Kickstarter Bloatware

[Belen]

This is a side discussion from the failed kickstarter project thread.

Is anyone else tired of the kickstarter bloatware?

I am getting so tired of all the cards, dice, stickers, and other junk. It is the equivalent of bloatware.

You back a tier that has the content you want and are forced to take a load of junk.

Instead, give me more content or expand the book.

I think it is just a way to charge prices out of line with actual value.

Thoughts?

 

[CleverNickName]

In cases like this, I'll back the project for $1 or whatever the lowest tier is. Then after the project is funded and moves into the delivery phase, I'll use the add-on feature to add just the things I want (usually just the book and the .pdfs.)

Not all crowdfunding projects let you do this, though...and I understand why. Most consumers have come to expect this "Get All The Things" delivery for backing their projects.

 

[Morrus]

That’s how you get a million dollar Kickstarter! The idea is to push the average ledge level up as high as possible. Only two TTRPG Kickstarters ever (Coyite & Crow, and Shadowdark) have made a million without including dice, minis, trays, t-shirts, plushies, or other assorted add-ons.

The extra stuff has two effects—it makes the Kickstarter ‘shiny’ and attention-grabbing; and it increases the average pledge value. On average, the pledge value of a million dollar Kickstarter is well in excess of $100 — which generally requires a lot more than just a book.

It’s just a fact of life. The extra stuff is there because it works. And it works because people like the shiny stuff. It’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

 

[Aldarc]

One man's "junk" is another man's "treasure." I actually enjoy getting more cards, standees, or other physical products in some of these TTRPGs because my partner likes having these sorts of tactile game elements. It helps them engage with the game better. I don't think it's necessarily about being "shiny." Sometimes it's about being "practical" to have at the table.

 

[Morrus]

I don't think it's necessarily about being "shiny." Sometimes it's about being "practical" to have at the table.

I use “shiny” very colloquially. Read as “attractive” (for whatever reason). Practicality is indeed attractive.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Instead, give me more content or expand the book.

Expanding a book is actually a bad idea, generally speaking. That's more writing time, more layout, more art.

Upgrading the physical book with ribbon bookmarks, an enhanced cover, printed end pages is good -- I love me a great physical book -- although too much of it can also be a problem.

Having stretch goals be "extras" unrelated to the book theoretically means parallel production that won't impact the rest of fulfillment. It certainly shouldn't be bundled into tiers where people feel stuck with them. (I don't need any more "movie posters" for books I'm backing. Who is asking for this one?)

Just give me a tier where I can get the (new) books and nothing but and make the rest optional add-ons.

 

[Morrus]

Expanding a book is actually a bad idea, generally speaking. That's more writing time, more layout, more art.

Yeah that’s a terrible idea. Never do something that will delay the core deliverable. We have our books finished and ready to print when we launch the Kickstarter so we can pay the printer as soon as the KS funds clear and start printing. If we’re expanding the book, we’re not printing for another X weeks or months.

 

[Belen]

One man's "junk" is another man's "treasure." I actually enjoy getting more cards, standees, or other physical products in some of these TTRPGs because my partner likes having these sorts of tactile game elements. It helps them engage with the game better. I don't think it's necessarily about being "shiny." Sometimes it's about being "practical" to have at the table.

I have two 50 gallon tubs of this junk now. It is getting over the top. I’d rather they add chapters or additional books.

If it was relegated to add-ons, then great but I often am forced to take it to get the books I want.

I find it frustrating and I have started avoiding the projects with bloat or opting for just the PDF to avoid getting things that cannot be used.

 

[Morrus]

I have two 50 gallon tubs of this junk now. It is getting over the top. I’d rather they add chapters or additional books.

If it was relegated to add-ons, then great but I often am forced to take it to get the books I want.

I find it frustrating and I have started avoiding the projects with bloat or opting for just the PDF to avoid getting things that cannot be used.

I’ve not really come across Kickstarters which force me to get the extra stuff. They’re usually add-ons. I’ve always had an option to get just the book, to my recollection. I certainly don’t have multi-gallon tubs of extraneous stuff. That sounds… unfortunate.

 

[Belen]

Yeah that’s a terrible idea. Never do something that will delay the core deliverable. We have our books finished and ready to print when we launch the Kickstarter so we can pay the printer as soon as the KS funds clear and start printing. If we’re expanding the book, we’re not printing for another X weeks or months.

You have a different model.

Personally, when MCG etc adds more books or expands the ones that offer, then that gets me excited. The most recent Odyssey KS where stretch goals included more subclasses got me excited.

Dice, minis, pins, stickers….those just turn me off now.