Let’s start with the pink elephant in the room. I wasn’t the only one that thought the video lacked what was needed to grab the potential backers’ attention. As I mentioned, it’s usually the first (and sometimes only) thing that people see and the first 30 seconds are crucial to get them hooked. Unfortunately, it did little to garner any sort of interest. In fact, Mooncrest itself wasn’t even mentioned. Which is a big no-no if you want your project to succeed. Reiterate some of what’s in the text and then you can go silly. Not everyone reads the entire text like I do.
The text itself wasn’t horrible, and there were some very interesting bits that I liked, but the lack of any screenshots or better/more concept art hurt tremendously. Also, the reliance on the Bioware name can be a turnoff. Not necessarily but to rely on the name can be considered a problem. Especially when they mentioned that between the four team members they only had 20 years of combined experience. That’s really not a lot.
Here’s the thing. The developers tried to rectify their mistakes early on by at least addressing peoples’ concerns. Although, in my opinion it was still too little too late. The first update did show (admittedly very little) in-engine work. Not enough to satisfy some backers, though. And the second update talked about their problems with the campaign in a FAQ. Including what was up with the weird video. Which was subsequently taken down. Personally, I think a poor video is still better than no video at all, but that’s me. Anyway, at least these issues with Mooncrest were addressed, and early on, unlike most campaigns that just shrug it off and do whatever they want. That does give some points in my book.
The update that announced the cancellation a week into the campaign also went on to say that they are learning from their mistakes and decided to put Mooncrest on hold for now while they regroup and make out a new plan of attack. Which includes having more assets to show off and a much better prepared video. Which I think can only help it in the second attempt. They do eventually plan on returning to Kickstarter once they’re ready. And, if anyone on the team is reading this, I’d be more than willing to lend my expertise to help streamline the next pitch.
I really do believe that Mooncrest can be a success if they do things right. And who knows? I might be tempted to back it next time. I am a sucker for paladins, after all.
One thing that does bother me a bit about this is that a lot of people are focusing on just the video. Sure, the video was lame, and you could argue that it was sexist, but it’s hardly the first campaign to feature a bad video. The issues with this campaign run much deeper. You touch on it really well here Serena. Bad video, no game to show, very little art (some of it bad), a potential lack of experience, and more. Like you Serena I hate to see someone fail, but I also don’t want to see backers pony up $400k with so little to go on.
I agree. There have been other campaigns that were just as bad, if not worse off than this one. Some of them actually made funding. Alum, for instance, had a horrible start (both campaigns) but they still pumped out a pretty decent adventure game in the end. The main problem was gaining the momentum they sorely needed for $400K. It was mostly between the bad video and lack of assets that hurt them.
I can only concur with everything you said. Since i did myself said the same things on their comments section. Still i cannot say that the answer they give me at that time reassured me and gave me the impression they understood the problem.
I warned them on their first day of the lack of video/screenshot of any game engine.
Which they respond with a ‘we intend to address that” then came a video of a 3 second game engine show-off. Which i answered that it was too short to give an opinion or even to help.
I mean if a 3 second video is supposed to reassure you..it only reinforced the impression i had that they came into kickstarter unprepared and it reminded me strongly of TSI campaign.
Anyway, their answer to me when i said it was too short was “@Dawn: Doh! Yeah, that was supposed to loop.” Which i found really offensive..at the moment. Like “you’re dumb” while i was genuinely trying to help them out and correct their multiples errors. I answered them a “Good luck with your campaign you’re gonna need it it, Doh!” and retracted my pledge. But, yeah my opinion is they’re jerk and the sexist video they made enforce it.
their campaign didn’t give me a good feeling at all and if they were to come back. I hope they will get their shit together and at least act respectfully. I don’t think i’ll back them again unless i see some real improvement in this area.
They certainly didn’t help their campaign and I’d be wary myself with the second attempt. Unless they pull a complete 180 they’ll probably fail again.