Patrick, you should just admit it that the reason you are starting off with a financial theme is so you can include a level about breaking into a Bitcoin exchange. :-)
More seriously, to somewhat address the "8000 words?" folks, the runup to Starfighter reminds me a lot of StackOverflow. Both seem like projects that would have flopped if not for the creators' existing audience and great care in cultivating excitement by explaining in depth the need, the goals, and the philosophy of the project. It'd be interesting to revisit the early StackOverflow marketing and compare the two more closely.
More seriously, to somewhat address the "8000 words?" folks, the runup to Starfighter reminds me a lot of StackOverflow. Both seem like projects that would have flopped if not for the creators' existing audience and great care in cultivating excitement by explaining in depth the need, the goals, and the philosophy of the project. It'd be interesting to revisit the early StackOverflow marketing and compare the two more closely.