Jan 13, 2015
KICKSTARTER
I. Intro II. Kickstarter Basics III. Pros and Cons IV. Q & A V. Project ideas!
Robert BoydCo-Founder
Bill Stiernberg <-That’s me
Robert BoydCo-Founder
That’s me
II. Kickstarter Basics
Crowdfunding Marketing tool? Truly a Campaign
Who Are Your Backers
Marketing Know your audience, and your fans! How do they hear about projects? Give people a story! Think outside the box
Investment or Patronage?
Quick Overview
Overview Title Pitch Video Elevator Pitch Funding Goal Description Rewards & Tiers Risks & Challenges
Pitch Video
First thing they see Catchy “title” image Professionally produced?▪ Audio and Video
Pitch Video
Short and sweet! Boring!? Show gameplay or other teaser Be honest, put yourself out there – if
you can Do they really watch it?
Sometimes.
Elevator Pitch
“A succinct and persuasive sales pitch.” Limited # of characters Focus on:
WHAT the project is WHO is making it PLATFORMS it is for CREDIBILITY▪ “New turn-based RPG from the creators of Cthulhu
Saves the World. Inspired by Chrono Trigger, Phantasy Star & Suikoden. PC/Mac/PS4/Vita.”
Funding Goal
Affects your project scope Affects your likelihood of funding
Crucial FIRST 48 hours Crucial FINAL 48 hours
Account for ALL: Development Contractors Physical rewards SHIPPING Kickstarter, Amazon Fees Tax issues
Project Description (Page)
CATCH their attention! Make it pretty, polished, animated Give them what they’re looking for FIRST
Unique aspects of project CREDIBILITY is big! Fun additional game info ACCOUNTABILITY section
Reward section Risks & Challenges
Rewards and Tiers
What do they typically want? Game OST Art books, early access, credits, T-shirts,
etc. Unique offerings that don’t kill your
funding Fan involvement
Rewards != Sales
Rewards
Digital or Physical Rewards? Smooth tier variance
Increase value for modest increase in funding
Risks & Challenges
Required section by Kickstarter.com Be honest Few game projects ever go exactly
as planned Focus on your credibility Give yourself wiggle room –
especially on release dates / rewards
Stretch Goals?
Pros Keep up momentum Increase funding Bigger game scope
Cons Changes scope of project May overburden dev team Easy to underestimate
Post-Kickstarter
Plan for your rewards Support your new community Regular updates Social media, website
IV. Pros and Cons
Pros: Don’t need a publisher! Direct fan support Possibly more creative freedom Set a budget tailored to your needs Marketing & visibility Build a community
IV. Pros and Cons
Cons Easy to underestimate costs Easy to underestimate time Backers’ expectations? Answerable to hundreds, thousands Pressure! Reward fulfillment Campaigning = a full time job
Examples
Shantae ½ Genie hero Chasm Hyper Light Drifter Shovel Knight Cosmic Star Heroine (that’s us!)
My contact info
Bill Stiernberg Zeboyd Games Twitter:
@bill_at_zeboyd Email: