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RimWorld => General Discussion => Topic started by: Tynan on September 20, 2013, 04:19:29 PM

Title: Quick update
Post by: Tynan on September 20, 2013, 04:19:29 PM
Just for you forum-goers, a news update!

So I'm working right now on assembling a Kickstarter campaign. I shot some of the video today and yesterday, and Alistair Lindsay is getting ready to do the audio. This sort of thing will eat my time for a bit, so unfortunately progress on the game has stalled. It'll probably stay stalled until the Kickstarter launches sometime in early October (and a bit past that).

The good news is that if the Kickstarter is successful, I'll be able to get some help with the game. Al Lindsay is a real find, he's done audio for DEFCON and Prison Architect, so he knows this kind of game. I'm also in talks with several really pro artists about developing the look of the game and getting past my janky pseudo-placeholder art.

The email form on rimworldgame.com has collected almost 700 emails, who I'll message when the KS opens. I hoping to get a good amount of momentum on the first day or two from that.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: British on September 20, 2013, 04:21:28 PM
Now that's sweet, can't wait !
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Kalesin on September 20, 2013, 04:50:44 PM
(http://assets0.ordienetworks.com/images/GifGuide/clapping/stTNGclap_original.gif)
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: The Ataraxist on September 20, 2013, 06:49:24 PM
Woo! 700! Noice!

As for the Kick starter, does this mean you have to decide on a price point/revenue model before you go live in october?
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Tynan on September 20, 2013, 06:54:54 PM
Well, the Kickstarter price doesn't have to be the final price. But I think it'll be $20 for game preorder. And there will be a couple reward tiers higher than that. Not sure if I have anything to give for one lower.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: The Ataraxist on September 20, 2013, 07:01:56 PM
You could add their name to the credits somehow. Like maybe add contributor names to a random character name table for anyone who contributes $15+. Ive seen some pretty interesting methods of giving rewards on KS.

Or you just make that the base level, I would imagine that if people want to help, they would want the game right?
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: UsF on September 20, 2013, 07:12:02 PM
Are you planning on building up media exposure while preparing for the Kickstarter? I mean you got some coverage on RockPaperShotgun, but if you send some internet people some early access codes, they could look at it, post their impressions and maybe you could connect it with the release of your Kickstarter.

Still no idea how far the game is and if that would be possible. :)
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Tynan on September 20, 2013, 07:13:06 PM
Oh yes, definitely, $20 is the pre-alpha get-the-earliest-publicly-released version tier.

I have to sit down and think through the KS rewards. Planning on doing that while Alistair Lindsay our audio hero is working on the trailer sound treatment.

And yes, I'm doing stuff now (to the degree I have time) to build up some exposure. There are already 700 emails in the signup list, so that's pretty good. Search Reddit, you can find a bunch of RimWorld threads. And a few sites have covered it. I'll be doing more though. But for now it's trailer-making time. A real one, this time.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: IIFaust on September 20, 2013, 07:14:59 PM
Good job Tynan and keep going your goal. :D
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: thekillergreece on September 21, 2013, 12:43:51 AM
Nice, waiting for more new updates!
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Kalesin on September 21, 2013, 05:03:50 AM
Quote from: Tynan on September 20, 2013, 07:13:06 PM
Oh yes, definitely, $20 is the pre-alpha get-the-earliest-publicly-released version tier.

Great news, few campaigns give access to the pre-alpha, it will be well received by all.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Yarkista on September 21, 2013, 06:19:28 AM
Realy great news, I'll be buying into the kickstarter for sure.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Hypolite on September 21, 2013, 04:40:13 PM
I like the idea of a Kickstarter campaign for Rimworld, but I was wondering if it was the good time to do it, especially since you don't have your graphic style yet. If it's a financial necessity that you grab a little money to be able to continue working on the project, I'd totally understand the early Kickstarter campaign, but if not, I would advise you to delay it, at least until it gets its own graphic identity. And you could use the time to further improve the game mechanics to provide during the Kickstarter campaign a more representative demo of what you want the game to look and feel.

700 people is already great, but I feel Rimworld could do more than that given its premises and the quality already achieved. A too early Kickstarter campaign will probably succeed, but I feel like it would yield substantially less money than with its very own graphic style.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Yarkista on September 21, 2013, 04:56:25 PM
Quote from: Hypolite on September 21, 2013, 04:40:13 PM
I like the idea of a Kickstarter campaign for Rimworld, but I was wondering if it was the good time to do it, especially since you don't have your graphic style yet. If it's a financial necessity that you grab a little money to be able to continue working on the project, I'd totally understand the early Kickstarter campaign, but if not, I would advise you to delay it, at least until it gets its own graphic identity. And you could use the time to further improve the game mechanics to provide during the Kickstarter campaign a more representative demo of what you want the game to look and feel.

700 people is already great, but I feel Rimworld could do more than that given its premises and the quality already achieved. A too early Kickstarter campaign will probably succeed, but I feel like it would yield substantially less money than with its very own graphic style.

Perhaps. One of the main criticisms so far is that it looks too much like Prison architect, it could turn people away or make them think that the game is a PA clone.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Tynan on September 21, 2013, 04:58:03 PM
I hear ya, but the game really needs some help at this point and I can't do the things it needs myself.

I think the market is far bigger than I'll ever reach (e.g. millions and millions of players out there) so I'm not afraid of "using up" some limited reserve of goodwill. I think there will always be more people to reach when you're as small as this operation.

So I'm hoping it'll work in stages. First the Kickstarter. That gives resources to get the public Alpha done well (which is the quality you're thinking of). Which gets resources to refine the game into what it really want to be.

At least, I'm hoping it'll work that way.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Hypolite on September 21, 2013, 05:02:47 PM
Are you able to do multiple Kickstarter campaigns for the same game? And if you are technically allowed to do so, how well is it regarded amongst original backers? And amongst newcomers?  ???

Anyway, thanks for the answer on my raised question, and do whatever you see best for you and the game. But first for you :D
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Yarkista on September 21, 2013, 05:07:57 PM
Quote from: Tynan on September 21, 2013, 04:58:03 PM
I hear ya, but the game really needs some help at this point and I can't do the things it needs myself.

I think the market is far bigger than I'll ever reach (e.g. millions and millions of players out there) so I'm not afraid of "using up" some limited reserve of goodwill. I think there will always be more people to reach when you're as small as this operation.

So I'm hoping it'll work in stages. First the Kickstarter. That gives resources to get the public Alpha done well (which is the quality you're thinking of). Which gets resources to refine the game into what it really want to be.

At least, I'm hoping it'll work that way.

Eh, just make sure that on the kickstarter page it says that the art is a WIP, hopefully people will understand.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Tynan on September 21, 2013, 06:01:46 PM
I actually put a note at the start of the video explaining that the game art is largely temporary.

The KS page will hopefully feature some replacement work from an artist.

I think you can do multiple kickstarters, but only for "expansions" of the game. Anyway I'm not looking that far ahead... one step at a time :)
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Yarkista on September 21, 2013, 06:04:03 PM
Quote from: Tynan on September 21, 2013, 06:01:46 PM
I actually put a note at the start of the video explaining that the game art is largely temporary.

The KS page will hopefully feature some replacement work from an artist.

I think you can do multiple kickstarters, but only for "expansions" of the game. Anyway I'm not looking that far ahead... one step at a time :)

I'm guessing 2-3 months before the kickstarter starts?  (Pardon the pun.)
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Tynan on September 21, 2013, 07:33:44 PM
No, much sooner than that.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Yarkista on September 21, 2013, 07:34:29 PM
Quote from: Tynan on September 21, 2013, 07:33:44 PM
No, much sooner than that.

Ah, interesting.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: The Ataraxist on September 21, 2013, 10:57:38 PM
Im really excited to see this happen Ty, Good luck with the KS.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Tynan on September 23, 2013, 02:06:08 AM
Mailing list now contains 846 names. I hope we can reach a thousand by the time the Kickstarter begins. That'd make a nice day-1 boost.

I've also finished cutting the "real" trailer and Alistair Lindsay is currently doing an audio track for it. It's much, much better than the first look.

Currently wrangling corporate paperwork and getting the Kickstarter description together. Things are looking pretty good.

It may be quiet around here for a little bit, what with the lack of new versions coming out. But I'm thinking things will get a bit more active once we hit Kickstarter and Greenlight on the same day and release a hot new trailer.

And maybe a week or so after that I can actually work on the game again! OMG :D
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Yarkista on September 23, 2013, 02:20:43 AM
Heh, make sure you email a few places telling them about the kicks tarter, ( rps etc) we need all the publicity we can get.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: xTAMERx on September 23, 2013, 01:07:15 PM
what about facebook present? you should get there also a lot of followers
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Tynan on September 23, 2013, 01:11:26 PM
There actually is a FB page: https://www.facebook.com/LudeonStudios (https://www.facebook.com/LudeonStudios)

Though it's ancient; I need to update it.

And hells yeah I'll be doing more than "emailing a few places" :D.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: xTAMERx on September 23, 2013, 01:17:19 PM
ah ok  :) i looked at google for "rimworld facebook" but get only another game: https://www.facebook.com/RimWorlds

i hope there wont be any copyright problems  :D
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Tynan on September 23, 2013, 01:21:42 PM
Whoa, never found that before. All their websites seem gone, though. I think we're okay.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Hypolite on September 23, 2013, 03:53:30 PM
It seems like they are planning an alpha test in Winter 2013, and their wiki (http://rimwiki.metadot.net/) is quite large already. Their forums (http://relrim.activeboard.com/) are nearly empty, and the last post (http://relrim.activeboard.com/t49009171/hi-all/?page=1#lastPostAnchor) is from March 2013. So there is something, but I don't feel it will be a problem either.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Kalesin on September 23, 2013, 05:27:29 PM
Quote from: Tynan on September 23, 2013, 01:11:26 PM
There actually is a FB page: https://www.facebook.com/LudeonStudios (https://www.facebook.com/LudeonStudios)

Though it's ancient; I need to update it.

And hells yeah I'll be doing more than "emailing a few places" :D.

Added to Facebook (screenshot interesting, I guess is the first versions of the game)

It would be recommended daily update facebook page and other social networks (Twitter, blog as we are doing)

It would be interesting, especially now at the beginning, which also had a "Comunity Manager", if possible, any of the tester you have, since I assume are acquaintances or friends who will know both the game and your work
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Jakadasnake on September 24, 2013, 02:02:35 AM
Quote from: Tynan on September 21, 2013, 04:58:03 PM
I hear ya, but the game really needs some help at this point and I can't do the things it needs myself.

I think the market is far bigger than I'll ever reach (e.g. millions and millions of players out there) so I'm not afraid of "using up" some limited reserve of goodwill. I think there will always be more people to reach when you're as small as this operation.

So I'm hoping it'll work in stages. First the Kickstarter. That gives resources to get the public Alpha done well (which is the quality you're thinking of). Which gets resources to refine the game into what it really want to be.

At least, I'm hoping it'll work that way.

Does greenlighting your game on Steam fit into your model at all? That early release tab gets quite a bit of attention from buyers and it seems to give the developer quite a bit of freedom as far as price model goes.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Tynan on September 24, 2013, 02:03:29 AM
I'll be launching Greenlight the same day as Kickstarter. Hopefully each will generate traffic for the other.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Jakadasnake on September 24, 2013, 02:11:18 AM
Oh, hell yeah. That generates another free forum for your game too, via Steam community. This could come together really well.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Tynan on September 24, 2013, 02:29:18 AM
As I head to bed, the mail signup stands at 997 people. We got a boost today from that Russian video that came out.

The Kickstarter page is almost finished assembling too. Pretty stoked.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: British on September 24, 2013, 03:51:21 AM
Quote from: Jakadasnake on September 24, 2013, 02:11:18 AM
Oh, hell yeah. That generates another free forum for your game too, via Steam community. This could come together really well.
I really hope this very forum here stays the "reference" when it comes to communication and... well, everything else.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Jakadasnake on September 24, 2013, 04:04:25 AM
The most likely result will be that a seperate community will form around the Steam Community forums - if this game racks up enough buyers there. People don't want to register on a new website if  they don't have to. Take solace in the fact that the OGs made their home here and that the master of this game is always going to have pull around here. But rejoice in that community developed content may blossom from that corner of the Internet. Science is a wonderful thing.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: British on September 24, 2013, 04:32:55 AM
Quote from: Jakadasnake on September 24, 2013, 04:04:25 AMPeople don't want to register on a new website if  they don't have to.
Indeed.
And I, for one, don't want to go anywhere near Steam.

In any case, there's a lot of different games that have no real trouble being on Steam and yet have lively forums out of it...
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Jakadasnake on September 24, 2013, 04:43:56 AM
Quote from: British on September 24, 2013, 04:32:55 AM
Quote from: Jakadasnake on September 24, 2013, 04:04:25 AMPeople don't want to register on a new website if  they don't have to.
Indeed.
And I, for one, don't want to go anywhere near Steam.

In any case, there's a lot of different games that have no real trouble being on Steam and yet have lively forums out of it...

Yeah dude, absolutely. And that's the thing. This forum will have a much richer history than its steam counterpart. That alone gives it an edge. I don't think you have anything to worry about.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Kickball on September 24, 2013, 03:22:20 PM
Will the game price be lowered once its fully released?
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Tynan on September 24, 2013, 03:26:44 PM
Quote from: Kickball on September 24, 2013, 03:22:20 PM
Will the game price be lowered once its fully released?

Not for a few years (e.g until it goes on Steam sale etc). After the Kickstarter, it may be raised. I'd like to reward early backers, not punish them.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Yarkista on September 24, 2013, 03:30:57 PM
Quote from: British on September 24, 2013, 04:32:55 AM
Quote from: Jakadasnake on September 24, 2013, 04:04:25 AMPeople don't want to register on a new website if  they don't have to.
Indeed.
And I, for one, don't want to go anywhere near Steam.

In any case, there's a lot of different games that have no real trouble being on Steam and yet have lively forums out of it...

Bloody hell, why would we not want the game to go on steam? It controls 80% of the online market and the sales we would get would be many times more than if the game was only launched on other distribution platforms.

I realy don't get the hate for Steam on this forum...
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: British on September 24, 2013, 04:13:52 PM
Jakadasnake and I were talking about the forums, actually...

And anyway just because you find Steam fine doesn't mean it's like so for everyone else (and the other way around, of course).
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Yarkista on September 24, 2013, 04:18:31 PM
Quote from: British on September 24, 2013, 04:13:52 PM
Jakadasnake and I were talking about the forums, actually...

And anyway just because you find Steam fine doesn't mean it's like so for everyone else (and the other way around, of course).

Oh yes I know that, I just wish to know why you personally don't like it, expanding my horizons so to speak.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: British on September 24, 2013, 04:29:42 PM
This is quite out of the scope of this forum, and that wouldn't bring any of us any good.

So let's be giddy in anticipation together about RimWorld coming on our distribution platforms of choice !
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Yarkista on September 24, 2013, 04:55:39 PM
Quote from: British on September 24, 2013, 04:29:42 PM
This is quite out of the scope of this forum, and that wouldn't bring any of us any good.

So let's be giddy in anticipation together about RimWorld coming on our distribution platforms of choice !

Fair point, and indeed, I can't wait for it to come out!
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Syphus on September 24, 2013, 04:55:58 PM
Quote from: British on September 24, 2013, 04:29:42 PM
This is quite out of the scope of this forum, and that wouldn't bring any of us any good.

So let's be giddy in anticipation together about RimWorld coming on our distribution platforms of choice !

It would be good for everyone here if you had a compelling reason.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Jakadasnake on September 24, 2013, 05:05:10 PM
This is more an attempt to get the discussion back on track. This thread is about quick updates, not Steam vs. [platform], right?
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Yarkista on September 24, 2013, 05:16:02 PM
Quote from: Jakadasnake on September 24, 2013, 05:05:10 PM
This is more an attempt to get the discussion back on track. This thread is about quick updates, not Steam vs. [platform], right?

Indeed, create a thread in the off-topic if we want to discuss this further.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Syphus on September 25, 2013, 09:17:36 PM
Quote from: Jakadasnake on September 24, 2013, 05:05:10 PM
This is more an attempt to get the discussion back on track. This thread is about quick updates, not Steam vs. [platform], right?

This was one quick update, no plural, and it was about Kickstarter. As the campaign hasn't started yet, by your logic this thread should just be left to die.
Title: Re: Quick update
Post by: Jakadasnake on September 25, 2013, 10:16:27 PM
Quote from: Syphus on September 25, 2013, 09:17:36 PM
Quote from: Jakadasnake on September 24, 2013, 05:05:10 PM
This is more an attempt to get the discussion back on track. This thread is about quick updates, not Steam vs. [platform], right?

This was one quick update, no plural, and it was about Kickstarter. As the campaign hasn't started yet, by your logic this thread should just be left to die.
Brilliant!