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Forums - Sony Discussion - Sony launches crowdfunding platform

Big companies shouldn't need to crowdfund to support their games. I understand for a starter indie studio or something, but I don't like how these companies are often turning to crowdfunding. They don't need it, so why do they do it?



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Pipedream24 said:
bunchanumbers said:
onionberry said:
crowdfunding for big companies is stupid as fuck and shame on you if you support that specific idea, there, I said it.


I have to agree. I think that a giant multibillion dollar conglomerate starting a crowd funding platform for their own devices is really shameful.

I can't believe people actually think this is a good idea. Do people not understand they are giving money to a company and providing them the opportunity to generate revenue with absolutely no risk? I am all for supporting companies that provide great products but there is no way in hell I am funding their R&D so they can turn a profit. Absolutely ridiculous.


Funny thing is I bet you are the same person that calls pharmaceutical companies evil for not funding cures for diseases with limited field use. To explain further, they cannot justify funding the R&D themselves because there is no guarantee that it will pay out.



super6646 said:

Big companies shouldn't need to crowdfund to support their games. I understand for a starter indie studio or something, but I don't like how these companies are often turning to crowdfunding. They don't need it, so why do they do it?


You didn't read anything, did you. This is not for their games. 



In my opinion, Sony has to err on the side of caution with the crowdfunding stuff. I have no problem with what they are doing now with these small ventures. It seems pretty harmless.

But it might set a precedent for other large companies (particularly in this greedy industry) to use crowdfunding as a financial buffer for larger projects. It will be a real low for the industry, when you see Ubisoft going to kickstarter to fund Beyond Good and Evil and other titles.

Large companies should have the knowledge and resources to weigh up risk and reward, and it comes off greedy (well at least to me) if you are asking the consumer to bare the weight.

That's my take on the situation.



super6646 said:

Big companies shouldn't need to crowdfund to support their games. I understand for a starter indie studio or something, but I don't like how these companies are often turning to crowdfunding. They don't need it, so why do they do it?


Better question:

Why shouldn't they do it? Give me ONE good reason why using crowdfunding is immoral or unethical or actually wrong?

Who actually gets wronged by this? Who actually gets hurt... and or ... trampled on by this?



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What a very interesting prospect for potential share holders.



sabvre42 said:
onionberry said:


it's just stupid, billionaire companies and crowdfunding, that's a reasonable reason to say what I said. But ok, I understand this era of zombies.

So your reasons are:
1.) Its stupid
2.) Billionare companies
3.) Crowdfunding

Mind putting those 3 items into an actual reason rather that has some defensible rationale? For all intents and purposes, they are offering access to a product on a "if x interest is generated you all get... if not ... no one gets charged" basis.

As I said in my last post, they are doing everything correctly within the Universal Code of Commerce and Contract law. They are offering a good or service in exchange for legal tender (consideration). What is wrong with this?

if you feel good about it then good for you, next time you'll fund the next walkman so be happy.
i



ihatefatkatz said:
In my opinion, Sony has to err on the side of caution with the crowdfunding stuff. I have no problem with what they are doing now with these small ventures. It seems pretty harmless.

But it might set a precedent for other large companies (particularly in this greedy industry) to use crowdfunding as a financial buffer for larger projects. It will be a real low for the industry, when you see Ubisoft going to kickstarter to fund Beyond Good and Evil and other titles.

Large companies should have the knowledge and resources to weigh up risk and reward, and it comes off greedy (well at least to me) if you are asking the consumer to bare the weight.

That's my take on the situation.


But honestly, what is wrong with using crowdfunding to create consumer products. 

Innovation is often held back by the fact that projects are hard to gauge true interest for. Even if they get kicked off -- its truly hard to assign a correct budget to a project -- and crowdfunding drasticaly helps this.

It doesn't hurt that you can often relay a cheaper product for the contributor and therefore have a benefit for both parties.



sabvre42 said:
bunchanumbers said:


I have to agree. I think that a giant multibillion dollar conglomerate starting a crowd funding platform for their own devices is really shameful.


Why? Seriously -- Why?

What is wrong with a company using a system to determine interest in a product in exchange for guaranteed access to that product? They aren't asking for charity... you get a product in exchange. In contract law the money: product is considered valid consideration.

 So again -- Why? Whats wrong with this?

You're asking what is wrong with giving a multibillion dollar conglomerate money for crowd funding ideas? You don't think its odd that a company worth billions is asking you for your money so they can take risks on products that may ultimately fail? There will be next to no risk for the company but all the risk for you. You don't think that this concept is a little off? Its not like its some garage inventor looking for help for some wild dream. This is a conglomerate worth more than you will ever be asking you for your money on a concept. The entire concept is shameful.



onionberry said:
sabvre42 said:

So your reasons are:
1.) Its stupid
2.) Billionare companies
3.) Crowdfunding

Mind putting those 3 items into an actual reason rather that has some defensible rationale? For all intents and purposes, they are offering access to a product on a "if x interest is generated you all get... if not ... no one gets charged" basis.

As I said in my last post, they are doing everything correctly within the Universal Code of Commerce and Contract law. They are offering a good or service in exchange for legal tender (consideration). What is wrong with this?

if you feel good about it then good for you, next time you'll fund the next walkman so be happy.
i

You still haven't given actual justification for your statements.

All I'm gathering from your posts is: Big company bad... big company must spend money on projects that it knows will sell (like CoD)... but big company also bad for only selling projects that it knows will sell.