Fig Wants Your Money, And Will Email You to Get It

Have you checked out Fig yet?  It’s the new video-game-only boutique crowdfunding platform with a number of heavyweights attached to it, including Tim Schafer and Brian Fargo.  Fig is unique because there’s only one or two campaigns run at a time, each campaign requires approval prior to launch, and accredited investors can earn a return on their investment when backing a campaign.  Check out our previous coverage on it for more.

As time goes on we’ve been learning more about Fig and how it’s run, but this morning I learned something that I hate.  Check it out.

Bear in mind, I haven’t backed Fig’s current project, Outer Wilds, but I did select a pledge tier/bundle a few days ago to see what it was all about.  I never entered any credit card info.

I love the idea of bugging anyone that’s checked out a campaign to hurry up and pledge because it acts as a reminder.  I mostly hate it though.  I don’t need people harassing me to give them money.  I worry what sort of emails existing backers might be getting (“Hey cheapskate!  Pledge more!”).  It also annoys me that the Fig website doesn’t have a way to turn it off.

To be fair, the email policy is explained in their Terms of Use, so it’s not technically junk mail, and I don’t even mind Fig emailing me every now and then with new developments.  I’d love it in fact, but I don’t want to be guilt-tripped to back a campaign.  I really don’t want to have to hit unsubscribe in the email just so I don’t get hit up for money.

I plan on giving you money Fig, but not if you keep asking me for it.

Update 8/27/15 : I got an email from Fig today.  They said that they’re taking me off the abandoned shopping cart list so I won’t get those emails and, more importantly, that they’re going to add functionality to the site that allows for additional controls over the emails users get.