This list of rapidly funded Kickstarter projects that launched in the first week of May features projects in several different categories including: tabletop games, anthologies, video games, comics, hardware and gadgets.
All of these projects quickly reached their funding goals and have gone on to raise more than they might have been expecting! With weeks left for these campaigns, backers still pledge their support in exchange great rewards and expect stretch goals still to come. My favorite is #2!
#1. Ctrl+Alt+Del 1.0: The Box Set
Creators: Tim Buckley
Amount Funded: $281K+
Number of Backers: 2.3K+
Average Pledge per Backer: $121
Duration: May 4 2015 – June 3 2015 (30 days)
This campaign has blown past its $150K goal to raise funds for, “A three-volume, hardcover box set housing the first ten years of Ctrl+Alt+Del, and the adventures of Ethan, Lucas, Lilah, and Zeke!” This collection will contain 1088 full color pages and nearly 2500 comic strips, including comics that were never published on the website. New backers and hardcore fans can pledge $35 for the digital book set, $80 for a physical copy of the box set signature edition, and more!
#2. Yooka-Laylee – A 3D Platformer Rare-vival!
Creators: Playtonic Games
Amount Funded: £1.4M+
Number of Backers: 43K+
Average Pledge per Backer: £33
Duration: May 1 2015 – June 16 2015 (47 days)
Yooka-Laylee has raised over £1M in its first week on Kickstarter! According to the campaign page, “The creative talent behind Banjo-Kazooie and Donkey Kong Country reveal an all-new platforming adventure for consoles and PC!” Funding this project will allow the new buddy-duo (a bat and chameleon) to be released on Windows, Mac, Linux, Xbox One, Playstation 4, and Wii U. For just £15, backers can receive a code to download the full, final version of the game on the console of their choice.
#3. Mars Attacks Occupation Trading Cards
Creators: The Topps Company
Amount Funded: $80K+
Number of Backers: 166+
Average Pledge per Backer: $493
Duration: May 5 2015 – June 1 2015 (28 days)
Mars Attacks: Occupation, “the all-new trading card set based on Topps’ infamous and iconic sci-fi series,” has quickly surpassed its $50K Kickstarter goal. This team of today’s hottest comics and sci-fi illustrators is planning to showcase everything that fans love about Mars Attacks, including terrifying atrocities, over-the-top madness, and more! Backers can pledge $20 to receive 4 packs of Mars Attacks: Occupation and any applicable stretch goals. There are also other fun rewards like having your likeness appear as a human victim on a card in the base set.
#4. Hub+ for USB-C: Get your MacBook ports back.
Creators: NONDA
Amount Funded: $81K+
Number of Backers: 58+
Average Pledge per Backer: $181
Duration: May 5 2015 – June 16 2015 (42 days)
When the team behind this campaign ordered their new MacBooks in April, they realized there was only going to be one USB-C port. They set out on a mission to figure out a way to connect their other devices, and came up with Hub+. Hub+ features two USB-C ports, an SDXC card reader, one mini DisplayPort, three USB-A charging ports, and a built-in lithium ion battery to charge ANY phone! Backers can get one Hub+ for the special Kickstarter price of $79.
#5. Anatomy of Melancholy: The Best of A Softer World
Creators: Joey Comeau and Emily Horne
Amount Funded: $63K+
Number of Backers: 983+
Average Pledge per Backer: $65
Duration: May 5 2015 – June 1 2015 (28 days)
A Softer World is a webcomic that began in 2003 and now the creators have come to Kickstarter to publish a collection of their favorite comics from the series. After 12 years of creating “sad, weird, harsh and sometimes ridiculous comics”, the creators ready to move on. This Kickstarter campaign is celebrating the end by offering fans a compilation of their best work. Backers can pledge $35 for a white hardcover edition or choose from other tiers including fun, exclusive rewards that fans will love.
#6. The Badger: Waterproof USB Solar Charger
Creators: Brown Dog Gadgets
Amount Funded: $27K+
Number of Backers: 211+
Average Pledge per Backer: $131
Duration: May 5 2015 – June 4 2015 (30 days)
This campaign is Brown Dog Gadgets’ third successful Kickstarter campaign. After creating several solar powered products, the team asked backers and customers what they wanted from a modern solar USB charger. Customers wanted a device that was waterproof, super durable, with high amperage USB output for insanely fast charging, and a Watt Meter to track charging speed and power. All of these features are included in The Badger, a USB solar panel created to charge in any condition.
#7. WarQuest
Creators: Mr. B. Games
Amount Funded: $83K+
Number of Backers: 342+
Average Pledge per Backer: $245
Duration: May 5 2015 – May 28 2015 (24 days)
WarQuest is a, “a high fantasy/grand strategy game that immerses players in the world of Myrathia where each takes the role of a warlord seeking to reunite the fractured land under his/her banner.” This tabletop game is for 1-5 players and takes 45 minutes to an hour per player. In the quest to make themselves ruler of Myrathia, players will recruit different races (wood elves, dwarves, goblins, orcs and satyrs) to fill their armies, complete quests, engage in battles, and more. Backers can receive a copy of the Kickstarter Deluxe WarQuest for $125, or pledge for other exclusive expansions.
Conclusion
All seven of these Kickstarter projects have taken the platform by storm this month, with many more great campaigns still to launch. Although many of the projects listed are very different, they have all captured the interest of backers and managed to convince them to support their campaigns. By offering great rewards and a chance to participate in something new and exclusive, these creators have seen success early on in the crowdfunding process.
