Kickstarter shooter hitting the reset button

Kickstarter indie shooter Takedown rebranded itself with a fresh push, but only had a week to make up the difference in its funding target.

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Crowd-sourcing has become a hot topic in recent months, either with independent efforts or through the funding site Kickstarter. But the site isn't a magic pill for all indie developers, and one such studio has reboot its efforts to fund a tactical shooter.

Christian Allen of Serellan LLC addressed the problems with his Kickstarter project, and how he intends to fix it, on Kotaku. For one thing, his project has an actual title now. While before it was just called a "Crowdsourced Hardcore Tactical Shooter," it's now officially named "Takedown."

In his effort to inspire new donations for the second go-round, Serellan commissioned new concept art, a trailer, and partnered with actor Matt Corboy and composer Rich Douglas to promote the project. The new push on Kickstarter began on March 26, but the deadline remained the same.

Serellan's new efforts had a dramatic effect -- but perhaps not dramatic enough. Before the relaunch, it had only achieved $70,000 of its $200,000 goal over the period of almost a month. In only the three days since, that figure has shot up to more than $117,000. But with only three days remaining now, another $80,000 is still a long way to go.

That's the down side of crowd-sourcing, and a step developers have to seriously consider. Whether Takedown makes its target or not, Allen acknowledges some problems with the game's initial pitch. It should serve as an example and cautionary tale to other aspiring indie devs who may be looking at Kickstarter as the golden goose.

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  • reply
    March 29, 2012 2:00 PM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, Kickstarter shooter hitting the reset button.

    Kickstarter indie shooter Takedown rebranded itself with a fresh push, but only had a week to make up the difference in its funding target.

    • reply
      March 29, 2012 2:18 PM

      I think it's pretty respectable that he chose not to add extra time to the campaign. It looks like the game is shaping up to be pretty promising. I hope they hit their goal.

    • reply
      March 29, 2012 3:52 PM

      More info on Takedown:
      http://industrywatchdog.blogspot.com/

    • reply
      March 29, 2012 4:02 PM

      It appears to me that, even after the "relaunch," this guy just isn't organized enough to be able to promise anything. The $200k isn't even close to what they'd need to make this, they plainly state that the Kickstarter is merely a ploy to HOPEFULLY garner interest from publishers/investors. Yeah, if it happens, you'll get the game for "only" $15, but they're not exactly inspiring confidence in the project with their pitch. It's a pipe dream at this point.

      • reply
        March 29, 2012 5:04 PM

        My thoughts exactly. His idea is way too ambitious for 200k.

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          March 29, 2012 5:09 PM

          I actually removed my pledge a week ago because I didn't trust these guys to deliver.

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        March 29, 2012 5:42 PM

        Yeah - there is no substance at all to the pitch. A bunch of high level buzzwords and nothing that actually looks doable. From a dev I trust, then sure I look at it, but from a nobody who is promising "lots of user input" and "super hardcore shooter"?? Not happening.

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        March 29, 2012 5:44 PM

        The whole reason I fund other games on kickstarter is so they have freedom from publishers.

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        March 30, 2012 11:47 AM

        They have stated plenty of times they do have other means of money, the pledges are more of a proof that people actually want the game.

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      March 29, 2012 4:59 PM

      what a crappy video

      he has a guy with a weird voice rebutting all his ideas

      wtf ?

      • reply
        March 29, 2012 5:05 PM

        It's also too boring of a video, and his rewards aren't attractive enough.

    • reply
      March 29, 2012 5:27 PM

      btw, what happens to the people who pledged money if the project doesnt make the money they want, in time?

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        March 29, 2012 5:35 PM

        Nothing. The money just isn't charged.

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          March 29, 2012 7:38 PM

          hmm

          so they lose the 120,000 they got already ?

          i guess that makes sense. as a safety for the pledgers. sort of.

      • reply
        March 29, 2012 5:39 PM

        You only authorize the payment when you pledge and it only goes through when they hit the goal.

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