Inside Backbone's troubled release

[@legice]

Backbone really felt like a art project and it was a really unique take, on basically everything. I loved it, I felt the game, maybe because I went through the same thing in my own life. I think the biggest disappointment, is that it ends the way it does, as it feels as its just starting to open up and than things werent explained or taken further. I wanted more of the world, which kinda showcases how well it actually was made. Im very much eager to see what the next game will be and Im honestly very glad that I backed the project! =)

[@krilke]

The interview explains a LOT.

[@FabricioZuccherato]

In other words, she didn't know what her project was about and shifted (or rushed) the scope in the end, changing the style she previously stated because "she herself had changed". This is not how a project should evolve: according her own feelings. There is a project, a promise, a team working towards that and she can't simply throw it all out the window like that. I understand that there might be other aspects she wouldn't talk about (publisher/cash issues) and they were forced to make amends. She's defending her position by claiming it's authorial intent but it doesn't explain the lack of quality in the gameplay aspect later on in the game. The story was poorly developed and well developed characters were poorly used. She's rationalizing saying "the game would become more linear" not just to admit they didn't have the time to refine the game. She says it has to be like that in the 1st act because it needs to nail the themes of the later acts, but that's BS, it needs to attract the funders attention and, once it was funded, they didn't bother to deliver anymore. Even though I relate to her speech towards grief and nihilism, I don't buy it and I find her way of explaining it kind of arrogant. I admire her courage to take on a project like this and she appears to be very intelligent, but her approach to leading a game project was totally inadequate. As she stated herself, her actions compromised her art team actions. It looks like she's just relieved she was able to release the game at all, but it's having pretty bad reviews and will sell poorly and, most likely, her studio won't get another shot so soon because of this, sadly (although I really hope they do). In the end, Backbone will survive as a beautiful tech demo of what a game could be. Also, this is not the first videogame funded by KickStarter that creates lots of hype and is rushed to deliver a disappointed and incomplete game, just like Shenmue III.

[@Zylo82]

The Story was rushed. Things just never made sense. I knew something was wrong with the script when you have a Geezer/Goose pop up out of nowhere at a testing facility. Especially when that testing facility is on the other side of the Wall. That was stupid. I really dont want to purely hate this game but IDC how much of 'Her Self Has Changed' but that should never effect the game as a whole. She was basically ruining the game herself. You can still make art and not a product just leave your stupid emotions at the door and make what you are intending to make. That Kickstarter Trailer was flat out false advertisement. That was the game that EVERYONE was hoping for. So for that she deserves all the criticism that she deserves.

[@ninja_tony]

@@Zylo82wow. You both are horrible, hateful people. Even if you rough up a few valid points, there’s never an excuse to be so hateful and condescending about another human being.

[@fatfurie]

that just sounds like part of the excuse i dont even think thats part of the real reason.. it mostly was probably just rushed lol

[@MaddyBlu9724]

I will be really excited to see the next game in the Backbone universe that incorporates some of the common critisms. Cause a lot of them were valid points, even though I did enjoy Backbone as a piece of art.

[@thetrashbaby]

Yes! I agree. We need more puzzles 👀

[@FabricioZuccherato]

but it seems she didn't accept any of it...

[@ninja_tony]

@@FabricioZuccheratowho tf do you think you are to be able to see into the future and make that claim when the next game hasn’t even released yet? People like you are insufferable and ignorant.

[@moeezS]

That's an important discussion about art vs product. This was insightful, thank you.

[@hyua6841]

I wouldn't say that the reception is 50/50. Most reviews I've read say that the game had great potential in the beginning but then went in a completely different direction that felt rushed and the ending wasn't satisfying at all

[@soumyaripan5131]

Well said. We can make certain choices, but at the end we fucking die. I feel how her personal life inspired the game and thoughts behind it. Making some games are really hard and requires a lot of thought, dedication and iterations. Respect for her, and wishing success.

[@lamentluv]

i find it criminal that more people haven't played and enjoyed this game

[@rulyo4773]

I can't wait to play it on Switch

[@khyrianstorms]

I personally loved this game. And I think the only issue that every writer goes up against is personal growth. Mind you: these things happen in relationships as well. As you grow, you rarely grow together at the same pace and in the same direction. And Death of the Author is a brilliant way to see this: expectations from some people evolved in a different way the game evolved towards as an end product. The Kickstarter and first two acts were brilliant, and the game itself is great, but the two acts in the beginning set-up a certain story and that big change was definitely unexpected. I think the amount of information given in the kickstarter proposed enough to create a certain expectation, but in the end the game that was released evolved. I love the linear feel. I believe a story needs authority. Only Mass Effect was able to get away with different endings across a three-game narrative, and even there the ending of part 2 messed with part 3. I however do feel that if you create a game that is sold online, and there's universal criticism about your set-up and eventual disappointing pay-off, you should take that criticism to the next game as a way to learn. Brandon Sanderson talks about set-up and pay-off a lot as well, and he describes exactly the potential risk that I feel Backbone succumbed to in the last stage.

[@thetrashbaby]

I liked the game. I'd recommend it. And many emotions Alex talks about you can get a feel of them through the game. I personally cannot get over the aggressive reviews on Steam. Clearly these people don't play indie games very often. I even got the "Clown" emoji award or whatever at least 5 times on my Steam review of the game. There was no need to be so harsh... 🤷🏻‍♀️ I'm still mad about it. I'm glad you guys are working again. One thing I didn't want to happen is for you to stop making art just because someone people... don't get it. I'm reallt excited to see what's next!

[@reflx7904]

Disappointing interviewer and interview tbh, looks like there was barley any research done and the interview was just a response to the overly negative reviews pretty much. ironically enough the next "backbone" game mostly has futures witch the fans want. Studio knows they are not dumb enough to just treat this game as "art" and just do whatever they want after this chaotic release, i think they will try their hardest to cater to the community for the next game as it could be their last if it does not succeed. I just hope the next one is better than the last one and they learnt from it, and i hope its slightly longer. and i hope we actually have puzzles this time lol.

[@zoricgames]

I don't get the impression a lot was learned.

[@yuichiusagirabbitpawssnow4820]

Two parts it was fine with mystery but later other parts just want down from there to lovers craft horror with sci-fi with twist finally ending really awful not enough puzzle 🧩 to short no combat give it one half out ten stars i hope one can release backbones prequel. See people play backbones part two on KZbin steam they’re like it way better then first game. Other People play first game very disappointed and not like at all