Isn't it rather obvious that if a publisher can remove the financial risk of building a game that they will jump on that like a crazy monkey?
It's just a matter of time.
I can also see a "participation" project where people are paying some money to be part of the development cycle. Coming up with quests, or doing QA for instance.
Fuck this shit. Seriously. What are they even thinking?!
It feels like the publisher model is all but burnt down, anyway.
Easy money? Most people would think it.
This is making me wary for the next time a kickstarter by a renowned Studio appears, this shit didn't fly with Obsidian but publishers will keep on sweetening that deal until one of the independents accepts. For all we know it already happened and we find out when the game is near release.
If it does happen one day I hope there will be a massive community backlash against all involved parties, it's nothing less than a scam.
A lot of sweetening needs to happen for an independent to accept though. I mean, what does the publisher provide to a dev that kickstarter+DD platforms don't?
Was my first thoughts as well, even though I'm usually not into EA-bashing affairs.Sorry if this is a misguided analysis, but that smells EA's scent.
A lot of sweetening needs to happen for an independent to accept though. I mean, what does the publisher provide to a dev that kickstarter+DD platforms don't?
Marketing, localization and possibly QA.A lot of sweetening needs to happen for an independent to accept though. I mean, what does the publisher provide to a dev that kickstarter+DD platforms don't?
This is one of the most fucked up things I've ever heard of in gaming
I want names.
Welp, this can't bode well. It's only a matter of time before a gullible fool takes the bait and lines a publisher's pocket with Kickstarter money. Then it'll be ruined for everybody.
Marketing, localization and possibly QA.
At least publishers understand that they can't go hijacking the crowdfunding movement upfront, but I'm sad they're trying to be duplicitous about it.
However, if I find out any Kickstarter, whether it's one I backed or not, is doing this then I will avoid the developer and the publisher involved for a very long time. This really isn't an acceptable thing to do, and I'm glad Obsidian has come out and said this is what publishers are trying. The only thing I wish is that we had the names of the publishers responsible.
Yep. Once it happens and a kickstartered game is released with a publisher, there will probably be a lot less faith in kickstarter projects and some people could get screwed over in funding.
From what Feargus said it was multiple publishers so maybe it was all of them? It wouldnt surprise me if all the large pubs tried this. The worst that could happen in their eyes is Obsidian says no. If they said yes then its easy money.I'm surprised no ones pointed a finger at THQ. I think they out of anyone are probably desperate enough. And aren't they working with Obsidian on South Park?
I'm surprised no ones pointed a finger at THQ. I think they out of anyone are probably desperate enough. And aren't they working with Obsidian on South Park?
I'm surprised no ones pointed a finger at THQ. I think they out of anyone are probably desperate enough. And aren't they working with Obsidian on South Park?
Nicely done.
If the devs want an actual retail presence with boxed copies they will almost surely have to get a publisher involved at some point. Hopefully it is more along the lines of how EA does Valve games. (Though I don't see much upside for a brick & mortar release for these games, the audience is already fully on board with digital releases especially in the US.)
It also seems likely that one of the major Kickstarter projects will run out of funding before the game is done. Are people going to be upset when the dev gives up some of the profits, rights, or what not to a publisher in return for the funding to finish the game?
If the devs want an actual retail presence with boxed copies they will almost surely have to get a publisher involved at some point. Hopefully it is more along the lines of how EA does Valve games. (Though I don't see much upside for a brick & mortar release for these games, the audience is already fully on board with digital releases especially in the US.)
It also seems likely that one of the major Kickstarter projects will run out of funding before the game is done. Are people going to be upset when the dev gives up some of the profits, rights, or what not to a publisher in return for the funding to finish the game?
If the devs want an actual retail presence with boxed copies they will almost surely have to get a publisher involved at some point. Hopefully it is more along the lines of how EA does Valve games. (Though I don't see much upside for a brick & mortar release for these games, the audience is already fully on board with digital releases especially in the US.)
It also seems likely that one of the major Kickstarter projects will run out of funding before the game is done. Are people going to be upset when the dev gives up some of the profits, rights, or what not to a publisher in return for the funding to finish the game?
Feargus has said for some time that for them to do an IE style game they would need at least a million dollars.I'm more curious about the scale of some the kickstarter project imo, the Obsidian rpg kickstarter is only have $1mil target at first. how big of an rpg could that get? rpg are usually expensive to make, and we hear even typical AAA game have around $20mil budget and more.
sure they're not going to pursue AAA production value, but an rpg still require bigger than usual art asset for environment, enemy, music, not mention tons of pages of script. and playtesting to make all the abilities and skill is balanced and didn't broke the game.
I would wish there were another way to help fund to finish the project. If not, a publisher would be okay but not at the cost of giving up IP rights. I'd rather the project get cancelled than see a developer lose IP rights. Especially in case of Obsidian.
Yep, these are our publishers.I'm giving this its own thread because goddamn. Feargus Urquhart (CEO of Obsidian Entertainment) made a comment on their Kickstarter page, noting prior conversations with publishers in regards to a Kickstarter project. Here:
"See, if we don't use lube when we fuck them, we'll save more money!"
Fucking video game industry.
I'm giving this its own thread because goddamn. Feargus Urquhart (CEO of Obsidian Entertainment) made a comment on their Kickstarter page, noting prior conversations with publishers in regards to a Kickstarter project. Here:
"See, if we don't use lube when we fuck them, we'll save more money!"
Fucking video game industry.
Isn't it rather obvious that if a publisher can remove the financial risk of building a game that they will jump on that like a crazy monkey?
It's just a matter of time.