On another forum I read, I came across one of the member's threads about a game he was developing. What I found interesting though, is the way he was funding the game's development. He was using the website below to get people to pledge money for his project, in return for rewards based on the amount pledged. The site requires you to set a goal for funding, and if you do not get enough money pledged, then you get none of the money, and nobody is charged who pledged. It's a kind of way to make sure projects generate enough interest and capital to be successful, and to protect people pledging their support.
Kickstarter (http://www.kickstarter.com/)
Here are two project examples, the first is Printrbot (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/printrbot/printrbot-your-first-3d-printer?ref=discover_pop) which was hugely successful in its funding, and the second is StarDrive (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1319847883/stardrive-a-4x-action-strategy-game-for-the-pc?ref=category), the game I mentioned. Listed on the right side are the rewards for pledging certain amounts.
I hadn't heard of the site before, and I'm not sure how it makes its money really. Just thought I'd post it here so you guys could take a look and share your thoughts.
Interesting concept. If it works the way they pitch it, this could mean great things for ambitious upstarts in any field, not just gaming. :)
Kickstarter is pretty neat, my art class and i used it to cover shipping costs/supplies for our "skate for a change" charity event.
PrintBot has already been done.. i hope it cheaper than MakerBot. sheesh, i am SO not paying $800+ for MakerBot..
Kickstarter is great way to find some interesting start-up companys/projects.
I invested a small amount in a ipad mount idea. Works a treat.
Also it's good for just browsing and checking out some novel concepts.
Quite a neat little idea, some of the perks of investing are a little lame - but the ideas of the site is pretty cool.
I know of a buddy who used a similar service for his last game. It really is a nifty idea. I'd use it myself, only I'm way too sh*t about meeting deadlines to be comfortable with having people give me money. I might use it after my game is finished though, to fund things like professional art and press releases leading up to the game's release.