For me, it's partly who is involved and partly what interest it might hold for me.

I've weighed in on 2 KS projects so far, not too heavily but enough to get the print versions complete. As for extras, that's not really my bag, but if I can get something in the deal so be it.

I certainly won't chase every KS project, some are too expensive, others just don't appeal. But I think there maybe some guys here who aim to collect every gaming version and release, so they will go in on every KS to complete their collections, which I understand.

For the most part, I have supported Kickstarter stuff because:

a)  It is a collectible.

b)  I was supporting projects.

I am obviously taking a risk on quality.

My Kickstarter support is limited to:

1)  People I know.  (Although it is not a Kickstarter project - anything from Bill Barsh would be a good example.)

2)  Projects I know. (Rappan Athuk would be a good example)

3)  Projects I consider worthy for some other reason.

Now that has become clear that everyone and his dog will have a Kickstarter project of some sort (my old buddies are talking about picking up a project we dropped in 2001...for instance), supporting every one doesn't make sense.

I like your reasoning

Personally potential quality and interest are may buying points.
I'd not get the full collectible set at say $300 etc as that's too much for me.

And it doesn't add to the base product quality unfortunately, I don't think.

red_bus wrote:Just doing a little searching on the kickstarter site does unearth some unusual and interesting projects going on ...

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sea ... m=roleplay

I've used the RPG Kickstarters Tumblr page here --> http://rpgkickstarters.tumblr.com/ as it seems to weed out some of the "fodder" but it may be weeding out too much too.

Nogrod wrote:Someday soon, a large group of RPGers are going to get genuinely ripped off when a product fails to be delivered.

I don't think so, or at least they're not at any more risk than any other group.  While it is absolutely true that crowdfunding sites' policies state that you aren't guaranteed to receive anything for your "donation", it would be a serious black eye for any creator/company that failed to deliver as well as for the site itself.  Reputation systems can fail, but it's a pretty strong disincentive to cheat people out of money.  So, yes, I'd imagine some small projects have failed, but I haven't heard of any larger successfully funded projects (in any field) that have failed to deliver.  Some have tried, but one of the powers of crowdfunding is that you have more people with more interest in making sure things are on the up and up.  So I don't worry about getting nothing for my money.  Now, whether I'll get something of QUALITY for my money or not... that's something altogether different.  I haven't been disappointed yet - three projects I've received what I paid for and been happy with the results, eight are funded and I'm waiting for items, and I see two at the moment that I'll probably contribute to.


As to the original questions...

1. Most of the material being produced through this method is along the same lines as those produced under the OGL ten years ago or at small presses thirty years ago - third party supplements, some of widely high quality, some of which will be hard to find in the future, and some of which will be valuable later (and the overlap between those three is not assured).  Whereas ten years ago, a popular book would have been reprinted as needed, I think most crowdfunding projects in our area are aiming at one shot (more akin to thirty years ago), and not as actual kickstarts to forming companies to keep these items in print, at least so far.  And even for those that are doing that, or are established companies looking to be sure of interest before publishing, there is often some exclusive bonus item that will be the rare piece in the future.  So that's where the general interest comes in.  There is a collector focus to many of the products in our field, and we are collectors.

2. This form of getting work produced is being discussed at many RPG forums, not just here.  We actually talk about it a lot less than other places.

3. Quality is desirable, naturally, but that's going to be a gamble with the first time creators.  But there are non-TSR collectors who fervently seek out all manner of obscure and nigh-useless dreck simply because it's rare.  Personally, I've drawn my line at AD&D1/OSRIC statted products for the entire OSR movement, and will keep that as my line for Kickstarters.  It's somewhat arbitrary, and I occasionally cross it (Dwimmermount, RA), but that's still a huge amount of books, and very few people can really buy EVERYTHING.

Actually, where I'm finding myself having more hesitation is for some PDF only, and even some POD, products at lulu or rpgnow.  The price points somehow seem even more out of whack at times.  $12 for a printed module or <$5 for a PDF?  No problem.  I'll take a shot; sometimes they'll be good.  Big money on a Kickstarter that I think will offer a huge product that seems like it will be of good quality?  A bigger risk, but I'll still go for it.  But a recent PDF I noticed is 17 pages for $10.50.  That's pretty hefty!  One page is the cover, there may be an OGL page... that's getting thin... heck, it already was thin!

4.  See above.  I think the chance of being totally screwed on a project is pretty low.

5. Paul Vernon - Ristenby Town.

6. Some of the other projects I've supported are a few cool looking board games, a movie, a graphic novel, and an iPhone accessory.

Historian mentioned Ristenby Town in his post,

Oh yes, good call - can someone get on the phone to Paul Vernon in the morning

At some point someone in the gaming kickstarter community will fail to produce, it's inevitable. People with far more famous reputations than guys who write games have ripped off large amounts of people for large amounts of money.  

Mike B.