PSA: Do not "invest" into exclusive skins

[loopuleasa]

Historically, the community is really OCD on collecting all skins so there is no way Klei will not add alternative acquisition routes later.

It will take time, but it will happen. People are too frantic with their precious little skins. Just have patience and don't mind it.

 

The current Don't Starve boardgame has marketed the skins as "exclusive", but if you've been around you know that words don't mean much.

Which is a good thing. It's a game. With digital pixels. It doesn't have to be this serious.

Do not FOMO, there is no point.

 

Buy the boardgame for the sake of the boardgame only.

As someone that plays many 6-8 hour long boardgames I can say it is up my alley and I love it a lot from what I've seen. They cooked.

 

Just a PSA

[Gashzer]

To Klei and Glass cannon unplugged. 

Gaming isn't about fairness, its about fun, and sometimes fun is the ability to show off cosmetic skins which have no gameplay value but atleast the very loyal/early backers of your products can use these skins to give real evidence of their loyalty.... and obviously the childish enjoyable baiting of "ha ha look at this rare skin of mine that you don't have ha ha ha" this is human nature to show off which is perfectly acceptable to do and use to promote your products (with items that have only cosmetic value that is).

Releasing the bottomless firepit was a grave misstep by Klei, loyal beta DST supporters that have been with the game from the start have no ingame way to show others this loyalty anymore hence even if fairness is important to gaming communities then it isn't fair to the DST beta player who now have nothing to show for it. (Timeless version of the bottomless skin doesn't count because you cant tell the difference ingame which is the whole point of showing off!...)

Don't promise things you don't intend to keep forever, maybe i won't buy anymore skinpacks to support Klei if im not getting the same respect back. As someone who was an early DST beta supporter back in the day.... what's the point having loyalty to a company that doesnt respect you back? The sort of people that are willing to invest money backing your product before it even releases are the sort of people you dont want to disrespect in the long run from even the selfish economical perspective of keeping a high-spending consumer let alone its the right thing to reward loyalty in each other.

For example, Marvel spent millions upon millions trying to develop shows/films to capture every last remaining audience demographic that they could, forgetting about respecting the firm viewer demographic they had and what that demographic wants, Marvel took for granted the audience they already had and now are losing a lot of money because of it.

I won't be getting the boardgame early, but for the people who invest and take that risk in your joint product should be rewarded for doing so. Do not release these early-backer skins later down the line! Even if this hurts me personally as I won't ever get the skins, its the proper way to respect the community.

Cheers lad! 

PS: make bottomless firepit exclusive again.

 

 

 

Edited October 1, 2025 by Gashzer

[Harrowick]

I pledged because I loved how much love was being poured into the project!! Even the Kickstarter page is filled with charm!

I look forward to playing the game with my siblings and being able to display some of the fun pieces on shelves!

[loopuleasa]

33 minutes ago, Gashzer said:

snip

I made the PSA for you and others like you.

Don't delude yourself, man. This is not bitcoin.

You have no guarantee these skins will retain value.

You actually have historic data to show the opposite.

There are people out there that want to collect all skins without spending 5000$ to scalpers.

Klei of course will listen to them too, they're their customers too and there are a lot of them with the completionist need.

[Gashzer]

6 minutes ago, loopuleasa said:

I made the PSA for you and others like you.

Don't delude yourself, man. This is not bitcoin.

You have no guarantee these skins will retain value.

You actually have historic data to show the opposite.

There are people out there that want to collect all skins without spending 5000$ to scalpers.

Klei of course will listen to them too, they're their customers too and there are a lot of them with the completionist need.

Dont make them marketable /  redeem code expiry is the easy solutions to scalpers

It isn't bitcoin, I do not care for the money value of these skins, they should never be obtainable even if you are willing to spend one million quid to buy them.

Respecting loyal backers is more important than fulfilling the general playerbase' completionist need.

Edited October 1, 2025 by Gashzer

[loopuleasa]

Just now, Gashzer said:

they should never be obtainable even if you willing to spend one million quid

But you will be able to buy the code off of someone. That's the point.

[Dr. Safety]

I don't think that the board game skins will be resurrected for a long long long time, because that would mean the boardgame going out of production. Assuming the boardgame developers are reputable, which they seem to be, the boardgame and content will be around for awhile.

Based on what I can piece together, nothing that is currently revealed is exclusive to backers. The only thing backers are getting is all content for free (ignoring the financial barrier of entry to actually back the project of course), as well as some "hidden rewards for backers only".

That being said, it is kinda hard to find answers since there is a lot of conflicting details. A lot of stuff is labeled as "GCU limited" which I assumed was backers exclusive given this info (not available in retail):

But I also found a comment from the boardgame company that exclusively states that GCU items will be available in retail in their online store:

As far as I can tell, the skins are not something that you should get out of FOMO. They will be available for the foreseeable future as part of the boardgame.

[Gashzer]

3 minutes ago, loopuleasa said:

But you will be able to buy the code off of someone. That's the point.

Yes, but add an expiry to the code. So if the scalper plans to sell it, they have a limited time to do so. So scalpers can't sit on the code for years then sell it for 5k

6 months from delivery order generation seems long enough to me, plenty time for kickstarters to get their boardgame and puts pressure on scalpers.

[loopuleasa]

1 minute ago, Gashzer said:

Yes, but add an expiry to the code. So if the scalper plans to sell it, they have a limited time to do so. So scalpers can't sit on the code for years then sell it for 5k

6 months from delivery order generation seems long enough to me, plenty time for kickstarters to get their boardgame and puts pressure on scalpers.

That has huge issues. Customer support will be flooded with "code does not work" cases. Bad idea.

[Gashzer]

6 minutes ago, loopuleasa said:

That has huge issues. Customer support will be flooded with "code does not work" cases. Bad idea.

It has zero issues, the only issue you have with this idea is that it will work.

Customer support will be flooded with scalpers complaining which is great.

No need to thank me Klei and Glass cannon, I got your back lads with my simple but genius solutions.

Plus loopuleasa going from your other post, the boardgame has well over a million quid support which absolutely smashes the target 50k. They have the money to properly implement a code system with a 6 month expiry and good customer support.

Edited October 1, 2025 by Gashzer

[alainmcd]

1 hour ago, Gashzer said:

Releasing the bottomless firepit was a grave misstep by Klei, loyal beta DST supporters that have been with the game from the start have no ingame way to show others this loyalty anymore hence even if fairness is important to gaming communities then it isn't fair to the DST beta player who now have nothing to show for it.

 

1 hour ago, Gashzer said:

Gaming isn't about fairness, its about fun

"Fairness is only important when it's fair to me."

[Frosty_Mentos]

I don't care if they're exclusive or not, and I don't mind that people will be able to get those skins regardless. I buy these things to support Klei and get new content for DST. 

I understand the wish to feel 'unique' or 'exclusive' but those things are as empty as Louis Vuitton, Gucci and other fancy brands. I buy Klei merch cause I like the quality. creativity they put out and I respect them.

I also understand players that want to have 'exclusive' things because they have, probably, great resale value due to artificial rarity (and people's obsession over it, because ofc people are like that), even if I see it as unhealthy it seems that it matters to people.

I think Klei should carefully word these cosmetics in what is actually rare or not. After many character skins became Heirloom variants I believe the value of them dropped greatly as to also making player markets crash. It fixed one issue though - everyone being able to buy them and enjoy those skins. Which I think adds to the value of being fun greatly, even at the cost of old players that have been farming this stuff for years.

TL;DR let's not be selfish, the game is for everyone. Funding of certain things like releasing 'exclusives' might feel misleading right now, but it'll benefit everyone once they release for all.

[Dr. Safety]

5 minutes ago, Gashzer said:

Customer support will be flooded with scalpers complaining which is great.

I don't think the skins will be scalpable though. The skins seem like they are gonna be available as long as the boardgame is.

For the record, I'm on your side with the beta reward being released with no changes, and I also dislike the fact that scalpers could thrive in this community in the way that they could. I think it's a misconception that these skins are limited time in the way that everyone seems to thinks they are.

[Gashzer]

Just now, Dr. Safety said:

I don't think the skins will be scalpable though. The skins seem like they are gonna be available as long as the boardgame is.

For the record, I'm on your side with the beta reward being released with no changes, and I also dislike the fact that scalpers could thrive in this community in the way that they could. I think it's a misconception that these skins are limited time in the way that everyone seems to thinks they are.

Yeah I think your right about the misconception but the boardgame is more of an opportunity to state my point about exclusive skins in general.

[gaymime]

1 hour ago, Gashzer said:

sometimes fun is the ability to show off cosmetic skins which have no gameplay value but atleast the very loyal/early backers of your products can use these skins to give real evidence of their loyalty.... and obviously the childish enjoyable baiting of "ha ha look at this rare skin of mine that you don't have ha ha ha"

Releasing the bottomless firepit was a grave misstep by Klei, loyal beta DST supporters that have been with the game from the start have no ingame way to show others this loyalty anymore hence even if fairness is important to gaming communities then it isn't fair to the DST beta player who now have nothing to show for it. (Timeless version of the bottomless skin doesn't count because you cant tell the difference ingame which is the whole point of showing off!...)

what's the point having loyalty to a company that doesnt respect you back? The sort of people that are willing to invest money backing your product before it even releases are the sort of people you dont want to disrespect in the long run from even the selfish economical perspective of keeping a high-spending consumer let alone its the right thing to reward loyalty in each other.

 

bruh, two things; most people don't know anything about skins. you having an exclusive skin doesnt say anything about you to most of the playerbase because your beta skin is exactly as familiar to them as your patchwork furroll...... unless you are the kind of intolerable braggart who interrupts strangers midgame and tells them how special your skins are unprovoked you are, statistically, not actually showing anyone you were around for beta testing.

 

also klei might be comprised of people but klei itself is not a person: it is a company. do not demand "loyalty" from a company and don't lay yourself down giving it either. please recognise there is no social contract between the company and you and no legal one outside of the tos. they are here to make money and make games. you are here to play games and(sometimes) buy merch. twisting this up into a relationship and becoming irate when your idea of how the relationship ought to go is super weird and really unreasonable

Edited October 1, 2025 by gaymime
can't spell XD

[loopuleasa]

Now, now, let's be civil shall we.

But yes, my recommendation is to temper our expectations. 

We know exclusivity is not a real thing by now, just want to reiterate that.

[Gashzer]

15 minutes ago, loopuleasa said:

Now, now, let's be civil shall we.

But yes, my recommendation is to temper our expectations. 

We know exclusivity is not a real thing by now, just want to reiterate that.

But its not too late for exclusivity to rightly become a real thing, just want to reiterate that to Klei and Glass cannon

22 minutes ago, gaymime said:

bruh, two things; most people don't know anything about skins. you having an exclusive skin doesnt say anything about you to most of the playerbase because your beta skin is exactly as familiar to them as your patchwork furroll...... unless you are the kind of intolerable braggart who interrupts strangers midgame and tells them how special your skins are unprovoked you are, statistically, not showing anyone you were around for beta testing.

 

also klei might be comprised of people but klei itself is not a person: it is a company. do not demand "loyalty" from a company and don't lay yourself down giving it either. please recognise there is no social contract between the company and you and no legal one outside of the tos. they are here to make money and make games. you are here to play games and(sometimes) buy merch. twisting this up into a relationship and becoming irate when your idea of how the relationship out to go is super weird and really unreasonable

My bottomless firepit came up a fair bit when playing community discord servers back in the day. So yeno I know this to be true. Got a tickle of satisfaction everytime it did... I get no tickles anymore... 

Fine, I'll not address Klei... but a person.

Jamie Cheng make bottomless firepit exclusive again. We all know the skins are driving the boardgame kickstarter investments, let's not all act dumb here around the importance of the exclusive skins and cosmetic items in general. Just dont go back on the exclusivity. I bet you have an exclusivity skin expiry clause in the contract with Glass cannon... disgraceful.

[Hollow soul 3]

It's fine as an unlock, but I wish they would fix their console ports instead.

Regardless of how you feel about Klei, this is such a skummy model. Mobile/Activision slop.

They have a few skins unlocked through in game methods, such a shame. They had a cool idea before they sold out.

[Tigris Nano]

6 minutes ago, Hollow soul 3 said:

They have a few skins unlocked through in game methods, such a shame.

Now its "in game's box" method (instead of just "in game") where you buy board game and look for code inside.

I really dislike this exclusivity thing because content I wish to get is locked behind some real thing which I do not need. I would like to buy those skins but I dont want to buy board game because it will be useless dust collector (I dont play board games). Had same feelings about fire witch hat which looks cool but you need to buy some funko pop collectible which looks ugly imo.

[Cheggf]

I was about to spend $130 on the deluxe version until I learned that I missed out on some time-limited thing so if I want everything I need to spend $130 on the project and $10 on one expansion and $40 on another expansion and $100 on other random crap and shipping and handling and tariffs. If I'm spending like 7x the price of a board game before even including S&H I should get everything for the board game, the game shouldn't cost $300+.

[Echsrick]

i think i am fine with the skins i have, rarely i am interested in the new stuff, just only take things i like

[Cruvimaster]

For a moment, I even thought it was a PlayStation forum and people were complaining about "exclusives" going to other platforms. Wow.

[Tigris Nano]

21 minutes ago, Evelo said:

If a reason to enjoy something is because little to no other people have access to it, that is selfish behavior.

I think its something worse than just selfish behavior

[Captain_Rage]

As much as I would like to agree with @Gashzer I am also equally torn. Back in the advent days of DST skins it was indeed fun to own and show off e.g. a Crabbit Backpack in the game. Later when there were more skins and it was perhaps not as spectacular anymore it still felt fun knowing you had supported the game an extra mile and "earned" a nice skin on top - plus you knew you were one of those veterans, and that felt nice..! On the other hand I am almost absolutely positive that had I missed out on an exclusive skin back then I would have been salty to this very day, wishing Klei implemented a way for players who missed out on it to obtain it.

However, I do see the reason for being annoyed: if Klei claimed that the exclusive skins would most likely never be obtainable again, then it feels silly they would eventually flip it around completely.

Personally I am not annoyed about that however. One thing that still grinds my gears on the other hand is the exclusive Gorge prize portrait frames. The gold, silver and bronze ones. Only players who made it to the top hundred scoreboard obtained them, and there is absolutely no other way to get them. Am I salty for getting pushed out from the top 100 the last day of the event? Sure. Am I salty because the "competition" turned into the saddest script-fest imaginable and that players who didn't resort to mods didn't stand a chance to win a fancy portrait frame? Definitely.

Historically this is one of Klei's biggest offenses. Fortunately it is one of the only ones. xd

 

Edited October 1, 2025 by Captain_Rage

[SilverSpoon]

If you feel in-game content as if your value or social standing, maybe you should touch grass.