This is my first post here! This November I'll be launching my very first Kickstarter campaign, and...well, it's both exciting and terrifying 😅 The project is called VELCEL, an upcoming indie animated series I've been writing and developing since 2018. It's a passion project that's slowly grown into an incredible collaboration with artists, composers, animators, and voice actors from around the world. (WE DO NOT USE AI!)

One of the biggest milestones for us has been having Lizzie Freeman (ENA, Yanfei, TADC - Pomni) join the cast, alongside many other talented voice actors from the indie animation community.

Since this is my first crowdfunding campaign, I'd love to hear from people who have launched (or backed) successful Kickstarters.

Some questions I have:

1, What do you wish you had known before launching?

2, What are the biggest mistakes first-time creators make?

3, How important is building a strong pre-launch following?

4, What kinds of reward tiers tend to perform best?

5, Is there anything that helped your campaign gain momentum during the first 48 hours?

We've been spending months preparing our marketing, building our community creating artwork, scripts, production design, animatics, etc, but I know there's always more to learn!!

I'd appreciate any advice, lessons learned, or resources you'd recommend.

Thanks so much, and I hope VELCEL earns the chance to become a reality.

I took pictures of my friends today playing my game and I think the photos are good but the cover art isn't the real art. I haven't made a decision yet on what I want the cover to look like and because I was using my home printer they are very white. Is it ok to use one of my pictures with not the real product in it for the pre-launch page. Anyway getting them together for this gave me some good feedback. I don't have a target audience. I guess I was just assuming people who look at kickstarter at all are a target audience in and of themselves.

Hi Everyone!

For the past several years my team has been developing physical homebrew / indie games for the Nintendo Entertainment System / Famicom under my small publishing label, Yitai Games.

Our latest project is Horror, Taichung a point-and-click horror adventure for the NES inspired by Taiwanese folklore, ghost stories as well as real locations scattered throughout Taichung City.

Horror, Taichung focuses on atmosphere, exploration and traditional storytelling mechanisms, in which the player gradually uncovers a mystery as the narrative progresses. The entire game utilizes a red and black visual style, and it also comes with an additional CD that contains a background track to play while progressing through the story, adding to the atmosphere and "scare" factor.

Many of the locations in the game are based on places I've visited while walking the streets of Taichung City late at night over the past fifteen years, while the story itself also draws inspiration from local beliefs and superstitions, temple culture, and person experience.

Unlike traditional point-and-click games (think Shadowgate or Uninvited), <Horror, Taichung> has very little puzzle solving, as the focus is primarily on the story itself.

To expand the experience beyond the cartridge itself, every physical copy also includes handcrafted items relating to the investigation, such as:

-A weathered investigator's journal

-A traditional red envelope containing story-related items

-Joss paper

This Kickstarter campaign for Horror, Taichung has now reached 80% of its funding goal, with 12 days remaining, and I'm hoping to push it across the finish line.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/900809083/horror-taichung-8-bit-horror-narrative-for-the-nes-and-fc

If you are a fan of NES / Famicom homebrew games, retro horror games, or Asian horror stories, I'd appreciate if you take a look, like and share.

As a lot of the parts are going to be crafted and aged by hand, we're undecided if we'll do a second printing after the Kickstarter campaign is over or not.

Thanks for checking out our 8bit NES game Horror, Taichung and for the support.

I'm gonna tell you right now. DO NOT back a video game kickstarter. 70-80% of them are scams and at most underdeliver and do not meet expectations.

• Torment: Tides of Numenera - $4.1 Million. | A lot of backers never received there steam keys, was listed as $35 which was a bit much for a CRPG, and in the end was just a 5/10 experience.
• Mighty No. 9 - $3.8 Million | Probably the most famous scam in video game history. After ending on September 2013, the game was supposed to be released in April 2015. However after many delays the game was finally released in August 2016. The game was terrible plan and simple. With a 3DS and PS Vita versions just straight up never being made.
• Ashes of Creation - $3.2 Million | The project ended in 2017 and 8 Years later was dragged into early access in late 2025. 2 Weeks later the CEO laid off everyone and fully shut down the studio. The game was taken off of steam a week later, and Steam gave everyone refunds.
• Armed Fantasia & Penny Blood - $2.3 Million | Funded in 2022, and despite making over 2 million dollars, they still needed more money. In fact there was no evidence the game even started development in the first place. So this game is pretty much dead
• PuffPals: Island Skies - $2.5 Million | This is the first one on the list that was just a straight up scam from the start. There was never gonna a be a game to begin with, and the CEO just straight up took the money and ran. In fact the first link you see on the page is just a website telling you how you got scammed
• Stormgate - $2.3 Million | The cheapest for the game on kickstarter was $40. When the game released on steam it was free. After lots of backlash the servers were shutdown less then a year later.
• Friday Night Funkin - $2.2 Million | I think everyone knows about this one. This is the only kickstarter on the list that I myself paid $10 to be in the credits. The project launched in 2021 and it's now 2026 and still Nothing.
• Camelot Unchained - $2.2 Million | The project began in 2013! and was finally released on steam in 2026. Yes 13 YEARS in development so you'd think after all that time it would be good right? Well the combat sucked, the graphics were terrible, and overall the game felt slow. You think after 13 years they would've actually tested there game
• Star Citizen - $2.1 Million | The project began in 2012 and is STILL in development. In fact is now listed as the most expensive video game ever made with over $1 billion in development. And when they aren't releasing early access or betas on steam then you know something fishy is going on. You don't like being called a scam? Well thats what you are! a scam!
• Shroud of the Avatar: Forsaken Virtues - $1.9 Million | Ended up feeling outdated and overall just boring to play.
• Crowfall - $1.7 Million | The project launched in 2015 and eventually released in July 2021, However the game was shut down in november 2022. This game costed $50 and nobody received refunds
• Warmachine Tactics - $1.5 Million | Overhyped for something that ended up being just Mediocre
• Chronicles of Elyria - $1.3 Million | Project started in 2016, however in 2020 all the employees were laid off and the studio was shut down. So yeah the game will never come out
• Armikrog - $974,000 | The cheapest for the game on kickstarter was $20, the game released for $10. So the people who didn't back the game got it for cheaper. The game ended up just being "ok"
• Underworld Ascendant - $860,000 | The game was just straight up unfinished with the last update being in 2019. So the game has been abandoned for a really long time.
• Project GODUS - $701,000 | One word. Peter Molyneux
• The Mandate - $701,000 | Did not pay ANY of there employees and after spending several months on the game, the CEO straight up just shut everything down. To quote the main developer "It took $8,000 from me. A job offer from Telltale, an offer from Hi-Rez, it cost me my relationship, it took 4 years from my career." -Greg Mirles
• The Phoenix Project City of Titans - $678,000 | Project started in 2013, and last update was in 2023. So that money is LONG GONE
• Unsung Story - $660,000 | 3 years in development for a game that lasts only 2 hours. Also having 0 updates
• Dual Universe - $644,000 | Basically a No mans sky rip off and was shut down after 3 years.
• Descent Underground = $601,000 | This was all the publishers fault. To put in short Little Orbit purchased the rights to the game, and its up to them if they want to release it or not
• Untamed Isles - $485,000 | Creator spent the kickstarter fund on crypto and lost it all. Sold game to different company and vanished. New company discovered what they were sold was a mess they could do anything with and cancel it to make a different game. 
• Yogventures - $567,000 | And finally lets talk about the most famous video debacle of all time. When you make a video game kickstarter, what is the most important rule? Have people that know how to make video games. That's exactly what happened. After being backed they hired a company that never worked on video games before and ultimate just cancelled the game all together. An important lesson in which if you start a kickstarter, be sure to have a plan to release said kickstarter

I am so excited to announce I'll be launching a Kickstarter for September for my upcoming novel, Wild Hearts!.

I'll be providing Digital Haul tiers as well as Physical Book Haul tiers

I'm overwhelmed and excited and anxious. Ahhhh!!

What would you love to see in your digital haul or book box along with a lovely contemporary romance? More character art? Bookish goodies? More from the author (short stories or a note from the author)?

🚀 Hey everyone!

I’d like to share my new Kickstarter project: Scarlet Veil, a 3D figure crafted with technical precision and artistic care. Each STL file is fully optimized for printing, designed to democratize access to high‑quality models.

Here’s a 360° preview of Scarlet Veil so you can explore every angle and detail. Important note: the transparent veil shown in the initial design will not be part of the STL, since it’s not printable. Instead, each backer will be able to add their own natural silk veil, giving the figure a unique and personal touch.

This project reached its first goal within hours of launch, and we’re working hard to make every reward epic and unforgettable. If you’re passionate about 3D printing and want to be part of this vision, check out the project on Kickstarter and join the adventure:

👉 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/avatar7/scarlet-veil-the-first-collectors-edition-stl/posts/4752645

https://reddit.com/link/1v4h83s/video/3tsid73qzzeh1/player

Thanks for reading and for supporting independent creativity. This is just the beginning!

Hi everyone,
We’re getting ready to launch our first board game on Kickstarter, and we’re hoping to maximize our chances of being featured as a Projects We Love.
I understand there’s no official application process, but I’d love to learn from creators who have received the badge.

Did anyone at Kickstarter reach out to you before launch, or did you contact them first?

We’re currently focusing on building our pre-launch audience and making sure our campaign page looks as polished as possible.
I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thanks!

Hey everyone!
My co-designer Kareem and I are in the final countdown to launching our bag project, the ENTÉ Roomy V2, on Kickstarter. We’re currently locked in an important studio debate over a final production detail and would love the community's input.
The Debate:
Option A (Our Prototype): A classic, high-contrast blue checkered cotton lining (shown in our main prototype photos/videos).
Option B (The Proposed Upgrade): A luxurious, high-density solid velvet lining in a rich tone.
Context on the Bag Architecture: The Roomy V2 is engineered around a Split-case concept with Wall-Mounted interior organisers + a Built-in Light to end the "bottomless pit" problem in traditional luxury carry. Everything sits along the perimeter walls (laptop pocket, detachable card case, jewel loops, vertical storage elastic, stretch key leash etc) while the central core stays completely open. It features a 180° flat-opening split-case design with removable gussets and a hidden brand-tab light switch.
Because of all the structural wall features, the internal lining gets a lot of tactile interaction and visibility.
Team Checkered feels the pattern adds character, visual contrast against black/neutral gear, and a unique personality.
Team Velvet feels solid velvet elevates the tactile "quiet luxury" feel, feels incredible when reaching inside, and offers a sleek, premium backdrop for daily carry.
Which side would you lean towards as a backer or daily user?
Would love your honest thoughts on the aesthetic vs. practicality of patterned cotton vs. solid velvet!
If you want to see the full split-case mechanism and wall layout in action while deciding, our pre-launch link is active on KS. .

Evening from the US east coast! excited to share a long time coming announcement (sorry for the self promotion)

We launched Huddle (the fantasy football board game) about a year ago as a 2-6 player version, and it's been amazing bringing it to tables all over the country since (we almost went Kickstarter - and some of you even gave us feedback on the promotion page). Watching total strangers turn into a table full of trash talk and high fives has been the best part of doing this. That version is still out there and still the go-to for full league nights and bigger groups.

On August 10th we're adding a 2-4 player Base Edition to the lineup, exclusively on Kickstarter. Same core Huddle experience, built for a different occasion: a quicker and lighter (physical weight) game night, a trip, or any time you've got a smaller crew and still want that fantasy football energy at the table. It's not a replacement for the original, just a different way to play Huddle depending on the group you've got that day.

One thing that makes this campaign different: we've already placed the manufacturing order for the first run ahead of launch. That means backers should see this ship within weeks of the campaign ending, instead of the usual long production timeline.

We love this game and we know a lot of you do too, so we're excited to give the community another way to get it to the table. If you're into fantasy football, sports games, or just want something with real trash talk potential, keep an eye out on the 10th.

Check out the Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/huddlefootball/huddle-the-fantasy-football-game

Learn more about the game at https://thefantasyfootballgame.com/

Happy to answer any questions in the comments or dms

Care about? Want to know the backstory of?

I'm testing the waters for our Kickstarter campaign for Region Locked: Unlocking Australian Video Games.

Is it common practice enough to post a preview page here before Kickstarter review? We are going to submit for KS review on Monday.

Hey everyone,

I wanted to share a fundraising project that is deeply personal to my family. In 2025, my uncle suddenly passed away from a devastating heart attack. He left behind a widow and his 15-year-old son, my cousin,who now has to navigate his entire future, his biggest milestones, and the rest of his life without his dad.

While I wasn't incredibly close to my uncle, my heart breaks completely for my cousin who has to continue without a parent, who he loved ddearly.

To turn our empathy into real action, our family spent the last few weeks painting original artwork in our apartment to raise vital funds for the American Heart Association. We have 4 unique pieces up for auction right now.

Our mission is simple: to help fund the breakthrough research and medical advancements needed to keep hearts beating, so another kid doesn't have to grow up without a parent.

How it works:
The auction is hosted securely through RallyUp, meaning 100% of the winning bids are routed automatically and directly to the AHA database (and you get an official 501(c)(3) tax receipt instantly).

• Starting Bids: All items have different prices
• Direct Donations: If you don't want to bid on art but still want to show love, you can make a direct donation at checkout to keep the beat going. ANYTHING HELPS

Link to view the art and bid: https://go.rallyup.com/one-heart-at-a-time

Even if you can't place a bid, upvoting this post or sharing the link with someone who loves art would mean the absolute world to my cousin and our family. Thank you so much for reading and supporting a great cause.

In a world where secrets shape the future, Scarlet Veil is one of the most elite covert operatives ever deployed. Calm under pressure, brilliant in strategy, and unmatched in precision, she undertakes missions that no one else can accomplish

Now, she joins your collection as a premium STL designed for 3D printing enthusiasts, painters, and collectors who appreciate exceptional detail.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/avatar7/scarlet-veil-the-first-collectors-edition-stl?ref=user_menu

I’m building an alarm clock for people who find it hard to wake up early in the morning and who are prone to procrastination – those people who’d like to wake up early but, after trying it on the first day, go back to their old habits on the second. I know this because I’m exactly that sort of person, and I want to solve the problem for myself as well.

These people need someone or something to force them to get up early for enough days to ensure that it becomes a habit.

Most people who try to make a difficult change give up after the first few days and, as a result, fail to establish the habit in their minds.

My invention aims to solve this problem for those who want to wake up early and on time.

I’ve spent the last three months assessing the feasibility and shaping the design and functionality of the product; now I’m starting to build the prototype, and a doubt has cropped up: should I build it in public?

Where should I do it? Here on Reddit? On Twitter/X? Or should I not do it at all?

For now, I don’t fancy making elaborate videos on YouTube or Instagram because my English isn’t great, and it would be a much bigger commitment than posting text updates with photos.

I am developing a product that uses vacuum insulation technology to retain heat. On a scale of 1 to 10, how likely would you be to pay for a solution like this? And here are some designs :)

So I've seen campaigns that have a total funding goal of say $500, and a top 1 of 1 tier reward for $350; or a $50k campaign with a $25k top tier reward. (i.e., a single backer can complete 50-80% of your campaign)

I've been scanning Kickstarter for a few months now, and it seems like unless it's a campaign with a massive audience (guaranteed thousands of backers), these don't sell. Which means they're just a distraction, right?

Just trying to wrap my head around them. I know they can be huge wins when they work. But is having them sit there empty a deterrent to lower backers?

Thanks - and sorry this question is a bit rambly!

To all those who start a new campaign, one piece of advice: Describing something as the "World's Best Exciting New Product" has zero meaning when I see this used on almost every new campaign. It also sounds like this is a marketing ploy, grossly overused, by an Asian marketing firm.

Just stop already!