Edit: I'm NOT trying out a Kickstarter campaign.

[ausf]

My sons and I have a few ideas for an apocalyptic card based game, but before we commit any time to it, we wanted to try out how Kickstarter works with something simple. I printed up a refrigerator magnet as a gag and everyone who has seen it loves it, so I thought I'd throw it up as a project.

I can't stress this enough: I'm not asking you guys to back this, what I need is information.

I'm trying to get an idea of what you guys think or if anyone else out there knows about these campaigns or have tried them (I feel like the guy trying to sell the kids fundraising candy at the office, I am not).

The way it works in this case is simple, if someone backs the project ($4), they get a magnet. The project only goes through if it's completely funded ($330 in this case for the minimum production run plus shipping materials).

Again, I'm just trying to test the waters to see how these things operate. The card game will take a good amount of cash to produce, so I want to iron out the kinks beforehand. I probably will make the magnets myself if it doesn't get funded, $300 isn't too large of a nut to crack. It's only 3 WnW kits or 1/3 of a Tamiya RC tank.

Anyone have any thoughts? I'm not a social media guy and I don't know know how people even find stuff like this. Are there people out there who regularly look for projects to back like investors, or is it something they just stumble on?

Here's the link:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/804787579/bones-refrigerator-magnet

 

[moon puppy]

I'm trying out a Kickstarter campaign.

I got a black lab who'll give me that look for a bone. I'm in. Wait till payday though (and get in line cause I got another purchase to do).

Your kids on Facebook? That's the easiest marking there is, share it with friends and make it public. Folks love a dog campaign.

 

[ausf]

I'm trying out a Kickstarter campaign.

I emailed some friends that are on FB and my wife is too.

I probably should launch FB for Ausfwerks I guess. I will be offering the leaves and some resin stuff soon. I'm not a luddite, but just never got into FB because I just got updates about what people were eating and things like that.

I'm really curious if there's a natural progression of people who'll find it or if it's just word of mouth, which if that's the case, I'd rather just skip it and fund it myself.

I think of it as checking if there's interest in something before producing, so there's really no advantage going with KS if all the promotion is up to me.

Like with the Fenderbender, I'd rather have the product and let it do the talking, I'm not much of a carnival barker.

 

[Jeeves]

I'm trying out a Kickstarter campaign.

With games and things of that sort, its through word of mouth through friends and the like on FB. I am a huge gamer and have a handful of friends-- they have friends who run gaming/comic book stores and the like...but there is also a Kickstarter app. I just supported a game put out by the guys who run The Oatmeal on FB called "Exploding Kittens". They asked for 10K and ended up getting almost 9 million...

Your best bet is to look over the ones that are currently out there looking for support to see what stages and such are set up for their production needs. I can also get the word out when you have things started and set up and that ought to generate some interest as well....

 

[Swordsman]

I'm trying out a Kickstarter campaign.

My Wife likes Dogs and reffer mags ... So I'm in at the same time you might try this web site ...

http://www.indiegogo.com/project/preview/026570b5

.... My railroad Museum project ... not launched yet this place is different because if you don't reach your goal ... then you have the option of getting some of the funds ...

 

[ausf]

I'm trying out a Kickstarter campaign.

Great info Mike, thanks.

For the game idea, it's a simple card game with zombies. The goal is to push off your zombies in battle until there's only one player left with a herd. Rules are simple, but stragedy is everything.

We have samples/quotes for card pack production, the only thing is to plan out the artwork. It wouldn't be a huge investment, but I wouldn't go forward without interest. Yeah though, in that case there would be a ton of promotion needed.

Years ago I designed a WWII card game with a mathematician. It was a squad level game where the goal was to suppress your opponent in position. At the time we were both starting families, so it kind of went on a back burner. But that was wat before Kickstarter and any idea of online promotion.

 

[Swordsman]

I'm trying out a Kickstarter campaign.

Kick starter only give you the money if you reach your goal in the allotted time ... check Indiegogo.com as for war gaming I'd say 99% funded ... the gaming cult just has to have it ...

 

[ausf]

I'm trying out a Kickstarter campaign.

Thanks Swordsman,

Great help. I think I'll start the artwork and check out indiegogo.

I had a contract with the original Avalon Hill co. to do artwork for a Trireme game years ago, but Hasbro bought them out and nixed every outstanding project.

 

[moon puppy]

I'm trying out a Kickstarter campaign.

Like with the Fenderbender, I'd rather have the product and let it do the talking, I'm not much of a carnival barker.

Are you offering it again?

You think I'm a nice guy, I've just been nice to you hoping you start making it again. :smack So what's the hold up bub?!

 

[ausf]

I'm trying out a Kickstarter campaign.

Like with the Fenderbender, I'd rather have the product and let it do the talking, I'm not much of a carnival barker.

So what's the hold up bub?!

Ted. He's the engineer who designed it. He walked away from scale modeling years back at the same time the production costs were skyrocketing, so we both agreed to let it go. I haven't heard from him in years. I'd like to just as a friend, but wouldn't know how to begin finding him.

I had a guy in RC tanking (who's in law enforcement) begging me to license the FB to be produced overseas. He wanted to track him down, but I'm not going to be a part of that scene.

 

[moon puppy]

I'm trying out a Kickstarter campaign.

Ah, more parties involved. I understand, I guess I'll keep being nice to ya.

 

[ausf]

I'm trying out a Kickstarter campaign.

The FB would be a perfect Kickstarter, since it's a known item, I have a coupla hundred names on a waiting list, the reward would be a unit...

 

[Sharkmouth]

I'm trying out a Kickstarter campaign.

I probably should launch FB for Ausfwerks I guess.

Yes, you should. Bring some items back to the market as well. Your kids may be able to help out if it helps fund the card game.

Regards,

 

[Swordsman]

I'm trying out a Kickstarter campaign.

Thanks Swordsman,

Great help. I think I'll start the artwork and check out indiegogo.

I had a contract with the original Avalon Hill co. to do artwork for a Trireme game years ago, but Hasbro bought them out and nixed every outstanding project.

ok cool I didn't know if Hasbro was still in business ...

 

[ausf]

I'm trying out a Kickstarter campaign.

I cancelled the campaign.

I couldn't shake the feeling of creepiness, like I was pushing a pyramid scheme or something.

I really thought it was going to be more of a 'proof of concept' to gauge interest rather than a website to point my friends to so they can hand me money. I'd rather just get 250 printed up and sell them like I've done with other products.

If I progress with the game idea, I'll revisit it, or more likely, head the advice on looking at other sites than Kickstarter, but I'll certainly approach it differently. I'm hoping that a game falls more into the catagory where people are actively looking for new things.

 

[Swordsman]

I'm trying out a Kickstarter campaign.

Hey don't feel so bad ... I'm gonna ask for around 60 grand to build a Railroad Museum & steam engine manufactory ... & I think I'll get it ... so on Indiegogo you just price your item as a reward ... give $25 get Refrigerator magnet ... One of a kind is a collector item ...