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[10101]

I wonder what Waqar is doing. He's vacillated between support and criticism. A few people are waking up. Just need them to keep questioning and criticizing.

Not enough are taking notice IMO, you would think after her last update more would have realised this is just a scam, but no if anything she is getting more support on the comments page. It's like people just stick their fingers in their ears, close their eyes and hit the Back This Project button with their nose or something. SMH.

 

[Diggeh]

Mega64 posted a hilarious video mocking Kickstarter scams. Especially this one.

 

[inm8num2]

Mega64 posted a hilarious video mocking Kickstarter scams. Especially this one.

LOL they showed that at GDC, right?

 

[Vitacat]

People simply don't like to feel like fools.

Frauds and con men rely on people to behave that way. They reel them in emotionally, and that relationship becomes personal for the buyers/supporters to the point where they become blind. It's no longer about the fraud/scam, it's about their own emotions and wanting to feel good about their choices.

 

[10101]

Why am I not surprised by this? So no answers to his concerns about budget or past projects, just you only pledged a dollar fuck off.

Creator Susan Wilson less than a minute ago
@Vernano, while I appreciate you generously pledging $1 to keep it "honest," it's really not necessary. Given your extensive knowledge and insights, I'm sure your time has to be more valuable and there are much better things you could be doing with your days.
You've pledged on 4 projects including Torment's recently funded $4Million campaign which had a $900K goal. Yet of the 49 total public comments you've made on Kickstarter, 46 (93.9%) have been directed at a 9 year old's $829 campaign (which doesn't include several private messages we've exchanged through the KS platform)
So...having just talked it over with Mackenzie and doing some quick 3rd grade math, we decided it makes much better sense to ask you and and any other person pledging $1 for any reason other than SUPPORTING MACKENZIE MAKING HER FIRST RPG to please cancel your $1 pledge and find another "passion project."
Best of luck to you,
Susan & Mackenzie
P.S. Note to Kickstarter Dev Team, could you please add the option for campaign creators to deny, refuse, refund or return any pledges from individuals whom we'd prefer NOT to receive pledges? Thank you

 

[Diablohead]

Wait, 50k stretch goal for something which is asking for less then 1k to send a girl to camp?

So many fools on this planet...

Re-post, I got this message after explaining why I dropped the Torment pledge due this particular KS.

Edit: The InXile gaffers also commented on losing a couple of pledges due this.

What I think is that KS will allow this to go through then give out a press release saying that they will lock down future kick started projects to not happen again to try and buy trust back.

I do hope they pull this at the last minute, but I fear not for some stupid reason.

 

[wildfire]

Mega64 posted a hilarious video mocking Kickstarter scams. Especially this one.

They could've done so much more with this.

 

[MarkusRJR]

How the fuck did they make so much money? I read this thread when it first was posted, thinking it would obviously not reach to funding goal or get removed due to it being a personal charity. Who the fuck legitimately paid money towards this kickstarter and why hasn't kickstarter removed this?

 

[Gully State]

How the fuck did they make so much money? I read this thread when it first was posted, thinking it would obviously not reach to funding goal or get removed due to it being a personal charity. Who the fuck legitimately paid money towards this kickstarter and why hasn't kickstarter removed this?

Funding has slowed to a trickle since her campaign got more attention..

 

[10101]

How the fuck did they make so much money? I read this thread when it first was posted, thinking it would obviously not reach to funding goal or get removed due to it being a personal charity. Who the fuck legitimately paid money towards this kickstarter and why hasn't kickstarter removed this?

Dum people, lots of em & KS more than likely being too scared to pull it due to a backlash from the media over shattering a kids dreams. That my take on it anyways.

 

[RionaaM]

Why am I not surprised by this? So no answers to his concerns about budget or past projects, just you only pledged a dollar fuck off.

Wow, this story never ends.

 

[xelios]

Someone needs to form a succinct professional message containing evidence on why this is a scam, then people can simply copy and paste to Kickstarter using the Report this project to Kickstarter button on the project page. This is how petitions and writing your congressman are often done, because it's the only way to get most people who find issue with something to actually do something about it. There are still 10 days to get this clown shut down if anyone wants to take on composing a sound mass complaint.

 

[Sera O]

People simply don't like to feel like fools.

Frauds and con men rely on people to behave that way. They reel them in emotionally, and that relationship becomes personal for the buyers/supporters to the point where they become blind. It's no longer about the fraud/scam, it's about their own emotions and wanting to feel good about their choices.

Definitely. At this point, backers are protecting their own self-image. Who wouldn't like to think they are generously supporting some kind of. . . undisclosed project-like thing in spite of all the hateful internet misogynists? It's sure better than realizing, "I got sold down the river."

The real losers here are people who are aren't just paying lip-service to gender equality in science and tech. And kickstarter, rolling over like a lame dog at the first sign of controversy or money.

 

[inm8num2]

Why am I not surprised by this? So no answers to his concerns about budget or past projects, just you only pledged a dollar fuck off.

Oh my goodness.

So now she's going into "mama bear" protective mode, even though that guy hasn't attacked her daughter in any way. He's merely addressed the infinite pieces of evidence this project is a con.

Then she resorts to passive aggressive attacks, like saying he can do better things with his time.

Then she compares her con project of sending her kid to a camp, which isn't even the goal anymore, to a major game project that initially asked for $1 million and was sure to get much more.

Then she passive aggressively talks about doing "3rd grade math".

Then she asks Kickstarter to basically change their entire pledge system so that nobody can question her and point out the obvious fallacies in her comments/updates, as well as the giant piles of bullshit in the project itself.

I need to stop following this. It's making my blood pressure go up, mang.

 

[bedlamite]

Why am I not surprised by this? So no answers to his concerns about budget or past projects, just you only pledged a dollar fuck off.

That is an amazing reply, Susan really is telling Vernano to fuck off. Do the genuine backers not pick up on this? How gullible are these chumps?

 

[RionaaM]

That is an amazing reply, Susan really is telling Vernano to fuck off. Do the genuine backers not pick up on this? How gullible are these chumps?

Dude... if they haven't learned by now, what makes you think they ever will? I don't like resorting to insults as part of an argument, but they really ARE stupid.

 

[Gully State]

I wonder if Kickstarter is going to bend over backwards and actually give her control to manually refund these $1 pledgers...Didn't they ban people for negative comments already?

 

[JDSN]

Holy shit @ refusing $1 pledges. No shame at all, KS wont comply, they have shown they dont give a fuck about their reputation in order to get a mere $2300, do you think they are gonna let go all those small pledges so easy?

 

[inm8num2]

Dude... if they haven't learned by now, what makes you think they ever will? I don't like resorting to insults as part of an argument, but they really ARE stupid.

The backers are not themselves. They are under the spell of a slightly above average manipulating piece of scum.

 

[Muku]

Wow, she is no longer accept $1 pledges? LOL wow. Just... freaking, wow. But on side note, she does know someone can put down $5, make comments all they want, and STILL remove that pledge, right? So who is this helping exactly?

Not enough are taking notice IMO, you would think after her last update more would have realised this is just a scam, but no if anything she is getting more support on the comments page. It's like people just stick their fingers in their ears, close their eyes and hit the Back This Project button with their nose or something. SMH.

I'm believing that most of these backers haven't and don't read comments. Or posts from creators about updates. Because if they did, a lot more spit would be flying than has been. Especially on that horrific budget plan she laid before us. So, I just imagine most folks were like "Aww, I'm helping a 9 year old make a game." Then they never went back to the KS page.

And then there are some that are too embarassed or whatever. Who the hell keeps tabs on the backers page? Just pull your pledge and know you've supported one less prince

Spoiler

ss

in dire need of some random internet persons help. But I'm going with what has said. The con has emotionally pulled folks in. Especially once they saw Kenzie in action. "Aww she's a real girl, I'm keeping my pledge in." That's why this whole thing works. Heart strings plucked repeatedly. Girls in STEM? CHECK! Girl being told she can't do it by brothers? CHECK! This is how folks send their bank info to that random email from some person they don't know needing their help. Wish people would think with their brains rather than their hearts sometimes. This kinda shit is just ugh.

EDIT: Was thinking about doing a recap of whole thing, in order of dates, with when things came out of the closet about her previous ventures, as well as her updates, what's wrong with them, etc. But then I started looking at that pile of shit.. and it went from molehill to freaking size of Mt. Fuji while browsing through that shit. That is a monumental task that gives me a headache. So I dropped that hot mess.


Also, WOW! LOL! Vernano is on it.

@Moonie
I'm afraid we haven't met and it looks like you just made an account this month... but thank you for noticing me, I guess? Creepy.

It also looks like you just made an accident in your mouth. I am not trying to convince anyone to not back this project. Why's everyone saying I am? I haven't always been supportive but lately I have been trying to help. I don't recall ever outright calling to abandon ship. So what is the deal? Ask about something that wasn't answered before and you're out of the club? Jeez

 

[Gully State]

Wow, she is no longer accept $1 pledges? LOL wow. Just... freaking, wow. But on side note, she does know someone can put down $5, make comments all they want, and STILL remove that pledge, right? So who is this helping exactly?



I'm believing that most of these backers haven't and don't read comments. Or posts from creators about updates. Because if they did, a lot more spit would be flying than has been. Especially on that horrific budget plan she laid before us. So, I just imagine most folks were like "Aww, I'm helping a 9 year old make a game." Then they never went back to the KS page.

And then there are some that are too embarassed or whatever. Who the hell keeps tabs on the backers page? Just pull your pledge and know you've supported one less prince

Spoiler

ss

in dire need of some random internet persons help. But I'm going with what has said. The con has emotionally pulled folks in. Especially once they saw Kenzie in action. "Aww she's a real girl, I'm keeping my pledge in." That's why this whole thing works. Heart strings plucked repeatedly. Girls in STEM? CHECK! Girl being told she can't do it by brothers? CHECK! This is how folks send their bank info to that random email from some person they don't know needing their help. Wish people would think with their brains rather than their hearts sometimes. This kinda shit is just ugh.

EDIT: Was thinking about doing a recap of whole thing, in order of dates, with when things came out of the closet about her previous ventures, as well as her updates, what's wrong with them, etc. But then I started looking at that pile of shit.. and it went from molehill to freaking size of Mt. Fuji while browsing through that shit. That is a monumental task that gives me a headache. So I dropped that hot mess.


Also, WOW! LOL! Vernano is on it.

It's not just $1 pledges ...she wants to be able to refuse any amount...

 

[xelios]

Vernano being voted off the island of idiots. People are flocking to defend this scam. I honestly don't get it.

 

[Muku]

It's not just $1 pledges ...she wants to be able to refuse any amount...

Good luck with that. They'd be dumb to allow that.

 

[Gully State]

Good luck with that. They'd be dumb to allow that.

KS is on her side. I wouldn't be surprised if they bend over backwards for her..

 

[YouEnjoyMySelf]

I find it hard to believe these companies would get involved with this. Didn't Adobe already give them free stuff though?

I never used KS in the first place, but it is nothing short of a joke to me now.

 

[Deleted member 80556]

I want to understand why is Kickstarter supporting this when it's clearly a freaking sham, why aren't other people who are doing projects (who seem to have already lost some pledges) complaining about this?

 

[inm8num2]

Vernano being voted off the island of idiots. People are flocking to defend this scam. I honestly don't get it.

It's a compliment to Vernano. The idiots don't want him because they don't like his logic and straightforward observations.

Waqar, if you're reading this, you are the next one who needs to cash out on your long-held suspicions. If you don't leave the project soon enough, the backer tribe will sacrifice you to the Scam God known as Susan.

 

[Picobrain]

The world is full with idiots. This KS proves it.
I wish somebody from the news see this and do a report on TV. Maybe that way people will see the truth about this KS project.

 

[Mr. Bubble]

Needs to be reposted often for anyone needing to put a face to the name... Creepy psycho

 

[Aquamarine]

Assuming $23,600 in funding, the anticipated usage of proceeds is as follows:

$4600: The first thing to do is take 20% off the top due to processing fees and failed transactions

$5000: Next is the cost of product reward fulfillment and mailing

$6000: Travel and costs associated w/working with M.I.T. Game Lab (One week of one-on-one mentoring that will be recorded with the video released for free so other kids can learn from the experts at M.I.T. Game Lab along with a weekend GameJam)

$5000: Custom Art

$2500: Laptop

$500: Kick It Forward

Please check out PinkieSquare to see how Kenzie's project is being used to capture information and serve as a safe gathering spot where kids from all over the world can learn from experts and one another as they create, share and play games. Note that none of the costs associated with developing the site have been funded with Kickstarter proceeds. Kids have been asking for it so I'm creating the site on my own because apparently nothing like this exists for kids right now. Experts and experienced game designers and developers as well as indie game company owners have eagerly volunteered to donate their time to mentor the next generation of game makers so this seemed like a no-brainer to me plus it proves the potential has always been BIGGER!

$50,000 Stretch Goal

There is an opportunity to add real value with a $50,000 stretch goal to fund music, sounds and more art under a Creative Commons license. To make it special, as @RC suggested, we could add a few additional game-related rewards:

* Physical CD with a case that's signed by Mackenzie.

* RPG Development PDF or Book signed by Mackenzie which will include all of the drawings, sprites, and media created by Kenzie and other professional artists along with other fun tidbits.

We have 13 days left with plenty of potential for media coverage as the days wind down. Like it or not, both mainstream and industry reporters and bloggers will cover this because everyone wants to know how this story ends. Yes, it got ugly but we turned the corner and we moving in a positive direction together. We can create a powerful ending that makes history if we work together!

A $50,000 stretch goal for music, sounds, and more art - all under Creative Commons license can only happen if backers spread the word and use the same power that stopped the momentum to get it going again. Can those few loud NO's overrule thousands of us that said YES? Let's Kickstart this campaign and KICK IT FORWARD!

AWW YISS. MOTHER FUCKIN TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED $$$$ LAPTOP FOR A 9 YEAR OLD GIRL.

THIS PROJECT TOTALLY ISN'T "FUND MY LIFE". NOT. AT. ALL.

 

[Muku]

She's in yo internet. She's in yo Kickstarter. She's fleecing the sheep that flock to her with her pretty singing. When that singing ends in 9 days, assuming there is even a budget that looks workable then, let's see if these folks don't care where their money is spent then. Next thing you know we're probably seeing pictures of the Wilson family in Hawaii or in the Caribbean. Dat $20k+ makes for a nice vacation, overly expensive laptop to surf with while on vacation, and a few minutes demo at best of a game. (If it's anything more, then you can bet she paid folks to get it done.)

V would be better off just cashing out. There is no speaking to these sheep. They willingly get fleeced, so we must let them. Waqar needs to get out too. Let the sheep get fleeced then sent to the meat market.

 

[inm8num2]

The world is full with idiots. This KS proves it.
I wish somebody from the news see this and do a report on TV. Maybe that way people will see the truth about this KS project.

If the news did a report on this, the headline would be:

"Brave mother funds project for daughter despite internet trolls and naysayers."

You know who needs to pick up on this? The Mothafuckin' Onion.

 

[Aquamarine]

If the news did a report on this, the headline would be:

"Brave mother funds project for daughter despite internet trolls and naysayers."

You know who needs to pick up on this? The Mothafuckin' Onion.

"Internet willingly buys scam artist a $2,500 laptop. More at 11."

 

[Yagharek]

I want to understand why is Kickstarter supporting this when it's clearly a freaking sham, why aren't other people who are doing projects (who seem to have already lost some pledges) complaining about this?

Kickstarter itself is a scam, thats why.

 

[Muku]

You know who needs to pick up on this? The Mothafuckin' Onion.

Hahaha, yeeeeeesssssssss! As they say life is stranger than fiction. This is one of those cases. it's like watching flies fly to a fly zapper.

 

[akira28]

Somebody had to do it. Otherwise people wouldn't learn.

 

[EscoBlades]

Fools and their money.....

Something something

 

[astronautcowboy]

I wonder in Kickstarter is in such dire straits that they actually need $2000 at the expense of their reputation.

Or maybe they actually fear this woman?

 

[Muku]

I wonder in Kickstarter is in such dire straits that they actually need $2000 at the expense of their reputation.

Or maybe they actually fear this woman?

I really think she knows someone in there. I mean... honestly, how else could this April Fools joke gone on for so long? :/

 

[reggie]

.

 

[Instro]

I wonder in Kickstarter is in such dire straits that they actually need $2000 at the expense of their reputation.

Or maybe they actually fear this woman?

Presumably the bad press from canceling such a project, with a mother marketing machine who could likely give them hell for it, is not worth a few dissenters that they can placate after the fact. I'm sure they are not in the habit of canceling projects to begin with unless it is something completely blatant, which this kickstarter is not. Either that or there is an inside connection, but that seems a bit much.

 

[HP_Wuvcraft]

Again...

I love how people think they're getting an actual game. At most they'll get a 3-minute demo that anyone could whip up in a couple hours. And Susan wants $50k (her stretch goal LOL) to do it.

I wonder what Waqar is doing. He's vacillated between support and criticism. A few people are waking up. Just need them to keep questioning and criticizing.

Yeah, that guy was.... even most of the people donating know that the game is going to be completely base.

Or I would hope.

I wonder in Kickstarter is in such dire straits that they actually need $2000 at the expense of their reputation.

Or maybe they actually fear this woman?

The irony is that I was just reading an article in Fast Company (obviously written before this - but not really far off in the past) about how they would never do things like this or Veronica Mars.

 

[inm8num2]

Human race is fucked.

 

[MickeyKnox]

My stance on charlatans and their victims has always been to never blame the victim, people being swindled out of their money before they get a chance to think or even re-think their actions is inexcusable but this thing isn't some instant transaction, you have plenty of time to pull your pledge after the fact...

So maybe for the first time I'm saying fuck the scammer, fuck the victims and fuck the system that facilitates this mess of a situation.

 

[inm8num2]

My stance on charlatans and their victims has always been to never blame the victim, people being swindled out of their money before they get a chance to think or even re-think their actions is inexcusable but this thing isn't some instant transaction, you have plenty of time to pull your pledge after the fact...

So maybe for the first time I'm saying fuck the scammer, fuck the victims and fuck the system that facilitates this mess of a situation.

Fuck the police, too.

I agree. Just an utter fail by all parties.

 

[Labadal]

So now she wants to block people that point out real facts and makes her look bad? LOL!

 

[Muku]

So now she wants to block people that point out real facts and makes her look bad? LOL!

Yeah, because they're stopping her from getting past the 23k! Makes me think of the old game Press Your Luck. No whammy...no whammy... no whammy!

 

[inm8num2]

I really just want to be inside her head. Is she fully aware of what she's doing and simply a master manipulator? Does she truly think she's done nothing wrong?

I hate that people like this exist. No remorse. No accountability. Totally, willfully oblivious to criticism. And you know what? If she actually delivers on these purported goals, many of her critics will probably come around. If the scam is uncovered and the project shut down, she would apologize and people would forgive her.

I believe in forgiveness when people make honest mistakes. I don't believe in forgiveness when they make conscious, deliberate, repeated decisions to do bad things. I just have a bad feeling she'll win over many of the critics. I don't mean GAFfers, but other contingents.

 

[Cynar]

Seems like as along as you go through the website you still get the rewards.
https://torment.inxile-entertainment.com/store

Thank you. Feels good to fund them directly. Screw Kickstarter for allowing this scam to continue.

 

[tafer]

I really just want to be inside her head. Is she fully aware of what she's doing and simply a master manipulator? Does she truly think she's done nothing wrong?

I hate that people like this exist. No remorse. No accountability. Totally, willfully oblivious to criticism. And you know what? If she actually delivers on these purported goals, many of her critics will probably come around. If the scam is uncovered and the project shut down, she would apologize and people would forgive her.

I believe in forgiveness when people make honest mistakes. I don't believe in forgiveness when they make conscious, deliberate, repeated decisions to do bad things. I just have a bad feeling she'll win over many of the critics. I don't mean GAFfers, but other contingents.

Capitalism champions sociopaths.