is about to end in less than 7 hours. If you haven't yet heard of it or are still thinking about to pledge go to the site and check it out. Now is the time before it's too late
Now look where the scheme comes into Harebrained Schemes. This from their brand new backer website:
Now, that may prompt the question, “What about DRM-free?” To honor our original promise of a DRM-free version of the game, the Harebrained Account Website will also contain a downloadable version of Shadowrun Returns that does not include Steam integration. While this version will include the Seattle story (and Berlin, via a one-time update), without Steam integration, it will be unable to browse and play community-created stories from within the game. Any future DLC will only be available through Steam.
This is SICK. SICK. SICK. SICK. Absolutely inacceptable. I am crowd funding DRM free games exclusively so that I DO NOT add to Steam's stupid monopoly. I have not given these guys money so that they can cut fundamental parts out of the main Shadowrun game and make them Steam exclusive.
To be perfectly fair, there's not really a way to get user-created content without some way of... distributing that content. Same with the DLC. There's not a really good way of distributing it unless they go to GoG or something.
This is SICK. SICK. SICK. SICK. Absolutely inacceptable. I am crowd funding DRM free games exclusively so that I DO NOT add to Steam's stupid monopoly. I have not given these guys money so that they can cut fundamental parts out of the main Shadowrun game and make them Steam exclusive.
They're cutting NOTHING. They said the core game (and the Berlin extra) will both be DRM-Free. It's just future DLC and community-made stuff (that they wouldn't officially support anyway) that is Steam only.
The core game, the thing you pledged money for, is still going to be DRM free.
One of the things that we feel most strongly about is that the world of Shadowrun was created for all of us to tell stories within. That’s one of the beautiful things about in-person tabletop role-playing—the stories are extremely relevant to you and your friends because they were made by you and your friends.
In honor of that tradition, we plan to release our PC-based level editor when we release Shadowrun Returns so that everyone can create their own Shadowrun stories & “runs”. When you upload your stories, you can make them available to your Friends Only or the entire Shadowrun community.
They promised a DRM-free version, and yet that version won't have access to a part of the game that they "feel most strongly about", which is there so "everyone" can create their own runs. Modding is a pretty important part of the pitch and cutting it out for people who don't use Steam, after promising a DRM-free edition, is kind of shitty.
It's ALSO kind of shitty to raise money on the backs of folks who want a DRM-free version of the game, and the abandon and refuse to support them once the core game is complete. People who backed under the assumption that they'd get a version of the game sans-DRM and then telling those same people that a major feature and all future support are being pulled, at the very best, is something that technically follows the letter of the promise while pulling the rug out from beneath them when it comes to the spirit of the thing, leaving many of their earliest and most fervent supporters stranded and considered second-class citizens.
When the message is "We have your money, your support can now be taken for granted", that kind of sucks.
They promised a DRM-free version, and yet that version won't have access to a part of the game that they "feel most strongly about", which is there so "everyone" can create their own runs. Modding is a pretty important part of the pitch and cutting it out for people who don't use Steam, after promising a DRM-free edition, is kind of shitty.
[...]People who backed under the assumption that they'd get a version of the game sans-DRM and then telling those same people that a major feature and all future support are being pulled, at the very best, is something that technically follows the letter of the promise while pulling the rug out from beneath them when it comes to the spirit of the thing, leaving many of their earliest and most fervent supporters stranded and considered second-class citizens.
That and exactly that. The backers who have only put their money on this game BECAUSE a DRM free version was announced do not only get the short end of the stick, they get beaten with it as well. They will have to make do with a crippled - or to be more precise, cauterized - version of the game without any future stories, whether community or Harebrained created. Same goes for the editor, which would be of absolutely no use in the game if you can't share.
Steam has made Jordan Weisman an offer he obviously didn't refuse, and I really do not want to see the terms of that contract. My blood's boiling from this affront. All that philosophy of community and sharing, all just bla bla.
They've made a game that only is fully functional via Steam with the money of backers explicitly pledging for a DRM free game. I have words for that practice, I really do.
I argue the point that an editor is useless if you can't share the result. I cannot tell you how many hours I spent as a kid dicking around with the Age of Empires II campaign editor. And my computer wasn't even hooked up to the internet.
Basically, it was fun whether or not I could share the results. I kept trying to make a perfect Robin Hood campaign, but I could never figure out how to get the triggers to work the way I wanted them to. And I was also eleven, so I couldn't exactly do the voicework.
I seem to vaguely recall there being promises of mod tools for Duke Nukem Forever, so yeah, I can kind of see/feel where you're coming from. I think. Sort of.
Of course, fans are resourceful people and I'm sure bedroom coders will find a way to make the DRM-Free version compatible with custom stuff. Not saying they should have to in the first place, only that they will.
Recently backed Risk of Rain, which I've been following and looks absolutely amazing. Anyone interested by the pitch should try the free demo there, it's already pretty fun.
I also recently backed Shovel Knight, which looks pretty fun, but they're REALLY overpricing their stretch goals. $15,000 for a simple gender-swap, for example. The recent Game Grumps video should help them hit all of them, though.
It's pretty nice to see these two games priced at $10 each for the backer level that gets you the base PC game, as most of the Kickstarters I've seen save that for at least the "$15 or more" level.
They've made a game that only is fully functional via Steam with the money of backers explicitly pledging for a DRM free game. I have words for that practice, I really do.
Well I'll buy this game then. I love their business model.
I also recently backed Shovel Knight, which looks pretty fun, but they're REALLY overpricing their stretch goals. $15,000 for a simple gender-swap, for example. The recent Game Grumps video should help them hit all of them, though.
To be perfectly fair, there's not really a way to get user-created content without some way of... distributing that content. Same with the DLC. There's not a really good way of distributing it unless they go to GoG or something.
Backers who want a DRM-free experience with Shadowrun Returns (on Windows, OSX, and Linux) are getting the game, editor and all, and will be able to transfer community-created story files and update executables manually. (It works just like a non-Steam version of Skyrim: you can install mods manually or via a 3rd-party tool such as Nexus.) The DRM-free version will not require any internet connection or any form of online authorization to play.
They do, however, go on to say that the Berlin add-on and future paid DLC will still be Steam only.
The reason is that our license to develop Shadowrun Returns actually requires that the game and its DLC be distributed under DRM. [...] Ultimately, we were able to successfully negotiate an exception with Microsoft for us to provide our Backers with a DRM-free version of the Kickstarter rewards (specifically the game and the Berlin Campaign) but that exception does not extend to non-reward DLC. So unfortunately, we cannot sell or give away DRM-free versions of the game or DLC on stores like GoG, and that’s why any future Shadowrun Returns DLC will only be available for purchase on Steam.
And they even made a little graph showing which version gets what features:
Even though the intentions of certain people might be good to be using Kickstarter I can't help but think others may be using it to scam people or unnecessarily.
Like that rich mother who couldn't buy her kid a computer and started a Kickstarter campaign for it.
Shadowrun Returns. Wow, what a disgrace this has become.
With yesterday's info update, backers are at least sure that they'll be able to enjoy community created content with their DRM free version. But they also found out that they'll never ever be able to use official game expansions with this variant.
I personally like games with a beginning, a middle and an end. I'll get that with Shadowrun Returns. I'm not even vastly interested in DLC afterwards.
But this turn of events completely contradicts the philosophy of crowdfunding. You readily put your money on the table to enable new developers or well known game world celebrities at the bad end of the industry food chain to escape from the ball and chain of the moneybags, and if you really really love what they're doing, you're paying far more so that an entire new generation of players can enjoy this kind of game for maybe just 15 bucks - DRM free of course.
I absolutely do not fund an eventually Steam exclusive game.
Microsoft has decided that my money be used to support the Steam monopoly. I believe that my laisser faire attitude towards both Microsoft and Steam has taken a nosedive. They've made this personal.
Harebrained schemes has made a shady deal. One without which there would have been no Shadowrun game, granted, but one that should have been explained to backers BEFORE the Kickstarter even began. They're now pointing at Microsoft because the shit storm is well on the horizon, and they've unloaded guilt where guilt is due, but they're not leaving this major fuckup untarnished. They have crippled crowdfunding, its philosophy and the trust people put in new developers.
I've paypaled about 300$ into game developers during the last 14 months. I think I'll lean back now until 2013 ends and some have delivered. With this kind of crap occurring, I'm not sure if I can still believe in Kickstarter, crowd funding and its inherently social principles.
I wouldn't go so far as to say they've crippled crowd-funding as a whole, but they've definitely left a bad taste in many people's mouths and they're certainly putting themselves into a very awkward position.
Personally I couldn't care less - I'm quite happy with Steam - but even with the new clarification of what'll be DRM free and what won't, it'll certainly lose them a certain amount of trust with the very people they're trying to please.
It's all well and good blaming Microsoft, but if they were going to restrict things in such a manner, it raises the question of why they went with it anyway. Was anyone really crying out for a 360 version (since I assume that's what it'll be)? And if so, would the people who wanted it have accepted the loss of it if it meant getting a proper release on other consoles?
It's all well and good blaming Microsoft, but if they were going to restrict things in such a manner, it raises the question of why they went with it anyway. Was anyone really crying out for a 360 version (since I assume that's what it'll be)?
Not sure you understood the issue. The problem is, Microsoft owns Shadowrun. Jordan Weisman had to lend the license - which is an IP he invented - from MS to make this game.
When I heard about the new Star Trek series pitch, one of the things I thought is "what do these guys even have to do with the Star Trek series". They're just fans. Maybe in future, the original creators who have already sold their license or were never the owners anyway must be put back in line and in fact be considered mere fans of these franchises as well. Creating an entirely new IP is far riskier, especially on Kickstarter, where names undeniably count. But the moneybags with their firm grasp on those IPs really kill the Kickstarter mood.
I will now say: Thank God Tim Schafer didn't try to get the Monkey Island, Full Throttle or Grim Fandango license. As you all know, things would look vastly different today...
Not sure you understood the issue. The problem is, Microsoft owns Shadowrun. Jordan Weisman had to lend the license - which is an IP he invented - from MS to make this game.
Oh. Then yeah, I really didn't understand the issue!
But yeah, if that's the case, then not explaining the situation earlier - ideally in the original pitch, but failing that in an update while the Kickstarter was still open - is a MAJOR issue.
On a completely different subject - want a Sonic Vibrator? Yes, THAT kind of Vibrator.
Oh, just a sonic vibrator. I thought they wanted to make a Sonic vibrator.
Honestly, THAT would have been the product for the modern geeky woman.
Well since there are Jesus shaped vibrators on the market I am not quite sure that there aren't any Sonic vibrators. Even though a Tails vibrator would make much more sense.
I don't Kickstart because other people will do it for me and, I avoid any kerfuffles.
Probably not a bad way to go about it. However, most people decide to back the project based upon the fact that it's the best price for a new release you're likely to get. And the rewards are also a big enticement; people love their collectibles (me included). And the community involvement is also a big draw-card for those who have the time for that stuff.
Probably not a bad way to go about it. However, most people decide to back the project based upon the fact that it's the best price for a new release you're likely to get. And the rewards are also a big enticement; people love their collectibles (me included). And the community involvement is also a big draw-card for those who have the time for that stuff.
Okay now while the community thing is 'meh' for me, the collectibles I've missed out on have made me sadface.
There's a new adventure game kickstarter for a 2D sci-fi comedy adventure called A Small Favor.
It's said to be inspired by the classic comedy adventures at LucasArts and sci-fi adventures like Beneath a Steel Sky and Another World (known as Out of this World in the United States). It's a side-scroller, so it seems it has more in common control-wise with Another World than say, Monkey Island, but the art style looks great.
They are only looking for $30,000, and the tiers are the most reasonable I've seen so far for some really cool stuff. You can name a character for only $30, write a line of dialog for a character you named for only $40, create an inventory item for $100, become a character for $250, or for $1000 you actually become a playable character in a bonus easter egg side quest.
If you want to know what their previous games are like, they made a traditional point-and-click adventure game called The Ballads of Reemus, which is based on a free flash series called The Several Journeys of Reemus.
There's a new adventure game kickstarter for a 2D sci-fi comedy adventure called A Small Favor.
It's said to be inspired by the classic comedy adventures at LucasArts and sci-fi adventures like Beneath a Steel Sky and Another World (known as Out of this World in the United States). It's a side-scroller, so it seems it has more in common control-wise with Another World than say, Monkey Island, but the art style looks great.
They are only looking for $30,000, and the tiers are the most reasonable I've seen so far for some really cool stuff. You can name a character for only $30, write a line of dialog for a character you named for only $40, create an inventory item for $100, become a character for $250, or for $1000 you actually become a playable character in a bonus easter egg side quest.
If you want to know what their previous games are like, they made a traditional point-and-click adventure game called The Ballads of Reemus, which is based on a free flash series called The Several Journeys of Reemus.
Comments
I would just like to mention that Torment: Tides of Numenera by inXile entertainment:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/inxile/torment-tides-of-numenera
is about to end in less than 7 hours. If you haven't yet heard of it or are still thinking about to pledge go to the site and check it out. Now is the time before it's too late
I'm pretty sure that's against their rules.
This is SICK. SICK. SICK. SICK. Absolutely inacceptable. I am crowd funding DRM free games exclusively so that I DO NOT add to Steam's stupid monopoly. I have not given these guys money so that they can cut fundamental parts out of the main Shadowrun game and make them Steam exclusive.
These bastards will hear from me.
Anyway, can Indie Gogo crowdfunding projects be posted here as well? Also not really a video game, but more of something traditional.
Been funding this one, which is basically funding a shrink wrapping machine for custom produced tabletop games. It already reached its main goal, but now they're aiming at the first stretch goal, which is FREE shrink wrapping for every customer FOREVER.
Also, their other stretch goals are new custom items you could use for your own game you can design or something, so yeah.
The core game, the thing you pledged money for, is still going to be DRM free.
They promised a DRM-free version, and yet that version won't have access to a part of the game that they "feel most strongly about", which is there so "everyone" can create their own runs. Modding is a pretty important part of the pitch and cutting it out for people who don't use Steam, after promising a DRM-free edition, is kind of shitty.
It's ALSO kind of shitty to raise money on the backs of folks who want a DRM-free version of the game, and the abandon and refuse to support them once the core game is complete. People who backed under the assumption that they'd get a version of the game sans-DRM and then telling those same people that a major feature and all future support are being pulled, at the very best, is something that technically follows the letter of the promise while pulling the rug out from beneath them when it comes to the spirit of the thing, leaving many of their earliest and most fervent supporters stranded and considered second-class citizens.
When the message is "We have your money, your support can now be taken for granted", that kind of sucks.
That and exactly that. The backers who have only put their money on this game BECAUSE a DRM free version was announced do not only get the short end of the stick, they get beaten with it as well. They will have to make do with a crippled - or to be more precise, cauterized - version of the game without any future stories, whether community or Harebrained created. Same goes for the editor, which would be of absolutely no use in the game if you can't share.
Steam has made Jordan Weisman an offer he obviously didn't refuse, and I really do not want to see the terms of that contract. My blood's boiling from this affront. All that philosophy of community and sharing, all just bla bla.
They've made a game that only is fully functional via Steam with the money of backers explicitly pledging for a DRM free game. I have words for that practice, I really do.
Basically, it was fun whether or not I could share the results. I kept trying to make a perfect Robin Hood campaign, but I could never figure out how to get the triggers to work the way I wanted them to. And I was also eleven, so I couldn't exactly do the voicework.
Of course, fans are resourceful people and I'm sure bedroom coders will find a way to make the DRM-Free version compatible with custom stuff. Not saying they should have to in the first place, only that they will.
I also recently backed Shovel Knight, which looks pretty fun, but they're REALLY overpricing their stretch goals. $15,000 for a simple gender-swap, for example. The recent Game Grumps video should help them hit all of them, though.
It's pretty nice to see these two games priced at $10 each for the backer level that gets you the base PC game, as most of the Kickstarters I've seen save that for at least the "$15 or more" level.
Well I'll buy this game then. I love their business model.
Edit: Yes. That was irony.
They don't. There is no voice acting.
Like that rich mother who couldn't buy her kid a computer and started a Kickstarter campaign for it.
With yesterday's info update, backers are at least sure that they'll be able to enjoy community created content with their DRM free version. But they also found out that they'll never ever be able to use official game expansions with this variant.
I personally like games with a beginning, a middle and an end. I'll get that with Shadowrun Returns. I'm not even vastly interested in DLC afterwards.
But this turn of events completely contradicts the philosophy of crowdfunding. You readily put your money on the table to enable new developers or well known game world celebrities at the bad end of the industry food chain to escape from the ball and chain of the moneybags, and if you really really love what they're doing, you're paying far more so that an entire new generation of players can enjoy this kind of game for maybe just 15 bucks - DRM free of course.
I absolutely do not fund an eventually Steam exclusive game.
Microsoft has decided that my money be used to support the Steam monopoly. I believe that my laisser faire attitude towards both Microsoft and Steam has taken a nosedive. They've made this personal.
Harebrained schemes has made a shady deal. One without which there would have been no Shadowrun game, granted, but one that should have been explained to backers BEFORE the Kickstarter even began. They're now pointing at Microsoft because the shit storm is well on the horizon, and they've unloaded guilt where guilt is due, but they're not leaving this major fuckup untarnished. They have crippled crowdfunding, its philosophy and the trust people put in new developers.
I've paypaled about 300$ into game developers during the last 14 months. I think I'll lean back now until 2013 ends and some have delivered. With this kind of crap occurring, I'm not sure if I can still believe in Kickstarter, crowd funding and its inherently social principles.
Personally I couldn't care less - I'm quite happy with Steam - but even with the new clarification of what'll be DRM free and what won't, it'll certainly lose them a certain amount of trust with the very people they're trying to please.
It's all well and good blaming Microsoft, but if they were going to restrict things in such a manner, it raises the question of why they went with it anyway. Was anyone really crying out for a 360 version (since I assume that's what it'll be)? And if so, would the people who wanted it have accepted the loss of it if it meant getting a proper release on other consoles?
Not sure you understood the issue. The problem is, Microsoft owns Shadowrun. Jordan Weisman had to lend the license - which is an IP he invented - from MS to make this game.
When I heard about the new Star Trek series pitch, one of the things I thought is "what do these guys even have to do with the Star Trek series". They're just fans. Maybe in future, the original creators who have already sold their license or were never the owners anyway must be put back in line and in fact be considered mere fans of these franchises as well. Creating an entirely new IP is far riskier, especially on Kickstarter, where names undeniably count. But the moneybags with their firm grasp on those IPs really kill the Kickstarter mood.
I will now say: Thank God Tim Schafer didn't try to get the Monkey Island, Full Throttle or Grim Fandango license. As you all know, things would look vastly different today...
But yeah, if that's the case, then not explaining the situation earlier - ideally in the original pitch, but failing that in an update while the Kickstarter was still open - is a MAJOR issue.
On a completely different subject - want a Sonic Vibrator? Yes, THAT kind of Vibrator.
Oh, just a sonic vibrator. I thought they wanted to make a Sonic vibrator.
Honestly, THAT would have been the product for the modern geeky woman.
Probably not a bad way to go about it. However, most people decide to back the project based upon the fact that it's the best price for a new release you're likely to get. And the rewards are also a big enticement; people love their collectibles (me included). And the community involvement is also a big draw-card for those who have the time for that stuff.
Okay now while the community thing is 'meh' for me, the collectibles I've missed out on have made me sadface.
check this link:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1011099242/theme-park-studio-create-the-ultimate-theme-park
It's said to be inspired by the classic comedy adventures at LucasArts and sci-fi adventures like Beneath a Steel Sky and Another World (known as Out of this World in the United States). It's a side-scroller, so it seems it has more in common control-wise with Another World than say, Monkey Island, but the art style looks great.
They are only looking for $30,000, and the tiers are the most reasonable I've seen so far for some really cool stuff. You can name a character for only $30, write a line of dialog for a character you named for only $40, create an inventory item for $100, become a character for $250, or for $1000 you actually become a playable character in a bonus easter egg side quest.
If you want to know what their previous games are like, they made a traditional point-and-click adventure game called The Ballads of Reemus, which is based on a free flash series called The Several Journeys of Reemus.
Hilarious video by Mega64 crew but we can't forget that this may have happened before with someone at Kickstarter.
Doesn't feel safe when everyone can simply start their own Kickstarter and it just ends up being a scam.
He made a Flash games of this a few years back. Give it a go if you want to see his style.
I'm not usually a fan of horror adventures, but this one looks interesting enough that I'm backing it.
Help back the new trading card game Elementals and receive exclusive incentives including ultra rare cards that will never be available for purchase! http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/creativityjungle/elementals