(KICKSTARTER) Rocketgames: Last Saga

[tnjrp]

The latest. It doesn't look like we can expect a quick complete fulfillment. Probably nobody was tho after all the known problems.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1318212665/last-saga/posts/1442341

[Dentatus]

I'm throwing my experience in the big "Whatever" pile. Perhaps my miniatures will show up some day.

I'll not be backing more Kickstarters any time soon, though.

[Chinkster]

It seems anything that can go wrong with this KS, has gone wrong.

Pity, as the creators were probably enthusiastic but incredibly naive.

Oh, well. At least I got 5 out of my 15 minis, so this has been 33% delivered.

[tnjrp]

Judging by the latest not-update*, this project is on its very last legs -- despite vague promises of possible resolution:

Creator Nicolas Diaz about 10 hours ago  

Hello everyone,

Quick facts about the state of the Kickstarter:

- We still care about the project. The fact we aren't present here doesn't imply we are not working towards its completion. I could build a bot to post random messages here, saying "We are working", and be completely absent. The case is just the opposite. We are racking our brains trying to solve this successfully.

- We have been (and we are) through a harsh personal period. I'm not going to share any details here and I'm not saying this to justify our behavior: our lack of communication with you is solely our fault.

- The state of the project is very uncertain. In short: we have paid for a production, as of today we have almost nothing.

- After weeks of spamming emails to the caster, we received this: "The package is send". Literally. I have asked him, of course: about its content, a tracking number, invoices, budgets, something. We have nothing. No details of how the money has been used. No invoices. Nothing. You can ask him: Stefan Niehues, from StudioworkX.

- We have encountered many problems in our path. We have tried to circumvent them, but the sum has gone out of control. Not communicating those problems to you is our fault.

- Our personal savings are depleted: we cannot hold Rocket Games SARL any more. Thus, the company is going to declare bankruptcy and be closed.

- We were going to post an update this weekend with all this information: explaining all the past troubles, and possible ways to continue we have in mind. This has been delayed because recent events: the "mysterious package" sent by the caster and conversations we are having trying to save the KS.

[...]

- We made contact with another caster and tried to start a different path. Its name ended here despite we haven't officially announced it. They warned us about some emails they received, asking about the Last Saga Kickstarter. I don't know the content of those emails, but be aware they don't hold any responsibility of the fulfillment of the project. They aren't going to answer emails about that topic.

I will try to be here to answer all the questions that are going to surge after these lines. After we have solved the events that have prevented it, a major update will come

---
*) Mr. Diaz has taken to a habit of posting pretty big news only in the comment section, which is marginally better than Outlaw's way of announcing almost everything related to their KS in their Facebook only of course

[Dentatus]

Ahh yes. 

Can't say I'm surprised. Still, I'm disappointed and not a little hacked at how badly ND/Rocketgames fumbled this campaign. Another poster child for bad Kickstarters. 

[dulydude]

Yeah, not surprised just disappointed.

I do though want to know more about this Stefan Niehues guy, because it sounds a bit like he's the reason this died...and i want to know how the new caster ended up on the kickstarter page...

[dulydude]

sorry to post again, but i remembered one of the status updates...status report 23

it shows what had finished production...i wonder what's going on with most of them, maybe in "the package is send"

[tnjrp]

sorry to post again, but i remembered one of the status updates...status report 23

it shows what had finished production...i wonder what's going on with most of them, maybe in "the package is send"

I think the "production finished" list was based on information from the manufacturer prior to it becoming evident that what got produced was masses of a select few models from the list, instead of a bit fewer models of all the models from the list. But yes, they might be in the package that might be going RocketGames' way. Bigger miracles have happened, I hear

[dulydude]

So...Zenit miniatures is going to own the game now with the original guys becoming apart of Zenit more or less.

Opinions? Thoughts? Personally kind of ok with this as I hear good things about Zenit.

[DELTADOG]

No Idea what happend there, but I know the caster on my own and had/have Business with him for my own miniature lines, I´ve never seen or heard that there was any problem with him, it all sounds a bit strange for me to be honest.

[tnjrp]

So...Zenit miniatures is going to own the game now with the original guys becoming apart of Zenit more or less

Looks like.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1318212665/last-saga/posts/1487558

I'm not quite 100% confident this will ensure I'll get my minis remaining, to be frank. A company shift mid-KS isn't going to be the smoothest possible move to pull. I suppose I'll wait for Zenit to declare their version of the issue for starters, couldn't find anything on this on their sites yet.

[Dentatus]

Is this just another attempt by RG to kick the problem down the road and deflect/dissipate blame?

I'd like to hear what Zenit has to say about all this. Any announcements on their site? My gut tells me Zenit might want to rethink bringing the Rocket Games crew in on their operation. Probably not a wise business move.

Be nice to finally see the figs I paid for. But I'm not holding my breath.

[dulydude]

It sounds like that the rocket games guys are going to be only on the design front with Zenit having total control of the product...Zenit are probably going to loose money sorting out the kickstarter and use the success of their other two games to offset it for a while.

Maybe Zenit wanted a sci-fi game? Maybe part of the contract is that Zenit doesn't pay anything to get ownership of Last Saga?

[dulydude]

Well it's now Zenit official
http://web.zenitminiatures.es/en/official-statement/

We are pleased to announce that Zenit Miniatures has reached a commercial agreement with Rocket Games, which resulted in the absorption of the company by Zenit Miniatures and the acquisition of the rights of commercial exploitation of the range of miniatures and game Last Saga.

The original equipment will remain in charge of the development of the game and the design of the range.

From Zenit Miniatures, we want to make clear our commitment with the patrons of the Last Saga Kickstarter campaign and ensure the delivery of rewards.

[tnjrp]

Well, that clears the transfer of rights and, more crucially, obligations aspects then

Now I suppose it's down to waiting again -- looks like Zenit isn't known for speedy delivery of KS goods even if they do deliver eventually.