Yeah, about 5000 large. That's beyond "niche".
And I still load up Super Mario Bros., in addition to all other sorts of old games for 15-20 minutes, when bored out of my mind. It doesn't mean the industry should be recreating those games. Not every game has to "revolutionize" the genre, but if all you want/expect out of video games is, "like the good 'ole days!", you completely stifle innovation.
Exactly my stance. I want the type of game they are talking about. I even have zero baggage with Brad, never played VG. But just judging from their efforts and their KS and the planning and work that went into that (an afternoon's worth, if that), as much as I want a new immersive MMO world, they dont seem capable of delivering it.
I've thought about this too.. I think long term they may as well ride the KS out.. For a few reasons, the first being, I don't think they have their site ready. I'm betting if they go crowd funding they want it to be a smooth transition from KS to their site. Not a check back in a few weeks situation.
Largely because the amount of people who said, it looks interesting and would try at release but not back it b/c XYZ reason.. You see a ton of that on various forums. Seems like more people took the time to post why they wont back it than will.. I think that's what Ben was getting at with his messages on PjP. If the game is good and fun.. Word of mouth will draw people in to at least try it. The access to try the game will be easy since it's FTP for a few levels. Just my feeling, I could be wrong but following some threads, it seems like the general consensus. I really want to find out tho.
Purely personal observation , but I can name roughly 10 folks I know who would very likely buy and play a retail Pantheon style game.
It's been said countless times before but it bears repeating. Ben may be correct in that there is a sizeable amount of interest in this type of game, I actually believe him. But interest is not the same is 'fund our start up to make this game'. I'd say a good majority of the 'interest' this type of game holds, those people would never throw money down unless they had a product in their hands. That's just the reality of it. People also are not going to throw money at something that's at the ground floor, no matter how promising it is. If you compare to pathfinder Online, that game is on the 30th floor. This game is still on the ground floor, with the dev team telling you they can't even leave the ground floor unless you give them money. If you have nothing to show, expect to stay down there a long time.
I agree it is all about expectation in the outcome. I think if they plan for 60-90k subs then they have a good chance to succeed. If they want 200k+ then they will fail for sure. I backed the project for 1k, but let me tell you it is hard to give someone money for something 3 years out. The SOA was offering a alpha version within 6 months. We are talking 2 years out for an alpha version here. I really wish they had waited to do the kickstarter a year from now when they were much deeper into the project.
If the game is good, people will come. There is a severe lack in the mmo genre. You make a good solid mmo that is different than the norm, compelling, challenging, group focused, finished and polished people will come. You will be surprised. That 50K will turn int 200K and that 200K will turn into 500K.
It won't matter. Even if the game is widely regarded as a total flop, the religious-like zealotry present amongst these people will have them denying it, until the bitter end. Look no further than Vanguard for your evidence. They'll also have the, "Well, there's still a niche market out there! It just has to be doneright" to cling to.
Well they werent done properly and thats the sad tuth. Me saying that they would be sucessful if done properly is just as viable as you saying they did not do good not because they were broken, but that the gameplay sucked. Well never know until something comes out that is not a broken mess.