Red Ash finds publisher; Kickstarter money going towards 'stretch goals'
Just days before Red Ash is set to fall well short of its Kickstarter goal, a publisher has apparently stepped in to ensure its development. So what does that mean for Kickstarter backers that have already donated?
The tale of the Mega Man Legends-inspired Red Ash's crowdfunding has been a strange one, between the shifting of stretch goals to ambiguous wording of what exactly the people at Comcept are even raising money for. Are donors getting a full game or just a prologue? Now there's a new twist. It turns out that the Kickstarter is now entirely moot, because Comcept has found a publisher. Yesterday, Comcept announced that Chinese publisher Fuze would step in to fund Red Ash's development.
"First off, the contribution of Fuze is a done deal," reads the Kickstarter announcement. "We can officially confirm that 'The KalKanon Incident' will be developed to completion, with the initial goals for game content (8 hours), along with ports to BOTH PlayStation 4 and Xbox One!"
That's all well and good, but what happens to the money that has already been pledged? According to the announcement, all of that money will be put towards stretch goals... which are unspecified. It all sounds a little shady, but as Kotaku points out, it is all technically within the rules of Kickstarter.
The big takeaway from this announcement? Red Ash will happen, despite the Kickstarter about to fall well short of its goal. At the time of this writing, it is a little over $300,000 short of its goal with only four days left in the campaign. As for the money donated? It'll go towards something. But at this time, nobody knows what that something is.
-
Shacknews
replyOzzie Mejia posted a new article, Red Ash finds publisher; Kickstarter money going towards 'stretch goals'
-
-
Why is this article even on the front page? I thought all Kickstarter campaigns had to have a prototype if they where to have coverage on the front page, is that not your policy?
If my memory servers me correct this is not the first time this has happened over the years. I can recall the same scenario with Mighty No. 9, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Shenmue 3 and there might of been others.
"Shacknews' crowdfunding policy requires games to have a prototype for front-page coverage."
In case you don't recall where your policy was publicly posted (your policy is at the bottom of the page) http://www.shacknews.com/article/81725/red-baron-kickstarter-aims-for-revival
Is there a specific reason you don't post other Kickstarter game projects on the front page that have actual prototypes?
A sample of Kickstarter game projects https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/categories/games/video%20games?ref=category
As you can see there are many good games that have prototypes yet your site never posts about them.
It just doesn't make any sense to me, what is the reason for this sort of practice?
-
It's creating drama and controversy.
The company has a prior Kickstarter that has yet to deliver, plus in this campaign they changed the description to indicate that most of the tiers that would grant someone a game now only gets a prologue. This likely could screw over people who funded the game prior to that change who thought they were getting the game, well that is, had this one reached its goal.
Now, it would be nice if we could hear about others, like the one I last backed, Devastated Dreams. It does have a demo and comes after a successfully delivered Kickstarted game. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/infinitap/devastated-dreams
I'll be sad if this one doesn't succeed.-
I understand the portion that is a "drama and controversy" pull and it meant to drive traffic for revenue, but a policy is a policy and it does not seem right to have double standards.
Your example is perfect, I PC game exclusively and Kickstarter helps fund many great PC title from many indie developers which I proudly support and look forward to.
My self I supported Umbr https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1062682568/umbra/description which never made the front page or Buck https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1515615186/buck-a-game-about-a-real-dog/description which never got founded but had the same fate. This is a small sample of games there are many other well made projects that have content and a prototype yet they never get any coverage.
I still would like to know why they get treated any differently than a known name on Kickstarter and why the site does not stick to their policy?
My feeling and opinion on Red Ash is a inadequate campaign and no one should supported it, it feels like a insult. There was no effort put into the campaign it was very trivial that was the case.
Who knows, I would put my money on your other pick Devastated Dreams, that looks very good and like a lot of effort was put into it and care.
-
-
This story is basically "This has a publisher and this game WILL be made, regardless of whether it hits its crowdfunding goal or not." It is no longer "pie in the sky" and is now a story.
And given that people might have given these people money for no real reason, it's kind of a big deal.-
Fair enough that makes sense.
I am not blaming any of the staff(like your self) I am sure you are told what to post, but can you at least comment on my other questions if you are able to, as to why Shack posted these articles :
For example both of these projects had no prototypes yet they had front page articles :
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
http://www.shacknews.com/article/89509/castlevania-symphony-of-the-night-creator-announces-new-kickstarter-project-update-funded
Shenmue 3
http://www.shacknews.com/article/90042/e3-2015-shenmue-3-kickstarter-campaign-begins
And why does Shack not post the rest of the unknown game projects on the front page that have prototypes on Kickstarter?
Perhaps I should just drop it I feel like I am not allowed to express my opinion regard this topic for some reason, I feel awkward for even asking, but it feels like a double standard and not right I'd really like to know the reason.-
These are KNOWN GAME projects. They would ordinarily just either be developed/publisher funded, or not exist at all. So the Kickstartering of such things is newsworthy. Like Wasteland 2 or Torment.
I'm not judging the Kickstarter aspect of the games here, just the reporting on them.-
That is not the point and not what I am asking it seems like this policy is useless then.
"Shacknews' crowdfunding policy requires games to have a prototype for front-page coverage." What's the point, we might as well all say "Parley"
So does the Shack community think it is good that we promote KNOWN GAME projects on Kickstarter and ignore and not help promote the UNKNOWN GAME projects on Kickstarter?
Its like we rather promote Coca-Cola or McDonald's but ignore the new small amazing Restaurant trying to make it or Root beer shop who have no exposure, no funding, no large following, might never be heard of who 100% depend on some marketing for an out source to help them out or they will fold.
Is that not the whole point of Kickstarter in the first place to help the none Coca-Cola or McDonald's?
I just don't get it, perhaps I am a dog that can see 64bit color. Or maybe you just don't ask questions and accept everything.
I guess its time to drop it.-
Personally, I dislike Kickstarter in general. Also Pre-Ordering, Season Pass DLCs, Paid Beta Access, On Disc DLC, and again, Horse Armor WAS that slippery slope I complained about. There's still the rare actual Expansion Pack though.
I was just saying why I think people think those stories are newsworthy.
I'll let that 'don't ask questions and accept everything' line slide as it clearly doesn't apply to me. Ha!-
Your right, that stuff sort of started it all hey, from that point on its been down hill. Seems like they have really been trying to prod us all and test what they can get away with. All well what can you do but say stuff with your wallet I guess.
I like Kickstarter but for only certain types of projects that are none Coca-Cola or McDonald's known types.
I was not directing that part at you at all, there are others that think like that and is part of why we are in the state we are.
Your a good guy I enjoy your posts.
I am just frustrated that too often the little person gets no help, but society worship the big person who takes us for what they can and gives nothing back, sometimes it feel like they could sell us shit and most would still buy it and say "thank you very much may have another, this is amazing!".
-
-
-
-
-
-
[deleted]
-
-
