I've backed a few 'epic levels of miniature content' and 'lots of nicestuffs' KS projects to add to my gaming minis collection and props kit for custom games and RPG use- what do people think about FFG doing a Descent KS, either as an awesome version of the current game or maybe as where D3e begins *but not until 2e is complete and maybe not replacing 2e*

Something like this could make for an mind blowing version of the game and really bring it to life- other games taking this route have been visually stunning, lots of fun to play and as I say really bring gaming to life.

Terrain, animals and buildings all add to the ambience.

Not everybody's thing I know and it adds to bulkyness and cost but for a game where you can create your own scenarios it makes for a lot of fun, especially if you like the visual/ eye candy aspect of gaming and world/character/creature development through painting up such props.

It also has the advantage that the upfront funding and make-to-demand business model means you get the best possible game kit as it allows the company to produce based on demand rather than the risk factor of making extra content that may not be a seller. These KS games tend to pack a lot more into the box as they know upfront they've got the sales and funds to do so.

I can see ways it could work really well for an expansion-heavy game such as Descent where there can be the demand for those expansions.

Likewise they could then maybe offer all the 1e/2e content with less of a 'will it sell' risk and develop major expansions in a similar way further down the line (such as a Sea of Blood 2)

And established companies are using KS so it's not just new companies using it.

It's one way this classic game could keep up with its rivals- in the same way some older dungeon type games now look a bit basic because of games like Descent, Descent itself could maybe go the same way by which I mean start to seem less of an offering than what else is out there- as I love the game and its setting to bits it should be up there continuing to hold its own at the top of its game (sorry for the pun).

As it's quite a radical change though perhaps this would be a spin-off from Descent rather than a direct evolution of it, maybe something that could use any Terrinoth/fantasy lore giving it a strong expansions path.

It's more of a gamer's wet dream than anything else to be honest.

You are correct that established companies use KS as well as small ones, but it's either because they use KS as a massive pre-order system, or their game is essentially (or almost) KS exclusive, or they are truly minis specialists (or claim to be). Sure there are other rather big companies doing well there with non-mini games, but that's more occasional and not quite the same category as the one a KS edition Descent would fall into.

On top of that we are talking Asmodee here and there surely are political/PR ramifications for using KS as a platform for raising funds to making games. Of course, you never know, but I´'d be extremely surprised.

FFG has never been a name in the mini industry, nothing wrong with their minis, but let's face it their standards are no near the top of the range if you compare them to what true mini specialists are producing nowadays. Quality has evolved dramatically, and backers expectations on quality has gone up accordingly. Minis is mostly what has made other games close to Descent succesful on KS. Closest I can think of right now is probably Swords & Sorcery minis quality-wise, but again it was a small company so again there's no precedent for a mammoth company like FFG to do well on KS on a mini-centered game.

On the bright side, there are so many games like Descent released on KS that would help you scratch that itch anyway, and I´'d bet there will be even more in the future.

I've also been thinking... even without going the KS route (there are cons as well as pros, not least that it may not be quite right for Descent- it may not quite suit the slightly OTT volumes of content such KS games can have or their slightly different 'flavour' (you've got to be very in to the game to be happy to buy in to all the extras although I've found the few I have got through KS have gained from the extra content- they do become much loved games you enjoy bringing out to play as everything's of a really high quality and it's clear how much has gone into making the game so it's about best possible quality not just extra content)

...that maybe they could use these kinds of games to look at how quality and scope has improved in games and for where the eventual step up from 2e to 3e could set some goals- 2e improved on 1e (and parts of 2e even improved versus earlier 2e releases) so I think these newer games do set something of a benchmark for others like Descent in terms of component quality and diversity, its been nice seeing the game evolve in this way so it would be awesome to see it continue to do so.

The 'lots of extras' thing can work for sales as people for whom games are a big hobby do buy games and kit to use in other games- there's a current project I want to back as it ticks lots of boxes for things in lots of other games, I think the KS manufacturers have sussed this as sometimes the extras are 'that doesn't seem to fit your game much, but, hmm, it crops up in lots of other games....' I think they've sussed that proxying is becoming ever more popular! They know our weaknesses as consumers - but this isn't that new, I think there's always been crossover by players - especially in certain genres like fantasy or space games.

But top quality components or being able to have 3d pieces instead of tokens etc doesn't make the game any better playability wise, it's just that nice extra visual touch (like the Descent lieutenants versus using the card markers- the game's still good whichever choice you make).

So I do think there are opportunities FFG are currently missing at the moment, will be interesting to see what does come next....

I don't want anything to do with Kickstarter. To be honest, I've been burned too many times by Kickstarter board games. I'd rather have a steady stream of releases than to spend hundreds up front for something I don't get for 3 years.

My main point is using these kinds of games as an inspiration point - and wondering if the upfront funding model could be something that means companies can risk better product (you know you've got the sales before making it), I think the benchmarking aspect is the most important so games like Descent stay top of the industry for quality which is evolving a lot as gaming grows in popularity.

The Runewars and Star Wars minis (even though I don't buy the SW items) suggest FFG are upping their quality so overall I'm still optimistic for getting even better content in future, and considering how good 1e and the improvements of 2e were, I'm still eager to see what might be next.