Double Fine Does Doubly Well in Kickstarter Project
After creating video games about telepathic teenagers, heavy metal bikers and interactive Sesame Street characters, what does a game company do next? If you're Double Fine's Tim Schafer—the visionary behind these games—you ask your fans for $400,000 for your next game. And you get almost $1 million in return.
Schafer launched a Kickstarter page promoting a new game that will be like the "point n' click" adventures of old (think Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis and Schafer's own Day of the Tentacle). The response was overwhelming, with Double Fine reaching its $400,000 goal the same day they posted the listing. Contributors will also get an inside look at the project thanks to a corresponding documentary series produced by video game film vets 2 Player Productions, who have also filmed a documentary series about famous gaming funnymen Penny Arcade.
If anyone ever needed proof that Kickstarter projects are a valid business funding plan—and not just a place where your little brother's Dave Matthews cover band can beg for money—they can stop looking. Although Double Fine is a relatively big name in the game development world, their gigantic response gives hope to fledgling game companies everywhere. Double Fine's ultra-transparent approach will also appeal to video game fans and developers alike by giving them an unparalleled look into the development world (a world that is normally heavily obscured by secrecy-obsessed publishers). There's no doubt that Double Fine knows how to connect with fans and make headlines with online communities: and if their funding for Psychonauts 2 stems from a casual tweet, they'll have countless imitators trying to replicate their social media success.
Now, Schafer, if you're reading this: get started on that game already! I've already played Day of the Tentacle like five times, I need another Schafer-branded point and click game. And another Psychonauts. Just stop reading this and get to work. Please.
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Dylan McHugh is a published DePaul University journalism major (game design minor) who loves writing about video games almost as much as he does playing them. Combining the best of print journalism with the sharp wit and connectivity of newer media, Dylan is determined to write stories that enthrall, immerse, and stay with the reader long after the final period. His articles have appeared in Chicago Dispatcher, The DePaulia, and his own video game blog Dead Pixel Daily. In his free time, Dylan enjoys playing guitar and authoring alluring alliterations. Dylan is also an extremely cool guy [citation needed].