2015 Kickstarter Game Update Week 25

[spacealien_vamp]

Game I Viewed:
Gloomhaven

Status: Funded

This cooperative fantasy game strives to give players an RPG experience, complete with a persistent campaign. While I think the game itself is probably good, I already have Myth, so I don't really need another game of the same type.

Honorable Mention:
Carolina Game Tables

Status: Funded

These tables are made so that a game or puzzle can be left set up inside the well while the removable top can be set over everything to allow the table to be used for meals or other things. The price is cheaper than the popular Geek Chic line of tables, but the 5-inch rim looks far too wide to me; players would have to reach relatively far to get to the game pieces.

Meepillows

Status: Funded

These plush pillows in six different colors are made in the shape of a Carcassonne meeple. While I do think they are adorable, the colors just don't really match my house.

Comments

[mangaroo.livejournal.com]

the 5-inch rim looks far too wide to me; players would have to reach relatively far to get to the game pieces.

My first reaction on seeing that was "are they insane?? How awkward to have to reach in so far!" But I see from the pictures that they think the large rim is useful for mats and scorecards and the player's individual game stuff. I can see that, though if I had the need and space for such a table, I would still want to playtest it before investing that kind of money. What I find odd is the "we'll charge shipping after the kickstarter." Their reasons are logical, but I'm surprised anyone would pledge without a firm agreement on how much shipping to their own address might be. And I wonder if any backers missed that notice/the shipping estimate provided.

[spacealien-vamp.livejournal.com]

But I see from the pictures that they think the large rim is useful for mats and scorecards and the player's individual game stuff.

That looks okay while playing, but I think it would be awkward for storing a game-in-progress (which is the whole point of the table), because players would have to carefully move their individual play mats inside the well without shifting any markers or tokens on the mats or the main board.

Also, I worry that the solid top piece would be extremely heavy, particularly on the dining-size table. It would be hard to take that off and set it on the floor in an out-of-the-way place without scuffing up whatever edge ends up on the floor.

What I find odd is the "we'll charge shipping after the kickstarter." Their reasons are logical, but I'm surprised anyone would pledge without a firm agreement on how much shipping to their own address might be.

It is actually becoming much more common now for projects to charge shipping separately from the pledge. For one thing, it prevents Kickstarter from claiming their 10% cut of the shipping charge (making the shipping essentially 10% cheaper for the consumer), and for another, it keeps the financial goal for project success from being artificially inflated by anticipated shipping charges, which is psychologically better for backers because then the lower goal doesn't seem so difficult to attain.

This is a trend that I've only seen starting this year. I've pledged for a number of things that charge separate shipping, such as the Flow Hive and the Journeyman Myth expansion.