Kickstarters Thread

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Wise words here.

In my case, I see lots of people jumping ship and getting refunds. I know that I could take that route, but I really don't want to. I want this product desperately, and I don't care how long it takes to arrive.

edit: Mythic had done this in another campaign (not one that I had backed): asking for more money to cover the unexpected rise in shipping costs. That went over as well as you could think. At least for Anastyr, they charged an arm and a leg up front. Also pissing people off.
I did that for a project during Covid. That's one where the external factors we so large I don't blame the creators the the world of shipping changed under their feet. Unfortunately given ongoing geopolitical/economic uncertainties that has a non zero chance of happening again in the next couple years. If you don't have it in you to put up for that then you need to wait for retail.
 
With all of the talks of a global recession, I'm getting a bit nervous about my investments into Kickstarter campaigns. I'm no economist, and I know very little about how these things work.

My question is: am I being too optimistic (ie, foolish) to stand by my investments in KS campaigns? Or would I be jumping the gun and being overly paranoid by requesting refunds?
Depends on how much you have invested and how bad you think it’s going to get. :grin:

If you currently are lacking a palette of toilet paper, a firearm, and enough canned food to trade for drugs/sex/ammo, and have enough out there in Kickstarters to pay for such, you might think about scaling back. :devil:

Then again, the way inflation is going, you wait to buy the game later, it might cost a third more.:shock:

I don’t know how much you have hanging out there and how much you make. However, I wouldn’t sweat it unless you spent a few paychecks or something.
 
I did that for a project during Covid. That's one where the external factors we so large I don't blame the creators the the world of shipping changed under their feet. Unfortunately given ongoing geopolitical/economic uncertainties that has a non zero chance of happening again in the next couple years. If you don't have it in you to put up for that then you need to wait for retail.
Or deal with creators who have taken that into account. Most reputable creators I know don't charge for shipping now until they're ready to ship for that reason. Charging for shipping up front unless they already have the product available is a red flag to me.
 
Or deal with creators who have taken that into account. Most reputable creators I know don't charge for shipping now until they're ready to ship for that reason. Charging for shipping up front unless they already have the product available is a red flag to me.
Sure but given inflation, zero Covid china policy and currency fluctuations I don't think it's going to be unreasonable for some smaller publishers to make a mistake somewhere. Maybe they pay the Chinese factory now in yuan but by the time it can return to work costs go up and the factory demands more or no go. Well yeah in theory you could demand a refund/sue but realistically it's just going to change who you pay more money to. Shipping you can delay payment and say what the estimate is now but it's just another way of saying youll pay whatever it takes if you want it. I mean in a person's local currency the cost of getting something shipped 6 months from now could go up (or down if shipping is in a better situation) 100% plus.

If you didn't understand why folks worry about inflation so much and why it's the Feds #1 concern at all times it's because of what we're talking about right now. If I can't predict withing a reasonably small margin what my costs are 6 month from now then every single financial decision becomes a complicated thought process. It becomes better to do the least. That shuts down an economy.

Edited to fix a huge typo.
 
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In Mythic's case, they got a rude awakening with the actual shipping costs for Darkest Dungeon. It's actually the "last mile" part that have risen dramatically in costs.

Once the Pledge Manager opened up for Anastyr, the more realistic shipping costs were provided. They were massive, of course, but I mostly blame Canada.

Prime example: most KS campaigns ask for shipping costs that are almost as much as the product itself. Unless there's some very unique stuff in the campaign, I might have to just wait for retail. I'm generous, but not THAT generous.
 
Sure but given inflation, zero Covid china policy and currency fluctuations I don't think it's going to be unreasonable for some smaller publishers to make a mistake somewhere. Maybe they pay the Chinese factory now in yuan but by the time it can return to work costs go up and the factory demands more or no go. Well yeah in theory you could demand a refund/sue but realistically it's just going to change who you pay more money to. Shipping you can delay payment and say what the estimate is now but it's just another way of saying youll pay whatever it takes if you want it. I mean in a person's local currency the cost of getting something shipped 6 months from now could go up (or down if shipping is in a better situation) 100% plus.

If you didn't understand why folks worry about inflation so much and why it's the Feds #1 concern at all times it's because of what we're talking about right now. If I can't predict withing a reasonably small margin what my costs are 6 month from now then every single financial decision becomes a complicated thought process. It becomes better to do the least. That shuts down an economy.

Edited to fix a huge typo.
I'm just talking about shipping- not other costs of production. It's pretty easy not to charge now and charge when it's time.
 
This is more of an Anti-Kickstarter, but we don't have a thread for that.

Carrion Lands from Gallant Knight Games

Only available via Backerkit:

I backed it. I'm a fan of the Usage Die. And grimdark fantasy. I'll have to get rid of one or more games to make way for it, but I think I'll be okay with that.
 
I backed it. I'm a fan of the Usage Die. And grimdark fantasy. I'll have to get rid of one or more games to make way for it, but I think I'll be okay with that.
I really like the usage die too. I've seen systems that over-use it, but mostly it's great. Not for everyone of course, some people like counting arrows (and I don't mean that sarcastically).
 



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The final days of the Heroes & Hardships Kickstarter are upon us. Help us reach some of our final stretch goals before the end of the campaign, November 3rd at 9AM PST / 12PM EST.

Heroes & Hardships is a universal RPG that has a little more complexity and options than something like Savage Worlds, but less minutiae than a system such as GURPS. Check out the campaign while it lasts.

 
The 4th Hardcover in the 'Hardcovers of Harn' series by Columbia Games is up on Kickstarter now. Kingdom of Orbaal the Viking/Celt inspired kingdom book.

KS.PNG

I hope the continue the series (which they plan to do for all the 9 kingdoms on Harn) and expand it to include Hardcovers of the RPG itself as well as it's Religion, Magic, Harnworld, Harndex, Bestiary, and Nautical suppliments.

To me, Columbia Games has oddly but staunchly been against Hardcover books and preferred the loose-leaf in a binder approach to their supplements. I don't personally disagree with that angle, but give us the Hardcover option as well please Columbia Games.
 
The 4th Hardcover in the 'Hardcovers of Harn' series by Columbia Games is up on Kickstarter now. Kingdom of Orbaal the Viking/Celt inspired kingdom book.

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I hope the continue the series (which they plan to do for all the 9 kingdoms on Harn) and expand it to include Hardcovers of the RPG itself as well as it's Religion, Magic, Harnworld, Harndex, Bestiary, and Nautical suppliments.

To me, Columbia Games has oddly but staunchly been against Hardcover books and preferred the loose-leaf in a binder approach to their supplements. I don't personally disagree with that angle, but give us the Hardcover option as well please Columbia Games.

Yep, I keep backing them because I really love the hardcover versions. While I get the pros of the loose-leaf binder approach as well, it's dated and no longer needed these days due to pdfs. I print up individual pages as needed otherwise the all in one of a hardback works well for me.
 
Though I love the base game, for some reason this just didn't grab me.
Same here. Well I liked the concepts in this, but the estimated shipping costs were essentially as much as the book itself, and I wouldn’t get it until the end of next summer (probably later).

To be honest, Kickstarter is losing its lustre to me.
 
Same here. Well I liked the concepts in this, but the estimated shipping costs were essentially as much as the book itself, and I wouldn’t get it until the end of next summer (probably later).

To be honest, Kickstarter is losing its lustre to me.
It seems like it was easier and cheaper to ship something to Canada in 1850.
 
Same here. Well I liked the concepts in this, but the estimated shipping costs were essentially as much as the book itself, and I wouldn’t get it until the end of next summer (probably later).

To be honest, Kickstarter is losing its lustre to me.
I went PDF only, the whole shipping with KS and trouble I’ve had getting other RPGs in physical format has convinced me to only ever back at that level.
 
Palladium Books goes the Kickstarter way for their Titan Robotics book. Unfortunately, no pledge level gives us the action figures.

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So there's this upcoming Kickstarter for a RPG called Raven by Shadowlands Games.

Info: https://shadowlandsgames.com/raven-rpg/

From an email I got today, which made me intrigued in how they specifically called out all of the things that deter me from KS campaigns, heh:

What is NOT Raven?


Normally, we use to take our time and pay an effort to define properly things -books, films, music… However, sometimes is more worthy to define something by telling what it is NOT.

Let see...


Raven is NOT another D&D setting. Raven RPG is a complete brand new role-playing game in a new world inpired by Poe’s work.


Raven is NOT another Raveloft-like setting. Raven RPG has its own background and soul, writen by Poe lovers.


Raven is NOT another not-so-new 5E SRD game. Raven RPG has its own game system. It has been designed specially to ensure a dark and gothic experience through pushing the story of your playgame with significative rolls.


Raven is NOT a zine nor a storytelling game. Raven RPG is a complete corebook that includes all information you need to play and create you own adventures.


Raven is NOT a single book campaign. Raven is a live game line that will include adventures, supplements and more!


Stay with us and know more details. What will be next?​
  1. So it has beautiful artwork by https://abigaillarson.com/
  2. It is NOT D&D
  3. It isn't just a copy of Ravenloft
  4. Not a flimsy 'zine or high-brow storytelling game
  5. It's inspired by Edgar Allen Poe (ie, it isn't ANOTHER Lovecraft game)
Color me VERY intrigued.
 


Falconian Productions has just launched a new Kickstarter Campaign for The Blood, to fund new expansion material for it!
It's running from November 14th to November 30th.


The Blood is an urban fantasy tabletop RPG with a unique take on vampires and magic in the modern era, wherein the undead are just one of many types of spellcasters. Most of the folklore about them, then, is drawn from an incomplete understanding of their unique relationship to the arcane.

You play as a vampire, an individual who's been killed and then subsequently brought back through the power of the Blood — an arcane, predatory force that can sustain an undead body through visceral supernatural energies. That same sorcerous power is where their archetypal abilities are drawn from.

We’re creating several supplements, as well as a special edition of The Blood: Basic Rules:
Drops of The Blood: Advanced Magic, a book with optional systems for magical styles, arcane projects, and a bevvy of player options. It's already written, and just needs editing, art, and layout.
• A book about the other strange creatures that vampires deal with night to night — Drops of The Blood: Sorcerous Rivals.
• The special edition will contain backer rewards, including extra NPCs, spells, and more.

If you don’t already have them, the Basic Rules can be found for free on DrivethruRPG (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/333015/The-Blood-Basic-Rules?affiliate_id=259490) and itch (https://falconianproductions.itch.io/the-blood)
 

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So there's this upcoming Kickstarter for a RPG called Raven by Shadowlands Games.

Info: https://shadowlandsgames.com/raven-rpg/

From an email I got today, which made me intrigued in how they specifically called out all of the things that deter me from KS campaigns, heh:


  1. So it has beautiful artwork by https://abigaillarson.com/
  2. It is NOT D&D
  3. It isn't just a copy of Ravenloft
  4. Not a flimsy 'zine or high-brow storytelling game
  5. It's inspired by Edgar Allen Poe (ie, it isn't ANOTHER Lovecraft game)
Color me VERY intrigued.
That's interesting! I see hints of the Between, especially in this section:
The Players only throw dice when their CCs are facing a Threat. This dice throw will trigger a Plot Twist, in other words, a significant change in the story. This could be:
● A Favourable Twist in the story if they are successful, thereby overcoming the Threat.
● A Twist with Complications if they are partly successful, overcoming the threat but also complicating the story.
● Or a Tenebrous Twist against them if the throw is unsuccessful, meaning either that they do not overcome the Threat or that they do, but at a high cost.
The Tenebrous Voice does not throw dice, but rather defines the Threat the Players must face with their dice roll and the Twist resulting from an unsuccessful roll. They will also set up twists in the story to increase the tension and move the plot forwards, known as a story’s Maelstrom.

The Plot Twist, complications, Threats, and Maelstom remind me of the Between mechanics. I've subscribed to hear more.
 
Troiks! softback edition with new art. I pledged because I like to have a "beater" softback copy of my pretty hardback games. Love Troika!, though I don't get it to the table as often as I'd like. May pick up some of the other books as add-ons.

 
This one has been mentioned in a few other threads, but it just went live and I think this is the first time it's been posted in this one.



I didn't see this earlier in the topic. I am pretty blind, so maybe I missed it. Very surprised this one hasn't blown through all it's stretch goals.

 
Troiks! softback edition with new art. I pledged because I like to have a "beater" softback copy of my pretty hardback games. Love Troika!, though I don't get it to the table as often as I'd like. May pick up some of the other books as add-ons.




As stretch goals, they are throwing in pdfs of much of their adventure/setting material. Given backing so far, it'll be ~8 pdfs in addition to the book, that would cost >$40 separately. I already have half of them but it still makes it a pretty sweet deal.
 
As stretch goals, they are throwing in pdfs of much of their adventure/setting material. Given backing so far, it'll be ~8 pdfs in addition to the book, that would cost >$40 separately. I already have half of them but it still makes it a pretty sweet deal.
Since you already have it, sell me on it?
 
Since you already have it, sell me on it?
Do you like Advanced Fighting Fantasy? Same basic rules. Character creation is super quick. Do you like off the wall weird? There's a mix of things, like a Jack Vance post-post-post-apocalypse but not super dark, more strange.

You can get a plain text version of the rules here.
 
I like Troika fine, but more as prompts and fodder. My favorite part of the base book was a name of the assassins org: the Guild of Sharp Corners.
Never felt like I needed to buy anything more after that, but I'll go look.
 
I didn't see this earlier in the topic. I am pretty blind, so maybe I missed it. Very surprised this one hasn't blown through all it's stretch goals.
The problem is that tons of people already have the main books. I, for one, want the Supernatural Handbook. I don’t need another copy of the core, or Gadget Guides…

Also GR has been pissing people off for a few years now.
 


Falconian Productions has just launched a new Kickstarter Campaign for The Blood, to fund new expansion material for it!
It's running from November 14th to November 30th.


The Blood is an urban fantasy tabletop RPG with a unique take on vampires and magic in the modern era, wherein the undead are just one of many types of spellcasters. Most of the folklore about them, then, is drawn from an incomplete understanding of their unique relationship to the arcane.

You play as a vampire, an individual who's been killed and then subsequently brought back through the power of the Blood — an arcane, predatory force that can sustain an undead body through visceral supernatural energies. That same sorcerous power is where their archetypal abilities are drawn from.

We’re creating several supplements, as well as a special edition of The Blood: Basic Rules:
Drops of The Blood: Advanced Magic, a book with optional systems for magical styles, arcane projects, and a bevvy of player options. It's already written, and just needs editing, art, and layout.
• A book about the other strange creatures that vampires deal with night to night — Drops of The Blood: Sorcerous Rivals.
• The special edition will contain backer rewards, including extra NPCs, spells, and more.

If you don’t already have them, the Basic Rules can be found for free on DrivethruRPG (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/333015/The-Blood-Basic-Rules?affiliate_id=259490) and itch (https://falconianproductions.itch.io/the-blood)

I ended up backing this one, even though I wasn't going to back anymore games this year. I've got a bunch of OT coming up, so I can afford the 15 bucks
 
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