Crowdfunding for games is a growing slice of the crowdsourcing options. Many developers are creating video games, and the products that do well can be highly lucrative. With video games, however, word of mouth can be significant, as can allowing the gamer to try things out – so crowdfunding for games has emerged. There is also crowdfunding for games involving only “regular” traditional 
games, such as card and board games. We cover all of this in this post. We cover crowdfunding for video games elsewhere.
Our services can help you pursue any of these options, and much of what we provide is done for free.
Crowdfunding for Games Rewards-Type
Of course, the main reason developers enter the crowdfunding for games market is that they want exposure and PR around their idea. But in most cases, these game crowdfunding pitches are not an equity type of crowdsourcing – there is no offer to get a share of the revenue or profit. Instead, the pitch is that you can get certain perks with your investment, such as:
Rewards Crowdfunding for Early Releases
One of the more common ways that crowdfunding for games is used is to give fans of games like yours a chance to play the game early. Here are two examples of these types of rewards.
- Beta testing new versions of the game or new rules: In this case, you get to be one of the first to try the latest version or to give feedback about a modification or change. You genuinely feel like you have had some influence in the development of the game, and you get to enjoy the improvement first. This may be the most sought-after perk of video game crowdfunding.
- Getting free copies: A perk significantly related to the first is that you can get an early copy of the game. You can not only be helping with its design but also be one of the first to own it. And given that you are an investor, you will want to spread the word and let others try the game so they might invest, too.
Rewards Crowdfunding to Be Part of the Team
Another popular rewards category involves bringing fans of games like yours closer to the development process and generally closer to the industry. Here are two examples:
- Often, people in the game development space are quite creative and fun. You may feel great about connecting to the people making these games and being a part of the production process.
- Meeting the team in person or getting together with others with similar interests can be a reward for those who invest.
Other tangible perks and rewards can be given that have value to the investor and are in the gaming sphere, such as meet-and-greets with well-known developers or gamers or reciprocal help – when a gamer invests in another group’s project and receives free advice about their project. In many cases, crowdfunding games involve just perks, with no equity or other financial payback, yet there are some ways that you can benefit beyond just the ones listed above, which is what we go over in our next section.
Equity Crowdfunding for Games
It is possible that a company that is in the crowdfunding games market could make itself available in an equity deal. In other words, a certain amount of the company would be open to the crowd as part of an equity transaction. This could happen in two ways: The company could put its entire book of business up for equity investors, or it could put the potential equity of one game up for “sale.” Each option has some apparent pluses and minuses for both sides.
Crowdfunding Games Investors
Investors may be interested in the entire company, but this will require a much more significant investment and comes with the pitfalls that only one or two or just a small number of the games make it big. Investing in just one game might have led to almost the same payout for a much smaller amount of money. For the company, selling off a percentage of its entire inventory means giving up substantial future earnings across all products. Still, it also, of course, leads to the most significant investments.
One way or another, game crowdfunding that involves equity stakes is an excellent way for both sides to meet their financial needs, and just like any other equity investment, the risk and reward are shared, and the degree of potential risks and rewards becomes the basis for the negotiations between the two parties.
Crowdfunding Games Platforms
Here are just three examples of crowdfunding games websites. Each one is a little different and unique, so if you are starting out as an investor or someone looking for perks, you may want to look at all three of these and perhaps others before coming to a final decision:
- Gambitious website is an example of a rewards-based crowdfunding games platform, but equity opportunities exist. On the equity side, this site is called “all-or-nothing,” meaning that you may lose all of your investment if the game is unsuccessful, but the benefits will be great. Examples of “rewards” may include beta testing new games or receiving certain behind-the-scenes information and releases before others.
- Pozible site is a site that uses rewards-based crowdfunding games only. The site uses a tiered approach – not all investors get the same rewards, and instead, your rewards may depend on how much you invest in each project. Pozible is also an excellent site if you want to look beyond games but want to stay in the category of creative projects.
- Kickstarter for games must be mentioned on any list of crowdfunding games sites. Of course, this is one of the best-known crowdfunding websites in general, and they have a robust games category where designers can offer rewards based on the level of funding offered. Kickstarter for games has helped launch close to 4,000 crowdfunding games projects, with a reasonable success rate of close to one-third.
There are other sites as well, including more traditional and larger crowdfunding sites that cater more to equity crowdfunding.
How to Choose a Crowdfunding Games Platform
Once again, these are just three examples, and it is worth checking out as many as you need to determine the best fit for your project or investment. Look for sites that have attracted a good amount of funding, have a strong success rate, and where the customer service seems solid. Aside from that, you want to look for a site that matches your idea or interests.
Whether you invest in crowdfunding for games, pitch for the perks, or become a part owner, and whether you are a company deciding which type of path to choose, there is a lot of fun, excitement, and potential in the crowdfunding games space!
Conclusions and Our Services
If you are an entrepreneur considering crowdfunding for games, our services can help you learn about your options and connect with games crowdfunding websites for free. We can also help you design the best pitch and connect with investors so that you get the funding you need.
Please contact us any time if you have any questions about Crowdfunding for games or want to discuss what we can do for you.
