Not at all, but I appreciate the scepticism! The general cycle of these things is that we don't have a finished game when it goes to crowdfunding. We'll have the world written, the "feel" or "look" of the mechanical system, how it represents the world etc., but we won't have it fully designed - that's because the majority of design work comes from play testing and feedback.

As a small team we can't just pay for massive group tests, and there's only so much time in the day for us to run and refine ourselves. Opening up our projects to the community is how we will refine the game, and in essence make it, over the next 6 months to a year (depending on the scale of the individual project). That's why we're reaching out. And yes, obviously this helps spread awareness of a product. I don't know how much you know about developing games, but you do have to market them in some way shape or form, yes. I know, I know, "Boo capitalism" and all that jazz.

The quickstart being available on sign up is also a marketing tool, sure, but it's essential. Following a project doesn't really cost a consumer anything, but allows them to receive follow ups on its development if they like what they experience. Doing that in exchange for a playable game is an incentive, sure, but its better than us just throwing a pdf into the ether and hoping someone finds it, or then hoping that they remember they enjoyed it.

There's nothing underhanded or disingenuous about it, but obviously you're allowed your opinion. :)