Saturday, September 21, 2013

Is Jay Pavlina a good Project Manager

Image from: stock.xchng

Kickstarter is used to gain funding for a project like Super Adventure Squad, like you would go to a bank and apply for a loan.  A bank has a strict set of rules and requirements that have to be met before they will grant the loan.

It is probably safe to say that most backers on Kickstarter have never been a loan officer at a bank or have any experience with venture capital or anything like that so it is understandable they are not aware of the many pitfalls.

The first thing you need to look at is the character and abilities of the team. Jay has demonstrated that he works well individually and can make a fan game on his terms, that is about it.  This should be a red flag though.  What it says is that Jay has some game in his mind, and he is going to make it the way he wants, on the timeline he decides.  His questionable ethics also come into play.  Even though Super Mario Crossover is most definitely illegal, he flaunts that he "believes" he has found a loophole by not "directly profiting from Super Mario Bros Crossover." Even thought that is irrelevant, it is still copyright infringement whether you make money or you do not.  The penalties for copyright infringement while profiting are just higher and could even result in criminal (on top of civil) penalties. He also consistently demonstrates he is going to do things his way and that it. Which is fine for Super Mario Crossover, but people paid for Super Retro Squad (before he changed the name to Super Action Squad).  The information on Kickstarter is there as promises for what you will get from your backing. Including a release date, which Kickstarter forces you to pick because a solid project will have realistic goals and deadlines that will be achieved. It is meant to weed out deadbeats and those unwilling to commit to their backers so that for example a game can'' take as long as it wants to make."

But let's not go with what I say, how about what Jay Pavlina from Exploding Rabbit has to say about changing the name from Super Retro Squad to Super Adventure Squad.
Pay special attention to the
"Most people don't seem to like it, AND THAT'S FINE"
Jay Pavlina is in it for Jay Pavlina, and that's it.

An Example
I mean just think, GTA V just came out, what if Rockstar just stopped responding to the press, fans, everyone and didn't realease the game when they said they would.  Later they finally say "we just started the game, it'll be out whenever." Rockstar would be torn apart (like 3D realms for example) and would probably have difficulty making another game.

Advice for Backers
Just simple advise to all. If your going to back something, demand the following and hold them accountable and know that these requirements are way lower then what a bank would require for a loan;
1) Who is the project lead, what is their education, their track record of project management
2) Who is the team, how much will they be paid, what are their qualifications
3) What is the timeline, meaning definite milestones and release date
4) Define the project, what are you getting for backing (this is the description and stretch goals)
5) What is the money for, where will it be spent, does it make sense to spend it on that?
6) How will communications be made and how often
7) Who will approve scope changes


Anyway, if you want to back Super Retro Squad, now renamed Super Action Squad, go right ahead.  Just keep in mind, you will not be treated as a stake holder, you are mostly giving Jay money for an illegal fan game, Super Mario Crossover, or funding his dream of having a game company, don't expect anything else.  That's all well and dandy, but usually you have to have a proven track record and solid games before you would consider something so major as getting office space for example.

18 comments:

  1. hi - this is an interesting read but who got an office? do you mean the er house?

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    Replies
    1. can you respond to me? what office???

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    2. RESPOND TO ME!!!!!!!! wtf

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  2. on one hand I love smc and it was probably lots of work, but on the other hand see your point here

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  3. You have to give to give the guy a break. Just starting out is hard and lots to figure out quicky. With that said, there really isn't much excuse to just dispear on ppl and miss the release date

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    Replies
    1. If given the choice, he wouldn't have even set one.

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    2. Did you even read? A good project would be able to set and meet its deadline! This is NOT a good project so he is trying to weasel out and mush heads like you believe him.

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    3. I read very closely, which for some reason I didn't do before. It's a legitimate reason, I'll give you that, but it can be quite hard to live up to things sometimes. These guys aren't very experienced, so they aren't as able to predict deadlines. Other people are like this too, and because they have a choice (this was on Kickstarter and you don't have a choice there) they don't give a release date. Even experienced people don't always give precise deadlines on reveal of a project. Even Nintendo doesn't give release dates when they reveal new games in their Directs. Mojang doesn't give release dates for Minecraft updates until it's almost done. I appreciate that you're just going to shit on me again, so don't bother trying to hurt my feelings because it won't work.

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    4. Your argument makes sense but just means that right now he is not a good project manager. He is just starting out and could become a good one for sure, but for right now he is not. Just my 2c though it really doesn't matter to me at all.

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  4. Can't we all just get along

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  5. well not everyone has the skill set needed to manage, some just think you slap on a title for yourself and all the sudden your a manager when in reality it is lot harder then that.

    You have to give it to him for trying, but like most start up's, this one didn't work out. I don't think anyone was purposefully scammed here, I just think jay got in way over his head and didn't know what to do or have the skill to do what it takes.

    My advise is to just move on, forget about this and move on. Who knows the game (in whatever form it becomes) may eventually be released, but don't hold your breath.

    Thanks,
    - Phil

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  6. Really, i think comparing Rockstar to Exploding Rabbit is at least a bit unfair...

    If we were to be scammed, WHY WOULD THEY EVEN BOTHER TO RELEASE A TECH DEMO!?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NAPtVvHlno

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  7. he should hire someone or take classes then

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  8. I think the question of if he is a good pm or not can be answered pretty easy. Has he delivered anything yet past the due date? No. Well no is also the answer to if he is a good pm. If he was he would have.

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  9. he kinda llooks creepy! just right for Halloween!

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    ReplyDelete

But who cares what we think, what do you think about the Exploding Rabbit scam? You can post anonymously if you want.