Kickstarter’s accountability problem

Kickstarter is the best and worst thing that has ever happened to the gaming world. Gaming Trend takes a deep look at the serious accountability problems with Kickstarter.

[buckley]

Great breakdown - I didn't know how far this went

[cleft5]

People need to understand that there is no accountability with Kickstarter. Basically, Kickstarter is a glorified donation center. These folks can easily take the money and run, but if they do that they lose all of their credibility.

[Hydralysk]

Actually they can't just take the money and run, they are obligated to use the money on their product. If you check their ToS they can be prosecuted if they take the money and spend in on themselves.

The thing you need to keep in mind about kickstarter is there is no guarantee that the product will ever actually make it to market. You're essentially paying for an idea, and while the funds need to be spent trying to bring that idea into reality, it doesn't mean that idea will ever produce something tangible.

I agree you should treat kickstarter as a donation service though. If you can't deal with the idea that you may never get anything back for your money, then you shouldn't be kickstarting.

[rezzah]

Good information to know, be wary of what you choose to back.

[cyguration]

This is, by far, not the "worst thing" to happen to gaming.

Anything on Kickstarter sure beats the anti-consumerism from corporations like Microsoft and EA.

And it opened up the only avenue to play some sequels to classic games that otherwise would NEVER be made under the current regime of gaming's plutocracy.

[buckley]

Hence the dichotomy.

[Knightshade]

I think when you look at the way it's been abused it certainly makes it harder for legitimate Indies to use it properly.

[dreamoner]

Whatever. I'm waiting for Wasteland 2, Project Eternity and Torment: Tides of Numenera and thanking KS for these.

[TheGamerGeek]

Great article

[SpiralTear]

I've never pledged toward a Kickstarter and I probably never will. I know there are some good ideas on Kickstarter, I've seen them, but the method itself has too much uncertainty for me to put actual money toward a promise instead of a product.

[thx11821]

awesome article, I hate it when I see projects that so blatantly abuse the spirit of Kickstarter, and the generosity of those who donate, and you presented a lot of interesting cases where things are getting out of hand. I feel like Kickstarter needs to take a step back and think about maybe tightening up security a bit. Seems like every other day I hear about a scam or a project that's just twisted or ignorant (like that guy who wrote a guide on picking up women). Keep up the great work!