Popular Indie Game Figures Create New Crowdfunding Platform
With the recent number of controversies with Kickstarter, what with Shemnue 3 being funded under confusing terms and Red Ash flat out missing its goal and still being funded via other sources, the crowd funding site has seen better times in terms of public opinion. At a time like this, industry veterans Brian Fargo (Interplay, InXile), Tim Schafer (LucasArts, Double Fine), Feargus Urquhart (Obsidian Entertainment) and Justin Bailey (Double Fine) have decided to team up and create a new gaming centred crowdfunding platform called Fig.
The difference between Fig and Kickstarter is that investors will be able to receive a part of the game’s profit as a return from their contribution to the campaign. A big difference is that you can either be an accredited or non-accredited investor. Accredited investors will be able to see a return on their investment, while non accredited investors do not have the ability to as of yet. You can also fund the project as per the usual Kickstarter format, gaining rewards instead of money.
Justin Bailey will serve as CEO of Fig, with Fargo, Schafer and Urquhart serving as advisory board members who will mentor developers during the program. The group will be offering services and help throughout development. Each member’s studio will also be using Fig for future crowdfunding efforts. Fig was funded via Spark Capital, a venture capital who had previously been interested in the Oculus Rift.
The first official campaign is for Outer Wilds by Mobius Digital, winner of the Seamus McNally award at this year’s CDG. The studio is looking for $125,000 to improve artwork, add more content and generally add polish to the product before release.
This is a huge step in terms of indie crowd funding, as it brings up the idea of investors into the equation, rather then simply backing a project and not expecting any returns other then maybe a t-shirt or a poster. While every member of the crew involved here do have game design and crowd funding experience, Tim Schafer’s involvement is a little worrying. He and his studio, Double Fine, do not have the best of track records with crowd funding, what with the trainwreck that was Broken Age’s release schedule. Fig has a lot to prove, and with Kickstarter’s recent downfall, it will be interesting to see if they can actually deliver with Outer Wilds.
Are you a fan of crowd-funded games? Let us know what you think about this news in the comments.
