Melee: Battlegrounds Kickstarter campaign for dummies - HOW TO SUPPORT IT?

[Erasmas]

As you know Donkey Crew is now trying to collect $130.000 to give Melee: Battlegrounds some bones and flesh. It’s happening on Kickstarter, and this is where you can learn all details:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1601737664/melee-battlegrounds-spiritual-successor-to-the-crp?ref=popular



I am new to Kickstarter and it took me a while to understand how it works, in particular how it works in the M:BG case.

I thought there may be more guys like me who want to get hold of the idea. If anything, I would like you guys understand what to do, and how you can back the Crew in their endeavors.

Feel free to correct whatever I wrote, if only I am wrong in any point. I will update the post and correct errors in time.

I. BASICS

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Kickstarter is not an investment platform. You will not get the money back if the target is reached and the game is eventually released! Instead, depending on how much you pledge you will get the reward described on M:BG Kickstarter web page.

For details of what KS is:

https://www.kickstarter.com/help/faq/kickstarter+basics?ref=faq_nav#Kick

If $130.000 is not collected, it will mean there is no game or it is released later, and shittier. Theoretically this is why they collect the money - to make this game fast and make it decent. In any event, your money go back to you if the devs will not collect $130.000 , and the future of the game is unknown.

Donkeys are stubborn and don't give up easily

You can back the project by credit card payment; at the end of this post you will find a link to somewhat detailed video instruction how to do it.

In general, however, the idea is to support the Donkey Crew in getting the game done (and we want that, don’t’ we?). In exchange for your money, called “pledge” you will get certain “rewards”, depending on how much you decided to pay, and which reward you want (Yes, you may want less valuable rerward if you pledge more – you can pay $1000 and claim $21 reward, but not the other way around. If you want. Do you???

II. WHAT IT MEANS FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO SUPPORT M:BG INDIVIDUALLY

Important! If you participated in the first crowfunding (i.e. you have the feather badge here on forum) see here:

http://forum.melee.org/melee-discussion/melee-battlegrounds-kickstarter-campaign-for-dummies-gentlemans-and-scholars/

But you should anyway read the remaining part first:

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One way of looking at this whole story is: on Kickstarter Donkey Crew wants to collect the money by selling you the game now, before it is ready, most likely below the market price of the finished game. The current price is $21, and this pledge you need to buy to get the finished product.

Seen the stronghold mode movie? Wanna play it? So help the guys build this game and buy this game now, by pledging $21. Additionally you  get some badge + you can meet the guys in Vienna + you get a screenshot).

To be clear: $1 pledge gives you shit (i.e. some badge + you can meet the guys in Vienna (lol) + you get a screenshot (lol²)). It definitely does not give you the game. I mean, if you are broke, do it anyway, every green bank note counts, but try to starve for a couple of days to cough up some more cash if you want any actual reward. So it goes:

• For $21 you will get the game, when it is finally released.
• For $25 you will get access to Beta version of the game that is supposed to be ready in November 2015 (fuckin' year from now...) (+ finished game + you can meet the guys in Vienna + you get a screenshot).
• For $29 you can register your nick now so no troll can steal it (+ Beta access + game + you can meet the guys in Vienna + you get a screenshot).
• For $33 you will get access to Alpha version of the game that is supposed to be ready in March 2015 (+Nick registration + Betta access + game itself + you can meet the guys in Vienna + you get a screenshot) This one is for you if you want to play as soon as possible.

After that point all additional parts of the rewards will be available in game only, when the game is finally released:

• For $37 you will get access to an alternative look of one of the weapons; this means that  you get access to some alternative look for one weapon (with combat stats unchanged) that will be specific to Kickstarter supporters (+ Nick registration + Alpha access + Beta access + game itself + you can meet the guys in Vienna + you get a screenshot).
• For $41 your sword will be engraved with your name (cool shit, huh?), and its name will be changed – like “Erasmas’ Morningstar “ instead of “Masterwork Morningstar” (+ alternative Weapon Look + Nick registration + Alpha access + Beta access + game itself + you can meet the guys in Vienna + you get a screenshot).
• For $45 you will get an alternative Armour Look that will be specific to Kickstarter supporter – clearly devs a planning to have a specific alternative look for each armour (and weapon) that you can use only if you back the project, but will be same for all, i.e. it is not custom made just for you (+ engraved weapon + alternative Weapon Look + Nick registration + Alpha access + Beta access + game itself + you can meet the guys in Vienna + you get a screenshot). They call it a “FULL PACK”.
• For $70 you will get two FULL PACKS, one for you and one for your buddy (good deal - $20 saving!)
• For $90 you will get so called “DIGITAL COLLECTORS EDITION  - a FULL PACK (including engraved weapon + alternative Armour Look + alternative Weapon Look + Nick registration + Alpha access + Beta access + game itself + you can meet the guys in Vienna + you get a screenshot) AND All Concept Art in High Resolution + Full Original Soundtrack Download + Engrave 3 Weapons + Alternative Look for 3 Weapons + Alternative Look for 3 Armors + Your title will be announced to everyone when joining the game + Register your clan name. NOTICE: this is the cheapest way to register the name of the clan! Clan names are "First pledged, first served", so hurry up! Perfect for the ambitius individual who wants to create a clan!
• For $100 you will get 1 FULL PACK + 1 DIGITAL COLLECTORS EDITION. Perfect for the new clan leader and the first clan member! (and you save $35 on that deal)
• For $150 you will get 1 FULL PACK + 1 DIGITAL COLLECTORS EDITION + Private Property Ownership . It means you will own a house on the “tavern map” It is still unclear what it is but apparently this is going to be a separate server with some houses (medieval city???), and one of these will be yours. You can put your banner on it. It would be nice to know what it will be for, apart from bragging, but I’m sure devs will come up with few cool ideas…LIMITED  AVAILABILITY: 20 of 50 available
• For $300 you will be able to use a custom animation – made specifically for you, based on a reference video/picture you provide, to be used by you and other guys you let use it (+ 1 FULL PACK + 1 DIGITAL COLLECTORS EDITION + Private Property Ownership). LIMITED  AVAILABILITY: 25 of 30 available
• For $400 you will get 1 custom made weapon, to be used by you and other guys you let use it (armoury???) – cool shit if you ask me… Additionally you get 1 FULL PACK + 1 DIGITAL COLLECTORS EDITION + Private Property Ownership + 1 custom animation. The cheapest way to swag an unique sword and “fuck you” animation, hue hue… LIMITED  AVAILABILITY – 20 of 20 available.
• For $550 you will get a custom made armour (on top of 1 FULL PACK + 1 DIGITAL COLLECTORS EDITION + Private Property Ownership + 1 custom animation + 1 custom made weapon). Unique fancy dress of your own, unique sword, unique custom “fuck you” gesture you can show your mates… LIMITED  AVAILABILITY: 7 of 10 available.
• For $650 you will get a custom made skin for your donkey horsie. On top – 1 FULL PACK + 1 DIGITAL COLLECTORS EDITION + Private Property Ownership + 1 custom animation + 1 custom made weapon + 1 custom made armour) FULL SET FOR A REAL HERO!  LIMITED  AVAILABILITY – 4 of 5 available.

Some of these can be used as a starter set for a clan, but the clan directed rewards are a bit different:

III. WHAT IT MEANS FOR CLANS THAT WANT TO SUPPORT M:BG AS A GROUP?

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Obviously,  you can pledge and claim this reward on your own, but does it make sense for one guy? No. For a clan – Yes Remember, however, that technically each pledge comes from one guy so you will need to pre-arrange that so that one guy pays and the others reimburse…

Anyways, that is what you can get:

• For $250 you will get 8 "Full Packs" (each includes engraved weapon + alternative Armour Look + alternative Weapon Look + Nick registration + Alpha access + Beta access + game itself + you can meet the guys in Vienna + you get a screenshot) + you can register your clan name (Clan names are "First pledged, first served", so be quick before I register your clan name as my own). It’s a bargain too – on 8 sets you save $110!
• For $700 you will get 10 Digital Collectors Edition + one custom animation + one custom made weapon + one custom made armor + one custom horse skin (apparently all custom made elements will be available for the entire clan, so it is a nice way to make a uniformed army) + all clans members will be announced ingame separately when joining a game + special presentation page features.
  And remember  that 10 of your guys will get: engraved weapon + alternative Armour Look + alternative Weapon Look + Nick registration + Alpha access + Beta access + game itself + meeting the guys in Vienna + screenshot + All Concept Art in High Resolution + Full Original Soundtrack Download + Engraved 3 Weapons + Alternative Look for 3 Weapons + Alternative Look for 3 Armors + the title that will be announced to everyone when joining the game. And they will be able  to  register the clan name (really?)
• For $1000 you will get everything that is set for $700 + 10 properties in Taverna + 1 clan hall property. As mentioned above – to be seen what it really means, but sounds cooooool. It is called NOBLE CLAN PACK. LIMITED  AVAILABILITY: 7 of 10 available.
• For $1500 on top of the NOBLE CLAN PACK you can put in-game a statute. Have you ever wanted to have a statute? LIMITED  AVAILABILITY: 5 of 5 available.
• For $3000 the map will be designed upon your input and named after you, on top of the NOBLE CLAN PACK + in-game a statute. LIMITED  AVAILABILITY: 3 of 3 available.
• For $9000 you get Noble Clan Pack + all alternative models for all weapons, armors and horses unlocked (not the custom created ones) + you will get Zimke's real Bascinet Helmet + and 3d print of your character. And Kings Badge! ONLY ONE SET AVAILABLE!

For more detailed description of the Rewards (or to check if anything changed) go there:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1601737664/melee-battlegrounds-spiritual-successor-to-the-crp?ref=discovery

Also, Donkey Crew team may publish some more explanation of the rewards in future.

Of course, the question is which of items that you can get as a Reward will be possible to get in-game after the game is released, just by grinding… This is to be seen, Donkey Crew is supposed to think about it. My guess is – probably some will be available (eg. properties in Tavern), but some will be unique (eg. Custom made weapons, armours, horse skins)… 

Anyways, remember that all these are designed to encourage you to support the new game! Go get them!

IV. HOW CAN I PAY MONEY?

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Well, the most brief instructions are here:

https://www.kickstarter.com/help/faq/backer+questions?ref=faq_nav#BackAProj

You will also find there the video instructions of how to make a pledge – watch them and all will clear up.

V. FAQs

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This are answers to the some questions that may (or may not) be the most popular:

Q: Will I get the money back if the game is fully funded and released?
A: No. Kickstarter is not an investment. It is a way to back and support the project. And this project definitely needs that!
In exchange for your money you will get the reward of your choice when the project is completed, i.e. the game is released.

Q: What if the Donkey Crew will not collect $130.000 worth of pledges?
A: Hard to say. Maybe we will not see this game, or maybe we will, but later? Or worse than expected? Ask them.
What is certain – they will not get any money and you will not be charged with what you pledged.

Q: When my card is charged?
A: When you pledge you actually don’t pay immediately. The credit card is charged only if the target amount is reached.

Q: Can I change my pledge?
A: Apparently yes – there is a “manage your pledge” button available when you make the pledge.  They (Kickstarter that is) say you can increase it, decrease or even withdraw if you change your mind.

Q: I don't have a credit card, will you make other methods of payment available?
A: Funding method is a Kickstarter feature, so Donkey Crew cannot make other methods available. Only the Credit Card or Amazon Payment is available at the Kickstarter.

Q: I don't have a credit card, but I have a debit card, will it work?
A: depends of the kind of the card you have, your location - in fact it depends on the card issuer i.e. your bank. It did work for some guys, so try it out. You can ask your bank for a prepaid card. You can also try to use one of these internet services for virtual credit cards, if available for your location.

[to be completed – ask, answer, I will update the post]

[no_rules_just_play]

Nice guide, do you know what to do when you don't have a credit card or something? I heard something about some kind of virtual credit cards or coupons?

[Molly]

Nice guide, do you know what to do when you don't have a credit card or something? I heard something about some kind of virtual credit cards or coupons?

Iirc you can use paysafe cards.
I know that those are sold more or less randomly in Germany. You get them at petrol stations or your local bank. You basically buy a credit card with a fixed amount of money on it and use it like it was a normal credit card.

[no_rules_just_play]

mmm, I'll take a look where I can find one of those

[Pestdoktor]

Iirc you can use paysafe cards.
I know that those are sold more or less randomly in Germany. You get them at petrol stations or your local bank. You basically buy a credit card with a fixed amount of money on it and use it like it was a normal credit card.

dunno about that
visitors can't see pics , please register or login

[Rebelyell]

Someone stick and light up that thread, well done Erasmus.

BTW PM me if you need some help with MTF.

[Sigibert]

Well, looks like I need to get a credit card afterall...

[Molly]

dunno about that
visitors can't see pics , please register or login

I think they emulate Visa or MasterCard. I am not sure tho...

[Umbra]

mmm, I'll take a look where I can find one of those

Go to your bank and ask for a prepaid card. You buy it and the ammount of money you pay gets put on the card. It fuctions like a real card for this puropse

[Kalp]

Nice guide, do you know what to do when you don't have a credit card or something? I heard something about some kind of virtual credit cards or coupons?

Yes, virtual cards should works too. I created virtual Visa card in my bank. If you don't like "plastic" then it's the way for you.

[Falka]

Nice guide, do you know what to do when you don't have a credit card or something?

Well, looks like I need to get a credit card afterall...

But you have cash card, right? I think you don't need credit card to pledge on kickstarter, just any cash card will do. Or am I wrong? 

[Kafein]

But you have cash card, right? I think you don't need credit card to pledge on kickstarter, just any cash card will do. Or am I wrong? 

You are wrong, because debit cards do not allow reservations, which is what KS is based on.

[Falka]

You are wrong, because debit cards do not allow reservations, which is what KS is based on.

I pledged with prepaid card now, but few years ago I've bought some stuff on amazon using cash card (debit card? dunno what's the difference), so since KS uses amazon payment I assumed cash card will be sufficient for KS as well.

[Umbra]

You are wrong, because debit cards do not allow reservations, which is what KS is based on.

I paid with a debit card

[[ptx]]

You are wrong, because debit cards do not allow reservations, which is what KS is based on.

You are wrong, i paid with my debit card.