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Kickstarter Thread - 2014 - Making promising projects a reality

UnEarth Initiative is added to the list, as well as Kill The Bad Guy

Kill The Bad Guy has a lot of promise. I had previewed the game and played the demo which is now publicly available, and it's pretty cool. It's kind of like Hitman: Final Destination Edition, as you set up traps, manipulate the level and your targets to off them in a gory "accident". It's pretty much a pseudo-stealth assassination puzzle game, and the stylized art style is nice as well
 
PWX has been around for decades. Good to see they've smartened up their graphics engine and have a much more realistic goal this time around. Happy to pledge to support them after all these years.

Although to be fair, I can't even imagine what $5000 will do. That's like 1 months salary for a 3D artist.
 
Well, looks like the devs have started acknowledging that Zaharia's KS campaign didn't go well :(

Project Update #7: What now?

The Kickstarter campaign didn't go well, despite all the positive feedbacks we received we weren't able to properly spread the word about Zaharia.

What will happen now? We don't know yet, we're currently searching for an alternative solution and, if we find something, we'll let you know through our social pages. We knew that Kickstarter was a risk, so we're not unprepared for this scenario.

We worked a lot on Zaharia, so we can't simply cancel the project, but we don't want to ruin the project with a cheap development that will only lead to cheap results. It would be horrible to cut most contents to release a soulless, anonymous game, both for you and for us.

We want to thanks all the backers for the support, we loved to share Zaharia with you and we hope you will continue to follow and support us.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/199630513/zaharia/posts/767062
 
Yeah, either Zaharia needs to just try again a bit later with things a big further developed/proofread//a better pitch video (with stylish subtitles even!), or go Alpha funding, or look into the few legit indie-friendly publishing outfits, or do a joint with another dev outfit---something, anything that'll ultimately work.

Lack of media coverage due to lack of big names and otherwise definitely crippled any sort of early momentum---they would've done well to update for the audience and funding they want, versus what has actually happened, if that makes any sense. There's still some weeks left, so it is a tad early to start folding up the metaphoric tables as they might still well catch some people that invariably pay more attention once it reaches the final week or any project.
 

vareon

Member
This is my friend's project: Celestian Tales: Old North.

217eb4ea64f18e5cfced5e5c8bd8c852_large.jpg


4dca80206b13afd8ea6305f7795b1271_large.jpg


They're a pretty passionate bunch regarding JRPGs so I'm confident they'll deliver. It has been Kickstarted before but failed to meet target, and now they relaunched with better targets, preparations and a prototype to download. And 2/3rd through!
 
I have it when people try and kickstart a game or whatever, without showing gameplay or the product itself.

Theres a stage for everything, and trying to get people to pay, when you dont even have a product is ludacris and stupid.

This is why I stopped searching Kickstarter...
 
I have it when people try and kickstart a game or whatever, without showing gameplay or the product itself.

Theres a stage for everything, and trying to get people to pay, when you dont even have a product is ludacris and stupid.

This is why I stopped searching Kickstarter...
I totally agree. That Space Pioneer campaign is a recent offender. I only back campaigns that have something to show, and not just concept art.
 
Proven Lands hits Kickstarter tomorrow, March 9th

http://provenlands.com/
PROVEN LANDS is our dream game. Explore a unique, vast and beautiful science-fiction sandbox roguelike, procedurally generated and studded with an AI storyteller.
Packed full with the real mysteries of physics, biology and chemistry, plus tons of (hopefully) reasonable science-fiction, influenced by Star Trek, Don't Starve, Project Zomboid and ASCII Roguelikes.

Starting with a backdrop of endless, procedurally generated terrain, Proven Lands combines 3D, SCIENCE FICTION, SURVIVAL, SANDBOX, ROGUELIKE and RPG elements with an AI-driven META GAME - like a game master - and on top of all that: MODDING!

Gameplay trailer
 
Love this shot from the Proven Lands trailer
I love exploration in games, and seeing environments like that just get me really excited for what Proven Lands has to offer. I wasn't sure if I was going to back the game, but I think I'm sold. Can't wait for the pre-alpha demo tomorrow
 

LuchaShaq

Banned
Yeah, either Zaharia needs to just try again a bit later with things a big further developed/proofread//a better pitch video (with stylish subtitles even!), or go Alpha funding, or look into the few legit indie-friendly publishing outfits, or do a joint with another dev outfit---something, anything that'll ultimately work.

Lack of media coverage due to lack of big names and otherwise definitely crippled any sort of early momentum---they would've done well to update for the audience and funding they want, versus what has actually happened, if that makes any sense. There's still some weeks left, so it is a tad early to start folding up the metaphoric tables as they might still well catch some people that invariably pay more attention once it reaches the final week or any project.

Its a hard line because nothing turns me negative about a ks game faster than nonstop spam like republique but no coverage is a death sentence.
 

Raggie

Member
Man that StarCrawlers needs to go higher since looks like something awesome with the Wizardry in a Sci-fi setting am getting from the video!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/125859261/starcrawlers

It seems more like a Dungeon Master clone in space, with the real-time combat and all. Anyway, backed. I'm always up for some more gridders. I'll be forever grateful to Legend of Grimrock for the revival.

(BTW, speaking of which, here's an upcoming steampunk gridder: http://www.vaporum-game.com/ )
 
This is my friend's project: Celestian Tales: Old North.

217eb4ea64f18e5cfced5e5c8bd8c852_large.jpg


4dca80206b13afd8ea6305f7795b1271_large.jpg


They're a pretty passionate bunch regarding JRPGs so I'm confident they'll deliver. It has been Kickstarted before but failed to meet target, and now they relaunched with better targets, preparations and a prototype to download. And 2/3rd through!
I remember their first pitch. I can also understand why many didn't bite, as it looked like just about every other JRPG kickstarter out there. Now, it looks like they stepped up their game. The painted backgrounds are BEAUTIFUL(almost giving me a SaGa Frontier 2 vibe, which frankly, is a style that isn't used much in games in general). Checking the page, they are well near their goal! Bravo. Would hope Sony and Nintendo figure a way to reach out to helping these guys get their game on their consoles(as well as games from other Indies from their area).
 
I might as well add this, since I don't see it anywhere:

Shaq-Fu: A Legend Reborn - $72,843 of $450,000 goal, ends 4/20th | Thread
Sequel to the notoriously bad cult classic 16bit game Shaq-Fu. Shaq-Fu: A Legend Reborn combines elements of Streets of Rage, Street Fighter and Devil May Cry. It’s a modern day take on the classic beat ‘em up. For Windows PC with additional stretch goals for other platforms
boxart_sm_zpsfd82979e.jpg
 
I thought that the UnEarth iniative seems like a fun take on the Fortress genre.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/898315486/the-unearth-initiative-a-quirky-space-colonization

The part that snagged me the most:

Colonist Quirks

Unlike most other sims, which assume you have started with a team of hardworking and self motivated individuals, you begin the UnEarth Initiative with a challenging team of very unique people. In addition to their list of skills, every colonist begins the game a unique set of Quirks, which dictates part of their behavior. On the surface, your quirky colonists may appear unpromisingly flawed – the kleptomaniac, whose sticky fingers aggravate fellow colonists, the video game addict who eschews her chores, the eccentric who would rather talk to his imaginary friends than make real ones. But Quirks usually have positive sides to them, and as the player works closely with his colonists, he can find ways to channel these Quirks into more productive traits that strengthen the colony. In time, the Kleptomaniac may swipe some advanced alien technology, the Gamer could become a deadeye with a real laser cannon, and the Eccentric might start perceiving something that the others can't!
 

Alastor3

Member
I remember their first pitch. I can also understand why many didn't bite, as it looked like just about every other JRPG kickstarter out there. Now, it looks like they stepped up their game. The painted backgrounds are BEAUTIFUL(almost giving me a SaGa Frontier 2 vibe, which frankly, is a style that isn't used much in games in general). Checking the page, they are well near their goal! Bravo. Would hope Sony and Nintendo figure a way to reach out to helping these guys get their game on their consoles(as well as games from other Indies from their area).

aaaaannnd funded! hourrayyy!!!!! I really really like the background images too!
 
I think this is a.. better image. The other one is this older one everyone seems to love :p



Treachery in Beatdown City is just past $17K.. still fairly optimistic, waiting for that 48 hour notification to go out before panicking.

Anyone have any thoughts on the game?

The game look good in my opinion. It's just that I would like a ps4 version. I hope it get funded!
 
Updated the OP, added Frog Fractions 2, Dragon Fin Soup

Reminder!
Last hours to support Starcrawlers, Darkest Dungeon, and Treachery in Beatdown City
 

tebunker

Banned
So I am not sure this is the right place to discuss this or not but does it bother anyone else when there is no potential console release mentioned ever in a kickstarter?

Especially when it is a Unity based game? All the console manufacturers have programs that help eliminate costs to self publish on their systems but it seems like indies either don't know this or choose to ignore this.

To me, I think console support would widen the pool of potential supporters and supporting all consoles not just one particular system also gives them the best possible chance to sell well.

I understand that there are costs associated with porting and developing but not even offering the option or considering the possibility in an open manner turns me off of pledging support.
 
So I am not sure this is the right place to discuss this or not but does it bother anyone else when there is no potential console release mentioned ever in a kickstarter?

Especially when it is a Unity based game? All the console manufacturers have programs that help eliminate costs to self publish on their systems but it seems like indies either don't know this or choose to ignore this.

To me, I think console support would widen the pool of potential supporters and supporting all consoles not just one particular system also gives them the best possible chance to sell well.

I understand that there are costs associated with porting and developing but not even offering the option or considering the possibility in an open manner turns me off of pledging support.
No, doesn't bother me. I don't really see it as a necessity. I'd rather have the developers consider consoles after the game is released and finished and focus all their development time and effort on polishing their game rather than also worrying about ports
 
So I am not sure this is the right place to discuss this or not but does it bother anyone else when there is no potential console release mentioned ever in a kickstarter?

Especially when it is a Unity based game? All the console manufacturers have programs that help eliminate costs to self publish on their systems but it seems like indies either don't know this or choose to ignore this.

To me, I think console support would widen the pool of potential supporters and supporting all consoles not just one particular system also gives them the best possible chance to sell well.

I understand that there are costs associated with porting and developing but not even offering the option or considering the possibility in an open manner turns me off of pledging support.

The thing is Unity on PC is fairly inexpensive compared to Unity on consoles. There's still a lot of wheeling and dealing going on there to get licenses.

I signed up for ID Xbox or whatever, and I'm on their emails, but I still haven't gotten any confirmation as they are taking time signing people.

I'm mentally closest to PS4, but still, all of that requires commitment to bug testing on PC/PS4/whatever else. Bug testing can come with intense time &/or money.

So here's a link to Sean from Firehose games playing Treachery in Beatdown City with me on the stream answering questions. This is his first full time playing it as he received the build the day before.
 

Antoids

Banned
So, this game doesn't appeal to me too much, but out of respect for how well-put-together the guy's Kickstarter page is, and how much he clearly will put the effort in, I threw $5 his way.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/panicpop/chest-quest-mobile-game

It's a pretty simple Memory game, with multiplayer modes and some mechanics that remind me of the trolling you could do in tetris-like games back in the day.

It's honestly nothing special, but the guy's got gumption and I respect that enough to whore it out on GAF. Plus, how can you say no to that Neopets-esque character design?
 
I can't believe Starcrawlers doesn't have it's own gaf thread:( You can't have enough dungeoncrawlers, ever:) I asked them if they're thinking about porting it to VITA and it seems they are currently looking at the option. I personaly would love it. Perfect for my daily 30 min commute to work:)
 

tebunker

Banned
The thing is Unity on PC is fairly inexpensive compared to Unity on consoles. There's still a lot of wheeling and dealing going on there to get licenses.

I signed up for ID Xbox or whatever, and I'm on their emails, but I still haven't gotten any confirmation as they are taking time signing people.

I'm mentally closest to PS4, but still, all of that requires commitment to bug testing on PC/PS4/whatever else. Bug testing can come with intense time &/or money.

So here's a link to Sean from Firehose games playing Treachery in Beatdown City with me on the stream answering questions. This is his first full time playing it as he received the build the day before.


I haven't gone to your link, but when Nintendo/Sony/MS are giving free Unity licenses and dev kits for their systems, why wouldn't every indie dev sign up? I mean, if you are doing a kickstarter doesn't it make the most sense to cast the widest net. Just be honest about any additional costs, ie bug testing and include them in the kickstarter.
 
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