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<blockquote data-quote="CleverNickName" data-source="post: 8368487" data-attributes="member: 50987">I love me some Kickstarter.I've never created a Kickstarter of my own, but I've backed 51 of them (and all but 3 of them were for RPGs and RPG-related products).&nbsp;&nbsp; I've had some really good experiences, and I've had some really bad ones.&nbsp; I like to think that I've gotten pretty good at spotting the difference between the two before pledging.Before I decide to back a Kickstarter, I will read through the Comments, the FAQ, and the Updates pages to get a feel for how proactive and engaged the creators are.&nbsp; If they ignore (or worse, dodge) questions that backers are asking in the Comments or Updates, for example, it's probably not going to be a good experience for me when it comes to the fulfilment stage.&nbsp; But if the creators are regularly updating everyone, and doing their best to answer questions, and are being very patient with folks who ask the same question over and again, it's probably going to be a good experience for all involved.Things that might convince me to back a Kickstarter:&nbsp; a reasonable pledge level ($20 for a PDF, $30 for a softcover book, and $50 for a hardcover book, for example).&nbsp; The words &quot;...and all physical rewards!&quot; in the pledge tier description.&nbsp; Good artwork.&nbsp; A company I recognize and respect.&nbsp; A diverse, inclusive team.Things that won't help me decide:&nbsp; &quot;FULLY FUNDED IN XX HOURS!!!&quot;&nbsp; Dozens and dozens of stretch goals.&nbsp; Digital stretch goals.&nbsp; &quot;5E Compatible!&quot;&nbsp; (Not that I don't play 5E...I play the crap out of it...I just mean that it's not a requirement for me to back an RPG project.)Once I've decided to back a Kickstarter, the stretch goals will usually determine what pledge level I will choose.&nbsp; If there are some interesting physical rewards, I'll throw in a few extra bucks to get my favorites of those.&nbsp; But if the physical pickings are slim, or if there is an option to add them on later, piecemeal via Backerkit or something?&nbsp; I'll pledge at the lowest possible tier.And once I've pledged a Kickstarter, I'm a friggin' cheerleader.&nbsp; I'll watch it like a hawk, I'll track the Kickstarter stretch goals, I'll post about it on social media, I'll forward the link to my friends, I'll post questions and comments on the Kickstarter page, you name it.When the product is finally delivered, I immediately share it with my friends, display it prominently on my shelf, and carry the custom dice and dice bag to my gaming sessions (there are always custom dice and dice bags).&nbsp; &quot;Gosh CleverNickName, where did you get those fancy dice?&quot; everyone will ask, and I'll say &quot;I'm so glad you asked!&quot; and show them my fancy boxed set with cloth maps and cards and stuffed animals and prosthetic Hobbit feet.&nbsp; Because I'm a huge dork.But woe betide the Kickstarter that fails to deliver the goods.&nbsp; It's only happened twice, and...well.&nbsp; Let's just say that I'm the complete opposite of a &quot;cheerleader&quot; when that happens.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="CleverNickName, post: 8368487, member: 50987"] I love me some Kickstarter. I've never created a Kickstarter of my own, but I've backed 51 of them (and all but 3 of them were for RPGs and RPG-related products). I've had some really good experiences, and I've had some really bad ones. I like to think that I've gotten pretty good at spotting the difference between the two before pledging. Before I decide to back a Kickstarter, I will read through the Comments, the FAQ, and the Updates pages to get a feel for how proactive and engaged the creators are. If they ignore (or worse, dodge) questions that backers are asking in the Comments or Updates, for example, it's probably not going to be a good experience for me when it comes to the fulfilment stage. But if the creators are regularly updating everyone, and doing their best to answer questions, and are being very patient with folks who ask the same question over and again, it's probably going to be a good experience for all involved. Things that might convince me to back a Kickstarter: a reasonable pledge level ($20 for a PDF, $30 for a softcover book, and $50 for a hardcover book, for example). The words "...and all physical rewards!" in the pledge tier description. Good artwork. A company I recognize and respect. A diverse, inclusive team. Things that won't help me decide: "FULLY FUNDED IN XX HOURS!!!" Dozens and dozens of stretch goals. Digital stretch goals. "5E Compatible!" (Not that I don't play 5E...I play the [I]crap [/I]out of it...I just mean that it's not a requirement for me to back an RPG project.) Once I've decided to back a Kickstarter, the stretch goals will usually determine what [I]pledge level [/I]I will choose. If there are some interesting physical rewards, I'll throw in a few extra bucks to get my favorites of those. But if the physical pickings are slim, or if there is an option to add them on later, piecemeal via Backerkit or something? I'll pledge at the lowest possible tier. And once I've pledged a Kickstarter, I'm a friggin' [I]cheerleader[/I]. I'll watch it like a hawk, I'll track the Kickstarter stretch goals, I'll post about it on social media, I'll forward the link to my friends, I'll post questions and comments on the Kickstarter page, you name it. When the product is finally delivered, I immediately share it with my friends, display it prominently on my shelf, and carry the custom dice and dice bag to my gaming sessions (there are [I]always [/I]custom dice and dice bags). "Gosh CleverNickName, where did you get those fancy dice?" everyone will ask, and I'll say "I'm [I]so glad you asked![/I]" and show them my fancy boxed set with cloth maps and cards and stuffed animals and prosthetic Hobbit feet. Because I'm a huge dork. But woe betide the Kickstarter that fails to deliver the goods. It's only happened twice, and...well. Let's just say that I'm the complete opposite of a "cheerleader" when that happens. [/QUOTE]

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