Because they're not tricking anyone into anything.
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Penny Arcade launches Kickstarter for more podcasts (lol) [110K Funded]
- Thread starter partyphone
- Start date
Because they're not tricking anyone into anything.
I'm not sure I would call it a scam, just slimy.
jakonovski
Member
They're exploiting idiot fans. Exploiting people is for scumbags.
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
Tons and tons of podcasts solicit donations. No one sees that as a scam. This is the same.
Things like this drive me crazy. With my job, I meet countless people in their 40's who don't have enough money to retire on, pay their mortgage, pay for their kids college. They need my help in the worst way to get their finances in order. Some are so under water that I can't do much for them.
Then, I meet people that are either in college or single in their early 30's. So many of them don't want my help and think they have all of their finances in order, yet you can see they will never have enough money to retire, or not be living simply paycheck to paycheck. Its not even as if they aren't earning enough money, its just that people waste SO much money on shit.
Obviously there is an entertainment part of everyone's budget, but holy hell paying for a group of rich people to fund a podcast? Wow.
They don't need the money, and they are. What's wrong with that?
You don't have to donate, I have, I want what is offered.
Wouldn't a simple Behringer sound board solve the issues of differing quality? A decent mixer and microphones would give you a professional sound. All of which have a definable value.
I'm just surprised you're defending this. Because it's not defensible. They're violating the entire spirit of Kickstarter here. It's not kickstartering a project that can't get funded via traditional means. They know they have an emotionally stunted fanbase and by not setting a goal, they're going to exploit them for every single penny they can shake free.
D
Deleted member 22576
Unconfirmed Member
I already have a HUGE problem with stretch goals being against the spirit of kickstarter, but damn. A 10$ minimum and only stretch goals? That's grossly cynical.
plagiarize
Banned
apparently rich people can never ask for money for anything. I guess. only folks without independent wealth should be allowed to use kickstarter because I AM THE 99% PERCENT.
or something.
I kickstart projects I like the look of. I give money to charities I like. I am not rich. I won't kickstart this, but I see no problem at all with kickstarter as a service, or the people who choose to patronise the things on it.
hey_it's_that_dog
benevolent sexism
How does a low bar of $10 guarantee they'll get more than $10? If they are getting more than $10 it's because the backers want the rewards or just want to support the thing in general. Who's being scammed?
China Dont Care
Banned
No? They give a real budget, say what the money is used for, and say that they'll hopefully never need to use kickstarter again once they get revenue from the business. They're not doing a podcast for a hugely successful business that can already easily pay for it and write it off as a business expense.
Various Artists
Banned
Wow, really?!? No, REALLY?
Exactly what is slimy?
They are making something, no matter what, and asking people who want it to pay?
threetri333
Banned
I don't see much of a problem, but I hope they use money for a good cause.
This isn't any different than having a donate button. This just happens to advertise the podcast they want to set up and get some donations while they're at it. There's nothing wrong with this. Their fans are giving them money because they want to. Nothing wrong with that at all.
SomeOneInaHat
Member
Things can become more than what they start out to be.
D
Deleted member 17706
Unconfirmed Member
I've met the guys on multiple occasions. They are pretty damn rich (unless they somehow lost it all in the last couple of years).
That doesn't even really matter, though. If they want donations, how about they ask for it on their own site? Why are the using Kickstarter? Kickstarter is for, you know, to get a project kick started.
The fact that they have a $10 goal means they just can't be arsed to budget this thing and are just trying to get as much money as they can.
TheRedSnifit
Member
djplaeskool
Member
I think this is where I'm going to settle and leave this subject alone.
Maybe I'll be surprised in 3 weeks.
I'm pretty sure Kickstarter was not meant to be a general purpose donate button, but whatever.
hey_it's_that_dog
benevolent sexism
Why should they write it off as an expense when they can earn money for producing desirable content? Why do they owe anyone a free podcast in addition to a free webcomic? Why are they not allowed to pursue a profitable endeavor via an avenue that will allow it?
Waylon Drums
Member
There's always someone like you, isn't there?
They started out as $10?
Extra HD High Quality XXX Cables for their mics?
Kickstarter is not for donations.
Zaraki_Kenpachi
Member
If people choose to donate then what's the problem?
Anoregon
The flight plan I just filed with the agency list me, my men, Dr. Pavel here. But only one of you!
Definitely not a scam, as there is no deception/coercion involved. It's just kind of... silly? Dumb? Can't say I really think much of it one way or the other; if it's something people actually want to to throw their money at for whatever reason than that's their prerogative.
I will remain comforted by the knowledge that my kickstarter moneys go solely to things that actually take money to produce, like video games and motion pictures.
I will remain comforted by the knowledge that my kickstarter moneys go solely to things that actually take money to produce, like video games and motion pictures.
Recording a podcast is just as hard as making a game. Yep.
hey_it's_that_dog
benevolent sexism
Do you have too much money? Do you want to be friends? I like cars.
the problem is outlined in the thread title
That's what folks said about the last one, the one with "we'll chase a duck and say your name" as a reward. Pretty sure its for real.
The $10 goal is a bad joke, just use a different service if you want all the money or actually work out the operating costs and be up front about it to your fans/donors.
Well, they were trying to make a game via circumventing publisher funding. People who donate would also get a copy of the game. This is a little different.
Anyways, I feel like they are trying to prove a point here, or maybe doing their own little social experiment, and will just end up donating or returning the money. At least I hope so.
Are they getting John Williams to do the intro song or something?
Well, PA has produced quality content for years. They are professionals and this is a way to gauge the interest of the podcast.
Also, I think they know how much of a joke Kickstarter has become, and are taking advantage of it. I think that's fine - it's the system being taken advantage of, not the backers.
Susan Wilson's had little if any history to backup her product. PA on the other hand is a brand. I won't back it because I don't feel like spending my money on that, but I do spend ridiculous amounts of money on shooting game gashapons from Japan, because I know what I'm getting and it's a love of mine. That's the kind of product PA is offering, and taking a jab at Kickstarter at the same time. I approve.
Also, I think they know how much of a joke Kickstarter has become, and are taking advantage of it. I think that's fine - it's the system being taken advantage of, not the backers.
Susan Wilson's had little if any history to backup her product. PA on the other hand is a brand. I won't back it because I don't feel like spending my money on that, but I do spend ridiculous amounts of money on shooting game gashapons from Japan, because I know what I'm getting and it's a love of mine. That's the kind of product PA is offering, and taking a jab at Kickstarter at the same time. I approve.
RedNumberFive
Banned
Wow, this is pretty disgusting, but gamers have become acclimated to throwing their money at all sorts of disgusting projects. I'd like to think projects like this would be the tipping point, but I'm sure that we're not even close to the bottom of the barrel yet. I had a feeling that these guys were complete assholes, and I'm glad to see confirmation of that thought.
Relaxed Muscle
Member
People choose to pay money in those piramide scheme things! What's the problem?
Zaraki_Kenpachi
Member
Except not, no one is being scammed. They chose to donate for the kickstarter.
So this podcast is a pyramid scheme now? Do go on...
Apparently it's something that should never be monetized or else.
SomeOneInaHat
Member
Yes, they used to have one. It was pretty good.
SMT
this show is not Breaking Bad why is it not Breaking Bad? it should be Breaking Bad dammit Breaking Bad
Awww. T_T
You get quality deranged humor (unlike regular deranged humor), and critical analyses of every game related thing you wish. You pick my subjects >
nhlducks35
Member
It's not a scam or slimy at all. No one put a gun to the fans and said, "You have to fund this KS". If the fans want to throw their money away, then by all means let 'em do so.
hey_it's_that_dog
benevolent sexism
Things aren't worth money simply because they cost money to produce. They are also worth money because they cost someone's time, or they are desirable and the market will support their existence.
If people want a podcast from these guys and it takes their time to create it, time they could be spending doing work to earn money, then the podcast itself is worth money (to someone).