Shadowrun Returns Comes to Kickstarter

[Darknacht]

If they are doing things like Wasteland 2 is you can get a DRM copy or a steam key, I'm not sure why you would want the steam version but if you do it probably will be an option. Why don't you just ask the devs rather than making illogical assumptions?

My question would be, why do I have to chase around the devs to get this information/option? I'm the consumer and they're asking for my money not even for a product, but a potential product. It's vaporware at this point and already they've lost my business because they don't have foresight into their preferred method of distribution. How does that look in the consumer market when a company that's asking for money doesn't have a solid plan going in? It's panhandling. Not to even mention that that project would then be questionable because if they don't have the understanding of the distribution side of the project, what's to say all the features they've promised don't make it into the game or are poorly handled? Again, this should be an option offered up front without my having to ask, especially considering the project type (small development team using digital distribution), not something I should have to bring up as a "hey, obvious point is obvious" request.

As for why? I've found Steam to be a reliable tool to organize my games, keep everything up to date without so much as having to think about it and has a great in-game overlay that seamlessly switches out to a chat box to talk with friends while gaming and browser to look up anything I may want to know while playing without the normal wait time/possible graphical readjustment normally associated with alt-tabbing out of full screen. All in all, it just works for me and it bothers me to have to have poorly handled clients when Valve has done an excellent job at proving that simplicity and convenience outweigh some intrusion into my gaming experience.

If you don't like it then you don't have to get it. One of the reasons I'm supporting it is because they have the foresight to distribute it in a way that does not require Steam, because in may experience Steam is terribly clunky, bad at updating games, good at breaking games and DLC, and simply unnecessary. I am glad that none of the games I am supporting are using Steam as their preferred method of distribution.
If you don't want to support this game just because they did not bother to tell you that you can get it on Steam that is your choice, but the rest of us are going to support it because we think that this could be a great game and supporting the game now give them more money to make it even better.

 

[Darknacht]

My would steam implement a non DRM game? Valve are not going to overturn their entire digital distribution system for the sake of one kickstarter game. They have no reason to spend money on implementing a non drm game. They just haven't thought it through.

Are you dense?

They'll offer the game through Steam AND through other non-DRM platforms like Desura, GamersGate or even their own Website, Steam doesn't hold up any kind of need for an "Exclusivity Agreement" for any game.

Where does it say that smartarse? Guess what its says that nowhere, if you don't have in your terms and conditions you can be sued. We live in the world where gamers sue go to court because they dont like the ending of ME3, some smart arse, just like you, can take them to court and this case stand a high chance of winning. Its baldy thought through, they have committed themselves to things without understanding of the consequences. They have drm free because all the others have said the samething, they have just assumed because someone else has done it they can do it. By not stating that the drm free version will only be available from their website, they have opened up the option for it to be argued that the kickstarter and there website has led to reasonable a exception of a DRM free version being downloadable by steam. Legal departments exist for a reason dimwit.

You can distribute DRM free games through steam Paradox does it, its just a bit awkward. You need to try to know a little about what you are talking about before you start railing on others or it make you look like a dimwit.

 

[MrBrightside919]

Only took about 28 hours but the kickstarter has gone beyond the initial goal...

Super excited!

 

[HellsingerAngel]

So let me get this straight. You not going to, and indeed telling other people, Not to get a game (I know it's vaporware right now) because it won't go right to Steam? That seem rather petty. And don't say you're not telling other people what to do. By posting that amount text, it's just far to heavily implied.

Now, I was going to write up a counter point to these accusations, but I then this conveniently came along...

If you don't like it then you don't have to get it. One of the reasons I'm supporting it is because they have the foresight to distribute it in a way that does not require Steam, because in may experience Steam is terribly clunky, bad at updating games, good at breaking games and DLC, and simply unnecessary. I am glad that none of the games I am supporting are using Steam as their preferred method of distribution.
If you don't want to support this game just because they did not bother to tell you that you can get it on Steam that is your choice, but the rest of us are going to support it because we think that this could be a great game and supporting the game now give them more money to make it even better.

I couldn't have put it better myself.

Whether that's petty or not, I suppose, is your opinion, however I don't think it's petty to not want to give money to make something I don't want. If they want to broaden their market, they should broaden the availability of the game, simple as that.

As for you, Darknacht, I totally agree! I think it's great that the company is setting it up for a non-DRM solution for people like you. What simply disappoints me is that they take the extreme instead of coming to the logical solution: ship it both ways. Valve has never had a problem in the past with companies selling in other venues so it just seems odd they wouldn't have tried to strike a deal with them. Then again, maybe they did. I suppose we might never know. However, I'm glad you can get a game you want in your preferred format and I certainly encourage you to support the game if that's what you want gaming to be. =)

 

[Darknacht]

As for you, Darknacht, I totally agree! I think it's great that the company is setting it up for a non-DRM solution for people like you. What simply disappoints me is that they take the extreme instead of coming to the logical solution: ship it both ways. Valve has never had a problem in the past with companies selling in other venues so it just seems odd they wouldn't have tried to strike a deal with them. Then again, maybe they did. I suppose we might never know. However, I'm glad you can get a game you want in your preferred format and I certainly encourage you to support the game if that's what you want gaming to be. =)

They are distributing through Steam as well as DRM free.

 

[Charon77]

This could be so incredibly awesome...or not. Here is to hope...
Take all my Yen...TAKE IT ALL!

 

[HellsingerAngel]

]They are distributing through Steam as well as DRM free.

Yup, which is cool, so I probably will get a copy. Doesn't make me want to pledge though, considering the pledge copy is DRM-free, aka not Steam, which was the entire crux of the argument to begin with.

 

[Darknacht]

]They are distributing through Steam as well as DRM free.

Yup, which is cool, so I probably will get a copy. Doesn't make me want to pledge though, considering the pledge copy is DRM-free, aka not Steam, which was the entire crux of the argument to begin with.

DRM-free does not mean not Steam, Victoria II and Europa Universalis 3 are DRM-free on Steam.

 

[HellsingerAngel]

]They are distributing through Steam as well as DRM free.

Yup, which is cool, so I probably will get a copy. Doesn't make me want to pledge though, considering the pledge copy is DRM-free, aka not Steam, which was the entire crux of the argument to begin with.

DRM-free does not mean not Steam Victoria II and Europa Universalis 3 are DRM-free on Steam.

A lot of games on Steam are not additional DRM-free, but Steam in and of itself is DRM. sort of the point of the service.

 

[Darknacht]

]They are distributing through Steam as well as DRM free.

Yup, which is cool, so I probably will get a copy. Doesn't make me want to pledge though, considering the pledge copy is DRM-free, aka not Steam, which was the entire crux of the argument to begin with.

DRM-free does not mean not Steam Victoria II and Europa Universalis 3 are DRM-free on Steam.

A lot of games on Steam are not additional DRM-free, but Steam in and of itself is DRM. sort of the point of the service.

Most games on Steam also use Steam DRM but not all. I can install Victoria II using Steam and then copy it to any directory on my computer I want to or even uninstall Steam and it will still work. Using Steam DRM is not a requirement for using the Steam install, update, and interface platform.

 

[Lever]

For everyone asking about distribution, here is some cut'n'paste from the FAQ on the kickstarter page

"For mobile tablets, Shadowrun Returns will be available via iTunes, Android Marketplace, and the Amazon Android marketplace. For PC, the game will be available on Steam and our website."

So, yes, it will be distributed by Steam as well as their own site. Now I'm just waitin for my paycheck to show up....

 

[Ihniwid]

Question:

One benefit of having a producer is that it keeps the production moving. With Kickstarter, what is stopping these game companies from taking "too long" to finish the game?

 

[Awexsome]

Question:

One benefit of having a producer is that it keeps the production moving. With Kickstarter, what is stopping these game companies from taking "too long" to finish the game?

Neither method is perfect.

There's nothing stopping them from going all Valve and not actually releasing anything for a long ass time. Actually there is, the money donated would run out and they couldn't pay their employees or bills anymore.

Hypothetically they could start up another kickstarter thing but good luck asking for more after the first run fell short. Even if they legitimately fell short from what they expected the cost would be they would forever be labeled as con-artists by the internet for swindling people out of their money.

 

[Ihniwid]

Mmm, I agree.

Question:

One benefit of having a producer is that it keeps the production moving. With Kickstarter, what is stopping these game companies from taking "too long" to finish the game?

Neither method is perfect.

There's nothing stopping them from going all Valve and not actually releasing anything for a long ass time. Actually there is, the money donated would run out and they couldn't pay their employees or bills anymore.

Hypothetically they could start up another kickstarter thing but good luck asking for more after the first run fell short. Even if they legitimately fell short from what they expected the cost would be they would forever be labeled as con-artists by the internet for swindling people out of their money.

Mmm, I agree.

I like to think that the Kickstarter trend is, overall, a positive one, but I'm hesitant to say it is not without its problems. One the one hand, the developer doesn't have to worry about explaining certain decisions to a corporate team who's bottom line is dollar signs. On the other hand, Kickstarter allows the unlimited freedom to decide, and this can possibly cripple the expectancy generated from the vast number of sponsors through the website.

The whole thing reminds me of the indie film movement of the 1970s. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't, but at least the end product was what the creative team strived to make. Rather than, of course, a clash of creative ingenuity and corporate flowcharts.

 

[godofallu]

Yet again the this kickstarter is going to run into problems. For $15 you get a DRM free version, well guess what you have just ruled yourself out from using steam and origin. They are the 2 largest digital distribution operators in the world, it seams kinda of dumb from the get go to cut them out. The vast majority of gamers don't look at kickstarter, there is danger that only the tiny fraction is ever going to hear about games produced this way. Lets be frank being on steams front page is going to get you far more sales they being on the front page of the escapist.

Fun fact, games can have no DRM and steam DRM at the same time.

Ever heard of the Witcher 2? Anyone who ordered it from GOG got a DRM free version, yet it was also on Steam.

 

[Albino Boo]

Fun fact, games can have no DRM and steam DRM at the same time.

Ever heard of the Witcher 2? Anyone who ordered it from GOG got a DRM free version, yet it was also on Steam.

Fun fact unless you state that that the drm free version will not be on steam you are guilty of false advertising.

 

[godofallu]

Fun fact, games can have no DRM and steam DRM at the same time.

Ever heard of the Witcher 2? Anyone who ordered it from GOG got a DRM free version, yet it was also on Steam.

Fun fact unless you state that that the drm free version will not be on steam you are guilty of false advertising.

I don't see anywhere on the Kickstarter page where they would be guilty of false advertising. Do you have a quote or are you just throwing out a hypothetical problem?

I would assume the DRM free version would be a download link, not not steam related.

 

[Pumpkin_Eater]

Poor Mitch Gidelman. The fps wasn't a bad game, it just wasn't in the same spirit as the source material. Change the name and no one would hate it.

This does sound pretty cool.

 

[LoKiUSMC]

I love Shadowrun from the first time I rented it as a Sega game. I originally first bought the Xbox 360 because Shadowrun only was being released on Xbox. WHAT A DISSAPOINTMENT. I'd love to see the game as an MMO but being released as described here may get it more recognition to the youngsters that may only know the game from the lame shooter. I'm super pumped to see what happens out of all this.