Statement on Name Change
Greetings backers. This is Aaron Gabrielson, President and owner of Bad Crow Games. I am announcing two big changes to the Kickstarter project tonight.
First, we have decided to change the name of the game to “Mech Command RTS”. Here is why:
The license holders for the game franchise have final approval authority over everything that is produced. We have reason to be concerned that our planned stretch rewards and other game content will be delayed as it goes through a complex approval process. We also underestimated the degree of miscommunication caused by the language barrier as we work with the license holders in Japan.
This name change removes any uncertainty and allows us to deliver the entire game on schedule. Now is a good time to reiterate our anytime refund policy: We will be providing refunds for any reason, anytime, even after you receive your rewards.
Early Unlock of $500K Stretch Reward
Second, I take full responsibility for not discovering these issues in advance. In an effort to reward our loyal backers, we are unlocking a major stretch reward tomorrow. Stay tuned for an update with the details.
Kickstarter allows new and innovative ideas to come to life, ideas that would never see the light of day at a traditional game company.
I believe this game is what Kickstarter is all about.
Mech Command RTS is the first real-time combat boardgame ever produced. The gameplay is smooth and refined. The 3D city environment and models look fantastic.
Thank you for your continued trust and support. I do not take it lightly. Your pledge represents your time and hard earned money, and I am committed to not letting you down.
If you have more questions please check our FAQ page here.
Aaron Gabrielson
President, Owner
Bad Crow Games LLC
Andreas Damianos about 2 hours ago
The game looks great with or without the Armored Core name.
I am concerned regarding:
1) What will happen to the miniature design.
2) Price continues to be high and stepping down to a lower tier price may seem the only reasonable step now that the armored core franchise is gone
Trueflight Silverwing about 2 hours ago
@Andrew C did you even read the update? Your questions were already answered right in the post that you are commenting on.
Jason Miller about 4 hours ago
Andrew, they DID have the license. They decided to drop it to have more control over the project.
Will that be a mistake? Who knows right now.
Eric Stolar about 5 hours ago
While you haven't lost my pledge with this change I am much more on the fence.
Will see what comes to pass over the next week.
Andrew C about 6 hours ago
I backed this in large part because it said Armored Core. Though it looks great, the branding told me that it would have investment and time put into it to do a major franchise proud. Now you need to answer some basic questions, or I, and I'm sure many others, might bail.
1. Why was this launched and advertised as Armored Core if you didn't have the license?
2. Can you still use the same mini sculpts since they are all based on designs from the AC games? If not, what will the sculpts look like now?
These questions MUST be answered if I am to keep my pledge. If this was launched without some sort of prior agreement, that means you are incompetent. If the Mini's now violate copyright, you are much worse, and this project deserves to fail... Unless you already have new designs to show us. I await a response.
Khell
Superbacker
about 6 hours ago
Tahnk you for informing us of your decision now, instead of after the project has funded and closed. That, if nothing else, buys some respect and appreciation. As others have said, this is a major enough change that in all honesty you should consider a re-launch.
Being Armored Core was at least 50% of the draw here. I grew up with the series, I still have copies of AC and Project Phantasma and two working Playstations with save files from both. Backing this game prior to playing it or at least seeing it in the flesh depended on that nostalgia. It was a hedged bet that even if the game turned out to be less than I'd hoped, the miniatures could be converted over to Battletech use, or painted up for display as nostalgic tat.
But $210 is a lot, especially since it didn't include shipping, and the Canadian dollar is in the tank right now, so I'm investing $288 to $301 for one game (and a few expansions) - that's enough for me to buy 5-10 average games. Without the franchise, you can't pull enough interest or faith from me to back that. I may still be your customer after retail release, I definitely will give the game a try if my local board game cafes add it to their play shelf. But without Armored Core, sorry, I'm out as far as Kickstarter is concerned.
Curtis Kam about 8 hours ago
So wait, the name license is block off, so that would that mean the miniatures are illegal now? Also can I pledge for the KS miniatures, I realized I don't have much cash on me.
Jason Ginsberg about 9 hours ago
Personally, I couldn't care less about the Armored Core name. I'd never heard of it before this kickstarter. I love 'mechs, and battle with mechs was what drew me in, that and the RTS mechanic. I appreciate the honesty and transparency, and the unlocking of a stretch goal ahead of time is a nice gesture. But, as per that RTS mechanic, we're still waiting on better videos, including videos that illustrate the AI at work. I'm still in for now, but final decision will be made based on the game play videos, especially for AI.
Rand Chua TL about 9 hours ago
I agree with Trueflight and many of the backers here.
Trueflight Silverwing about 11 hours ago
The game has potential, but I agree with others at this point. With the loss of the licensing, I think you should cancel the campaign and relaunch with the new name. Separate yourself from this original campaign as a new game. This will allow you to possibly pull in some new fans who might not have cared about the AC name as well as removing any misconceptions from backers about the game and its licensing.
On the positive side, without licensing restrictions, it opens you guys up to be able to do practically anything that you want with the game and not have to worry about how it fits into the franchise world and if they approve of it.
Ian Dalzell about 11 hours ago
Sorry guys, i don't mean to discount all your hard work. I'm disappointed that From couldnmt be more reasonable about it. I feel your pain when it comes to miscommunication with sponsors on a product. Armored Core is one of my favorite game series, and one that doesn't get much attention. I hope this setback doesn't hurt you guys too much, and you can fully realize your vision. Best of luck.
Mitch about 12 hours ago
I'm with Chris. I need to see new models before campaign's end, or I must withdraw my pledge. Losing the AC license is tough and disappointing, and I'd rather have game delays than have to work without the AC name. But for the sake of such a unique tabletop game, I'm sticking with it for now. I still have high hopes. Just make the new models up to par. Sorry for the tough patches, guys
Mathew Bryce about 12 hours ago
I need to see the new mech models I was in this to paint armoured cores the game was a bonus if the mechs become generic I'll probably be out unfortunately
Aaron Gabrielson Collaborator about 12 hours ago
Any change to a Kickstarter of course causes the backers to pause and re-evaluate the project. It is our job to give you a reason to stay. I hope you will keep an eye on the project and give us a chance to earn your pledge as we add more rewards and content.
This change adds stability and predictability to the project. We now have the ability to ensure outcomes and delivery dates. We have started from the beginning with an anytime refund policy. It became obvious this weekend that keeping the name would mean endless delays and cost overruns. Our refund policy drives us to ensure that we deliver a quality project on schedule.
I hope no backer thinks that this decision was done opportunistically. I have paid for flights to Japan, for translation services, for graphics design costs and hours and hours of time in meetings for the past year. There is no way we wished for this outcome. Quite the opposite.
The good news is very little of our design work needs to be modified. The most significant change is on the box. The innovative game mechanics and quality of components is the same as before.
Aaron Gabrielson
President, Owner
Bad Crow Games LLC
TAKESHI OONUKI about 13 hours ago
Immediately stop this project, after the repayment of all the stakeholders, launch a new project with this name.
Or, to properly obtain a license, after being officially announce from FROM SOFTWARE, it should launch the project again as Armored Core RTS.
Ian v
Superbacker
about 13 hours ago
I'd rather have the Armored Core license and a delayed game than a bland, generic name delivered on time. Is working with a "complex approval process" a bad thing? From wants to protect their IP, and what better way to do that than by making sure that whatever has the Armored Core name is top quality?
Chris B about 13 hours ago
Very disappointed over the loss of the AC license, however the game itself still seems fun.
The most important thing to me, however, is what the new models will look like. If there's an update in the next couple days showing off the new models and I like what I see I'm still going to stay in. If, however, they aren't up to par or no information on the new models is released I'm pulling my funding.
Justin "Vex" Brissette
Superbacker
about 13 hours ago
This a huge let down. I loved the Armored Core games and was about to up my pledge but now that you have apparently got into a fiasco with the license operators of Armored Core over approval of mech figurines.I'm not sure why when there hasn't been a new entry into the series in a while. This was going to generate some much needed hype for the game and maybe eventually bring it back onto next gen consoles with multiplayer that was sorely needed.
Mech Command RTS game looks great and if you can play 20-30 minute missions then it would have been easy to get my friends to play this since most of them are mecha and gundam fans but I was really in the campaign to help out the cause of Armored Core but if thats not anywhere in this game then I'm pulling my pledge.
Joe Weber about 14 hours ago
Yeah as soon as I saw an armored core table top game I got SUPER excited, but now that it's not is it still going to be armored core with out the name? I don't know, seems like you would have to change a lot with the game as to not monkey with licensed stuff. Unfortunately I'm out.
Carl about 14 hours ago
While I dislike that the name made me more willing to back this project, I felt that the tiers were priced high because of royalties. I would say that the company backing felt like an insurance policy, but plenty of other games have been "official" and just put out as a money engine. As someone slowly working on my own mech-based tabletop game, I get it. Without a franchise, people only seem interested in heroic fantasy. Without a big name to back it, people just simply don't want to look at the rules.
The game itself looks good, and the mechanic definitely has my attention. I will stick to my offer to review/playtest as well. I must admit I am considering stepping back my pledge as moving up was a coin's edge decision, but I'm not out.
Denis Maddalena
Superbacker
about 14 hours ago
Ha, yeah. I bought some Serpents Tongue, and in the year and a half it sat in my basement, they never figured out the "exchange vouchers for any card you want" thing that was so highly touted. And that was just a matter of sorting out some minor details.
"As it stands, we have lost confidence that the game could ever be created without this change. However, we maintain a good relationship with the license holders and hope that we can make it happen in the future." The hell does this mean? This is political walkaround. What specific issues are leading to concern over delays? Cuz lord knows Dark Souls is gonna be late, but at least it wasn't renamed "Gothic Nightmare Game".
I would remove that, uh, arbitrary management picture. It's kinda weird to throw out there, actually, and is more Senior yearbook photo meets Walmart manager than Washington crossing the Delaware.
So, to the point: I didn't agree with the RTS mechanisms, but stuck around for the Armored Core. I was prepared to have another Mega Man on my hands (ie. well meaning but totally garbage)... without the AC name screwing my rationale, I realize I already have tons of Heavy Gear stuff and I can happily back off from this project.
Now if only I could talk Cryptozoic into dropping licenses to prevent future terrible games...
Rubén Blanco about 17 hours ago
The problem is, this is a blow to the credibility of both the project and Bad Crow. Instead of trying to negotiate with FROM, even if that were to mean having to cancel the campaign now to return stronger in a few months, they have opted to run from that an offer some generic mecha stuff.
If they can't mantain a contract with the owner of the Armored Core IP, will they be able to keep to their word with us backers? And lets not forget the whole Serpent's Tongue thing...
Tom Tjarks about 17 hours ago
I"m going to add my hat to the pile that says this game needs to be Armored Core. I would rather deal with approval delays with the license holder than have the game suddenly get a generic name that I find rather bland and unexciting.
Giuliano Liguori about 17 hours ago
I have been a Battletech / Mechwarrior fan for what looks like eternity by now... so as long as we are talking 15mts mechs fighting each other that is fine for me :)
just one thing, once the project is founded and boxes delivered... please just send an email to the IP holders telling them "look what you have missed".
just few things bother more than haughtiness: they think they are too high to give us their license? Fine. their loss.
keep up the good work Bad Crows, a bunch of us are still supporting you :)
Yuma about 17 hours ago
Armored Core sounded cool.. and it had big, stompy robots. but most of all, it was the mechanic that wants to simulate real time strategy, that drew me in.
there are far to few games that try to do this, and this game, how ever it is called now, looks very promising!
i see the advantages a more or less known IP would have, but honestly.. would you marry just for the looks or more for the brains?
also, backing such a project is to make it happen. to help make something new and innovative a reality, while a lot of "normal" gamecompanies pour out a stream of mostly boring and repetitive stuff hardly worth a second try.
and as much as i like the free stuff, its not about the goodies!
Oliver Zöllner
Superbacker
about 17 hours ago
I'm not sure I like this change. I backed this since it was armored core not just a random much game. I will give bad crow games a chance to convince me on this game but I am highly disappointed in the decision to remove the armored core license
Nimrod Breger
Superbacker
about 18 hours ago
I think this is awesome! Why be confined to a specific IP? Now you have free hands to do way more! different mech styles, different weapons and more!
People should pledge and support a game for the game play and how it looks! not be cause of an IP...
Angus Lee
Superbacker
about 18 hours ago
I know nothing about Armored Core and don't know it is an licensed item. I support this KS project for its innovative mechanism. I just hope that we can know more about the game play and especially be able to read the rulebook before the campaign ends.
David Williams about 18 hours ago
Personally, I would have preferred having the game delayed, rather than having the IP change.
Marko Lepola about 19 hours ago
Sigh..this certainly has been a turbulent KS.
Giving up the license and changing the name & visuals from a known IP to a generic mecha theme will result in less interest and therefore less stretch goals etc.
Are U sure this is the right decision? I'll hang in there for now though, as the game is still interesting to me.
Aaron Gabrielson Collaborator about 19 hours ago
Yes, I am glad that any backer that wants to alter their pledge has plenty of time to do so. I also hope backers will take a look at the innovative real time combat mechanics in this game. The name has changed but very little of the game content has been modified.
Aaron Gabrielson Collaborator about 19 hours ago
@Kyle Harrison, I hear you. This decision was not taken lightly. If there was any other feasible option we would take it. As it stands, we have lost confidence that the game could ever be created without this change. However, we maintain a good relationship with the license holders and hope that we can make it happen in the future.
Mr. Kirsch
Superbacker
about 19 hours ago
I pledged for Armored Core. This is a huge let down. Thanks for letting us know while we can still cancel our pledge though.
Kyle Harrison about 19 hours ago
@Aaron Gabrielson
I think this is a move in the wrong direction, changing form the Armored core name seems like a cop out of overcoming these obstacles. I can empathise trying very hard to get the game finish and ready for launch by the dead line but I suspect fans that do not know about the Kickstarter after release will just believe it's a knock off of a beloved series. I'm sure if you reach out to the community and to From Software to keep the title will be worth it. Even with delays you can launch the stretch goals and expansions later to the backers and public with out losing a number of backers/ interest as they will still receive it once the final say is done on the licensing and is more defined and possibly work out for the better. It would give people more time to learn the game and its mechanics, even if it has to come out module by module because of the licensing. The title is a main selling point. Don't quit because of a miscommunication, work towards fixing it and keeping this Armored Core: RTS! Please!!
Aaron Gabrielson Collaborator about 19 hours ago
The link to FAQ wasn't included in the update, you can find that webpage here: https://badcrowgames.zendesk.com/hc/en-us
vsampedro about 19 hours ago
I'm really sorry, but if the game is not longer AC I'm not longer interested
Bad Crow Games Creator about 19 hours ago
FAQ HERE: https://badcrowgames.zendesk.com/hc/en-us