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That Mercenary Tier is probably going to be a little over crowded by the end of this thing.  To save yourself some work, maybe add some more tiers inbetween 75-500 and put a limit on that one.  I'd imagine trying to handle 150 or so people writing their own stories and traits would be overwhelming. 

Just a thought. 

And yeah, no specific stretch goals. More money just means more art/sound/etc support from other people. I'll be developing the game in modules as planned. I won't do anything to threaten the basic schedule.

Glad to hear it!  In some games, I think stretch goals that add more to the game actually make a lot of sense.  In linear games for example, more can be more.  Here, I think the planned content is already so rich and the balancing and replayability will be what 'makes' the game. 

But I do think you should consider something for specific stretch goals.  It definitely helps people spread the word if they can see the real benefit by doing so.  If the money will goto art/sound then you could just give a specific incremental benefit that will be made possible. 

Looks like you're going to sail over your target goal, though.  Congrats! 

I've got a good question.  How will game-saving be handled? 

I got the email.  And just pledged.  Looks like its going well.  Going to need to start throwing some stretch-goals up there pretty soon . 

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. 

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.     

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. 

Since I haven't had a chance play the game yet, my thoughts are more in the abstract.

Do people want to keep Cassie's "consistent" approach, as a yardstick to test themselves against? Or is it not even worth retaining in the game?

I say definitely yes, in regards to difficulty.  I think an adaptive AI that reads the player situation and playing style and adjusts the kinds of stories it wants to tell is a fantastic idea.  But making the AI adjust its difficulty based on player progress seems a bit like hand-holding when the player is weak and success-punishment when the player is strong. 

Kickstarter does not allow PayPal payment but most projects will allow separate contributions via PayPal and then show the progress in the ks updates and include it in the totals for stretch goals.   I can't speak for rimworld but that's typically how it goes.

I think Solaris is really underrated. I liked it more after I read about the book and the ideas behind it. I quite enjoy the idea of a completely alien and unknowable intelligence, seemingly omnipotent, taking actions that human beings cannot come close to comprehending. It's the opposite tack of most sci-fi, which is to take the exotic and compress it until it is familiar (e.g. humanlike "aliens" with rubber on their foreheads). Might also be what attracts me to Al Reynolds books.

I'm always surprised Solaris (2002) is so little known.  Its such a haunting film.  I periodically check to see if its getting a Blu-ray release.  No luck so far.  The only way I could get it on DVD was in a George Clooney 3-pack that included The Thin Red Line and One Fine Day!  Lucky for me, The Thin Red Line is another great movie.  Haven't got around to One Fine Day yet.   

Hello from Texas.  I'm a gamer who doesn't play that many different games.  I usually find a game I like and play that for a while.  I'm married, have a kid, and am in graduate school so when I have time to play I like to jump into a familiar and rewarding experience.  I've recently been researching to find that next Great game and came across Rim World.  It really looks up my alley so I'm hoping I get a chance to try it out soon. (Kickstarter Alpha access I assume?)

-What introduced you to RimWorld? Or to this style of game in general?
RPS Article.  FTL is the first and only rogue-like game I've played and I think its fantastic.
 
-What's your favorite other game?
Fallout 2, Minecraft, Transport Tycoon, Civilization, Final Fantasy Tactics, Agricola, Crokinole. 

-Most embarrassing gaming-related story?
When I was 10, I sold my top-loading NES and all my games to my friend for $20....

-What kind of breakfast cereal is the best?
Classic Frosted Flakes.

Heres a photo of my son.