These five Kickstarter projects reached their goals in under a week, some in only a day or two. There are three Kickstarter Staff Picks in this list and more than half of them have had successful campaigns in the past. In terms of categories this list has three tabletop games, a hardware and a robots project. All five Kickstarter projects are fun and innovative, and their hard work and preparation have clearly paid off. My favorite is number two!
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#1. Dwarven Forge’s City Builder Terrain System
Creators: Dwarven Forge
Amount Funded: $1M+
Number of Backers: 1.8K+
Average Pledge per Backer: $501
Duration: March 8 – April 2 (26 days)
Dwarven Forge has returned to Kickstarter for the third time to raise funds for their City Builder Terrain System. Dwarven Forge’s first Kickstarter campaign raised more than $1.9 million, and the second hit over $2 million.
This campaign raised over $700K in less than two days, and with days to go is likely to do just as well as their previous campaigns. This city builder system consists of modular buildings, which can be rearranged for novel gameplay. The pieces are handmade from a nearly indestructible material called Dwarvenite. Backers can pledge for sets ranging from $35 to $920, which can either come in dungeon grey or hand-painted.
#2. PancakeBot – The world’s first pancake printer!
Creators: StoreBound
Amount Funded: $182K+
Number of Backers: 985+
Average Pledge per Backer: $161
Duration: March 6 – April 10 (35 days)
StoreBound has run one successful Kickstarter campaign in the past, for their Dash Greek Yogurt Maker. Now they are back with PancakeBot – a pancake printer that allows you to turn your pancakes into just about anything you can imagine.
All you have to do is upload your design or drawing using their simple software, then trace your design, fill it in, and print! The first lines that are drawn are more shaded, and give the pancakes their unique look. StoreBound is offering fun rewards to backers, including their face in the shape of a pancake (with a picture posted in an update), one PancakeBot for $179, and more! This project is a Kickstarter Staff Pick.
#3. Burgle Bros. – A Cooperative Heist Boardgame
Creators: Tim Fowers
Amount Funded: $77K+
Number of Backers: 2K+
Average Pledge per Backer: $35
Duration: March 5 – April 4 (30 days)
Burgle Bros is a board game for 1 to 4 players, where you must, “use unique powers to avoid guards, navigate alarms and get out!” The game plays in about 45 to 90 minutes. Burgle Bros is the second Staff Pick in this list, and creator Tom Fowers already has one successful Kickstarter under his belt.
One review by Reza Lackey says, “Burgle Bros is an intense co-op game with great replay value. It’s very thematic, easy to learn and moves quick. You’ll love how the tension ramps up as the game progresses.” The print and play files for this game are being offered to backers for $5, with full copies for as little as $29, and four copies for $99.
#4. Tesla vs. Edison
Creators: Artana LLC
Amount Funded: $91K+
Number of Backers: 1.6K+
Average Pledge per Backer: $55
Duration: March 5 – April 2 (29 days)
Tesla vs. Edison is a strategy game that “plays quickly and provides interesting decisions while telling the exciting story of the birth of electricity.” In the game, players are investors who team up with famous inventors leading the electric light and power industry in America during the 1880s and 1890s.
Each company must work to claim electric projects across the U.S., hire employees, advance your technology, engage in propaganda wars with the other players’ companies, and buy and sell stocks. The game is available for as little as $49 on Kickstarter.
#5. The Monolith: World’s First Skateboard with In-wheel Motors
Creators: Inboard Sports
Amount Funded: $217K+
Number of Backers: 291+
Average Pledge per Backer: $759
Duration: March 4 – April 4 (31 days)
The Monolith is the third Kickstarter Staff Pick in this list, and the first electric skateboard with motors in the wheels. The team behind this project wanted the Monolith to look like a traditional skateboard which they achieved by designing a hollow deck to accommodate all of the electronics.
This electric skateboard works with swappable battery packs instead of limiting you to a single charge, and also includes a USB port for charging the battery packs, remote, and any other devices such as your smartphone. Monolith merchandise is available on Kickstarter for $10 or more, and a board for as little as $1,199.
Conclusion
Many people who are new to Kickstarter may ask why some projects “blow up” while others don’t. The truth is it takes a lot of work and preparation for a Kickstarter campaign reach their goal in under a week – planning, getting feedback, social networking, etc. Getting a lot of pledges and attention early on can help you get featured on Kickstarter’s home page or chosen as a Staff Pick.
All of these campaigns offer backers new and exciting experiences. Whether playing an interesting strategic board game, making pancake art, or experiencing a new kind of electric skateboard, these Kickstarter projects are inviting fans to join them in making their new products a reality.
Which project is your favorite?
