This may well be the future financing model of choice for major development studios.
Just an hour ago, Double Fine productions kicked off its Kickstarter fundraising activity; looking to raise $400,000 over the course of a little over a month.
Already it’s had more than 10 per cent of its goal raised – yes, in an hour, Tim Schafer’s studio has had $45,000 pledged to it.
And why not? Pledging $15 scores you a copy of the completed game, and the rewards just get better and better than that.
So, if you’re keen to help a talented studio produce a game, head over here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/66710809/double-fine-adventure
UPDATE: Tally now stands at $102,385. In less than two hours, Double Fine has raised over a quarter of their target. They are going to easily make the target, and then some. Stay tuned over the next few weeks for more coverage.
This is a fantastic idea for developers to start trying, which leads me to this question: Why isn't this more commonly used in the video game industry?
The AVGN just did something similar on Indie-Go-Go and raised over $300,000 for his independent film. If I could get the game at a good price, other extras, and support a developer at the same time I'd jump at the chance.
That said, I'm not interested in this particular game, but as I'm writing this they have raised close to 1/4 of what they're asking already.
I think it would be far harder for a no-name independent studio to make $400,000 from kickstarter.
Brand means a lot to this kind of crowdsourcing, so I see this becoming a popular way for middle-range studios (not big massive ones, but not startups) to fund projects into the future.
That said, Square Enix should Kickstart a Final Fantasy VII remake project. It'll rake in millions.
$905,018 in the space of a couple of days and this looks like it'll keep going higher and higher. Just wow really….
Haha, at this rate they'll be able to finance a whole new series of games.
Well, they've reached the million mark now, wouldn't be surprised if that happened xD
lol You're right, Square would make a fortune, I know I'd be on board.
I think that if the right game came along from an unknown developer it could rake in some serious dough, probably not startups though. I don't think branding would be an issue if the game was destined for greatness. Branding is definitely a factor and is what drove this campaign so high.