Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Crowdfund Bookie, June 2 - 8: Hex, The Stomping Land, Darkwood]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/09/crowdfund-bookie-june-2-8-hex-the-stomping-land-darkwood/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/09/crowdfund-bookie-june-2-8-hex-the-stomping-land-darkwood/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/09/crowdfund-bookie-june-2-8-hex-the-stomping-land-darkwood/#commentsThe Crowdfund Bookie crunches data from select successful Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaigns that ended during the week and produces pretty charts for you to look at.
Crowdfund Bookie, June 2 8 Hex, The Stomping Land, Darkwood
This week in crowdfunding, the Kickstarter campaigns for Hex, The Stomping Land, Face of Mankind: Fall of the Dominion, Battle Tails, City Quest and Moon Rift as well as the Indiegogo campaign for Darkwood ended.

Hex, a MMO trading card game for PC and Mac, earned the most money this week with a whopping $2,278,255, and also had the most backers of the group (17,765). The highest average pledge per person belonged to Huck Gee's Battle Tails, with each funder averaging a $234.59.

Check out the results and our pretty charts after the break.

Continue reading Crowdfund Bookie, June 2 - 8: Hex, The Stomping Land, Darkwood

JoystiqCrowdfund Bookie, June 2 - 8: Hex, The Stomping Land, Darkwood originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 09 Jun 2013 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-tailscity-questcrowdfund-bookiecrowdfundingdarkwoodface-of-mankindhexIndieGoGokickstartermoon-riftsalesthe-stomping-landSun, 09 Jun 2013 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Crowdfund Bookie, May 26 - June 1: Stonehearth, TUG, Son of Nor]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/02/crowdfund-bookie-may-26-june-1-stonehearth-tug-son-of-nor/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/02/crowdfund-bookie-may-26-june-1-stonehearth-tug-son-of-nor/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/02/crowdfund-bookie-may-26-june-1-stonehearth-tug-son-of-nor/#commentsThe Crowdfund Bookie crunches data from select successful Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaigns that ended during the week and produces pretty charts for you to look at.
This week in crowdfunding, the Kickstarter campaigns for Stonehearth, TUG, Son of Nor, Tiny Keep, Sissyfight 2000, Redwall: The Warrior Reborn and Welcome to Boon Hill came to a close.

Radiant Entertainment's Stonehearth brought in the most money this week ($751,920), and also had the most backers of the group, with 22,844 people funding the project. Son of Nor ended the week with the highest average pledge per person, with each funder averaging $67.37.

Check out the results and our fancy charts after the break.

Continue reading Crowdfund Bookie, May 26 - June 1: Stonehearth, TUG, Son of Nor

JoystiqCrowdfund Bookie, May 26 - June 1: Stonehearth, TUG, Son of Nor originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 02 Jun 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crowdfund-bookiecrowdfundingIndieGoGokickstarterredwall-the-warrior-rebornsalessissyfight-2000son-of-norstonehearthtiny-keeptugwelcome-to-boon-hillSun, 02 Jun 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkwood: Not just your average 2D roguelike survival horror game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/29/darkwood-not-just-your-average-2d-roguelike-survival-horror-gam/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/29/darkwood-not-just-your-average-2d-roguelike-survival-horror-gam/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/29/darkwood-not-just-your-average-2d-roguelike-survival-horror-gam/#comments
As video games have always taught us, you don't need fancy graphics and surround sound to build a convincing atmosphere. Enter Darkwood, a survival horror experience played from a top-down 2D perspective. Developed by Acid Wizard, Darkwood takes place in a procedurally generated world, featuring permadeath, RPG elements and a crafting system (can't block out the horrors of the night without building some barricades).

Darkwood seems to place heavy emphasis on light and dark, limiting the player's field of view to ratchet up the tension. The visuals may be simple, but if the trailer is any indication, the final product looks extra creepy. Example: Why is the generator talking?

Darkwood is looking for funding on IndieGoGo, hoping to raise $40,000. As of this writing it's only a few hundred dollars away with seven days to go. It's planned for release on PC, Mac and Linux. If you're into survival horror, check it out.

JoystiqDarkwood: Not just your average 2D roguelike survival horror game originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acid-wizardsdarkwoodindiegogomacpcWed, 29 May 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Crowdfund Bookie, May 19 - 25: ANNE, Jagged Alliance, Ghost of a Tale]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/26/crowdfund-bookie-may-19-25-anne-jagged-alliance-ghost-of-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/26/crowdfund-bookie-may-19-25-anne-jagged-alliance-ghost-of-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/26/crowdfund-bookie-may-19-25-anne-jagged-alliance-ghost-of-a/#commentsThe Crowdfund Bookie crunches data from select successful Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaigns that ended during the week and produces pretty charts for you to look at.
This week in crowdfunding, the Kickstarter campaigns for ANNE, Jagged Alliance: Flashback, Magnetic by Nature, Theme Park Studio, an adventure mode for Guns of Icarus Online, Dog Sled Saga as well as the Indiegogo campaign for Ghost of a Tale came to a close.

Jagged Alliance: Flashback earned the most money this week ($368,614), and had the most backers of the group, with 7,167 people funding the project. Theme Park Studio boasted the highest average pledge per person, with each funder averaging a $53.81.

Take a gander at the results and our fancy charts after the break.

Continue reading Crowdfund Bookie, May 19 - 25: ANNE, Jagged Alliance, Ghost of a Tale

JoystiqCrowdfund Bookie, May 19 - 25: ANNE, Jagged Alliance, Ghost of a Tale originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 26 May 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>annecrowdfund-bookiecrowdfundingDog-Sled-Sagaghost-of-a-taleguns-of-icarus-onlineIndieGoGojagged-alliance-flashbackkickstartermagnetic-by-naturesalestheme-park-studioSun, 26 May 2013 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Eric Ruth goes crowdfunding route for 'Hauntlings' project]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/eric-ruth-goes-crowdfunding-route-for-hauntlings-project/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/eric-ruth-goes-crowdfunding-route-for-hauntlings-project/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/eric-ruth-goes-crowdfunding-route-for-hauntlings-project/#comments
Eric Ruth of Eric Ruth Games has an extensive history of creating de-makes, and now he's branching out to create the original title Hauntlings. Using Indiegogo for crowdfunding, Ruth is seeking $35,000 to create his 2D 2-vs-2 side-scrolling multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game featuring supernatural entities.

"I've always had the means to create a free project on my own from beginning to end on my own, however this particular title actually has expenses and I can't afford them on my own," said Ruth in his pitch video. "Unfortunately, I'll need the assistance from my awesome - and very sexy - fan base to complete Hauntlings and make it the very best it can be."

Being a competitive online game, it would seem Ruth is seeking to hire some help and cover infrastructure costs. Ruth's previous projects include the Team Fortress 2 arcade beat-em-up and Pixel Force: Halo.

JoystiqEric Ruth goes crowdfunding route for 'Hauntlings' project originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eric-rutheric-ruth-gameshauntlingsindiegogopcMon, 13 May 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Student film 'Brothers Rapture' revisits BioShock's underwater city]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/student-film-brothers-rapture-revisits-bioshocks-underwater-c/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/student-film-brothers-rapture-revisits-bioshocks-underwater-c/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/student-film-brothers-rapture-revisits-bioshocks-underwater-c/#comments

The Brothers Rapture is an upcoming short film put together by a group of Vancouver film students with a bit of Indiegogo funding, and this teaser should give you an idea of what it has in store. Plasmids, audio diaries, and the philosophical battle between art and commerce, oh my!

JoystiqStudent film 'Brothers Rapture' revisits BioShock's underwater city originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 May 2013 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bioshockfanfanfilmfanmadefilmindiegogoshortthe-brothersthe-brothers-raptureThu, 09 May 2013 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Arcade documentary '100 Yen' launches on DVD]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/arcade-documentary-100-yen-launches-on-dvd/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/arcade-documentary-100-yen-launches-on-dvd/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/arcade-documentary-100-yen-launches-on-dvd/#comments
For those of us unable to pop into a nearby Taito Station, the film "100 Yen" sounds like the next best thing, and without some guy angrily making an "X" shape with his arms when you try to shoot photos.

The documentary film features a series of interviews illustrating the evolution of arcade culture, focusing on shooting, rhythm, and fighting game scenes in Japanese, Canadian, and American arcades.

The film was funded through two IndieGogo campaigns, and is now available on DVD through distributor Filmbuff, which also released Exit Through the Gift Shop and Super Size Me. Blu-ray and online versions are due in Q4.

JoystiqArcade documentary '100 Yen' launches on DVD originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>100-yenarcadedocumentaryindiegogoMon, 29 Apr 2013 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Skullgirls funding temporarily blocked by Paypal [update: XBLA patch on the way]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/skullgirls-funding-temporarily-blocked-by-paypal/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/skullgirls-funding-temporarily-blocked-by-paypal/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/skullgirls-funding-temporarily-blocked-by-paypal/#comments Paypal froze Lab Zero Games' account briefly today, due to risk that a significant number of Skullgirls crowdfunding pledges would be revoked. Lab Zero allowed backers to vote on new DLC characters, leading to the theory that if their chosen character didn't make it into the game, some fans would pull their "vote." "Basically, they are terrified of chargebacks," CEO Peter Bartholow told Venturebeat. "If we spend all the money and don't deliver and everyone [requests] chargebacks, PayPal is concerned they will be on the line for [the money]. So, they are effectively treating it as a loan."

After discussions with PayPal, the company has "unrestricted" Lab Zero's account, but continues to hold around $35,000, which Lab Zero CEO Peter Bartholow had planned to use for payroll. "They've only got $35k of our money frozen, so we're not in any real danger," Bartholow said on NeoGAF. "It's just an inconvenience at the moment."

Update: In other Skullgirls news, Bartholow tells XBLAFans the "Slightly Different" patch should arrive in the next two weeks on Xbox.

JoystiqSkullgirls funding temporarily blocked by Paypal [update: XBLA patch on the way] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crowdfundingindiegogolab-zero-gamesmicrosoftpaypalpcplaystationps3skullgirlsxboxTue, 23 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Crowdfunders fail to win Homeworld IP in THQ auction, issue refunds]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/crowdfunders-fail-to-win-homeworld-ip-in-thq-auction-issue-refu/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/crowdfunders-fail-to-win-homeworld-ip-in-thq-auction-issue-refu/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/crowdfunders-fail-to-win-homeworld-ip-in-thq-auction-issue-refu/#comments Crowdfunders fail to buy Homeworld IP from THQ, refund bidding moneyWhen THQ went bankrupt and saw several of its IPs heading to the auction block, indie developer teamPixel began crowdfunding bidding money to win the Homeworld property for use in its upcoming space RTS game. Even after garnering $58,644 through a successful Kickstarter campaign and $13,675 on Indiegogo, teamPixel recently announced that it failed to win the Homeworld IP during the auction process.

"We hope you will join us in supporting Homeworld's new owners in building a future for the franchise," the developer said in a Kickstarter update. "We anticipate an announcement of the new owner to be made within a couple weeks and for the sale to be finalized around mid-May."

Well into development on its own Homeworld-inspired strategy game, teamPixel will refund all money earned during its crowdfunding efforts while also offering donors a "special credit" in the game. The developer's "Save Homeworld" site has since transformed to a landing page for tracking donor refunds.

The final THQ auction is expected to earn $6 million to $7 million. First details of the bidding results are expected to be revealed Monday.

JoystiqCrowdfunders fail to win Homeworld IP in THQ auction, issue refunds originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 20 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionbiddingcrowdfundingHomeworldIndieGoGoiosipadiphonekickstartermobilerefundteampixelTHQSat, 20 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Skullgirls drive ends at $830K, five DLC characters funded [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/28/skullgirls-drive-ends-at-830k-five-dlc-characters-funded/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/28/skullgirls-drive-ends-at-830k-five-dlc-characters-funded/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/28/skullgirls-drive-ends-at-830k-five-dlc-characters-funded/#comments The Skullgirls Indiegogo fundraiser concluded this week at the neat figure of $829,829, beating its $150,000 goal by some five and a half times. The whirlwind drive means five new characters will come to the 2D fighter as downloadable content, including two "mystery" ones as chosen by a fan poll.

Developer Lab Zero Game's Indiegogo campaign took just 22 hours to raise the $150K required to fund the first DLC character, Squigly. Surpassed stretch goals unlocked the game's first male combatant, Big Band, along with Robo-Fortune and the two mystery characters. Each new fighter, with the exception of the second mystery one, is getting a new stage and storyline. That exception would've been unlocked at $850K, although it took a mammoth surge across the final day to take the fundraiser to its final figure.

Lab Zero says each piece of content developed thanks to the funds will be, for a limited time, free on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC.

Update: Lab Zero has since announced, due to unexpected additional funds, the second mystery character will get a stage and storyline. Lab Zero CEO Peter Bartholow posted an explanation on NeoGAF: "Non-disclosure agreements with the powers that be prevent me from getting too specific, but in the last week one of our character development line items has evaporated. This means we've got an additional $40,000 to play with now. Naturally we'll be using this money to give the 2nd fan-selected Mysterious Character a stage and story mode."

JoystiqSkullgirls drive ends at $830K, five DLC characters funded [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autumn-gamesindiegogokonamilab-zero-gamesmicrosoftpcplaystationps3skullgirlsxboxThu, 28 Mar 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Skullgirls gets third 'mystery character,' more from Indiegogo drive]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/27/skullgirls-gets-third-mystery-character-from-indiegogo-drive/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/27/skullgirls-gets-third-mystery-character-from-indiegogo-drive/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/27/skullgirls-gets-third-mystery-character-from-indiegogo-drive/#comments Skullgirls gets third 'mystery character' from Indiegogo driveWith just hours to go, Skullgirls' massive Indiegogo funding drive has hit $725,000, blowing past the $600,000 required to fund the addition of a third "mystery character" as downloadable content.

Previous goals unlocked Squigly, Big Band (with their own storylines and stages), and additional voice packs. Also unlocked at $725,000: a free copy of the Skullgirls "Z Engine" for the Fighting is Magic team, and another character, Robo-Fortune. At $825,000, another new mystery character will be added as DLC.

The "mystery character" or characters will be determined through a voting campaign by backers. There are ... 32 different choices.

JoystiqSkullgirls gets third 'mystery character,' more from Indiegogo drive originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>indiegogolab-zero-gamesmicrosoftpcplaystationps3skullgirlsxboxWed, 27 Mar 2013 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ronimo Games considering crowdfunding for Awesomenauts content]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/23/ronimo-games-considering-crowdfounding-for-awesomenauts-content/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/23/ronimo-games-considering-crowdfounding-for-awesomenauts-content/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/23/ronimo-games-considering-crowdfounding-for-awesomenauts-content/#comments Awesomenauts developer Ronimo Games is considering a crowdfunding approach to make its next project a reality. The developer self-published Awesomenauts on Steam in August 2012, and has since offered a number of updates and extra content for the PC version of the game.

Though the developer's next project is "not Awesomenauts 2," it does have ambitions to expand on Awesomenauts. "There are some bigger features that we want to try to do, but we don't have the capacity to really do that right now," Ronimo Games co-founder Jasper Koning told Joystiq during PAX East.

Crowdfunding extra content has lead to success before, most recently in the case of a successful Indiegogo campaign to bring new characters to Skullgirls. The campaign reached its $150,000 goal in less than 24 hours.

As seen with Lab Zero Games, the costs for creating new content for its fighting game made the goal a reasonable one to obtain. Likewise, Ronimo Games has added four characters and a number of maps to Awesomenauts in the game's lifetime, and has offered that content to Steam players for free.

Not every piece of additional Awesomenauts content is free, as the developer sells character skins. Without revealing any specific numbers, Koning told Joystiq the "skins do very well, we're not getting really rich off of it, but well enough for us."

JoystiqRonimo Games considering crowdfunding for Awesomenauts content originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 23 Mar 2013 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awesomenautscrowdfundingindiegogoJasper-Koningkickstarterpax-eastpax-east-2013pcronimo-gamessteamSat, 23 Mar 2013 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Skullgirls dev may license engine to Fighting is Magic team for free]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/17/skullgirls-dev-may-license-engine-to-fighting-is-magic-team-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/17/skullgirls-dev-may-license-engine-to-fighting-is-magic-team-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/17/skullgirls-dev-may-license-engine-to-fighting-is-magic-team-for/#comments Skullgirls developer Lab Zero Games announced plans to provide former MLP: Fighting is Magic developer Mane6 with a free license of its Skullgirls engine should Lab Zero Games' Indiegogo campaign reach $725,000. Lab Zero Games launched its crowdfunding campaign in late February to fund new characters for Skullgirls with an initial $150,000 goal that it reached in just 24 hours.

As for Mane6, its ambitions to create a fighting game based on the My Little Pony property were halted by Hasbro in early February due to Mane6 not having the rights to develop the game. Mane6 has since noted its desire to continue development on its game, now using new characters in a new setting. Lab Zero Games' Indiegogo campaign is currently at just over $427,000 with 11 days left before it closes.

JoystiqSkullgirls dev may license engine to Fighting is Magic team for free originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 17 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crowdfundingIndieGoGolab-zero-gamesmane6MLP-Fighting-is-MagicMy-Little-Ponymy-little-pony-fighting-is-magicskullgirlsSun, 17 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Skullgirls secures funding for second DLC character, Big Band]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/14/skullgirls-secures-funding-for-second-dlc-character-big-band/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/14/skullgirls-secures-funding-for-second-dlc-character-big-band/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/14/skullgirls-secures-funding-for-second-dlc-character-big-band/#comments Skullgirls developer Lab Zero Games has announced its Indiegogo pledge drive has earned enough for a second DLC character, the first male fighter to make his way onto the roster: Big Band. With 14 days remaining, the Skullgirls Indiegogo page rests at a comfortable $380,000.

Initially the Indiegogo campaign was to fuel a single DLC character - developer Lab Zero Games asked for $150,000, exceeding that goal in a brisk 24 hours. If you find yourself wondering why it costs so much money to come up with one little old DLC character, know the process requires more work than you'd think.

JoystiqSkullgirls secures funding for second DLC character, Big Band originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>big-bandindiegogolab-zero-gamesmicrosoftpcplaystationps3skullgirlsxboxThu, 14 Mar 2013 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Riot in the streets, at a desk, in your hand: An indie documentary game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/riot-in-the-streets-at-a-desk-in-your-hand-an-indie-documenta/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/riot-in-the-streets-at-a-desk-in-your-hand-an-indie-documenta/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/riot-in-the-streets-at-a-desk-in-your-hand-an-indie-documenta/#comments Riot thing"Riots are powerful. They are moments in which lots of different people blend into a unique and cohesive mass to fight for their freedom. It is something that you cannot pursue for yourself, but only for a greater good. How can that not be incredibly emotive?"

Designer Mattia Traverso approaches rioting as an intense, human experience, from both sides of the kevlar: Rioters take to the streets for freedom and glory, while the authorities fight back in an equally fervid attempt to retain order. Riots are masses of thousands of stories about people, and Riot is a game about humanity.

Traverso, creator Leonard Menchiari and programmer Ugur Ister's Riot has raised almost triple its $10,000 funding goal on Indiegogo, and it still has 10 days to pull in more money. Money that the Italian trio will use to travel the globe, seeking out and documenting riots in Italy, Greece, Egypt, Russia and other countries, interviewing rioters and law enforcement officers, gathering videos, photos and eyewitness accounts - then throwing all of that into the game.

"Phisically visiting these places and joining the live riots is fundamental," Traverso tells me. "One cannot describe something he does not know, and that is something that the 'serious' movie industry knows very well: You need research. How could we even claim to describe such an important topic without having lived it multiple times or having talked with the rioters or the police?"

Continue reading Riot in the streets, at a desk, in your hand: An indie documentary game

JoystiqRiot in the streets, at a desk, in your hand: An indie documentary game originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcrowdfundingcrowdsourcingIndieIndieGoGoiosipadiphoneleonard-menchiarimacMattia-Traversomobilepcriotriotstravelugur-isterFri, 08 Mar 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Skullgirls' $150,000 Indiegogo goal met in less than 24 hours]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/26/skullgirls-150-000-indiegogo-goal-met-in-less-than-24-hours/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/26/skullgirls-150-000-indiegogo-goal-met-in-less-than-24-hours/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/26/skullgirls-150-000-indiegogo-goal-met-in-less-than-24-hours/#comments Skullgirls' $150,000 IndieGogo goal met in less than 24 hoursSkullgirls developer Lab Zero Games has not only succeeded in raising the $150,000 required to design, develop and implement the game's first DLC character, but in doing so has also delivered crowd-funding platform Indiegogo's fastest and most-funded gaming project to date.

The fundraiser met its goal after 22 hours, and is sitting just above $184,000 as of press time, with 29 days of funding still left to go. This means that the project's first stretch goal, a new level and story mode campaign for Squigly, the new character, has also been completely funded. If the fundraiser reaches $375,000 before its completion, Skullgirls' first male character, Big Band, will also be created.

Once completed, Squigly will be made available at no cost on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.

Continue reading Skullgirls' $150,000 Indiegogo goal met in less than 24 hours

JoystiqSkullgirls' $150,000 Indiegogo goal met in less than 24 hours originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autumn-gamescrowd-fundingindiegogokonamilab-zero-gamesmicrosoftpcplaystationps3reverge-labsskullgirlsSquiglyxboxTue, 26 Feb 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Skullgirls character crowdfunding breakdown: What that $150K is for]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/25/skullgirls-character-crowdfunding-breakdown-what-that-150k-is/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/25/skullgirls-character-crowdfunding-breakdown-what-that-150k-is/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/25/skullgirls-character-crowdfunding-breakdown-what-that-150k-is/#comments Skullgirls character crowdfunding numbers broken downWhen the developers responsible for Skullgirls were laid off from Reverge Labs last summer, they reformed as Lab Zero Games and pledged to continue working on the franchise, in November announcing that the first DLC character was "indefinitely delayed" while the studio found its footing.

Now Lab Zero is ready to get rocking on Squigly, its first DLC character, but it needs $150,000 to make that happen. Lab Zero set up an Indiegogo campaign to get the cash via crowdfunding, a move that puts the amount of money under a public microscope. Some potential players are outraged at the cost of making a single character - Lab Zero CEO Peter Bartholow tells Joystiq he doesn't expect people to understand the budget, but it is "reasonable with all the relevant information."

Bartholow breaks down the Squigly budget as follows:
$48,000: Staff Salaries - 8 people for 10 weeks
$30,000: Animation and Clean-up Contracting
$4,000: Voice recording
$2,000: Hit-box Contracting
$5,000: Audio Implementation Contracting
$20,000: QA Testing
$10,000: 1st Party Certification
$10,500: Indiegogo and Payment Processing Fees
$20,500: Manufacturing and Shipping Physical Perks
Original Skullgirls characters cost $200,000 - $250,000 apiece and the game's total budget was $1.7 million. The salaries in Lab Zero's Squigly budget are reduced, as well, Bartholow says.

"So, as you can see, over two-fifths of the money is spent on all the stuff we need to do just to get to collect the money and get her onto people's systems," he says. "This is just the reality of crowdfunding and independent console development right now. And also probably why more games don't do what we're attempting, too."

JoystiqSkullgirls character crowdfunding breakdown: What that $150K is for originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crowdfundingIndieGoGolab-zero-gamesmicrosoftpcplaystationps3skullgirlssquiglyxboxMon, 25 Feb 2013 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[nGees: Another tiny Android console]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/11/ngees-another-tiny-android-console/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/11/ngees-another-tiny-android-console/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/11/ngees-another-tiny-android-console/#comments
Another day, another itty bitty Android console. Joining the likes of Ouya, GameStick and Project Shield is the nGees (pronounced "in jeez"), the "Next Generation Entertainment System." Seeking funding on Indiegogo, The little box packs many of the same features seen in other Android consoles, though this one is pitched more as a multimedia device. That includes everything from Skype video conferencing to photo sharing, movies, music and even things like editing documents.

On the gaming front, the box appears to run currently available Android games. Specifically, the above video shows Fruit Ninja being played with a motion-sensing remote control. And, of course, it plays Angry Birds. The games don't appear to be built specifically for the device - you can clearly see a shot of the standard Google Play store at 1:01 - suggesting that the remote is simply emulating touch screen controls on your TV, which doesn't exactly sound ideal. The device does however, promise to support "most of your electronic devices" via USB, and the video shows off a wireless Logitech controller being used. As for the specs, the device sports an ARM9 dual-core processor and a quad-core GPU.

A pledge of $99, $139 or $159 will net you an 8GB, 16GB or 32GB nGees, respectively, with an estimated delivery of May 2013. Strangely, only the $4,000 pledge level mentions including a remote control. nGees is seeking $395,000, with 52 days to go.

JoystiqnGees: Another tiny Android console originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Feb 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidindiegogomobilengeesMon, 11 Feb 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Indie company teamPixel crowdfunds to buy THQ's Homeworld IP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/27/indie-company-teampixel-crowdfunds-to-buy-thqs-homeworld-ip/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/27/indie-company-teampixel-crowdfunds-to-buy-thqs-homeworld-ip/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/27/indie-company-teampixel-crowdfunds-to-buy-thqs-homeworld-ip/#comments
With a separate process slated to happen in the coming weeks that would see THQ's back catalog landing in the hands of bidders, indie studio teamPixel took to Indiegogo to crowdsource the funds to bid on one of the forlorn properties: Homeworld. The team's goal is to bring Homeworld to GoG and Steam, launch a mobile version of the spacefaring RTS called Homeworld Touch and develop Homeworld 3. To be clear, teamPixel already began work on its own space RTS that is inspired by the Homeworld brand, so Homeworld Touch would become an "official version" of sorts, should the company manage to buy the IP.

The studio's lofty aspirations start with a significant crowd-funding goal: teamPixel hopes to raise $50,000 by Thursday, February 7 in order to acquire the property. Former Homeworld developer Relic were purchased by Sega during THQ's auction process. Relic teased the development of Homeworld 3 in November 2008, though nothing came to fruition.

JoystiqIndie company teamPixel crowdfunds to buy THQ's Homeworld IP originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 27 Jan 2013 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcrowdfundingHomeworldhomeworld-3homeworld-touchIndieGoGoiosipadiphonemobilepcRelicteampixelTHQSun, 27 Jan 2013 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Press Paws charity art show to break hearts, empty wallets, save pooches]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/12/press-paws-charity-art-show-to-break-hearts-empty-wallets-save/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/12/press-paws-charity-art-show-to-break-hearts-empty-wallets-save/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/12/press-paws-charity-art-show-to-break-hearts-empty-wallets-save/#comments
On February 9, gaming/puppy enthusiasts Amelia Cantlay, Sakura Minamida, Amber Drsata and Laurie Ma, along with their team of volunteers, will attempt to save as many of man's best friends as possible through Press Paws, a gaming-themed charity art show for the benefit of What's Up Dog! LA.

The event is scheduled to take place at Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra, California, and will feature pieces from more than 50 artists, all of which focus on animals in gaming. Art sale and silent auction proceeds go to What's Up Dog! LA, which is why the event's organizers have launched an Indiegogo fundraiser to help cover the cost of printing posters, flyers, providing snacks at the event, etc. Their goal is a meager $3,000, and donations can be made here for those so inclined.

JoystiqPress Paws charity art show to break hearts, empty wallets, save pooches originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 12 Jan 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artartworkcharityfundraisergallery-nucleusindiegogopress-pawspuppieswhats-up-dogwhats-up-dog-laSat, 12 Jan 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Oculus Rift-enabled horror game Montas looks for Indiegogo funding]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/01/oculus-rift-enabled-horror-game-montas-looks-for-indiegogo-fundi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/01/oculus-rift-enabled-horror-game-montas-looks-for-indiegogo-fundi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/01/oculus-rift-enabled-horror-game-montas-looks-for-indiegogo-fundi/#comments
Indie horror games are all the rage these days, but the PC and Mac game Montas may just have a unique hook, in that its compatible with the upcoming Oculus Rift virtual reality headset. Developer Organic Humans is seeking $30,000 in funding on Indiegogo, though the studio makes it clear that the game will be made, and backer rewards given, whether it reaches its goal or not.

Montas tells the story of one Joseph Walker, an accountant wracked by nightmares and driven to alcoholism. Throw in a string of unexplained murders and intrusive police, and things start looking pretty grim for Joseph. The trailer showcases first-person gameplay featuring some attractive environments, though we don't get too many hints at Montas' presumably horrifying elements. Montas also promises a unique persistent death mechanic, in that "death no longer forces the player to retrace progress after failure, instead changes the direction and story of the game."

Another interesting feature: being the only remotely exciting thing related to accounting ever.

JoystiqOculus Rift-enabled horror game Montas looks for Indiegogo funding originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Nov 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>horrorindieindiegogomontasorganic-humanspcThu, 01 Nov 2012 20:30:00 EST