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diff --git a/memos/WM-014.txt b/memos/WM-014.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7d41112 --- /dev/null +++ b/memos/WM-014.txt @@ -0,0 +1,430 @@ + + + + + + + +Document: WM-014 P. Webb +Category: Rant 2017.08.19 + + I'm done with Kickstarter + +Abstract + + Being let down all the time is…a let down. + +Body + + Kickstarter is a great place for people to financially support those + with a great idea and a prototype, but need a little assistance to + make that idea a reality. This is why I signed up for the platform in + 2012. Five years later and I'm sick of the bullshit that seems to + emanate from the projects I back. + + Of the 39 projects I have contributed money to, 10 are delayed (some + are delayed by about a year or more). *Good thing I'm not holding my + breath.* Let's take a look at those projects, starting with + the oldest. + + 1. Star Citizen + + 📸[Star Citizen on Kickstarter][IMG1] + + This game[1], by Cloud Imperium Games Corporation, was + successfully funded on November 19th, 2012. I backed at the $37 + tier (Digital Scout) for: + + - a digital copy of the finished game (PC) + - RSI Aurora spaceship ready to fly + - 1,000 Galactic Credits + - exclusive access to the Alpha + Beta + + The estimated delivery date for this was November 2014. Of the + unfulfilled projects I backed, I am the *least* sore about Star + Citizen because 1) I can play the Alpha when I get a PC (I have a + Mac) and 2) there are regular updates. Not just, "Oh hey guys, + here's a wall of text and a pic or two", it's actual gameplay and + something I can interact with. + + I think the CEO got overly ambitious but at least it's not No + Man's Sky-tier of fuckedupness. + + 2. Mighty No. 9 + + 📸[Mighty No. 9 on Kickstarter][IMG2] + + This game[2], by comcept, is currently the laughing stock of the + gaming world and a cautionary tale for game developers looking to + create a Kickstarter for their game. It was successfully funded on + October 1st, 2013. I backed at the $60 tier for: + + - a physical game box (Western/Japanese style) + - printed retro-style game manual (English/Japanese) + - exclusive in-game golden hero (backer-exclusive color variation + of Beck, the game's hero) + + The estimated delivery date for this was April 2015. I just got + the physical rewards a week or two ago. The Nintendo 3DS version? + Still waiting for it. I have a Switch now… + + 3. Sa: The Umbrella Reimagined + + 📸[The Sa umbrella on Kickstarter][IMG3] + + This umbrella[3], by Justin Nagelberg and Matthew Waldman, was + successfully funded on December 1st, 2014. I backed at the $69 + tier for: + + - one Sa (early limited special) + + The estimated delivery date was March 2015. Since being + successfully funded, backers have gotten ~~updates~~ essays twice + a year about why shipping has been delayed two years. Basically, + because the umbrella is so different that factories have to be + taught how to work on components. Factories is plural because + they've gone through a couple because of shutdowns. Who the hell + knows when I'm gonna get this thing. + + - 2017/09/14 update + - another essay, but with TL;DR version! + - fully functioning prototype + - noticed weird things with prototype, fixes for those things is + in progress + - shipping has been pushed back to Winter/Spring 2018 + + To quote a backer, "Great to see that after nearly 3 years you + nearly have a working prototype". + + 4. The Light Phone + + 📸[The Light Phone on Kickstarter][IMG4] + + This phone[4], by Light, was successfully funded on June 27th, + 2015. I backed at the $25 tier for: + + - The Light Book. It documents the process of building the Light + Phone and includes photos, drawings, and essays. It will cover + the entire story from ideation to insights into the + manufacturing process. + + The estimated delivery date was June 2016. I messaged the founders + last month about the book and this was the response: + + > Not yet. We would like to include our entire journey of the + > Light Phone and we believe that there is more to come. We will + > email backers when we plan to release the book. Thank you + > for asking! + + I'm not sure how much more of "the journey" needs to be documented + but I hope I get it before the end of 2018. + + - 2018/02/28 update + - creators are launching a new campaign for Light Phone 2, but + on Indiegogo[5] this time + + Here's what they had to say about backers that pledged for + the book: + + > We have users that pledged for a process book in our original + > campaign, and we want to acknowledge that we have not at all + > forgotten about you. We've continued to document the process and + > want the book to encompass the Light Phone journey in its + > entirety, through this second generation as well. We will offer + > the book as a pledge in the next campaign as well (a $50 + > donation). We have a few ideas for ways to make this even more + > special for those of you who originally donated with a limited + > edition bonus too. + + The end of the Indiegogo campaign is scheduled to end April 2019. + The Kickstarter campaign ended June 2015. I was supposed to get + the book June 2016. + + 5. ~~Das Keyboard 5Q~~ GOT IT + + 📸[Das Keyboard 5Q on Kickstarter][IMG5] + + This keyboard[6], by Das Keyboard, was successfully funded on July + 30th, 2016. I backed at the $139 (early bird) tier for: + + - one Das Keyboard 5Q for $90 off the $229 retail price. + + The estimated delivery date was January 2017. I have a regular Das + Keyboard (Mac version) at home and I love it. What drew me to the + 5Q was the ability to write scripts to mod the keyboard. You can + create light shows, make certain keys change color due to a + specified event, and so on. Super customizable! Anyhoo, people are + pissed off because the company makes keyboards for a living and we + *still* don't have ours. + + Welp. + + - 2017/08/25 update + - Typhoon Hato damaged a factory in Hong Kong + - no injuries + - raw materials and critical production equipment were protected + from damage + + - 2017/08/31 update + - 5Q pilot production will begin in a couple days + - full production schedule for the end of September + - Kickstarter fulfillment in October, barring any pilot + production issues + + - 2017/09/25 update + - solder quality for mechanical switches failed QA + - incorrect product packaging + - National Day in China for the first week of October + - production will start the week of October 30th + + - 2018/02/28 update + - keyboards are shipping! + - Mac/Linux support is nonexistent…seriously + - 105-key layout (international) keyboards have damaged switches + - according to a Superbacker and another backer who got theirs + already, the keyboard is straight *trash* from the hardware to + the software + + - 2018/03/13 update + - I opened a ticket with Das Keyboard's support channel to get + the address for the 5Q to be changed to one of my best + friends. I bought WASD's CODE keyboard[7] instead. + - Roughly 15 months to deliver what appeared to be a lackluster + keyboard of questionable quality. *Sigh* + + With each update, backers become less enthusiastic or get angry. I + think it's safe to say that the Das Keyboard team isn't going to + make another crowdfunded product for a long time, if ever. + ~~Earlier this summer, I joked about getting my 5Q in time for~~ + ~~Christmas. At this rate, that looks to be the case.~~ Keep in + mind that these people are in the business of producing keyboards + and have been doing so since 2005. + + 6. ~~TMA-2 Modular Headphone System~~ GOT IT + 📸[TMA-2 Modular Headphone System on Kickstarter][IMG6] + + This wireless headphone system[8], by AIAIAI, was successfully + funded on December 15th, 2016. I backed at the $65 tier (early + bird) for: + + - H05 Smart Headband + + The estimated delivery date was May 2017. AIAIAI's TMA-2 is a + modular headphone system which means if something on my headphones + breaks, I can just replace a module or two and not the entire + thing. I already own the TMA-2 so what I paid for was the headband + to make my headphones wireless. ~~The latest update said this~~ + ~~was going to ship at the end of this month. We shall see.~~ + + I'm tired of using Apple's shitty ear buds and I've gone through + two aux dongles already. + + - 2017/08/21 update + - mass production has been moved to September 11th + - Kickstarter orders (1436 of 'em) will ship out September + 18th - October 6th + - I've already confirmed with them that orders will ship in + order of pledges (I'm backer 46) + + - 2017/09/13 update + - mass production started but minor things needed to change on + assembly line + - 7-10 day delay + + - 2017/09/27 update + - headphones are shipping ~~(hope to update this post in a~~ + ~~couple days)!~~ + + - 2017/10/18 update + - I got it! 5 MONTHS LATER + + 7. Indie Microblogging + + 📸[Indie Microblogging on Kickstarter][IMG7] + + This social network and eBook[9], by Manton Reece, was + successfully funded on February 1st, 2017. I backed at the $10 + tier for: + + - PDF and ePub versions of the book, plus early access to + Micro.blog + + These are some of the book topics: + + - how to adapt blogging tools like WordPress and Tumblr to work + with microblogs. + - the important role of cross-posting to Twitter, and the best + tools out there. + - tips for integrating a microblog into an existing weblog. + - architecture for microblogs, with a behind-the-scenes look at + how Micro.blog was built. + - overview of the latest IndieWebCamp and W3C proposals for indie + microblogging, such as Webmention and Micropub. + - Manton's personal stories on why it matters so much to preserve + content on the Internet. + + The estimated delivery date was March 2017. Like Star Citizen, I'm + not sore about my eBook reward being delayed. Manton is creating + an entire social network by himself and managing a Slack group for + backers. I haven't setup this blog with micro.blog yet either so + it looks like we're both delayed, haha! He's actively working on + finishing the book though. + + 8. ~~Jack: Make Any Headphones Wireless~~ GOT IT + + 📸[Jack on Kickstarter][IMG8] + + This Jack adapter[10], by Podo Labs, was successfully funded on + February 25th, 2017. I backed at the $25 (early bird) tier for: + + - one Jack adapter + + The estimated delivery date was June 2017. The latest update + promises that I'll get this by the end of October at the latest. + You might be wondering why I backed two Kickstarters that are + headphone-focused. I like music and I'm beginning to despise + wires. Should the battery on my H05 run out, I can attach a cable + to it and that cable to the Jack. I'll have to stuff the cord in + my bag or someplace but it'll still be wireless! + + - 2017/10/06 update + - Delays of course, but the team makes it seem as though they + were blindsided by a Chinese holiday. This isn't their first + KS and from the comments, they have a history of making + promises they can't keep, having tons of delays, and + announcing new projects before the current one is fulfilled. + - "Production" unit shown doesn't match prototype, and while + understandable to a degree it's disappointing. + + - 2019 May update + - This was sent to my old address so it took a couple weeks to + get to me. Eighteen friggin' months for this thing? SMH. They + even had the nerve to advertise new Kickstarter campaigns + while I waited. + + 9. ~~Steadicam Volt~~ GOT IT + + 📸[Steadicam Volt on Kickstarter][IMG9] + + This smartphone stabilizer[11], by The Tiffen Company, was + successfully funded on March 5th, 2017. I backed at the $139 + (early bird) tier for: + + - Steadicam Volt for $60 off the planned $199 retail price + + This includes: + + - Steadicam Volt Stabilizer + - 5x magnetic and 1x starter balance weight + - 2x batteries + - battery charger + - Micro-USB cable + - quickstart guide + - carrying pouch + + The estimated delivery date was June 2017. Because retailers like + B&H received Steadicam Volts before backers, we all get a premium + carrying case for free. Not bad, but I expected to get the Volt + before this month so I could get awesome beach footage of my kids. + It's now the middle of August so that plan was ruined. When + companies show prototypes that are *super* close to the finished + product and show they have years of experience doing things, and + yadda x3, I expect to get rewards in a relatively short timeframe. + Like the Das Keyboard, this is not the case here. Apparently, + shipping is supposed to start this month. + + - 2017/09/08 update + - shipping warehouse is overbooked + - shipping will start on the 11th + - everyone should get tracking information shortly + + - 2017/09/14 update + - I don't have tracking info + + - 2017/09/21 update + - I got it! THREE MONTHS LATER + + 10. ~~Black Ink~~ WOMP + 📸[Black Ink on Kickstarter[IMG10] + + This film[12], by Craig Rippon, was successfully funded on April + 21st, 2017. I backed at the $25 tier for: + + - Black Heroes Matter t-shirt + + This includes: + + - movie ticket code for advance online screening + - my name listed in the "Thank You" section of the film + - link to the 2nd trailer for the film when it's completed + - BLACK INK computer wallpaper + + The estimated delivery date was May 2017 (for the t-shirt, not the + film) and Craig has been unresponsive. + + - 2017/10/11 update + - Craig has been dealing with a LOT of family health issues, one + of which is serious. + - The company he was working with to get the books didn't honor + the apparent discount agreement they had. Maybe time ran out + for that? + - The film *should* be out in February. + + - 2019 May update + - I don't care anymore. + + I was a bit miffed when I didn't hear anything for months but not + anymore, Craig can take all the time he needs. + + Honorable mention + + With the exception of Star Citizen and Indie Microblogging (and as + of October 11th, Black Ink), all this has been rather annoying. + Honorable mention goes out to Massdrop for the MiTo Canvas XDA + Custom Keycap Set[13] I've yet to receive. The drop completed on + February 1st, 2017. I paid $72.97 (shipping included) for the + Bauhaus Icon Modifiers and Betas. This is what it'll look like: + + 📸[MiTo Canvas XDA Custom Keycap Set on Massdrop][IMG11] + + The estimated ship date was June 2nd, 2017 and the new one is now + October. *Kanye shrug* I plan on putting these awesome keys on my + existing Das Keyboard…I just noticed I'll need to purchase + additional keys for my number pad. + + Conclusion + + The moral of this story? It used to be that you could pledge for + something on Kickstarter and expect to get the product on or damn + close to the promised delivery date. I love the idea of supporting + promising businesses but I think I'll just wait until whatever + product is available on Amazon before parting with my money. Who + wants to be constantly let down all the time? Not me, + not anymore. 🕸 + +References + + [1] <https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cig/star-citizen> + [2] <https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mightyno9/mighty-no-9> + [3] <https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/860103721/satm-the-umbrella-reimagined> + [4] <https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thelightphone/the-light-phone> + [5] <https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/light-phone-2-smartphone-design> + [6] <https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1229573443/das-keyboard-5q-the-cloud-connected-keyboard> + [7] <https://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/code-keyboard/code-104-key-mechanical-keyboard-2923.html> + [8] <https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1733579622/the-wireless-tma-2-modular-headphone-system> + [9] <https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manton/indie-microblogging-owning-your-short-form-writing> + [10] <https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/podolabs/make-any-headphones-wireless-jack-by-podo-labs> + [11] <https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tiffencompany/steadicam-volt-smartphone-stabilizer-shake-free-vi> + [12] <https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1750747889/black-ink-people-of-color-in-comics> + [13] <https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-mito-canvas-xda-custom-keycap-set> + [IMG1] <https://🔥.pixels.wtf/blog/image/2017/im-done-with-kickstarter-a.jpg> + [IMG2] <https://🔥.pixels.wtf/blog/image/2017/im-done-with-kickstarter-b.jpg> + [IMG3] <https://🔥.pixels.wtf/blog/image/2017/im-done-with-kickstarter-c.jpg> + [IMG4] <https://🔥.pixels.wtf/blog/image/2017/im-done-with-kickstarter-d.jpg> + [IMG5] <https://🔥.pixels.wtf/blog/image/2017/im-done-with-kickstarter-e.jpg> + [IMG6] <https://🔥.pixels.wtf/blog/image/2017/im-done-with-kickstarter-f.jpg> + [IMG7] <https://🔥.pixels.wtf/blog/image/2017/im-done-with-kickstarter-g.png> + [IMG8] <https://🔥.pixels.wtf/blog/image/2017/im-done-with-kickstarter-h.jpg> + [IMG9] <https://🔥.pixels.wtf/blog/image/2017/im-done-with-kickstarter-i.jpg> + [IMG10] <https://🔥.pixels.wtf/blog/image/2017/im-done-with-kickstarter-j.jpg> + [IMG11] <https://🔥.pixels.wtf/blog/image/2017/im-done-with-kickstarter-k.jpg> |