We launched our Kickstarter campaign for Crazy Commute today! We had a lot of help from the members of this forum in developing the game and we really, really appreciate all of the advise and support we got from you guys while we were designing this!
Here's the link to the Kickstarter if anyone is interested:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sheeptree/crazy-commute
Well I see you've taken the big leap to have the game "crowdfunded"... I wish you both great success. I personally think that the goal is possible, you need about 285 backers at the $14 reward level.
Now I say "normally", first time creators will see about 200 backers. So 285 while close, is about 30% more backers. Which could be tough to get those "extra" backers.
I say "extra" because it's over the "normal" (average) one-time creator backers.
Usually you will build momentum by having several games from year to year.
But with my experience (having done a KS), I would look for a "partner" with more visibility, or more KS experience, is a designer him/herself, etc. Having a mailing list of backers who WANT to help a publisher is a good way to get a great start with a game.
But "kudos" to the both of you for doing it on your own.
Pledged to do my part, and show my support. Best of success on your campaign! :)
I'm not sure from whom you received advice, but as someone who has run several successful KS projects, I would definitely target this to younger gamers. While you mention 7 year olds in the campaign, highlight that fact.
I don't know about your social media marketing, but it's only because I saw your post out here did I know anything about your game. That needs to be a priority.
To Kris' point, you need nearly 300 folks to fund the project. Why you need $4K for a deck of cards is beyond me, but that's what you've negotiated. You will work hard for the next month to garner those 300 Backers. However, if a week or two goes by and you're not funded, do the honorable thing and pull the plug, retool your campaign and relaunch.
You have a portion of the campaign devoted to awesome bloggers but no content (or mAybe it's not active). You also have no recognizable reviewers on your campaign (Radho, the Dice Tower, Undead Viking), so people seeing the page will have a healthy skepticism.
It's a cute game and may gain traction in the days ahead. Stay vigilant and work the social media aspect as much as possible.
Cheers,
Joe
Good luck to you! I will be watching this closely as I intend to start a Kickstarter campaign on November 6th. Would love to hear your thoughts as the project progresses!
Joe
@The Professor: Thanks for the advice! We actually have several reviewers and about half of their reviews were supposed to go up the day before the campaign but never did so the reviews haven't gone live yet...We're promised that they will post the reviews of the game in the weekend but we'll have to see if they make good on that...
We're trying on social media but I suppose our marketing "expertise" is [very] limited. We'll keep trying though! Thanks again!
Good for you on the reviews...with each passing year, Backers are much more savvy and they want not only the rules, but reviews from legitimate sources.
Cheers,
Joe
R&D
Great to see that you got your KS launched. You got my backing!
Dano
How about "exploring" the "The Game Crafter" (TGC) solution: one game made and sold at a time. Of course it the game will COST "more" on TGC but that's the beauty of it: it costs you NOTHING (no quotes, orders, shipping, fulfillment, etc) because TGC does it all for you.
All you need to do is upload all the cards, box, rulebook, etc. in the TGC format (you may need to tweak some things here and there)...
But this means that your game will be forever "immortalized".
Then before "Kickstarting" AGAIN, you can negotiate a deal with TGC (I don't know if they are still doing this or not... You should contact Tavis or JT) and have a joint KS campaign. All you do is prepare the KS page and set some ridiculously low goal like maybe $500 USD and let TGC worry about producing the games sold.
Plus buyers can profit from a REDUCED price if you should get 100+ buyers. Discount goes from 10 to 100+.
Just thinking this would allow you to SELL the game without worrying about cost and many other production issues. And it's a listing too... Ask people to review your game and you can get TGC "Accolades" too.
People can comment directly on the product's page (Own It, Played It, Fun, Priced Well, High Replay Value, Well Written Rules and Nice Artwork).
Things to consider ... Anyways I'm certain $14 USD ... is way cheaper than any price you will sell on TGC. Then you have 3 options: TRY AGAIN to KS featuring a lower price point, do a joint KS with TGC or find a small publisher interested in KS-ing your game.
One of those avenues should work out... And having the game on TGC at the higher one-off production ... is okay. You're giving a discount of X% to the KS backers... (So to speak)!
I originally had "Tradewars" at $29.99 per player on TGC. It was a 1 Player Box Set that was available for anyone who wanted to buy the game and they could play solo or versus another player with a 1 Player Box Set.
This "sales model" made owning the game very expensive.
When I partnered with "Outer Limit Games" the idea as to make FOUR (4) players plus a ton of stretch content to cost $29 for the "Base" set.
So a better offering for exactly the SAME price.
I have since taken down my TGC version of the game... Because OLG wanted to be sole producer of the game... And with all the edits and additional content, the TGC version pales in comparison to the 4 Player Big Box.
And so I am making suggestions based on the path that I took. Some of the opportunities available to you guys depends on who is interested...
@questccg: Thanks for the suggestion! I've never even thought of taking that route! I've been using TGC or Drivethru Cards for one-off prototypes. They're quite a bit more expensive per unit than going through a manufacturer in China, but you are right: going that route would mean the game is at least published to an extent although it wouldn't be nearly as affordable as I would like to the consumer.
We're expecting some reviewers to post up their reviews this weekend so we'll see how that goes and re-assess the campaign at the 2 week mark and weigh our options. Thanks again for the advice! It's really something to consider :)
And the sad reality is that "a few" games seem to be doing REALLY good... and the rest seem to be struggling. I just don't want you to "abandon" your game even if the KS is not a success.
I'm just saying it's not over if you cancel your campaign at some point.
There are benefits that I have proposed that could help you successfully KS and believe it or not, at 100+ backers TGC prices are pretty competitive. Just look at the pricing discount when you configure your game (on TGC).
That too can make a difference. Sure on a one-off production the game might be expensive... but if you KS with TGC (Just check if they are still doing this or not...), you can get pretty competitive pricing.
Forget "Crowd Sales", I tried... not enough potential TGC buyers.
But there are still options open to you when the campaign is over... I'll keep track of your progress!
Cheers.
Update: They call it the "manufacturing deal" and I was told it is still being offered... So you could KS your game with a TGC contract to manufacture all games that you sell via your campaign.
And you can have a ridiculously LOW KS goal like $500 USD or something.
Sorry I believe the discount are for "Crowd Sales"... Not the manufacturing deal. My apologies since I misspoke. But you might get a discount if you sell like 100+ copies. Not sure. Speak with Tavis or JT about what is exactly offered.
Here is a SUPPORT page for this "Crowdfunding" deal:
http://help.thegamecrafter.com/article/115-crowd-funding-campaigns
Feel free to share with us any news concerning this... Always good to be in the "know"!
The Kickstarter is still "Live"... Please check it out!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sheeptree/crazy-commute
sheeptree,
Unfortunately, all reviewers are not created equal. While I'm sure the folks at "Nonstop Tabletop" and "Two Meeples" are fine folks, they have nowhere the cache of Man vs. Meeple or Radho or Undead Viking. To that end, it's probably time to get the game in front of professional playtesters and reviewers who can give you some honest feedback.
Cheers,
Joe
Nice reviews sheeptree! Hoping the best for your campaign.
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Thank you, let-off studios! :D