Do Big Name Developers or Games Belong on Kickstarter?

Greg Micek writes: "Our weekly dose of hot takes, occasionally well formed opinions, and fevered outbursts is back; yup, it's the Question of the Week! This week it's all about the big guy. Yup, those big name developers with their big name games funding through Kickstarter. Do they belong, or should they leave Kickstarter to the little guy?"

[garyanderson]

Why not? The more the merrier I say.

[n4rc]

I figure anyone can use it.. don't back corporate projects if you object to them.

[Timesplitter14]

It's the kind of thing where in theory it's fine because everyone should have the right to use the service, but in practice it just makes it harder for the people who really need crowdfunding.

Those big-name devs would get the funding either way. They're just stealing the spotlight away from the lesser-known ones

[KentBenMei]

I sort of agree. There should be certain limitations to larger companies, for sure. Perhaps a different site branch or something as well, if they're allowed.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

You make a fair point, but at the same time, I can't help but feel that no amount of "Kick-start the next HALO/MARIO/UNCHARTED/COD today, folks!" from big-name companies, could ever overshadow the existential significance of games like Cryamore, Yooka-Laylee, or Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night.

I'd even go so far as to say that if the new Zelda was something that was born of kick-starter, it still wouldn't overshadow stuff like those games to the point where people would forget about them.

I guess, in my opinion, what it comes down to, on a kick-starter project, is not the name attached to the game, but the quality of the game itself.

With a game that's being internally funded by a big name console maker or publisher, they can just make the game however they like, show off a few clips or demo a short bit of their game at E3 or something, and get a lot of attention for that particular showing, but after that they aren't really required to show much behind how the game's being done while they're doing it, let alone ask for their consumer's opinion of what they want added or changed.

With kick-starter titles, however, there's a larger burden-of-proof and a need for frequent updates and insider looks, because the consumers have suddenly become not just consumers, but a part of the very life-blood of the project right from the ground level of its finances.
They're putting up a pledge before the game is even fully made, and helping to decide what is and is not okay with it. [In most cases, at least. Shame about Mighty...]
They aren't just waiting while the devs make the game and then buying when it comes out; the consumers are actively participating in its creation, funding it from the start and helping to provide feedback on features within the game itself so that changes can be made and concepts can be introduced.

Kick-starter is a whole different ball game to ordinary development.
And that's something that a lot of big-name developers might not be familiar with, which is why I sort of agree with you when you say that they shouldn't be there, but it could also be looked at as a sort of "tempering ground" for these big names, as well.
They're so used to doing things their own way that maybe, just maybe, starting a kick-starter project or two and experiencing the criticism and involved nature inherent to kick-starter projects throughout the entirety of said projects, instead of just at the end after the game is done and reviews are launching, might just humble some of them in the end.
It might even make them appreciate the varied mindsets of their consumers more, too, which could, in turn, lead to a rise in quality for future titles that are just funded internally rather than kick-started.

It's a really interesting thing to think about no matter which way you go about it, though.^_^

[OoglyBoogly]

No. They use it as more of a money grab then anything. Just like more recently with Das Keyboards had a Kickstarter asking for $100,000 to help create their "cloud connected" mechanical keyboard. They are a major manufacturer of their own and OEM products. They DON'T need the money to create said keyboard. So why would you have a Kickstarter? Simply because, in my eyes, they just want free money for something they could have done in the first place.

If you're a major developer and have enough money of your own to do what you want to do then you should be leaving crowdfunding alone. That's not what it's there for.

[MilkMan]

Nope. I don't like that triple A games want extra money to complete their games when they have publishers backing them. This is the games industry, but it is an industry and they want in on any new cash revenue stream.
I hate that when I see. Either you are dirt poor and small team trying to finish your games, or you are triple A dev wanting some extra spending money for Christmas vacation.
Thing is, since game financials are kept in the dark. There is no telling what they use your money on.
Do you really think that 6.3 million paid for Shenmue 3? Please.

[pcz]

the 6.3 millon is just insurance for if it fails.

kickstarter is BS. if devs want funding for their projects, go and borrow from a bank.

its a sad state of affairs when the gaming industry is begging the fans to donate money to make games.

i have a better idea, YOU (devs/publishers) come up with the money to make the game, and i will buy the finished product, IF it meets my required high standards.

kickstarter is for chumps

[Christopher]

Shovel Knight, Grim Dawn, Pillars of Eternity, Wasteland 2, Elite: Dangerous, Divinity: Original Sin 2, Shadowrun Returns.

All those chump games...

How about we stop dealing in absolutes and instead deal in the fact that everything has its grey areas, has its good and bad elements?

[Maybay]

The Shenmue 3 situation bothered me. Both Microsoft and Nintendo would've been berated with insults, threats, and defamation if it were based in their respective scenarios. Bayonetta 2 - an exclusive totally paid for by Nintendo - was treated with terrible comments when it was revealed that it was going to be a Wii U exclusive.

It's become an unfortunate circumstance how favouritism favors the unrighteous.

[Fullmetalevolust]

I think big name developers do belong on kickstarter if they're trying to bring back a beloved game or have an innovative game that publishers won't touch. It's a place for creative minds to flourish and be backed up and supported. I don't think we'd have Shenmue 3 if it weren't for kickstarters.

[pcz]

no. producing a huge game like shenmue with kickstarter takes away the risk.

if sega were to produce the game with their own money, and it failed, they would lose a LOT of money. when you are producing game with money donated to you, it takes away all the risk. they are basically making it for free, then getting all the profit from sales.

kickstarter is for suckers

[KentBenMei]

What is the problem with taking away risk? They won't even consider some franchises thanks to risk, if we take that away at least we have a shot at getting something we want.

[green]

No

[DillyDilly]

Heres looking at Sony

[blawren4]

I hope its not the case, but perhaps companies are using crowd funding as a way to determine if a game should be made at all and just what it says, kickstart the process, not fully fund the project. If you just read message boards of people asking for games, when this vocal minority is the only group that actually wants it. This is a way of making people put their money where their mouth is and get an actual picture of what demand is. There may not be a better way to get past the fanboys and trolls and guage actual demand.

[blawren4]

If I was a larger publisher, I'd be looking hard at crowd funding for talent and funding projects that deserve it.

[TheMutator]

Yes, just look at Bloodstained!

[KentBenMei]

At the very least I think using Kickstarter for reviving old franchises or gauging interest in niche series is acceptable even from big companies. Mid-sized companies trying new IP may be acceptable as well, and anything from small fries is fair game, obviously.

If Square-Enix put a Threads of Fate 2 Kickstarter up I'd be all over it, but not if they tried a Hitman Kickstarter. There's a difference there.