I think kickstarter will work better for game proposals that are in genres or sub-genres we don't see often, and for sequel revivals of long dead franchises. There are a million shooters out there, and a number of tactical shooters (especially if you look at indie releases). Makes sense that less people were willing to fund another one of those than a PnC Adventure game or an isometric crpg.
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Wasteland 2 Kickstarter project by inXile entertainment [Ended, $3 Million Funded]
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I think kickstarter will work better for game proposals that are in genres or sub-genres we don't see often, and for sequel revivals of long dead franchises. There are a million shooters out there, and a number of tactical shooters (especially if you look at indie releases). Makes sense that less people were willing to fund another one of those than a PnC Adventure game or an isometric crpg.
AndyMoogle
Member
The game would have to be gimped big time if they had VA. Without VA they can focus on bigger and better dialog trees.
It's more than that. Pavlish and Stackpoler are in as designers, and more of the original crew could be in. Morgan composing is a big plus too.
And it should be noted something that some people don't have clear, this is not a nebulous project starting from zero:
Fargo said:
Posting again because I feel it´s very informative about this project and the push behind it (he tackles aspects like VA and so):
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/03/12/post-post-nuclear-roleplaying-brian-fargo-on-wasteland-2/
PaleFolklore
Member
I like the video. I've never played Wasteland but I'd certainly give it a try if the second was made.
"There was a Fallout 1 and 2?"
ahahaha god damn it.
"There was a Fallout 1 and 2?"
ahahaha god damn it.
bengraven
Member
I'd love to give 50 bucks, but maybe later. I'm a bit more hesitant about this, maybe/maybe not because of the cynicism in the OP. haha
That's 6% in the first hours of a 35 day push. That's not bad at all.
Edit: oh, missed your intent with this post. Sorry. I thought you were actually upset that it wasn't getting funded faster.
6.25% funded..!
Still a lonnnng way to go
That's 6% in the first hours of a 35 day push. That's not bad at all.
Edit: oh, missed your intent with this post. Sorry. I thought you were actually upset that it wasn't getting funded faster.
Oh man, this guy is one of my favourite people on YouTube. Has a bunch of great LP's for old RPG's.
Pachterballs
Banned
well, it just started. Word needs to get out that the KS project is live. I don't post on the gaming side much so I only became aware when I popped over.
Pretty much the same reason I put $50 in.
mescalineeyes
Banned
Nothing these guys have done lately warrants that I give them money for a game in advance, pedigree be damned.
Also, this kickstarter trend is getting out of hand.
Also, this kickstarter trend is getting out of hand.
Yep, I certainly see your point and it's a valid one. It was actually exactly what I was thinking before I watched the Wasteland 2 video on the Kickstarter page; 'How is Fargo going to broach the subject? He obviously doesn't have the comedic talent and charisma of Tim Schafer, nor is he making a game that is heading down that path, so what's his angle here?'.
But like I said, the one thing that really resonated with me watching the video was how passionate and strongly he felt about the project. The fact the he is willing to dip in 100k out of his own pocket is pretty telling, but just the heart-felt nature with which he spoke about the golden era of gaming and how he wants to bring back a genre of games I absolutely adored, it was enough to inspire me to contribute.
That is the main thing I'd be using to promote the project. Get the other guys involved to do some videos about what this project means to them and what is inspiring them to take this risk. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to get some video endorsements from old Interplay guys as well, I'm sure they all feel quite passionate about the genre and would love to see this project get off the ground. Two line quotes from Avellone and Muzyka aren't going to do the job though I don't think.
In saying all that though, I know Fargo tried to drum up some support from publishers/developers on Twitter and he said none of them were willing to help. I actually found that pretty telling in itself. Fargo and Inxile really hold absolutely no sway in the gaming world sadly.
I guess we'll find out, but it's 24 years now since Wasteland was released. A huge portion of the 100,000 people who bought the game in 1988 wouldn't even be gamers any more. I consider myself a pretty passionate gamer, I've played through the whole Fallout series and other Interplay games like BG and Icewind Dale, but Brian Fargo and Wasteland meant nothing to me until about 3 weeks ago. I wouldn't be far off being part of the niche crowd this project is targeted at and yet I still felt pretty hesitant donating.
I agree with you that a lot of it is about what a Wasteland reboot represents in that it's breathing life to a genre that is on its last legs, if not already dead. Really passionate gamers will support it on that basis, but I just think it needs a little bit more of its own steam to power itself off to actually meet its goal. Brian Fargo and the Wasteland name are just so irrelevant and meaningless in the eyes of most modern gamers, that wasn't the case at all with Tim Schafer and his vision. His track record in the modern day instils far more confidence than anything Fargo has been a part of. I know it isn't a popularity contest necessarily, but it's going to need to be more popular than the Wasteland name is in today's gaming world.
Regardless, I would absolutely love for this project to succeed, not just for what it represents for this genre of games but for games funding in general. It's already exceeding my expectations in terms of money donated, so hopefully I'm going to be proven completely wrong!
Agreed. Two high-profile games is TOO MUCH.
might be the real reason you don't want to back this up
I think a guy like Feargus would definitely be up for it. I'm sure they're just waiting to gauge viability. How Wasteland 2 does should end up having a major impact on their decision.
Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew
Banned
Meh. I'm only supporting it so that other games from the past that are deemed "unmarketable" is released via Kickstarter.
Yeah I'm sure he'll have an easier time convincing himself and his long time friends.
Well, I from what I udnerstood from his Twitter, he presented it to someone to see if they want to go for it. So whatever
Fallout-NL
Member
Went with $50. Maybe Fallout 3 will see the light of day after all.
Yeah, it would be worth it for that fact alone.
Yeah, it would be worth it for that fact alone.
All they are doing is taking the "shut up and take my money" meme and applying it to real life....as it turns out a lot of people do want them to take their money. so what is the problem here?
Minsc
Gold Member
How do you feel about the way Fallout handled VA and talking with NPCs? It was used sparingly, and mixed with CG renders of them, but I appreciated it when it came up from time to time in the games, they were able to also suggest the NPCs moods in the CG, by changing their expressions. For the time, it felt like something new.
Wildesy said:
For what it's worth, probably not much, I'd estimate the sales of the original Fallout games to be well over 200,000 in the last few years (going by it has outsold TW2 on GOG, and is also on Steam which generally outsells GOG anyway). Not sure how many of those people he can reach out to, but there's a market out there buying similar-ish games, I hope.
mescalineeyes said:
I really dislike comments like this, but I'll humor you, how is it getting out of hand? Even if a few dozen "notable" games use it, compared to thousands traditionally or independently funded in other ways?
Messofanego
Banned
Who wants to become a NPC?
What games like Fallout and Planescape do with VA is perfect. They give you a sense of how the characters sound but don't feel the need to have every line voiced, and it's for the better (with Planescape that would have been damn near impossible).
AndyMoogle
Member
Yeah, that could definitely work. But, only if they go way over the 900k they want. There are other more important things they need to do first.
I'm assuming it's going to be 3D, right? If so, they could easily have the face during a dialog, and change it depending on the mood of the character. It would work fine for this kind of game.
Pachterballs
Banned
wtf is this. GTFO
is the dev cycle really long? I think its reasonable. There's nothing to fall back on.
mescalineeyes
Banned
I just think it's lazy to ask the public to fund games that are just retreads of past projects. It's a safety net, nothing more.
I'd rather they use their own money and make something that reminds us that it's 2012. Which is how (game) companies are supposed to work in my opinion.
bengraven
Member
I don't get this attitude either.
This is really only the second big old school Kickstarter and there are dozens of smaller indie games that don't make headlines. How this is becoming "out of hand" I'm not sure - I guess Shafer should have an exclusive right to do his game and we're supposed to wait 6 or 7 months.
Why not let the fans fund games they want?
Instead of going around to dozens of companies trying to get your game made? It's a low cost investment to get a nostalgic kick instead of $60 for the same FPS. You're making it seem like the old genres of gaming deserve to die because it's 2012 and because a larger consensus doesn't want them then they shouldn't make those games.
So you want them to make a shooter?
It's like you don't understand how game publishing works at all. Most decently-sized companies don't have a warchest to build a game on their own and these guys are no exception.
Don't like it, don't fund it. The argument goes both ways. Why should they be expected to spend their own money making something which might not have a market? If there is no demand for this sort of game, then the Kickstarter will fail and everyone goes home with no game and no loss of money. If it succeeds, we get a game we otherwise would not.
This isn't about how game companies should work. This is about projects which they are unable to get publisher funding. Pretty straight forward.
AndyMoogle
Member
Brian Fargo has been far from lazy when it comes to Wasteland 2. He's been trying to get it to happen for a long time now. This seems to be the only way to make it happen.
mescalineeyes
Banned
That's exactly what I am saying. I want some god-damn innovation. I'd rather be flicking birds all day than shoot another terrorist.
They are just finding new ways to fund it. If a publisher doesnt want to fund it then the company is shit out of luck. Now if the fans want to see the game and they get the game just for giving them $15 to make the game what is the issue here?
Also if the project doesnt go through everyone gets their money back, its a win win for everyone but the maker if the project doesnt pass.
Pachterballs
Banned
you fund it. but you also get a game out of it. For $15 buy in. That's hardly expensive and ensures that the game gets made.
see: sydnicate + asura wraths 30k sales. Without public funding, niche games won't take off.
you're a lost cause anyhow.
What the fuck does that have to do with this thread?