The 2.8 mil stretch goal rubs me the wrong way

[The Nexus]

In what way is a single developer worth a million dollars? No, in my opinion you should change that goal to something worthwhile.

[Piccolo]

A million dollars? It's 100k more than the previous goal.

 

In a way though, I am slightly surprised he's a goal all to himself. Especially such a significant milestone as 2.8m. But then, i've never played MotB or Dungeon Siege 3 so I have no idea why everyone thinks he's so wonderful.

Edited October 10, 2012 by Piccolo

[Loranc]

Ummm you're like the only one who doesn't want this developer on the team..... just saying. Change it to something worthwhile? Like what? What in the world could be more important than adding a highly recognized and loved developer to help DEVELOP this game.

[Savvy30039]

And people say gamers nowadays are entitled!

[Gecimen]

I'm not sure $100k would cover 2 year bills of George Ziets.

[Fluffle]

Quote Feargus Urquhart:

 

"The money raised for the stretch goals doesn't all go to the development of that stretch goal. Any additional funds that we raise will be used to have additional people work on the project, such as area designers, programmers, and artists. All of these fine people will make the game's story larger and improves the quality of the game."

 

I fear some people just dont know how kickstarter and especially stretch goals work.

Stretch goals are just kind of a bait. It doesnt mean the bait (e.g. new class, new companion, player house) is that expensive - a lot more can be created with every new stretch goal.

[Piccolo]

I'm not sure $100k would cover 2 year bills of George Ziets.

Still, i'm not sure where the hell the OP is getting 1 million from.

[jivex5k]

I don't know who the man is but some quick research shows he's had success in the past with this field.

And the fact that he very recently worked for Obsidian is good because he will fit right in with them I imagine.

Does it have me excited? No, not really, but it's good to know they are hiring someone with prior success in the field.

Seems like he will be a good fit for this type of game.

[nikolokolus]

George Ziets was a key developer for Mask of the Betrayer. Nuff said

[Loranc]

• Ziets has been a proponent of player choice in video games, stating that:
  

"I prefer to focus on meaningful player choices. An overarching storyline can be essentially linear, but the player can be offered critical choices at pre-defined points in that storyline. (And by critical choices, I’m talking about choices that have visibly different consequences, or lead to branches in the story structure.) That way, the design team maintains control over the number of possible outcomes and paths, while players understand that their choices matter, and result a distinctly different experience. And *all* choices should have consequences, or they shouldn’t be offered at all."

From the wiki.

[C2B]

In what way is a single developer worth a million dollars? No, in my opinion you should change that goal to something worthwhile.

 

That's. Yes, yes he is. Even without personal bias developer salary is normally the highest factor in costs regarding the development of a game itself. Not to mention another designer can focus on a new/certain aspect of the game, thereby providing more actual *game*. Especially one as talented and dedicated as Ziets.

 

With personal bias: 2.8 Million as a whole isn't enough for Ziet's greatness.

Edited October 10, 2012 by C2B

[Ieo]

I don't know who he is or care much about MotB (didn't like NWN1 and not interested in continuing to NWN2), but if his design and writing can mesh well with Avellone's, sure.

 

On the other hand, I was just reading about the design of Rashemen and that sounds fascinating...

[JediMB]

"This thread is bad, and you should feel bad!"

 

*coughs*

 

Seriously, though, $100k to bring back a veteran Obsidian writer who recently lost his job, and who's known for writing both great lore and characters, is definitely a fantastic thing. We should see it as an achievement, and proof of just how awesome crowdfunding can be!

 

(Also, imagine how much more and diverse written content the game can get with one more writer on the team.)

[GhostofAnakin]

If the OP is going to make a post about this (which I disagree with, by the way), at least present other options for what Obsidian should have made as the $2.8 million stretch goal. It seems kind of lazy to just criticize, but offer no alternatives.

[SewerCover]

Another designer allows for the world to become that much bigger and comprehensive.

[Miquel93]

Play MoTB, be amazed. I recomend to everyone who doubts Ziets talent or think doesn't worth it. You have time until PE ships to give it a try.

[Monte Carlo]

They need that much because rumour has it that George is a bit of a prima donna. He insists on fresh orchids in his dressing room, M&Ms with all the yellow ones removed, a black stretch hummer to pick him up every morning to take him to work and a chorus of dwarven castrato to sing ave maria while he's thinking in the mornings.

 

These things all add up.

[Jarmo]

Let's assume in this case the whole 100K is blown on getting Ziets onboard.

So... what else worthwhile could they get for the same cashpile? And extra developer with some other name?

 

It's not like Obsidian is giving Ziets a pile of money just to get his name on the back cover of the box.

I'm almost sure they'll actually make him work for it, doing some writing, making coffee, or something.

[curryinahurry]

Play MoTB, be amazed. I recomend to everyone who doubts Ziets talent or think doesn't worth it. You have time until PE ships to give it a try.

 

Very true. A lot of people on this forum are just new to Obsidian's work, having been pulled in by the link to IE games I'm assuming.

 

Also, Ziets' work on DS3 crafting the storyline, and lore was really amazing. He really created a great mish-mash of ideas based on eastern and western cultural concepts and mythologies. It was unfortunate that there wasn't more story in DS3, as he created great depth to what was previously a fairly unremarkable world.

Edited October 10, 2012 by curryinahurry

[Freddo]

For me this is the best stretch goal they have announced. Especially so since I'm quite certain of the kickstarter reaching 2.8 million, so yay

Edited October 10, 2012 by Freddo

[Tale]

Likely, Mr. Ziets is just the star of the addition, not the sole addition. They've talked about spreading it out so that the work doesn't end up overloading in any one area with each new addition. Art, writing, sound, programming. But they only cherry pick the most exciting element "NEW CLASS", "NEW WRITER" to advertise as the stretch goal.

[Emeraude]

I love how, after much clamoring (14 pages and counting, was it ?) for Mr Zeits to be added to stretch goals, when it finally happens, peoples are being rubbed the wrong way.

 

I wouldn't want to be doing a Kickstarter with that wide an audience, must be maddening. There's just no pleasing us.

[limaxophobiacq]

I really have no idea what kind of salary a job like what Ziets is going to do on P:E usually brings, but if he is going to be hired full-time for a year and a half of development $100,000 isn't really that much considering obsidians expenses.

Edited October 10, 2012 by limaxophobiacq

[DocDoomII]

I love how, after much clamoring (14 pages and counting, was it ?) for Mr Zeits to be added to stretch goals, when it finally happens, peoples are being rubbed the wrong way.

 

I wouldn't want to be doing a Kickstarter with that wide an audience, must be maddening. There's just no pleasing us.

That's Teh Internetz for you.

[Shevek]

$100,000 does not equal $1,000,000. I blame our legislators for forcing dumbed down curriculum standards on our schools. Now kids don't even seem to have any basic number sense.

Edited October 10, 2012 by Shevek