Kickstarter?

[Deleted]

Given the ridiculous success Reaper is having with their kickstarter project (having raised a little under $2.5 million towards their target of $30,000 as of this post), does anyone else think this might be a good opportunity to escalate the pdf release of whatever ladies, legends, or other signees Filsinger Games has had in queue for a while?

I know Reaper is working with a much broader support base, but consider. I have no idea of all the costs associated with producing a 4-card set, but let's say FG sets a modest goal of $500 for a 4-card, B&W set of lady wrestlers. If it hits $750, the set expands to eight. If it hits $1,000, the set expands to 12, and they are colorized. Maybe the "base" levels are $5 for a "badge" that can be displayed at this forum, $25 for a pdf copy of all wrestlers released when the drive ends. Maybe a limited number of $50, $75, or $100 pledges to get a cardstock version of everyone that gets released.

If the project fails to fund, there is the proof that insufficient interest exists for another ladies' set (at this time). No one gets charged anything, and no money is put out on FG's end. If it explodes, all money is received up front to fund art, production, and other costs. Each new milestone could be kept a secret, or revealed one name at a time, to keep interest and the "mystery" element high.

If not for the ladies' set, then for the follow-up to NWA Hollywood, or the previously-mentioned DG USA set, or just a random collection of legends for the LOW game proper.

Just a thought.

EDIT: And just that fast, as of 7:08 Central Time, they passed $2.5 million.

[marktaggart]

This is a great idea in general. It would be a zero risk venture for Filsinger Games and perhaps it could fund a large pdf set of the second-tier stars that never seem to get into the regular legends releases. I am not as enthused about the idea of another ladies set, especially if the names included are as---less than mainstream as the ones in the first set, but I support your idea.

[tystates]

If a second ladies pdf is given a go I am confidant the names will be liked by more people. I already have a lineup in mind if I'm told to go ahead. Just for the record I will stand by who was selected for the first pdf and am happy to discuss it with anyone off the board.

[Deleted]

Well, the ladies' set was an example. It could be anything. (I would dispute that the last pdf set was less than mainstream, but we can agree to disagree; it's not really relevant to this topic.)

However, that raises a valid point. If a ladies' set were offered and failed to fund, based on the names offered, that would send a clear message. Conversely, if it was offered, and funded at a 400 or 500 percent level, that would send a different message. Likewise for another LOW, LotF, or promotion-specific set.

As you pointed out, there's no downside for FG, as no money is invested (not even to Kickstarter) unless a project reaches its funding threshhold.

[TTX]

I like the idea of a random collection of LOW guys who might not see print otherwise.

I'm not sure how successful it would be as the market is really limited, but it could work nicely as well.

[Count Necros]

I am with Troy, perhaps a larger PDF of 12-24 wrestlers that include across the board wrestlers, male, female, indy, jobber, tag team, midget, misc (like Abe Lincoln) would have a better mass appeal

[Deleted]

It makes a lot of sense. What about a "release who's signed and not in a future 'set'" set. I'm sure the money would come in.

[pikemojo]

I would be for it but I kinda doubt that money is the big decider on whether or not a PDF set sees release. The constant flow of LOW product is likely why we haven't seen releases like this as of late. The more releases that we see, the more likely it is that the fans of LOW can't buy everything as many always have. In the last 6 months of this year we have Chikara, CZW, ROH, NWA Hollywood and supposedly a full LOW set coming at the end of the year.

[Shane Sullivan]

I personally would feel exploited. I was kinda pissed I got a Black Death Chikara card for five bucks that didn't even come with a back story. $50.00? No. I don't think so. Tom can do whatever he wants, that's the great thing about owning a great product and idea. Though if he went the kickstarter route I would feel like he's gouging me, and wouldn't buy into it. Just my opinion, I know there are a lot of people who would buy into it. I'm not one of them though.

[Deleted]

Aug 28, 2012 22:32:39 GMT -5 Shane Sullivan said:

I personally would feel exploited. I was kinda pissed I got a Black Death Chikara card for five bucks that didn't even come with a back story. $50.00? No. I don't think so. Tom can do whatever he wants, that's the great thing about owning a great product and idea. Though if he went the kickstarter route I would feel like he's gouging me, and wouldn't buy into it. Just my opinion, I know there are a lot of people who would buy into it. I'm not one of them though.

That's the beauty of Kickstarter, though. You don't have to spend the fifty dollars. Pledge $10 to get the "core four" (or eight, or whatever). Pledge $20 to get everything, but only as a pdf. The dollar amounts thrown around right now are totally arbitrary.

Aug 28, 2012 21:12:05 GMT -5 pikemojo said:

I would be for it but I kinda doubt that money is the big decider on whether or not a PDF set sees release. The constant flow of LOW product is likely why we haven't seen releases like this as of late. The more releases that we see, the more likely it is that the fans of LOW can't buy everything as many always have. In the last 6 months of this year we have Chikara, CZW, ROH, NWA Hollywood and supposedly a full LOW set coming at the end of the year.

Can't argue with any of your points. Some people are on a limited budget, and I respect that. Some have the necessary capital to buy everything that comes out. I guess what it comes down to is I'd rather have the option to buy, say, a second 8-ladies set or a LOW "lower mid-card" set than not buy it, and Kickstarter would be one way to offer those sets without any initial outlay of money.

'Cause, at the end of the day, while I am my own top priority, I get that the company has to be a priority, too. Having more products available for sale means more sales (in general). Having more products available without any outlay unless sales are guaranteed is a plus.

Besides, if I have to prioritize my spending and get ROH and a ladies' set this December, and not the LOW set, there's nothing stopping me from snatching up LOW 11 in February or April. (That's the unmentioned upside to a Kickstarter pdf release--there's the capacity for future sales ad infinitum.)