I don't know what possessed me to do this but here we are.
A lot of people keep saying we paid BitBot almost 1.5 million dollars for a comic majority of the community does not see fit of the Legacy of Kain writing quality.
~~In my opinion~~
We did not pay $1.5 mill for the book ALONE. We paid $1.5 mill for the book AND officially licensed merchandise. We got the Reaver replicas, masks, banners, maps, shirts, hats, hoodies, music, etc. No one can attest to the quality of these products until they finally get shipped out and are in our hands. Until then I will assume they are of decent quality.
The whole point of this series of posts is I'm going to break down the cost of each portioned earned, look up some rough estimates as to how much it will cost to manufacture, and see how it all sizes up. But first we need to see what we're working with.
Part: | 1 | - | 2 |
Now lets get on with it
A full itemized list of physical rewards from The Dead Shall Rise Kickstarter.
With 33 tiers of rewards resulting in 8836 backers and $1,496,557 USD raised let us see how this adds up.
This will not include any additional optional rewards backers may or may not have added on as there is a way to see outside of your own pledges as far as I know.
First of all let's get all the reward tiers laid out in the order of:
# of Backers - Reward(s) - Cost
266 - Digital PDF - $15
465 - SALE Deluxe Digital PDF - $16
693 - Deluxe Digital PDF - $20
1127 - SALE Hardcover Rapoza Cover + Digital PDF - $40
1664 - Hardcover Rapoza Cover + Digital PDF - $45
365 - Hardcover Therrien Variant + Deluxe Digital PDF - $75
500 - Picture Disc Vinyl - Signed + Digital Album + Hardcover Rapoza Cover + Digital PDF - $85
999 - SALE Deluxe Signed Hardcover Lovett +Digital PDF - $90
1401 - Deluxe Signed Hardcover Lovett +Digital PDF - $95
187 - SALE Raziel Mask + Hardcover Rapoza Cover + Digital PDF - $150
22 - SALE Kain Mask + Hardcover Rapoza Cover + Digital PDF - $150
318 - Raziel Mask + Hardcover Rapoza Cover + Digital PDF - $160
41 - Kain Mask + Hardcover Rapoza Cover + Digital PDF - $160
100 - Hardcover Collection (Hardcover Rapoza + Hardcover Therrien Variant + Deluxe Signed Hardcover Lovett Variant w/Slip Case) +Deluxe Digital PDF - $200 (a whopping $15 saved)
13 - Art Print Set 1 - Crystal Dynamics (10 11x17 prints from the Legacy of Kain archive) + Hardcover Rapoza Cover + Digital PDF - $200
20 - Art Print Set 2 - Limited Edition + COA (15 art prints from the Legacy of Kain archive and Certificate of Authenticity from Crystal Dynamics) + Hardcover Rapoza Cover + Digital PDF - $300
13 - Art Print Set 3 - Bit Bot Collection (15 11x17 prints of art commissioned specifically for The Dead Shall Rise project) - $250
22 - Skate Deck - Signed + Hardcover Rapoza Cover + Digital PDF - $200
4 - Signed 18x24 giclée print by Dave Rapoza + Hardcover Rapoza Cover + Digital PDF - $300
9 - Signed 18x24 giclée print by Aaron Lovett + Hardcover Rapoza Cover + Digital PDF - $300
4 - Signed 18x24 giclée print by Matthew Therrien + Hardcover Rapoza Cover + Digital PDF - $300
250 - SALE - Reaver Replica + Hardcover Rapoza Cover + Digital PDF - $375
205 - Reaver Replica + Hardcover Rapoza Cover + Digital PDF - $400
1 - Asevedo Original Pencil Art + Hardcover Rapoza Cover + Digital PDF - $500
1 - Therrien Original Pencil Art + Hardcover Rapoza Cover + Digital PDF - $500
10 - Reaver Replica Sapphire Variant + Hardcover Rapoza Cover + Digital PDF - $400
0 - Reaver Replica Crimson Variant + Hardcover Rapoza Cover + Digital PDF - $400
Seriously?! The had two of the same tier for the same price but one comes with the book?! 2 people unfortunately didn't see that.
4 - Reaver Replica Gold+ Hardcover Rapoza Cover + Digital PDF + Original Sketch by Aaron Lovett - $1500
10 - Get Drawn Into the Comic - Hardcover Rapoza Cover + Digital PDF - $1500
47 - Ultimate Fan Package (limited to 125) - $500 Savings!
Signed Deluxe Hardcover/Slip-Case Edition, Limited Therrien HC Variant Cover, Rapoza HC Cover, Signed Celldweller Picture Disc Vinyl, Crimson Vinyl, Sapphire Vinyl, Audiophile Black Vinyl, Raziel Mask, Kain Mask, Traditional Reaver Replica Sword, 30 11x17 Prints, 14 T-Shirts, 2 Hats, 2 Hoodies, 3 Giclée Prints, 2 Flags, Map Wall Scroll, Signed Script, Skate Deck + Digital PDF - $2500
1 - Preston Asevedo Original Painting - Hardcover Rapoza Cover + Digital PDF - $2500
SO
I threw this all into an excel sheet because why tf not. It'll be easier to drudge through this in the long run.
With all of these Tiers and Rewards itemized, we get a total of $895,795. Short $600,762 in optional add-ons from the grand total $1,496,557 USD Raised.
There is also 8769 in the rewards list, shy 67 from 8836 which I assume these are late pledges.
Exclusive | Bit Bot reveals ‘Thief: Pulse of Promise’ apparel ahead of crowdfunding campaign
Bit Bot unveils officially licensed shirts, hats and hoodies inspired by the classic video game franchise ahead of the BackerKit campaign for its new graphic novel.
Legacy of Kain: Ascendance will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG) on March 31, 2026.
Legacy of Kain: Ascendance will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG) on March 31, 2026.
Title Logo
Key visual
Screenshots
Overview
About
Legacy of Kain: Ascendance is a fast, 2D action platformer built around vertical movement, fluid combat, and skill-driven play.
Nosgoth’s dark fantasy world is brought to life through animated cut scenes and buetifully crafted pixel art gameplay. Each level filled with environmental challenges and puzzles that flow seamlessly into combat. Fly, fight, and unravel the past in a world of collapsing kingdoms, haunted ruins, and shattered timelines.
Key Features
2D Action Platformer – Chain melee strikes, evasive dashes, and supernatural attacks in fluid, vicious combat.
Multiple Protagonists – Overwhelm the battlefield with Kain’s vampiric powers. Play Raziel before his fall as a human Sarafan knight, then take flight for the first time in his vampiric form. The Vampire Elaleth introduces an aggressive playstyle focused on fast relentless offense.
Original Score – Ascendance delivers a powerful original score by Celldweller.
Returning Voice Talent – Reunites iconic Legacy of Kain voice actors—Michael Bell, Simon Templeman, Richard Doyle and Anna Gunn.
2D toybox fighting game Knock Off: The Battle for Imagination launches in 2027 for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC - Gematsu
Bit Bot Media will publish Mechaghidora-developed 2D toybox fighting game Knock Off: The Battle for Imagination when it launches for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC via Steam in 2027, the companies announced.
“Everything about Knock Off‘s era of tactile nostalgia and deep yet simple VS combat speaks to me as a gamer and the kid I once was,” said Bit Bot Media creative director Frank O’Connor in a press release. “Action figures, toys and video games have always been about kindling and energizing imagination—not replacing it—and that notion is absolutely incandescent in Knock Off‘s DNA. Combining those things and lensing it through a child’s eyes has been inspiring and above all else, fun.”
Bit Bot Media co-owner Joshua Viola added, “Knock Off is the game we dreamed about as kids, where our favorite toys came to life and settled everything with a fight. We wanted to capture that feeling of dumping your toys on the floor and creating an entire universe in your head. It’s nostalgic and packed with personality.”
Bit Bot Media co-owner and Knock Off composer Klayton said, “It would have blown my little mind if I had known that as an adult, I’d have the chance to write a theme song and full soundtrack for a game that perfectly captured those moments of my youth.”
Here is an overview of the game, via Bit Bot Media:
About
Knock Off: The Battle for Imagination is a 2D toy-box fighting game where action figures come to life in a world inspired by ’80s and ’90s playtime mayhem. Developed by Mecanimal with developer and publishing support from Bit Bot, this hard-hitting brawler offers modern fighting game features, a fistful of retro nostalgia, a complete arcade mode, and online and local multiplayer.
Johnny’s toys were never name-brand, but they were always legendary. When Maximus, Johnny’s first official brand-name action figure, arrives and shakes up the arena, Johnny’s beloved bootleg toys must prove that off-brand doesn’t mean outmatched.
Enter a world of old-school action figures and retro attitude in Knock Off: The Battle for Imagination, where plastic warriors inspired by your favorite ’80s and ’90s toys and action figures come to life and clash in ultra-stylish playtime pugilism. Every fighter brings their own unique strengths, techniques, and playstyle into the arena with strategic matchups, distinct move sets, and awesome skill-based combat.
Key Features
Master Fast-Paced Combat – Smash your enemies with air combos, launchers, EX moves, and spectacular supers in 2D action that’s easy to pick up yet challenging to master.
One-of-a-Kind Heroes – Choose your favorite fighter from a roster of epic characters influenced by classic ‘80s and ‘90s toys and cartoons—and the knock-offs they inspired—with handcrafted playstyles, rich move sets, fun assist sidekicks, deep fighting mechanics and each toy’s own knock-off lore.
Arcade Mode – Choose your fighter and take on a gauntlet of opponents in an arcade-style single-player mode with a fully voiced narrative.
Head-to-Head Online Battles – Take on all rivals in state-of-the-art online play, with rollback netcode, customizable matchmaking, and global ranking systems. Jump into a casual match or prove your skills in tournament play.
Vintage ’80s and ’90s Nostalgia – Discover battle arenas packed with hidden Easter eggs and an unlockable retro beat-’em-up minigame with classic side-scrolling arcade action.
Playtime is Back – The mayhem will keep going after launch with roster expansions featuring new fighters and special guest characters, new stages, and much, much more.
Retro-Fueled Soundtrack – Turn up the fight with an original soundtrack by Celldweller and Scandroid, packed with high-energy tracks inspired by the sounds of the ’80s and ’90s.
Watch a new trailer below. View a new set of screenshots at the gallery.
Why anyone would want to spend $35 on a cheap looking plush toy from a company that raised $1.4 million from fans on a kickstarter and we never saw physical rewards…? It’s beyond me.
Good luck with that order, though. I hope you get it.
Part: | 1 | - | 2 |
Alright so we got the numbers we'll be working with
$895,795 is how much we can formally account for. We'll be working with this number and deducting from it.
As mentioned before, this total is short $600,762 that we will assume is in optional add-ons from the grand total $1,496,557 raised. We can't see the additional information unless we are Kickstarter or BitBot
SO
Lets break this down between Digital copies, Physical books, and then further down into each variant cover as they are priced differently.
My little spreadsheet had been reorganized and has calculated out with the exception of the white cells. It has everything there so you can skip the math if that's what you're here for.
Digital Copies are pretty much easy money for BB. They had to make the artwork anyway to manufacture the physical comic itself. They include it with any purchase of the physical counterpart at no additional cost.
For the sake of more succinct layouts the format will be:
Total (backers x cost) = # of Backers x cost | Reward Tier
$3,990 = 266 x $15 | Digital PDF
$7,440 = 465 x $16 | SALE Deluxe Digital PDF
$13,860 = 693 x $20| Deluxe Digital PDF
$25,290 = TOTAL
For the books alone
We have 14,815 units varying in prices based on the variant
3 tiers with the Therrien Variant
4 tiers with the Lovett Variant
25 tiers with the Rapoza Variant (there are 26 that includes the Rapoza but 1 tier had no backers)
The Hardcover Collection is priced at 200. Adding the normal price of each hardcover (45+75+95) = 215 rationalizing that they will be accounted for their sale price in these instances.
Therrien:
$27375 = 365 x $75 | Hardcover Therrien Variant
$7000 = 100 x $70 | Hardcover Collection
$3290 = 47 x $70 | Ultimate Fan Package
$37,665 = TOTAL
Lovett:
$89910 = 999 x $90 | Sale Hardcover Lovett
$133095 = 1401 x $95 | Hardcover Lovett
$9000 = 100 x $90 | Hardcover Collection
$4240 = 47 x $90 | Ultimate Fan Package
$236,245 = TOTAL
Rapoza:
$45080 = 1127 x 40 | SALE Hardcover Rapoza Cover
$74880 = 1664 x 45 | Hardcover Rapoza Cover
$22500 = 500 x 45 | Picture Disc Vinyl - Signed
$8415 = 187 x 45 | SALE Raziel Mask
$990 = 22 x 45 | SALE Kain Mask
$14310 = 318 x 45 | Raziel Mask
$1845 = 41 x 45 | Kain Mask
$4000 = 100 x $40 | Hardcover Collection
$585 = 13 x 45 | Art Print Set 1 - Crystal Dynamics
$900 = 20 x 45 | Art Print Set 2 - Limited Edition + COA
$585 = 13 x 45 | Art Print Set 3 - Bit Bot Collection
$990 = 22 x 45 | Skate Deck - Signed
$180 = 4 x 45 | Signed 18x24 giclée print by Dave Rapoza
$405 = 9 x 45 | Signed 18x24 giclée print by Aaron Lovett
$180 = 4 x 45 | Signed 18x24 giclée print by Matthew Therrien
$11250 = 250 x 45 | SALE - Reaver Replica
$9225 = 205 x 45 | Reaver Replica
$45 = 1 x 45 | Asevedo Original Pencil Art
$45 = 1 x 45 | Therrien Original Pencil Art
$450 = 10 x 45 | Reaver Replica Sapphire Variant
$225 = 5 x 45 | Apparel Bundle
$180 = 4 x 45 | Reaver Replica Gold + Original Sketch by Aaron Lovett
$450 = 10 x 45 | Get Drawn Into the Comic
$1880 = 47 x $40 | Ultimate Fan Package
$45 = 1 x 45 | Preston Asevedo Original Painting
$199,640 = TOTAL
Add em all up
$37,665 | Therrien
$236,245 | Lovett
$199,640 | Rapoza
=====
$473,540
With the digital copies it comes to $498,830 made from solely the books.
But now that manufacturing cost that I mentioned. This is all estimates and theoretical. Even though I can find their printing sources, they don't really list their pricing outright.
btw the fact that it is being printed in china is probably why it is taking so long to manufacture, due to all the political and trade barriers
We have 14,815 copies of physical books we need to print out
Rapoza Hardcover - 11,756
Therrien Hardcover - 512
Lovett Hardcover - 2,547
Checking the digital copy's dimensions, the hardcover comic is a 140 (150 Therrian) page 6.25"x10.25" comic
Based on this site's costs
Rapoza: $296,546.50
Therrien: $14,409.00
Lovett: $64,785.00
Totaling to: $375,740.50
This nets BB approximately $123,089.50 ($498,830 - $375,740.50) between final copies to manufacturing of the accounted $895,795. There is also the costs of the artists, but these are all invisible numbers at this point.
CONCLUSION
Backers of the dead shall rise didn't spend $1,496,557 for the book itself, we collective spent $498,830 for the book. Of that $498,830, they probably profited more than $123,089.50 considering that it was printed in China and cheaper to at least print it there.
I don't know what I'm trying to achieve with this. Some weird coping after being majorly disappointed in TDSR and Ascendance, but I do take some solace that they didn't hold onto every single penny raised, as manufacturing and labor costs ate a good chunk. It's still a good deal of money though so who knows what that went towards.
If you made it this far, thanks for sticking it out with my ramblings, and do let me know if I missed anything
Part: | 1 | - | 2 |
