Substitute Prize We Think You'll Like
So, following our recent post about the challenges of physical rewards, we received a ton of emails about making some more digital ones. We had some good ideas, and decided to do the ol' switcheroo.
Today we are announcing the "Canine Reward" for all backers at $25 and over. This is exclusive to kickstarter and quite fun - an in game canine companion (yes you can name him/her). It can do battle, entertain and defecate all over your ship.
We hope you folks like it (our playtests have been very fun with him). However, if you really feel cheated/slighted then message or email us and we can discuss the stickers and buttons. However, we do think this is going to be a lot more fun.
More soon.
1,167
Backers
$36,967
pledged of $20,000 goal
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Funding period
Sep 6, 2011 -
Oct 6, 2011
(30 days)
- 2 created · 1 backed
- Jordan Coombs 206 friends
- Website: twitter.com
Pledge $5 or more
97 backers
––––– REDSHIRT PLEDGE LEVEL ––––– MP3 MUSIC: Digital download of the original soundtrack to Star Command including all-new original tracks created by Marius Masalar, as heard in the the kickstarter trailer.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2011Pledge $25 or more
954 backers
––– MIDORIAN AMBASSADOR LEVEL –––– In addition to the Redshirt Pledge Rewards you will also receive: EXCLUSIVE ROOM: Doctor Leach’s Klebaticus Chamber SUPER INTERGALACTIC PROMO CODE: All updates and upcoming DLCs will be free to you. Updates like new uniforms, races, rooms and areas to explore. This also includes planned expansions like "Away Teams" which allow you to visit the surface of planets and "Alien Command" allowing you to build and take command of an alien ship! PHONE BACKGROUNDS: Access to exclusive downloadable iphone/android backgrounds featuring the Star Command Characters so you can rock your new favorite game. FUN STICKERS: Help star command crew members beam onto a street lamp near you SC BUTTON: Star Command button/pin, so you can always tap it and say 'two to beam up.' (MP3 MUSIC+EXCLUSIVE ROOM+SUPER INTERGALACTIC PROMO CODE+PHONE BACKGROUNDS+FUN STICKERS+SC BUTTON)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2011Pledge $100 or more
97 backers
–––– STARSHIP COMMANDER LEVEL –––– In addition to the Redshirt and Midorian Ambassador Pledge Rewards you will also receive: SHIRT: Trendy Star Command Uniform POSTER: A high quality printed poster utilizing the Star Command's unique pixel art style MAP: A high quality printed map of the entire Star Command galaxy, including races and other fun secrets signed by the SC team. (MP3 MUSIC+EXCLUSIVE ROOM+SUPER INTERGALACTIC PROMO CODE+PHONE BACKGROUNDS+FUN STICKERS+SC BUTTON+SHIRT+POSTER+MAP) Outside of US & Canada add $15 for shipping
Estimated delivery: Dec 2011Pledge $1,000 or more
2 backers
–––––––– FLEET ADMIRAL LEVEL ––––––– In addition all of the above rewards you will receive: IN-GAME CHARACTER: Your likeness (or a friend/family member of your choosing) will be featured in the final game as an enemy captain / admiral / guest star CREDITS: Your name will be put in the special credits of the game (MP3 MUSIC+EXCLUSIVE ROOM+SUPER INTERGALACTIC PROMO CODE+PHONE BACKGROUNDS+FUN STICKERS+SC BUTTON+SHIRT+POSTER+MAP+IN-GAME CHARACTER+CREDITS) Outside of US & Canada add $15 for shipping
Estimated delivery: Dec 2011
Comments
Creator Brandon Mark Lee on July 28, 2012
Good Idea!
Creator Davin on May 5, 2012
I tried sending a message to you guys about this, not sure if it got through. I like this idea, but I am disappointed I wont get any buttons.
BUT, I also own my own button machines and would be happy to make them for myself if you could provide me with some art.
Creator Kirt Dankmyer on April 29, 2012
Fine with this!
Creator Drakxii on April 26, 2012
All captains need a pet.
Creator Justin Shimp on April 26, 2012
Im all about digital instead of stickers. Im happy with that.
Creator Avi Cooper on April 25, 2012
Awesome improvisation guys -a canine companion is an awesome touch! Will he/she be customizable (colors, weapons, command names)?
Creator Graeme on April 25, 2012
I am all for digital rather than physical rewards - I still haven't received any physical stuff for any Kickstarter I have backed. The joys of living in Africa, I suppose.
Creator Peter The Wondergoth on April 24, 2012
Happy to go with digital rewards especially if it means more money towards the game ^_^
Creator Jason Wright on April 23, 2012
I know a few people with button makers, and would be willing to do a limited run of buttons if you guys provided me with the art on a button template so I could print it out. No cost to you guys other than taking time to make the template.
I have no problem with the in-game dog reward. Will it be a flying dog built out of an old toaster like the one in Secret of Evermore?
Creator Gary Bacchus on April 23, 2012
I'm digging the dog idea, guys. Get that Android tablet version out there. Can't wait for it. :D
Creator Even Sandve on April 23, 2012
Less physical stuff sounds is good to me! I don't need a button, but I'll take a digidog any day.
Creator Jeff Craig on April 21, 2012
I'm kind of split. I didn't care about the stickers, but I kind of wanted the button. I'm not super-excited about this dog, but if it helps you focus on the game....
Creator Carl Inserra Jr on April 21, 2012
So when can we see some true gameplay footage?!
Creator Scott Smith on April 21, 2012
I'd take a digital dog over stickers any day :)
Creator Marcus Burggraf on April 21, 2012
@Star Command Thank you for your email. As I told you I investigated my pledge and as I actually did NOT add international shipping cost to my pledge I hereby declare myself the ass in this discussion. Sorry about that, no need to send me stuff over the ocean when I forgot the shipping. I was really bend out of shape over the whole affair. I thought hard about why I reacted like I did and I think it really was the dog. If it would have been something else I liked I probably would be as happy as a pig in mud. Is there at least a "no poop" option for the dog? While they do appear in the series it really is not something I associate with them. I still look forward to the game and write this under "learning experience" for me.
Creator EOPE42 on April 21, 2012
@ Marcus: Agree some truth in that. My philosophy is enjoy the ride and make some friends along the way in this crazyfunding. A customizable droid would have been cooler imo and more fitting eg "a pleasure model" awesome-o!?
Creator ewen maclean on April 21, 2012
Great idea , I am all for this
Creator Daniel Pauw on April 21, 2012
So what you're really saying is this is all because of the prime directive?
Creator Boris Margolin on April 21, 2012
you have appeased me... so I shall stay my angry and limited range wrath!
Spuds McKenzie ATTACK!
Creator Star Command on April 21, 2012
@Jordan
We actually have a bit of a plan to make this all right, but we can't really talk about it right now.
Trust us when we say this: none of this was an easy decision, and it was primarily made to be able to stay focused on getting the game out the door. There are other issues such as a pile of buttons we arent legally permitted to send out and a will to do what we really wanted to do, which were metal pins in our logo. That's what we really want to send off to everyone, but a couple things have to happen before that becomes a reality.
TLDR; we have your best interests at heart - figuring out the best way to get there.
Creator Jordan Chabbert on April 21, 2012
I think that this is a great idea. And works better for you guys.
I would love to have buttons, stickers etc but what if backers were offered a one time discount towards merch once you have a proper store set up ?
Creator Star Command on April 21, 2012
Also, pets are definitely in canon. Porthos and Spot anyone?
Creator Star Command on April 21, 2012
@Tim Eames
Please send us a message. For some reason we are having trouble finding you in the backing list.
Creator Michael Matzat on April 21, 2012
Or the ME3 collectors edition.
Creator Star Command on April 21, 2012
@Marcus
Sent you a message
Creator Star Command on April 21, 2012
@Geb
Sent you a message
Creator Michael Matzat on April 21, 2012
Yet it´s still better than ME3s ending.
Creator Geb Buxton on April 21, 2012
I agree with Marcus - changing tier rewards in Kickstarter is a no- no. The knew they would have costs with rewards - and they didn't even balance those costs across the tiers - the shirt and poster people got THEIR physical rewards. I wanted something physical to show i was a backer when this becomes a hit. I would have just bought it in the AppStore without the physical reward and backed a "helper" level instead. I also think a dog isn't very in theme - I also would have preferred it to be aliens, uniforms, etc. notice the tiers remain the same on the right. I dont think Kickstarter ALLOWS them to change them after it closes. We are being treated badly - and that is why you could go to PAX and grow your business.... Because of us.
Creator Marcus Burggraf on April 21, 2012
@EOPE42 It is not so much that I have my heart set on the Button and the Sticker but that this is simply no way to behave professionally. They presented the switch in this update as a done deal. The correct way would be to say "Contact us if you want to switch your physical items with a digital one", opt in. Many people who backed this project will never read the update and in the end wonder why they did not get something they feel they paid for I feel. After all there are over 1000 backers that would receive these items and not even 40 comments here.
And as funny as a dog may sound it has absolutely nothing to do with the game I backed. An extra room, special alien race or unique uniform/Item would all have been a better fit then a dog shitting up your ship. Seriously guys, it seems way out of touch with the rest of the game for me. It just does not fit the theme at all and seem like a late night drunken idea. It does not bode well for a clear design vision for the finished game.
I will swallow this as a loss as it does not make much sense to "force" them to do something they do not want and I fully understand the problems they face due to shipping costs. I just wish they would be more professional about it.
Creator Geb Buxton on April 21, 2012
Bummer. I really wanted the pin too :( Dog doesn't do it for me...
Creator James Vernon on April 21, 2012
I like the idea of the digital content better as well.
Creator Tim Eames on April 21, 2012
I really had my heart set on an SC pin :( *sigh*
Creator EOPE42 on April 21, 2012
Marcus: email the devs: ""However, if you really feel cheated/slighted then message or email us and we can discuss the stickers and buttons."" ?
You should do "dog chasing it's tail", "licking it's balls" animations for comic relief as well as being a health & hygiene 'dawg'. Also dogs are proven to reduce blood pressure, so crew "stroke dog animations" would be neat emote for crew and essential that dog wags it's tail enthusiastically, does random stuff cocking a leg, sniffing around, rolling around chasing stuff... if that's not exponentially adding to your already considerable work load?! Some sort of alien critter is always nice. That thing in The Fifth Element on Gary Oldman's desk is cuuute.
Creator Werehare on April 21, 2012
I much prefer the dog to the nick-knacks. I can see how people could get annoyed given that this is post project close but I think this is a great improvement and if it saves you guys money then all the better!
Now I'm hoping that there will be future DLC with different pet alternatives like cats (who walk all over the console and accidentally open airlocks), tiny robots (who have this terrible pain in all the diodes down their left-hand side.. Life! Don't talk to me about life!), or gelatious cubes which leave gloopy trails all over the desks causing crew to slide uncontrollably around the place!
Keep up the great work!
Creator Marcus Burggraf on April 21, 2012
While I am OK with only a virtual reward, I find the idea of a dog shitting up my spaceship less then appealing and not the least bit funny. I am still miffed as I added international shipping to my pledge too. I can live without the stickers or buttons but I had no other choice then choose this level if I wanted the room and DLC. It is just not good style to change this after the Starter closed and leaves a bit of a bitter feeling. After all you got 35 instead of 25 bucks from me and as much good will as I have I do not have money to throw away either. For me this simply means I can not trust your promises anymore.
Creator Karl J Collier on April 21, 2012
I actually detest dogs, seriously, I'm a cat person and absolutely hate everything canine related.
Gutted. :(
Do you have any alternatives?
Creator Karsten Kopplin on April 21, 2012
Great Idea on the digi dog! More ingame stuff only means a better game, I'm all for that! :D
Creator Marty on April 21, 2012
If it'll help you spend more money on the game, and less money & time on messing with stickers and buttons :) I'm all for it. And having a pooch running around the ship could be fun.
Creator Michael Matzat on April 21, 2012
To be perfectly honest i´ed prefer to pay you a little more if needed. Especially with these digital download Kickstarter Projects it´s very nice to have something physical like the exclusive button that. It´s like owning something that sais "i was around when this crowd funding stuff started to become big!" and if the game hits big thats worth a ton more on a collectors mind than some virtual doggy. :-/
Even more after you announced that the button would have some sort of special look.
I care far less about the stickers, but i would like to have something physical.
Creator sinisterandroid on April 21, 2012
I am excited about the dog. Don't really care about the buttons / stickers; I pledged because I wanted to help make the game happen, not because I wanted swag.
Creator Star Command on April 21, 2012
@John
Right now yes. We're looking for a more bulletproof, per user plan using some other techs, but for now - yes.
Creator John Funtanilla on April 21, 2012
I'm digging it! You guys really out do yourself :)
I was wondering how we would claim the dog? As a game developer I'm wondering how this would work. Do we type in a promo code within the game to unlock the dog?
Creator Artem Ivanisov on April 21, 2012
I think it would be fair to send everybody their rewards but only after you have the necessary money from profits as you sell the game. Believe me, you will have enough money. You will make it the top in the first days.
As for me personally I would also prefer the digital rewars especially that cute.
Thanks for your great work! Good luck!
Creator Alan Murphy on April 21, 2012
Awesome!! I didn't want the button or stickers anyway.
Creator Star Command on April 21, 2012
@Wally
To be honest we were going to do it that way, but figured that most people would want the digital, so we reversed it. It's easier to sort through 100 requests than 900.
Creator Michael Stum on April 21, 2012
I pledge $25 for the DLC, MP3 Soundtrack, so I'd take the dog over the stickers :)
Creator Matthew Johnston on April 21, 2012
It's stickers and buttons versus actual in game content. Personally I consider it an upgrade.
Creator Wally on April 21, 2012
This is a bit unconventional, but I don't mind the switch. I've been a loyal supporter from day one, but offering the alternative rather than making it seem like a "switcheroo" would have been a bit more nice to those that have supported you from the start on kickstarter. Rather than have us e-mail you about stickers and buttons, I think having us e-mailing you about this in-game alternative would have been a better alternative. It just feels like bad business.
Creator Christopher Sypal on April 21, 2012
Great idea. I'll get much more use out of this than the stickers and buttons.
Creator Matthew Johnston on April 21, 2012
Totally down with the digital dog. Prefer that to buttons and stickers.... great idea! Team Hyperbole-And-A-Half-Dog approves! http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/07/dog.html