Kickstarter Doom Loop: Prototype Faster by Slashing Features.
The Kickstarter Curse: Prototype Lean, Ship Mean
Game development is a minefield. Indie development, specifically, adds another layer of risk. Add Kickstarter to the mix and you have a volatile cocktail of hope, passion, and the very real possibility of spectacular failure. One of the biggest contributors to that failure is what I call the “Kickstarter Doom Loop.”
The Kickstarter Doom Loop Explained
The Doom Loop begins with ambition. It starts with a grand vision, a sprawling epic with interwoven systems and breathtaking scope. You outline features, you get excited, and you promise the moon in your Kickstarter campaign. You get funded. The problem? You’ve promised too much.
Development drags on. Feature creep sets in. The finish line keeps moving further away. Funds dwindle, burnout intensifies, and the promised release date becomes a cruel joke. Backers get restless, refunds increase, and the project spirals into oblivion. That’s the Doom Loop.
I’ve seen it happen countless times, both personally and through observation. The root cause? Unrealistic scope and a failure to prioritize.
Core Pillars: Defining Your Game’s Soul
Before you even think about Kickstarter, before you write a single line of code, you need to identify your game’s core pillars. These are the fundamental elements that make your game unique and enjoyable. What is the absolute, non-negotiable essence of your game?
Let’s say you’re making an RPG. Is it the deep, branching narrative? The tactical combat? The intricate crafting system? Pick one, maybe two, and make those the absolute focus of your prototype.
I worked on a roguelike once where the initial vision included complex faction systems, procedurally generated quests, and a sprawling world map. We spent months building these systems, only to realize they detracted from the core gameplay loop: exploring, fighting, and upgrading. We ruthlessly cut everything but that loop and the game instantly became more focused and fun.
The Power of a Vertical Slice
Your Kickstarter demo needs to be a “vertical slice” - a small, polished segment of your game that showcases the core experience. It should be representative of the final product in terms of art style, gameplay mechanics, and overall feel.
This is not the time for feature overload. Forget about adding every bell and whistle. Focus on making those core pillars shine. Polish is paramount. A short, polished demo is far more compelling than a sprawling, buggy mess.
The vertical slice should sell the promise of the full game, not the entire game itself.
Ruthless Feature Cutting: Embrace the Axe
This is where most developers struggle. It’s hard to kill your darlings, to discard ideas you’re passionate about. But it’s absolutely essential.
Go back to your core pillars. Anything that doesn’t directly support those pillars gets the axe. Ask yourself: “Does this feature make the core gameplay loop more enjoyable?” If the answer is no, cut it.
Be honest with yourself. Don’t fall into the trap of “We’ll add it later.” “Later” often never comes.
I remember agonizing over removing a pet system from my farming sim prototype. It was a cool idea, but it added unnecessary complexity and didn’t enhance the core farming experience. Cutting it freed up valuable development time to polish the farming mechanics, which ultimately made the game much stronger.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Your Kickstarter campaign isn’t just about raising money; it’s about building trust with your potential backers. Don’t overpromise. Be transparent about your scope and timelines.
It’s better to underpromise and overdeliver than the other way around. Don’t be afraid to say “We’re focusing on these core features first, and we’ll consider adding more based on community feedback and available resources.”
This transparency builds trust and manages expectations. Your backers will appreciate your honesty and be more understanding if you encounter unforeseen challenges.
Post-Kickstarter Prioritization: Listen and Adapt
You got funded! Congratulations! Now the real work begins.
Don’t blindly follow your original plan. Use the post-Kickstarter period to gather feedback from your backers. What are they most excited about? What features do they want to see prioritized?
Use this feedback to refine your roadmap. Be flexible and willing to adapt. Remember, you’re building a game for your community, so involve them in the development process.
Prioritize features based on their impact on the core gameplay loop and their feasibility within your budget and timeline. Don’t be afraid to cut features that are no longer realistic or that don’t align with the community’s vision.
We ran a poll after our Kickstarter, and surprisingly, the community was more interested in expanded modding support than a planned multiplayer mode. We shifted our focus accordingly, and the game benefited greatly from it.
Avoiding the Doom Loop: A Recap
To avoid the Kickstarter Doom Loop, you must:
- Identify your game’s core pillars.
- Create a compelling vertical slice that showcases those pillars.
- Ruthlessly cut non-essential features during the prototyping phase.
- Set realistic scope expectations with your backers.
- Prioritize features post-Kickstarter based on community feedback and available resources.
By following these steps, you can significantly increase your chances of delivering a successful game and avoiding the dreaded Kickstarter Curse. Remember, it’s better to ship a focused, polished game than to get lost in a feature-bloated abyss.