Kicking My Kickstarters

Tenkar is the police of the Kickstarters and does a great job keeping me informed of what's going on.  He's also not shy about calling out someone's bullshit when the smell gets too strong.  I thought I'd post about my experiences with the Kickstarter campaigns that I've backed.

1. Dwimmermount

Yup, my first one.  It's become notorious and a glaring example of how things go wrong.  I plowed $60 into this one.  I wanted the hardback and the separate map book.  I think all mega-dungeons should come with a map book.  It's too hard to flip back and forth and a lot of times the maps are chopped up.  I don't like chopped up maps.  I liked chopped up goblins and owlbears and bards, but not maps.  So the map book knocked my original contribution from the $40 to the $60....*sigh*

2. Barrowmaze


Another megadungeon, but drastically different results than Dwimmermount.  Barrowmaze II was on time.  I went in for $45.  Basically the PDF and hardback.  Looking back I would have probably gotten in on the $65 to get the map poster (see above comments about my loathing of chopped maps). **EDIT**  Greg reported to me that the extra $10 was not for him signing it, but for dice bags. 

3. Appendix N

Up next is Appendix N.  I went in on this one at the $30 level.  I wanted the two printed copies of each adventure.  John has sent out PDFs for the original set I believe, but nothing for the stretch goals that were reached.  Plus no print copies have been sent yet.  I know what I was getting into when I forked over the dough to John.  He started this Kickstarter before he completed the other stuff people ordered.  I'm looking forward to getting them, but when this campaign came out everyone one was hot on DCC as I was, but I haven't played it since the playtesting days.  I'm hoping to get in a couple games when I get them in my paws.

4. Crawler's Companion

An app for DCC.  Seems like I get into these things in pairs.  First off, I don't do apps.  No really.  I am very low tech for the most part.  I don't have a fancy phone, but my phone can knock out a thief and still work to call the police.  Try that with an iPhone.  Wussy phone.  Anyway, Jon delivered on the app.  I have a Nook and it works well.  But, I got in for $50.  I didn't pay $50 for no stinking app.  I wanted the hardback of the three adventures.  I have the first two in PDF.  Can't remember if I received the third.  But I want the hardback.  In the comment section it sounds like that may happen soon.  That will be a good mail day.

5. Tabletop Forge

I thought I would be running a lot of games on-line.  Google+ gung-fu, let's get a game together.  Well that hasn't happened.  And Tabletop Forge blew up.  I feel bad for Josh, after the guys got their money from the campaign they split.  I got a pair of steel toed boots for their temple all ready to go. However, Josh made good on his word.  He plowed all the good stuff into Roll d20.  I plan on learning it so I can practice my Google+ gung-fu.  Waaaaaa.

6. Swords & Wizardry: 1st Edition Play Rules

Swords & Wizardry is my system of choice, although I use them all.  I guess it was the first one I used.  I did not mess around with this one, $125 White Dragon baby.  They've had their delays.  Quite a few actually, BUT unlike the other Kickstarters that ran into trouble because it is a solid company they were able to get what they set out to do done.  However, they keep screwing up my payments and mail address.  I think the Frog God does not like me because apparently I have his missus captive in my backyard.

The scary ass frog in my backyard I posted about a while back.  JD did a adventure contest based off of her.  I think this is why the Frog God takes issue with me.  BUT my Kickstarter package is waiting for me in my mailbox at the post office.  I wonder what's I'll be posting about tomorrow.

7. Tavern Cards

This one was completed recently and is scheduled to be released next month.  I took a personal interest in this one because I've been a fan of Hannah and her Chaotic Shiny Production generators from way back.  My review of her fantastic treasure generator is my all-time hit post.  By far.  I've got a lot of faith in Hannah's ability to get these cards out.  I went in at $60 so I could get six decks.  I was hoping for a pirate deck, but I was glad to see she got her project funded.

8. Dungeon Deck

This Kickstarter is still on-going.  As of this writing there is still 16 days to go in the campaign.  It looks pretty good that it will be funded.  I few years back I met Debbie and Jim at Origins and I bought the deck of quests.  I think its a great idea.  I was using them last week messing with them.  I need to do a post with pictures up by next week.  They are an enthusiastic couple who love their product.  I'm hoping they get a chance to get some of the stretch goals done.  Since I already have the main deck I was very confident about backing this one.  I went in at $40 which will get me another main deck, the companion decks and any stretch goals they reach.

Conclusion
When I go to the post tomorrow and pick up my S&W I will have 3 of 6 completed.  The Tabletop Forge one I consider done even though I believe there is more coming.  The three that remain are all in partial completeness.  I don't see any timeline with Dwimmermount and at this time, have given up on it.  I don't like reading the updates I get.  I know Tavis is trying to make good on it and I don't blame him.  And really, I don't blame James.  It's a very unfortunate situation.  While I am not happy about it I am not going to waste my time blaming anyone.  However, it has made me gun shy about pulling the trigger on new Kickstarters.  Will I get into them in the future, absolutely, but I'll be a lot more selective.

I'm looking for Kickstarters who have the main part completed and would only need to complete the stretch goals.  It makes me think what I would do for a Kickstarter if such an insane thought ever crossed my mind.  But I know whatever I did, it would be written ahead of time.