Kickstarter: The Last Hope for XSeed Physicals

[omgfloofy]

this could work for Xseed, but they'd need to do a game thats more well known (and/or liked) then Class of Heroes as well as offer better rewards.

The article that KnightofAncient linked at the beginning of the post has the following information on the idea of someone like XSEED using Kickstarter:

(as people don't seem to be actually reading the article.)

But publisher Xseed Games, which specializes in releasing niche Japanese games like Corpse Party and The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky, says it’s not that easy.

“As a publisher that acquires rights to publish games developed and owned by other companies, it would be extremely difficult for us to use Kickstarter effectively,” said Xseed Director of Publishing Ken Berry in an e-mail to Wired.com.

In order to strike a licensing deal, Berry says, Xseed first confirms the availability of a given title and then puts down money as an upfront guarantee. If Xseed were to use Kickstarter, it would have to ask the IP holder to sit on the license to see if Xseed could raise funds for the project.

“Not only does this come across as being very unprofessional, it also eliminates any risk we would have had by putting up an upfront minimum guarantee ourselves,” Berry said. “While that may seem like a blessing that we have no risk on our side, the main benefit to the licensor is that the licensee is willing to take on all the risk since they are guaranteed a certain amount of money no matter how poorly the title sells.”

In other words, the IP holder lowers its rewards in exchange for lower risk, letting Xseed do the gambling.

“If the licensor sees that the risk can be easily overcome by using Kickstarter, they would be much more inclined to publish it themselves rather than licensing it out,” Berry said.

There’s also the risk that a Kickstarter project could meet its goal and Xseed could use the money to sign a deal only to have unforeseen circumstances lead to things falling apart at the last minute, says Xseed senior editor Jessica Chavez.

“Things like this happen and we wouldn’t want fans, especially after such a show of support, to be disappointed,” she said in an e-mail. “Or angry. Or to send us painstakingly handwritten notes suggesting unpleasant things that might be done to us with blunt and/or sharp objects.”

If you look at the Class of Heroes thing, that's for a limited edition set, and to get a physical copy, and it doesn't look like it will get funded at this rate, even. You don't get a standard physical copy on it at all. And as was said before, NISA couldn't even get 1,000 preorders for What Did I Do To Deserve This, My Lord?! when they made the offer to do a physical release on it, as well.

I can understand the interest in things with Kickstarter, but I think it would be awfully difficult to really work with in some cases- especially in this case.

[Slur]

This thread devolved into the whole DD discussion too, didn't it?

I honestly think this topic should stay dead for a good period of time, so we can move on and progress rather than regress.

[DrROBschiz]

Well, whenever those servers crash DrROBschiz, and trust me, most likely a fair amount of them will be shut down in 10 - 20 years, you'll understand why alot of us such as myself are vehemently against DDL.

I dont understand this argument. Once its downloaded you have it. Then its on you to preserve the file for the 10-20 years you plan on keeping and replaying it.

Plus this stuff never truly goes away. You have people like the guys at GOG, Cheap releases/remakes/collections, so on so forth.

We also have mountains of gaming enthusiasts that keep retro gaming alive through emulators and maintain massive collections and databases.

What makes you think we are gonna have this massive loss of the things we love just because we are moving towards all digital?

[Minneyar]

I dont understand this argument. Once its downloaded you have it. Then its on you to preserve the file for the 10-20 years you plan on keeping and replaying it.

People keeping making that argument because they don't understand that the real issue is with DRM. You may have the files, but if a game requires that you connect to the publisher's servers to install or play it, then in 10 or 20 years when those servers have disappeared, you will no longer be able to play your game. (also, that is why DRM-free publishers like GOG are awesome)

[DrROBschiz]

Always on internet connection DRM is definitely a big step backwards for DD.

I will concede that its a very real concern for anyone who plans on keeping and replaying their old games for years and years.

I would recommend people dont support games that use this method. At least when Blizzard does it they pretty much leave their servers on until your dead.

[Fabrizo]

People keeping making that argument because they don't understand that the real issue is with DRM

This, so much this. If DD was DRM free, or at least had it removed on all titles a while after release, it would be so much better.

[Peekachu]

This, so much this. If DD was DRM free, or at least had it removed on all titles a while after release, it would be so much better.

I'm guessing that none of you have heard of Super Nintendo or PSX/ PS2 emulators? As long as the internet is around, we will forever have access to past system's titles. Emulators are a fantastic way to preserve the medium and with the translation scene, even bring us games that we otherwise might never have had in the West. I don't advocate this while a system is still being produced and sold, as that is unequivocally piracy. But once the manufacturer pulls the plug on their own product, its fair game. Anyway, emulators usually lag about 2-5 years past a system's death to reach a playable state, so its usually no harm, no foul. Indie devs are still making Dreamcast games! Dreamcast games! Some incredible stuff out there.

So unless a giant meteor hits the earth, wiping out all traces of human civilization and sources of power, I'm pretty sure our digital content will be preserved. In 20 years we won't have to connect to Sony/ Ninty's servers, the ROMs/ Rips/ Emulators/de-encryption software will be available with a simple Google search and you can play it on your super tablet, or space goggle tvs or whatever we use in the FOOTURE.

Anyway, Kickstarter for uber niche products (CoH 2) just won't work. The interest simply isn't there. Make it digital and put it out for $15 and you will at least see a return on the investment.

Edit: I don't advocate piracy, but if the PC scene is any indication, DRM is a straw house. Usually cracks are out before the game even launches. They do Steam rips/ backups now. That's a digital backup. Not physical. I'm gonna stop the Arr-matey talk now, but you know what I mean.

[Kou the Mad]

yeah, Gaijin works kinda dropped the ball on that one.

[Fabrizo]

I'm guessing that none of you have heard of Super Nintendo or PSX/ PS2 emulators?

From my experience the only truly accurate emulators are for the really old 2D systems, SNES and earlier. PS1/Saturn emulators are decent enough now, but they're still years away from being able to accurately emulate all the hardware. Newer then that and fulling working / non-glitched games are the exception instead of the rule.

Emulators are great to have in the long term, but they shouldn't be considered a silver bullet fix either.

[Peekachu]

From my experience the only truly accurate emulators are for the really old 2D systems, SNES and earlier. PS1/Saturn emulators are decent enough now, but they're still years away from being able to accurately emulate all the hardware. Newer then that and fulling working / non-glitched games are the exception instead of the rule.

Emulators are great to have in the long term, but they shouldn't be considered a silver bullet fix either.

You can full emulate PS2 and Wii games as many years ago. All you need is a more recent laptop/ computer. See: PCSX 2 and Dolphin. The compatibility is pretty extraordinary actually. I think the argument that digital copies will somehow vanish or be locked out of consumer hands, when physical copies - which are susceptible to ACTUAL damage, depreciation or loss in the physical world - will not is rather narrow minded. I'm not saying that you've made that argument, but it seems to be what a lot of voices on the DD issue have to say.