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That Ron Paul video game was also a scam. The guy was using a public template to make the game and didn't even delete the revealing tags. He also stole art assets from other projects.
I'm sure people are going to dive all over this as evidence that Kickstarter is a bad idea, but the only thing this proves is what we should have known already... check the credentials of the people making the games you back. Either donate to developers with proven records, or accept personal responsibility for the risks you take with the money you pledge.
Like any monetary transaction, especially on the internet, it's up to all of us to use caution and protect ourselves. Besides, combining Skyrim and WoW sounds like a terrible fucking idea to me anyway.
Like any monetary transaction, especially on the internet, it's up to all of us to use caution and protect ourselves. Besides, combining Skyrim and WoW sounds like a terrible fucking idea to me anyway.
I have a hunch a project is going to be funded before they find out its a scam. Or maybe one will fail deep into development just like all those stories about games from big publishers never getting finished. I'm just glad this was stopped in time.
"I'm sure people are going to dive all over this as evidence that Kickstarter is a bad idea"
I've already seen a whole bunch of comments like that here, at RPS, and around the internet. They don't make sense to me at all. Sure, some Kickstarter projects are bs, but we're all adults, right? We can decide to support some projects without supporting others, right?
I mean, there's just no comparison between, say, Wasteland 2 or, in a different direction, FTL than these projects without proven talent, game ideas, or, sometimes, even assets.
People are able to choose what games to buy without buying dumb bullshit, right? Kickstarter is just another route to buy games. Be careful with your money people, but don't attack the entire trend because of the possibility of some shit getting through.
/rant
I've already seen a whole bunch of comments like that here, at RPS, and around the internet. They don't make sense to me at all. Sure, some Kickstarter projects are bs, but we're all adults, right? We can decide to support some projects without supporting others, right?
I mean, there's just no comparison between, say, Wasteland 2 or, in a different direction, FTL than these projects without proven talent, game ideas, or, sometimes, even assets.
People are able to choose what games to buy without buying dumb bullshit, right? Kickstarter is just another route to buy games. Be careful with your money people, but don't attack the entire trend because of the possibility of some shit getting through.
/rant
Sidenote: people who like Disciples or King's Bounty may want to check out Legend of Eisenwald. There is a lot of work done, the team has already made a spiritual prequel, and it looks cool.
I kind of feel bad for the guy who pledged 2,500$... That money could have gone to so many better things.
lmao, its not even a studio...just a couple douchebags looking for an easy 80 grand.
"its NOT a scam of any kind...but nothing we have shown anyone is actually ours....there's a difference.....right??"
"its NOT a scam of any kind...but nothing we have shown anyone is actually ours....there's a difference.....right??"
@ Killias
I'm still debating on giving to that one. I will if it gets close (doesn't look like it will given the $50k goal, the fact they're already 60% there and have another 20 days to go.
Sad to see that Republique probably isn't going to make it without a rather large push. Hopefully TB makes some push on it, but I think people are either burned out or were put off by the platform quibbling and no real gameplay indications to go off of.
I'm still debating on giving to that one. I will if it gets close (doesn't look like it will given the $50k goal, the fact they're already 60% there and have another 20 days to go.
Sad to see that Republique probably isn't going to make it without a rather large push. Hopefully TB makes some push on it, but I think people are either burned out or were put off by the platform quibbling and no real gameplay indications to go off of.
"The game itself is well in progress and is NOT a scam of any kind"
Well phew, I'm sure glad that has been cleared up. I mean, a person could get the wrong idea from plagiarized artwork and shutting down kickstarter and facebook pages. But no, fortunately it is not a scam at all! They said so!
Well phew, I'm sure glad that has been cleared up. I mean, a person could get the wrong idea from plagiarized artwork and shutting down kickstarter and facebook pages. But no, fortunately it is not a scam at all! They said so!
"I kind of feel bad for the guy who pledged 2,500$... That money could have gone to so many better things."
Since the Kickstarter is canceled/has failed, nobody gets charged.
"I'm still debating on giving to that one. I will if it gets close (doesn't look like it will given the $50k goal, the fact they're already 60% there and have another 20 days to go. "
Yeah, understandable. I was not planning on pledging, but they definitely have the team, the assets, and the plan together. They also weren't doing so well. I decided to throw 15 in. No big loss if it fails.
"Sad to see that Republique probably isn't going to make it without a rather large push. "
Yeah, I only followed Republique a little bit. At the end of the day, I really don't care about touch device games right now. All I have is a Galaxy S2, which is technically proficient but which I don't game a lot on. I have no problems with touch device games (and I tend to defend them a lot here on Dtoid), but it's just not the kind of project I'd Kickstart.
I gather that there was some discussion of a PC version, but that's not terribly enticing. A -potential- PC port of a touch device game? Not exactly pissing myself with excitement here, even if I love Metroidvania-style games.
Since the Kickstarter is canceled/has failed, nobody gets charged.
"I'm still debating on giving to that one. I will if it gets close (doesn't look like it will given the $50k goal, the fact they're already 60% there and have another 20 days to go. "
Yeah, understandable. I was not planning on pledging, but they definitely have the team, the assets, and the plan together. They also weren't doing so well. I decided to throw 15 in. No big loss if it fails.
"Sad to see that Republique probably isn't going to make it without a rather large push. "
Yeah, I only followed Republique a little bit. At the end of the day, I really don't care about touch device games right now. All I have is a Galaxy S2, which is technically proficient but which I don't game a lot on. I have no problems with touch device games (and I tend to defend them a lot here on Dtoid), but it's just not the kind of project I'd Kickstart.
I gather that there was some discussion of a PC version, but that's not terribly enticing. A -potential- PC port of a touch device game? Not exactly pissing myself with excitement here, even if I love Metroidvania-style games.
I'd also point out that Republique has a stupidly high target amount. It's actually 100,000 more than Doublefine was originally asking for....
You don't usually get big bucks without some big names attached. Banner Saga is an exception, but, God.. that artwork. IT'S BEAUTIFUL
You don't usually get big bucks without some big names attached. Banner Saga is an exception, but, God.. that artwork. IT'S BEAUTIFUL
Let's make sure to clarify something:
No was scammed any money. Kickstarter doesn't take the Pledges until the time is up AND if the total requested is reached.
...doesn't mean these jerks didn't try.
And seriously, if people are going to to start calling this system "broken", they might as well buy gold and bury it somewhere, because in every other transaction there is a risk of it being a scam.
No was scammed any money. Kickstarter doesn't take the Pledges until the time is up AND if the total requested is reached.
...doesn't mean these jerks didn't try.
And seriously, if people are going to to start calling this system "broken", they might as well buy gold and bury it somewhere, because in every other transaction there is a risk of it being a scam.
@killias2
"Banner Saga is an exception, but, God.. that artwork. IT'S BEAUTIFUL"
Did you get the backer wallpaper? Holy shit that's gorgeous.
"Banner Saga is an exception, but, God.. that artwork. IT'S BEAUTIFUL"
Did you get the backer wallpaper? Holy shit that's gorgeous.
I was hoping more info would come out about this. People were aflutter about it on the kick starter comment page for the Banner Saga for a day or two. I thought the project looked poorly thought out but did not immediately think scam. Maybe it isn't but it's not lookin great.
Here's an idea: Pay someone to come up with some cool artwork, say it's concept are for your new game, make Pong clone with artwork as the background, collect money. Business.
"Did you get the backer wallpaper? Holy shit that's gorgeous."
Well, I got enough for the game. I guess that comes with the Wallpaper? Still, I don't typically get excited about digital wallpaper. I was -close- to going for that beautiful poster, especially as the 50 would've been enough for the next two chapters as well. However, I figured 15 was more than enough for an untested property.
The only game I gave more than 15 to was Wasteland 2. I gave them 100 but only after Chris Avellone signed on. Before that, 50 was my target.
Well, I got enough for the game. I guess that comes with the Wallpaper? Still, I don't typically get excited about digital wallpaper. I was -close- to going for that beautiful poster, especially as the 50 would've been enough for the next two chapters as well. However, I figured 15 was more than enough for an untested property.
The only game I gave more than 15 to was Wasteland 2. I gave them 100 but only after Chris Avellone signed on. Before that, 50 was my target.
The wallpaper was linked in an email they sent out to backers a couple of days ago. I think anyone that donated anything at all got it.
I don't really like kickstarter. Personally I think the poor guy over at Touch Arcade has a good point... I looked up his quote and while he got a lot of grief over it, I think there is a validity there:
"Kickstarter is everything that is wrong with the "millennial" generation, wholly concentrated into a single web site. Back in my day, if you wanted to open up a lemonade stand, you did everything you could to get the funding together to make that happen. If you couldn't finance it personally, you'd borrow money from whatever family, friends, and fools you can drum up, and be personally responsible for its repayment. You'd then take that money, open your lemonade stand, hopefully turn a profit, then pay everyone back. Alternatively, if you didn't turn a profit or couldn't get your lemonade stand off the ground for one reason or another, you still needed to worry about the money you owed everyone. This caused you to only ask for money when you really believed in your lemonade stand, or, at least, enough to risk your neck for it.
In this crazy Kickstarter-laden world we live in now, the scenario is totally different. You decide on the vague idea that you want to start a lemonade stand, you don't have the means to do it, so you jingle around a change jar with a line on it. You sucker people into giving money to you because they like lemonade, and you offer them some sort of commemorative sticker as "thanks." Meanwhile, while people might be filling up your change jar, you're free at any time to up and decide that you don't want to run a lemonade stand anymore, and instead you're going to sell Kool-Ade, fruit punch, or any other number of derivative things."
I think that the idea of kickstarter is very cool and that it has potential... but right now there is little validity to the projects accepted for the site and it seems increasingly that scammers will overrun the few worthwhile projects there.
"Kickstarter is everything that is wrong with the "millennial" generation, wholly concentrated into a single web site. Back in my day, if you wanted to open up a lemonade stand, you did everything you could to get the funding together to make that happen. If you couldn't finance it personally, you'd borrow money from whatever family, friends, and fools you can drum up, and be personally responsible for its repayment. You'd then take that money, open your lemonade stand, hopefully turn a profit, then pay everyone back. Alternatively, if you didn't turn a profit or couldn't get your lemonade stand off the ground for one reason or another, you still needed to worry about the money you owed everyone. This caused you to only ask for money when you really believed in your lemonade stand, or, at least, enough to risk your neck for it.
In this crazy Kickstarter-laden world we live in now, the scenario is totally different. You decide on the vague idea that you want to start a lemonade stand, you don't have the means to do it, so you jingle around a change jar with a line on it. You sucker people into giving money to you because they like lemonade, and you offer them some sort of commemorative sticker as "thanks." Meanwhile, while people might be filling up your change jar, you're free at any time to up and decide that you don't want to run a lemonade stand anymore, and instead you're going to sell Kool-Ade, fruit punch, or any other number of derivative things."
I think that the idea of kickstarter is very cool and that it has potential... but right now there is little validity to the projects accepted for the site and it seems increasingly that scammers will overrun the few worthwhile projects there.
"In this crazy Kickstarter-laden world we live in now, the scenario is totally different. You decide on the vague idea that you want to start a lemonade stand, you don't have the means to do it, so you jingle around a change jar with a line on it. You sucker people into giving money to you because they like lemonade, and you offer them some sort of commemorative sticker as "thanks.""
Well, that's not really what it's like at all. It's more like if you tried to open a lemonade stand for years but nobody would loan you the money despite there being people openly clamoring for lemonade. As a result, you decide to pre-sell lemonade in the hopes of generating enough money up front to pay the fixed costs. You also keep the cost of the pre-sell lemonade variable, so that people who want lemonade more can actually pay more.
It's actually a pretty neat system.
Sure, there's a potential for scammers, but the vast majority of the money is going to established studios/designers with very clear ideas of what they want to do. Doublefine is an exception to the clarity rule, but there is also more pent up demand for adventure games (lemonade) and more respect for Tim Schafer and Company than for most other projects. That makes up the difference.
If you don't like it, don't use it. I don't really understand why you or TA or anyone else should give a shit about what I do with my money.
Well, that's not really what it's like at all. It's more like if you tried to open a lemonade stand for years but nobody would loan you the money despite there being people openly clamoring for lemonade. As a result, you decide to pre-sell lemonade in the hopes of generating enough money up front to pay the fixed costs. You also keep the cost of the pre-sell lemonade variable, so that people who want lemonade more can actually pay more.
It's actually a pretty neat system.
Sure, there's a potential for scammers, but the vast majority of the money is going to established studios/designers with very clear ideas of what they want to do. Doublefine is an exception to the clarity rule, but there is also more pent up demand for adventure games (lemonade) and more respect for Tim Schafer and Company than for most other projects. That makes up the difference.
If you don't like it, don't use it. I don't really understand why you or TA or anyone else should give a shit about what I do with my money.
At the end of the day, Kickstarting is just an evolution of alpha-funding which is, in turn, an evolution of pre-ordering. The big difference is, as I noted above, the variability in pricing, which is a great idea. Why shouldn't a community of 10,000 fanatics, willing to pay 150 dollars on average, be able to generate the same demand as 100,000 paying 15 dollars on average? It's an opening up of the entire market space.
It allows for DEPTH of attachment and interest to matter as much as BREADTH, which, IMO, is sorely needed right now.
Just watch out. Be as careful with your money as ever. Don't fund shit by nobodies with no proof of capability or intent.
It allows for DEPTH of attachment and interest to matter as much as BREADTH, which, IMO, is sorely needed right now.
Just watch out. Be as careful with your money as ever. Don't fund shit by nobodies with no proof of capability or intent.
"Meanwhile, while people might be filling up your change jar, you're free at any time to up and decide that you don't want to run a lemonade stand anymore, and instead you're going to sell Kool-Ade, fruit punch, or any other number of derivative things."
*facepalm* This again.
Seems the only argument anyone can come up with against Kickstarter is that "OMG THEY MIGHT NOT DO WHAT THEY SAID THEY WOULD!!"
Of fucking course that's a possibility. Anyone backing a project with two brain cells to rub together should realize that which of course goes back to my original statement of personal responsibility. That having been said, there's a risk any time you purchase anything, anywhere, ever. There's always the slim possibility that the cashier at Wal-Mart could take my grocery money, punch me in the face, and run out the front door with it never to be seen again, isn't there? If I lived in fear of that shit, though, I'd never leave the house and I'd starve to death though wouldn't I?
I just don't understand the mentality of avoiding things just because you're afraid some big bad men might hurt you. It's cowardly and a poor excuse.
*facepalm* This again.
Seems the only argument anyone can come up with against Kickstarter is that "OMG THEY MIGHT NOT DO WHAT THEY SAID THEY WOULD!!"
Of fucking course that's a possibility. Anyone backing a project with two brain cells to rub together should realize that which of course goes back to my original statement of personal responsibility. That having been said, there's a risk any time you purchase anything, anywhere, ever. There's always the slim possibility that the cashier at Wal-Mart could take my grocery money, punch me in the face, and run out the front door with it never to be seen again, isn't there? If I lived in fear of that shit, though, I'd never leave the house and I'd starve to death though wouldn't I?
I just don't understand the mentality of avoiding things just because you're afraid some big bad men might hurt you. It's cowardly and a poor excuse.
Octodad 2's been the best Kickstarter lately, everyone else is following the examples of DFA, Wasteland 2 etc. which have worse rewards, make people pay extra for international shipping and have atrociously high goals.
Oh? An unknown and essentially non-existent developer with no credentials or basic information outside of Kickstarter wants funding for a game?
Seems legit.
Seems legit.
Kickstarter certainly doesn't seem to be going away any time soon. May as well enjoy the results of it and play some games you wouldn't have gotten otherwise, at least.
"Octodad 2's been the best Kickstarter lately, everyone else is following the examples of DFA, Wasteland 2 etc. which have worse rewards, make people pay extra for international shipping and have atrociously high goals."
I basically preordered DFA for 15 bucks. I'm not sure why that's such a terrible offer. They also made almost 10x their goal, so I'm not sure their goal was that atrocious or high.
I gave 100 to Wasteland 2, but I'm getting a collector's edition, a DRM-free digital version, and some other cool bonuses. That seems.. standard. If anything, I think Wasteland 2's rewards are too generous. I have a bad feeling that a lot of this money will disappear down the rewards hole.
But, again, they made nearly 4x their goal. Not atrocious or high....
Honestly, I'm very confused by all the Kickstarter negativity all of a sudden. I guess people have to be "cool" and "different" and cynical.
I basically preordered DFA for 15 bucks. I'm not sure why that's such a terrible offer. They also made almost 10x their goal, so I'm not sure their goal was that atrocious or high.
I gave 100 to Wasteland 2, but I'm getting a collector's edition, a DRM-free digital version, and some other cool bonuses. That seems.. standard. If anything, I think Wasteland 2's rewards are too generous. I have a bad feeling that a lot of this money will disappear down the rewards hole.
But, again, they made nearly 4x their goal. Not atrocious or high....
Honestly, I'm very confused by all the Kickstarter negativity all of a sudden. I guess people have to be "cool" and "different" and cynical.
Just seeing that video on the Kickstarter page made me get the feeling of "this isn't real" or "this will suck".
My band just funded our upcoming album through Kickstarter. I really don't understand the hate. It's a platform to allow people with legitimately creative (for the most part) ideas to reach consumers, without needing to go through middlemen who will reject your idea for any of a thousand reasons, breaking your spirit in the process.
God knows there's enough red tape around the music industry these days, and I can only imagine the barrier of entry for the game industry is equally tough.
I wish people could stop hating new things just because they become popular. Kickstarter is the kind of legitimately innovative platform that allows for MORE CONSUMER CHOICE, and allows more people to realise their dreams based on their ability to present an idea.
In a perfect (and theoretical) world I would ask my family and friends for the money for my lemonade stand, except a) none of them are rich, and b) they don't give a fuck about my lemonade stand idea! Does that mean no-one out there will help? Of course not, you just need a way to reach them.
God knows there's enough red tape around the music industry these days, and I can only imagine the barrier of entry for the game industry is equally tough.
I wish people could stop hating new things just because they become popular. Kickstarter is the kind of legitimately innovative platform that allows for MORE CONSUMER CHOICE, and allows more people to realise their dreams based on their ability to present an idea.
In a perfect (and theoretical) world I would ask my family and friends for the money for my lemonade stand, except a) none of them are rich, and b) they don't give a fuck about my lemonade stand idea! Does that mean no-one out there will help? Of course not, you just need a way to reach them.
But but but Autumn, I'm a modern gamer! I need to moan, bitch, complain, and be negative about everything! Especially when it comes to my "favorite" hobby!
@ Killias
For Republique, you do realize that the PC edition is confirmed now, right?
This is my big concern. When the word was flying around, they refused to budge. They waited until they had about 15 days left to change their mind because they were failing, but now it's nearly impossible to get the word out.
For Republique, you do realize that the PC edition is confirmed now, right?
This is my big concern. When the word was flying around, they refused to budge. They waited until they had about 15 days left to change their mind because they were failing, but now it's nearly impossible to get the word out.
I'm glad people caught on. Kickstarter is a wonderful concept that doesn't need to be ruined by a few bad seeds. Thankfully, people can generally smell a scam or laziness a mile away and Kickstarter has a good way of weeding these people out.
Sorry I don't trust kickstarter, not because of the system itself, but because it's so easy for people to put up fake crap. A person with enough charm and eloquence can fool a lot of people into giving them what they want (in this case, money) and get away with it. I wish I had the power and money to be an sponsor but as it is I'm a costumer and will only pay when the game is on the shelf. I just don't have that privilege.
@ Gwendolyn
I'm not sure what you're trying to say. You either trust or distrust the system. There is no middle ground.
It really sounds more like you don't trust yourself to spot a good project over a bad one. That's the real reason you're not using it. Don' try to hide behind something as fallacious as it being too easy to fake a project as there are all sorts of questionable signs that should cause concern long before the Kickstarter campaign ends and the money is taken from your account.
I'm not sure what you're trying to say. You either trust or distrust the system. There is no middle ground.
It really sounds more like you don't trust yourself to spot a good project over a bad one. That's the real reason you're not using it. Don' try to hide behind something as fallacious as it being too easy to fake a project as there are all sorts of questionable signs that should cause concern long before the Kickstarter campaign ends and the money is taken from your account.
You don't fund a Kickstarter when the people behind it have nothing to prove they can do it, like having worked in the industry a few years.
No one, and I'm serious. Should invest in a Kickstarter game project that has a goal of over 3,000 - 4,000 dollars unless it has 1 of the following things.
A) A working prototype.
B) An established studio with a track record of delivering behind it.
People gave a lot of money to Wasteland and Shadow Run. That was a terrible idea. RPGs are the hardest, most expensive, and difficult type of games to make. Its one thing when your Double Fine and you have a library of great short releases. It's another when the guy who has a license to an age old game says give me a million bucks. Because that game is gonna cost 10-20 million to make if not more.
I could be wrong about those. Shadow Run and Wasteland are established franchises. But giving money to a random person with some good concept art is insane.
If they have a working prototype then by all means support them.
A) A working prototype.
B) An established studio with a track record of delivering behind it.
People gave a lot of money to Wasteland and Shadow Run. That was a terrible idea. RPGs are the hardest, most expensive, and difficult type of games to make. Its one thing when your Double Fine and you have a library of great short releases. It's another when the guy who has a license to an age old game says give me a million bucks. Because that game is gonna cost 10-20 million to make if not more.
I could be wrong about those. Shadow Run and Wasteland are established franchises. But giving money to a random person with some good concept art is insane.
If they have a working prototype then by all means support them.
Rabid, there is two problems with your statements on SR and Wasteland.
1. In both cases "The guy who has the license to an age old game" is the original creator of that game/franchise. It isn't just some random person who got ahold of the license rights. (We aren't funding Ninja Theory to make DmC for instance.)
2. Modern day RPGs are expensive because people want the fanciest graphics, cutscenes, and everything line of test to be voiced. A high quality cut scene can nearly 250,000-1million dollars per minute depending on voice acting, lip syncing, and general quality. The graphics of the game aren't going to be shooting for Dragon Age level graphics. The difficulty to make an RPG is certainly something that is very true as they are one of the most complex video games if you want a lot of interactivity in your world and strong design. That is where the fact these teams have established history in their respective fields makes this a bit less of an issue.
1. In both cases "The guy who has the license to an age old game" is the original creator of that game/franchise. It isn't just some random person who got ahold of the license rights. (We aren't funding Ninja Theory to make DmC for instance.)
2. Modern day RPGs are expensive because people want the fanciest graphics, cutscenes, and everything line of test to be voiced. A high quality cut scene can nearly 250,000-1million dollars per minute depending on voice acting, lip syncing, and general quality. The graphics of the game aren't going to be shooting for Dragon Age level graphics. The difficulty to make an RPG is certainly something that is very true as they are one of the most complex video games if you want a lot of interactivity in your world and strong design. That is where the fact these teams have established history in their respective fields makes this a bit less of an issue.
Eternal, I'm curious. How much did Fallout 1/2, Baldur's Gate 1/2, Planescape Torment, or even something less robust like say Dark Sun Shattered Lands cost to make? Honestly, I have no idea.
However, if you plan on making an RPG in that vein. Which i assume is their goal. Then I would say that will take a very talented 10 man team about 1.5 years to make. That being a very very aggressive estimate. I would think it would take something more along the lines of a 15 - 20 man team that long if you're going to make something that is indeed excellent. Now things such as middleware, improved software, faster computers, improved programming libraries, have made game development a ton faster then in the 90s. It makes the 1.5 million a reasonable price point, assuming nothing goes sour...
That said Wasteland is being co-developed by Obsidian. Which puts it in the hands of a competent studio who has a track record of delivering finish, albeit very buggy games. So I think Wasteland is in the clear.
Shadow Run, I can't attest for but I believe a studio is involved with that as well.
I'm just saying that I would not recommend giving anyone a cent until they show some gameplay footage. This shows that they have all of the following.
A) A programmer.
B) An artist who makes assets that work with in a game.
C) They can work well enough as a team to put something together.
A prototype shows at the very least that they can make a game and all of its elements. Art, Programming, Sound, Bug Fixing, Game Design, and so forth.
However, if you plan on making an RPG in that vein. Which i assume is their goal. Then I would say that will take a very talented 10 man team about 1.5 years to make. That being a very very aggressive estimate. I would think it would take something more along the lines of a 15 - 20 man team that long if you're going to make something that is indeed excellent. Now things such as middleware, improved software, faster computers, improved programming libraries, have made game development a ton faster then in the 90s. It makes the 1.5 million a reasonable price point, assuming nothing goes sour...
That said Wasteland is being co-developed by Obsidian. Which puts it in the hands of a competent studio who has a track record of delivering finish, albeit very buggy games. So I think Wasteland is in the clear.
Shadow Run, I can't attest for but I believe a studio is involved with that as well.
I'm just saying that I would not recommend giving anyone a cent until they show some gameplay footage. This shows that they have all of the following.
A) A programmer.
B) An artist who makes assets that work with in a game.
C) They can work well enough as a team to put something together.
A prototype shows at the very least that they can make a game and all of its elements. Art, Programming, Sound, Bug Fixing, Game Design, and so forth.
Every scam on the internet can be fairly easily avoided with a little common sense and perhaps a dash of research, but no one is willing to do their own legwork, leading to situations like this. People need to accept personal responsibility for what they decide to do with their money, for good or ill.
If a company you're considering doing business with--
1) has a website that looks like it's from the mid-late nineties on Geocities or Angelfire, or is hosted on a free service
2) has no business references outside of the venue in which they are attracting your business
-- do not proceed. Report them to the appropriate people if you wish, then put them out of your mind.
But don't blame Kickstarter because you got taken in by a cut & paste job. Blame yourself or God.
Sorry, I know, long setup for a FFT reference.
If a company you're considering doing business with--
1) has a website that looks like it's from the mid-late nineties on Geocities or Angelfire, or is hosted on a free service
2) has no business references outside of the venue in which they are attracting your business
-- do not proceed. Report them to the appropriate people if you wish, then put them out of your mind.
But don't blame Kickstarter because you got taken in by a cut & paste job. Blame yourself or God.
Sorry, I know, long setup for a FFT reference.
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