Area Gamer Backs $400 Kickstarter To Avoid Missing Out On Game He Will Never Play

Local tabletop enthusiast Kevin Rourke confirmed Tuesday that he has pledged $400 to a Kickstarter campaign in order to avoid the crushing psychological burden of possibly missing out on a game he will never, under any circumstances, actually play.

“I just couldn’t risk it,” Rourke said, moments after selecting the “All-In Immortal Collector Tier (Early Raven Edition)” pledge level. “What if it turns out to be amazing?”

The campaign in question includes:

• A core rulebook

• Three expansion books

• A lore compendium

• A GM screen

• Twelve miniatures

• Two sets of dice

• A cloth map

• A soundtrack download code

• A stretch goal unlocked stretch goal tracker

Shipping is expected sometime between “next summer” and “the heat death of the universe.”

Rourke, who currently has 17 unplayed RPG systems on his shelf, confirmed that he has “definitely learned his lesson” after missing a different Kickstarter in 2018. “I still think about it,” he admitted. “People say it’s really good.”

Sources confirm that Rourke first discovered the campaign approximately 14 minutes after launch, at which point it was already “funded in 6 minutes” and had unlocked six stretch goals.

“That’s how you know it’s quality,” he said, scrolling through updates. “The community is really behind this.”

Analysts note that the campaign’s page includes:

• Cinematic trailer footage

• Concept art that may not reflect final components

• A designer diary describing “a new paradigm in storytelling”

• At least one sentence comparing the game to both Dark Souls and Studio Ghibli

Rourke reports that he carefully considered the $60 core pledge before upgrading. “I mean, if I’m going to get it, I might as well get everything,” he said. “Otherwise I’ll just regret it later.”

Friends say this is part of a well-documented behavioral pattern. “He backs these things like he’s preparing for a future where he has infinite free time,” said longtime friend Marcus Liu. “It’s like doomsday prepping, but for rulebooks.”

Rourke confirmed that he has already begun planning a campaign using the system. “Oh yeah, I’ve got ideas,” he said. “This could be the next big one for our group.”

Group members have not finished their current campaign, which began in 2022.

In a recent update, the Kickstarter creators announced that due to overwhelming support, they have added:

• Two additional expansions

• A solo play mode

• A deluxe box upgrade

• A limited-time add-on available only for 48 hours

Rourke immediately increased his pledge. “You kind of have to,” he explained. “It’d be weird not to.”

When asked where he plans to store the incoming materials, Rourke gestured toward a shelving unit labeled “Kickstarter Stuff,” currently filled to capacity. “I’ll figure it out,” he said. “Worst case, I rotate something out.”

Items currently under consideration for rotation include three unopened RPGs, a shrink-wrapped board game expansion, and a box labeled “terrain project.” Industry experts confirm that the majority of backed projects are eventually delivered, though often months or years later than expected.

Rourke says the timeline doesn’t bother him. “It’s part of the experience,” he said. “You kind of forget about it, and then one day it just shows up.”

At press time, Rourke was refreshing the campaign page to watch the funding total increase, briefly considering whether to upgrade to the $550 “Mythic Creator Tier” after noticing it included a numbered certificate. “I’m not going to,” he said, hovering over the button. “That would be ridiculous.”

He upgraded moments later.