Crowdfunding

Ambassador_ (10135)

08-12-2008, 18:51

Would it work?

With crowdfunding I mean:

A group or individual has a concept (tool, game etc.) and proposes it to the community. The tool or game (product) will be made when 250 people invest €10 in it, this then means €2500 has been raised for development. After development has been finished, the 250 people receive their product.

Often we're facing the vicious circle of demand and supply. With this model -which is being applied in various other places as well- you are at least guaranteed of a certain sales count, and you can produce a certain amount of boxes, manuals etc. without being stuck with unsold products, rotting away in the basement.

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Van Ivan

Ascended (9372)

08-12-2008, 19:00

Nice idea but now propose, for instance, a game that 250 people would like to play. Not easy. And would developers agree? And if the product is never finished?

Van Ivan

Ascended (9372)

08-12-2008, 19:14

And this thread makes me remember the donation system of MSXdev'08 and this site (the MRC). Hmmm... I donated €50 years ago to the MRC, maybe I should do the same with MSXdev'08, which is a true MSX game factory...

Van wolf_

Ambassador_ (10135)

08-12-2008, 19:57

Well, crowdfunding could be with a deadline, but I was opting for a situation without competition. More like: "you want a game? for 250 sales of €10 I make a game". Say, max a year development time from the moment when 250 parts have been 'sold', with no withdrawing from either party.

Van Moniz

Champion (401)

08-12-2008, 20:27

I think it's a great idea and a good way to stimulate developers, although I think 250 is a bit to much

.... And if the product is never finished?

An independed bankaccount could be opend that will pay out as soon the game is finished

Van wolf_

Ambassador_ (10135)

08-12-2008, 21:44

It's called 'Escrow'

And the 250 was just a number, like 'any' number. It could be 100 as well.

Van Manuel

Ascended (19678)

08-12-2008, 23:02

Reminds me a bit of the Sunrise Games Subscription.

Van FiXato

Scribe (1743)

09-12-2008, 00:07

Van SLotman

Paragon (1242)

09-12-2008, 06:44

IMHO, this is not a good idea... Ademir tried that with his hardware (x people paying first, to receive the hardware later), but not only people didnt pay him all the money, he missed the deadlines, people started complaining more and more, and the end result was him fed up with "the attitude" and stopping to make any kind of MSX hardware.

I can clearly see the situation: "I payed $xx! Where´s the game? Why it isnt ready yet?" - it will probably demotivate the developers, instead of giving him more interest to "make more".

Even worst, if you develop something investing your own time and money, and try to sell it, there are some people (ahem) that will attack you, with no reason whatsoever... imagine if you start to ask money "in advance" to make something!

Van Bart

Paragon (1422)

09-12-2008, 10:15

Yes, it works and it already exists: www.fundable.org

Van pitpan

Prophet (3156)

09-12-2008, 18:11

I'd say that 250 people is a bit too much. But for me, as an amateur freeware game developer, I should say that a *reward*, not a price, of let's say 400 - 600 euro would be great. I code games for free, but, of course, a deadline and a little reward always help. The main problem then is producing the game, I mean boxes, instructions, cartridges/disks, whatever. With that money we'll buy a memento of the game development or we will invest it in other MSX productions that might require extra funding. But for me - as for all active MSX developers - it is fun and not money what counts. Sadly enough, I do not like playing games, I just like coding them