Crowdfunding: Connecting Creators and Patrons

I know, I posted about this already. I hope it's okay to repost. I don't plan on spamming these communities. I just wanted to try asking one more time. There are some updates and stuff.

The Goblins Card Game Kickstarter is going along very nicely. Already triple funded. I hear they're considering adding some new rewards (digital goodies and stuff for even the lower tiers), but we'll have to see how that goes.

Here's the thing: If they can hit 4000 backers, they'll send Thunt, the author of Goblins, to NY ComicCon. Thunt is a very cool guy. I'm lucky to be able to call him a friend. But he lives all the way up near Vancouver, 3000 miles away. I don't get to see him often. (Disabilities + Internet = awesome friends around the globe + very little chance to hang out with any of them in person.) If you can help the project hit 4000 backers (by chipping in even just a dollar or two, and maybe asking friends who can spare it to do the same), you'll be doing me a personal favor.

I should also mention that the game, which looks like a lot of fun, is explained better now. There's a new video on the Kickstarter page, under "description of gameplay." Evertide Games is still fairly new at this Kickstarter thing, but they're listening to the fans and responding. And they've clearly put a lot of love and meticulous care into the game. Not just in keeping it true to the comic, but in striving to create a game that will be so fun to play on its own merits that it will be able to draw in new fans and readers.

So check it out. If you haven't already, give Goblins Comic a look. It's an engaging story with a wide cast of developed characters and a good blend of humor, action, drama, and strong character moments.

Hi there, crowdfunding crowd. I'm Paul. I'm a donor. I enjoy crowdfunding because I like helping make good things happen. Really, it's the best feeling in the world. It's also cool to be a part of a larger project. And seeing regular people come together to make possible what established structures can't or won't support. It can also be a great way for a reader to give back to the creators.

In the past, I've supported campaigns to help spread science education and enthusiasm about science, create a documentary about Israeli and Palestinian children learning to dance together and overcome prejudices in the process, online friends make it through lean times, charitable organizations expand and spread the word, build and publicize the "Ground Zero Mosque" (which is not at Ground Zero and is not a mosque), build a statue of Robocop in Detroit, publish books that I'd like to read, and more.

Two of my all-time favorite webcomics are running Kickstarter campaigns. One is about to end, and the other is about to begin.

First up, Girl Genius.

The Girl Genius Kickstarter ends this week. It's blown through two batches of stretch goals and is steaming ahead to the final one. Pledge now, and you'll receive PDFs of the entire run, including plenty of bonus content. If you've never read the comic, I guarantee it's worth it. If you have read the comic, it's a great way to reread, refresh your memory, and relive the awesomeness.

They're at about $284k now. If they can hit $300k, they'll be able to hire someone to help manage the business. Which means expanding into new territory. Which means even more Girl Genius awesomeness making the world more awesome with the power of its awesome. I really want to see that happen. Because it would be awesome.

Meanwhile, Goblins has hit some snags lately. They had to part with their publisher/webhost and it got kind of messy for a while there. But Thunt, being a better man than I (which I do not say often or lightly), has refused to badmouth the other side, has publicly apologized for his part of the stressful and difficult situation, and has called for his fans to stay positive.

The Goblins/Evertide Games Kickstarter, which was delayed due to the whole kerfuffle, starts Monday. It's for a card game based on the comic. And it looks really cool. So keep an eye out for that.

(Crossposted to my journal and webcomics.)