The implications of Bartwes economical problems on the progress of develpment

While browsing around the internet as I usually do I came across this IRC snapshot containing some, for me at least, somewhat unsettling revelations.



You are free to call me pessimistic but, I think that the fact that over 900 000$ in pre-orders isn't enough to keep all of the main devs working full pace, much less from having to take part-time jobs, does raise some dire implications of the economical stability of the entire project.

And concidering that, at least according to my interpetation the roadmap, most of the graphical paraphernalia stands ready and awaiting implementation I find it somewhat strange that the current "distribution of wealth" leaves the team with reduced coding capacity at the time where it would surely be most needed.


Please note, however, that this is my interpretation of the current situation based on what knowledge I possess. I could very well be wrong on one or more accounts since I do not have perfect insight into the flow of information from the devs.

 

Troubling if true. However it was the case that the development team was funding the game out of their own pockets. One of the reason for pre-orders was to counter this kind of problem.

 

That was what I thought as well, but sadly it seems that nigh-on one million dollars was insufficient.

 

The log was a response to a question about my financial state from developing the game over the last year.
Currently i have a slight debt, nothing worrisome and my part of the preorder money just about covers it.
Preorders are still going strong and i'm not going to stop developing starbound.
None of the chucklefish team is in financial trouble anymore and both legris and omni have been able to quit their second jobs.
Even more awesomely, kyren is going to be able to move to work physically with Tiy.

Apologies for scaring everyone! Things are actually better than ever at Chucklefish

 

I had not expected to rouse the attention of "the man himself". I feel a desire to underline that this topic was in no way intended to be directed at Bartwe at a personal level, rather as a means to underline more general concerns about the financial status of the team in its entirety. I apologize if any of the parties involved or mentioned have taken offence.

 

Some of us were just a tad worried and it comes entirely from our boundless love for your team and your game. It sucks that your private financial matters have been publicized like that but I guess it's all part of the limelight.

 

how did this get unlocked!?

 

You don't have to explain. You have your own life, not that you can't have it because you are developing a game.

I hope all the best luck to you, and for your work in Starbound.

 

It was locked temporarily so that Bartwe could formulate a proper response without miss/uninformed speculation running rampant in the meantime.

 

locks cant stop bartwe the Code Cowboy

^_^

 

We do worry about you, Bart.

 

I hope it speeds up enough for game to be released in 2012.
Love, Bacon.

 

wouldnt we need that flux capacitor to be used again on the forums to go back in time?

looking forward to Starbound!

edit:
those time tides throwing me off.
^_^

 

Fixed.
Time travel is weird like that.

 

Ba-dum tish!

 

we worry about all of the developers

 

That's good to hear Please prepare us something unforgettable

 

Glad to hear the developers respond to this, not like you have to, we did get worried though!