What the 7 million-dollar Kickstarter games of 2012 did right

Video games dominated Kickstarter last year, with over $83 million pledged to games-related projects, according to the year-end report the company released early this month. And out of the 16 blockbuster campaigns — those that raised more than $1 million — seven of them were for new games.

That’s no small accomplishment for the industry, but it also shows that video games are ripe for crowdfunding efforts. A lot of factors contribute to success on Kickstarter. So what made these seven projects — Star Citizen, Double Fine Adventure, Wasteland 2, Shadowrun Returns, Planetary Annihilation, Homestuck Adventure, and Project Eternity — such breakaway hits?

[dedicatedtogamers]

I backed Star Citizen, FTL, Wasteland 2, Banner Saga, Shadowrun, and Project Eternity.

It's a sad reflection on the game industry that I spent more money on Kickstarter games in 2012 (most haven't even been released) than I spent on retail/digital releases...

[pandehz]

Actually its a good thing. Let the devs who worry like us about 'games turning into shit' get support and get the opportunity to make some fresh new pieces of art.

Its been too long and too many games in the past few years feel very derivative. There are of course some that go outside the box like Journey, Uncharted 2, Heavy Rain, Mirrors Edge, Limbo, Mass Effect 2, HL 2,EP1,EP2, Bioshock and some others but sadly not too many fresh games. And the ones that really deserve a remake or support of some sort like Freespace, Homeworld, a proper Final Fantasy game ffs never see the light.

Hope this year some more active groups take risks and do things most extra large publishers dont give a crap about (gamers that made it happen for all of them)

[wita]

I really like that these devs are getting to make their games their way again. Of course, I do think it's interesting that people are donating so much money on faith. I hope the final products are as good as they hope, but you know what hype can do ...

[thorstein]

Indeed. I also backed Devs I could TRUST, which is a big part of Kickstarter! I put in for Shadowrun Returns which is looking just perfect. Trust Factor: the original people who worked on the SNES and Genesis games. Then when I read about Shadowrun Online, I balked, afraid that it would be Pay To Win (aka Free to Play). And found out that I wouldn't be left out if I bought the game and didn't spend money on the little stuff... which I love.

Anyway, I have found the process quite rewarding.

[doogiebear]

Give me some of that money >_<…now!

[hiredhelp]

I backed project cars and project take down.
Ive learnt alot from serellen and devs from project take down guy helped create GRAW,HALO
That by us the gamers funding the games we get to have our say our thoughts ideas witch can be put in a game.
But also they dont have big greedy buggers with time lines telling them what can cant do im glad ive been apart kick starters i like more devs push away big corps publishers we get much better game i reckon.

[ironfist92]

PCars looks amazing. I was one of the few who loved the Shift series, and Cars looks to be just as epic.

Kinda wish I contributed something towards it, but Il make sure to spend my money on buying the game when it comes out

[Pandamobile]

Star Citizen looks so amazing. I didn't get a chance to back it when it was on Kickstarter, but I'll buy the sh*t out of it when it goes up for preorder.

[thorstein]

This is a game I wish I had known about before. I would have backed it no problem... now, just as good, I will get the retail.

[Tone]

I am looking forward to the new Elite!!