The Guardian interviews David Braben

MikeSnos

MikeSnos
Not so sure about 'Angry Questions'... Yes there's been some worry but nothing like 'I want my money back' or 'we've been conned' etc... The reality is that many are viewing this as a generally positive development so long as the publishers are kept at arms length. As David said, Kickstarter was mostly about getting a feel for the likely market and level's of desire for the product.

Otherwise a good piece and hopefully the publicity will make more people aware that E : D is on its way :)
 

Mobius

Mobius
I really don't get why people are still using the kickstarter page for there comments, but still an interesting read,
 

huwthomas

huwthomas
It's probably the less hardcore fans who haven't been bothered to create an account here. There's a notable difference in the response here (almost entirely supportive as far as I saw) and there, where there were indeed a few angry/resentful questions ... hardly as many as the article implied, though.
 

Arbanax

Arbanax
I thought is the fact that the journalist said flooding the Elite project page with angry responses (not even Frontiers) but the Kickstarter page? I could be wrong but from what I am hearing here trickle might be a better phrase! Me thinks he doth make it too much!

However it was still a good read and interesting to hear David's take on things, especially for a games company to float, given the choppy waters others have gotten into.

Ab
 
Last edited:

Andrew Sayers

A
huwthomas said:
It's probably the less hardcore fans who haven't been bothered to create an account here. There's a notable difference in the response here (almost entirely supportive as far as I saw) and there, where there were indeed a few angry/resentful questions ... hardly as many as the article implied, though.
Click to expand...

Reading all three pages of comments in the Kickstarter announcement made me feel like when I stumbled back into the general forum to find the PvP debate raging. It hadn't even crossed the DDF's radar, so I found myself scrambling to understand what people were so het up about.

It seems like people commenting in the KS backed the game to feel like something great existed in the world because of them, whereas people here backed ED because they wanted to be a part of that great something. They're rattled by the implication the game would have been made no matter what, so hopefully Michael's reassurances are enough to calm things down :)
 

psykokow

psykokow
It's another non-issue, nothing would make the press happier than a scandal..

Is anyone here really of the belief that their donation/pledge made the difference? We are all priveledged to be involved and here... THANK YOU for that... we are all part of Frontier history now...

Thats not something anyone would want to **** on... we had faith at the start... KEEP IT.. its now when we need our faith and remember why we pledged... was it for glory? Was it for Frontier?? OR was it for Elite MADE by Braben??

We still getting that!!! So WIN WIN!
 

kilvenny

kilvenny
Thanks Darren for the link - a really interesting article.

Two things struck me
1) The KS validated the market for Elite. That in turn makes FD more attractive to investors (a long term future project with a guaranteed user base). Elite outside will appeal to those into FPS which will broaden appeal to the game and FD to investors. So actually we the KS backers have actually kickstarted (pardon the pun) FD into AIM. Without ED I dont think FD would have the platform to go for a listing.
2) The 2.8M extra investment. Is that from being listed - the article seems to suggest its separate funding on top of that.

Interesting times indeed - It certainly feels great to have done a tiny little bit to make ED happen but also maybe to help a British software house to flourish.
 

Patrick_68000

Patrick_68000
Frankly I do not see why on Kickstarter, there are people who have the impression of having been abused. They say we have funded Kickstarter then Frontier had a lot of money (7 million pounds). What is this argument? Frontier is not theirs. They have nothing to say. Have money, does not prohibit to ask. And in the article, David explains why he made the Kickstarter.
 
Last edited:

Listeri69

Listeri69
I always think the clue with Kickstarter is in the name it gives your project a kickstart and that's exactly the way David and Frontier used it. Now they have a platform from which to build on. at some point they obviously had a sit down and thought long and hard about the IPO and investment, there were no angry questions at all really from here, just genuine concern for the company and most of us seem to think they are doing the right thing.

When Elite 4 comes out and becomes one of the best selling games of 2014 which Im sure it will then nearly 30,000 people will say in unison.... We Told You So.... which is why we all put our money where our mouth is, to see this game made. and that's exactly what Frontier have done too, putting their money where their mouth is and saying we can make this one of the best games ever, not only that we can make this one of the best companies ever, and to me that strategy has to be applauded.

So great interview, but next time guardian how about interviewing some of the people who actually pledged for the game about how they really feel :)
 

W4rSkuLL

W4rSkuLL
We, the backers of ED ensured that the game will be the best game out in 2014. And that Frontier devolopment really gets on the gaming industries map. And we are working alongside DB and his staff to make it the best Spacesim out there. Thx to the thriving community which litteraly is buzzing with ideas and scifi fantasy. All the backers are hardcore Elite fans which really know what we want in the next Elite. And what is better for Frontier to give its fans and the rest the game they really want. And thx to us 10000 of more spacecommanders will buy the game, maybe millions :) Everything will only get bigger and better from here. Thx to all fans, DB and Frontiers staff for making this game :)
 

Penthux

Penthux
keith_stuart said:
Braben is facing controversy here: last year, the title was crowdfunded via Kickstarter, raising over £1.5m from more than 25,000 backers. Now, many of those supporters are flooding the Elite project page with angry questions – if there were plans to raise cash through an IPO, and if there was already money in the company coffers, why did Frontier turn to Kickstarter?
Click to expand...

I hope the British press won't be allowed to play Elite: Dangerous... I say we gank the damned lot of them if they do! Set of Imperial sympathisers anyway.
 

Darren Grey

Darren Grey
Why are people so hung up on that one line? Most of the article is very positive. The writer sounds quite like a fanboy at points.

And honestly, you'll see way worse press than this in future. Way way way worse.
 

FS3DPete

F
psykokow said:
Is anyone here really of the belief that their donation/pledge made the difference? We are all privileged to be involved and here... THANK YOU for that... we are all part of Frontier history now...
Click to expand...

I can't speak for anyone else, but I didn't make a pledge with any sort of belief that my one donation would push it over the edge... I made the pledge to support development of a game that I have been hoping to see since First Encounters was released. If the game didn't go into development, c'est la vie, but since it has, I've upped my contribution so that I can take advantage of all the future expansions that might come along in future, as well as the in-game benefits such as access to the Founder's world.

As for the success of the KS, we're all responsible for that in one way or another, but if the game was going to be made anyway... Great. I'd have still paid for it and played it.
 

Cmdr Eagleboy

Cmdr Eagleboy
Few things:
1) Interview is very good, journalist has followed subject closely, although there's almost no evaluation of ED material given by FD to fans, but that's probably not very interesting for general public;
2) Without Kickstarter ED wouldn't be started. FD would go on, but they wouldn't risk to launch ED as proper product without successful KS - I really hope everyone understands that. I think it was communicated quite loud several times at the beginning of KS;
3) David always have said that it is only part of investment, but very crucial one - because it allows them to really "kickstart" production AND start to talk to investors. As we see, there's success on both accounts, although yet much of the work to be done;
4) And lastly, investors/shareholders in this scenario has direct say over ED as product. They allow FD complete freedom, as long as there's good income in retail sales. If ED fails to do that, well, angry investors will be less of our (yes, also community) problems;

One one last thing - although it really depends on investors, some oversight for FD as company is not really a bad thing - if ED is a success (and we all want it to be), good extra management will allow FD to improve and extend it for many many years. Knowing it it's UK listing, my pick would be that things with shareholders aren't that toxic than in US (not firsthand experience though).
 

Darren Grey

Darren Grey
Pecisk said:
One one last thing - although it really depends on investors, some oversight for FD as company is not really a bad thing - if ED is a success (and we all want it to be), good extra management will allow FD to improve and extend it for many many years.
Click to expand...

This is very true. If it were just a DDF-designed game it would be a disaster. The Double Fine guys have got themselves into a pickle because they overscoped their game and need more money and time to complete it. I'm hoping Frontier will be a lot more responsible.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom