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?