MyDream RPG Closes Fully Funded on Kickstarter but Short of Stretch

Crowdfunding on Kickstarter, MyDream an RPG that has set out to challenge industry leader MineCraft closed their crowdfunding round on Kickstarter today having raised over $117,000 on a goal of $100,000.  While 370 supported this project, the vast majority of support rolled in from high dollar supporters. According to the campaign page 7 contributors donated $10,000 each to push this funding forward.

MyDream even captured the backing of well known video game entrepreneur Lord British (Richard Garriott) – who is developing Shroud of Avatar.

I just backed MyDream: 3D Creation and Exploration Sandbox (RPG) on @Kickstarterhttp://t.co/9ZGX846ICe

— Richard Garriott (@RichardGarriott) April 8, 2014

 

While generating decent momentum straight out of the gate on Kickstarter, MyDream failed to take off like many other big name game campaigns have experienced on crowdfunding platforms.  The stretch goals for the project were read to go on day one – and indicate the creators expectations of grander success.  The top goal was at a lofty $1 million.  The lowest tier on the stretch ladder was set at just $150,000 – a far cry from the closing amount.

Recently Crowdfund Insider noted there has been a slow down in game crowdfunding.  Games on Kickstarter is the single largest / most successful category having successfully raised over $200 million dollars out of over $900 million on the platform since launch.  Perhaps the slowdown is due to the fact that some successfully funded campaigns have been completely cancelled and more than a few deliver rather late.  Backers do learn the pitfalls of crowdfunding.  Frequently supporters of a single genre are more inclined to revisit that category if they have had a good experience – and logically they are leery if they have not.

Another possibility may do with the target market for MyDream.  Tackling industry heavy-weights like MineCraft or Roblox is no small task.  The committed user base spends hours playing the game – not surfing for the next big hit.  Players tend to be younger and many do not have the financial ability to commit to a campaign without parental help.

Regardless MyDream generated some significant accolades from the gaming press.  The team that put this together is a very talented and capable group of developers, designers and managers.  They have successfully crowdfunded their project that gives backers access to the MyDream beta now.  The concept of the game is compelling – action and adventure minus the senseless violence – plus toss in a few real world skills and it sounds like a hit.  Maybe once a large, committed community has engaged with the product the creators should consider a crowdfunded version 2.