Why Aren’t More Game Developers Using Kickstarter?

Why It Matters

Kickstarter continues to offer indie developers a critical financing and community‑building platform, but success now hinges on realistic planning and transparent engagement, influencing the broader funding landscape for games.

Key Takeaways

• Kickstarter remains viable for games with strong community focus.
• Successful campaigns require realistic scope and careful resource planning.
• Overpromising features leads to delays and financial strain.
• Physical merchandise adds complexity; many developers now avoid it.
• Learning from past creators and networking boosts campaign success.

Summary

The video explores why many game developers still hesitate to launch Kickstarter campaigns, featuring interviews with Asha McClennon, head of games at Kickstarter, and Thomas Bidau of IO Partners. It examines Kickstarter’s evolution from the early “gold rush” era—when titles like Hollow Knight and Divinity: Original Sin found funding—to a more mature platform where sustainability and community engagement are paramount.

McClennon notes that over 500 video games were funded in the past year, but the overall dynamic has shifted: successful creators treat Kickstarter as a go‑to‑market tool rather than a quick cash grab. They emphasize realistic scope, avoid overpromising features, and focus on building an early fan base. Physical merchandise, once a staple, now adds logistical headaches, prompting many studios to limit or eliminate it. Compared to tabletop games, video game campaigns face longer development cycles and higher risk.

Concrete examples illustrate the points: Cryivo’s million‑dollar Autonomica campaign, a YouTuber‑driven project, and the cautionary tale of a studio whose co‑founder sold a car to cover shipping costs. McClennon repeatedly stresses the value of community mentorship—developers can email Kickstarter staff or peers to learn hard‑won lessons and avoid common pitfalls.

The takeaway for the industry is clear: Kickstarter remains a viable funding avenue, but only for teams that enter with a solid development plan, transparent communication, and a willingness to engage the backer community. Proper preparation can turn a 30‑day campaign into a sustainable launch strategy, reshaping how indie studios secure financing amid tightening traditional investment channels.

Original Description

Video games are growing again on Kickstarter. But why aren't more developers doing it? And how should studios approach crowd-funding... if at all?

In this episode of The Game Business Show, Chris speaks with Kickstarter games boss Asher McClennahan and Ico Partners' Thomas Bidaux (a well known Kickstarter expert) to find out what's going on in the world of video game crowd-funding.

00:00 Introduction

01:24 Kickstarter interview

08:18 Video games vs others

10:37 Physical items

12:18 Kickstarter is hard

15:28 Kickstarter hits

16:54 Mistakes

22:27 Thomas Bidaux interview

23:50 Kickstarter growth

25:40 What's putting devs off?

35:15 Community growth

37:05 Kickstarter red flags

41:08 Nostalgia sells

43:59 More growth?