Pathfinder MMO
 

Not much on it yet as it's just begun development, but here's the link : https://goblinworks.com/

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/…echnology-demo

They've started a kickstarter for a tech demo and already surpassed their goal; basically the minimum funding goal appeared to be what they were looking at to secure middleware and development software for their team. Besides funding the project beyond the initial tech demo, additional funding will also probably go a long way in demonstrating interest in their concept. It sounds like a more involved and PnP-like MMO experience but some of it is pretty vague - which is acceptable for asking to help fund a tech demo.

They're being pretty up-front about the limited scope of the initial Kickstarter goal which is good because their team members have varying types of PnP or MMO product experience with one being versed in MMO marketting, one having graphic design and extensive PnP sales/marketting managment and executive experience, one having rather impressive PnP RPG design credentials and only one having notable video game design experience. They do have established reputations that are probably worth many times more to them than the funding goals of this projects - so I consider them very safe to take at their word. I would suggest actually doing that though with regard to the kickstarter campaign. They say they're looking to create a tech demo and demonstrate interest in the project - that's a part of MMO development and pitching that can be reasonably funded by kickstarter and they've actually just surpassed the minimum they had asked for.

They aren't claiming that this kickstarter is meant to, will, or even can be expected to fund the project outright. That shows that they aren't naive; but backers will hopefully understand that giving a hundred bucks and being part of the community getting them to 1.8 million dollars wouldn't mean you get a Pathfinder MMO in a year without them still having to secure a partnership with a publisher. Even DoubleFine Adventure level funding would only cover world building and a maybe a large chunk of development but it would not secure long term support or bankroll the large upfront staffing requirements they'd need. So keep in mind that these are folks who you can trust to mean what they say but that you should be sure you're listening to what they're actually saying.

Edit: Speak of the devil, they posted this to their kickstarter comments emphasizing the scope of the project just in case anyone did have the wrong idea. I do appreciate them being candid:

31 minutes to go if you want to pledge

Another MMO :-/ We play in a Pathfinder campaign and I enjoy the PF rule set. I would pledge for a part-based RPG, but not an MMO….

Yeah, as an SP game it would interest me … There's almost too many MMOs out there already … And the cake is only so big …

The setting sounds cool, but I agree I'd rather see a single-player game, regardless if it was party-based or an action-RPG in the style of Gothic.

Their FAQ is basically a list of answers to potential criticism. it looks like they are trying to monetize it by selling in game items.

I'd be more interested if it wasn't one big world - take the first M out of MMOG.

I remember UO was initially meant to be free but when Gariott inquired about a $20 charge and didn't get lynched that was the beginning of the end of my interest in the game.

The Pathfinder folks hold the rights to publishing computer games to themselves don't they? Similar to what WotC did with d20?

In other words, its not OGL when machines are involved.