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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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:
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. 🕸