"Would you crowdfund a project more than a year away?" Topic

I recently backed a Kickstarter project for a new deck-building card game called Gateway, but I'm rethinking my support. The issue is the estimated date copies will be mailed out: It is more than a year away (May 2016). I've backed Kickstarters with lengthy waits before, but nothing so long away. And considering Kickstarter projects are notorious for going past their deadlines…

I'm just curious: How long of a wait would turn you off from a Kickstarter project? The only comparable one I remember is Reaper Bones Kickstarter, which I didn't join knowing I could just buy the minis once they hit the regular market. I understand that you often get products through Kickstarter at a discounted rate, and there may be exclusives you won't find in the retail version. Still, seems you could put that money to much better use buying games already available. (Or even better: minis.)

It would depend massively on why I wanted to back the project.

If I was looking at it in terms of advance purchase of a card game then I would almost certainly say no. If on the other hand the project was to raise funds to allow for a company to set up manufacturing of say colour printed miniatures such that you could in effect by pre painted miniatures at a reasonable price then I might be willing to accept that it takes a little longer to put that together.

A card game that is a year away from release cannot be complete, if it is complete then why a year, if it isn't complete then what I am "buying".

As a general rule I will not support projects with a delivery date more than 6 months out.

I did three times, by accident.

I have, several times also by accident. As long as I get my stuff, it really doesn't matter to me. I've never gotten burned. I do my research before I invest. The discount offered means more to me than a timely arrival date.

Same as VSB – every Kickstarter I've backed has ended up that way – they just didn't plan on it….

Yeah, I had one by accident as well. But once I got it I was really happy with the product. Maybe they are being realistic when they say you have to wait a year?

Still, I think James makes some valid points about what kinds of projects should take a year and what should not.

I have done so already. Pathfinder Online. It was three years out, June of 2016. Early enrollment is open and they are on track for the final release next year. They also delivered most of the physical products they promised for it. The final two are products that won't be available until they are finished with the game.

I've backed a few others that I knew were scheduled a year out, and then I also backed others that they said were less than a year out but I knew would take more than a year due to the number of stretch goals they had unlocked.

I'm pretty selective though on what I back and by whom, so only one out of 70 plus I've gotten burned on.

That one was promised to be released in one month, done by someone I thought was respectable in the gaming industry. He is a small miniatures and game company, but I thought he would have done better. He's stopped communicating with backers and is 26 months overdue and shows no signs of ever completing the project or the other older Kickstarter project he is overdue on.

I'm happy to see Kickstarters with more realistic estimated delivery dates, especially if they don't have a well developed project with a product that is close to being ready for manufacturing. Too many set unrealistic goals in order to get backers and then end up going over. Only about 1/3 of my Kickstarters I've backed have delivered on time or earlier. Of those overdue, the average is closer to 6 months overdue.

No

Isn't every gaming crowdfunded project at least a year out in reality?

I back projects because I want to support them. not because I get a discount or special exclusives before they hit eBay.

I don't expect any project to deliver "on time".

Dave,
Not all take a year. the Megaminis kickstarter delivered in less than 3 months from the campaign completion. I think that most of the Ramshackle Games kickstarters have funded in significantly less than a year.

Double W,
I'd have no problem backing a project that was a year out if the deal was great and the company was well established. I don't understand "putting money to better use" by spending it earlier if you pay more and get less. Plus, it's not as though most of us don't have lead mountains we can paint up in the meantime.

You mentioned Reaper Bones. They were a bit behind and the delivery date was quite far out. However, in that case (the first reaper bones KS), the basic pledge saved you considerably more than 50% off of retail with prices less than a buck a fig!

If an established company says it's going to be a long wait, it's a good bet that they know what they are talking about and would rather be conservative up front than have to ask forgiveness for late delivery.

I was partly joking.

Several I have backed have been worth the wait, although delayed.

The steampunk chimps I heard about here on TMP have already delivered and have me wishing I had pledged more, they are nice.

I double the expected wait time for the project unless it is from a very well known & respected company (read Reaper). So, to answer the OP's question, yes in effect if not in theory.

I think the real question here is; do we penalize a company for stating more a realistic delivery date?

I have back over a dozen crowdfunded efforts.
I think only one get to me in under a year. Several are over three years, and running. I suspect one will never happen despite (or maybe because) over the top support.

Even from established companies, these are a gamble, and should not be thought of as just a discount program.

Still, if it is something you would really like to see being made. This is you chance to TRY and get it out there.

Agreeing with Dave. At least for any KS with overseas production (eg. injection mold plastics) I assume a year. If the KS is a "one man shop" and a "first time" KS, I also assume a year. I usually try to avoid "first time" KS, but not really. (: