DeathSheepFromHell wrote:

Cinnder wrote:

Speaking purely personally, as a potential contributor to the KickStarter (something which I almost certainly would be prohibited from doing at a normal company): I judge companies based on their apparent preparedness, ability to deal with the unexpected (because it *will* happen), and upon their transparency.
If a company is asking me to give them money, then it is not "self-entitlement" to expect to see evidence that they have a business plan that is well thought out, a budget prediction that seems realistic, and access to the skills and resources needed to execute successfully — it is *due diligence*.
In fact, imagining that I have any obligation to provide my money to them *without* that sort of information is the basest self-entitlement on the part of the company. Most "real" investments require a great deal more, often including a significant degree of control for the largest individual or group investors.

Exactly.

When this kickstarter do kick off, it's pure business mindset for me. I probably wont say much and wont ask much because at that time, it's considered the official pitch. Probably why I'm saying so much before that way if they see fit, they can think about, disregard, "That dude is off his rocker! Again!", take heed, to what I say prior. Not to be mean in what I say or had say, it's because I want this thing to succeed and not only succeed in being built, I want it to be Grade A stuff ran by Grade A people with a Grade A mindset that is Grade A prepared.

One of the biggest thing I will be looking for of course, as I do with any business before giving them a cent, is look at their business and how they conduct business. I may not agree with all their methods or even most but if it looks like, they have a semblance of knowing what they are doing and serious about growth and making money, then my wallet will open. If not, I still wish them the best, but like I had to tell a best friend recently. "I like you, you're a good friend, but you're a bad bet when it comes to money." Personal- *drywall/paint *8 ft of pure lead and concrete wall* *4 ft steel lining* *2 ft insulation* *8 more ft of lead/concrete drywall/paint* -Business.

But no matter the decision I make, go out there to win win and win big.

The delay, annoying, but if it means more opportunity to improve, well hell then, take all the time in the world, just keep us posted. Make the delay more than worth the wait. 4-5 years from now, I wish to be playing a game that isn't ran by big corporations and by a group that are serious when they say they have the customer in mind.

Ever go to a family owned restaurant? They serve the same thing you can get from some major chain, sometimes the place is even set up the same but when done right, you feel something special. The food taste better it seems, it seems as if they almost know your name and how you like your food. And if you don't go for two weeks, first thing they say when you walk in the door is that "Hey, we haven't seen you in a while. Everything's ok?" You feel like a customer instead of another number and it even if they are higher priced than the chain around the corner you still feel you get more than your money's worth and would pay even more if ya significant other wasn't giving you that dirty look. We need that in the game world. Talking most private owned restruants in the city they all mostly said one thing. "they had a dream, they built it, there were times when they wanted to quit, didn't know if it would work, wondered if they knew what they were doing, and thought they lost the passion, but they continued. They lost money, made dumb decisions, learned improved and now riding around in CLS55 AMGs with big house on the hill but they still man the grill, still greet the patrons, and still is one of the guys. And mostly each one still ask for and are receptive of feedback from customers. Food too salty, well then, lets cut down on that? Even though thye could have come off as "I know good food, you're wrong. My food aint salty." Meat too got too much fat on it, buy leaner meat. Even though they could of came off as "You don't tell me what to buy. I'm the one with the restaurant you just eat here. Don't like it, go somewhere else." Although there are exceptions like the good ole Soup Nazi, but it works for him but everyone or well most people cant pull that off especially outside NYC.

Justice Blues wrote:

Gangrel wrote:
Just as a slightly linked (as in its to do with a Kickstarter project that funded, but has hit problems), its worthwhile for the dev team to look at Clang by Neil Stephenson and the problems that it has had to combat recently.
Good words I feel that should be taken into consideration, from ALL sides. Sure, his project is not dead, but it is going far far slower than expected (running out of cash being the main reason really). At least they managed to get a demo of the game ready back in April (which was the last update previous to the one that came yesterday).

What has happened with Clang is certainly something that they need to keep in mind. But it is not really analogous to this project. Clang is literally in the process of creating something new, requiring new hardware and software. As Stephenson says, the venture capitalists they were hoping to get money from are gun shy about something so radically new.
This project OTOH is not something new. It is a superhero MMO, with no new hardware requirements and starting from an existing game engine. A successful kickstarter to get the company off the ground and working full time will show backing from the fan base, and then they have to come through and show they can produce something good. So while they will not have an easy time of it, I don't think they will have the same sorts of roadblocks that Clang does.

Agreed, they wont necessarily have the same roadblocks, but even though Clang could be played with a normal keyboard and mouse (and that they are also working with another hardware kickstarter to get the new controller sorted out), the $1/2 million development was just for the *software* of the game. They were already going to be supporting the Razer Hydra controller (which was already released and available at the time of the kickstarter , but also wanted to have their own version as the "best way to play the game"... but from what I can gather, that new controller was going to be made by Sixense, hence the work that Sixense has done on it).

The fact that they hit this problem, just on the software side of the game, and that also on top of that, the "new controller" has a projected cost of $150 *each*. I can see why VC people were worried about investing in it (not to mention as well, that some of them just wanted to get to meet and get stuff signed by Stephenson, and then buggered off).

However, reading through the Lessons learned section is *still* worthwhile from a general business point of view (especially as it is a kickstarter project, and what they learnt), and whilst they wont necessarily have the exact same problems as what happened with Clang, I do feel that if they require more funding and are willing to go with VC's, that they will have to take note of what has happened with Clang, and be prepared for the same knock backs.

VC's DO have very specific requirements for what projects that they will take on. Banks will generally need a *very* solid business plan, and expected break downs to approve loans.

Quote:

Video game investors are extremely team-conscious. Our team punches above its weight, but the amount of the KS raise wasn't sufficient to staff up a full-sized group, leaving us vulnerable to the criticism that the team is missing certain elements

Its just something that I feel that MWM should be aware of...

I'm not sure why people are up in arms about the Kickstarter delay, or why others are yelling at them for being nervous. Be nervous. This is a huge project, with a lot of wishes tied to it. My advice still stands: Invest money you don't need and won't miss. It's part of being realistic.

This project will have delays and setbacks. Heck, the original development of City of Heroes went on so long, we were all sure it was Vaporware, remember? They, too, were amateurs, and it took them 4 years, but not only did they make an MMO, they made a unique one that had gameplay no other MMO did. I have hope. I'll invest. If I can do something that they need done, I'll do it. But I won't refrain from playing Devil's Advocate, from time to time, either. ;)

And Warcabbit made me feel old, since Crucible City was back in like 2002. <,<

i suggest everyone goes and checks the MWM facebook page, ASAP... lol

way to stay possitive Jag.....

O.O

Yeah....about that. So far our office is considered essential and I will still have a job to go to...for now.