Kickstarter Update #84 - Preorder, Modes, and Launch Update

If anyone felt offended on what i said, i apologize, it wasn't my intention. I don't consider what i said to be something offensive, but i understand it may have rubbed people badly and i apologize for that. I don't change what i think about this whole issue and again i'm not going to argue about it, but i didn't want to offend anyone in particular.

And...well, honestly, i'm more concerned about the fact that some pictures i used in my post was blocked due to hotlinking. Someone sent me a message pointing that out (thanks roguedragon05 ). I got them from Bloodstained's official site and when i went there to reup them somewhere else, i realized that the site itself got them from somewhere else and it is blocked there too lol

Seriously, take a look at the OFFICIAL SITE's gallery down there. Several images where blocked. They need to fix that, so i can fix that on my post too lol

I have no doubts the game will deliver, it's not about that. The process is getting really messy, I'm currently waiting for fangamer or 505 to answer my questions regarding custom fees and import taxes for Cyprus since now the plan has changed from 1 shipment to 3 for those of us who backed the $300 and over tier. I've already paid quite a lot for shipping already, I don't want to pay extra money for nothing, especially since they've made almost everything so easily available now even the backer exclusive content. The plan was for one shipment, if they weren't ready yet they should have launched in July or August or something, it wouldn't make that much difference at this point.

You saw what you chose to see, we all do that. I hope you can still enjoy the game.

I'm a fan first and I will always want to participate in that capacity because that's what I am. I would step down if I had to in order to keep doing that, but I don't feel that's an option either for me because there's work to do that I'm passionate about - and the last few days has been a lot of work. My apologies. I will also endeavor more to not have a perceived bias.

From what I can tell the main issue with upset backers trying to get their point across is some people dismissing their concerns (again some, not all) didn't do the Kickstarter and don't understand the tier went from $28 for just the a copy of the digital game, to $60 minimum for exclusive content. Of course when all people see are backers complaining about the DLC without that knowledge, it appears to them backers are simply whining about others getting content that was only promised to them, when that isn't the whole picture.

It's as if people trying to downplay the issue think backers paid the retail price ($40) and that it includes the backer DLC to them "for free", and they can't wrap their heads around why backers are complaining now that others get to the own the content for $10 more. They think backers already got a sweet deal and are now just being petty because others can get same stuff too.

None of this was explained in Update 84, which admittedly are a ton of details that don't apply to everyone, but it sure does to the 23K+ $60 backers that have a right to feel somewhat slighted. And yes, I understand 505 chose to displease 23K+ backers rather than alienate hundreds of thousands of potential new customers. I get it. And I get 505 is a publisher and this is a business. I just don't think this was handled correctly in the update to respect what the backers, particularly at $60 tier, pledged for. Not sure how it could have been worded better to lessen the sting, but IMO not by referencing a fan survey that anyone had access to as proof "most backers" were okay with it. All that did was make it seem like 505 had the blessing of most backers, which is just more of a reason for backers to call foul. Again, that's just my opinion.

Warning: Upcoming wall of text.

About the “false advertising” argument, the Kickstarter rage and other stuff.

Playing the "false advertising card" it's unfair because of the unpredictable and mutable nature of the Kickstarter projects, the Bloodstained: RotN project isn't the exception to the rule, and sorry for being too obvious but before crowfunding a project, you must be aware of all the risks, challenges, changes and inconveniences that can be presented. Knowing all of this, you will save yourself a lot of misunderstandings, problems, and headaches in the future.

Tell me in which part, row or paragraph in the Kickstarter terms of use document says: if you don't meet ALL the BACKER TIERS, MILESTONES, PROMISES, or if you CHANGE something in your Kickstarter project, you, your company and all your employees will burn in hell for the rest of the eternity because of violation of the terms and conditions of the Satan Kickstarter contract.

Also, Kickstarter isn't a purchase, a pre-order, an inversion, or a rent: it's a gamble (or a donation if you prefer); basically you're gambling your hard-earned money to an idea that you want to become into fruition, and sometimes, there are unexpected turns and bumps on the road. Fortunately, most of the Bloodstained: RotN changes have being pretty good IMO, and the best of all is we will get an even better game than before.

Kickstarter is an ideas casino and sometimes you get the thing you really want, but sometimes you get an awful or a half-backed product, or even worst; you don't get anything (perhaps a crappy demo, or a shirt if you are lucky.), so be aware of all that. With Bloodstained: RotN you will get a full game, and with lots of extra content in the not-so-distant future.

$60+ Backers will receive the IGA super boss + Swordwhip DLC for free, and the non-backers can access this DLC for a fee. So, why this is a bad thing, or false advertising as you say?

know 505 have committed a lot of mistakes, and the Mac/Linux situation was unfair, but that matter has already been addressed (and solved in a way) by the means of giving the affected the option to change the digital copy to physical (MAC/LINUX BACKERS ONLY), so they can sell it and get more money that they had been pledged, because of the exclusive physical swag.

I am a backer too, ($125 tier), and I was affected with the Vita port cancellation (I bought a Vita specifically to play Bloodstained: RotN), but I'm not shouting: SCAM! LAWSUIT! LIARS! I WILL PIRATE YOUR GAME! I WILL NEVER BACK A IGA/505 GAME AGAIN! and so on, at the slightest provocation like some of the backers affected by the Mac/Linux/Vita, The FuturePak steel case and the DLC situation.

Let me clear that I’m not defending 505 and/or ArtPlay actions, but I think some of the backers (fortunately, they are a very small vocal minority) are making a storm in a glass of water, and obviously I'm saying some of the backers, and not all of them, because there are well indented and reasonable arguments being said on the aforementioned platform, so this isn’t a call to censorship.

About the Update #84:

Problem 1: The FuturePak steel case thing.

Solution 1: Being a reasonable human being and acknowledge that non-backers deserves nice things too, also this is a Best Buy thing, and not a broken promise from the Kickstarter campaign, Sony is providing a dynamic theme, and Steam a discount, so everyone gets cool stuff.

Videogame publisher companies are business, they need to advertise the game and sometimes they give pre-order bonus incentives in order to boost sales. Again, sorry for being too obvious, but there are some people that don't grasp the fact.

Solution 2: Just buy the case ($15) or pre-order the game on Best Buy. Easy peasy.

Problem 2: The DLC thing.

Solution 1: Being a reasonable human being and acknowledge that non-backers have the right to have access to the DLC too, because they voted on the public poll and it was the most voted option, and by unanimity, $60+ backers and non-backers will receive this DLC (non-backers for a fee, of course).

What about the $28+ and $60+ digital edition tiers?

According to Bloodstained: RotN Kickstarter page: $28+ tier backers will get a digital copy of RotN, and the $60+ tier backers will get digital codes of both CotM (done) and RotN games, free DLC, digital OST, and a digital retro strategy booklet.

Solution 2: Buy the DLC ($10)

Solution 3: Buy the game with all the staggered content released later or on a sale.

About the Kickstarter non-troversy:

I will say it again: People on the Internet loves complaining about everything. They just want blood, the new Kickstarter scandal, sensasionalism, the next TORtanic, and so on, and so on.

People loves to complain about videogames all the time because is the Internet and they have total freedom to say whatever they want (unless they live in a nanny state), and it's fine, to each their own.

This individuals think they have the right and duty to save all of us from the EVIL CORP™ that wants to screw our money and lives, so a hero needs to rise and obliterate the greedy and unscrupulous behemoths of late capitalism™ in name of justice, ethics, freedom the greater good, and whatever ideology he/she advocates/believes.

I think the best and more mature way to deal with this opinions is to simply let this people have their place to unburden, talk, rant, cry, roar and hate all they want, at least this peculiar people are contained in their echo-chambers, so most of them are harmless (for now).

As a $60 backer, I wholeheartedly sympathize with those of us who were disappointed with this update.
I mean think about it, we paid $32 more than the $28 backers (more than double what they paid), and we only get DLC content that they can buy for $10.

I understand people being upset about the promised "exclusive" content (rightfully so), but the real issue for me is that we paid more for less. We not only paid more than $28 backers, we paid more than non-backers as well. People can buy the game for $40 and get the $10 DLC for a total of $50. We paid $60 for the same thing, 4 years ago (before development even started). Can people not see how unfair that is?

Still excited about the game, but I do think we $60 backers got screwed in this, and I believe that $28 backers got the best deal out of this (good for them).

Though I must say, I absolutely don't agree with those who were advocating piracy. That is simply wrong, and I'm 100% against it.

- $60+ tier backers will get the DLC for free.

From the Update #84:

"And of course all backers entitled to this content will receive the DLC for free." 

- $60 digital backers will get CotM (done) and RotN digital codes, digital OST and a digital retro strategy booklet.

From the Bloodstained: RotN Kickstarter campaign page:

"SPECIAL BACKER EDITION
DIGITAL COPY

A digital copy of the game for XBOX ONE, PS4, SWITCH, STEAM and GOG (PC/Mac/Linux). Includes exclusive backer-only content DLC for free, digital soundtrack, and a PDF of the retro strategy booklet!"

- Non-backers will not get the Digital OST and the digital retro strategy booklet, but they will have access to the DLC for a fee.

From the Update #84:

"To that end we’re announcing the “Iga’s Back Pack” DLC for $9.99, launching on June 18, 2019 for PS4, XB1 and PC, June 25, 2019 for Switch. Players who purchase this DLC will be able to fight the game’s creator, Koji Igarashi himself, and earn the powerful Swordwhip weapon by defeating him."

Red: That's even worse if true, but I think "all backers entitled to it" means $60 backers and above, unless I'm mistaken.

Blue: Too bad those things aren't exactly exclusive; the entire OST will be available on Youtube for free, and the digital strategy booklet will be available on the internet for free, so the $28 backers and non-backers aren't losing anything at all, which is good for them, but we still paid more for nothing.

That's fine.

Bold: Again, those things will be available for everyone on the internet day 1, for free, so it's not like we're getting anything of note for backing at $60, other than the extra content that $28 backers can get for $10.