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Funded! This project successfully raised its funding goal on June 8, 2012.

Stretch Goal #1

Update #3 · May 11, 2012 · 19 comments
Now that our project has met our funding goal, many of you have been asking us to put up some stretch goals, and we're happy to oblige!  As usual, though, we tend to do things a bit differently, so… read on!

For most Kickstarter projects, the primary goal is raising money.  For the Pathfinder Online Technology Demo, though, raising money is only one part of our purpose.  Since we want to show potential investors that there's demand for the game, we also want to see the number of backers climb as high as possible.  We topped 1,000 today, and that's fantastic… but we think the potential is much higher.

And that's why we're announcing that our first stretch goal won't be based on dollars, but on the number of backers. 

If we reach 2000 backers, we're going to create another dungeon level beneath Thornkeep, which will be presented as an additional PDF download for everyone who has pledged $15 or more.  This new level will be designed by Paizo's own Jason Bulmahn, and backers will be able to participate in a survey to determine the theme of that dungeon:

  • Haunted Crypts: The dead do not rest easy in the crypts beneath the goblin warren. Undead prowl the ancient halls, but one lone figure moves among them, clad in scarlet robes, bearing an ancient silver lantern. What's worse, the dead seem to follow his commands.
  • Lord of Webs: The halls beneath the goblin den are the home of countless spiders, spinning thick webs that block the way and snare the unwary. More than just mindless hunters, the spiders act with purpose, funneling their prey into the deeper halls where an even more dangerous foe awaits.
  • The Statuary: Some master craftsman must have spent a lifetime carving all the statues carefully placed throughout the halls beneath the goblin lair. Oddly, the statues seem to be telling a story. While the meaning is not entirely clear, one thing is certain: Something terrible happened here and the malevolence behind it still lurks nearby.
  • Watery Grave: The caverns beneath the goblin tribe's lair are flooded in places, apparently intentionally. Cunning traps and deadly chambers await those brave enough to risk the dark waters. Worse still, there are creatures that have taken up residence here, hunting in the stagnant pools.
  • Forgotten Laboratory: The goblins of the dungeon's upper level took more than one trinket from the ancient laboratory that dwells beneath them. The wizard that created these items also performed dangerous experiments, many of which have gone out of control over the years. Stranger still, someone appears to be using the ancient equipment  with sinister results.

This extra dungeon level won't be part of the Technology Demo, though, as it's very important to us that the demo is finished on time and on budget, and adding another level would take us off course.  But it will be an official part of our world, and might possibly appear in the full game eventually.

Which leads us to another question some of you have been asking: If additional funding from the Kickstarter won't go towards making the demo bigger, what will it be used for?  We're glad you asked!  Extra funding will allow us to bring more resources to the table faster.  We may be able to accelerate our hiring plan, and begin the task of expanding the work we're doing to create the technology demo into the alpha version of the game.  And, of course, the more money we raise, the better Pathfinder Online looks to investors!

Help us achieve the goal of getting 2000 backers by telling everybody you know about Pathfinder Online and this Kickstarter!  Talk it up on Twitter, Facebook, Google+… Heck, use Friendster, if that's still a thing! C'mon—fire up those modems and dial in to your local BBSs!  Wire somebody a telegraph!  Send up smoke signals!  We believe you can make it happen!

Comments

    1. Pig.small

      Creator Floyd Turkowski on May 14, 2012

      Looking forward to a new Jason Bulmahn designed dungeon. Out of curiosity what is the theme of the initial dungeon underneath Thornkeep? What levels are both dungeons designed for? And can you share a few of the monster types you're thinking of in both the module and the tech demo?

    2. Fb_profile_picture.small

      Creator Robert on May 13, 2012

      To me this is a bit of a lackluster stretch goal. Would rather see something like we want to include this in the demo, or some of the music we plan to have prepped.

      If I hadnt donated and been on the fence about doing so this would do nothing to sway me, but maybe its just me.

    3. Goblin.small.small

      Creator Goblinworks Inc. on May 13, 2012

      GoldenGod37, thanks for the idea. Done!

    4. Goblin.small.small

      Creator Goblinworks Inc. on May 13, 2012

      Jim, we'd certainly *like* to have persistent creations survive from Alpha to Beta to the finished game, but only time will tell if that's feasible. As for the $5000 reward level, while up to five of your guests can participate in the Pathfinder RPG gaming session at Goblinworks, the rest of the rewards are for the backer only.

    5. Fb_profile_picture.small

      Creator GoldenGod37 on May 13, 2012

      I'd recommend putting information about the stretch goal on the main page like most kickstarters. I think most people will never see it if it's just buried here on the updates page.

    6. Missing_small

      Creator Jim Stefanick on May 13, 2012

      You may not be able to answer this yet...but...Will the fruits of Alpha playtesting efforts (ingame) carry forward to later releases. In other words, will the persistent things built by Alpha playtesters carry into Beta and ultimately the Production release? Also, will character advancement carry forward? Finally, if I get a group of say 5 friends to pool resources so we can, as a group, pledge $1000, would all 5 of us be able to particpate in Alpha playtesting?

    7. Dawn.small

      Creator ET3D on May 12, 2012

      I thought I'd only pledge for the real game Kickstarter, but since you want a lot of backers, I decided to pledge $1 to this project. If numbers are what counts, maybe you could add a $1 reward with something small but nice (which will of course be added to all other tiers), such as a PDF map of Thornkeep, a concept art piece, or whatever.

    8. Goblin.small.small

      Creator Goblinworks Inc. on May 11, 2012

      Doing something like this for the full game is certainly possible, if not downright probable.

    9. Missing_small

      Creator Jesse Harrison on May 11, 2012

      I don't really understand where you are coming from sozin, but I hope you've gotten some assurance. I personally am very wary of any kickstarter project, especially ones for games. This will be my first project funded because I knew I would be getting a great product along with the chance to promote an even more epic endeavor. I like the set up that GobWorks has done here because I won't feel shafted if they don't have a pathfinder online for three plus years. I'll be playing Thornkeep with my pathfinder groups.

    10. Missing_small

      Creator Brandan Yares on May 11, 2012

      This isn't the first 'please fund our MMORPG demo!' project on Kickstarter, at least. Though I'm surprised Kickstarter greenlighted the other one.

      Does that mean you'll consider doing a Kickstarter for PFO itself once investing and development is enough underway that you have something to show for it?

    11. Goblin.small.small

      Creator Goblinworks Inc. on May 11, 2012

      Thanks for understanding. I hope I don't sound harsh, but we're of the opinion that we need to strike a strong line here; we don't want less careful readers thinking they're getting something they're not—or supporting something they're not. This is not the Pathfinder Online Kickstarter, it's the Pathfinder Online Technology Demo Kickstarter, and the clearer we make that, the less we will disappoint people.

      We realize—and tremendously appreciate—that some people want to support the full game, and *only* the full game, and we *really* want that to happen... but this is not the time for that.

    12. Llama3.small

      Creator sozin on May 11, 2012

      Understood, thank you for the quick and candid responses.

    13. Goblin.small.small

      Creator Goblinworks Inc. on May 11, 2012

      This is quite simply a line we do not wish to cross.

    14. Llama3.small

      Creator sozin on May 11, 2012

      So why not make the same caveat apply to a (say) $250 beta and (say) $150 prime stretch goals? Then you can rename this project from the somewhat flat "demo" title to a genuinely exciting (even if risky) "Pathfinder MMO" project, which I suspect will generate a lot more excitement from everyone. And btw, thank you for your open answers to my questions, I apologize in advance if I'm being difficult :-( I am a huge supporter and greatly want this project to succeed!

    15. Goblin.small.small

      Creator Goblinworks Inc. on May 11, 2012

      If you read the full description of the $1,000 reward in the main text, you'll note the following:

      "(If, for some reason, Pathfinder Online never gets to its alpha playtest stage, you will be refunded $500. We don’t expect that to happen, but we want you to be comfortable knowing that you’ll get what you pay for!)"

    16. Llama3.small

      Creator sozin on May 11, 2012

      Based on the current reward levels, it seems like confidence is high that a final product will deliver. From the $1,000 pledge: "You’ll be welcomed as part of a very small group of alpha playtesters in a closed playtest of Pathfinder Online. This will be a great chance for you to give us direct input on how Pathfinder Online ends up looking and playing in its final incarnation." This means commitment to an alpha release of Pathfinder Online. So, edited stretch goal: $500 patrons get access to the closed _beta_ release of Pathfinder Online. (Might as well commit to beta if you've committed to alpha, eh? :-) )

    17. Goblin.small.small

      Creator Goblinworks Inc. on May 11, 2012

      We're unwilling to offer rewards that we may not be able to follow through with. Sorry!

    18. Llama3.small

      Creator sozin on May 11, 2012

      I'm a paizo superscriber. I love pretty much everything paizo does. I sponsored this project.

      But something about this project feels strange to me. Every other Kickstarter project I do has a definitive product that is being created from it as its primary goal. Something that I get at the end.

      This project is not like that. If it were a "Pathfinder Thornkeep book" project than it would be. But it isn't - this is a "demo" project. Frankly, it feels like the Goblinworks team is twisting around the intention of Kickstarter to serve its own (albeit good and honorable) goals.

      If this had been a "Pathfinder MMO" Kickstarter project, with me getting a license - or a discounted license - for the eventual release of the game - then I'd feel differently. Hence my stretch goal: 50% discount on the game if, and when, it is released, for all $30 pledges or more.

    19. Luffy.small

      Creator Kevin Arruda on May 11, 2012

      Interesting. Challenge Accepted.

4,212
Backers
$307,843
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Funding period
May 9, 2012 - Jun 8, 2012 (30 days)

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  • Pledge $5 or more

    161 backers

    You'll be able to see an exclusive long video of the final Technology Demo. Additionally, in thanks for your backing, you’ll be listed in a Special Thanks section of the Goblinworks website as well as in the release of the Pathfinder Online game.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2012
  • Pledge $15 or more

    886 backers

    You’ll get access to the PDF of the Thornkeep book. In addition, you’ll get the $5 reward level.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2012
  • Pledge $30 or more

    585 backers

    You’ll become a member of the Goblin Squad, with a special icon on the Goblinworks messageboards. The Goblin Squad will receive special alerts letting them know about new information first, and we’ll give special priority to Goblin Squad members throughout the development process. This is your chance to identify yourself to us and to the community as a key supporter of Pathfinder Online. In addition, you’ll get the $15 reward level.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
  • Pledge $50 or more

    936 backers

    You’ll get a printed copy of the Thornkeep book. In addition, you’ll get the $30 reward level.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2012
  • Pledge $75 or more

    422 backers

    You’ll get a printed copy of the Thornkeep book autographed by author Rich Baker and members of the Goblinworks team, and a poster of the Thornkeep cover art by artist Wayne Reynolds. In addition, you’ll get the $30 reward level.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2012
  • Pledge $100 or more

    1011 backers

    You’ll get a special Goblinworks T-shirt. In addition, you’ll get the $75 reward level.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2012
  • Pledge $250 or more

    61 backers Limited (189 of 250 left)

    You’ll become a Goblinworks Founder, and will receive a certificate suitable for framing and a special Founder icon on the Goblinworks messageboards. You’ll also receive a Goblinworks Founder challenge coin. In addition, you’ll get the $100 reward level.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2012
  • Pledge $500 or more

    78 backers Limited (172 of 250 left)

    You’ll become a Goblinworks Executive Founder, and will receive a gorgeous granite plaque with stand and a leather messenger bag with an embossed Goblinworks logo and a nifty e-gadget portfolio for your tablet. You’ll also receive a special Executive Founder icon on the Goblinworks messageboards. In addition, you’ll get the $250 reward level.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2012
  • Pledge $1,000 or more

    29 backers Limited (21 of 50 left)

    You’ll be welcomed as part of a very small group of alpha playtesters in a closed playtest of Pathfinder Online. This will be a great chance for you to give us direct input on how Pathfinder Online ends up looking and playing in its final incarnation. In addition, you’ll get the $500 reward level.

    Estimated delivery: Jan 2013
  • Pledge $2,000 or more

    1 backer Limited (9 of 10 left)

    You’ll be welcomed to Goblinworks HQ in Redmond, Washington for a unique chance to play the technology demo. After getting a chance to play the demo, you will have lunch with members of the Goblinworks staff where you can ask questions and find out what it is like to work on Pathfinder Online. If there are enough backers at this level who can make it on a particular day, we will schedule them together—playing with a larger group will be much more fun! Otherwise, we will work with you to find a mutually acceptable day. Backers at this level are responsible for their own transportation and lodging. In addition, you’ll get the $1,000 reward level.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2012
  • Pledge $5,000 or more

    2 backers Limited (1 of 3 left)

    You’ll get the ultimate one-on-one experience at Paizo and Goblinworks HQ! Bring up to five guests for a five-hour Pathfinder RPG gaming session with the celebrity GM of your choice: Rich Baker, Jason Bulmahn, James Jacobs, Erik Mona, or Wes Schneider. You’ll also enjoy a three-hour nine-course dinner at the world-famous Herbfarm restaurant with Ryan Dancey, Lisa Stevens, and your celebrity GM. We will regale you with stories from our times in this industry and answer your questions in an intimate setting. Backers of this level are responsible for their own transportation and lodging. In addition, you’ll get the $2,000 reward level.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2012