Main > Main Forum
Kickstarter project - Ultimate Mancave, need tips please
DaveMMR:
I'm not seeing why there'd be a need for controllers on the front of the cabinet anyway. If you're using controllers, then why not go sit on the couch with some wireless controllers?
yotsuya:
Thanks for the link. It was an interesting read.
One thing I'll add, because I'm not sure if it will cause you issues. My understanding was that the point of Kickstarter was to help people get projects "off the ground", whereas yours, to me, reads like you're trying to unload some surplus items that you have. What exactly are you trying to "Kickstart"? Do you think you'd be better off opening a storefront instead? Just potential questions that might come up. :cheers:
Either way, good luck!
JDFan:
I'd have to agree with Malenko and Yotsuya - seems a bit high priced - How long ago did you get stuck with the inventory ?? you have to remember that in this type of industry the prices on excess inventory do not remain stagnant - thus you'll probably have to take a loss on the inventory you have to clear it out.
32" LCDs aren't in demand as much or commanding anywhere close to the cost you porbably had when you purchased them 2-3 years ago, since we are getting closer to seeing 4K monitors and there are many more options for affordable 40 - 50" screens and there isn't as much of a demand for arcade systems (since most of the kids nowadays are using their tablets\smartphones) -- Even the prices you show for the other arcade machines in the video are nowhere accurate for current pricing, as more and more the old arcade systems are being thrown in the scrap heap by the general public rather than rebuilt.
When you are talking a $1500 price point on essentially a case to play console games (and you're not even including the console or the games) you mention it plays thousands of games but make no mention of what the end user needs to supply in order to actually play those thousand games -- Are they going to have to purchase each game (at $10 - $60 per game that would mean another 10K + investment) or is the PC using MAME ? (Is it Legal to include MAME or will your target audience understand where to get MAME and the ROMs needed ?) - If they have to purchase the games they want to play or subscribe to an online service what is the added cost above the $1500 to actually have a wide selection of games to play and are the kickstarter investors going to realize that their $1500 investment doesn't mean they can plug it in and play those thousands of games without investing time\money to actually realize that ability ? (figure the general public that you seem to be targeting probably will not understand that $1500 only gets them the hardware and they need to invest time\money into building up the software side )
What kind of front end does the machine use and what difficulty level is there in adding new games, setting up menus, etc.? And will your target market have the knowledge and experience to do that on their own without support ? ( what kind of after purchase support is going to be included if they need assistance - or are they on their own once the lift gate delivery drops it off ? )
While it might find a limited audience you really are kind of stuck in a bad position having a product that is going to require a fairly substantial amount of knowledge of the inner workings of setting up and maintaining the product and requiring a substantial investment to actually realize the ability to play "Thousands of Games" -- as those with the knowledge to do it themselves will realize they can build something similar at a reduced cost on their own and those with the $ to invest will expect it to be completely plug and play and require no further investment of time and money to play their thousands of games that you promise. (which is probably why you don't see any major company in this niche market)
Hope I'm wrong and things work out but most similar efforts in the past have seen pretty much the scenario you currently find yourself in -- someone stuck with thousands of $'s in inventory sitting in a warehouse losing value with additional funds being spent to store it. There may come a point where it is better to take the loss and sell off the units as is at a loss rather than keep investing more funds trying to find a way to recoup that loss.
yotsuya:
Good points, JDFan.
The more I think about it, your target audience should be doctors and dentist offices, places where people with kids would need to wait for a while and would appreciate the distraction. My daughter's dentist office has a few arcade games that are always busy.
sharpfork:
--- Quote from: Gravity123 on September 22, 2014, 09:20:22 am ---Are my pledge levels OK? Are they clear or do they leave you with a lot of questions, etc. Video to long/short, too much info, or anything else that just stands out as a mistake? I'm hoping the price points are reasonable, I haven't seen a whole lot of Kickstarters with $1500 and up items. Not sure how it will go so I made some lower level items such as the analog buttons and single player controller.
--- End quote ---
I only have a minute so quick thoughts:
* Kickstarter might not approve this as it seems like more of a store/marketing than an attempt to launch a new product. You might be able to frame it as the new hardware to upgrade you existing hardware. The overbuild explanation thing isn't a selling point as much as it seems like you are trying to repurpose a bunch of stock you are stuck with.
* you need options between $10 -$250
* what do I get for the $250 DIY ARCADE CONTROLLER pledge? What about this hardware is so unique? Is the encoder plug and play between pc and xbox 360 on the fly? The mention of a "timer board" makes me think of cheapo laggy crap
* PC specs?
* monitor specs?
* I'd redo the video and show the viewer a few examples of why the analog buttons are innovative and what else about the setup is unique and desirable.
I have many other opinions about this project. I do not think it will be successful as it stands.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version