Jay G.

Double Fine Productions is creating a new point-and-click adventure game, and they're using Kickstarter to fund it:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...fine-adventure

They've already well exceeded their funding goal, and are on track to raising over $1 million for it.

Minecraft's Notch pledged $10,000.

Edit: The game is now called Broken Age.

Drexl

Yeah, I saw this today. With the extra money they've raised, they may be able to put this on the consoles in addition to Steam.

Jay G.

Not sure how well a point-and-click would work on a console (maybe with a Wii Remote?). Also read that a OS X port would be one of the possibilities of additional funding.

From an update to the Kickstarter page:
Kickstarter posted this on twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/kickstarter/s...50731183194112

fumanstan

I donated $15 earlier.

The Monkey Island games worked ok on consoles.

flashburn

I'd say they are on track to raising over $3 million, even if it slows down quite a bit. It hasn't even been a day yet, and there are 33 days remaining.

Groucho

Thanks for sharing this. In for $15.

Michael Corvin

The children on CAG have been putting up a stink about this all day.

I, for one, think it's a great idea to get new games made that otherwise wouldn't be touched with a ten-foot pole by publishers.

UncleGramps

I don't understand how anyone could see this as being a bad thing. You're allowing the developer to make something that wouldn't otherwise be made, and the developer will be tailoring the game to the people who care most about it. Where's the negative in that?

Jay G.

Plus, if they don't want to pay $15, they can wait for the inevitable Steam sale. At this point it's a given the game will be made.

fumanstan

Yeah, what's the complaint on CAG?

Decker

I didn't want to contribute to this -- thought they'd be capable of raising the money themselves and therefor didn't pledge $15. I can't imagine anyone having an issue with other people throwing their money at Double Fine if that's what they want.

On the other hand, I'd happily contribute $25 or more for Psychonauts 2 if that were on the table.

fumanstan

I figure the $15 is buying you the game anyway, and in this case you know you're pretty much directly making sure your money is supporting the development of the game.

mhg83

So how does this work? Can you release a game without the need for a publisher? Can you get a game in stores without a publisher?

Jay G.

The Beta and finished version they're giving to kickstarters is a Steam download, so I'm assuming that's what their original launch platform was going to be. They should be able to get it on PSN, XBLA, WiiWare, Android Market, and OS X and iOS App Store without a publisher.

They could try to self publish to get it into stores, but having a publisher for a physical retail release would help a lot, if that's something they even want to do. Like Plants vs Zombies, if the game's a success on the download platforms, finding a retail publisher shouldn't be a problem.

The main goal for this was to develop the game without having to ask a publisher for money (since they'd most likely say no). This way, they can make the game they want without having to bow to publisher demands.

Drexl

Since this won't be on a disc, the only publishing cost is whatever the distribution service charges. The only confirmed platform so far is the PC through Steam. So whatever they have to spend to get it on there was probably included in the original $400k goal.

But since they've gotten more than they expected, they'll probably release it on other platforms like consoles and phones.

xmiyux

I jumped right in on this at 30$ because I also wand all the documentary video. I'm teaching a class on game analysis and a little bit about the design process and sections of the documentary might be nice to show.

Decker

BTW : If people are just dying to help Double Fine out financially and own a Kinect, they should really pick up Double Fine Happy Action Theater for 800 points. I think it's really cute and fun for kids (and silly grown up parties, I guess). It's not really a game, but it IS fun and seems to have sold pretty poorly so far.

Michael Corvin

That this is a big con to get people to pre-order a game before it even exists... slippery slope... doom & gloom... all that bullshit.

fumanstan

Ah... makes some sense, but really... people can just not donate and buy the game when it comes out if reviews are good. Doesn't seem to be a big issue, and its not like this sort of model will work for everyone. This one only works because a lot of folks have a fondness for the developers.

Jay G.

Here's the CAG thread:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/...d.php?t=315129

I think a big problem was that it was originally posted in the "deals" forum there, which it technically isn't.

Edit: Also, they've raised $1,127,050 with just under 30,000 backers, so they're the record holder for the most money raised, beating out Elevation Dock, which just broke the record itself earlier today:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...ock-for-iphone

Wazootyman

I only read half of the CAG post, but it seems like there's only one guy against it and everyone else pretty much rallied against him.

mhg83

If this was for psychonauts 2 i would donate $50 easily.

Michael Corvin

Exactly. We all have "our games" that didn't sell or weren't as popular as they should have been. I'd be down for donating if it was something near and dear to my heart.

That game for me would be Beyond Good & Evil 2. I'd donate for that in a heartbeat if it meant we'd get some reassurance that it's actually happening.

Ahh, I don't keep track of users over there like here. I also have a lot more on ignore there.

Canis Firebrand

I got in shortly after it was announced and the pledged amount was around $20k I think. Unbelievable how fast it went up and how much its at.

I'm also hoping that Psychonauts 2 comes out as was hinted at through Twitter between Tim and the guy from Minecraft.

Jay G.

The Minecraft guy? Isn't his name Nachos or something?