Defense Grid 2's kickstarter, I raise my eyebrow at you.

[Roros]

This thing is seeming like a big huge mess to me.

First off, their minimum goal is a little confusing on the surface.
The kickstarter is for DG2, and that is what they promise in their pledges, but the minimum target ($250k) is only enough for a DG1 expansion called Containment. In order to make DG2 they will need $1 million. So the obvious potential trainwreck here is that they don't get enough to make the sequel which they have already "sold" to over 2000 people, while still taking the money.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq1RaM1MMYs#t=1m43

But then there's the rewards. If you thought Grim Dawn's rewards were a little confusing (at least they wrapped it up in a tidy little chart!), this seems even more convoluted.

The ONLY tiers that provide you an AMD Radeon HD 6870 video card are the following:

$105 tier

$205 tier

$220 tier

$325 tier

While we understand that the $150 and $175 tiers says "previous rewards +", that was the text in place before these new special tiers were added and they are not intended to be included in other tiers. Sadly, we don't have enough cards or budget for previously existing tiers to get video cards. If you want a video card, you need to choose a tier that specifically identifies that it comes with a video card.

Ideally (and perhaps the Kickstarter folks will do this), the $100 tier should now say "$75 rewards +..." , The $150 tier should say "$100 tier rewards +...", and the $175 tier should say "$150 rewards +".

We're very sorry for any confusion. Had we known ahead of time that we'd be adding these tiers at the end we would have worded the original tiers differently, but unfortunately as we responded to what our community is asking for, we didn't have the ability to update the original tiers so it would be more clear.

Also, we expect all video cards to ship out in September. December 2012 is when DG: Containment is expected to be released to backers.

On the AMD Radeon HD 6770 front, the only tiers that provide those are:

$85 tier

$95 tier

$195 tier

$250 tier

I dunno. Am I just being overly critical? Should the backers be expected to understand these issues before pledging? Who is at fault if there are misunderstandings here?

[Assassin]

They have 6 days to reach their 250,000 goal. It's not my type of game, but anyway, I hope they reach their goal.

[jiaco]

I completely understand what you are saying, Roros. I have the same problem with this particular KS project. For me, Defense Grid was a fabulous game (still is) and a lot of that is due to the fact that I picked it up with all dlc for ~5 bucks on a steam sale (cannot remember exactly the price but it was on the cheap).

I have wanted to support the DG2 KS since it started but these guys have no idea how to put together a project. Even their 12th update is still confusing. I may just kick in 5 bucks on the last day just for my own peace of mind, but reading the tiers and trying to figure out what the rewards are just gives me a headache. I really do not want a reward. I want them to make another game that eventually steam can discount at -75% so I can buy it. It just does not feel right that an expansion (read dlc, aka bunch of maps) could cost 1/4million and a full sequel 1 million.

I visit the KS page at least once a week and every time I visit, I am amazed that these guys were able to create such a great game in DG1.

[Josho]

The other issue I have with it is the blatant advertising for AMD and Razer. While I have nothing against the companies and would buy their stuff (I have a Razer mouse for instance) I am annoyed by stuff like this

We love the level of control that Razer provides across its devices, including gaming mice like the Naga Hex with its 6 mechanical side buttons. They open up entirely new dimensions for the game, which is paramount as we include multiplayer gameplay for Defense Grid.

which makes me shake my head.

All in all, this is a KS that I never entertained the idea of supporting. I'll buy DG2 if they release it, the original DG is a fantastic game which I still play, and have forked over the money for the DLC. But this strange way they've done their kickstarter buy burying DG2 at the end of a reward tier has left a bitter taste in my mouth.

[matthewfarmery]

I haven't backed this either, and looks like it may not reach it's funding goal, but yes the blatant advertising for a razor product is very wrong, and for me, I am staying well clear of razor mice, I had one and it failed within a couple of weeks of getting it. but yeah the whole campaign is very much of a mess. and one I not going to back. I also have DG and find it not a bad game. but the way they are doing things isn't very good and not well thought out at all. personally I think they should scrub the whole thing and redo it. and not have any products in at all, at least without the blatant advertising

[Assassin]

Originally Posted by matthewfarmery

I haven't backed this either, and looks like it may not reach it's funding goal, but yes the blatant advertising for a razor product is very wrong, and for me, I am staying well clear of razor mice, I had one and it failed within a couple of weeks of getting it. but yeah the whole campaign is very much of a mess. and one I not going to back. I also have DG and find it not a bad game. but the way they are doing things isn't very good and not well thought out at all. personally I think they should scrub the whole thing and redo it. and not have any products in at all, at least without the blatant advertising

You don't like Razer mice? Same here.
I'll be getting this one soon:
http://steelseries.com/products/mice...ries-xai-laser

[matthewfarmery]

very nice mouse, after readin up a few reviews, there is only one main issue that seems to effect people, that is with the mouse plugged in, it can delay the boot time or may not boot up at all, as it not compatible with every bios. my advice is,
make sure you got it from a place that allows you to easy return it if you encounter the same issue

as for me, I tried a razor Lachesis, and within a couple of weeks, the mice cursor jumped in a diagonal top left, with every click, and seems to be a very common issue with this mice and a few others, updating drivers, and firmware did not fix the issue, so I sent it back and got a logitech G9 instead, and been very happy with the mouse, will never again touch a razor mouse at all now, a friend I know got the Naga had experienced a similar issue, but wanted the mouse so managed to get a replacement that worked. but seriously, not keen on the mice at all. I rather go else where for mice

[ibugsy]

To be honest, I think part of the problem lies with those who are pledging to the KickStarter projects. I think people are forgetting that they are pledging their money as an investment into a game they think they will enjoy.

It now has morphed into how much swag can I get out of my pledge and this has overcomplicated an easy process that I don't think KickStarter expected. Hence all the issues with reward levels.

Think how much better a game could be if it used the money from all the swag people want to funnel it into the game?

Now not all swag costs money, i.e. name in credits; but T-Shirts, shipping?

In short, the reward should be the game, not all the swag.

[Scryer]

In some cases companies will donate products to help certain kickstarter projects. This helps them advertise and helps the Kickstarter project get funded, and it’s a win-win for both sides.

If you don't like blatant advertising, then I'm sorry to say but that's literally 80% of the internet.

[Skellt]

Originally Posted by Assassin

You don't like Razer mice? Same here.
I'll be getting this one soon:
http://steelseries.com/products/mice...ries-xai-laser

I had a razer Mamba
.. it said hours and hours of autonomy and fuck... if i could get 3h on wireless it was good.

So i ended up leaving it to lay around

Plus the mouse has a custom battery and well as you can guess pretty much you cant replace it unless you buy a fucking expensive one from them..

I bought a Logitech MX and god this thing is awsome, ive had the same battery for a year, it lasts about 3-4 days depending on usage, works on flat out any surface.. REALLY comfortable so yep.. ive never been dissapointed with Logitech product and i would highly recommend this mouse!