national champs baby
Kickstart Hail To The Victors
Hi. You may be aware that for the past four years I've edited a Michigan preview magazine called Hail To The Victors (usually, anyway). It's 120-some pages of photos, previews, analysis, and history that we've been proud of.
Unfortunately, if we're going to make it to year five we're going to need some help. Our publisher went under sometime around January. We have access virtually all of the things we need to continue—the writers, photos, publishing expertise—and plan on taking HTTV independent this summer. The main problem: the up-front costs are daunting.
This is where Kickstarter comes in. If you haven't heard of it, Kickstarter is a crowdfunding site that operates under two simple rules:
- anything on it must be a defined creative project
- you either make it and get all the money or don't and get none of it.
The latter is in place to prevent people from getting half of the money they need to execute a project and finding themselves with a bunch of expectations and not enough capital to meet them.
We have launched a Hail To The Victors kickstarter that can be found here. We are aiming for 20k, which is about 2/3rds of our projected costs and is the level we feel comfortable will not result in massive losses. We have 30 days to raise this money. It is here. Go here.
Alter ego asks questions below.
![photo-full[1]](http://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/Kickstart-Hail-To-The-Victors_C745/photo-full1.png "photo-full[1]")
Is this a donation?
It's more of a preorder. The lowest level gets you a magazine shipped to you for 15 bucks, which is a little less than we project the thing will cost shipped in June. We are not looking for charity here except insofar as me signing something is not worth the extra 15 bucks we've placed on that.
But I just hit up Beveled Guilt on Tuesday!
If you have donated any amount of money since June 1st of last year and would like to turn that into magazines, email me:
- The email address/paypal username of the donation
- Your address
- How many magazines you would like to turn that into (max one per 15 dollars donated)
While this won't help us breach our 20k minimum, assuming we do hit it we will turn your donation from pure charity into purchase.
What do the higher levels get me?
Details are on the Kickstarter site. There are three main attractions past the pure preorder: various levels of autographing, a sponsor page in the finished product, and an exclusive Brian photobomb t-shirt. We are still working on a final product but this is the idea:
You have no idea the personal sacrifice this t-shirt represents. There's a sentence above in which I refer to myself in the third person, fergodsakes. (Also if you hate it you can just get another mgoshirt.)
Also for 10,000 dollars I will show up at a child's birthday party in a Terrelle Pryor jersey. That costs five figures easy. Please no one get this.
Okay, so I signed up for whatever level of support I wanted to. What now?
Since the thing doesn't fund unless it funds fully, this would be a situation in which it would behoove you to gently notify your friends that they can help make this thing exist.
UPDATE: what happens if the project does not fund?
Nobody is charged until the 30 days elapses; if by that point the kickstarter has not made it no one gets charged.
March 21st, 2012 at 2:48 PM | 
WOOOO
WOOOO
March 21st, 2012 at 3:04 PM |
Uncomfortable
Uncomfortable
I feel this is an exercise in vanity. A T-shirt featuring Brian's likeness? Referring to himself in the third person? This should really be about the kids.
Obligatory \s
March 21st, 2012 at 3:05 PM |
I signed up...love the mag...NEED the mag
I signed up...love the mag...NEED the mag
But still only willing to pledge $16....so there is that too
March 21st, 2012 at 3:13 PM |
Worth it?
Worth it?
I'm thinking about signing up for the 10k level. My kid's bday is the day of the UM-Ohio game this year. It's going to be all day long in a location with no television or internet access. Also no cell reception. I think I've found a good corn maze in the middle of Montana... How badly do you want it Brian?!
March 21st, 2012 at 3:16 PM |
Done.
What happens to the
Done.
What happens to the
Done.
What happens to the money if you don't make the limit?
March 21st, 2012 at 3:20 PM |
My question as well
My question as well
I'm purchasing and obviously hoping that it gets funded, but if it doesn't will I be charged? does Kickstarter keep that $$?
"Over? Did you say, over? Nothing is over until we decide it is!"
March 21st, 2012 at 3:44 PM |
You won't get charged until
You won't get charged until
March 21st, 2012 at 3:47 PM |
Thanks for the response
Thanks for the response
And you've gotten about $3,500 in an hour. At that rate you'll make $2,520,000. All I want to know is will the MGoBlog Buggati be Maize on Blue or blue on maize?
"Over? Did you say, over? Nothing is over until we decide it is!"
March 21st, 2012 at 3:17 PM |
Methinks Brian set the price too low
Methinks Brian set the price too low
and is going to end up needing to buy a TP jersey.
Formerly 'mgoblaniel.'
March 21st, 2012 at 3:17 PM |
Come on Wilpons
Come on Wilpons
I'm hoping in light of the recent settlement the Wilpons pony up the 10 g's to make the Terrelle Pryor birthday party happen. Come on, Fred, you need to curry public favor any way you can right now...
"Nowhere is there a better university, in any way, than this Michigan of ours."
March 21st, 2012 at 3:22 PM |
I'm in.
Now, if you make it
I'm in.
Now, if you make it
I'm in.
Now, if you make it can we please get the old points system back please, please please?
March 21st, 2012 at 6:04 PM |
Amen. I would like my name to
Amen. I would like my name to
Amen. I would like my name to read Pos Bang in the magazine.
March 21st, 2012 at 3:22 PM |
I be like dang!
I be like dang!
At this rate, how long do you think it will take to reach the goal?
27 hours?
Formerly 'mgoblaniel.'
March 21st, 2012 at 10:44 PM |
More like 8....
More like 8....
More like 8....
If you're doing nothing, how do you know when you're finished?
March 21st, 2012 at 3:24 PM |
Kickstarter is awesome! Also
Kickstarter is awesome! Also
Kickstarter is awesome! Also stoked to see Brian funded Tim Schafer's adventure game on there (me too!). Brian Fargo also has a Wasteland 2 project on there currently on there as well. Crowdfunding ftw!
March 21st, 2012 at 3:27 PM |
Double Post
Double Post
March 21st, 2012 at 3:26 PM |
Pryor Jersey
Pryor Jersey
Thats a game worn Terrelle Pryor Jersey right?
March 21st, 2012 at 3:28 PM |
Question for you Brian: I
Question for you Brian: I
Question for you Brian: I would want one for myself and one for my father-in-law but I don't want to go through the process twice or anything like that. For a $50 "donation" would you do 2 magazines and one of the Brian shirts?
I'm not above haggling like a gypsy and you seem willing to play as well.
March 21st, 2012 at 4:16 PM |
I'm in for $50
I'm in for $50
...have my eye on the "...Charles Woodson Covers the Rest" tee, but I didn't see any place to communicate that. Thanks, and can't wait to see the mag (we all know the goal is toast).
"I promise you we would have walked to the University of Michigan." - Brady Hoke
March 21st, 2012 at 3:49 PM |
Done!
Done!
Gimmie ma shirt!!!
“Well, I was this close to bringing a sinner to Jesus, and now he is consigned to eternal damnation. I hope that you’re happy.” - Boyd Crowder, Justified
March 21st, 2012 at 3:52 PM |
I'm...
I'm...
I'm going to pledge enough for a t-shirt so long as the phrase "...take his talents to..." is never used on this website by Brian, Seth, Ace, or Heiko.
I hate that phrase so much. "So and so decided to take their talents to..." Shut the fuck up...you're going there or commiting there. You aren't packing up your talents in a suitcase and taking them somewhere.
/end rant mostly unrelated to this topic
Intensity is a lot of guys that run fast.
March 21st, 2012 at 4:00 PM |
Yikes, where did that come
Yikes, where did that come
Yikes, where did that come from?
March 21st, 2012 at 4:30 PM |
I've read...
I've read...
I've read two (non-MGoBlog) recruiting articles that use that phrase today. Guess I was afternoon grouchy.
I still hate it regardless of my mood. Apologies for being a grouch.
Intensity is a lot of guys that run fast.
March 21st, 2012 at 4:49 PM |
Does this count when it's
Does this count when it's
Does this count when it's used only in such a way as to troll crossover Ohio State/Cavs fans? Because I'm pretty much willing to whore out whatever for people to make Indie HTTV come off but I'd hate to lose any method of tweaking Buckeyes.
So you know, we are very serious around here about cliche.
(Blogger alias: "Misopogon") This team is under construction. We thank you for your patience.
March 21st, 2012 at 3:51 PM |
I only have $9,000...can that
I only have $9,000...can that
I only have $9,000...can that get me a birthday party appearance wearing a Homey D Clown outfit instead of a Pryor jersey?
March 21st, 2012 at 3:53 PM |
What level of donation . . .
What level of donation . . .
to get HTTV 2012 and the rest of our Michigan basketball team back?
March 21st, 2012 at 3:56 PM |
I'm in
I'm in
Donation, done. Seriously, though... if you would buy HTTV in the stores, why on earth would you not at least get in at the $15 level? Why, I ask you? WHY?!?
"This is the EMU game, not the emo game."
March 21st, 2012 at 4:00 PM |
Double post
Double post
Double post
March 21st, 2012 at 4:02 PM |
Keep in mind, people
Keep in mind, people
This is your last chance to see Denard Robinson in a HTTV. Don't let it slip by.
"This is the EMU game, not the emo game."
March 21st, 2012 at 4:07 PM |
Pledge made...
Pledge made...
...If the disgruntled MGoShoe can do it, so can you.
LSA '89 - MBB Natl Champions, Big 10/Rose Bowl Champions | @MGoShoe
March 21st, 2012 at 4:14 PM |
Listen...
Listen...
Just because you're mad that Brian didn't invite you to his tea-party, that doesn't make you "disgruntled". Besides, the tea-biscuits he served were stale.
"This is the EMU game, not the emo game."
March 21st, 2012 at 4:19 PM |
I didn't know about...
I didn't know about...
...the damn tea party. Now I'm super disgruntled. Pledge stands regardless.
It's so easy to do. Just click through to my Amazon account and choose a preloaded credit card. What an intoxicating way to spend money.
LSA '89 - MBB Natl Champions, Big 10/Rose Bowl Champions | @MGoShoe
March 21st, 2012 at 4:21 PM |
Tea Party?
Tea Party?
NO POLITICS!!!!!11!!ONE
March 21st, 2012 at 4:44 PM |
Right...
Right...
...what you said.
LSA '89 - MBB Natl Champions, Big 10/Rose Bowl Champions | @MGoShoe
March 21st, 2012 at 4:56 PM |
That's what she said! Wait.
That's what she said! Wait.
That's what she said! Wait. What?
Disgruntled former moderator. I got a lot of problems with you people!
March 22nd, 2012 at 8:00 AM |
My most eagerly awaited...
My most eagerly awaited...
...section of HTTV 2012: Brian's season prediction.
/No politics but dangerously close to the Dear Leader Line
LSA '89 - MBB Natl Champions, Big 10/Rose Bowl Champions | @MGoShoe
March 21st, 2012 at 4:16 PM |
Am i the only one hitting
Am i the only one hitting
Am i the only one hitting refresh to see how this thing is doing besides Brian? In the last 30 minutes, for example, the totals went all the way up to 4k plus and have dropped back down again in the 3k range. I can only assume a CC was declined or somebody got cold feet or something and pulled back the pledge.
Either way it is kinda entertaining.......
March 21st, 2012 at 4:18 PM |
It's broken
It's broken
Click on the thing and it'll take you to the Kickstarter site, which still shows nearly 5K.
Once again, ladies and gentlemen, MGoBlog has broken the internet!
"This is the EMU game, not the emo game."
March 21st, 2012 at 4:25 PM |
Maybe one of the higher amount
Maybe one of the higher amount
donors told his wife?
"I promise you we would have walked to the University of Michigan." - Brady Hoke
March 21st, 2012 at 4:17 PM |
WTH?
WTH?
About ten minutes ago the pledge meter said over $4,000, but now dropped back to $3,500+? Did somebody make a withdrawal, or what?
"I promise you we would have walked to the University of Michigan." - Brady Hoke
March 21st, 2012 at 4:19 PM |
Not sure what you are all seeing
Not sure what you are all seeing
I just made a donation and its above 5k now.
March 21st, 2012 at 4:23 PM |
Have serious internet issues today
Have serious internet issues today
but I swear it did go backwards for a bit. Over $5k now though, as you say.
"I promise you we would have walked to the University of Michigan." - Brady Hoke
March 21st, 2012 at 4:22 PM |
Done and done
Done and done
We don't want to live in a world without an opportunity to obsess over Wolverine Football while on summer vacation.
March 21st, 2012 at 4:33 PM |
Done and done. Have to have
Done and done. Have to have
Done and done. Have to have HTTV. That would be a terrible way to start the summer / fall without this to read.
“What the mind can conceive, the mind can achieve and those who stay will be champions.” - Bo
][V][
March 21st, 2012 at 4:39 PM |
Any chance we'll see this in
Any chance we'll see this in
Any chance we'll see this in digital format? I'd love a Kindle or iPad version.
March 21st, 2012 at 4:42 PM |
All set
All set
Looking forward to this working, and the T-shirt
March 21st, 2012 at 4:42 PM |
Great Gift Idea
Great Gift Idea
This is a great gift idea. What is the best way to donate enough to have copies sent to friends/family? Is it set up to accept multiple addresses, or will it need to be a separate pledge for each issue?
March 21st, 2012 at 4:49 PM |
F5
F5
F5
F5
F5
F5
F5
F5
F5
F5
F5
F5
2013 resolution - make it onto the 2014 favorite MGoPosters post, not ironically
March 21st, 2012 at 4:52 PM |
$ for mgopoints?
$ for mgopoints?
How much to buy my way to say, 100 mgopoints?
Signed up for the amazing T-shirt before any logical thought could kick in.
For the record, I'm not a eugenicist.