If you are comfortable with the risk associated it doesn't matter. If you didn't know you might support vaporware/shitware then never put your money into it. But I for one have been waiting for years for a battletech game, and if I can get a game made by pledging my preorder, and some Btech swag that doesn't otherwise get sold then that is acceptable to me. I will be disappointed if a sour game comes out, but I won't be angry. This game won't get made with these people any other way. Stackpole wrote some of my favorite Btech books, I'm optimistic for this and glad to throw in what I can/want to.Supporting bad business practices because swag is sadness.
Uhh yeah, because if you aren't in the black you cannot make games (unless you are 4 dudes working in the basement after the day job).because HBS is risk averse and cares less about making games than it does staying in the black.
Nope, and I would have bought the "collectors edition" regardless because Battletech. I mean, I get what you are saying, but I think this studio has proven itself (at least to me) and can make a good game. If I have to preorder the CE through kickstarter or through their store is irrelevant to me. I can not blame them for going the way they have done at least twice before if that makes it easier for them, works for me, apparently works for them.That's the thing though. This game could be made without your preorder solidifying its existence.
It probably wouldn't though because HBS is risk averse and cares less about making games than it does staying in the black. Even though there are other ways to do that besides making your customers keep you there on good faith. You're saying that you're starved for a mech game and are willing to pay for it to be developed by people who want to produce it less than you do. You don't see the issues with that?
Although I agree it's become common to treat crowdfunding like a very rich preorder/pre-sales metric, I'd have to say turn-based has actually made more of a comeback in recent years. X-Com, Civ even RPGs that aren't Japanese have brought the scene back.Uhh yeah, because if you aren't in the black you cannot make games (unless you are 4 dudes working in the basement after the day job).
- for the past decade+ virtually no publishers have risked backing turn-based RPGs
- HBS targeted an under served market, and has become extremely successful at doing so
- their products are good - especially considering the price - Dragonfall and Hong Kong base price was $15 bucks for the full game, before Steam sales
Honestly, if you are a successful company, serving a niche market, and your customers are quite happy paying in advance for a product they probably otherwise wouldn't get ... you'd have to be a 38 studios level fucking moron at business not to take the money in advance.
What are people backing that don't get delivered? MMOGs by companies with no track record?Fuck it, I'm in. 0/4 on KS, let's make it 0/5!