What does the Kickstarter project page need to show you to get your pledge?

Sornin

With the Kickstarter campaign starting very soon, I am curious to hear what people want (or need) to see on the Kickstarter project page to get them to pledge. After all, this project rests entirely on our pledges, so that project page needs to entice people to make those pledges.

Some will likely pledge regardless of what is shown, as they believe in the project due to any number of reasons, such as what it promises or the merits of Mark alone.

Maybe some need to see concept art? Screenshots? Video? I am not even sure of whether any of that yet exists, though I am fairly sure at least concept art would at this point.

What about tentative launch dates for alpha, beta, and the game? Do you need a rough timeline of when to expect such things?

How about some actual design documents? Maybe some classes and races? A description of some gameplay systems with some detail and examples? More technical information such as what sort of engine it is going to be built on?

So, I put it to you: What do you want to see on that Kickstarter page to secure your pledge?

As for me, I do not really care too much about the sound and graphics areas, but I definitely want to see more solid design information. I would love to get a rough sketch of how combat is planned to work - will it be the traditional tab target system, a more action-oriented style, or a hybrid? Things of a design nature are what will get me to open my wallet. If I like what I see, I may pledge up to around $1000. If I do not like what I see, I may pledge nothing.

Edit: Ignore the poll. I initially planned on making one but it is too hard to list every answer so I gave up after making a few options. I thought I cancelled it before making the thread but I guess I did not.

RealLifeGobbo

No offense, but I don't believe they haven't started coding the game yet.  With that being said, you won't see any in-game screenshots or videos yet.  I'm sure there will be a "Kickstarter" video with MJ talking about some of the FPs and what not.

Maephisto

Something that proves the game has been making progress ahead of the actual kickstarter.  Basically, proof that someone has invested in this game already, therefore has a vested interest in its success.  A kickstarter campaign that has nothing to show upfront is not a good sign, IMO.  Im sure they have something up thier sleeve though.

Rough maps of the world, character class outlines, diagrams showing how they expect the economy to work, even early art.

Also, an itemized list of how the money donated will be allocated, branching off into the stretch goals should it be overfunded.

 

Ziftylrhavic

The KS will be more to measure the interest in CU than helping in creating the game, so i believe they don't have much done yet. If KS doesn't fund, they'll give up on CU and any work they did so far will be for naught, so i think they didn't yet started the actual coding and art is still at the pictures level. It seems like the game mechanics and lore have been looked at though, so we may have more details about that^^

 

Well, surprise me and'll be really happy

BowbowDAoC

I think one word describes best on what ground people are gonna pledge :

Faith.

it sounds a bit weird, but just with the Foundational principles, and from what we know about MJ, to many of us it is enough.

In fact, it is the only mmo i will pledge, and its almost my last hope of seeing some decent/good mmo for quite a while.

Some will argue that you cannot sell a "vision", but i think that yes you can.

I probably would not pledge if it was an unknown guy trying to sell the concept, but fortunatly, thats not the case.

We know its not vaporware (of course depending on KS), but CU will come tu be if KS funds.

RealLifeGobbo

MJ has said in other interviews that he is looking for $2M for the Kickstarter.  If he gets that, he's going to put $2M of his own money into the project and has some other investors put in another $1M.  During the GameBreaker interview, he said that he is also looking for another party put in another $1M.  That brings the minium total to being $6M, which DAoC was made for $2.5M + 660K for marketing/advertising/PR/etc.

Arbroath

This is not being funded by KS alone. Mark is putting up $2M of his own monies when the KS reaches goal. Plus I don't see the KS goal not being met. There seems to be a lot of interest in the project already. And from what I've read/seen there will be no actual coding till after the goal is met.

 

D'oh....Gobbe beat me by 13 seconds

RealLifeGobbo

Originally posted by BowbowDAoC
  Some will argue that you cannot sell a "vision", but i think that yes you can.

You know it is funny, I never thought you could.  I always thought it was one of those business buzzwords they like to throw around, but this whole project has changed my prospective on it.  I do believe now, if you have a strong enough vision, you can empower people.

meddyck

I've already heard enough to convince me to pledge. I'm sure there will not be any screenshots or videos because they haven't yet licensed the graphics engine that would be necessary to generate those. I guess concept art is possible. I'm not expecting it but a list of races and classes would be great to see.

MarkJacobs

Originally posted by Ziftylrhavic

The KS will be more to measure the interest in CU than helping in creating the game, so i believe they don't have much done yet. If KS doesn't fund, they'll give up on CU and any work they did so far will be for naught, so i think they didn't yet started the actual coding and art is still at the pictures level. It seems like the game mechanics and lore have been looked at though, so we may have more details about that^^

 

Well, surprise me and'll be really happy

Is that a promise? Pinky-swear and all that.

BowbowDAoC

Originally posted by MarkJacobs

Originally posted by Ziftylrhavic

The KS will be more to measure the interest in CU than helping in creating the game, so i believe they don't have much done yet. If KS doesn't fund, they'll give up on CU and any work they did so far will be for naught, so i think they didn't yet started the actual coding and art is still at the pictures level. It seems like the game mechanics and lore have been looked at though, so we may have more details about that^^

 

Well, surprise me and'll be really happy

Is that a promise? Pinky-swear and all that.

Well now you got me curious Mark...

Launch KS ! lol

MasahikoKobe

Some solid concept art of the races, weapons, keeps. Really the more info and fun visuals the more im willing to throw in.

Kejek

I'll be tossing a bit to the kickstarter pretty much no matter what. However, some really great things I'd like to see:

Some more lore. I admit, I'm probably not going to care much for the lore once I am in the game, but while waiting for the game, having lore to read and stories to hear about while coming up to the release would be awesome! Maybe the start of a chain of events leading up to the release of CU.

Let's even keep with this (incredibly awesome, I might add) theme of letting the playerbase decide: let the players choose some of the events in the story, or how an event may unfold. Get everyone involved with the game before the game is out (lore wise). Even something like letting the players discover some of the history and mythos the game is based on.

Concept Art is a no brainer. I'd really like to see some drawings of  each of the races (that have been decided on so far). I'm a sucker for Midgard, so a bad ass Dwarf or Norse Viking dual wielding axes and just looking mean, one foot crushing the head of a fallen Tuatha would be so awesome.

Music. I know there may not be anything available to show  just yet, but if there is, even just a track, it would be great to hear it!

World Maps of each realm.

Skill Progression rough draft, showing how skills progress, what you may get for reaching certain milestones in a few of the skills.

 

None of these have to be extremely fleshed out, but having a few things to show that the concept is there and sound will be great for anyone not following Mark and CSE.

ringdany

i woudl want FULL DISCLOSURE and LEGAL ACCOUNTABILITY.

1) detailed cashflow projections covering all funds raised

2) names of all accountable directors, including their home addresses.

3) Legal capital raising regime to which they are subject. This is so that we have a remedy when things go south and the money runs out.

5) criminal hisotry checks on all directors and key shareholders.

6) a full prospectus capital raising document.

7) Sign off by certified accountants who audit the vehicle into which the money will be put.

8) Sign off by industry experts on the valuation for the vehicle.

etc etc

Without any of this this kickstarter thing is just incentive for a massive scam. What if it raised $10 million? Who is acocuntable then? What if the vendors disappear with the money? Which court wud u sue in? ridiculous.

Ice-Queen

I've already seen what I wanted from MJ's FP, and I'm sold already so I'll be donating.

sweetdigs

Originally posted by ringdany

i woudl want FULL DISCLOSURE and LEGAL ACCOUNTABILITY.

1) detailed cashflow projections covering all funds raised

2) names of all accountable directors, including their home addresses.

3) Legal capital raising regime to which they are subject. This is so that we have a remedy when things go south and the money runs out.

5) criminal hisotry checks on all directors and key shareholders.

6) a full prospectus capital raising document.

7) Sign off by certified accountants who audit the vehicle into which the money will be put.

8) Sign off by industry experts on the valuation for the vehicle.

etc etc

Without any of this this kickstarter thing is just incentive for a massive scam. What if it raised $10 million? Who is acocuntable then? What if the vendors disappear with the money? Which court wud u sue in? ridiculous.

You're not part of an investment fund that gets any ownership interest in the game.   

Your list is pretty hilarious though.  Tell me again how the "legal capital raising regime to which they are subject" would reveal to you the remedy that would be available to you if things went south, money ran out, and the project shut down?  This should be entertaining.

ringdany

Originally posted by sweetdigs

 

You're not part of an investment fund that gets any ownership interest in the game.   

Your list is pretty hilarious though.  Tell me again how the "legal capital raising regime to which they are subject" would reveal to you the remedy that would be available to you if things went south, money ran out, and the project shut down?  This should be entertaining.

well the point is, if people did contribute significant monies (say $5 million) and the vendors vanished. where would the contributors go for a legal remedy? Would they have any? Or would it cost more money to engage lawyers and establish new litigation precedents?

instead, why not go for a regime where the remedies are clear, fast and have already been worked out? That way when the promoters scam people, the lawyers can act faster and more cheaply.

i dont need to be an investment fund to have rights or desire remedies. I just need to be a donator. It serves no one's interests to promote a capital raising scheme which eventually attracts scam artists, organised crime and used car salesmen.

 

edit: HOORAY! for Grunty below! pls stop with these wild crazy ideas from MJ and get MJ to do a proper prospectus. They say a sucker is born every minute, and boy u have to be a sucker to donate for figurines for a pie in the sky game. (even if the game does turn up in 10 years tme).

Grunty

*looks over at Mortal Online.

*looks at Dawn.

*looks at Camelot Unchained.

 

Not a damn thing. Not gonna happen.

Plastic-Metal

Originally posted by ringdany

i woudl want FULL DISCLOSURE and LEGAL ACCOUNTABILITY.

1) detailed cashflow projections covering all funds raised

2) names of all accountable directors, including their home addresses.

3) Legal capital raising regime to which they are subject. This is so that we have a remedy when things go south and the money runs out.

5) criminal hisotry checks on all directors and key shareholders.

6) a full prospectus capital raising document.

7) Sign off by certified accountants who audit the vehicle into which the money will be put.

8) Sign off by industry experts on the valuation for the vehicle.

etc etc

Without any of this this kickstarter thing is just incentive for a massive scam. What if it raised $10 million? Who is acocuntable then? What if the vendors disappear with the money? Which court wud u sue in? ridiculous.

 

EDIT:  Changed the picture because I don't want a warning from the moderators :P

 

eindinbloch

Honestly, unless the game looks perfect for me, I can't see myself pledging.  I'm sure I will play it when it comes out.  I loved DAOC to death (and still go back and play every 6 months or so).  But I just don't have much faith in MMOs any more.

Also, if I were going to give money to a project, or any project for that matter, I am much much less likely to give money to a non-indie game.  Even though I love DAOC and would like nothing more than to see a sequel (or basically a sequel), a company with an IP like this can go get its own investors.  Why ruin Kickstarter for the little guys?  There are tons of awesome ideas out there by people who wouldn't have a chance otherwise.  The big corporate guys (I realize this might not actually be corporate, but at least able to get large investors) don't need any help from the consumer to make their game.  They will get plenty of money from investors and players once the game actually comes out.

So no, I find it very very unlikely that I will give money to a AAA game.  Camelot Unchained included.

sweetdigs

Originally posted by eindinbloch

Honestly, unless the game looks perfect for me, I can't see myself pledging.  I'm sure I will play it when it comes out.  I loved DAOC to death (and still go back and play every 6 months or so).  But I just don't have much faith in MMOs any more.

Also, if I were going to give money to a project, or any project for that matter, I am much much less likely to give money to a non-indie game.  Even though I love DAOC and would like nothing more than to see a sequel (or basically a sequel), a company with an IP like this can go get its own investors.  Why ruin Kickstarter for the little guys?  There are tons of awesome ideas out there by people who wouldn't have a chance otherwise.  The big corporate guys (I realize this might not actually be corporate, but at least able to get large investors) don't need any help from the consumer to make their game.  They will get plenty of money from investors and players once the game actually comes out.

So no, I find it very very unlikely that I will give money to a AAA game.  Camelot Unchained included.

Getting money from an investory like that = being ultimately subject to the investor's discretion.  Going the kickstarter route allows them to operate independently, or to get funding from folks who will be less willing to invest in a vision they have no control over unless they see a substantial outpouring of interest in that vision via kickstarter.

Zinzan

Originally posted by Plastic-Metal

Originally posted by ringdany

i woudl want FULL DISCLOSURE and LEGAL ACCOUNTABILITY.

1) detailed cashflow projections covering all funds raised

2) names of all accountable directors, including their home addresses.

3) Legal capital raising regime to which they are subject. This is so that we have a remedy when things go south and the money runs out.

5) criminal hisotry checks on all directors and key shareholders.

6) a full prospectus capital raising document.

7) Sign off by certified accountants who audit the vehicle into which the money will be put.

8) Sign off by industry experts on the valuation for the vehicle.

etc etc

Without any of this this kickstarter thing is just incentive for a massive scam. What if it raised $10 million? Who is acocuntable then? What if the vendors disappear with the money? Which court wud u sue in? ridiculous.

 

EDIT:  Changed the picture because I don't want a warning from the moderators :P

 

Awesome

PRX_sklurb

I would like to see Stealth mechanics fleshed out before the Kickstarter.  It would influence my contribution significantly.

I assume there will already be a video presentation/demo of what has been developed so far and where Mark would like to go with the game. 

sweetdigs

Originally posted by PRX_sklurb

I assume there will already be a video presentation/demo of what has been developed so far and where Mark would like to go with the game. 

I wouldn't assume that you will see a video presentation or demo of what has been developed so far. 

If you've been keeping up on these forums and the CSE CU website, you would have a good idea of where Mark would like to go with the game.  The Founding Principles are a good place to start.

Squeak69

nothing.

not jokeing or trolling i just dont like the kickstarts fad that has come around of late, i will take part in a kickstarter when i get a gureentee on return for my investment.

Plastic-Metal

Originally posted by Squeak69

nothing.

not jokeing or trolling i just dont like the kickstarts fad that has come around of late, i will take part in a kickstarter when i get a gureentee on return for my investment.

 

Your gureentee, if the kickstarter funds, is the rewards associated with the tier AND the ability to play the final product!  Who would have thunk it?  

Guess what?  If it doesn't fund, you don't get charged!  Holy cow!  Unless..  you're one of those people that think he would take the money and run, officially flushing his career down the toilet after working for 20+ hard years to get to this position now.