"Best and Worst KS." Topic

I am just curious, so…

What was the best project you backed, and why? (i.e. savings, how the project was run etc.)

What was the worst? (again give reasons)

My best, Bug Hunt corridors by Fantasy ARC, yes they took longer than expected but Ken always kept people informed and laid things out early about the long schedule. (He never knew it would be so popular) After 18 months I got what I ordered and got a good deal out of it. It goes to show you that even small one man shops can do things right.

My Worst: Defiant Games Power armor.. No communication, basically took everyone's money with no excuses.

And before people tell me that there are risks involved etc.. Yes, we all know that.. I am just curious what your best and worst is.. Maybe I can get some insight on what companies I can back in the future and which ones not to back.

Thanks

Moe

I would say the worst is Center Stage's KS.

EDIT: I was going to say more, but decided against it.

Damon.

Defiant is the worst. I don't think they ever intended to deliver any product.

OK Guess I can say more. The first comment in Terrement's quote field is what I got, and how I think I'll be able to get recompense from that mess.

Damon.

Two positives: Crossover Miniatures and Johnny Lauck. Both have had more than one successful project.

Admittedly, their scope is limited (superheroes/minions for Crossover and miscellany for Johnny Lauck--I don't know how to even categorize Johhny's, but they're fun (dungeon decor, salvage crew, etc.)), but both do great jobs with communicating and shipping out the completed projects.

I've had two good KS experiences, with Fife and Drum and Age of Sail. No bad. Then again, I follow the webcomic 'Goblins' and, apparently, the creator went in with a company for a KS to produce a card game. His partner took all the money, closed his business and ran. The website is still up, as KS won't take it down because the creator was not listed on the paperwork!

Guardian Chronicles by Iello was horrible. Long delays, bad communication and some genius decided to change the wonderful miniatures for some sub par crap at the last minute. I was lucky to get a refund.

Well, there was the one where product was delivered within an hour of the KS closing…

:)

I backed three very good ones.

Empress Moderns – excellent in every way.
Reaper Bones 2 – also excellent.
Spectre Moderns (I am still waiting for the last bits but they did do quite well overall).

I avoided Defiance Games and I am glad that I did.

Age of Sail, Salvage Crew, Oathsworn Miniatures, Yan'drassi Invasion, Adventures in the Lost Worlds, have all been great projects and delivered on time. Salvage Crew (Johnny Lauck) was awesome not only with his add-ons, but with his professionalism and delivery speed.

A number done, but not delivered yet. All on-time at this moment.

Have not had any bad projects (yet), but know it can happen.

Dan

I've run 1 KS (which delivered 2 weeks late), and I have backed 10 KS and Indiegogos. 3 of Two Hour Wargames funded and delivered very quickly, Loud Ninja's Yan'drassi which also delivered. It took Palladium a year longer than they projected to deliver part of their KS, and a few video games KS have gotten demos and test games out. I'm wishing the Ghost of Hefei gets delivered soon.

Of the best: Fun Pimps and their zombie survival game 7 Days To Die. Best comms I've ever had, quick to help, just greatness. I'll endeavour to work like they do next time.

I've only had the 1 Defiance KS run with my money. Still waiting for others to deliver, but they seem to be on schedule, or at least making headway.

Best: Roll20

Have not had a worst, yet

Best – Reaper Bones 1&2. Great value and communication s even when running behind.
Worst – Jolly Roger Games Kremlin re-release. Never received my kickstarter edition of the game, got a retail version instead. Then got nothing but excuses followed by silence.

There's been quite a few good ones, the various Indiegogo Dark Fable Fantasy Egyptians & Freebooter, Dark Sword's KS et al.

The worst that I backed was the TAG Tudor KS; more than 2 years later and I'm still waiting for half of my pledge. They don't reply to any communications, so as far as I'm concerned they are a bunch of thieves! Time to take them to the small claims court.

Best:
Dwarven Forge: on time or close to it – good value with nice stretch goals – mostly terrain
Mantic: close to on time – good value with lots of stretch goal add-ons. Major focus is on miniature related games
Johnny Lauck's – Tavern Dungeon stuff – talk about quick delivery – small but very manageable for him
Poor:
Palladium Games: Robotech – already sold my 1st delivery, not even sure when the second one will come if ever. Went in because a friend was interested (he went in large) but this is a case where having a big fan base with lots of expectations can sometimes hurt more than help with the interactions between the company and the supporters.

I have done others with mixed success (including 2 that never happened) but I am glad to say I have not had the problems some have experienced as discussed above. There have been a few that I have (and still am) on the fence about, but I am getting a lot more picky about supporting kickstarters.

Best is a tie – Reaper Bones I, for value for money and being well run (slightly late but well communicated).

Impact Miniatures' Little Urban Achievers, my first KS, great deal and figures.

I haven't had a bad one, and everything else is pretty much a close second to those two.

Westwind's War & Empire 15mm Ancient KS was a great experience.

Great experiences:

OGRE
Yandrassi Invasion
Tiny Epic Kingdoms/Defenders/Galaxies
Anarchy Models stencils

Bad experiences:

Makibox 3D printer -- screwed me out of $300. USD The CEO of Makible is now a wanted fugitive, so that makes me feel a little bit better about it.

Had great experience with Dwarven Forge on both their completed KS.

Best- West Wind War and Empire- so glad I backed that one.
Runner Up- Dark Sword Stephanie Law Miniatures- very quick turn around on those and they're great minis.

Avoided Defiance, thank god.

I will admit I have had LOTS of good experience,
Impudent Mortal, Reaper, Renaissance games etc.

Palladium and Alien Dungeon are both trying my patience.

I've had a total of 3 not come through at all. One of which had two prior Great Projects, so you don't know what you will get..

Glad others have had better luck with KS. Of 12 I've backed, 3 delivered on time, 2 more pending, the other 7 are behind schedule.

The best was the TrenchWorks WWI tanks, great communication, nicely made tanks. They are running the Manchurian tanks KS now.

Worst, as mentioned by a few others, Palladium's Robotech KS. 18 months behind schedule and the people running it are so clueless its almost beyond belief.

Never had a bad experience with KS, but perhaps I'm lucky so far.

The best was I think the first Reaper KS, which seemed a great bargain.

Best-Dwarven Forge-any one
Worst-Anything by Matt Solarz or Mick Leach
that would include at least 5-6 unfilled KS

Best:Stonehaven Miniatures Pop-Up Terrain.Excellent stuff and delivered on time.

Worst:Torn Armor. I did get the board game (RRP60USD) after two years. Still waiting for all the minis that I would get for my 250USD pledge. And guess who was doing the minis?

Best: Reaper. Although delayed, KS II was a good value, and stuff shipped pretty quickly once the containers arrived. Looking forward to KS III!!!

Worst: Nothing as bad as what others have gone through, but I'm avoiding non-miniature boardgames. I've had delays, promo screwups, and retailers receiving product before backers did. I'm happy to wait for an OLGS sale instead. I'm avoiding first-time one-man-shop KS in general.

Out of the ones I've backed, the best *run* have to be the Crossover Miniatures Kickstarters; all of the ones I've backed were well run, and delivered EARLY! I'd also back anything by Red Raven Games and Indie Board and Card Games again anytime, have had very positive experiences.

Best value for money was Bones II (didn't get in on Bones I), a few months late but very much worth it.

Worst run period is probably right now Dust Operation Babylon (what a show).

One that I think I'm going to have to write off was an iOS Gettysburg game that has basically gone dark. Luckily that was a 10$ pledge.

-Will