I finally learned the hard way about Kickstarter board game expansions

I backed a deluxe expansion for a game I love for $85 on Kickstarter last year, thinking I was getting a steal. Turns out the game store down the street had the same thing for $55 six months later and I couldn't cancel my pledge. Has anyone else overpaid for a crowdfunded board game add-on and regretted it?

3 comments

3 Comments

janaw112d agoTop Commenter

thinking I was getting a steal" really got me, because that's exactly how they trap you with those limited time offers and stretch goals that end up being nothing special. But here's what I'm wondering - did you actually check if the store version was identical, or was the Kickstarter one different in some way? I've seen some expansions hit retail with cheaper components or missing a few promos that were supposed to be exclusive. Not that it justifies the price difference, just curious how much of a rip off it actually was. What did you end up doing with your pledge money?

logan_thomas872d ago

The 2015 Kickstarter for The 7th Continent had me convinced I was getting something special too, but the retail version is basically the same game with slightly thinner cards. I get that stretch goals are a draw, but paying double for a few promos and a fancy box feels like a bad deal when the core gameplay is identical. Honestly, I’d rather wait for retail and spend my pledge money on a different game that actually offers something unique.

reese_taylor692d ago

Did they actually end up putting out those promised solo scenarios for it? I remember when the Kickstarter was live they made a huge deal about how those would be exclusive, but then I think I saw some of them pop up as print-and-play a few years later. That kind of thing really makes you wonder if the FOMO is worth it, especially when you could wait and pick up the retail version plus a different game for the same money.