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Lab Zero IGG Update Details Plans For Completion Of DLC

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Parasoul Cerebella Big Band
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A late night update by Lab Zero CEO Peter Batholow gave a good deal of new information about how the company plans to move forward with completion of the work/rewards outlined in the IGG campaign.
  • Work on Big Band is nearly done, but they're behind schedule due to unforeseen circumstances.
  • Autumn Games has authorized the temporary re-hiring of contractor Chris Glass, who will help make sure lobbies reach consoles in a timely manner. He will also help with some of the general programming load so that Mike can concentrate on the game's design, and this should accelerate the production schedule noticeably.
  • Big Band will be released for both consoles and PC in March. The decision by Lab Zero to release all future characters simultaneously means that once characters are, "done," they will remain in the PC beta for the 4-6 weeks it takes for the console patch to be approved.
  • Big Band's stage music will feature real saxophone.
  • Previously, Lab Zero had planned to wait until the very end of production to ship out physical rewards. They have changed their minds on this, however, and will ship out physical rewards sooner rather than later, with the only exception being the physical OST, which won't actually be, "complete," until the game wraps production (after Robo Fortune).
Mike Z has previously expressed that the IGG money isn't actually enough for the work they'd laid out for themselves, and that team members are under an inordinate amount of financial stress. This update appears to clue us in on the company's redoubled efforts to wrap up the DLC campaign in a timely manner.
LINK TO IGG UPDATE
 
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Night Phyre said:
  • Big Band's stage music will feature real saxophone.

Everyone's stage music needs real saxophone.
In fact, someone should make an all-saxophone cover album of the Skullgirls music.
Damn I love saxophone.

Night Phyre said:
Mike Z has previously expressed that the
IGG money isn't actually enough for the work they'd laid out for themselves, and that team members are under an inordinate amount of financial stress. This update appears to clue us in on the company's redoubled efforts to wrap up the DLC campaign in a timely manner.
Let's hope that when the Encore stuff is all published on console, they can start receiving some extra money from that.
I feel really bad for not being able to help...
 
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Goodbye18000 said:
Let's hope that when the Encore stuff is all published on console, they can start receiving some extra money from that. I feel really bad for not being able to help...
Mike was pretty candid on the irc last night: if no company or angel investor comes along to fund more Skullgirls, the members of the team will pretty much be forced to scatter and find better paying work. I'm really not sure of the specifics of what it would take to keep SG going after Robo Fortune, but Mike's tone didn't strike me as optimistic.

It's a miracle that we're even getting these 5 extra characters, but still...
 
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Well... If the worst comes to worst, I'm willing to pay 60 bucks for a Skullgirls 2 crowdfunding, or any 2d project they do. Or for the digital art compendium. That's all I can give, sorry.


But say... No other company considered contracting lab zero's services? They're talented enough to make any kind of high quality 2d game. By now at least SOME big company must have contacted them
 
Goodbye18000 said:
Everyone's stage music needs real saxophone.
In fact, someone should make an all-saxophone cover album of the Skullgirls music.
Damn I love saxophone.
I would like so much to hear a jazz band covering Skullgirls' songs *o*
 
Night Phyre said:
Mike was pretty candid on the irc last night: if no company or angel investor comes along to fund more Skullgirls, the members of the team will pretty much be forced to scatter and find better paying work. I'm really not sure of the specifics of what it would take to keep SG going after Robo Fortune, but Mike's tone didn't strike me as optimistic.
Damn...those words are starting to sink in and I'm feeling speechless. After everything these guys endured and still managed to stay optimistic and both honest and receptive to fans, it's disheartening. Depressing even. For them who worked so hard (and on slave wages) and to us who could be missing out on seeing one of the best in the genre become the best it can be.

Anyway, since I'm here, I got a stupid question.
If I'm not misinterpreting, if the DLC characters are downloaded in a initial time period, they remain free. Given the small roster and the ever existent eagerness to try new content, people will want to get characters as fresh from the oven as possible.
So here's my question: would it be viable or of any help to have both the Download and Purchase options when the characters are released?
If this is what is being planned from the start, then never mind. (.__.)
 
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Annie?

Are you okay?

Are you okay, Annie?
 
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You use the black layout? I use the white one cause it's less obvious I'm doing a thing that's not work.
 
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mcpeanuts said:
You use the black layout? I use the white one cause it's less obvious I'm doing a thing that's not work.
That IS smart.

I work in a production environment, though, so as long as the work is done, little care is given to web surfing.
 
Night Phyre said:
That IS smart.

I work in a production environment, though, so as long as the work is done, little care is given to web surfing.
It's similar at my job, but even so I get self conscious about drawing attention to myself with non work things.
 
Just throwing this out there, but if LabZero ever decided to do IGG#2, I'd definitely be there to support 'em. I'd even understand if the goals were set higher to avoid the same pay cuts as before. Obviously we know it would be better for LabZero to avoid crowdfunding a second time, but I hope they would at least consider the option before shutting everything down.

Also, it's tough to see people so riled up over this recent news, but I think we'll all feel better once we hear the saxophone. Nothing heals an anxious crowd better than a saxophone. (Just ask Bill Clinton!)
 
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Mike Z said "We will dont make another IGG" because the plan of the game pay yourself. But soo much problem attacks the crew.... but still a lot of people willing to help. Why not make another character IGG to keep going? After then, the problems can be resolved and the game starts to shiny again in the world!!!

Suggestion? We have 3 character "needed to have a cannon". Make a IGG for them!!!
 
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And if it is another character kickstarter, should Mike ever even be in the general persuasion of one...

You know who's gotta be first.

Saltgirls.jpg


They are on the poster for showing the future Skullgirls roster. BOOYAH TECHNICALITIES.
 
The thing about IGG vs. being funded by a developer or investor is that it puts the consumer in the role of investor and it makes the people behind the project be under that much more pressure because they basically made people buy product that they don't even know a thing about. Investors and developers can make the money back from sales, but the consumer can only hope the product lives to their expectation.

The majority of people like how Squigly turned out but every time there will be people who paid like everyone else who are not happy with the end result. Normally if people are not happy with the end result, #1 they only paid for the content or #2 maybe they didn't even buy it because it was their choice.

So this isn't a cut and dry decision. Even though I will guarantee you they will make the money they need, there is that one reason (and also, working on minimum wage for over a year in L.A.).
 
As we see in the film Galaxy Quest (1999): Never Give Up!!!!! Never Surrender!!!

I think we need more marketing... the skullgirls.com website are one of the doors of new people, but still heavy overdated... a refresh in this (at last, putting new informations), can help!!!
 
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After everything Lab Zero has been through, I think they deserve to have something go their way. They're so involved with their community and so honest. I won't stop believing in them and their fantastic game.

On a side note: Are the many heads for Robo-Fortune in the shirt design a reference to different design ideas for Robo-Fortune? Or do you think Robo-Fortune will switch through those heads to show emotions, to be funny, etc? Random thought of mine.
 
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I honestly don't remember all the crap I get with my reward tier, but it's nice to hear they'll be shipping out physical stuff soon! I'm mostly just happy to see the characters actually being made because that's why I donated in the first place! Can't believe it's almost been a year since the campaign...

(still salty about who the characters will be though XD )
 
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If worse comes to worst I guess we could live without Robo-Fortune. I mean when they announced her at first even though she is only half a character I though she is quite a big stretch on the budget.
 
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guitalex2007 said:
The thing about IGG vs. being funded by a developer or investor is that it puts the consumer in the role of investor and it makes the people behind the project be under that much more pressure because they basically made people buy product that they don't even know a thing about. Investors and developers can make the money back from sales, but the consumer can only hope the product lives to their expectation.

The majority of people like how Squigly turned out but every time there will be people who paid like everyone else who are not happy with the end result. Normally if people are not happy with the end result, #1 they only paid for the content or #2 maybe they didn't even buy it because it was their choice.

So this isn't a cut and dry decision. Even though I will guarantee you they will make the money they need, there is that one reason (and also, working on minimum wage for over a year in L.A.).
Crowdfunding is very far from consumer becoming investor. Biggest being we are not getting an ROI.
 
Mr. X said:
Crowdfunding is very far from consumer becoming investor. Biggest being we are not getting an ROI.

Your return on investment is getting to play beta content while it is still in development, if you are a PC player at least.
 
Great news on physical merchandice coming soon. Unfortunaltely not a fan of the shirt design enough to wear it (I'll save my contructive criticisms since this isn't the place), but I'll hang it on my wall with pride that will go with some of my autographed sport clothing.
 
DukeMagus said:
Well... If the worst comes to worst, I'm willing to pay 60 bucks for a Skullgirls 2 crowdfunding, or any 2d project they do. Or for the digital art compendium. That's all I can give, sorry.
Autumn and Lab Zero need to hop on that Early Access train. DayZ, Rust, Starbound and Next Car Game are all benefiting. Hell, they could crowdfund three or four characters for SG2 and use money from early access sales to fund a couple more characters and next gen ports.

But the gaming industry is not that simple and my plan probably has over 9000 holes in it already.
Mr. X said:
Crowdfunding is very far from consumer becoming investor. Biggest being we are not getting an ROI.
Does ROI have to be monetary? I figure getting a game would be pretty good ROI for gamers.
 
Strictly speaking, ROI should be considered monetary. More generally, ROI could be considered some sort of kickback that gets better with more sales.

Things like beta access are more like perks. Yes, they're fun but you don't get a substantially better beta if the game sells well.
 
It's too bad that Lab Zero is over in LA, I would love to look in to slinging some code for free to show my support. This is one of my favorite games currently in active production. Should probably do something with those degrees too lol.

Still, I'll be watching out for more ways to show my love. Keep up the amazing work LZ.
 
Mr. X said:
Crowdfunding is very far from consumer becoming investor. Biggest being we are not getting an ROI.
That's actually what I'm saying pretty much exactly.

We are investors without benefits. Our only return is the finished product which we already paid for but we know nothing about. So instead of choosing to buy the product based on the final result, we're prepurchasing content we know nothing about, which is why they don't want to do it again. It's incredibly awkward.
 
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Socat said:
Your return on investment is getting to play beta content while it is still in development, if you are a PC player at least.
All we did was buy DLC before it existed. Everyone is able to play the beta content, you just need to buy the game on Steam, not be a backer.
Sol Neutralguy said:
Does ROI have to be monetary? I figure getting a game would be pretty good ROI for gamers.
Depends on your perspective. I don't consider crowdfunding an investment. Me giving them money didn't lead me to owning a piece of LZG or Skullgirls and I'm not getting any of the profits from any of this content that is purchased unlike Autmn Games, their publisher or Marvelous, their PC publisher. And their ROI will continue indefinitely, unlike ours which wraps up with last bit of content meaning anything after goes back to normal producer-consumer procedures.

Crowdfunding is a presale with a warm fuzzy feel-inducing word where they get the money first and then develop it instead of developing first and waiting to see how right they were with people wanting it.
 
Mr. X said:
All we did was buy DLC before it existed. Everyone is able to play the beta content, you just need to buy the game on Steam, not be a backer.
I believe he meant during the period between Beta release and retail (nearly 2 months), when backers did have exclusive access to the PC version and Beta content.
 
Balder said:
If I'm not misinterpreting, if the DLC characters are downloaded in a initial time period, they remain free. Given the small roster and the ever existent eagerness to try new content, people will want to get characters as fresh from the oven as possible.
So here's my question: would it be viable or of any help to have both the Download and Purchase options when the characters are released?
You are not mistaken, if you "buy" them for $0 you own them forever.

But can you imagine the amount of CRAP we'd get if there were both "free" and "buy!" options? "LOOKA THEM TRYING TO STEAL MY MONEY"
Plus I'm not sure any platform will allow you to do that with the same piece of DLC...?
Though it'd be interesting to do a pay-what-you-want thing for the free period, maybe I'll mention that.

@Mr. X
Crowdfunding is basically a presale but it's a non-guaranteed presale both from the consumer persepective (will they finish?) and the producer perspective (we are not SURE we can do it with this money but we THINK so).
 
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In the brave new world of special irascible snowflakes we live in nowadays, I'm almost certain you'll be getting flak even for offering stuff for free, no strings attached. :3

I'm not tech savvy so I don't know just how complicated (and costly!) implementing such a option might be but again, given that people will want the characters ASAP and that likely many didn't donate or didn't donate as much as they wanted during IGG due to personal circumstances, this could be a good opportunity for said people support as they wanted.
As you phrased it, it's certainly better than "Free" and "Buy" and it's not like you'd be running a second IGG (and I wholly understand why you've decided to not resort to it a second time).

Thanks for responding.
 
Well, it's definitely impossible to do a pay-what-you-want on console, and I have no idea about Steam.
 
I think the better idea, than an IGG #2 campaign, would just be to put a Paypal button somewhere on the SG site/SH Forums. I know you are still able do that through e-mail (I think). However, it'll be more convenient, can be left there going on their for as long as they want, and could include some of the rewards below it perhaps if we are to willing to donate a certain amount. I see this being the best alternative, at least until they find a willing investor.

Though I'll most likely take nothing, since news is a little bit too bad for me to do that.
 
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I really respect these guys.

I guess Mike's trying to make a game we can enjoy for decades because god knows when he'll get this kind of chance again.
 
Mike_Z said:
But can you imagine the amount of CRAP we'd get if there were both "free" and "buy!" options? "LOOKA THEM TRYING TO STEAL MY MONEY"
Plus I'm not sure any platform will allow you to do that with the same piece of DLC...?
Though it'd be interesting to do a pay-what-you-want thing for the free period, maybe I'll mention that.
King of Fighters XIII's DLC let's me choose what "version" I want to download. Not sure why, but maybe that's a way around it.
 
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