One aspect of this project that we're really proud of is our second @kickstarter stretch goal:
If we raise $36k, every freelancer working on Velvet Generation gets a pay increase, no exceptions.
We invite every game publisher to steal this idea, by the way. (thread...)
If we raise $36k, every freelancer working on Velvet Generation gets a pay increase, no exceptions.
We invite every game publisher to steal this idea, by the way. (thread...)
It's no secret that tabletop RPGs aren't a gold mine for anyone, whether they're publishers or workers.
Freelancer rates in the industry are low, often because they're operating on a shoestring budget. That's not in dispute.
Freelancer rates in the industry are low, often because they're operating on a shoestring budget. That's not in dispute.
That budget is an effect of low revenues across the board, of course.
But what happens when a project really takes off? RPGs (most often) don't pay royalties, and when they do, they pay only to writers, not the editing, layout, project management teams, etc.
But what happens when a project really takes off? RPGs (most often) don't pay royalties, and when they do, they pay only to writers, not the editing, layout, project management teams, etc.
Kickstarter gives us a lot of transparency that wasn't there in the good old days* and we can see projects funding with 5×, 10× or more of their goals.
Usually these are from established publishers who rely on freelance work-for-hire in a big way.
Usually these are from established publishers who rely on freelance work-for-hire in a big way.
*side note: speaking of transparency and the good old days, read @BenRiggs_ stuff on the death of TSR.
....anyway. It's awesome to see a project take off like that, and publishers are great about kicking back to the fans in the form of extra content and mini-supplements written by big-name designers.
But the rank-and-file staffers who made the game possible in the first place?
But the rank-and-file staffers who made the game possible in the first place?
It seems to us that there's got to be a point where a project is making enough that the assumption you can't afford to pay anyone quality wages for their work doesn't apply anymore.
That point is different for every company. For us, it's 2× our starting goal.
That point is different for every company. For us, it's 2× our starting goal.
This isn't a call-out, but it's fine to say it's a call to action. There's no way to tell if we'll hit that goal, but even if we didn't, it'd be cool if we saw this idea pop up in the campaigns of some more established publishers.
....and if you'd like to help make that stretch goal happen, head over to bit.ly/vg-twitter and become a backer.
Thanks for listening!
Thanks for listening!
@threadreaderapp unroll please
