I've been seeing this project buzzing around the internet for a while now. I've read good things and bad things, and ultimately I do not want to reveal which side of the issue I am on, because I have something to say that shouldn't be influenced by a "you're with us or against us" mentality. Backers, please don't mark me as a 'troll' and ignore what I have to say. I need to clear some things up that I think are important.
First, Susan has made some comments discussing the pricing and the timeline for her game (or her daughter's game, but more on that later). She has compared what she's doing to the development of larger games with budgets of millions (or even billions) of dollars. While parallels are certainly visible, I think everyone needs to remember that Truth Vs Trolls is not one of these games. Many of you are unfamiliar with the workings of game design, and that's completely understandable. But these million dollar games have development periods of years and often need hundreds of people working ungodly hours to make them playable. Of course no one expects this from Truth Vs Trolls, but the matter stands that she's promising a finished product by July. For those of you who don't know much about game design, please trust myself and others when it is said that making a game doesn't work like that. If you're constructing a game with a timeline this short, you really won't need money. Enough funds to purchase any software you need (in this case $70 for RPG maker, which actually includes a tutorial inside the game to tell you how to make games) is really all you need. True, Susan is asking for help from other people to aid in game development which really speeds some things up. But it doesn't sound like she's paying them. Maybe she has offered financial compensation and I just haven't heard about it, but what I HAVE heard is that she wants volunteers to submit work for the project. So I say as an individual with a deeper understanding into game design, the comparisons of this game's budget to larger budgets is actually pretty irrelevant because games of this nature actually don't have budgets. Games made in three or four months are typically done for the love of game design.
Second, the nature of Truth Vs Trolls. I'm sure many people think that's a cute turnaround on this issue to get back at the jerks who are trying to keep this project down. But what I see is a phenomenon that happens a lot as of late that I really do not like. I don't want to discuss the content of arguments on either side of the line here, but when has it become acceptable to label any form of intellectual dissent as "trolling?" A troll is someone who causes trouble, insincerely, for the sake of their own amusement. Trolling is done because it's fun for the people doing it. People who dig into the past, put infographics together, and make strong attempts to make their messages heard are not trolls (but people who photoshop genitals into public photos are, for example). No one likes to face someone who disagrees with them, and it has become waaaaay too easy to label any dissenter as a troll recently. It's hurtful to everyone involved, especially to those who can't stand exposing themselves to a sincere opposing opinion. I LOVE to hear people tell me what's wrong with my ideas so I can spot the flaws and improve on them. If someone tells me I'm making a bad idea (or hundreds of people tell me, because that has happened), I usually back down and listen to them before making up my mind. Do none of you really believe that these people actually mean what they say? That maybe they aren't unwashed teenagers trying to be jerks in someone's basement, but are actually concerned adults and even parents just like many of you? They don't agree with you, but that doesn't make them trolls. Plus someone is taking them seriously, because after this issue exploded funding has trickled to a near stop. That has to indicate something. So I say as a person used to seeing both sides of an argument, please stop labeling anyone who disagrees as a troll.
Third, the plot of Truth Vs Trolls. Wasn't this game originally supposed to be non-violent? I remember reading that Kenzie wanted a game with dancing instead of combat. I remember a video with her talking about ninjas, not trolls. Where did any of this even come from? I don't think that many children (especially nine year olds) commonly take up arms in defense of their parents like this. For anyone who watches cartoons with your children, kids that young don't understand the concept of satire (which is why so many programs can get away with making extremely adult jokes without the kids noticing, aka it "goes over their heads"). This is about psychology and child development. So either Kenzie didn't write this plot, she's an extremely developed nine year old girl, or she's not nine years old. I won't pin any of those down, and it's totally acceptable for a parent to help with the writing or details of the story. But I will say that I don't think it's fair to Kenzie to have her story turned into a satire of this 'battle' you lot are fighting with each other. I say bring back the dancing, because that totally sounded interesting to see in a game.
And last, some personal notes. In my life's experience, I have learned to become extremely distrusting of anyone who insists on bringing up their love of 'the truth.' People who are really concerned about keeping the truth don't try to wave it around like a flag. The truth isn't actually some black and white constant. Truth is a variable and it can be manipulated. People can still lie while telling the truth. "Yes mom, I finished my cleaning. -Because I hid everything in the closet hoping that you won't look there-" People who really care about the truth answer every question asked of them as often as they need to. They stay transparent, and they know when to back down and let the issue evolve on its own after they've said everything they need to say. I watch out for people who wear 'the truth' on their banner, and if Susan Wilson wants to earn my trust (and my pledge) then I am hoping for much less "I support the truth!" and much more "What do you all need to know, once and for all?" Also RPG stands for "Role Playing Game," so saying RPG game is redundant.
Also because this one actually does kind of irk me, tweeting numerous celebrities and feminist blogs about your kickstarter project IS against the rules, and I am surprised that KS decided to let that slide here. I'm certain that if I tried that, I would have my project terminated and that's unfair.
But I have said what I needed to say, and it's up to the backers to decide if I have any merit. Again, I'm not putting myself onto either side of the argument here. I just don't like the way it's being conducted.