Kickstarter Bloatware

[Koloth]

I have taken some oddball KS stuff to gaming sessions and offered to the other players and sometimes related kids. You don't have to keep it all.

I have watched KS where someone asked for a special "Includes this stuff" tier and it happened. Sometimes it becomes obvious that the initial spread of tiers wasn't optimal. Not sure of all the rules but I think adding tiers is allowed while changing existing tiers is not allowed. Doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[Morrus]

Not sure of all the rules but I think adding tiers is allowed while changing existing tiers is not allowed.

Correct. As soon as one person has backed a tier, it cannot be changed. You can always add new tiers though.

 

[haileris23]

My only beef is when the extra bits halt delivery of the core stuff. I've heard of KS's that have been put on hold because certain addons were not able to be made in time and the creators have held everything back until they get all the stuff to dispatch everything at once, which I understand from a postage cost POV, but what about those folks that didn't order or want any of that stuff?

I've run into this. I backed a comic book KS that included a "challenge coin". They ran into some sort of production issue with the coin that delayed the project's fulfillment for over 6 months. For a lousy piece of junk that is now in a drawer somewhere in my office.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I've run into this. I backed a comic book KS that included a "challenge coin". They ran into some sort of production issue with the coin that delayed the project's fulfillment for over 6 months. For a lousy piece of junk that is now in a drawer somewhere in my office.

Everyone who wasn't the original audience for challenge coins needs to chill out with these, IMO. They weren't meant to be the equivalent of Funko Pops.

 

[Bill Zebub]

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.

I didn’t know that. Makes Kelsey’s achievement even more remarkable.

 

[Morrus]

I didn’t know that. Makes Kelsey’s achievement even more remarkable.

And Coyote & Crow’s.

 

[MNblockhead]

I'm mostly neutral. If it is a newer creator and the Kickstarter relates to expansion of the core product, that might make me hesitant. Otherwise, I just ignore the stretch goals and back for what I want. If the stretch goals apply to my tier and they send a bunch of stuff I don't care about, I either give or throw them away when I get them. A lot of stickers and pins have found their way to the trash.

 

[djotaku]

I agree with lots of the others - I haven't really backed any KS that made me get junk I didn't want. Maybe I'm too selective or maybe I don't back at high enough a tier.

 

[UnplayedRanger]

I’m kind of tired of kickstarters in general, but I understand why they kind of need to exist in this industry.

But the bloat is an issue. I’ve spent too much money on too many boxes that are just collecting dust now.

Forcing myself to wait until the product hits general release has been a real money saver. I tend to get sucked into the hype of a new game… that’s not ever something I’ll actually end up playing.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Forcing myself to wait until the product hits general release has been a real money saver. I tend to get sucked into the hype of a new game… that’s not ever something I’ll actually end up playing.

Yeah, that's been how I've kept the lid on in 2025, which was my lowest number of campaigns since 2020: "Am I going to use this in the foreseeable future?"

So, supplements and adventures for games I'm playing or expect to in the next year (Shadowdark, Mothership, Pirate Borg, Thousand Year Old Vampire). Everything else can wait until something changes.