VicViper Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 Has Crowdfunding ever been considered for funding homebrew projects? I know ultimately most people programming games do this as a hobby and are going to make what they want, But would a garaunteed paycheck make certain projects more attractive to programmers? There are some games i would absolutely shell out fifty bucks for garaunteed (Arcade Galaga, Millipede, Gaplus.) More importantly, would this model be helpful for the people who actually make games? I have no idea what the average profit turned on a homebrew project is, but perhaps a certain garaunteed payout would be helpful? -Obligitory Disclaimer- I love all you homebrewers and every single thing you do for us is a godsend, and as a filthy non-programming scrub i have no right to tell you how to make your games, please sir may i have another Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+bcombee Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 I've seen a few crowdfunded 2600 homebrew projects. I was one of the backers of the Star Castle homebrew project at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/698159145/atari-2600-star-castle;I also tried to back https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/yuppicide/skull-island-a-puzzle-game-for-the-atari-2600, but it didn't reach its goal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Stamos Mullet Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 There have been a few that took pre-order payments up front to decidedly mixed results. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 Yes there has been for the 7800 and the larger the project the more of a shitshow it turned out to be. Multiple homebrew projects still to this day unfulfilled years later. The crowdfunding\pre-paid\pre-order project market has been soured nearly beyond repair. To the tune of tens of thousands of dollars out to a select handful of AA users. Some are still publicly trying to make good on such orders, some are not and have pretty much told everyone "thanks for all the fish" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keatah Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 Just forget about crowdfunding and pre-orders. When it's out it's out. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+GoldLeader Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 I backed one for SNES and it's been years! But, it'll come out eventually...Sometimes these things take time. And I suppose if I wanted to, I could bug the programmer (but I won't) since he's on my friends list here at AtariAge...Wait a minute he hasn't been active here since May of 2017...(sigh) At least we got an update last month...No worries. Backing a Kickstarter or Indiegogo is a lot like gambling. If you're gonna do it because you have faith in the project, then kiss your money goodbye...And hopefully it pays out in the end. My Custom Edladdin ColecoVision Controller, for instance, was a nicely successful Kickstarter project and I Love the results! Anyway, buying a Homebrew from the AtariAge store is really the way to go in my mind! In case ya wondered what I backed...here it is: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/justice-beaver-new-super-nintendo-game#/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Usotsuki Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 I've considered the idea. Feel awkward about it. I'd certainly like to be able to hire someone for money to do some ZX Spectrum and NES to Apple ][ ports for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VicViper Posted November 13, 2018 Author Share Posted November 13, 2018 Yikes, sounds like it's only been a mess. I was considering it more as a bounty, Like the community is willing to put up 1300 for Galaga Arcade, or something like that. But i suppose there is no garauntee of a quality product when done this way. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariLeaf Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 The new Keystone Kapers II is going to be crowdfunded I believe and I'll back that. I wish it would just go to the AA store like other homebrews but that's fine. The only other thing I've ever backed is the recent Collectorvision Phoenix which I have high confidence will materialize next year. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariLeaf Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 Yes there has been for the 7800 and the larger the project the more of a shitshow it turned out to be. Multiple homebrew projects still to this day unfulfilled years later. The crowdfunding\pre-paid\pre-order project market has been soured nearly beyond repair. To the tune of tens of thousands of dollars out to a select handful of AA users. Some are still publicly trying to make good on such orders, some are not and have pretty much told everyone "thanks for all the fish" I hadn't heard any of these stories. Do you have examples Shawn? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flojomojo Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 I agree that a bounty system is better than prepayments with crowdfunding. Fun fact https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-10-24-success-of-resident-evil-2-board-game-paints-a-curious-picture-of-kickstarter-in-2017 Over three times as many video game projects fail than succeed on Kickstarter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidus79001 Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 I know ultimately most people programming games do this as a hobby and are going to make what they want, But would a garaunteed paycheck make certain projects more attractive to programmers? There are some games i would absolutely shell out fifty bucks for garaunteed (Arcade Galaga, Millipede, Gaplus.) More importantly, would this model be helpful for the people who actually make games? I have no idea what the average profit turned on a homebrew project is, but perhaps a certain garaunteed payout would be helpful? Here is the problem with what you are suggesting: These IP's are owned by companies, and should someone start making a paycheck as you call it off those properties those companies that holds the rights to those IP's aren't getting a cut of that paycheck since this is not an licensed use of that IP. Then you get sued, and shutdown by the IP holders. For the most part homebrews have been left unchallenged by the holders of the IP since there hasn't been a profit model like you suggest. Should that start to occur it will be just like when Paramount Pictures sued thd people responsible for the fan produced work, Star Trek: Axanar, and as a result of the settlement very restrictive draconian rules were put in pace to curb further fan productions, and many of the successful fan productions that had done nothing wrong shutdown for good in fear that they were going to the next ones sued. Now all this being said for new original works not derived from existing IP's this could be successful. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VicViper Posted November 13, 2018 Author Share Posted November 13, 2018 Here is the problem with what you are suggesting: These IP's are owned by companies, and should someone start making a paycheck as you call it off those properties those companies that holds the rights to those IP's aren't getting a cut of that paycheck since this is not an licensed use of that IP. Then you get sued, and shutdown by the IP holders. For the most part homebrews have been left unchallenged by the holders of the IP since there hasn't been a profit model like you suggest. Should that start to occur it will be just like when Paramount Pictures sued thd people responsible for the fan produced work, Star Trek: Axanar, and as a result of the settlement very restrictive draconian rules were put in pace to curb further fan productions, and many of the successful fan productions that had done nothing wrong shutdown for good in fear that they were going to the next ones sued. Now all this being said for new original works not derived from existing IP's this could be successful. Fair point, probably better to fly under the radar. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinks Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 Just forget about crowdfunding and pre-orders. When it's out it's out.Agree 101% 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinks Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 I hadn't heard any of these stories. Do you have examples Shawn? Look to the top of the forum. Although we all can see they are working on making it right and the communication in great and seems to be going well.25th anniversary console. So glad I never dropped the cash for that one. Maybe could rename it to the 40th? That dude took the money and left. Kinda made it into a charity case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 I hadn't heard any of these stories. Do you have examples Shawn? I don't want to get into it as it will do nothing but bring up bad memories and great disappointment for many people. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Gemintronic Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 (edited) Fair point, probably better to fly under the radar. No. Far better to create new games with original I.P. I'd rather not face a lawsuit when Nintendon't figures out I ported Popeye or whatever. ~_^ No offense intended. Just sayin' My own take is that Kickstarters are far from being a guaranteed payment up front. Although, I know some sega genesis and NES developers that have successfully done so. If I ever do a Kickstarter I'll be something I already have the means to produce regardless. ..'course, that kinda defeats the purpose. It's a complicated world! Edited November 14, 2018 by Gemintronic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VicViper Posted November 14, 2018 Author Share Posted November 14, 2018 New IP i No. Far better to create new games with original I.P. I'd rather not face a lawsuit when Nintendon't figures out I ported Popeye or whatever. ~_^ No offense intended. Just sayin' My own take is that Kickstarters are far from being a guaranteed payment up front. Although, I know some sega genesis and NES developers that have successfully done so. If I ever do a Kickstarter I'll be something I already have the means to produce regardless. ..'course, that kinda defeats the purpose. It's a complicated world New IP is great, but i want Gaplus Dammit!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Gemintronic Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 (edited) New IP i New IP is great, but i want Gaplus Dammit!! Someone has to take on the liability of unlicensed IP. Or, cough up huge amounts of cash upfront for a license. Would you settle for something that: * Has a similar but legally distinct name. * Has similar gameplay (and perhaps requested improvements) * Uses new artwork instead of stealing assets from the original. Edited November 14, 2018 by Gemintronic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 Someone has to take on the liability of unlicensed IP. Or, cough up huge amounts of cash upfront for a license. Would you settle for something that: * Has a similar but legally distinct name. * Has similar gameplay (and perhaps requested improvements) * Uses new artwork instead of stealing assets from the original. Some company's think it's interesting and like the idea of their games being paid homage to on old systems. With that in mind some will forgo any sort of fee as long as you stay within max unit numbers or whatever and that avoids paying out for what amounts to a small release even for what we consider a huge success. Selling 50, 100 or even 1000 copies means nothing to a company that sells units in the millions on current platforms. At least it doesn't to some. You will always find many who don't care if it's one copy or a million and always want to be paid. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Gemintronic Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 Some company's think it's interesting and like the idea of their games being paid homage to on old systems. With that in mind some will forgo any sort of fee as long as you stay within max unit numbers or whatever and that avoids paying out for what amounts to a small release even for what we consider a huge success. Selling 50, 100 or even 1000 copies means nothing to a company that sells units in the millions on current platforms. At least it doesn't to some. You will always find many who don't care if it's one copy or a million and always want to be paid. Totally get that. Seen that in action. Was hoping the original poster would be happy with a game that avoids even the potential for issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VicViper Posted November 14, 2018 Author Share Posted November 14, 2018 Totally get that. Seen that in action. Was hoping the original poster would be happy with a game that avoids even the potential for issues. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, i wouldn't care if you called it a pheasant 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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