of like Deadlands, but different enough, maybe a bit more New Crobuzon like. Also, like Deadlands it uses decks in the game, but unlike it, uses no dice.

I'm telling you about it because it's a solid enough product, and while it hit it's goal early, pledges have slacked off and there are still some stretch goals left that expand the book's content. The company is pretty reliable as well, no particular risk of them failing to deliver, but they and their game aren't incredibly well known, so they could use some eyeballs. Also with the exception of adventure modules it's meant to be a limited game line. Only eight books, including the two offered here, so it's a pretty fixed investment as RPGs go.

It will cost you $60 for physical books of the player and gamemaster core books, and the fate deck. There is no digital only or single book tier, but when they break $205k in funding, PDFs will be added to the $60 tier. $125 will get you either a few minis, or a special edition hardcover double core book added on. $225 gets you all that, plus a fucked up looking stitched burlap dolly, if that's your kind of thing.

Release - September 2013

Ehdrigohr: The Roleplaying Game - Ends January 21st - @ $8k (174%)
This is a tabletop Pen and Paper RPG. Mechanically it uses the FATE system, but at higher stretch goals the creator is willing go back and make an additional version using the Savage Worlds system. The setting is fantasy, but extending on native american myth rather than western. Which isn't to say it's a low level simple tribal tale, but it is more pre-classical than medieval however.

I'm telling you about it because the setting is one that doesn't pop up too often in the industry. The only others I can think of that even slightly leaned on the material without being set in the wild west, are small portions of Werewolf: the Apocalypse and Shadowrun. But building on it to this degree, nothing comes to mind off hand. From the material so far, it looks to have enough variety to handle a few different game styles, survival horror, national intrigue, or heroic adventures. Warning though, it's full of spiders (and more besides, the fauna is a bit "The Future is Wild".) While it may never end up being a major property, it does look to be a cut above what you generally see in independent RPG products.

It will cost you $15 to get a PDF copy of the game, $25 gets you a printed book. The higher tiers mainly get you physibles, and stretch goals mainly add adventures and a campaign.

Release - April 2013

Now we get to some video games.

Pathfinder Online - Ends January 14th - @ $.6 million (62%)

This is an MMORPG, specifically a sandbox style, in the fantasy genre. It's being made by a bunch of former CCP people (the makers of EVE Online), using the Pathfinder property (Dungeons & Dragons 3.75ed basically). If you aren't familiar with what sandbox MMOs are, it's sadly a bit involved to explain here in the blog. The main things you need to know is that unlike theme park MMOs (like FFXI or WoW) the focus isn't on getting through content to endgame and doing boss raids. (Though, this is D&D there will be dungeons, there will be bosses, but it's the not be all end all of the game.) Also, since this is being done by former CCP people, they're going to do this as a single shard game. No having to stress over or hop servers to reach your friends, if they play, you're always going to be able to play alongside them.

I'm telling you about it because there just aren't that many sandbox MMOs, in fact the only really major one is... EVE Online. So unlike any other MMOs in that style that are beginning to pop up (and after all the recent boom/bust theme park MMOs lately, more sandbox MMOs are coming) these people have experience doing it. Also, it'll be new, Pathfinder will be a frontier. For all the good things EVE has, it's a simple fact that you'll have to deal with Goons, Redditors, or Russians if you want in on the sovereignty game (and unlike EVE, PO is probably not going to be spreadsheets online). Another important thing to note is, Pathfinder is happening no matter what, they have private investors, you will get to play it eventually. What this kickstarter does is get them funds to speed up development time, and most of all get you in on the game early and give you a voice in it's development. I can not describe how much CCP (and thus to a degree Goblinworks) is the absolute opposite of Square-Enix. FFXIV failed because they didn't fucking listen to us in the beta. These people listen, AND are also smart enough to not listen to cheese sandwich/official FFXI forum type fools.

It will cost you $35 for a post-beta entry. The meat and potatoes tiers start at $100, which get you beta access to the game. There won't be any wipes after the beta, and it's nine months long, so it's a slight advantage for a sandbox MMO. At this time, all of the solo month #1 slots are gone. The $500 tier gets you six beta slots, so with friends it's the lowest per slot price to get into the beta. It also allows you to name a guild, and thus participate in the settlement land grab. Also, all $35 and up backers will have set to their account that a mule character will gain passive exp in addition to your main. It's a bit hard to explain to someone who doesn't know EVE Online, but trust me this is a big fucking deal. If you're at all interested in the game, it would be very smart to basically buy your copy now rather than at release.

Then there is a daily, minor in-game item they've been putting up. The only way to get them is by backing at $35+, BEFORE they're announced. You've already missed 16 of them, and they're never going to be craftable or loot, you'll have to trade with someone who has one if you want one.

Also, they just added a SHITLOAD of P&P RPG PDF books to all $100+ tiers, more than $200 worth. If you don't give a damn about the MMO and just want RPGs, this may be of interest to you. (Also, if you just want a Paizo published superdungeon module made by industry legends, you can simply back $15 for a PDF.) They do have stretch goals planned, and they're supposed to be decent, but the project needs to reach it's base goal with time on the clock, so spread some word and let people know about this thing.

Release - June 2014 (For Beta)

Anima: Gate of Memories - Ends January 14 - @ $59,000 (65%)

This is a fantasy action-RPG using the Anima property. [Yes, another tabletop property project. Look, if I had started this thing a couple months ago, it'd all be 80's/90's property reboots. This is what's good on kickstarter at the moment.] Basically a God of War type deal, but with a far more robust character advancement system. What makes it notable is the art and setting, it's a little bit like a cross between Exalted and Eberron, but that is a horrible comparison. Just go look at the pitch video and updates.

I'm telling you about it because it's a pretty good property that's a bit under the radar. You might not care about the P&P RPG, or the card game, or the miniatures game, (the game has a weak US presence, it's actually made by a studio in Spain, the US translation is lagging behind the original release in Europe.) but the setting is solid, and has a number of artists involved that do gorgeous work, and that's one of the backbones of the video game. (Most notably Wen Yu Li, you can see a good chunk of his work here.) The game's pre-production is basically finished, so it's just coding from here.
They've also got pre-alpha prototype in-game footage now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeC_M-9Fkm8

It will cost $25 for a copy of the game when it's done. All of the higher tiers mainly just add normal physical bonus items. It's a bit over halfway to it's funding goal, but the stretch goals beef up the game decently, so it would be nice to see more backers to really drive it up.

Release - June 2014

Radio the Universe - Ends January 23rd - @ $49k (400%)
This is a Zelda/Metroidvania type game, with bits of danmaku. Retro in style, absolutely gorgeous, and meant to be very challenging. There isn't much else to say because the game speaks for itself.

I'm telling you about it because fucking seriously, go look at the art and video, listen to the music. This looks to be a great game, and the material already made shows tons of potential. Also, one of the tiers is a kickstarter only version of the game with extra content. Don't get it now, and you'll miss out, so you may want to get on it even though it's already funded and past all stretch goals.

It will cost you $10 for the base game, but the Kickstarter version is $25.

Release - March 2014

Finally, I was going to originally hold off on this one a bit since android/hardware isn't my thing, but 6souls tipped me over the line and convinced me to run it, and run it now.

GameStick - Ends Feb 1 - @ $240k (240%)

This is an android machine meant to run mobile video games. The distinguishing feature is that the hardware is the size of a USB stick, so you can just plug it into any TV's HDMI port and go. And the controller has a slot that holds the stick when not in use. (Though you'll need to carry around a second controller unless you want to be forever alone.)

I'm telling you about it because it is important. It's similar to Ouya, but there is enough difference that it merits an examination of the project.

The main difference is that Gamestick uses a weaker set of hardware due to it's form factor. Think of it as an Android cell phone that happens to plug into your TV, where as Ouya is a tablet level PC that happens to use Android as it's OS. Otherwise the only separation in hardware is that Ouya has an ethernet port and it's controller has more features (the touch pad, which should allow touched based phone games a better chance of showing up on Ouya.) Also, Ouya runs on Ice Cream Sandwich, while GameStick runs on Jelly Bean. Both have pledged to be open with their devices, though in GameStick's case this means a little less since there's only so much you can do with the stick hardware, Ouya is relatively more moddable.

Considering services, Gamestick has a slight advantage because it comes from the PlayJam group, and as a consequence has experience with serving games on a smartTV network, and so have a relationship with a number of game companies already. Ouya has had to bootstrap that from the ground up, though they have had quite a lot of support pledged to them the past few months, including OnLive and TwitchTV. It remains to see if the same will happen to GameStick.

Lastly comes the portability selling point. Gamestick is designed to be portable, it will fit in your pocket. Here's the caveat though, currently it's only truly portable with TVs whos HDMI ports are MHL and output power, otherwise you'll need some extra cables to make sure it gets power from either powered USB (which is a bit more common), or a normal adapter (which will have to be a bit longer than what should comfortably fit in your pocket). This may improve with time, but the system launches in a few months (also, there's no news on how GameStick's controllers wil be powered). On the Ouya side, the box is not particularly large, and while you won't be sticking it and a controller in your pocket, it is not inconceivable that you can pack the console, controllers, and cables into a small case and bring it with you places.

Personally, I would wait until the end of the kickstarter to see all the developments before donating, and pay attention to news coming in from Ouya dev kits and how Ouya HQ is responding to feedback.

It will cost you $80 to get the hardware, but a bundle with a second controller will run you $115. (20-15 dollars less than Ouya's kickstarter prices, though it is a lesser machine.)

Release - April 2013

That's all for now.

Now a closing note, if there are any projects I'm not covering that you think I should, just say so. If you convince me, I'll run it. If you don't convince me, you can always mention it in the blog's forum thread, I don't have any special control over it.
One exception though. If you, or family, friends, co-workers, etc. are people who stand to receive money from a project, and you want to hype it, DISCLOSE THAT FACT FIRST. If you don't and it comes to light, you're gonna have a bad time.