Every day it seems more and more companies are basically reaching into our pockets. We are seeing them make us pay more for less, it is getting pretty stupid.
I like the whole idea of being in a game, as a playable character or even just a thanks in the credits, but at what point does it become more of an insult than an honour?
Obviously certain games let you put yourself in the game, and that can really work well with certain games, but paying for something like having your face in a game just seems a little silly, there have been one or two where the money went to charity, which is a noble and just cause.
The barrage of Kick Starter Campaigns began with Double Fine, who to me are awesome enough to have my money. But how long until we see bigger companies doing it? Indie companies and small companies obviously need the money a lot more, but what if the larger companies realise they can just milk us for yet even more moo-ney (See what I did there?)
Once upon a time we would pay for a game, that game would have single player, multi-player, unlockables, Easter Eggs, one simple payment. Sequels actually meant something other than “Holy crap we can get more money” it feels as though the right hand of the industry has stopped touching me and is just pimp slapping me.
Now we are paying for pretty much everything, or atleast it feels that way. The thing I’ve always admired about indie companies is that they had very few resources, little money, little experience and just a few pairs of hands, but they can at times conjure up some of the best works we’ve ever seen, look at Minecraft, and Angry birds, one is basically giant Lego the other is basically what you would do with some rocks and a clown on a bike, or atleast what the simple minded would do, smart people get in close so they don’t miss.
It seems now that indie companies are starting to rely on people to pretty much pay their projects now, you usually get something from it but it seems a little insulting. I’m really getting irritated by flicking through the net and seeing the industry constantly pestering me for money, DLC, baby pet projects, gamer pictures, themes, special edition consoles, jackets for over $1000, sod off, sell me my game and actually put the work into it.
Update: Very flattered that the Lead Game Designer for Bossa Studios and creator of upcoming game “Thomas was alone” had something to say on this matter, his word has considerably more credibility than mine, because he makes games so he really knows the “ins-and-outs.”
“There are costs with Thomas that are bigger than my savings.. Legal, VO, marketing… I’m in a position where I have an option, take out a loan (risky, what if my game doesn’t sell?) or ask fans of the game to pay in advance, or pay more for a credit, meeting me etc…
After a week, my money problems are well on their way to being solved, and a bunch of guys got to invest in something they care about.. who does that hurt? A game that wouldn’t have been made otherwise (or would have been made, and crippled me financially) gets to be made.
The other factor is, different people have different amounts of investment they’d like to / can make. I have guys giving $5 to help out, I have one guy who donated $500.. shouldn’t people have the opportunity to help out a struggling indie if they want to?
The world changed… you get to decide the exact amount you care about, and want to pay, for a game. That’s awesome.”
He also “encouraged me” to put this here; http://www.indiegogo.com/thomaswasalone
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