What would you like to see in a fundraising campaign?

[EchosofNezhyt]

Museum Idea is fantastic... Seriously!

[CaptainD]

Museum Idea is fantastic... Seriously!

Hmm... seems a popular idea!

A slightly related possibility is that I was thinking of doing a Captain Disaster sci-fi quiz game later on and releasing it as freeware.  What about for a small donation you set one of the questions and it appears as an optional extra feature in the game itself?  Would there be any interest in that?

I think along with both ideas would be a special thanks in the game credits.

[CaptainD]

Hmm... along with that there are a couple of other ideas floating around in my head.

Now this has given me an idea - what about if ALL the things you could get in a fund-raising campaign are actually extra in-game features?  Using a fundraiser for pre-orders is great in one way, but you know, when we release our game we would like to actually think that it would sell well - which wouldn't be the case if most people who were interested had effectively pre-ordered the game.

The downside of my idea would of course be that the more successful the fundraiser was, the longer it would take the game to actually be developed!  Then again it would also be a bigger game, if not entirely 100% adventure-game oriented.

The ideas so far are of a museum with artifacts that you could name and give a backstory to, with a plaque of your name next to it.  My idea (which doesn't seem to have caused much reaction!) to do a science fiction quiz and people set the questions is another, and I was also thinking along the lines of a Hall or Fame / Prisoner's Row, where we use a digitised version of your mug-shot, alienise it, and use your name as the basis for the character.

IF we did this, should these features only become available after you complete the game?  Be in the game itself?  Be extras you can access independently of the game?

[EchosofNezhyt]

An area you can access in game partway through, Then after finding in game in unlocks the ability to go to it through the menu?

[LTGiants2000]

I personally think we should save in-game content for the higher reward tiers (not too high but just enough to incentivise fans to want to pledge a little more). I wouldn't mind having the lowest tier be a "pre-order" tier anyway...a sale is a sale whether pre-ordered or not in my opinion.

As far as the quiz, a side game might be a good incentive as it is...I'm not sure if a quiz game is it, maybe, but the fact that you get a free copy of this side game is a pretty cool option to me.

[EchosofNezhyt]

I personally think we should save in-game content for the higher reward tiers (not too high but just enough to incentivise fans to want to pledge a little more)

^Agree.


What if the museum was included in the credits of the game, At the end or whatever instead of having it scroll through the stuff they go through a developer thing and then supporters.
I normally leave the room or do something else while credits roll, That may keep them interested enough.

[LTGiants2000]

I personally think we should save in-game content for the higher reward tiers (not too high but just enough to incentivise fans to want to pledge a little more)

^Agree.


What if the museum was included in the credits of the game, At the end or whatever instead of having it scroll through the stuff they go through a developer thing and then supporters.
I normally leave the room or do something else while credits roll, That may keep them interested enough.

This is actually a good idea....interactive credits. Gives them a reason to READ THEM and also a reason to finish the game LOL

[straydogstrut]

What if the museum was included in the credits of the game [...]
I normally leave the room or do something else while credits roll, That may keep them interested enough.

I almost always watch the credits the whole way through, just to see if there's a little reward for doing so, even a simple 'thank you for playing our game' (because that touches my heart and is meant especially for me of course ). Yes, I am that guy who sits in the movie theatre until the credits are finished..

Some ideas:

1) A physical dvd box - this is reason enough for me to preorder/kickstarter your project. I want a proper box I can put on my shelf and show off, not some intangible digital code.
2) Early beta access - not sure what the reception would be asking people to pay for a beta, but I think they may have done this for Frozen Synapse. Minecraft pretty much did this too. Just the community input would create a nice feeling all round.
3) Development videos, concept art etc - doesn't matter how messy, just getting the inside scoop on the development process is very rewarding and inspirational
4) The Game Soundtrack - i'm not too moved by this, it would have to be an amazing soundtrack, but it's a nice touch
5) Signed posters, mugs, t-shirts, mousemats - doesn't have to be super expensive, just having some ordinary little nik-nak that is game-related would please me something silly
6) Feelies - maps, mini-comics, your short stories for those who didn't pick them up seperately, an object from the game (look at the handmade stuff on Etsy, you can knock stuff together from all kinds of objects)
6) Similar to the museum idea - a fan-art gallery either as part of the game (a photo album or something similar that suits) or outside it, like at the end of the credits
7) My name in the credits - i'm putting this last because it's really overdone imho. I do like it, and I like to be recognised as having helped out, but that doesn't mean I should get my name in the credits just for throwing $10 at a game. That's not exactly creative input.

Every (wo)man and his/her dog seems to be doing kickstarters these days so I think the more creative the rewards, the more it will stand out.

Anyway, the game is looking great so far, can't wait to order a copy

[Eric]

Hey guys, I wanted to draw your attention to a post on Kickstarter best practices that I've just made, in case it's helpful at all.

[Tabata]

To be honest â€" you won't “catch” me with being credited or the separated museum, sorry.   

I'd prefer something real in-game, not separated. Becoming part of the game is more special (for me as being a normal gamer that will never be able to make a game).
Something like create an item (maximum size specified by you) that will be placed somewhere in the game and used.
The character will read the badge of the sponsor and get an information needed for a puzzle or decicion that is to be made. If the item is of good quality you can also make it usable in inventory. For example it can be smashed to get a key or note, too.

This way EVERY player will use MY item. THAT would be something special for gamers like me for to become involved ...
and I could brag with it 

[LTGiants2000]

To be honest â€" you won't “catch” me with being credited or the separated museum, sorry.   

I'd prefer something real in-game, not separated. Becoming part of the game is more special (for me as being a normal gamer that will never be able to make a game).
Something like create an item (maximum size specified by you) that will be placed somewhere in the game and used.
The character will read the badge of the sponsor and get an information needed for a puzzle or decicion that is to be made. If the item is of good quality you can also make it usable in inventory. For example it can be smashed to get a key or note, too.

This way EVERY player will use MY item. THAT would be something special for gamers like me for to become involved ...
and I could brag with it 

I agree 100% Tabata, the previous rewards are definitely not geared toward people who are already creating adventure games OR are capable or doing so, they would certainly see less value in it (it's like offering to take a picture for a photographer). I'm sure we could brain storm a few other ideas to entice the hardcore crowd to chip in as well, if a well made, enjoyable adventure game wasn't enough!

[Mati256]

Found this on Indie Games:
"Gamasutra is conducting a survey to gather information on both those who have and have not contributed to Kickstarter projects, researching the importance and influence of what motivates pledging, the ways contributors help promote projects, and the demographics of potential contributors."
http://indiegames.com/2012/07/take_this_survey_on_the_motiva.html