The Crowdfunding Thread

Boardgames
542

I’ve been trying to stick to that (saves space, also) and organizers. But also sometimes there is Kickstarter.

That said, personally I’m not that fussed about getting things replayed loads. I’d like to play things more than once, of course, and I think some sorts of games reveal their depths only after repeated play. But I’m not actually that interested in finding those depths or really mastering games. I’m more interested in having varied experiences. And at a certain point I tend to feel like I’ve seen what a game has to offer in terms of unique content and meaningfully distinct configurations of that content, and it doesn’t really matter to me if the game supports the sort of long term strategic analysis that people have been doing with games like Go and Chess over the centuries. Those sorts of minute details and evolutions in strategy don’t make the game fresh and exciting for me.

1 Like
543

I’ve found the 10x10 challenge to be a really good way to get me to play my collection. It’s the first year I’ve done it, so I don’t know how it will work long term.

Also, at the start of lockdown I went a bit crazy and bought a lot of games. Since then I’ve self imposed a limit because it was getting silly.

I’ve not backed a lot of Kickstarters, but have had a good experience so far. I’m waiting on War of Whispers, Canvas (which is just pretty and my parents might be able to play it). I think I’m a bit better at saying no to games that I want but I don’t think I’ll ever get to play.

I’m also getting better at selling things that we don’t enjoy.

1 Like
544

I don’t really want to go into any game that deeply. Either I’ll get really good at it, in which case I won’t be able to play casually any more, or I won’t, in which case I won’t be able to play seriously. Or I’ll get just a bit good at it, in which case both apply.

On-topic: Rallyman Dirt KS now offers hill-climbs, interesting, and design-your-own-car, which… woo.

1 Like
545

Campaign games have been my recent obsession because that’s a really good way to incentivize playing the game at least several times but you can expect both variety (missions will change things up) and narrative. I may never return to the game after the campaign is done, and in the case of Gloomhaven there’s Just. So. Much. that I probably won’t actually make it to the end ever. (We’ve played it dozens of times, though! Pretty good value still, IMO.) But that’s fine.

3 Likes
546

A Flock of Unicorns

The Kickstarter games I’ve received

More data!

  • Bargain Quest - the Kickstarter that started it all. After SUSD’s coverage of BQ, I added my email to their mailing list to be notified of their reprint Kickstarter. Prior to that, I had only used Kickstarter twice: once to buy tickets for a local gaming convention and the second to back a friend-of-a-friend’s book

  • Sabotage - I was lured by the promise of an app for co-op play. Still unplayed :frowning:

  • Dale of Merchants Collection - I went all in and got DoM1, DoM2 and DoMC. Still really interested in this even though I definitely have too many deckbuilders in my collection. I’m always intimidated by the sheer amount of variability whenever I think about setting this up. Still unplayed :frowning:

  • Reavers of Midgard - I’ve talked about this recently. Bleh

  • Catacombs (Third Edition) - I went all-in on this one. To be honest, I’ve never had a table to play this on; at the moment our dining room table is “counter height” (36") which is not great for dexterity games; I’m 5’11" and I would still struggle. Still unplayed :frowning:

  • Welcome To… - I’m overwhelmed by this game’s rulebook. The game can’t be this hard… Still unplayed :frowning:

  • Arcane Alley - I backed this because it was a) a indie designer with a lot of passion and a good head on their shoulders b) reminded me of the traditional card game “Golf” that my partner loves. Unfortunately, it arrived just after my partner and I lost almost all of our free gaming time by having kids. Still unplayed :frowning:

  • Whales Destroying the World - This one reminded me of Secrets and the art is so adorable. I’m not much for bluffing/hidden-role games but this is quite good. One of the few KS games that I’ve backed and played.

  • Chai - I backed this game because of the outstanding community-engagement the creators had during their KS campaign. I regret that - their community engagement after the Kickstarter was completely awful. They really only cared about their Facebook group and they weren’t even engaging in that - just dropping posts and then only directly interacting with their friends

  • Army token set for 878 Vikings - Stackable tokens for use in 878 Vikings. 3D printed by the creator and shipped - I also bought the STLs so I could print some for other games in appropriate colors

  • Pipeline / The Estates - (Late Backer)

    • Pipeline - jumped in on this late pledge due to SUSD’s coverage. “Economic games” means something different to me now than it used to, but this is still a stunning production that I’m eager to give a fair shot. Still unplayed :frowning:
    • The Estates - This one I’ve played and I adore. I have game #125

  • Edible Games Cookbook: Play with Your Food - I gave this one to my partner because she loves to bake but never has time to experiment; I thought maybe this would get some creative juices flowing for her – so far, nothing… but hopefully soon when we get a new, enormous kitchen.

  • The Champion of the Wild - I had bought the first version of this game and got it played; so when the second edition went up on Kickstarter, I bought that plus an upgrade kit for my old version so that I could gift it to a friend.

  • Wavelength - I would absolutely consider this my best Kickstarter pledge ever except that I paid more than someone could pay right now on Amazon. Oh well, it could be my “Best Game 2019” if I was really forced to choose.

  • Mechanica - I’m a sucker for “let’s build and then run a factory!”. Designer had great community engagement and the physicality of the game is quite good. Still unplayed :frowning:

  • Age of Steam Deluxe - Back before 18xx, I became slightly obsessed with AoS. Unfortunately, by the time this fulfilled, I was already distracted by 18xx. Still unplayed, but I do have plans to at least play the solo maps soon (once I get a big enough table to set it up)

  • Root: Underworld - I bought this to go with my Root + Riverfolk… I’ve only ever played solo using the new Clockwork expansion that came with this pledge. Biggest thing holding me back at the moment is getting a gameday scheduled so that I have both time to teach and play this one.

  • Oceans - I love Evolution. Both myself and my neighbor pledged for this. It’s a shame that it arrived just before COVID hit or it would already have been played.

  • 18Chesapeake - This one I’ve played! If you count online against forumites, that is. It’ll never be my favorite 18xx, but it might be the prettiest.

  • Matryoshka - I loved the art and the theme was fun. Also, it was cheap. When I got my pledge, the cards were very poorly cut and the publisher sent me a replacement deck right away. Still unplayed :frowning:

  • Tussie Mussie - A wallet-sized game from Elizabeth Hargrave. It was hard to pass up, especially for the price. I’ve dabbled with this one solo but definitely want to try it as a “let’s sit on the couch and play a game” game with my partner (once she’s more enthusiastic about learning new games)

  • Iron Clays - These were a tad late but it was worth it. I got the 400 Chest (in Rosewood). I probably should have gone with the black stain… but whatevs; the chips are great. They’re not exactly “heirloom quality” like the chest is, but I’d be proud to pull them out at just about any occasion.

  • Stockpile: Illicit Investments - EPIC EDITION! I had never played Stockpile (and still haven’t) but it seems to be the best “My First Stock Market Game” and, because that’s a mechanism I very much enjoy, I’m very glad I have it even though it’ll likely be a few years before I can convince my partner to play it with me (my other gaming opponents may have interest in it sooner). Unplayed :frowning:

  • Prêt-à-Porter - I think the fashion industry is a fascinating setting for a boardgame. I backed this basically blindly without having a lot of information about the game. I’ve played exactly once and, while it’s not the type of game I thought it to be, I am glad to have it. It’s a nice efficiency-style engine-builder – but the theme is what sets it apart and is why it’ll stick around.

  • Smartphone Inc - I used to work in cellular telecom! I don’t anymore. I really don’t know much about it (and someone whose opinion often aligns with my own just posted a lukewarm reaction to their first play). So, this one may be headed for the outbox soon. Unplayed :frowning:

2 Likes
547

Since we’re all deep diving our shame, here’s my Kickstarter history:

Most recent backing: The Shivers, a pop-up 2 players RPG that looks pretty cool. May end up being my most risky, first timers and all.

Awaiting Fulfillment:
Alice Is Missing: A Silent Role Playing Game
Hel: The Last Saga
Railroad Ink Challenge
Frosthaven
Mint Control - The Minty Fresh Area Control Game
Delve: A Solo Game of Digging Too Deep
Oath: Chronicles of Empire and Exile
Namiji - the Next Chapter in the Tokaido Universe

Fulfilled:
Board Game Clips - they’re… clips, for boardgames.
Oh No I’m Late to the MCR Concert & I Have an Extra Ticket - an rpg about finding a date amongst cryptids. Looks fun, haven’t had a chance to play yet.
The Isle of Cats - Very fun puzzle game, no regrets.
Tussie Mussie - super compact, fun to play, no regrets.
Root: The Underworld Expansion - I think I’ve accepted that I’ll back most of what Leder puts out… great additions to the base game as well.
Terror Below - Super simple, fun, haven’t played as much as I would like, but it was early in the hobby for me so things come up.
Secret Hitler - Fun, but lost its sheen after the stuff came out recently about the CAH workplace culture.

3 Likes
548

I think this is pretty much where I fall as well.

We do have games I want to play more, simply so we can grok the systems enough for smooth and quick okay (mostly our skirmish games), but I’ve never been one to deep dive into the depths of strategy a game offers.

I’ve tried to slow down my purchases, but it seems to come in waves. Between saving my purchases to group them for free shipping, or KS seeming to get hit with great projects in chunks (like right now, and likely this fall).

I’m mostly trying to expand our collection to cover areas I find lacking; hoping to grab a few more euro/strategy games (partially at my son’s request), and I’m always up for more short quick to setup games that work well for 2.

I do bounce back and forth on the idea of being a collector, as well as a player, and while I have moved some games to a “trade drawer” most of the time I simply don’t want too. As long as I still have a desire to play a game, even if it’s been many months, it’s hard for me to justify selling/trading it.

An example is out skirmish game collection; I could easily cut it in half, and still have a variety, but I don’t want too. I often just don’t want to play the same one too often, as I can easily get bored, even of games I live with tons of variety.

Someone posted on a discord I’m on, remaining me when SVWAG discussed the whole idea of being a collector. Walker made a statement (which I’m sure I’m going to quote incorrectly) along the lines of “some people spends half their lives looking for something that really brings them joy. We’ve already found it! So what if some of our games sit on the shelf for month or even years? If it doesn’t bother you, who cares?!”

As long as it’s not a financial burden, etc, etc, I don’t see the issue. If someone dislikes the idea of any of their games sitting for months, by all means, trim your collection. I’m not at a point on my life where I care. They bring me joy!! :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

5 Likes
549

I taught this to my parents so I don’t think it’s that bad. It did take a couple of attempts however.

2 Likes
550

Jumping on the posting your KS history bandwagon:

Stuff I'm waiting for:
  • Jabberwocky
  • Mint Cooperative
  • Reigns: The Council
  • The Board Game Book, Volume 2
  • Adventure Presents: Tartarus Gate
  • Kittin
  • Village Pillage: Surf and Turf
  • Bristol 1350
Fulfilled and kept:
  • In Security - First game I ever backed. Still pretty good. Wish I had an actual box for it.
  • 10 Minutes to Kill - Quite an odd game. Only comes out occasionally, but always enjoyable. Don’t think I’ve ever used any of the “expansion” components.
  • Dragon Punch - By the same designer as In Security. Nice pocket fighting game.
  • Skulldug! - Really fun, thematic game that I should play more often. Pity it seems like the designers never did anything else.
  • Terrible Monster - Nice quick two-player game.
  • Mint Works - “Pocket worker placement game” is an interesting niche to fill. Works well, but if I have space, I’d rather play something else.
  • Monikers - Backed 3 different campaigns for all this. One of my most played games.
  • Tortuga 1667 - I’ve got better games for the player count/gameplay, but it’s a really nice thing to have.
  • Alas for the Awful Sea - The first in a long line of RPGs I’ve yet to play.
  • The Lady and the Tiger - Nice selection of games using the same components. Gorgeous art.
  • Hardback - I think I like Paperback better as it’s simpler and quicker, but it’s nice to alternate them.
  • Long Live The Queen - Another good 2-player game. These all mostly suffer because my recent 2-player sessions have involved digging into heavier stuff.
  • Heroes Wanted: Elements of Danger - I had all the other Heroes Wanted stuff, so it was a no-brainer to complete my collection. Still barely played it …
  • Consentacle - Great game. Though very limited in who you can play it with …
  • The Metagame - Not quite as heavily played as Monikers, but fills a similar niche.
  • The Champion of the Wild - One of the best party games ever. And my name’s on one of the cards :smiley:
  • Songbirds - Like a (slightly) less mean Arboretum. With birds.
  • Mr. Cabbagehead’s Garden - One day I will sit down and make myself understand the rules to this.
  • The Board Game Book - Still waiting to be read (along with so many of my books).
  • Into the Dungeon - CYOA book with lovely art that I’ve yet to play, but I ended up buying a 2nd copy as a gift for a friend.
  • Village Pillage - Possibly my biggest KS success story behind Monikers and CotW. Great game.
  • The Spire (RPG) - Haven’t actually read the rules for this yet, but I nicked some of the setting stuff for the current D&D campaign I’m running.
  • Welcome to Dino World - I’m not a big fan of roll & writes, but I do enjoy drawing crap dinosaurs.
  • Girl Underground - Another RPG I haven’t played. But it looks good!
  • For the Dungeon! - See other RPG entries. Might see about running a one-shot of this next time D&D falls through …
Fulfilled, now gone (or waiting to go):
  • Grim - Just not very good at all. A push-your-luck game with unclear rules and somewhat shoddy components.
  • Braggart - My friend got the original when we were first getting into games, so I backed the new edition. Played it a couple of times since receiving it and the charm just isn’t there any more.
  • Temp Worker Assassins - A decent worker placement/deck builder with a cool theme that has absolutely nothing to do with those mechanics.
  • Tao Long - Very pretty abstract game that’s just kinda meh.
  • Mint Delivery - Not as good as Mint Works. Even the portability doesn’t make it something I’d ever be likely to grab when packing a bag of games.
Never coming:
  • Board Game Creative Kit - Getting a cheap copy of 504 was a much better idea.
2 Likes
551

Oh, this sounds like something that would be of interest to a friend of mine. I’ll have to chuck a link their way.

2 Likes
552

I am trying to recruit for a PBF of the game too - if they’re interested :slight_smile:

1 Like
553

My Kickstarter list is well over 300. I think I posted it somewhere else (maybe on the dear departed SU&SD official forum) but…not gonna try and do that again. >.>

4 Likes
554

I’m not really looking for that level of mastery of any of my games either. I just want to play them because I have fun playing them. I’ve owned Dungeon Petz for 4 or 5 years now, I believe. I have played it once, and that was only a month or two ago! I’ve owned Galaxy Trucker for slightly less time than that. It has been played once, and only the first round before we had to stop because one of our kids got sick. I have played Inis three times now, loved every play of it, but I just can’t manage to get it to the table very often. Catacombs has been played exactly twice, though I’ve owned it for 3-4 years now.

Not to mention the plethora of games I own which have never been played, simply because we don’t have enough time to do so, and when we do have a game day with friends, we often can only play one or two games, so while one new game may get played, there’s still a huge stack of unplayed or rarely played games sitting around.

3 Likes
555

Sometimes the theme of a game day at my place has been “Roger’s unplayed games” or “help me finish the 52 game challenge”.

7 Likes
556

Say what you want, but that is one of the only Kickstarters I have been close to back since retaking the hobby in the last 9 months… It looks like a nice mistake to make, if you ask me.

1 Like
557

Ha well I hope you’re right!

3 Likes
558

I think that’s a valid (if expensive) interest. I’m always surprised at the range of play that is possible with boardgames, and exploring it all is very exciting.

Welcome to is such a weird game to try and learn and teach. There are a whole bunch of different actions that each add points in different ways and require you to manage in order to pull together a strategy, while trying to fill in numbers because…? I think the fact that filling in houses doesn’t directly give you points combined with the fact that a lot of the actions don’t directly give you points makes it a weird game to understand from the rules.

I have found that coming at it like this works best:

  • Each turn you choose a number out of the 3 cards to fill in and build a house. The numbers have to go in ascending order but not be directly adjacent, eg: 2, 3, 5 is fine.
  • Then each card has an action associated with it, that you can also use such as the “fence” action, which allows you to build a fence between 2 houses. This does not interrupt the ascending order but is useful for building estates that are used for the City Plans objectives. This is how you score points so if you can build a 1-estate and 2 3-estates then you get X points for city plan 1, or Y points if you’re not the first to finish it.
  • Then you can explain the estate agents action which raises the values of the estates at the end of the game, which is the least intuitive action in the whole game until you understand the end-of-game scoring. Then you can explain the rest of the actions.

I think the issue is that the closest thing to “here’s a simple goal you can aim for” is the City Plans, which require explaining what you do on each turn, including the specific “fence” action, before you can understand what it means to complete one of them. Then the estate agents action is real tricky to wrap your head around because the scoring pad is a bit obtuse until you’ve got your town at least half-filled, when it might click into place. Plus each of the actions has their own nuances.

I’ve never seen someone be totally comfortable with the rules on the first play, but once the first game is over everyone I’ve played with is enthusiastic to go again* and doesn’t have any trouble. It really is a game that you learn by playing.

*minus one person who hates the game, it is not a forgiving game for those with dyscalculia since it’s essentially a fancy looking spreadsheet

5 Likes
559

Yeah There’s nothing really wrong with having a large collection if you have the means to store them.

Also, I remember being the only one back then who has a collection, and then another one started his, when our group was new. So, I used to have a good range. Nowadays, a lot of people in my group and with newcomers too, have their own. So, I’m more than happy to drop a lot of mine. I also live in a London flat. I now use the phrase “armies, auction, trains, Knizia” to describe my collection. :stuck_out_tongue:

8 Likes
560

Is it arranged accordingly like Quinns’ collection?

3 Likes
561

Someone needs to teach that boy what an axis is…

4 Likes