Reinforced program would benefit from stretch goals
Wisp
Join Date: 2007-12-18 Member: 63211Members, Reinforced - Diamond
Join Date: 2007-12-18 Member: 63211Members, Reinforced - Diamond
I have been thinking about the reinforced program, the ways in which it works well and doesn't work well, and how it can be improved. I think it's a clever idea. It lets really dedicated members of the community support the developers. I think it could use some changes to stimulate further donations from members of the community.
Number one, I think advertising it as a reverse-kickstarter is unwise. I'm not sure if this was UWE's intent, but I've heard many people refer to the program that way. While I'd like to think that people are participating out of philanthropy, the more likely truth is that people want the rewards and future content. Understanding why people donate is important, because it can help the developers raise more money. Stretch goals are a means of communicating exactly what people are donating for.
UWE would essentially be laying out what you are paying for. They have said that $550,000 equals the cost of the entire Reinforced update. But how much does Biodome cost? Let's say it costs $200,000 to produce. Make that a stretch goal on the site. If we reach $200,000, there will be a new map. Reach $300,000 and there will be some other new feature.
There's the obvious response to this that the game's development is fluid, features may be cut, some may be added later - therefore they can't layout their plan exactly. I think that's reasonable. But if you look at the stretch goals for crowdfunded games like Star Citizen, Torment, Project Eternity, etc. I think you can reasonably conclude that the stretch goals have played a large part in raising interest and donations. Having goals beyond $550,000 could be a motivator for donating as well. Perhaps at $1 million, UWE could hire additional contractors to help produce another map sooner. I'm just spit-balling ideas.
Many individuals on the forums have mentioned the need for additional backer tiers. I agree with that idea as well.
I think I can speak for most people here when I say that we all want to see Natural Selection 2 being improved and receiving new content well into the future. I'm excited at the prospect of seeing Natural Selection 2 five years from now, as a fully mature multiplayer game. But for that to happen, the game needs a consistent revenue stream that can last.
This brings me to my final point, which is that I don't believe this program is a good long term solution for the game. Dedicated fans may donate $75 once, but every six months? That seems unreasonable. I think a better long term fit is purchasing cosmetic items for a smaller sum, say $2-10 based on the item's value. Games like Killing Floor have made a lot of money doing this. There could be more skins for the Marines, more skins for Alien lifeforms, and perhaps even weapon skins for the Marines. Of course, everything would be cosmetic and would not affect gameplay.
Perhaps in an ideal world, we would all play in a "pure" environment without skins. But I think the reality is that games cost money to make and the money has to come from somewhere. What's the method by which the most money can be raised with the least impact on the people who don't want to pay?
Number one, I think advertising it as a reverse-kickstarter is unwise. I'm not sure if this was UWE's intent, but I've heard many people refer to the program that way. While I'd like to think that people are participating out of philanthropy, the more likely truth is that people want the rewards and future content. Understanding why people donate is important, because it can help the developers raise more money. Stretch goals are a means of communicating exactly what people are donating for.
UWE would essentially be laying out what you are paying for. They have said that $550,000 equals the cost of the entire Reinforced update. But how much does Biodome cost? Let's say it costs $200,000 to produce. Make that a stretch goal on the site. If we reach $200,000, there will be a new map. Reach $300,000 and there will be some other new feature.
There's the obvious response to this that the game's development is fluid, features may be cut, some may be added later - therefore they can't layout their plan exactly. I think that's reasonable. But if you look at the stretch goals for crowdfunded games like Star Citizen, Torment, Project Eternity, etc. I think you can reasonably conclude that the stretch goals have played a large part in raising interest and donations. Having goals beyond $550,000 could be a motivator for donating as well. Perhaps at $1 million, UWE could hire additional contractors to help produce another map sooner. I'm just spit-balling ideas.
Many individuals on the forums have mentioned the need for additional backer tiers. I agree with that idea as well.
I think I can speak for most people here when I say that we all want to see Natural Selection 2 being improved and receiving new content well into the future. I'm excited at the prospect of seeing Natural Selection 2 five years from now, as a fully mature multiplayer game. But for that to happen, the game needs a consistent revenue stream that can last.
This brings me to my final point, which is that I don't believe this program is a good long term solution for the game. Dedicated fans may donate $75 once, but every six months? That seems unreasonable. I think a better long term fit is purchasing cosmetic items for a smaller sum, say $2-10 based on the item's value. Games like Killing Floor have made a lot of money doing this. There could be more skins for the Marines, more skins for Alien lifeforms, and perhaps even weapon skins for the Marines. Of course, everything would be cosmetic and would not affect gameplay.
Perhaps in an ideal world, we would all play in a "pure" environment without skins. But I think the reality is that games cost money to make and the money has to come from somewhere. What's the method by which the most money can be raised with the least impact on the people who don't want to pay?
Comments
I was making two separate points.
The first point was that UWE could raise more money by introducing stretch goals into the Reinforced program.
The second point was that long-term, the a kickstarter system can't support the game. It's built around large donations from a core group of followers. They need to tap into a larger market of people to truly sustain the game. So cheaper cosmetic items are the obvious answer.
I don't understand this mentality. Why would you pay $75 to support this game, which includes cosmetic items, and then say you would rather have no updates if there are going to be cosmetics.
I find skins to be completely unobtrusive. In fact, most of the skins so far looks pretty damn cool.
He's paying money to support further development, which includes cosmetics. This is just the same as buying cosmetics to support the game. The order is just reversed.
If i donate ... what will that donation be used for ? I dont want to donate if its just going to be used to make a new game, im only interested in NS2. So far it looks like UWE wont reach $500 000, does that mean all the donations so far will be spent on a new game ?
What further development will go into NS2 if the goal is reached ? will we finally get a matchmaking/balance system ? what about sabot ? is that still coming ? will we get a proper demo record feature ? will mods finally stop breaking all the time ?
so many questions :X
If they goals isnt met, theyll probaly move on to the next IP, so UWE would be able to get some food on the table and pay the bills and stuff.
The success or otherwise of the Reinforcement Program will inform UWE's decision about whether to continue to support NS2 full time. Success is not necessarily measured as being a hit or miss on the $550,000 target. There are levels of success that would influence us in moving in different directions.
Given the increase in sales seen during the release of Reinforced and the generous support provided (to date) by 2,365 contributors, it is probable that we will choose a middle way between ending full time development of NS2 and creating a new batch of NS2 content, a la Gorgeous or Reinforced. It is, however, early days and no decision has yet been made.
Gorge with sun glasses. It's the only solution.
So, just think of it as money going towards fixes, polish, and general improvements to the game, which may or may not include large new features at some point down the road.
While new games are fun,
NS2 is still ripe for more development, and moving on now would leave the game feeling incomplete to me. It still has good graphics and a solid player base.
Big part of problem with NS2 is nobody knowing about it. I never even noticed it prior to the Free Weekend.
So As long as things go good (for me money wise), you guys got at least another 40 bucks or more coming your way from me.
So keep up the good work and thanks for the responses on NS2's future.
I don't feel like this was properly communicated to the community. I donated money with the expectation that it would pay for future content updates, assuming that the $550,000 is reached. You said in the reinforced program video, "decide if major free content expansions continue." So how are promises of new content not appropriate?
Isn't that the whole point of crowd funding?
It's why I backed Star Citizen and Satellite Reign.
If the Reinforcement Program is successful, UWE will continue to develop content for NS2 full time; this will generally mean fixes, optimizations, balance, and - yes - new content. Because of the nature of development, they can't promise what that content will be (I cite the Tazer, for would-be doubters) with certainty; what they can do, however, is promise to continue to provide content. If its not successful, they'll continue to support it, but it will no longer have first priority, and most likely won't see big updates like Gorilla, Gorgeous, etc. Depending on the level of success, they might do something in between.
In short, 'If we promise a new weapon, and it turns out that including that would be a terrible idea for whatever reason we would be forced to renege on that promise, and we don't want to be in that situation; so we promise additional support and content, rather than any one specific thing.'
I am pretty certain they key word here is still "specific" If they successfuly reach the goal, or even half way successfully, there will most likely be enw content. They just don't have "specific"content in mind at the moment.