March 19, 2005

The Ransom Model

Two designers of dice-driven roleplaying games are experimenting with a distribution/licensing/payment scheme they call the Ransom Model. Their new tactical wargame, Meatbot Massacre, will not be available for download until they've collected the $600 "ransom." If this target is not reached (they've already collected about $440) by September 1, the game will never be available and the money collected will be given to a homeless shelter. But if they do collect the $600, the game will go into the public domain, available to all for free.

The authors write "Is it a gamble? Sure, but people who don't like a little random risk have no business playing games with dice. It's an experiment. If it works, you can expect more, and longer Stolze designs released in this fashion."

As wargames go, Meatbot Massacre looks like a pretty great one, and worth donating to just for the interesting 'ransom' concept.

Posted by steev at March 19, 2005 04:48 PM
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