Alright, let’s talk about something that’s a little risky but oh-so-exciting—a game on Kickstarter. Kickstarter has turned into a mecca for both the players of board games and the creators of them, a place where the wildest thoughts and ideas of making new, innovative games come to life thanks to people all around the globe who are willing to take that risk. Every backer has a vested interest now: a novice or an experienced one can get equal kicks from having contributed to a game that is on the verge of manifesting. Let’s look at how to invest in a Kickstarter game and then have a lot more examples and inspirations about that.
The Thrill of Discovery: Uncovering Hidden Treasures
Kickstarter is probably most exciting because of the wide range of games you can discover on it. From dense strategy games to light party games, you will find everything. Scrolling through Kickstarter feels like a treasure hunt, where every project has the potential of being a hidden gem.
Take, for instance, “Gloomhaven.” It really is hard to have a chat about Kickstarter success without this behemoth coming up. When Isaac Childres first brought “Gloomhaven” to Kickstarter, it was an ambitious project promising a deep, sprawling world filled with adventure and strategy. That would capture the interest of backers, and rapidly, it became one of the most widely funded board games on the entire platform.
I still can remember my first “Gloomhaven” post on Kickstarter. At this moment, the art and the several paragraphs in which he describes it caught my eye. Literally, I have just read through the whole campaign, saw the videos and saw the passion of the project—all of this together—and I just knew that I had to back it. The buzz around the community was palpable, and this shared excitement led us to believe that we were all a part of something special. And then it arrived, and everyone was playing it for what felt like countless hours.
But “Gloomhaven” is much more than just a game; it is an experience. A huge box, full of miniatures, cards, and tiles, in some way, it was a result within itself. Preparing the game for the first time felt like arranging a journey, where one prepares all the necessary things to load in a truck and get out on the road. The mechanics were deep and complex, giving a satisfying challenge for veterans. Literally, each scenario was a new chapter of an ongoing tale where our choices really mattered.
By pledging to “Gloomhaven,” you almost became a part of the community. The campaign conducted through updates was worth seeing, and the comment section was boiling with stories, strategies, theories, character builds, and tale collaboration and win stories. More than buying a game— one becomes part of a global group of enthusiasts united by one common passion.
From Backing to Unboxing
Backing a game on Kickstarter is much more than a financial exchange; it’s a journey. The moment you pledge, you become a part of the story being created around the game. You follow updates from the creators, sneak peeks at the artwork and components, and sometimes even have a say in certain aspects of the game.
This has been the case with “Exploding Kittens,” another Kickstarter darling. This waddly, chaotic card game, the brainchild of Elan Lee and Matthew Inman—that’s right, Matthew Inman of The Oatmeal—wanted nothing more than to be a fast, fun, and slightly anarchic experience. The funny and engaging content of the campaign attracted thousands of backers. As one of those backers, the hilarious pitch video had me sold on the idea of a game that involved kittens and explosions.
The hilarity of the creators during their sporadic status updates doesn’t really prepare you for the box of fun that the game came packaged in. It’s like being a part of some sort of exclusive club—you’re just waiting for the rundown, hoping it wasn’t more delays until that hallowed day. Once again, the joy of unboxing that game cannot be explained. The mere fact of opening the box, seeing the final product, and knowing that part of that birthing process is because of you—that is something only unique to a limited number of people.
“Exploding Kittens” was, indeed, as fun as promised, and it found its way to our game nights on repeat for the humor and ease of mechanics that worked great with everyone. Sometimes the path from backing to unboxing can be months or even years in the making, and delays are pretty common in big, ambitious projects.
But often, these same delays say volumes about the creators’ commitment to their product. Updates during this time give you a sneak peek into the production process, from settling the artwork to the challenges met in manufacture. It’s a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what goes into making a board game. In my case, when I backed “The 7th Continent,” creators Serious Poulp were frank about the obstacles in their way. The updates talked us through their progress or setbacks—from dealing with production delays to assuring quality for the miniatures. These updates were not only informative, but they made us appreciate the huge effort and commitment it takes to see the game come to life.
The Risks and Rewards: Navigating Uncertainty
Of course, investing in a game on Kickstarter includes its own risks. All too often, projects are canceled, delayed, or changes are made that make the final product more or less disappointing. But that uncertainty is part of the experience, and it makes the eventual rewards even sweeter. Most of all, one of the biggest keys to making your way through Kickstarter is doing your homework first. Look at the creators’ backstories. Read the details of the campaign page. Check out the community comments. A well thought-out campaign with clear goals and transparent communication is usually a good sign. For instance, I supported a game called “Kingdom Death: Monster” once.
The project was just colossal and entailed the creation of a type of cooperative survival horror game withdark, brooding narrative. Adam Poots was already known as a quality miniatures producer, and his campaign showed detailed prototypes, as well as an in-depth vision of the game. Still, there were numerous delays to the project.
It took years for all the manufacturing issues to be smoothed over and for the game to be perfected to the level of satisfaction the creator had. All this while, Adam Poots maintained a clear line of communication with his backers, giving reasons for delays and regular updates. This brought about real transparency, trust, and understanding, even as we waited far longer than we could have imagined.
But the point was that the issue with “Kingdom Death: Monster” was very much worth it. The game just looked stupendous, with the silicon sculptures breathtaking. This game is the real deal, with reason-worthy, highly detailed miniatures and a dark and deep engrossing narrative. This is a feeling of satisfaction one experiences finally opening a game, going through its horrifying campaigns. That was proof of how, in fact, one of the potential rewards of backing a well-crafted Kickstarter project is.
Community: Shared Passion
One of the best things about backing a game on Kickstarter is the community that comes with it. You’re not just buying a game; you’re joining a group led by like-minded people, just as excited as you.
The comments section of a campaign can be a lively place, full of discussions, suggestions, and shared anticipation. I’ve developed some friendships through Kickstarter, connecting with others over shared interests and the excitement of upcoming games.
We’ve taken and received tips, shared our own game designs, and even organized game nights when our backed projects arrive. This is but one example of the many instances justifying how these platforms help bring people together over a shared passion.
One that springs to mind was the campaign for “Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon,” developed by the company Awaken Realms. The company promised a dark narrative-driven game set in the Arthurian legends reprised. Due to the great success of the campaign, the comment section was blowing up with people chatting about strategy, speculating on what the story of the game could be, and even sharing fan-made art.
It was a great experience in community engagement really, with the live Q&A sessions that the representatives of Awaken Realms held. Besides, they held contests where one lucky backer would have the chance to add something to the lore or design of the game. This kind of engagement by a game’s developers is really what builds the sense of community and stakeholding among the backers themselves. Then, when the game arrived, we set up a game night with some of the friends I had made during the campaign. We shared how excited we were, talked about our favorite part of the game, and then even discussed the strategy in question. It’s also a good reminder that Kickstarter is more than funding games; it’s building connections and sharing experiences with other enthusiasts.
Thrill From Kickstarter Exclusives
Another great part of about backing a Kickstarter game is exclusive content. Great many campaigns have special editions, unique components, or bonus items available only for backers. Exclusives add a bit more thrill and a lot more value to the experience. For example, when backing “Bloodborne: The Board Game,” I was able to get exclusive miniatures and additional scenarios that weren’t part of the retail version. These extras not only enriched my gaming experience but also made me feel valued as a contributor to the project. Kickstarter exclusives can range from unique character miniatures and alternate artwork to entire expansion packs.
These items tend to be highly desirable, which adds to the prestige of having a Kickstarter version of the title. The exhilaration of opening up these exclusive components, knowing that they are a reward for pledging to the project at an early stage, contributes to the overall experience.
The Role of Stretch Goals
When funding is through Kickstarter, stretch goals also play a big part in the campaign. They are basically extra goals that a project meets after the main one has been achieved. These stretch goals can introduce new content, improve the quality of components or add entirely new gameplay features.
In the case of “Nemesis,” a sci-fi horror game by Awaken Realms, the role of stretch goals could not have been more impactful. As the campaign went forward, new characters, missions, and miniatures were unlocked. Every stretch goal made the game fuller and more engaging, and the buzz that the community gets when they land on a new one surely makes a great impact on keeping everybody animated during the whole campaign. Stretch goals also create a strong sense of accomplishment and shared victory among the backers, who await with bated breath for the new funding marks to be reached and the new stretch goals to be revealed. It’s a reminder that as a backer, you’re not just supporting a game; you’re helping to shape its final form.
Learning from Challenges and Failures
Kickstarter, though a very rewarding experience, is not a walk in the park. Not every project is all roses, and sometimes problems do pop up. These problems, however, tend to be a source of many teachings for both project creators and their backers.
I once backed a game called “The Everrain,” which is a thematic, cooperative, nautical, adventure game. The campaign was well run, and the game looked quite promising. Still, it was delayed many times due to production problems and complications. Despite all the problems, the creators kept an open dialogue, sharing what obstacles lay in their way and how they intended to work around them.
That transparency did an excellent job at both keeping the expectation in check and the backers informed. The delays, then, while irritating, really also kinda underlined just how hard bringing a board game to life can be. When “The Everrain” finally arrived, it was very evident that the creators had used the extra time to really hone and polish the game. The result was nothing short of great and enjoyable; the wait felt worth it. More of an experience that affirms the need for patience and understanding during the process of supporting a kickstarter.
The Joy of Supporting Independent Creators One of the greatest feelings
Helping to fund these games is one of the best features of Kickstarter; many of them would not be made at all. It helps turn those unique, fresh ideas into real, material innovating games. I’m actively backing a title named “Root” by Leder Games, a small independent publisher whose game promises an asymmetric warfare experience in a woodland world where players control different factions vying for control.
Downright charming art and design for the campaign abound, while the concept itself is super fresh and intriguing. And so backing “Root” grew to feel more like investing in a very passionate and creative team. It was exciting and humbling to read their updates, so heartfelt and enthusiastic about sharing their journey and the challenges they faced, and now the game is here, all in its glory, way more than hoped and expected. Backing independent creators on Kickstarter works not only to bring outstanding and innovative games to the market but also to create community and connection.
Giving a reminder that behind every project, there are people passionate about their craft and that your support is what makes their dreams a reality.
Navigating the Kickstarter Landscape
Navigating Kickstarter can be overwhelming because there are so many projects on offer. But a few tips can make you more informed, and therefore your experience better. Research the creators.
- What is their background?
- What did they do before this project?
- How many previous projects do they have under their belt, and how many of those have been fulfilled, and has that fulfillment been of good quality?
Proven delivery of quality games is a good indication of reliability. Check their previous campaigns, read the reviews, and also check how they handled communication and fulfillment. Read the campaign thoroughly. The project goal, stretch goal, and estimated delivery date can all be found on the campaign page. Find clear explanations on how to play and the quality of its components, as well as any risks.
The Adventure Awaits
Pledging to a Kickstarter project means experiencing a rush of excitement and discovery all at once. It’s a great creative journey that you are also part of, and the gratification that comes from unboxing a game you helped to be a reality is unsurpassed.
Of course, it’s not all roses—there are risks. But for a lot of people, the rewards outweigh the uncertainties. Whether you’re saving the world through strategy in “XCOM,” surviving a zombie apocalypse in “Resident Evil,” navigating through empire-building in “Civilization,” or dancing through gothic horror in “Bloodborne,” there’s a board game to bring the video game magic to your tabletop. T
he next time you’re looking for something new to play, why not check out a new Kickstarter? Dive into the campaigns, engage with the creators and community, and enjoy the ride. Who knows, you might just find your next favorite game and make some new friends along the way. After all, isn’t that what gaming is all about? Adventure, camaraderie, and a little bit of risk – the perfect recipe for an unforgettable game night.
And who is to say that someday, you won’t be the one out there with the Kickstarter pushing your dream game on us? Until that day, happy backing, and may your game nights be ever epic!
