Webcomics powerhouse Penny Arcade unveiled a Kickstarter yesterday, and there has been a pushback that reveals amazing things about the state of webcomics (and Web entertainment in general).
Here are the broad strokes.
There's a strong demand for the return of a podcast they started a couple years ago called "Downloadable Content." The podcast faltered and stalled because (1) it wasn't able to be easily monetized and (2) it required time and resources to produce that couldn't be justified abecause of reason #1.
They set the goal at $10 (and, obviously, they met their goal and have gone well on their way towards acheiving several Push Goals). Why $10? According their their FAQ:
We basically wanted it to be pay what you want. People have been telling us to make this stuff for years, it was never about the goal. We thought might as well set it at a level where even one backer would get us there. That way, no matter what, we’re committed to creating and delivering a radical new era in podcasting (it will probably be very similar to the previous era).
The pushback was startling. And it tends to come down along the same lines:
- Penny Arcade doesn't need the money.
- They could do the podcast without funding
- The $10 funding goal proves the above two points
- Therefore they're asking for money for doing something they're willing to do anyway
So, who's the villain? Penny Arcade for trying to monetize a podcast? Or readers overreacting to a Kickstarter campaign?
In the words of Walt Kelly: "We have met the enemy, and he is us."
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