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Hello everyone, I’m Harry, an indie game producer. I previously worked as a writer at a film company, and now I’m organizing a team to develop a text-based adventure indie game. It will be a serious sci-fi game similar to Disco Elysium, and we plan to launch a crowdfunding campaign next year. I’d like to ask everyone for suggestions on crowdfunding strategies for indie games. What features would make supporters choose to back a game?

Disco Elysium specifically was unique to me because unlike most rpgs it wasn't about combat and the artstyle/aesthetic was great for its theme, depressing. I haven't finished it. Anyway, I'd say an interesting theme with branching paths and one unique aspect to sell it.
You got this Harry.

Hero0fNothing wrote: ↑Thu Sep 05, 2024 2:09 pm Disco Elysium specifically was unique to me because unlike most rpgs it wasn't about combat and the artstyle/aesthetic was great for its theme, depressing. I haven't finished it. Anyway, I'd say an interesting theme with branching paths and one unique aspect to sell it.
You got this Harry.

Hi, thank you for your advice. Nice conclusion. I think that's what interests me as well. May I ask what other games will you be interested in

check out my kickstarter! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/th ... riage-show

I like co-op games. Turn-based tactical games.

Hey Harry, congrats on starting your indie game journey! It sounds like you’re working on something really cool, especially with a serious sci-fi, text-based adventure. I think crowdfunding can be a fantastic way to build both funding and a community around your game, but it definitely requires careful planning.

Here are some thoughts based on what I’ve seen work in the indie game space:

Engage Early and Build Hype: Start sharing snippets of your game’s world, story, and characters on social media or platforms like Reddit and Twitter early on. Give people a reason to be invested in your project before you launch the crowdfunding campaign. The more personal you can make the story (like sharing the struggles of indie game dev or showing behind-the-scenes progress), the more people will connect with you and your team.

Show, Don’t Tell: Even if it’s a text-based adventure, having some kind of visual representation (concept art, character sketches, or even gameplay demos) can make a big difference. People are more likely to back something they can see in action. A short, polished trailer showcasing the game’s tone or concept will help.

Tiered Rewards: Think about what kind of rewards will resonate with your backers. Beyond just copies of the game, maybe offer things like exclusive in-game items, a soundtrack, digital art books, or even the chance to have their name or likeness in the game. Personalized rewards that make backers feel like they’re part of the development process (like being in on design decisions or getting beta access) can be very appealing.

Clear Roadmap and Goals: Transparency is key. People want to know how their money will be spent and when they can expect the final product. A clear timeline, stretch goals, and regular updates during the campaign will give your backers confidence in your ability to deliver.

Highlight the Unique Aspects: Since you mentioned a serious sci-fi theme similar to Disco Elysium, focus on what sets your game apart. Whether it's the narrative depth, world-building, or unique gameplay mechanics, make sure those elements are front and center in your campaign. Disco Elysium fans, for example, are likely drawn to thoughtful, philosophical dialogue and deep narrative choices, so maybe emphasize how your game will bring those elements to the table.

Leverage Your Background: You come from a film writing background, which gives you a unique edge in terms of storytelling. You can pitch that strength to potential backers—people who love games with great narratives will be more likely to trust that your game will deliver on that front.

Best of luck with the game and the campaign! I’ll definitely keep an eye out for it when it launches.

Hey Harry, congrats on starting your indie game journey! Your concept sounds really exciting, especially for fans of serious, narrative-driven games like Disco Elysium. In terms of crowdfunding, one thing I’ve seen work well is offering early backers exclusive content or rewards. This could be anything from digital art books, behind-the-scenes videos, or even letting them contribute to the game in some small way (like naming a character or item). Transparency is key too—regular updates on the development process help build trust and keep potential backers engaged.

Another tip: highlight the unique aspects of your game that set it apart from others, whether it’s the story, gameplay mechanics, or visual style. What will make players think, “This is a game I need to see finished”? The more people can connect with your vision, the more likely they’ll want to support it.

Best of luck with your campaign and game development! Looking forward to seeing how it progresses!

On the same journey myself, but one small thing I've read is to try to incorporate links wherever you can (so long as it's permitted). This site for instance suggests including it in your signature. To clarify, I don't mean to spam links - that's obnoxious and unhelpful, but if you're able to have it present in a less intrusive way.

Also, if you are hosting your game on Steam, I cannot recommend enough these articles about the importance of wishlists and reviews.

https://howtomarketagame.com/2022/09/26 ... h-my-game/

https://medium.com/@valadria/the-steam- ... 2b7757d45b