DevTracker

Grummz

$6k package
Community Manager
Ember Dev
Jul 25, 2016
809
6,724
93
#25
The next milestone will feature 3D modeling of the the THMPR and also a "vision book." The vision book will be in PDF and printed formats (for higher end backers...if I can get the price to work). Short 15-25 page book that will outline high level vision of the game. PDF can be shared. Website will also be updated.
 

Grummz

$6k package
Community Manager
Ember Dev
Jul 25, 2016
809
6,724
93
#20
Thank you for understanding. I have an idea for a frame look and some gameplay for you. It won't be getting rid of the Omniframe, but it might go a ways towards making you like the way its set up. I hope.

Well, I never actually said it was "bad business". I mean, it could still be good business, on the side. But, that's not how it happened, as you said.

I didn't know how all this shipping, back-and-forth, works. So, thanks for explaining. I think I get it know and if I understand it right, those parts of the development and handing out of physical and virtual rewards covered themselves as best they could, with much physical and mental effort from you to keep it even more balanced. And such dedication, from you and from the backers, is certainly more than even developers of much larger companies demonstrate. This also gives me hope the game will eventually gets its wings and takes off, maybe even faster than you or anyone would expect.

I apologize for complaining a lot, but if every member of the site, old and new, didn't voice their concerns, then there wouldn't be much discussion and I wouldn't learn anything about how things work.



Yes, I realize that, as you and I had talked about it. And it's what gives me hope that the development process will head towards something that I can donate money to, as I'd like to. I mean...if the cost of a game, as you or another moderator have said is going to be around 30-40 dollars, then that's nothing. I can certainly bring myself to fund the development, in smaller donations that would amount to perhaps multiple times what the prices of the game will be.
 

Grummz

$6k package
Community Manager
Ember Dev
Jul 25, 2016
809
6,724
93
#16
You're way off base here.

First off, I've been closely following the posts on the art and designs and nobody who was an actual backer is upset. I do see you (a non-backer who never donated) complaining over and over about the design of the Omniframe. I hear you. I have some ideas I'm working on. Meanwhile, I've heard nothing but support from them.

Also, we delivered all our goals in record time compared to other fundraisers. We exceeded the goals and met them all. The quality of what we delivered for forums (which was the MAIN goal of the fundraiser) is better than 95% of other game companies many times larger than our part-time group.

1) The crowdfunding was for a website and forums. The art were stretch goals. All design are subject to change this early in any game development. No backer has been upset enough about this. They can reach me at any time through the private e-mail that serves them or by posting or messaging me here. (for backers, check your e-mails, you can reply to that to reach me, or msg me here or post and I will see your backer tag).

2) People paid for their own shipping (separate from their pledge, its part of IndieGoGo's checkout process) and their tier covered the costs of printing, which I sourced to multiple vendors to keep very low without compromising on quality. Before that I spent 1 week and broke my back (literally, could not walk for a day, in severe pain for 10 days) to fix my own professional grade printer (200 pound printer) to try to keep costs lower. When that failed I went to commercial sources with equal quality pro printers. Backer rewards are always priced into the fundraising, btw, its part of the process. Backers WANT physical and virtual rewards. They pay for it.

3) People knew what poster they were getting when they backed it. It was right there. The other posters were stretch goals announce after we completed funding and were unknown to everyone. Backers love them or are fine enough they've never contacted me with issues.

3) I've put my own money into this to prepare everything we need for the second fundraiser to the tune of a couple grand. Money I may never see back. I'm committed to this game and we've already started work on the 2nd goal out of my own pocket.

if that's "bad business" to you, then don't buy in. Don't participate in the next round. Nobody is forcing you too. But I break my back (again, literally) trying to satisfy people who put money towards this project.

To be frank, if I had been a backer I would've been livid about two of those posters. The very first, the one with the T.H.M.P.R. and female, as we've discussed elsewhere, is misleading and was a very early art that could very well end up not even resembling how the player will ultimately look. I'm still hoping it will be the look.

I dislike the Omni-frame poster, for the obvious reasons, linking back to the first poster. Reasons we also discussed in the thread dedicated to it.

The poster of the Tsihu I could have actually liked. And I do like it. With that I didn't have any preconceptions and the reveal wasn't disappointing, but the opposite.

But, the main problem I have with all of this...merchandise...given that one of them was misleading from the start and the second receiving due flak, is that it's already cost money. Didn't it? Surely some money went into making those posters. Money that could've gone to development. Maybe it would have only carried the project only a small way towards another milestone, but that would've been more worth it than mailing out posters, especially for something that is still in its conceptual phase.
 

Ronyn

Commander
Staff member
Community Manager
Director of Marketing and Community
Jul 26, 2016
724
2,706
93
#15
Hi guys.
I moved the personal debate portion of this thread to its proper section of the forums. Please get back to the subject expressed in the titles heading. Note that moving posts may have resulted in certain points about this topic being missing from the thread. Please restate your viewpoints of this topic here while continuing the personal debate in that other thread.
Thank you.
 

Ronyn

Commander
Staff member
Community Manager
Director of Marketing and Community
Jul 26, 2016
724
2,706
93
#8
When do you think you'll give more chances for those of us that want to to contribute more because those higher tier levels were so limited?
Next fundraiser will be announced pretty soon. Expect to see some good options for loyal supporter such as yourself. :D

BTW I've been meaning to tell you how glad I am to see you here Smitty.