Kickstarter-Style Preorders: The Future of RPGs?

[S'mon]

What happens when the Kickstarter project DOES get funded, the person(s) behind it get the money to do the project - and then they don't follow through? Does Kickstarter refund my pledge or provide some sort of security or guarantee?

No. Kickstarter have no liability to you. According to the wikipedia entry, your only recourse is through civil court.

Kickstarter do take verification details from people proposing projects, which helps prevent criminal fraud. This can help you effect a civil claim. But they won't give you your money back or take action on your behalf.

 

[MichaelSomething]

Has any project on KickStarter ever been a "take the money" and run situation? It seems to be a big worry but I don't know if it actually happens a lot or never at all....

 

[M.L. Martin]

As a demonstration of how this can work, Hero Games just put their next supplement for Champions up on Kickstarter when it looked like they might not be able to publish it otherwise, and within two weeks they've managed to pull in 75% of the funding. (Including one fan who just contributed the $2000 level of support.)

But Hero Games is pretty much in an ideal situation for this kind of thing: They've got an established track record, a small but fiercely loyal fanbase, and a good rapport with those fans.

 

[Matt James]

Not to derail the excellent information thus far, but what is the documentary about, if you don't mind me asking?

I was wounded in Iraq back in 2005. It is about how my life changed, and how I now deal living with disabilities from those injuries. Very non-political and personal. Very difficult subject-matter that makes one dig deep!

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Not Kickstarter per se, but patronage (done inhouse) but the same thing, is how OpenDesign creates all their material.

/facepalm

Yes.

<--- repeat OpenDesign patron

 

[jaerdaph]

No. Kickstarter have no liability to you. According to the wikipedia entry, your only recourse is through civil court.

Kickstarter do take verification details from people proposing projects, which helps prevent criminal fraud. This can help you effect a civil claim. But they won't give you your money back or take action on your behalf.

Thanks, S'mon.

So then it is possible to get ripped off on a Kickstarter project. And is anyone really going to go to court over $50 bucks or more likely much less?

That said, I see that scenario as highly unlikely in the RPG community, given how relatively small we are. There was only one person (I won't name names but some of you can probably guess) who came close to doing that on a patronage project, but he eventually made good as far as I understand, but not without some permanent damage to his reputation in our little village (he's a likeable guy but I doubt anyone would ever give him money up front again). So the thing to look for with these RPG Kickstarter products is trust, proven record, prior credits and name recognition within the RPG community before going in on a Kickstarter.

Anyhoo, having mentally checked all those things to look out for off on my list, I'm planning on going in on my first Kickstarter experience with this series of ICONS adventures when it's announced, and I'm looking forward to the experience.

 

[S'mon]

Has any project on KickStarter ever been a "take the money" and run situation? It seems to be a big worry but I don't know if it actually happens a lot or never at all....

The wikipedia page gives a case of plagiarism:


There is no guarantee that people that post projects on Kickstarter will deliver on their projects or use the money to do their projects. Kickstarter advises sponsors to use their own judgment on supporting a project. They also warn project leaders that they could be liable for legal damages from sponsors for failure to deliver on promises.[10] In May 2011 a New York University film student raised $1,726 to make a film, but plagiarized the French film Replay instead. The student publicly apologized and the issue has since been settled.[11][12]

 

[Weregrognard]

The wikipedia page gives a case of plagiarism:


There is no guarantee that people that post projects on Kickstarter will deliver on their projects or use the money to do their projects. Kickstarter advises sponsors to use their own judgment on supporting a project. They also warn project leaders that they could be liable for legal damages from sponsors for failure to deliver on promises.[10] In May 2011 a New York University film student raised $1,726 to make a film, but plagiarized the French film Replay instead. The student publicly apologized and the issue has since been settled.[11][12]

Ah...the fine print

 

[Weregrognard]

I was wounded in Iraq back in 2005. It is about how my life changed, and how I now deal living with disabilities from those injuries. Very non-political and personal. Very difficult subject-matter that makes one dig deep!

Thanks for the details and good luck w/ the project