In February we took a look at 20 projects on Kickstarter, where they were at, and what kind of problems they were having. It's been a month, let's take a look at where everyone is at now.
The Order of the Stick Reprint Drive - We received a new work-o-meter detailing what he's been doing, a new comic, and Rich fulfilled a promise to go several days straight in the regular comic.
Seven Sisters - Already complete
Viva Java - Already complete
Double Fine Adventure Game - New update videos, looks like they're going to be going through at least September, almost a year from initial projection
Agents of Smersh - Already complete, seeking feedback for an expansion
Wasteland 2 - Lengthy updates with game play videos, still on time.
FTL - Already complete
Random Dungeon Generator - Final promised goal delivered on March 30
Escape from the Temple Curse - Updated printing information, scheduled to begin shipping of expansion in June, almost a year from initial projection
Mobile Frame Zero - Books printed, decals moved to a new printer, creator asking for voluntary pledges to ship books, selling books at conventions to cover costs of shipping increase in January. If you're a backer and not going to one of the Cons they're at, you're out of luck for the time being. Currently almost a year from initial projection.
V!C! (see, I used it again) - Shipping updates to July 15th, almost a year for initial projection
Shadowrun Returns - Game play videos (!), more updates, and the ability to up backer levels. Currently 3 months past due date.
Zombicide - Expansion figures on track to be shipping this month. On time.
Tammany Hall - Already complete, shipping anger has died down
Goblins Drool, Fairies Rule! - Shipping update to May, 6 months from initial projection
Killer Bunnies Quest Deluxe - ZERO UPDATES, 4 months from initial projection. Backers have received their deluxe copies, but those of us who just went in for the Omega card have gotten zilch.
Boss Monster - Updated shipping to May, 3 months from initial projection
Dungeon Heroes - Update on meeples, an unboxing, and possible early shipping date. On time.
Guilds of Cadwallon - Unboxing, updated shipping to April. One month from initial projection.
Kingdom Death: Monster - Sculpt updates and pledge manager. On Time.
So what can we learn from all of this? The easy lesson is that games take a long time to get published because of the countless ways that they can be delayed. Printers take two week holidays, decal makers can't figure out how to cut your sheets, and containers get caught in customs and this happens ALL. THE. TIME. I think it's amazing that video game publishers are able to keep the schedules that they do while board game manufacturers have so much extra to deal with.
The harder lesson is that customers are typically very understanding when you are open and honest with them. The Queen games outrage was diffused with a simple post explaining where everything was at and the time table that they were looking at, information that people had been asking for but being denied. The Mobile Frame Zero guys are working their butts off right now to scrape together enough funding to get everything shipped and because they were open about the situation they were in, parts of the community have come in and helped. Communication is key, and a great example of this is the ever so simple game Dungeon Roll. The creator was EXTREMELY open about how the process worked, and at what levels he could add new additions to the game, broke it down in updates with math, stated exactly what it was he was getting out of the project and where he wanted it to go and people LOVED it. On the flipside, you see Playroom Entertainment that hasn't answered comments on their threads or provided backers with updates in a month and a half. I know which company I'm going to back again.
So to all those that are looking to back for the first time or create their own projects, take a lesson from these 20. Watch how they work, and what works and what doesn't. And by all means have patience. Answers will come.
