Think we'll make it?

Cool. My only worry (and well I guess I have the joilet_jane bug in that respect) is that we're getting into the last stages of the campaign and things are moving a bit slow on the main page (outside of the latest video update getting pasted there or voting on the appearance of some rewards)

Back at the start of the 2nd week of the campaign a lot in the comments were discussing how the page needed an overhaul and someone got a responce via PM on May 23.

Just received word - they are in the process of updating both the project home page and bigfinishgames fedora's page with new content, striving also to make the pages, interesting and visually enganging - we'll have to wait and see.

Perhaps the video updates to the page are engaging but I think for those wanting to skim the page they may be looking for other visuals or stand out info. I wish I could help with updating the page for them (I am a website designer and for this campaign I'd offer my services freely). But I have been sending in stuff they could use to hopefully lift the load.

Do you think after the Reddit AMA it'd be a good idea for them to maybe take a day JUST to focus on the Kickstarter page and really spruce it up. Right now we likely have exhausted the funds of old fans, so we need to make the page more like other Kickstarters who drew in a lot of new blood too.

Does anyone else think stuff like voting on the rewards should go at the bottom of the page? Why would someone new to the page want to look at some glasses and tshirts instead of getting stuck into reading what the project is about?

send them your suggestions on the kickstarter. They get back to you really fast.

here is what they said about stretch goals.

We're currently looking into how much it would cost to provide additional services such as localization and Linux development, and we plan to announce these stretch goals as we learn how much funding we'll need. Thanks for your continued suggestions!

lestat666 wrote:send them your suggestions on the kickstarter. They get back to you really fast.

Way ahead of you But I know with how busy they must be some can slip through the cracks, no biggie I felt like it'd of been rude to say anything more specifically about the page layout before theyd responded, thanks for passing stuff on. As you say they are fantastic about responding, I just got a reply to asking if the stuff they have said in Private Message about rewards and other things will go on the main page or FAQ, (which was after the page layout ideas so likely it was just overlooked):

We're currently putting together an update with information about what is included in each tier, and we'll try to add more information to the FAQ! Thank you!

here is what they said about stretch goals.

We're currently looking into how much it would cost to provide additional services such as localization and Linux development, and we plan to announce these stretch goals as we learn how much funding we'll need. Thanks for your continued suggestions!

I hope they will eventually mention the longer bigger game, more paths, more leeway in increasing the caliber, casting etc. But maybe like Cathy says it could be something for hitting 400k if it really would seem presumptious right now. I do think it would help excite people to really push things forward though when they do make it known on the page itself.

Linux is good though since there were some who decided not to pledge based on that, if they can do it getting the Linux gamer scene on board could help. And I hope localization means the German voice actors, as it seems some Germans would prefer it not to just be subtitled as a stretch goal but voiced. I hear the German voice actors are happy to do another, maybe theyre negotiating the cost with them, fingers crossed since that would be a boost considering the German adventure gaming market.

EDIT: After lestat's suggestion I decided to send and ask if they will be able to set time aside dedicated to the page layout and got this reply already:

Thank you for the suggestions! We are dedicating this week to making our front page more alluring, so hopefully we will be able to incorporate some of your suggestions!

Yay!

I felt like it'd of been rude to say anything more specifically about the page layout

as you might notice, i don`t see much trouble in being rude...
their page layout looked weak since day one (compared to others) - to the point, i at first didn`t belive it wasn`t some kind of hoax
*sigh* i wish it could have more pictures and bold caps...

Yeah from what people have been saying, they tried inviting those unfamiliar to the series and though they liked the pitch video nothing really stood out to them on the rest of the page... Considering what stage we're at in the campaign this is now a top priority for getting new blood.

It probably should be something thats done before the Reddit AMA really since the hope there is to draw in those who arent already backing (which is likely by now almost all the old fans who dont need any convincing). If the page isn't up to spec like other Kickstarters they will glance and leave. I'm sure we'd still get some through the door, but the hope is to get many so we can reach the goal quicker, open up PayPal, start on th stretch goals etc.

If the trend stays the same, we should make it by 13th. However, I'm hoping for a lot of last minute folk who throw lots of money into the pot and raise us above the projected amount.

I'm an optimist that way.

Sai wrote:

Bjyman wrote:The question for me isn't "Will the goal be reached?". It's "How big of a game will it be?" If you want more funding push for a Paypal campaign after Kickstarter.

Actually a PayPal campaign can be opened before the Kickstarter ends and it would be preferable if it does, we just have to reach the goal first! I think if PayPal is opened now whilst the media is reporting and people are pushing the word out passionately then it'll fly (e.g. Larry's 22k, Shadowrun 52,969 and Wasteland 2 $108, 578) but if its opened towards the end or after it'll trickle (Jane's 8k which is still great of course but kept stretch goals tight and one of Tex's stretch goals is a bigger game).

What I mean is there seems to be a mentality with Kickstarter project creators to close PayPal right after the Kickstarter ends. I don't see the two as being synonymous. So I'm saying it would be wise to keep the funding line open indefinitely. Think of all the funds you could get from a 6 month post Kickstarter PayPal.

Chris admitted it in the Talk Radio Meltdown show : This project has turned out to be harder than he thought, and mistakes were made.

See? I'm not being negative. I'm just being realistic.

.....

D'aaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!

I'm not being negative. I'm just being realistic

and recurring

Bjyman wrote:What I mean is there seems to be a mentality with Kickstarter project creators to close PayPal right after the Kickstarter ends. I don't see the two as being synonymous. So I'm saying it would be wise to keep the funding line open indefinitely. Think of all the funds you could get from a 6 month post Kickstarter PayPal.

Oh I see, yeah true. Maybe its something about the way they do game production that they need to have a confirmed total budget in mind. But it wouldn't hurt to have one PayPal setup with a deadline and have that as the main budgeting. And another opened afterwards that is just for overflow even if its just a little something to spend on an extra prop or whatever during the making of it. I think a ChipIn widget is best for that. I guess they do have to be careful about how its conveyed to payPal though since they have tight policies.

@joilet_jane lol well I have the same feelings, won't rest until we get the goal and 30% past it!

I have a ChipIn setup on my channel that's really for the post goal part of the campaign. Of course nothing compares to the real deal. More on that later.

Hm some debate on the comments regarding if money past the goal would just go into covering fees (like the Kicking It Forward, Kickstarter's fees and Amazon's fees). Though it has been largely resolved now I think.

Scratch the number below. We need 530.000 to make a net fund of 450.000 for the game developing.

Considering they said 30% over the goal at 585,000 (since they said its what "theyd expect from other Kickstarters" so I take that to mean they aren't expecting they'd need more than that to expand the game) would get: Longer game with more content, more story paths, increasing caliber/execution further, subtitles in 4 different languages, extra platforms like tablet/XBox and possibly iOS, opportunity to cast a couple "very recognisable names". Plus potentially they are now considering Linux support or further localization beyond subtitles it seems. 15% is definitely not just going to get washed away in fees...!!

So people will be getting ALOT for their money with the excess funding. I hope we can hit a certain milestone (as Cathy said maybe 400k or something closer to the goal) so that people can feel inspired in what pushing things past the goal would do and where those funds will go into the game itself. Seems like the slowdown has hit though, lots of new backers but still stalling around certain percentages Really hope we can hit a milestone or the goal soon so we can focus on stretch goals. without it sounding "presumptious"

well looks like i got put in my place, how good is this??!!

WE MADE IT!!!!!

AHHHHHHH!!!

OMG OMG OMG!!!!!

You don't check the forum and campaign for one afternoon and BAM!!!

We are in such an amazing place right now too. Because I still don't count this as the end influx of pledge we will get.

With the stretch goals coming we will definitely get the game we all want!!!

and we might even have some money left over to put towards a sequel!!!
And when you factor in the possible sales, well.... we might not even need to kickstart the sequel.