I can't even think of another kickstarter that got SO MUCH MONEY in the first two days and then died completely and utterly. Such a fascinating phenomenon - how did all that money get into their hands in the first place? How did this project go viral so fast and then everybody up and lose total interest in it so quickly? Did everyone else perceive not to trust these developers like me, or was there some other market or social-internet force responsible...?
Honestly I was going to wait until the halfway point to give my analysis but this one is simple.
It starts with the news that Yasumi Matsuno is not only working on a new SRPG but it's on kickstarter right now and everyone should jump in and give them money. Then people watch the video and wonder where he is but hey maybe he's camera shy or they forgot to record him when in Japan or something. Then they read even more and notice he doesn't really have a defined role and still wonder. Then you read his posts on twitter about his role basically being done unless they get an unmentioned sum of money and well interest except for those really die hard fans with less common sense dies off and so little people want anything to do with it afterward. Combined with kickstarter exclusive classes and other issues no one wants in.
Also if anyone hasn't even bothered reading the updates because they don't care well you still shouldn't but nearly every single one of them is fixing something with the pitch. . Allow me to state what every update says in order.
Update #1 - Thanks for the money now we'll answer your questions later.
Update #2 - No this has nothing to do with the card game we just wrote that wrong. Also no this won't be a bad mobile port we promise.
Update #3 - Ok we removed that stuff about the card game now here's more addons please give more.
Update #4 - Hey we will let you have it DRM free now. See we do care! Now here's some more addons please we have families.
Update #5 - Hey thanks again. If you want more info don't worry we have it for you. On a later day.
Update #6 - We fixed our stretch goals now and most of them are ports which will make the game better because more people can buy it. Also someone who should probably be here by default will be here. Also more addons (one of them is boxed copies which I'm a sucker for but i just do not trust this since it looks so messed up) so if you wouldn't mind bugging your friends.
Update #7 - Hey thanks again and again so now we will let you choose what version of the game you will get (seriously why wasn't that there already?) so keep bugging people.
Update #8 (just posted today) - They actually have Matsuno on video now. It only took them 2 freaking weeks. If they started with him they could have hit their goal twice. Well it's only 40 seconds and it's him basically saying thanks. It honestly feels like a joke at this point. Also apparently he's still working on it but I have no idea on what. Well here's a Q&A on reddit that will be answered on thursday. On Wednesday they will be on ustream and the next update will announce 2 more classes.
When over half of your updates are just changing stuff from the pitch you seriously need to cancel and reevaluate. Honestly if I was them I would cancel the kickstarter, go back to Matsuno and figure out a budget where he and the usual people he works with can go full time on this then come back with an update where Matsuno's the main person talking so it actually looks like he's involved. I bet they could ask for twice their current goal and hit it within a few days.
