Divinity: Original Sin 2 KickStarter Begins -

SBFord · August 2015

Divinity: Original Sin 2 KickStarter Begins -

Larian Studios has announced the commencement of the Divinity: Original Sin 2 KickStarter initiative. The team is hoping to raise $500,000 to create the sequel to one of the most successful RPGs in recent years.

Read the full story here

IAmMMO · August 2015

I've yet to play the first one, I got it on sale last xmas ,then was about to start some months later after more bugs were patched out, but wait they said, a new improved upgrade is coming with more polish, so I'm left waiting. I thought I could go start wasteland 2, but wait a new improved version is coming too, so I wait still. Now this juicy News of another going to be made. I hope they have success with the funding.

Yalexy · August 2015

The current version of Divinity: Original Sin is perfectly playable without. Waiting for the next patch is unnecessary really.

Anyways... D:OS is probably not only one of the best, but THE best RPG released within the last 5 years and I can't wait for the sequel.

laserit · August 2015

I enjoyed Divinity

Why the hell do they need a Kickstarter for a sequel? I thought the game was pretty successful?

Is this the way we make games now? Makes tons of cash with zero risk?

I see Kickstarter as a means to help talented people create something that they don't have the means to do so on their own, things that are difficult to raise money for.

Hey Divinity guys.... Put that cash you made without a publisher into your new game and stop asking for handouts.

I think I'll take a pass on Divinity 2

Ridrith · August 2015

laserit said:

I enjoyed Divinity

Why the hell do they need a Kickstarter for a sequel? I thought the game was pretty successful?

Is this the way we make games now? Makes tons of cash with zero risk?

I see Kickstarter as a means to help talented people create something that they don't have the means to do so on their own, things that are difficult to raise money for.

Hey Divinity guys.... Put that cash you made without a publisher into your new game and stop asking for handouts.

I think I'll take a pass on Divinity 2

You obviously don't understand business or how one works.

laserit · August 2015

Ridrith said:

laserit said:

I enjoyed Divinity

Why the hell do they need a Kickstarter for a sequel? I thought the game was pretty successful?

Is this the way we make games now? Makes tons of cash with zero risk?

I see Kickstarter as a means to help talented people create something that they don't have the means to do so on their own, things that are difficult to raise money for.

Hey Divinity guys.... Put that cash you made without a publisher into your new game and stop asking for handouts.

I think I'll take a pass on Divinity 2

You obviously don't understand business or how one works.

lol.... ok Einstein

I've been doing it all wrong.... Maybe I'll use Kickstarter to buy myself another industrial fiber laser. Heh I'll give you a limited edition lasercut keychain worth $59.99 if you pledge.

Ridrith · August 2015

If your logic is "they had a successful kickstarter and the game was relatively popular there's no way they need income anymore now, right?" you really don't have a clue. It's common sense, seriously. Games cost money. Even selling well doesn't mean what they make is 100% profit, not even close. They pay people to update the game. Patches cost money. They're also releasing Divine Divinity enhanced edition which is probably where a lot of that money went. New storyline, full VO for all characters, etc. They did what they wanted to do from the start with the money they made. Anybody who owns DD:OS gets it for free. Einstein is right. Don't you ever forget it.

mastersam21 · August 2015

Ridrith said:

If your logic is "they had a successful kickstarter and the game was relatively popular there's no way they need income anymore now, right?" you really don't have a clue. It's common sense, seriously. Games cost money. Even selling well doesn't mean what they make is 100% profit, not even close. They pay people to update the game. Patches cost money. They're also releasing Divine Divinity enhanced edition which is probably where a lot of that money went. New storyline, full VO for all characters, etc. They did what they wanted to do from the start with the money they made. Anybody who owns DD:OS gets it for free. Einstein is right. Don't you ever forget it.

Your just putting words in this mouth with this. No one is against them making money, it's about risk. Would you expect EA or Activision put all their games through kickstarter knowing full well they are a multi billion dollar company? I wouldn't want to see this happen, and while I wish Larian Studios all the success I don't want them setting a precedence for others to follow. If you look around you'll find there is already big publishers doing this, while Larian Studios is small I really hope this practice comes to a full stop.

Before you say I don't know anything about business, I own a small business which I created and run.

Ridrith · August 2015

mastersam21 said:

Ridrith said:

If your logic is "they had a successful kickstarter and the game was relatively popular there's no way they need income anymore now, right?" you really don't have a clue. It's common sense, seriously. Games cost money. Even selling well doesn't mean what they make is 100% profit, not even close. They pay people to update the game. Patches cost money. They're also releasing Divine Divinity enhanced edition which is probably where a lot of that money went. New storyline, full VO for all characters, etc. They did what they wanted to do from the start with the money they made. Anybody who owns DD:OS gets it for free. Einstein is right. Don't you ever forget it.

Your just putting words in this mouth with this. No one is against them making money, it's about risk. Would you expect EA or Activision put all their games through kickstarter knowing full well they are a multi billion dollar company? I wouldn't want to see this happen, and while I wish Larian Studios all the success I don't want them setting a precedence for others to follow. If you look around you'll find there is already big publishers doing this, while Larian Studios is small I really hope this practice comes to a full stop.

Before you say I don't know anything about business, I own a small business which I created and run.

Who cares if they're using kickstarter at this point? It's a glorified pre-order for the game, they said themselves in the video that they've already budgeted the game but this is a chance for people to more or less purchase the game a few years before it's released in order to play it early, get perks and to help fund the further development/expansion of the features that they've already budgeted for. They've found a way to make money and it works. Who cares if EA or another large publishing company was to put a game up on kickstarter? If people are willing to pay money to see it funded they're going to do just that. Kickstarter isn't an indie platform anymore, sorry to say.

It allows companies to work with the community and to engage them further by allowing them to buy in early to support the development of the game prior to a proper release. As for putting words in his mouth, that's not the case. He's acting like they made money hand over fist and then they're coming back for a 'free handout'. "Zero risk". Yeah, alright. That isn't whats happening here but of course he's allowed to have an opinion and he's also allowed to pass up on what will probably be a great game because he's wrong.

mastersam21 · August 2015

I can see the benefits using kickstarter to further their goals for the sequal, and it's great idea for them since they have shown they can make a great game. While it works for Larian Studios, others can abuse kickstarter so there's reasons to care. Judging by what I've read on the matter there plenty of abuse already, so here to hoping kickstarter will thrive the way it's suppose to.

We're just going to have to agree to disagree.

Sovrath · August 2015

mastersam21 said:

Ridrith said:

If your logic is "they had a successful kickstarter and the game was relatively popular there's no way they need income anymore now, right?" you really don't have a clue. It's common sense, seriously. Games cost money. Even selling well doesn't mean what they make is 100% profit, not even close. They pay people to update the game. Patches cost money. They're also releasing Divine Divinity enhanced edition which is probably where a lot of that money went. New storyline, full VO for all characters, etc. They did what they wanted to do from the start with the money they made. Anybody who owns DD:OS gets it for free. Einstein is right. Don't you ever forget it.

Your just putting words in this mouth with this. No one is against them making money, it's about risk. Would you expect EA or Activision put all their games through kickstarter knowing full well they are a multi billion dollar company? I wouldn't want to see this happen, and while I wish Larian Studios all the success I don't want them setting a precedence for others to follow. If you look around you'll find there is already big publishers doing this, while Larian Studios is small I really hope this practice comes to a full stop.

Before you say I don't know anything about business, I own a small business which I created and run.

So, as a small business owner, wouldn't you do whatever it took, as long as it was within the parameters of the law, to minimize risk to your business, to yourself and to your employees?

I know I would as long as I also delivered great products/services to my customers.

For instance, if your business carried product would you prefer to buy the product without hope of returning un-bought merchandise to the wholesalers and take the chance that your customers will buy it all or would you prefer to take product on consignment with the idea that any product that wasn't purchased could be returned and you would only pay for what was sold?

I imagine the latter.

All they are doing is minimizing their risk. In truth I don't have problems with big business doing this either as long as they deliver what was promised.

If, say, EA was to do this BUT deliver a good product with whatever perks they promised is there really something "wrong" with that?

The real issue is that this just "grinds one's gears" because one might feel that "this isn't the way it's been done and therefore it flies in the face of what one might feel as appropriate".

But in the end, if the product was delivered and was good and people got what the paid for then what is the issue?

Distopia · August 2015

I remember them making a statement soon after D:OS released that they planned to use KS again due to how successful they were with it, didn't agree then they should do that, nor now. The game's success should give them ample grounds to find a publisher/real investors.

Sovrath · August 2015

Distopia said:

I remember them making a statement soon after D:OS released that they planned to use KS again due to how successful they were with it, didn't agree then they should do that, nor now. The game's success should give them ample grounds to find a publisher/real investors.

Well, why?

Who would you rather a game developer be beholden to; people who have invested money because they want as much of a sizable return on their investment as they can get, or the players who have directly patronized (or invested but some people take that word to only mean one thing) the development of the game?

Though, as the some star citizen kickstarter patrons have proven, they are not very different from publishers "wanting to see it and wanting to see it now!"

laserit · August 2015

If the number in this french language story is accurate, they have sold over a million units.

http://www.journaldequebec.com/2015/04/01/choisir-quebec

Translated:

"The same day we announced the arrival this summer of the Rolling Stones in Quebec, a developer of Belgium announces that he chose the capital to establish its new production studio in North America. Unable to meet Mick Jagger, I spoke with Swen Vincke.

Accompanied by two of his colleagues from Ghent in Belgium, founder of Larian Studios, had only good words for Quebec and its American accent. His group preferred to Quebec several other cities of the United States and Canada to open its third office, second home port is located in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

The president of the company that sold over a million units of the game Divinity Original Sin started to discuss with the economic development agency Québec International in 2012. In December 2014, the will to move to Quebec seemed already gained ...

Access to the North American market is the target, but the many benefits the region in terms of skilled labor, operating costs, infrastructure and quality of life prevailed ...

"There's a nice dynamic that you feel coming here in Quebec, be it by looking at the architecture. Immediately, I thought that this is a place where I would live. Los Angeles is not bad, but concrete construction, I do not do myself. The Quebec architectural choices speak volumes about the aesthetic values of Quebecers. It is closer to who we are at Larian. The story that's part of our identity and it shows in our games. We wanted to establish ourselves in a city that puts forth its historic character. "- The president and founder of Larian Studios, Swen Vincke

And then there was also the Francophone character of the city, the ability to recruit staff who knows the video game sector and the famous tax credits that are very competitive when it comes to making a final decision. "The only negative aspect was that there was no direct flight between Brussel and Quebec ... but hey, you can not have everything", Swen Vincke laughs.

The time zone in which the dozen developers work that will soon be hired to facilitate the expansion of the studio is an asset because it takes a long time to develop a play. On two shifts, counting those in Europe, everything will be more quickly.

The company currently has more than 70 employees will be 80 soon with those of Quebec and we want to get to 110 over three years.

Creativity - and a little humor - seem to occupy a large place in the design process and games production. We have to look at some videos on You Tube channel from studio to notice ...

Organizational culture is very open to external intervention and everyone has a say in the different phases of creative projects. More than 100,000 people have helped them improve their games through social media and focus groups, and they anticipate many more communication and feedback, establishing himself on the other side of the Atlantic.

"There are plenty of intelligence in our players and social media we realized that there is a great way to access them."

One of their game (Divinity Original Sin) has also won several awards, including PC Game of the Year Gamespot.com of which was recognized as one of the best Kickstarter project RockPaperShotgun.com 2014.

The plant in Quebec will further expand Role-playing game (RPG) studio. Independent producers, they will seek to recruit in the coming days of young Quebecers dedicated game players who "have developed an intuitive sense of what constitutes a good game-play." The openness, autonomy, talent and creativity are much sought after qualities. The idea to offer some Quebecers to travel in Belgium could be a kind of pull factor to find the "rare pearls".

The continued support of Québec International was valuable in the coming Larian. It has allowed the company to quickly develop relationships with strategic business partners in Quebec. The company is also the first to benefit from the Soft Landing program that allows a transient welcome, accompanying ease on the ground and a concrete place to finalize steps.

To realize the coming of a foreign company, it is necessary to have a capacity in our economic ecosystem. In Quebec City, before the arrival of the technology incubator-accelerator Camp, you could not make available during installation of the necessary quality resources to assist and mentor newcomers.

In closing the interview, Swen Vincke was careful to note the date of July 15, 2015, time of the visit of the Rolling Stones at the Quebec City Summer Festival. Bet he will join the 100,000 spectators on the plains that night.

On July 15, 2015, this is the last show of the band to date Mick Jagger and who will complete a touring cycle.

This will also be the beginning of a new adventure for our Belgian friends in North America!"

@Ridrith

If these guys can sell over a million copies of a game without a publisher and need a kickstarter to fund a sequel. It would suggest that they are totally incapable of managing money.

p.s. I know my business. I have 36 employees, 14 of which are highly paid tradesmen. I'm a job shop that designs, prototypes, fabricates and manufactures metal parts for many different types of industry. I'm in Vancouver Canada, which isn't exactly a hot bed for manufacturing, it would take me 5 to 6 years to reach the sales numbers that took less than a year for Larian to make and I have raw materials and a fluctuating currency to deal with. I probably average about 500k in reinvestment for my company per year, for upgrading equipment etc. to stay competitive, money that has been put aside and comes out of my companies pocket, Not on some interest free pre-sales.

IMHO what Larian is doing goes totally against the spirit of what the idea of kickstarter is or was all about.

Distopia · August 2015

Sovrath said:

Distopia said:

I remember them making a statement soon after D:OS released that they planned to use KS again due to how successful they were with it, didn't agree then they should do that, nor now. The game's success should give them ample grounds to find a publisher/real investors.

Well, why?

Who would you rather a game developer be beholden to; people who have invested money because they want as much of a sizable return on their investment as they can get, or the players who have directly patronized (or invested but some people take that word to only mean one thing) the development of the game?

Though, as the some star citizen kickstarter patrons have proven, they are not very different from publishers "wanting to see it and wanting to see it now!"

Maybe it's an unfair opinion to hold... I'm just looking at the justification these studios used when first going into crowdfunding, IE..publishers unwilling to invest in games that might not be successful. We know few would hold that position now.. It's clear these games can be successful. I just don't exactly think it's fair to expect the public to take all the risk.

mastersam21 · August 2015

@Sovrath ;

I agree with your examples, but everything within that process is accounted for so there's little to no exposure to abuse which is where my concerns about the whole kickstarter comes from. Kickstarter for development studios is still in it's infancy stage which mean is can be highly manipulated. It's not as if I'm completely against it, but understanding how it's been used so far leave with the impression of further abuse. Games in a "feature lite" state, abandon games with fund unaccounted for, ect. Personally I hope kickstarter works out in the end because I want to support my favorite studios any way I can, but until the kinks, exploits are worked out I don't see myself supporting it.

Sovrath · August 2015

Distopia said:

Sovrath said:

Distopia said:

I remember them making a statement soon after D:OS released that they planned to use KS again due to how successful they were with it, didn't agree then they should do that, nor now. The game's success should give them ample grounds to find a publisher/real investors.

Well, why?

Who would you rather a game developer be beholden to; people who have invested money because they want as much of a sizable return on their investment as they can get, or the players who have directly patronized (or invested but some people take that word to only mean one thing) the development of the game?

Though, as the some star citizen kickstarter patrons have proven, they are not very different from publishers "wanting to see it and wanting to see it now!"

Maybe it's an unfair opinion to hold... I'm just looking at the justification these studios used when first going into crowdfunding, IE..publishers unwilling to invest in games that might not be successful. We know few would hold that position now.. It's clear these games can be successful. I just don't exactly think it's fair to expect the public to take all the risk.

I wouldn't say it's an unfair opinion so much as an idealistic opinion and I mean that in the best sense of the word.

People want fairness and they want to root for the home team or the underdog. I think players like the idea of kickstarter (or anyone for that matter) because it gives a smaller group greater agency/say in what gets made over having to rely upon those with deep pockets to determine what is worth getting made.

However, in the end, any company that uses kickstarter still has to deliver and will be demonized if they don't. The only downside (as far as I know) is that they can fail without any repercussions.

So maybe that's what it comes down to, being able to punish companies/people who don't deliver.

BeansnBread · August 2015

The only thing that I don't like about these things is that I prefer to spend my money on a finished product (usually after a few reviews). In the case of this game, I'm likely going to buy it after it releases because I liked the first one so much. What will likely end up happening is there will be some perks for backers that I will never have access to. I dislike that games are moving in the direction where waiting for something to release means missing out on something.

Gdemami · August 2015

laserit said:

IMHO what Larian is doing goes totally against the spirit of what the idea of kickstarter is or was all about.

Did you know what spirit of kickstarter truly was?
http://www.kickstart.org/

laserit · August 2015

Gdemami said:

laserit said:

IMHO what Larian is doing goes totally against the spirit of what the idea of kickstarter is or was all about.

Did you know what spirit of kickstarter truly was?
http://www.kickstart.org/

A noble cause

I hope it's not corrupt like so many others.

Time and expertise can be a lot more valuable than money.

Yaevindusk · August 2015

Going to have to remember not to post directly to the article comments, or else it doesn't recognize spaces.

Updated post is below.

Distopia · August 2015

Sovrath said:

Distopia said:

Maybe it's an unfair opinion to hold... I'm just looking at the justification these studios used when first going into crowdfunding, IE..publishers unwilling to invest in games that might not be successful. We know few would hold that position now.. It's clear these games can be successful. I just don't exactly think it's fair to expect the public to take all the risk.

I wouldn't say it's an unfair opinion so much as an idealistic opinion and I mean that in the best sense of the word.

People want fairness and they want to root for the home team or the underdog. I think players like the idea of kickstarter (or anyone for that matter) because it gives a smaller group greater agency/say in what gets made over having to rely upon those with deep pockets to determine what is worth getting made.

However, in the end, any company that uses kickstarter still has to deliver and will be demonized if they don't. The only downside (as far as I know) is that they can fail without any repercussions.

So maybe that's what it comes down to, being able to punish companies/people who don't deliver.

I'm not really interested in punishing those who fail, that's a part of life, there's no greater punishment than failing in my eyes, especially for someone looking to achieve/create something. Don't get me wrong I can see what you're saying and do agree there's something nice about the concept of even the small guy getting his voice heard in the creative process. Maybe I should give it more thought, I may change my mind depending on what I see in DOS2.

SlyLoK · August 2015

Ehh. The first one was ok at best and that one I did pledge to because I knew Larian and their past games were good. But this one? I dont think I will. If it will take just 500,000 to make it then they should have that from the sales of the first game. It is one thing to need funds to get a project finished / off the ground and it is another to ask for another handout after the previous project was successful.

If they want to use kickstarter again then they should invest their own money to get some / much of the game done and then do another crowdfunding project once they have something to show. That way it isnt like their customers are shouldering so much of the dev costs.

Superman0X · August 2015

Sovrath said:

Distopia said:

Sovrath said:

Distopia said:

I remember them making a statement soon after D:OS released that they planned to use KS again due to how successful they were with it, didn't agree then they should do that, nor now. The game's success should give them ample grounds to find a publisher/real investors.

Well, why?

Who would you rather a game developer be beholden to; people who have invested money because they want as much of a sizable return on their investment as they can get, or the players who have directly patronized (or invested but some people take that word to only mean one thing) the development of the game?

Though, as the some star citizen kickstarter patrons have proven, they are not very different from publishers "wanting to see it and wanting to see it now!"

Maybe it's an unfair opinion to hold... I'm just looking at the justification these studios used when first going into crowdfunding, IE..publishers unwilling to invest in games that might not be successful. We know few would hold that position now.. It's clear these games can be successful. I just don't exactly think it's fair to expect the public to take all the risk.

I wouldn't say it's an unfair opinion so much as an idealistic opinion and I mean that in the best sense of the word.

People want fairness and they want to root for the home team or the underdog. I think players like the idea of kickstarter (or anyone for that matter) because it gives a smaller group greater agency/say in what gets made over having to rely upon those with deep pockets to determine what is worth getting made.

However, in the end, any company that uses kickstarter still has to deliver and will be demonized if they don't. The only downside (as far as I know) is that they can fail without any repercussions.

So maybe that's what it comes down to, being able to punish companies/people who don't deliver.

Kickstarter has a very unique function for established companies. It is not to raise funds for development. It is to sell product in a manner that allows for greater upsales. Sure, they sell copies of the game for $25 (digital) to $125 (collectors edition), but they could do that via retail or online sales. What they can not do anywhere else (without making a site like RSI/Star Citizen) is sell the $300 to $10k packages. These would be seen a ludicrous elsewhere, but do not even stand out on Kickstarter. This is why they are there.

Yaevindusk · August 2015

Yaevindusk said:

laserit said:

I enjoyed Divinity

Why the hell do they need a Kickstarter for a sequel? I thought the game was pretty successful?

Is this the way we make games now? Makes tons of cash with zero risk?

I see Kickstarter as a means to help talented people create something that they don't have the means to do so on their own, things that are difficult to raise money for.

Hey Divinity guys.... Put that cash you made without a publisher into your new game and stop asking for handouts.

I think I'll take a pass on Divinity 2

Simple research will yield great results. In addition to watching the entirety of a video before commenting on such. More of the former, there are a myriad of reasons to go to kickstarter if you are an independent developer and publisher of your own games. The most prominent of such is to deliver a superior experience with a higher budget than would be possible with the norm. This was the case with the Original Divinity Sin whereby they developers showed a game they were working on for years, explained they spent everything they had (a risky move) in its development, and would like to take it further by enhancing the game (of which you can see the before and after videos). They were upfront about previous funding, and that any purchases made through kickstarter will help with development, as opposed to going into their pockets. Their gamble was that it would provide a greater product of which people might be interested to buy -- it succeeded. In recent posts leading up to the kickstarter, they mentioned why they are doing such again.

Perhaps they expected people would ask, but had too much faith that some would entertain the thought of doing prior research. Irregardless, they essentially said that they are putting everything they have, once more, on this game. This was covered in an article on MMORPG, even, and so excuses as to not having access to such are null and void (if one's excuse for not doing research is the thought that it doesn't exists). The company's survival is depending on the success of this game, much like the former. And so they are seeking additional funds to enhance ideas and extend development time -- all the while being able to interact with fans on a personal basis and the benefits one might gain thereof. In addition to this, it is mentioned that they also have the rights for an unknown (to us) IP that their success with Original Sin allowed them to get a hold of. This may seem to indicate that extra money is needed for their "baby" (of which the Divinity IP is to them) to be able to do both games justice.

Further, one may assert of the lack of business sense one might have to gamble EVERYTHING a company has on the success of one project after the other -- going to extreme lengths to make sure the game is good, rather than just good enough to make money. To this, I might concur... though on the flip side, it is a nice change of pace to put the game and the gamer before the almighty dollar... and hope that such sincerity or open behavior is rewarded. By the looks of it almost already meeting the initial goal after just a few hours. It looks like they do have quite the fanbase.

That said, Larian is not my favorite game developer. Though they are my favorite "good guy" developer in that they really make you, the customer, feel appreciated. There is a lot of heart put into their games. And they do not try to nickle and dime or fee you with release products... even going so far as to completely remake the original game, fully voice acted, reworking the entire second half, having different endings, etc... and giving it away for free. Any other company today -- save more maybe CDprojeckt Red -- would just make an "ULTIMATE EDITION" or "HD REMAKE" or some such to resell it. One of the reasons they did the whole remake -- updating the engine as well -- is to provide a superior experience to fans. To do better on what they made, taking in feedback. Then working on such. Though, the other reason was because they needed an enhanced engine for their next game. So essentially, D:OS2 allowed for them to work on the free Enhanced Edition, as it was a joint expense (though still one they could've gained more capital from).

Edit: Though I suppose they could've resold the game (they did enough reworking on it) and just use that extra revenue to enhance their game. But that would alienate the fanbase that they have and what they expect of them. With Kickstarter, it's just them putting the information out there with the knowledge the game will be made. Also, likely being able to get it half off.

laserit · August 2015

Yaevindusk said:

Yaevindusk said:

laserit said:

I enjoyed Divinity

Why the hell do they need a Kickstarter for a sequel? I thought the game was pretty successful?

Is this the way we make games now? Makes tons of cash with zero risk?

I see Kickstarter as a means to help talented people create something that they don't have the means to do so on their own, things that are difficult to raise money for.

Hey Divinity guys.... Put that cash you made without a publisher into your new game and stop asking for handouts.

I think I'll take a pass on Divinity 2

Simple research will yield great results. In addition to watching the entirety of a video before commenting on such. More of the former, there are a myriad of reasons to go to kickstarter if you are an independent developer and publisher of your own games. The most prominent of such is to deliver a superior experience with a higher budget than would be possible with the norm. This was the case with the Original Divinity Sin whereby they developers showed a game they were working on for years, explained they spent everything they had (a risky move) in its development, and would like to take it further by enhancing the game (of which you can see the before and after videos). They were upfront about previous funding, and that any purchases made through kickstarter will help with development, as opposed to going into their pockets. Their gamble was that it would provide a greater product of which people might be interested to buy -- it succeeded. In recent posts leading up to the kickstarter, they mentioned why they are doing such again.

Perhaps they expected people would ask, but had too much faith that some would entertain the thought of doing prior research. Irregardless, they essentially said that they are putting everything they have, once more, on this game. This was covered in an article on MMORPG, even, and so excuses as to not having access to such are null and void (if one's excuse for not doing research is the thought that it doesn't exists). The company's survival is depending on the success of this game, much like the former. And so they are seeking additional funds to enhance ideas and extend development time -- all the while being able to interact with fans on a personal basis and the benefits one might gain thereof. In addition to this, it is mentioned that they also have the rights for an unknown (to us) IP that their success with Original Sin allowed them to get a hold of. This may seem to indicate that extra money is needed for their "baby" (of which the Divinity IP is to them) to be able to do both games justice.

Further, one may assert of the lack of business sense one might have to gamble EVERYTHING a company has on the success of one project after the other -- going to extreme lengths to make sure the game is good, rather than just good enough to make money. To this, I might concur... though on the flip side, it is a nice change of pace to put the game and the gamer before the almighty dollar... and hope that such sincerity or open behavior is rewarded. By the looks of it almost already meeting the initial goal after just a few hours. It looks like they do have quite the fanbase.

That said, Larian is not my favorite game developer. Though they are my favorite "good guy" developer in that they really make you, the customer, feel appreciated. There is a lot of heart put into their games. And they do not try to nickle and dime or fee you with release products... even going so far as to completely remake the original game, fully voice acted, reworking the entire second half, having different endings, etc... and giving it away for free. Any other company today -- save more maybe CDprojeckt Red -- would just make an "ULTIMATE EDITION" or "HD REMAKE" or some such to resell it. One of the reasons they did the whole remake -- updating the engine as well -- is to provide a superior experience to fans. To do better on what they made, taking in feedback. Then working on such. Though, the other reason was because they needed an enhanced engine for their next game. So essentially, D:OS2 allowed for them to work on the free Enhanced Edition, as it was a joint expense (though still one they could've gained more capital from).

Edit: Though I suppose they could've resold the game (they did enough reworking on it) and just use that extra revenue to enhance their game. But that would alienate the fanbase that they have and what they expect of them. With Kickstarter, it's just them putting the information out there with the knowledge the game will be made. Also, likely being able to get it half off.

I can appreciate everything your saying but:

I believe there comes a time when a successful company should get off the teet and stand on their own two feet. So why not have a kickstarter for Disney so they can put the funds into their next Star Wars film?

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Divinity: Original Sin 2 KickStarter Begins -

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Divinity: Original Sin 2 KickStarter Begins -

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