Just a quick note the forum goers: The Kickstarter will be next week (if nothing insane happens).
I cut the trailer and created the Kickstarter page. I also shot and cut together my little interview which I stuck after the trailer in the KS video. Shooting this took FOREVER; goddamit taking live video properly is hard. It turns out that there is about a 90-minute window each day when the light in my room is decent for shooting video. I shot the first one at night and had to scrap it because the lighting was terrible. Then I shot one in the day, which was okay, but I had to shoot another day to fill in some missing points. And I thought game dev was challenging. Perhaps it's just because I've no experience with a camera. But I digress.
Alistair has done his first pass of the trailer audio and it's awesome. He nailed the Western/sci fi mix perfectly. It sounds like the Mass Effect score edged with Ennio Morricone's The Good The Bad and They Ugly music.
I'm also working with an artist on getting the art together for the game; she's hitting the AI Storyteller portraits, ingame characters, and main title logo first. Hopefully, once she's got some work in the game, people will stop going crazy with the Prison Architect comparisons. Not that they're unfair or they really turn anyone off, but it's not the first thing I want everyone to say about the game.
So in general, things are looking pretty good!
Woo, awesome! Good job. :)
Sweet! Thanks for the update! Can't wait to see the video!
Would you like feedback on the pitch before it goes live? Not everything can be modified after it launches.
Good luck! My wallet is ready
Here we go! Let's promot this thing like crazy.
I don't suppose there's any pre-version page of the KS I could put on the wiki ? ::)
I'm hashtagging rimworld on my stream and recommending it to anyone who watches this weekend. So that'll probably net you at least 3 additional views on that kickstarter. Thank me later, there's work to be done!
;D
When we can expect new game builds?
Quote from: Jakadasnake on September 27, 2013, 03:44:46 AM
I'm hashtagging rimworld on my stream and recommending it to anyone who watches this weekend. So that'll probably net you at least 3 additional views on that kickstarter. Thank me later, there's work to be done!
Jake, I'll have a nice sexy stable build for you when the KS opens. The wait makes it better! (har har)
IIFaust: For testers, twice a week or so. Will vary. For players, probably between every two to fours weeks. Public builds take time to stabilize.
How the signup form is doing:
(http://puu.sh/4BKC7.png)
Good luck!!!!
Wow any idea what that spike on the 19th is from? More of that is needed!
Quote from: Zorbane on September 27, 2013, 05:32:43 PM
Wow any idea what that spike on the 19th is from? More of that is needed!
Probably from all the websites the game was featured on.
That's the day after the RockPaperShotgun article. I only got the forum up at 4pm the day of ( my time, the article went live at 9am my time).
It sounds like getting news of RimWorld is a bit like hide and seek !
In your last post on Bay12 forums (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=131168.138), you mention two things I wanted to react to or make people here aware of:
- The KickStarter campaign will most likely start on thursday
- One of the pledge rewards will be immediate alpha access
First: yay on having a date !
How solid is it ? Can I put it on the wiki (in case some people stumble upon it inadvertently) ?
Second: You might not want to share the amount you are aiming at, but are you worried/excited/something else about that immediate access in the unlikely case that the KS isn't a success ?
On the other hand, that would give more publicity to RimWorld... hmmm, that's smart.
Quote from: British on September 30, 2013, 04:51:48 PM
It sounds like getting news of RimWorld is a bit like hide and seek !
In your last post on Bay12 forums (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=131168.138), you mention two things I wanted to react to or make people here aware of:
- The KickStarter campaign will most likely start on thursday
- One of the pledge rewards will be immediate alpha access
First: yay on having a date !
How solid is it ? Can I put it on the wiki (in case some people stumble upon it inadvertently) ?
Second: You might not want to share the amount you are aiming at, but are you worried/excited/something else about that immediate access in the unlikely case that the KS isn't a success ?
On the other hand, that would give more publicity to RimWorld... hmmm, that's smart.
First, it is solid, i've had a look at the draft kickstarter page and immediate pre alpha after the kickstarter ends is one of the tiers.
Second, idk.
Quote from: British on September 30, 2013, 04:51:48 PM
It sounds like getting news of RimWorld is a bit like hide and seek !
In your last post on Bay12 forums (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=131168.138), you mention two things I wanted to react to or make people here aware of:
- The KickStarter campaign will most likely start on thursday
- One of the pledge rewards will be immediate alpha access
First: yay on having a date !
How solid is it ? Can I put it on the wiki (in case some people stumble upon it inadvertently) ?
Second: You might not want to share the amount you are aiming at, but are you worried/excited/something else about that immediate access in the unlikely case that the KS isn't a success ?
On the other hand, that would give more publicity to RimWorld... hmmm, that's smart.
The date is a bit shaky. So please don't be spreading it too much.
Immediate access is happening no matter what. We've already got the game to give to people. And it's not _immediate_ access, it's access when the KS ends. And if the KS fails, nobody will be getting any rewards anyway. Though I'm hoping this is unlikely.
Well OK, but when I read "immediate", it sounds an awful lot like, you know, "immediate" :P
You might want to clear that up on Bay12 as well...
In any case, while it makes more sense that way, it's a bit sad: having to wait 4+ more weeks is going to be atrocious, seeing how the last couple weeks have been :'(
Quote from: British on September 30, 2013, 05:14:01 PM
Well OK, but when I read "immediate", it sounds an awful lot like, you know, "immediate" :P
You might want to clear that up on Bay12 as well...
In any case, while it makes more sense that way, it's a bit sad: having to wait 4+ more weeks is going to be atrocious, seeing how the last couple weeks have been :'(
Sorry; the distinction is clear on the KS page. I was careful about this after hearing how DwarfCorp got ragged on for making that same mistake.
I wonder if I could change it to giving the game out when the KS hits its goal. Hmm.
It makes sense to me: if you don't reach your KS goal, the game won't theoretically be published, and the early access for all backers lose its interest while adding more pressure to you until the KS end.
If you need more time to get out an alpha up to your standards, go on. Remember we're in "pre-alpha" by your exact words.
Quote from: Tynan on September 30, 2013, 05:19:36 PM
I wonder if I could change it to giving the game out when the KS hits its goal. Hmm.
People could manipulate the kickstarter to get the game released and then cancel their pledges. Pretty sleazy but, you know, the internet.
Quote from: Hypolite on September 30, 2013, 05:42:03 PM
It makes sense to me: if you don't reach your KS goal, the game won't theoretically be published, and the early access for all backers lose its interest while adding more pressure to you until the KS end.
If you need more time to get out an alpha up to your standards, go on. Remember we're in "pre-alpha" by your exact words.
yes and u dont get ur money 8)
Quote from: nomadseifer on September 30, 2013, 05:43:22 PM
Quote from: Tynan on September 30, 2013, 05:19:36 PM
I wonder if I could change it to giving the game out when the KS hits its goal. Hmm.
People could manipulate the kickstarter to get the game released and then cancel their pledges. Pretty sleazy but, you know, the internet.
Ugh you're right.
I know this may sound rough and improper but when can we estimate to be able to play the damn game? Lol please excuse my foul language :) I am just eager.
Wait. How com the game could be released if people canceled their pledge?
If you need more time, you should wait until the campaign ends. If the goal is reached, you get paid and backers get the Alpha of the game. If the goal is not reached, backers get their money back but don't get access to the game.
Or is there a thing that I miss?
So even if we pay for kickstarter immediate access we will have to wait for 4 more weeks?
How will I stand the wait?
Quote from: Hypolite on September 30, 2013, 05:57:59 PM
Wait. How com the game could be released if people canceled their pledge?
If you need more time, you should wait until the campaign ends. If the goal is reached, you get paid and backers get the Alpha of the game. If the goal is not reached, backers get their money back but don't get access to the game.
Or is there a thing that I miss?
If it reaches the goal, and I immediately send the game out, people can then cancel their pledges and not be charged. They've gotten the game for free and if enough of them do it the KS will fail.
Quote from: elemenofi on September 30, 2013, 05:56:11 PM
I know this may sound rough and improper but when can we estimate to be able to play the damn game? Lol please excuse my foul language :) I am just eager.
By my math, it would be November 2 or 3 if you're in the KS.
Quote from: Tynan on September 30, 2013, 06:22:33 PM
Quote from: Hypolite on September 30, 2013, 05:57:59 PM
Wait. How com the game could be released if people canceled their pledge?
If you need more time, you should wait until the campaign ends. If the goal is reached, you get paid and backers get the Alpha of the game. If the goal is not reached, backers get their money back but don't get access to the game.
Or is there a thing that I miss?
If it reaches the goal, and I immediately send the game out, people can then cancel their pledges and not be charged. They've gotten the game for free and if enough of them do it the KS will fail.
I understand. My idea was to ship the alpha game after the actual end of the campaign, not during the campaign if the pledged amount reaches the goal.
Quote from: Hypolite on September 30, 2013, 06:28:03 PM
I understand. My idea was to ship the alpha game after the actual end of the campaign, not during the campaign if the pledged amount reaches the goal.
Yes I agree. That's basically the conclusion we're all reaching, I think. I'd like to offer people the game earlier but it seems there's no real way to do so.
And from what I see you answered to elemenofi, even the end of the Kickstarter campaign would not be that far, I don't think that would be a deterrent for the potential backers.
Just throwing it out there but:
Wouldn't releasing a playable demo be better for Kickstarter publicity?
Quote from: Zorbane on September 30, 2013, 07:29:42 PM
Just throwing it out there but:
Wouldn't releasing a playable demo be better for Kickstarter publicity?
Not a fan of demos myself, especially maintaining them, especially in pre-alpha. I'm not sure how you'd even make a demo of this game.
By demo I meant whatever people are running right now (if it is stable enough to act as a demo). No updates without paying after that.
I see a lot of comments for games where people say "NO DEMO NO MONEY" although it can be argued that these people won't necessarily pledge anyways.
Anyways just a thought since we were on that topic
I wouldn't want to use this version as a demo of the final game. Everything is going to get smoother and less buggy; it would be terrible to have people making their purchasing decisions based on an old version a few months down the line. The pre alpha version isn't a small piece of finished game, it's a comparatively crappy progenitor of the finished game.
I could start recording all my testing sessions. Some people like to watch pre release game play videos. Even streaming as well.
I'll be sending the game to Lets Players during the KS so people can watch it and get some idea of what we're doing beyond the trailer. We've had a few already, though none in English (nobody asked!).
Ah good. I'll start recording later this week, have to get everything setup properly.
I think some people will definitely need something to play before deciding to support. I can understand the comment, "No demo, no money". I'd imagine there is a spectrum of people who will eventually purchase the game. There are those whole will purchase a game based solely on the idea of the game without even a video of gameplay. That's a small group. Then there are those who won't purchase until the game is released and has atleast an 85% on metacritic. That's a large group. The kickstarter is going to take place somewhere inbetween.
I think maybe the testers should be polled as to whether they think the current version released as a 'sampler' during the kickstarter would help tip people in the direction of supporting.
Quote from: nomadseifer on September 30, 2013, 09:18:03 PM
I think some people will definitely need something to play before deciding to support. I can understand the comment, "No demo, no money". I'd imagine there is a spectrum of people who will eventually purchase the game. There are those whole will purchase a game based solely on the idea of the game without even a video of gameplay. That's a small group. Then there are those who won't purchase until the game is released and has atleast an 85% on metacritic. That's a large group. The kickstarter is going to take place somewhere inbetween.
I think maybe the testers should be polled as to whether they think the current version released as a 'sampler' during the kickstarter would help tip people in the direction of supporting.
A poll with a sample size of 10 is unlikely to produce useful results. Although I think in principle you are correct in most of what you say here. The thing is, kickstarter isn't where he sells the game - it's where he pitches it. I'm not too savvy on this whole business but is it common for kickstarters to offer demos of the game? From what I've seen, it's where the developer showcases everything he/she wants the game to be, not necessarily what it is in its current iteration.
Quote from: Jakadasnake on September 30, 2013, 10:18:49 PM
Quote from: nomadseifer on September 30, 2013, 09:18:03 PM
I think some people will definitely need something to play before deciding to support. I can understand the comment, "No demo, no money". I'd imagine there is a spectrum of people who will eventually purchase the game. There are those whole will purchase a game based solely on the idea of the game without even a video of gameplay. That's a small group. Then there are those who won't purchase until the game is released and has atleast an 85% on metacritic. That's a large group. The kickstarter is going to take place somewhere inbetween.
I think maybe the testers should be polled as to whether they think the current version released as a 'sampler' during the kickstarter would help tip people in the direction of supporting.
A poll with a sample size of 10 is unlikely to produce useful results. Although I think in principle you are correct in most of what you say here. The thing is, kickstarter isn't where he sells the game - it's where he pitches it. I'm not too savvy on this whole business but is it common for kickstarters to offer demos of the game? From what I've seen, it's where the developer showcases everything he/she wants the game to be, not necessarily what it is in its current iteration.
Some good points. I guess my point is that its not clear that providing something playable would not help the kickstarter's success. If that is true, then it certainly must be considered as an option.
I also don't think kickstarter is really used for 'pitches'. Atleast not when its a new or small game developer. If Tynan was going to pitch the game as an idea, he would have done it a year ago. Now, he is trying to sell the quality of the current game as proof-of-concept for something much better. So whatever method shows the quality of the current iteration of the game is the one that should be used.
Fundamentally, your last statement is where we disagree. I don't think he's trying to sell a pre-alpha game. He's more likely selling features that the kickstarters will make into possibilities.
Most of the kickstarters that I have backed have not had a demo to play before hand. As such a lot of them had some sort of alpha access. Then a subset of them have access to the pre-alpha build. Honestly I don't think it matters too much at this point. What does matter is getting exposure. Exposure is going to bring people to the kickstarter, not a buggy pre-alpha demo.
Quote from: enystrom8734 on September 30, 2013, 11:39:42 PM
Most of the kickstarters that I have backed have not had a demo to play before hand. As such a lot of them had some sort of alpha access. Then a subset of them have access to the pre-alpha build. Honestly I don't think it matters too much at this point. What does matter is getting exposure. Exposure is going to bring people to the kickstarter, not a buggy pre-alpha demo.
Bingo.
Well, by the ethos of Kickstarter I'm not selling anything - only asking people to contribute to a game they believe in and want to see exist. It's only appropriate, of course, that those contributors get various benefits for helping - the product itself as well as other community and creative bonuses. Yeah, it gets treated and thought of as a store sometimes, but it really isn't.
Anyway, I won't be giving open public access to the unfinished pre-alpha. I don't want it to represent the game through the coming months when we'll improve upon the design so much that the pre-alpha version will look like crap comparatively.
It was bad enough on BioShock Infinite trying to get people not to take impressions from obsolete screenshots we'd released months before. I can only imagine how terrible it would be to dump out a pre-alpha now and then try to drum up support for the game six or nine months when every part of it has been redone, while everyone's impressions are still fixed by a 9-month-old pre-alpha.
The backers will get the game when the KS ends and continue getting updates, so the publicly available version will always be the latest version. The delay won't be much longer.
tbh not getting access to a build of the game will definitely make me pledge at least up to the tier where I get access to the current build.
I would pledge anyway because I really want to play this game, but without alpha access I might have pledged less unless there were some other awesome rewards up for grabs ofc.
If you take for instanse timber and stone.
He added a tier that made you a tester and gave you acces to the tester forums.
You get some extra kudo's and people who are that dedicated to be a tester can test for ya (-;
i for one would throw all my monies in there well atleast as far as the wife allows it d-;
furthermore i would love a tier in wich you would get to help design a event (invasion) thingydingy.
i got plenty of ideas out of the thousand books i read
Quote from: Semmy on October 01, 2013, 08:49:05 AM
If you take for instanse timber and stone.
He added a tier that made you a tester and gave you acces to the tester forums.
You get some extra kudo's and people who are that dedicated to be a tester can test for ya (-;
i for one would throw all my monies in there well atleast as far as the wife allows it d-;
furthermore i would love a tier in wich you would get to help design a event (invasion) thingydingy.
i got plenty of ideas out of the thousand books i read
You are in luck! Designing an incident is actually one of the reward tiers.
Quote from: Tynan on October 01, 2013, 11:03:04 AM
Quote from: Semmy on October 01, 2013, 08:49:05 AM
If you take for instanse timber and stone.
He added a tier that made you a tester and gave you acces to the tester forums.
You get some extra kudo's and people who are that dedicated to be a tester can test for ya (-;
i for one would throw all my monies in there well atleast as far as the wife allows it d-;
furthermore i would love a tier in wich you would get to help design a event (invasion) thingydingy.
i got plenty of ideas out of the thousand books i read
You are in luck! Designing an incident is actually one of the reward tiers.
good good.
you are doing good work sir.
So are you adding the paid testing? or is that something you are considering.
Like at amount A you get acces to the complete game updates every when you get something stable
and amount b lets you get every version around so you can break it with acces to the testing forum.
assuming its a working forum btw since i can remember the hard tough bugreporting in the ultima online and ever quest days
Quote from: Semmy on October 01, 2013, 11:08:28 AM
Quote from: Tynan on October 01, 2013, 11:03:04 AM
Quote from: Semmy on October 01, 2013, 08:49:05 AM
If you take for instanse timber and stone.
He added a tier that made you a tester and gave you acces to the tester forums.
You get some extra kudo's and people who are that dedicated to be a tester can test for ya (-;
i for one would throw all my monies in there well atleast as far as the wife allows it d-;
furthermore i would love a tier in wich you would get to help design a event (invasion) thingydingy.
i got plenty of ideas out of the thousand books i read
You are in luck! Designing an incident is actually one of the reward tiers.
good good.
you are doing good work sir.
So are you adding the paid testing? or is that something you are considering.
Like at amount A you get acces to the complete game updates every when you get something stable
and amount b lets you get every version around so you can break it with acces to the testing forum.
assuming its a working forum btw since i can remember the hard tough bugreporting in the ultima online and ever quest days
I've added paid testing on your suggestion. Thank you.
Are you planning to do a few "early birds" as well ?
That usually works wonders.
There's a tier for alpha access (January) and a slightly higher one for pre-alpha access (as soon as the Kickstarter ends).
Quote from: British on October 01, 2013, 01:25:40 PM
Are you planning to do a few "early birds" as well ?
That usually works wonders.
Oh! Now I understand. No, no cheap early bird rewards. I don't want to clutter up the rewards listing and I don't think it makes much difference anyway.
From my experience, it always make a difference.
But you are expecting clutter in your rewards ?
How many do you have right now ? :o
Quote from: Tynan on October 01, 2013, 01:27:52 PM
Quote from: British on October 01, 2013, 01:25:40 PM
Are you planning to do a few "early birds" as well ?
That usually works wonders.
Oh! Now I understand. No, no cheap early bird rewards. I don't want to clutter up the rewards listing and I don't think it makes much difference anyway.
What i can advice is dont make too many tiers it will just clutter up.
I always think that a max of like 10 tiers is enough.
What i personally dislike is stretch goals i dont know your view.
But id say every penny above the wanted amount should go into creating a better game not bigger.
The sales from the released game can be used for that.
I always feel like stretch goals are something like we sold you a 50% game and for more pay more.
But hey thats my 5 cents. d-;