Dealing with Kickstarter’s Fear of Missing Out
June 21, 2019 · 8 min read
OMG, Adventurer, did you see that new game on Kickstarter? Or what about the one last week, and the month before that? I mean, so many new games, what is an Adventurer to do?
Oh, the FOMO… The Fear of Missing Out on so many awesome games. How do you deal with the fear of missing out on Kickstarter content?
There is not a day that goes by without a new game coming out on Kickstarter. And sure, not every game launched is something I would play. But a large majority I would at least like to try.
Adventurers, with the explosion of indie games launched on Kickstarter, it has become increasingly difficult to not feel like you’re missing out on something awesome. However, while the FOMO is real, so is the need to keep your gaming budget (and your savings) on track.
So, how do we Adventurers deal with the FOMO created by Kickstarter?
The Fear Of Missing Out!
Let’s face it, if you love games, you probably love collectibles. Those limited items that we worked so hard for, and probably spent more money on than we should have. However, we just had to have them.
I know this all too well. Every time a new Fallout is announced, I’m at the ready to make sure I get that collector’s edition. Or, lately my local hobby store had a massive sale on Privateer Press miniatures. And, without even knowing how to play Warmachine or Hordes, I purchased several models.
Now, I really enjoy building and painting the models, but other than a set of characters for my friends, the rest just sit on display. Additionally, you need all this other equipment to put together the models, which all adds up in the end.
I’ve always had an interest in miniature painting, and when I found the sale, I just spiraled almost out of control. Simply because I didn’t think I would find such a great opportunity again.
The fear of missing out took over, and looking back now, I probably should have done more research into what it would all cost me. Now, I can’t say I regret it, but impulse buying is one habit I need to kick if I’m going to keep my budget on track.
FOMO Addiction
The constant reminder of what everyone else around us is doing, and how much “better” their lives are than ours, has caused the fear of missing out to become a real problem. I’m sure we all know the feeling of wishing we could travel to that country or try this food as we scroll through Instagram. To the point that it is being called an addiction.
Now, whether it is all real or not, it still results in negative emotions that cause us to do things we probably shouldn’t. And yet we continue to subject ourselves to it all, because we believe our lives will get better in the end.
However, the truth is that this fear of missing out is more likely to make us feel more alone and spend money that we most likely don’t have to spend.
The Kickstarter FOMO
So, let’s be honest, Adventurers: Kickstarter has only amplified that fear by creating campaign time limits and stretch goals with exclusive content. The exclusivity of the campaigns preys on our desire to be part of the club.
Now, I need to clarify that I don’t dislike Kickstarter. I have backed over 40 different campaigns from several different categories. I really do enjoy browsing and backing brand new, never-before-seen items. But it is so easy to fall down the rabbit hole and get swept up in the excitement. I have several unplayed board games as a stark example.
Since writing this, we’ve been on the other side of it too: Questing Tools took its own dice, the Town of Click Clack, to Kickstarter, and backers funded it on April 19, 2022.
Of course, all of the games I’ve backed on Kickstarter sounded really fun to play, and they all included backer-only content. However, they just sit now, unplayed and guilt-building. And yet I continue to find myself checking Kickstarter just in case I miss out on the next big game.
The sad thing is that there is no logical reason for me to own all those games. We play a new board game maybe once in a blue moon, but otherwise they just gather dust.
The FOMO Rush
Now, I’m sure we all know the rush you get when you find a new game on Kickstarter! For me, the whole process goes something like this:
I see the new campaign on Kickstarter, watch the video, read the write-up, and if it excites me, I’ll back it. Then, once the emotions have subsided, I’ll rethink my decision. I’ll see how long it has to go, what content is being offered, and how exclusive it is. At that point I may reduce my pledge level or cancel altogether. Because, do I really need that game?
Then, when the 48-hour alert comes through, I’ll get all excited again and re-pledge or re-up my level. However, by the time I’ve thought it through this second time, it’s too late. The campaign is over!
After which, I’ve got to wait an inordinate amount of time to get a game that will likely join the others collecting dust. Which again is really unfortunate, because it is bad for my wallet and my general well-being!
Dealing with Kickstarter FOMO
So how is an Adventurer to deal with the fear of missing out on a Kickstarter, or FOMO in general?
Personally, I have started using these steps to help deal with the FOMO:
1. Admit you have a problem
You know what they say: the first step is always admitting you have a problem, which can be hard. For me, it took Karina constantly reminding me to be aware of all the games we already have and don’t play. And that if I am going to continue making Kickstarter purchases, I need to have a budget.
Additionally, say to yourself: “It is OK not to have every game out there.” Admitting and accepting that fact will only make you feel better about it all.
2. Reduce the exposure
The second step is reducing how much and how often you see Kickstarter and its campaigns. I’ve added Kickstarter to my Block Site list, which has stopped me mindlessly going to Kickstarter and scrolling. And, to take it one step further, you can unsubscribe from the Kickstarter email list or delete the app from your phone.
The hope is that by limiting your exposure to the site, your desire to see what is new out of fear of missing out will slowly subside. I can’t promise that it will work, but if you don’t know what is out there, you won’t miss it.
It’s all about what works for you. You may not need to quit cold turkey, but just set some ground rules. I, for example, only allow myself to access Kickstarter on my phone and in the evening. A little mindless scrolling at the end of the day seems to scratch my itch without leading to regretted purchases.
3. Focus on what is important
Just like with failure, focusing on what is important can increase your chance of dealing with it. And, for me, what is important is keeping my gaming budget (and my savings) on track. So if I’m spending money on a game that will not bring me fun and fulfillment, then I should not be investing in it.
The fear of blowing my budget should outweigh the fear of missing out on exclusive content.
Criteria for a Kickstarter Game
But, if you are really keen on a game or other Kickstarter campaign, and not backing it is keeping you up at night, here are my 5 criteria to consider:
1. Is it in my budget?
This should go without saying, but is it in the budget? Or better yet, do you have a Kickstarter-specific budget that it falls within?
Since we started budgeting, Karina and I have kept separate fun money accounts. A percentage of our income goes into the accounts for fun things, such as Kickstarter campaigns. So if there is no money in the account, there is no backing the campaign.
2. Do I like the game?
The second criterion is really basic, but it may be overlooked because there is that fear of missing out on something awesome. Be honest and ask yourself: Do I really like the game, its art style, and theme?
Because why would you get something that really doesn’t speak to you? It may look really cool, but if it is a co-op and you like competitive games, are you really going to play it?
Overall, it comes down to knowing yourself and what you and your playmates like.
3. Is the game different from others I have?
I’ve mentioned before how much I enjoy playing Unstable Unicorns. It is a wonderful game, and my friends love to play it as well. So, every time there is an expansion pack, we get it.
Then TeeTurtle brought out Unstable Unicorns: Control & Chaos, a Kickstarter exclusive. This got me all excited, FOMO kicked in, and now I own the base game with all of its expansions, as well as Control & Chaos. However, we’ve never played it, and it is almost the same game.
But I had to have it!
No, really, I didn’t need to have it. The base game plays just as well. So, before getting any new games, ask yourself just how different it is from something else you already own.
4. Do I understand how to play it?
Now, I know this could be a difficult question to answer, but it has become common practice for the developer to include a video on how the game is played. Or at the very least to include the rule book.
Don’t be like me and buy games you don’t understand how to play. There is a game that we had to watch the playthrough video more than four times before we even understood how to start.
I’m not saying that it was a bad game, just that it wasn’t the right game for me and my friends. So again, understand how the game is played and whether your group will play it before making a pledge.
5. Could I get it after Kickstarter?
Lastly is the question of whether I’ll be able to get the game from my local hobby store or Amazon after the campaign is finished. Because if the answer is yes, then why am I feeling the need to back it right now? What am I afraid of missing out on?
The Kickstarter-only content, or the reduced price: is it worth the added stress of overspending or getting something I don’t need?
Kicking the FOMO
So, Adventurer, my hope is that next time you are dealing with the fear of missing out on a new Kickstarter, you’ll consider the steps and criteria I’ve laid out above.
We all need to remember that our gaming budget (and our savings) matter, and letting a little FOMO get the better of us will only derail it all.
So, does FOMO get the better of you when it comes to Kickstarter? Do you have a plan to afford games on Kickstarter? Or have you found your own way to deal with the fear of missing out?
