Well Wyrd have plonked their Through the Breach RPG up on Kickstarter. Now I'm sure I've mentioned on here before that I'm not exactly the worlds biggest fan of RPGs, well maybe that's not fair. I just have never found an RPG group, or game I found sufficiently engaging for me to want to invest the time necessary to get the best out of the experience. However, I have had a number of people ask me if I'd look at some RPG's, namely the FFG's 40k based stuff, their Star Wards RPG and the Iron Kingdoms RPG from Privateer Press. I'm not sure I'm the best person to be talking about RPG's, but it is under consideration. I guess although I'm not an RPG aficionado I would be able to write up stuff from the point of view of a wargamer dipping their toes into the RPG water as it were.
I've also had a lot of people ask me if I'd be covering the Through the Breach Kickstarter campaign from Wyrd. Well... I'm not too sure. Granted I'm posting a heads up article about the campaign here, and the Game does indeed look interesting, but me and Wyrd have fallen out somewhat over Malifaux. I still think they've allowed the game to become too bloated and the power creep and rate of releases is just a little tiring. So I've taken a sabbatical from Malifaux. But, the game looks interesting and the world of Malifaux, while appearing as a bunch of random crap to many, actually just seems quirky to me. So I'll be keeping a watching brief on it for now.
Yep that's despite there being a limited edition miniature that's only available if you back the campaign with $60's in the first 48 hours I think (this offer ends 5pm PST 30th November). No a 'free' miniature isn't enough to entice me right now. What is interesting though is that the game is already funded. They needed $30,000's and they currently sit at $50,000. That is pretty darn quick, if you ask me, not quite as quick as Kingdom Death though. And that's the real kicker here. This is not only in the holiday period, but it is also now going head-to-head with the Kingdom Death - Monster Kickstarter campaign. That has already got off to a fabulous start and it's momentum still seems to be carrying it quite well. The thing is will the two projects get in each others way?
We've seen this before haven't we? Where various projects are run at the same time as each other, and although they're ostensibly very different as products, they are targeting the same sort of customers. We all only have so much money to spread around and at this time of year there's even more pressure on our budgets. I had a bet with a friend that Kingdom Death would break the $1m mark, with this around I'm not so sure that will happen now, which is a shame because that will mean probably less extra Kingdom Death toys for me now. However, I wish Wyrd all the best with their Through the Breach campaign and I hope those of you who do eventually back it get a good deal with it. Peace out!
One thing that stuck out at me was the apparently reasonable shipping charges for anyone outside of the US.
ReplyDeleteThere have been a couple of kickstarters for printed game materials that I have had to reconsider due to questionable shipping charges. Larry Elmore's art book comes to mind, I would love to own a copy but paying $50 on shipping on a $50 book means I will have to wait on a general release to bookstores.
Yeah, some of the shipping charges for KS projects are verging on the insane.
DeleteHowever, given the complaints Adam has been getting for some of his supposedly 'tardy' updates to his Kingdom Death - Monster campaign (which by the way I think are way over the top), yet again Adam is putting a big company to shame. Wyrd have multiple staff and yet they've gone way past $80,000's and done absolutely no stretch goals, their target was $30,000's. That's weak campaign management right their. If they keep that up they'll struggle to drive it as a project. In fact it has sort of stalled for the last 10 hours where it is, as I'm sure people are waiting to see which way the stretch goal will fall.
I hadn't thought of it like this, but indeed the narrative features very strongly in KD:M. I really do hope they don't get into each others waters too much, more Kingdom Death is always beter.. And it really should be the one to break 1 mil, Poots deserves it :)
ReplyDeleteWell if they do end up getting in each others way I'm pinning my colours to the mast now... I hope Kingdom Death -Monster kills Through the Breach and then uses the remnants to make me a new armour kit upgrade... but that's just me. :P
DeleteI'd like to see both do well if I'm honest. I've got a good mix of gamers and a great casual gamer group right now who are great at playing board games and stuff with me. There are two females in the group who are into RPG's and as such I do kinda want to use there experience to give more paper based RPG's a go, and through the Breach is set in a great universe.
It would be best if both continue to do well. But hey, if it has to be someone.. Sorry Wyrd :p Soulstone armour would be pretty hilarious!
DeleteYeah it'd be a nice nod and a wink I guess.
DeleteI really like the sound of this. Course with the immanent arrival of my second child, I really cannot afford to be donating to a kickstarter. I might offer Wyrd some of my time as a writer though.
ReplyDeleteBloody kids hey Angus... they have all the fun!!! :P
DeleteCongratulations buddy to you and your wife. I hope everything goes swimmingly well for you both.
The "Through the Breach" page says that they're waiting until the 5:00 deadline for the Miss Terious fig to announce stretch goals.
ReplyDeleteWill they get in each other's way? Of course they will. They appeal to the same people. I'd love a copy of KD, but at $100 just for the game plus $30 shipping to Canada, I can't do it at this time of year. I'll probably go for the $60 pledge on Wyrd (and feel guilty about spending it) because it's manageable. Hopefully KD makes it to store shelves and I can pick up a copy later.
Yeah, I too think it is inevitable they'll get in each others way. Which is why I have to say I was a bit surprised Wyrd didn't decide to hold it back until just after Christmas. Even if they think they can total Kingdom Death, which with their bigger fan base they probably will, they're still going to be affected. I can't now back this, whereas if it was in January I almost certainly would have done. I think the whole secret stretches thing is a bit lame actually, and I'm not so sure it is the right way to go, it's kinda like a salesman saying 'hey I have this awesome pitch, but I'll only use it on people who have already brought the product". But that's just me.
DeleteSorry, FLG, for some reason nothing happens when I click "Reply".
ReplyDeleteAs far as getting in each other's way, they've both already met their goals by a lot, so, really it'll just mean a few less stretch goals. I guess, then, what matters is why you'd pledge. If it's because you want to see the game made, all's well. If it's to get as much as you can for as little money as possible, those are the people who will be "losing" out.
I'm not a fan of the delayed stretch goals, either, but I think I'll pledge the $60 I intended to for the books and the mini with the expectation that I can add to my pledge if I want to. I can't imagine Wyrd deciding they don't want more of my money.
Oh no, don't get me wrong it's great the games have been made. Both of them, and that they've both essentially smashed their targets. Part of it is wanting to see KD - Monster have more expansions released for it as a game, and the other part of it is that I have a bet with a mate that it'll be the first boardgame to top the $1m's mark. That's actually the more important thing for me personally. :P
DeleteI hate losing bets. ;)
The two products are for two different kinds of customers. So i doubt they will get in each others way.
ReplyDeleteBut ill much rather back the malifaux one then the kingdom death one. For one i have serious doubts in the KD game being any good at all. And there is only one KD mini in the starter that has caught my eye, the phoenix dancer, the rest are just not my thing at all. And the phoenix monster is just an ugly model.
Well if you don't like the look of the KD mini's then you definitely shouldn't back the Kickstarter!!! lol.
DeleteI think that's the main reason to back it personally. As to the game I think you aren't alone in your concerns with regards game play. A lot of people have expressed their own level of concern and worry. I guess when he gets those gameplay video's up we'll get to see more of what the game is like. It'll be interesting to see what effect that has on the campaign as a whole.
I like Malifaux, and i like the universe. I won't be picking this up on Kickstarter because i'm not a huge RPG fan. The video was interesting, and has me a bit more interested in this than other RPGs, but given the choice between an RPG and a Tabletop game or Board Game i'd take the latter two.
ReplyDeleteAs for updates, they have been a bit lax although appear to now be on top of it bringing in Jac who usually handles the Henchmen after taking over from Justin a month or so ago so she will (fingers crossed) keep the hundreds of people happy who have invested/thinking about investing.
It probably will compete with KD but as long as both are funded, no-one loses out right? You can still pick them up when they go on general release. And that's the whole point of Kickstarter really, stretch goals are the icing on a delicious cake.
Good luck to both KD and the Malifaux RPG.
Jacob, in respect of RPG's I think you're of a similar mind to me. I have to say I'm actually a bit of a fan of the bonkers Mofaux setting, and like you the video got me a little more interested in this RPG when compared to others.
DeleteApparently there was a reason they didn't start showing their stretch goals... I'm just not sure of the logic behind the decision. But that's not to say there wasn't some. :P
As I've said above, I'm not necessarily fussed about them now competing with each other as they have at least both been funded and exceeded their funding targets by quite some distance. Nope what I'm more concerned by is how the Through the Breach campaign might impact on my bet about the Kingdom Death - Monster campaign being the first to pass through the $1m's mark!!!
Well... at least I've got my priorities straight! Right? ;)
Oh of course :D
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