palmedfire

Two pieces of background information before I launch into this story. First, I frequent the forums at RPG.net. I enjoy skimming them to look for interesting information about various tabletop RPGs, see if anyone is selling/trading any interesting books, and occasionally to scan the Tangency subforum for interesting news. I have a high, high opinion of the moderation done there, though there is still a lot of the usual internet nastiness, they try very hard to keep it under control.

Second, I am a big fan of Kickstarter, which is essentially a crowdfunding method for, well, any sort of project one might wish to raise money for. I've backed roughly a dozen RPG-related projects so far, and been really pleased with the whole experience. No money is taken until the funding drive is over and then only if the project has met or exceeded its goal.

So, background information out of the way, story time.

A few days ago, a thread was started on RPG.net with the rather inflammatory title of "A Feminist RPG or Kickstarter Gold Rush in full swing?", referring to a new RPG book on Kickstarter called "Heartbreak and Heroines". I did not dip my toe into that thread, as by the time I noticed it, it had already gotten pretty vitriolic with a few very loud people essentially saying "ZOMG a 'feminist' RPG is an attack on MEN!" and various other variations on the whole "What about the menz!" idiocy that tends to pop up. I did dip my toe in the first thread the creator of the game made to discuss her project, as I thought it looked interesting, but that too was quickly drowned out by "Why does this game even need to exist, RPGs totally aren't sexist!" and ignoring the female posters who were saying "Um, yes they are."
Both of those threads got locked, essentially once the mods woke up and saw the shitstorm. This is good.

A new thread was started to discuss the game, and it's potential mechanics, because if there's one thing RPG.net posters like, it's discussing a game's mechanics. Especially with the creator.

The creator of the game also made a thread about sexism in RPGs, specifically asking for female opinions. That thread became a mess of attacks on both sides and led to a handful of temp bans for personal attacks, including a three-day one for the game creator/original poster of the thread.

Now, at this point I was having some reservations about the fact that I'd thrown money at the Kickstarter, since she was being just as bad as people on the other side of the argument in terms of making really nasty attacks. But y'know I couldn't really disagree with what she was saying, even if I disliked how she was saying it, so I pushed away my misgivings.

For the record, that thread smoothed out and there have been some really productive conversations going on.

However, there was a post in that thread (rightfully yanked quickly by mod action), accusing the game creator of rape. With links to statements by the victim and the victim's friend. Said accusation popped up again on Google+ in a couple of my Circles.

The accusation posts do not read like someone trying to troll. Granted, they could be. But rape is a serious accusation, and I am not comfortable giving money to someone who may have done something so horrible. Especially since Twitter conversations have also come to light where said creator has been very dismissive towards the (alleged) victim, and yet has not made a definitive statement of "No, I did not do this"

So, for the first time, I rescinded my pledge to a game. I can not, rightfully support a project when I have so many misgivings about the creator. If more evidence comes out, and my gut reaction is wrong, I will either pledge again, or make a point to buy the game. But until then, I think I'm making the right decision.

Now if my mind would just stop picking at it.