The Top 20 Most Successful Kickstarter Games: How to Launch Your Own Crowdfunding Success Story

Introduction: The Power of Crowdfunding in Game Development

Since its inception in 2009, Kickstarter has revolutionized the way creative projects, particularly games, are funded and brought to life. This Digital Platform has democratized the process of game development, allowing passionate creators to bypass traditional funding routes and connect directly with their potential audience. In this article, we'll explore the top 20 most successful Kickstarter games, analyze what made them stand out, and provide insights on how you can launch your own crowdfunding success story.

Before we dive into the list, let's look at some impressive statistics that highlight Kickstarter's impact on the gaming industry:

• Over 122,878 projects have been successfully funded on Kickstarter
• More than 12.7 million backers have supported various campaigns
• A staggering $3 billion has been raised through the platform

These numbers underscore the tremendous potential that crowdfunding offers to game developers and other creative entrepreneurs. Now, let's explore the games that have made the most of this opportunity and set records in the process.

The Top 20 Most Successful Kickstarter Games

1. Kingdom Death: Monster ($12.4 million)

Launched in November 2016, this dark and immersive board game campaign raised an astounding $12.4 million from 19,264 backers. Kingdom Death: Monster managed to raise $1 million in just 19 minutes after going live, setting a new standard for Kickstarter success. The game's creators used compelling visual storytelling and tiered backer rewards to attract and engage their audience.

2. Exploding Kittens ($8.8 million)

This quirky card game became one of the fastest-funded projects in Kickstarter history, raising $8.8 million from 219,382 backers. The campaign's success can be attributed to its clever use of social media, enticing backer rewards, and clear, engaging product descriptions.

3. The 7th Continent ($7.1 million)

Launched in September 2017, this cooperative adventure game raised $7.1 million from 43,733 backers. The campaign's success was driven by attractive backer rewards, exciting product descriptions, and strong visuals that highlighted different aspects of the game.

4. Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon ($6.2 million)

Awaken Realms, a company known for successful Kickstarter campaigns, launched this project in December 2018 and raised $6.2 million. Their success formula included engaging visual stories, exciting product descriptions, and well-structured rewards.

5. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night ($5.5 million)

This spiritual successor to the Castlevania series raised $5.5 million from 64,867 backers in May 2015. The campaign's success was driven by exciting rewards and effective visual storytelling through videos and captivating images.

6. Shenmue III ($6.3 million)

Launched in June 2015, this long-awaited sequel raised $6.3 million from 69,320 backers. The campaign utilized compelling videos, images, and exciting backer rewards to generate interest and support.

7. Mighty No. 9 ($3.8 million)

This spiritual successor to the Mega Man series raised $3.8 million from 67,226 backers in October 2013. The campaign leveraged nostalgia and promised innovative gameplay to attract supporters.

8. Torment: Tides of Numenera ($4.2 million)

This spiritual successor to Planescape: Torment raised $4.2 million from 74,405 backers in April 2013. The campaign's success was built on the reputation of the original game and promises of deep, narrative-driven gameplay.

9. Pillars of Eternity ($4 million)

Obsidian Entertainment's isometric RPG raised $4 million from 73,986 backers in October 2012. The campaign capitalized on the team's reputation and the promise of a classic RPG experience.

10. Divinity: Original Sin 2 ($2 million)

Larian Studios' RPG sequel raised $2 million from 42,713 backers in September 2015. The campaign built on the success of the first game and promised enhanced features and gameplay.

11. Wasteland 2 ($2.9 million)

This post-apocalyptic RPG raised $2.9 million from 61,290 backers in April 2012. The campaign leveraged nostalgia for the original Wasteland and promised a modern take on the classic game.

12. Shadowrun Returns ($1.8 million)

This cyberpunk tactical RPG raised $1.8 million from 36,276 backers in April 2012. The campaign capitalized on the popularity of the Shadowrun universe and promised a return to form for the franchise.

13. Planetary Annihilation ($2.2 million)

This real-time strategy game raised $2.2 million from 44,162 backers in September 2012. The campaign promised innovative gameplay on a galactic scale, attracting RTS enthusiasts.

14. Yooka-Laylee ($2.6 million)

This spiritual successor to Banjo-Kazooie raised $2.6 million from 73,206 backers in June 2015. The campaign leveraged nostalgia for classic 3D platformers and promised a modern twist on the genre.

15. Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse ($771,561)

This point-and-click adventure game raised $771,561 from 14,032 backers in September 2012. The campaign relied on the series' strong fanbase and promised a return to form for the beloved franchise.

16. Starfinder Masterclass Miniatures ($1 million)

This miniatures campaign for the Starfinder RPG raised $1 million from 4,692 backers in November 2019. The project's success was driven by high-quality product images and tiered reward options.

17. Conan ($3.3 million)

This board game based on Robert E. Howard's Conan stories raised $3.3 million from 16,038 backers in February 2015. The campaign's success was built on the strength of the Conan brand and impressive miniature designs.

18. Darkest Dungeon ($313,337)

This gothic roguelike RPG raised $313,337 from 9,639 backers in March 2014. The campaign's unique art style and promise of challenging gameplay attracted a dedicated fanbase.

19. Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire ($4.4 million)

The sequel to Pillars of Eternity raised $4.4 million from 33,614 backers in February 2017. The campaign built on the success of the first game and promised an expanded, more dynamic world.

20. Frosthaven ($12.9 million)

This sequel to the popular board game Gloomhaven raised an impressive $12.9 million from 83,193 backers in May 2020. The campaign leveraged the success of its predecessor and promised an even more expansive and immersive experience.

Key Factors for Kickstarter Success in Game Development

Analyzing these successful campaigns, we can identify several common factors that contributed to their success:

1. Compelling Storytelling: Successful campaigns effectively communicated their game's unique vision and gameplay experience.
2. Visual Appeal: High-quality images, videos, and prototypes helped backers visualize the final product.
3. Clear Communication: Regular updates and transparent communication built trust with backers.
4. Attractive Rewards: Well-structured, tiered reward systems encouraged higher pledges.
5. Community Engagement: Active engagement with the community through social media and comments fostered a sense of involvement.
6. Realistic Goals: Setting achievable funding goals and stretch targets kept momentum going throughout the campaign.
7. Brand Leverage: Many successful projects built on existing franchises or creator reputations.
8. Unique Selling Points: Highlighting innovative features or gameplay mechanics set projects apart from competitors.

How FreightAmigo Can Support Your Kickstarter Game Project

As a Digital Logistics Platform, FreightAmigo understands the unique challenges that game developers face when bringing their Kickstarter projects to life. We offer comprehensive Digital Logistics Solutions to help you navigate the complexities of fulfillment and delivery, ensuring that your backers receive their rewards efficiently and cost-effectively.

Here's how FreightAmigo can support your Kickstarter game project:

1. Global Shipping Solutions: We provide door-to-door freight quotes for international courier, airfreight, sea freight, rail freight, and trucking solutions. This allows you to choose the most cost-effective and timely shipping method for your game components and rewards.
2. Real-time Tracking: Our platform connects with over 1000 reputable airlines and shipping lines, enabling you to track shipment status anytime, anywhere. This feature allows you to keep your backers informed about the status of their rewards, enhancing transparency and trust.
3. Customs Clearance and Insurance: We simplify the process of arranging customs clearance and cargo insurance, ensuring that your shipments comply with international regulations and are protected against potential risks.
4. Document Automation: Our system automates shipment documents, reducing paperwork and minimizing errors. This streamlines the fulfillment process, allowing you to focus on game development and backer communication.
5. Expert Support: Our 24/7 logistics expert support ensures that you have assistance whenever you need it, helping you navigate any shipping challenges that may arise during your campaign fulfillment.
6. Cost Optimization: By leveraging our extensive network and Digital Logistics Solutions, we can help you optimize shipping costs, allowing you to allocate more resources to game development and production.
7. Scalable Solutions: Whether you're shipping a small batch of prototype games or fulfilling thousands of backer rewards, our platform can scale to meet your needs, ensuring smooth logistics operations throughout your campaign's lifecycle.
8. Eco-friendly Options: For environmentally conscious game developers, we offer GreenTech solutions to help reduce the carbon footprint of your shipping operations, aligning with the values of many Kickstarter backers.

By partnering with FreightAmigo, you can focus on creating an exceptional game while we handle the complexities of logistics and fulfillment. Our Digital Logistics Platform is designed to support the unique needs of crowdfunding campaigns, helping you deliver on your promises to backers and build a strong reputation in the gaming community.

Conclusion: Launching Your Kickstarter Game Success Story

The world of crowdfunding has opened up unprecedented opportunities for game developers to bring their visions to life. By studying the success stories of the top Kickstarter games and implementing the key factors we've identified, you can increase your chances of launching a successful campaign.

Remember, a successful Kickstarter campaign is just the beginning. Delivering on your promises and managing the logistics of reward fulfillment are crucial to long-term success. This is where FreightAmigo's Digital Logistics Solutions can make a significant difference, helping you navigate the complexities of global shipping and fulfillment.

As you embark on your Kickstarter journey, keep in mind that success often comes from a combination of a great game concept, effective communication, and robust logistical support. With careful planning, creative marketing, and the right partners, your game could be the next Kickstarter success story, joining the ranks of these remarkable projects that have redefined the gaming industry.

We at FreightAmigo are excited to be part of the eCommerce and crowdfunding revolution, supporting innovative game developers in bringing their creations to eager backers worldwide. Let's work together to make your Kickstarter game project a resounding success!