If I back the game on Kickstarter depends on the bonus material that's offered and on the information I get beforehand. Might as well be that I buy the game in my FLGS later on.
Whether or not it even registers on my radar depends on if we can at all expect it before August 2020. If they're not opening the Kickstarter until later this year (and don't have a firm release date as well) then I have no interest in CB holding on to my money for 9+ months while they finish up this game. If it's expected to drop before June of next year, I might back it. If there's an option for just the Shasvastii or just the heroes I might just do that, as I'm expecting this to be at least $200 and I have no interest in that.
I may back it, I might as well since there's no FLGS around me. I'm cautious though as I don't want to wait over a year to get anything like I had to for the RPG. It's more reassuring since it's being done by CB themselves, but time is a factor. It's alleviated somewhat if they have some cool bonus' in the box, not just stuff I can make use of for Defiance, but Infinity and the RPG as well. That way I know I'm getting my money's worth.
I generally agree with your complaints about boardgame KS. But a lot of the more recent boardgame KS I have seen have had Retailer deals, where someone can get 6-12 boxes with all the KS goodies for less per-box than the standard pledges. I'm pretty sure I've even seen a KS where the Retailer deals actually required proof of having a retail store, not a website.
I am relatively confident that CB have been taking these concerns seriously and will include a Retailer Pledge. If they do that will 100% confirm me as a Kickstarter, and I'll go in via my local store.
Having seen the Yu Jing character, I won't be buying it, and I won't be interested in going in with any of my friends who might find value in splitting it. The model's hideous, and my primary interest in the box would be as a YJ player.
As others have said, lots of recent kickstarters are including retail pledges. Get others at your store interested, and go in together with your store that way.
I second the metal minis issue. High def, CMON style plastics would be a better fit for this game. If metals are wanted, provide KS backers with an option to upgrade with an exclusive KS box option like the Aristeia game.
Yes but you're already in the Cult of Bostria aka CB fan. This is going to kickstarter to appeal to the non cultists. I don't think it's a great move personally.
On the other hand, doing something unusual is why they should do it as a Kickstarter so they can judge demand, rather than push ahead with full production.
Well, KS is also a platform to identify funding sources for development. I know this original goal has been misused many times, turning KS into a risk-less (for the designers) pre-order platform, but CB could simply be looking for funds to deploy an independent team to finish development.
Demo was solid. Lots of parts. Investment will depend on what is actually offered. Metal figures ballpark it for about 100. I heard that about fourth hand that the Kickstarter might well be it, with no retail sales at all. Fourth hand. At best.
You might be not, but depends who their market demographic they are aiming for? For most board gamers metal means: 1.More expensive 2.Less models per $ (with plastic you can literally get good model for around 1$, good luck with that with metal) YOu have plenty of KS for around 100$ that offer lots and lots of plastic models. Can't see that happening here, hey, have 50 metal infinity models for 100$? 3.They gotta bother with super gluing and assembly(most never did that, and some parts with infinity can be really small and chore to glue) 4.If you wanna paint it, it's harder than with plastic, since it chips easily, gotta seal it etc. 5.Storing and transport is much bigger problem compared to plastic. You can't just throw your metal infinity model in box and be don't with it, right? 6.You have to pay more attention to metal models than to plastic. With plastic you never need to fear that something will broke off. With metal, that can be normal occurrence. Hey, my friend just knocked this model of the table, plastic -> who cares, pick it up and continue to play, metal -> look of horror on someones face. So if your aim is to have boardgame crowd interested, metal is serious not the way to go. If you are aiming at Infinity players or some wargames players, then it's okay.
I'd argue that you shouldn't throw you painted mini just like that in a box, regardless of if they are metal or platic. You'll mess the paint job with either. That makes transport just a difference of weight. As well, plastic isn't invincible. A plastic model knocked off a table could sustain damage and create the look of horror as well. And I assure you, if someone knocked my Valkyrie dropship off the table, I'd be terrified. And it's plastic!
So you are comparing Valkyre dropship with something like 32mm plastic boardgame single piece miniature...but if you think that's accurate assesment, okay... Most of boardgames already come with insert for their models, so there is no problem with storing them painted. Never saw something like this from CB, and I am quite sure they won't put in empty plastic insert, in which after you assemble you would store your models.
