http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...lite-dangerous

This is going to be the dog's bollocks. It's that good an idea that I immediately sent my 20 quid upon reading the title and who's behind it to buy the thing.

For those that have never heard of Elite (read: all Americans, see also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elite_(video_game) ), it was basically Eve Online 28 years ago without the multiplayer. They managed to get a space trading game with somewhat 3D graphics and real nice flight controls which was completely open-ended way back in 1984. On a floppy disk. It allowed you to trade, kill, whatever. It was an immense achievement of programming.

There's been various sequels which haven't really caught the imagination, and some open source remakes (see Oolite), but the idea of letting them have $2m to bring the series into the current age has got me more excited than any video game announcement possibly ever. Already has nearly half a million dollars committed so far, so it's making me confident that this thing will actually get made and wreck faces. Anyone else excited?

I saw this thread and never strayed into it because thought this was about sniper elite or something....DOH!!

Elite was awesome back in the day. I'm always wondering when someone will relaunch this title and am surprised no one hasnt in recent times before this.

I kinda have a beef with companies that use Kickstarter to give you ****ty rewards for small contributions. Like, wtf:



You have to shell out $32 USD to get a copy of the game when it's released? And your $8 contribution is completely worthless unless you also buy the game for $60 when it comes out? It bothers me that companies are asking you to invest in their game and give them the funding they need to even make the ****ing thing, in exchange for...a decal that will make your ship look awesome but only if you donate even more money to play the game when it comes out.

i don't get your point, and given that 50 times as many people have paid enough to buy the game than have entered at the £5 level you're berating, i don't think many others do either

I think that everyone recognizes the value of the <$32 tiers is total **** supports my point

so they're offering something that's useless, nobody is buying it. the system works!

I just feel bad for the (currently) 276 people who are donating their money to fund the making of this game and being treated like utter ******s by the developers in response

Shipping £150 - After all this time, Elite is still in my top 3 of my all time favourite games.

Never did enjoy Frontier that much though - probably a mix of huge expectations and a rather buggy game.

Bit worried that Braben hasn't exactly shown that he can follow through with his big Elite-plans since Frontier (and not even sure I'd give him that), but if they can raise this money then he can afford to dream big.

We need some poker ballas to chip in here, because it's not looking good...

What sort of reward would you suggest instead?

I assume you're not suggesting getting rid of the lower tier levels altogether. There's plenty of people who would be willing to chuck a few bucks, but not necessarily $30, at a game just for the increased chance of the title one day seeing the light of day - being offered some gimmick add-on to the game in return is just icing.

fyp, and why this makes no sense to me

What I was saying is that there are people willing to chuck a few bucks to help get turn an idea into reality - but who are not necessarily vested in purchasing the final product. This is a project where that might make sense given Braben's post-elite track record. For myself a project that would've made sense for is the Shadowrun kickstarter. I'd like to see the franchise continue along a genre that at least makes some sense for the IP but I wasn't really interested in the direction they were looking to take it - an SRPG namely. A few bucks just to support the idea, sure - a discounted pre-order, nah.

loved the original...

will probably get it, may pledge at a later date if it looks decent...

I've read some pessimistic views on Brabens ability to deliver partly because of past performance and partly because he's promising too much without any clear how to realize them visions.

The idea is really cool and I hope it gets made myself.

Looking like this is a go, <10k needed in more than 48 hours. Now to see if Braben delivers

I'm not holding my breath. I loved the original but Frontier was a bug-ridden piece of crap.

Fool me once...

Looked a bit spooky for a while, but 18K above the target atm so even with the usual trolls pulling their pledges, this should be in the box.

Guessing it'll make the mac stretch goal too.

1.425 mill atm so first stretch goal is reached - second one (10 extra playable ships (added to the existing 15)) is well within reach at 1.5 mill and 15 hours to go too.

Forbes: 'Elite: Dangerous' Sets the Record for Highest Kickstarter Goal to Be Successfully Funded.

Man I'm glad I get to freeride on these kickstarters.

If by 'freeride' you mean you still have to pay for the game just like everyone else, then I guess...

risk tho

I think the risk of Braben and FD not delivering when they've committed to doing so is pretty slim.