Crowdfunding for video games has become a popular way for independent game developers to fund their projects and engage with their potential player base. Developers can choose among equity, debt, and rewards-based crowdfunding campaigns. The latter is particularly suited to video game crowdfunding since many players want early access to features or special treatment during gameplay. Even with equity and debt campaigns, giving some rewards allows for more favorable deals.
You should start by understanding the differences between these different crowdfunding methods and maybe even research how others have successfully funded their game projects. We’d be happy to point you in that direction.
It is quite important to understand the whole process before deciding whether crowdfunding for your project is a good approach and then exactly how to proceed. Here are some critical steps and considerations for video game crowdfunding campaigns:
Video Game Crowdfunding for Development
Many indie video game developers use crowdfunding to create and develop their games. Here are the essential steps in that process:
Crowdfunding for Video Games Concept Formation
Develop a clear and compelling game concept. You need to be able to explain your game’s unique selling points and why it’s worth supporting. Do some due diligence so you are clear about why your game is unique and fills a niche. Talk to gamers, perhaps specifically those who may end up trying and promoting your game, and get their feedback.
Video Game Crowdfunding Planning
Create a detailed game development plan, including a budget and a timeline. Potential backers will want to know how you plan to use the funds. Determine the minimum amount you need to complete your game, including development costs, marketing, and the crowdfunding platform‘s fees. Consider stretch goals to incentivize backers by offering additional features or content if you surpass your initial funding goal.
Choose the Right Crowdfunding Platform
Research and select the crowdfunding platform that best fits your project. Kickstarter is one of the most popular platforms for video game projects, but others like Indiegogo Website and Fig may also be suitable. Build a community of potential backers before you launch your campaign. Use social media, forums, and gaming communities to generate interest and gather feedback.
Once you have followed these plans, you should have a solid product, and now it’s time for marketing and distribution. Be careful to ensure you’ve covered all of these bases completely before you move on – get all the bugs out. This is another great advantage of video game crowdfunding – your backers will likely be happy to try things out for you.
Crowdfunding for Video Games Distribution 
Once the game has been created and produced, you need to raise money for production and distribution, including the following steps:
Create a Compelling Campaign
Craft an engaging campaign page with a catchy title, high-quality visuals, and a compelling video that showcases your game. Write a clear and detailed project description that explains your game’s features, gameplay, and why people should support it. Launch your video game crowdfunding campaign and promote it through various channels, including social media, press releases, and email newsletters.
Crowdfunding for Video Games Reward Tiers
Offer a range of reward tiers to entice backers at different levels. Common rewards include digital copies of the game, exclusive in-game items, physical merchandise, and credits in the game. Ensure that the rewards are reasonably priced and provide good value to backers. Again, check with gamers to know if your rewards will resonate with that community. If you are doing rewards-type video game crowdfunding, there may be nothing more important than having a good game with compelling rewards.
Engage Your Community
Keep your backers informed and engaged throughout the campaign with updates and interactions. Leverage any connections you have in the gaming industry to help spread the word. Be transparent about the risks and challenges associated with game development. Realistic expectations will help build trust with your backers. Concentrate on those with an excellent social media presence.
Hopefully, you now have an excellent game, a strong following, and money in the bank to continue to market and distribute your game.
Post Video Game Crowdfunding Steps
If your video game crowdfunding campaign is successful, there will be a temptation to dive into the project so you can meet certain timelines and be on your way to success. However, caring for the funders who got you there is equally important. Thus, there are some important steps to follow afterward:
Fulfill your Rewards
Make sure to fulfill your promises by delivering rewards as agreed upon, and if the rewards involve gameplay such as early releases, credits, or in-game items, encourage them to share their experience on social media or in your campaign’s Q&A. Remember that the people who help you raise money for your game are your fans and fans of the game. Not only does this mean that they can be a built-in free marketing team, but you may also want to turn to them should you decide to do future funding rounds.
Continue to Engage
Provide frequent updates on the game’s progress, and be transparent if it may take longer than expected. Release multimedia updates when possible, such as video clips from gameplay or stills that you are using to develop scenes and characters. You may want to provide additional rewards as a surprise to backers. Again, this is an important group to you in the future, and they’ll want to feel taken care of and appreciated.
Watch Your Budget
Keep a close eye on your budget and use the funds responsibly. Provide regular financial updates to backers and be accountable for any delays or issues during development that may increase the cost. Backers would rather hear of these issues as they arise than be left in the dark and experience delays. You may even want to present ranges of budget possibilities at the start instead of hard numbers so your backers understand that it may not always end up with the most hopeful plan. You may want to give backers extra rewards if you are significantly behind in budget or timeline.
At this point, you hopefully have a game on the market and a lot of backers, and you may even be planning your next project. Hopefully, these backers will want to help you once again! Even if you do not need additional funding, giving those who have been involved with you from the start new rewards can be a nice gesture.
Our Work with Crowdfunding for Video Games
Not all crowdfunding campaigns succeed; it can be a lot of work. However, when done right, it can provide both funding and a supportive community of players excited about your game. Your approach and strategy may have to be tweaked along the way, but starting with a solid and informed plan is necessary. It is important to have your full plan before jumping into this potentially fruitful form of fundraising. Also, ensure you are ready to take care of your backers even after their funding comes in.
We can help with this as part of our crowdfunding for games services, often for free. We aim to provide services that help you become successful while keeping you fully in charge of your project. We also have a Charitable Foundation that provides free support if you are early in your career. Contact us anytime about crowdfunding for video games.
