Hornet85

Same here. I've been using Windows all my life but I do want to have an alternative because I'm not liking where Microsoft is taking Windows with Windows 8. If future Windows no longer suits my needs, I would want to be able to switch to Linux fully without the hassle of dual booting or virtual PC. Right now what Linux lacks is good games. If we can start getting all the good games over, that would be amazing and we can have a choice.

Fair points. Though I thought that's why technically, they call Kickstarter pledge a donation. Investment would bring a whole different meaning and the issues you mentioned. Are they broke? What about the earnings from all the EA Bioware hand-me down projects? It just kept them afloat? Even for big companies, they are funded by publishers for each project. That is, for example, DICE do not take their money from their previous title to fund Battlefield 3. That's just not possible. EA do fund Battlefield 3 project for DICE to make it happen. This is why it was reported that DICE had to get EA's approval for Mirror Edge 2 which EA shot down and work had to stop. Without funding, no project will happen regardless of how big a company is. So its really no different whether you're under a publisher or crowd funded. If you're under a publisher, you go to them for the money for your next project, you always do. If you are crowd funded, then you need to obtain the funds first from your fans.

As the post you quoted mentioned, Obsidian was caught off guard by how quick they achieved the targeted funding. They probably did not anticipated that the stretch goal had to be revealed anytime soon. Yet, because the target was achieved, its important to have stretch goals to keep the momentum going and so they had to quickly put a list of them, they had no choice. Over the next few days, they will have more time to organize everything and present them in a clearer picture.

Agreed. They probably didn't expect to hit their goal over the weekend, and so now they suddenly had to prepare some extended goals during the weekend due to the unexpected funding rate. During the following week, they will have more time to gather all ideas, organize them and present them to us. Give them time.

You seem to be very confident that BG3 project won't go on Kickstarter. I wouldn't bet against it. BTW, what do you suggest Obsidian do to fund PE? Waste their time polishing old games?

I don't think it will be Steamworks, and I don't see any reason to assume so until Obsidian explicitly state it. Steam was selected to distribute these Kickstarter copy because they do allow companies to distribute games that were not bought on Steam. (Remember we are buying the game directly from Obsidian through Kickstarter). I don't think GOG or other distributor will do that, distribute something you did not purchase on their site. Of course, IF there is a DRM free version, then Obsidian will distribute it themself. To be fair, Steam is no different than Origin or Uplay or Battlenet. I can see your point, and I guess its fine if you are not into the more mainstream games like Half Life or Battlefield or Diablo series. As for the rest of us, we have to live with it because the alternative would meant missing out on all these big titles. And it would be hypocritical for anyone who plays Battlefield 3 on Origin or Diablo 3 attached to their Battlenet account to go around here chanting death to DRM and Steam. And I believe we actually purchase a license to use a software each time buy a software and agree to its EULA. This was something that was debated long before online DRM and basically we do not own the rights to a software, but just the rights to use it. Its a complicated thing so I'm not trying to open up that discussion. Just though I'd state it since you mentioned about not owning a software.

Obsidian themself wanted to include housing. Are you saying that they are 10-15 years old? lol

This is very important. I think many do not realize how endangered SP games have become. EA CEO or something recently said he was proud they did not approved any single player games in recent time and they will only do multiplayer games. And indeed EA turned Command and Conquer series into F2P. STALKER 2 dev disbanded and are now working on F2P MMO Survarium. Everyone wants to make online F2P games these days. I personally believe that someday we will have to look towards indie dev or crowd funded project to make quality single player games. This is why I have no problem putting down as much money as I can afford into projects like this that are willing to focus on single player game.

Exactly. The original Bioware is long dead. The Bioware we have now is EA. I can't believe people want this game to have anything to do with EA. No one ruins a franchise faster than EA does. Not to mention that this project is now crowd funded, so it cannot have anything to do with any other publishing companies. Let Obsidian do their job. No need for other company to mess things up.

Bioware is no longer with EA. The name, yes, but the original talents are all gone now. Just like they do with every other dev they bought over, they take the IP and let go of the people.

This is Kickstarter which means the project hasn't started yet. I don't think they have even decided on the engine, which again is something that can only be done once the project get going.

You guys need to be specific when you are talking about Bioware. The former Bioware or the current Biorware? The actual Bioware have been bought over by EA and for all practical purposes, no longer exist. The original Bioware company was broken up although EA retained the name. Now, more than 50% of EA games are made by "Bioware". They now makes games like Command and Conquer F2P! I have a suspicion that you guys are not talking about that Bioware that makes F2P games. The original Bioware no longer exist.

I'm glad you mentioned that, because DRM was a term that didn't exist back when we got our games on CD or floppy disk, but copy protection have existed even since the floppy days. So I'm curious as to what people meant by DRM, is it the online DRM, or does it include traditional copy protection. IMO, its not reasonable to expect Obsidian to forfeit all copy protection. Otherwise I will bet you there will be people who buy the game and share the installer with their friends and divide the cost. Some people are that cheap. Obsidian do have the right to protect their work at least with CD keys or something. It doesn't have to be online DRM, but at least to deter people from easily sharing the game.

The project has not started yet, so without knowing what are the budget and how it will be spend, its hard to make decisions like who to hire as a composer, or what game engine they could afford to use. Wasteland 2 didn't have any engine decision until after the project started. And they brought in new people after the project have started as well. We have to keep in mind that Kickstarter basically meant the project is just an idea with no execution yet. Many decisions are taken during the development stage, and we are certainly not in that stage.

Exactly. There's no need to go through GOG as Obsidian can easily sell the DRM free version of it directly. Its funny people hate on Steam and yet they want GOG despite the fact that Obsidian can easily provide the game for free. If you want GOG just because you want all your games at the same place, then hey, that's the reason why Steam users what the game on Steam too. Steam and DRM free version are NOT mutually exclusive. Why not let everyone have that they want? No need to hate on others

As others mentioned, trying to port the game to mobile platform will only take away valuable resources that should go into improving the game's quality. Not to mention any potential compromises to ensure the game will work well on a mobile platform.

I see. Well, I'll be surprise if Obsidian can't sell the game on their own online. Even Wasteland 2 are selling the game on their own, and they are arguably a "newbie" company started by Brian Fargo for that project. IMO, if they can have a paypal option system on their site soon, selling the game wouldn't be a problem.

I'm all for translation but don't be selfish. Translation and player house is not mutually exclusive. Asking Obsidian to drop player house just for translation is not going to help your cause.

If Obsidian can pull it off, I think DRM free should come directly from Obsidian themself. There are many indie dev like Legend of Grimlock who are selling DRM free version of their games on their own site. As for Steam, they never said it will be Steamworks so I'm not sure why everyone is so afraid. The DVD version will not need Steam since its not Steamworks, either they have some other DRM like Securom, or no DRM at all.

I agree with this. Obsidian can and did listen to the major demands like having Linux support etc etc But when it comes to the details, lets be honest. We can never agree on anything. You have people who don't want house, want house, want homosexual characters only, etc etc its crazy. The dev can never please everyone. So they should make the game to the best of their creative ability. Whenever they want our opinion on something, that's where we come in but other than that, they should make it the way they see fit.

Whats the different between DRM free and GOG? I don't see any difference. Might as well get directly from Obsidian or the box version rather than having GOG taking a cut.

I'm just wondering if Obsidian would consider giving the backers beta access in the future. The other game I pledged, Wasteland 2 does come with a beta access which I think is great for anyone who are into it. (I understand not everyone wants to spoil the game for themself by playing beta)

Don't worry about that. They hit 1 million in 2 days time. Of course the amount of incoming pledges will slow down from here on, but with 30 days to go, I'm pretty confident they will roll over 2.2 mil before the project ends. Its only been 2 days so there's probably many people who are not aware of this project yet. Not to mention the surge towards the end we see in other projects as fans tries to hit as many goals as possible.

Thank you to Obsidian too for trusting in the fans and were willing to take the risk of cutting out the publisher in the process of making a game. Nothing restricts a game more than having a publisher involved. Now Obsidian would be free to develop the game to the best of their creativity without clueless publishers hindering everything.

If DRM-free is what I want, I would rather get them directly from Obsidian so they could get all my money.