More stuff from Jtodd on Kickstarter money placement:
this answer is for two of the posts directly above me (so I'm not going to quote them directly), but the question is "why aren't your first two stretch goals for the additional rulesets?" and it's a great question.
Both of these stretch goals strengthen the foundation of the game -- which I felt was the most important thing right now. If we can make EK + Dregs work, REALLY work and feel great, the other rulesets will be easy. If we don't make the foundation strong, then 20 different rulesets aren't going make a difference; the game just won't work.
On the first one:
Star Citizen has shown that the game has to sell itself for people to buy into it, and (not to be too critical of our own work), but I feel like the particle effects we have in the game right now are rather weak. If we want the game to be successful, they HAVE to be better. The side effect of getting more characters, faster really is an added bonus.
On the second:
Two comment, here.
First, mount speed changes the way you build the Worlds (in our case, the way build the algorithm to build the worlds). It has implications on continent size, road size, collision, buildings, you name it. If we are ever going to have mounts in this case, we need to decide that now, otherwise it will cost us months and months of rework (which we can't afford.)
Second, the caravan rules are something that I really, REALLY wanted to include in the base vision, but we just couldn't make it fit. Mounts are great, and players love them -- but the game implications of having materials require you to protect them as you transport them around the map -- the strategic implications of that are HUGE. The emergent behaviors that it causes, like when a party ambushes you and kill your mule, leaving you with a pile of really valuable stuff you can't carry -- this strengthens the foundation of the game in EVERY ruleset.
And we need that foundation to be strong.
It's a judgement call, agreed. I felt these items should go first, but you guys may feel differently. Every time I make a decision, some people are unhappy with it.
Comes with the job.
Going forward, as I said in the letter, I want to talk to you guys about what you feel is most importantly and pitch our stretch goals accordingly.
IMO, the alternate rulesets should be next, but would love to hear your opinions if you feel differently.
Todd
ACE
