Yesterday, Larian Studios launched the Kickstarter campaign for the RPG Divinity: Original Sin 2. Although it is a single-player RPG, this crowdfunding campaign could also say something about MMORPGs.
In less than 12 hours, the desired funding amount for Divinity: Original Sin 2 was exceeded. The team wanted to raise $500,000, and now over $600,000 has been raised. And the campaign runs until September 30! If you look at many of the recent projects that game studios wanted to fund through Kickstarter, the picture is rather sobering. Some games were not funded at all, while others were funded only very narrowly.
Experts believe that a kind of disillusionment phase has set in regarding Kickstarter. Some games have disappointed, others are still delayed despite successful funding, a small portion never appeared at all, and the “backers” received nothing for their money. People have become more cautious about whether and which games to support in a crowdfunding campaign.
Interesting: Mein-MMO asks: Are you participating in crowdfunding?
Are MMORPGs having a harder time on Kickstarter?
Especially MMORPGs seem to have a hard time getting funded through Kickstarter or other crowdfunding platforms. While single-player RPGs like Pillars of Eternity or Torment: Tides of Numenera have been extremely successful in funding, MMOs like Camelot Unchained or The Repopulation have not managed to achieve such successes and exceed the original funding goal by a large margin.
Often, the goal was only “barely” reached. Smaller projects like Project Gorgon, which have a low budget, fare even better as they target a niche and do not require exorbitant amounts. However, it must be said that Kickstarter attracted significantly more gamers years ago than it does today. Today, it has become generally harder for games to be successfully funded or even significantly exceed the goal. Other examples like Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen, the first Kickstarter campaign of Shards Online, or Trials of Ascension show that – even if developers have truly good ideas for an MMO – it is not easy to get the game funded through crowdfunding.
On the other hand, single-player RPGs seem to be doing better. As seen in the case of Divinity: Original Sin 2, one can still be very successful with a single-player RPG on Kickstarter. On one hand, the genre still attracts players, and on the other hand, people tend to trust developers more to deliver good games for “lower” amounts. In the case of Divinity: Original Sin 2, it must fairly be said that the predecessor was very successful, and because of the high quality of the game, a large fan base was created, which is, of course, also very enthusiastic about the sequel and is eager to participate in the funding again.
Also suitable for multiplayer fans
Anyone who wants to participate in the funding of Divinity: Original Sin 2 can do so until September 30 through the Kickstarter page. Online RPG fans will also get their money’s worth with the game, as there will be a 4-player mode where players not only have to act cooperatively. Players can receive different quests that have conflicting goals compared to the missions of the other players. This leads to conflicts and a competitive gameplay experience. Additionally, the RPG again offers tactical turn-based battles and an isometric 3D view. However, the Larian Studios want to place much more emphasis on a deep story and complex NPC companions this time. Sounds good.
Andreas says: Is it really true that MMORPGs have a harder time being funded through crowdfunding? If so, what could be the reason? On one hand, people seem to trust indie developer studios less to create a complex MMO for relatively “small” amounts that can also motivate players for years. On the other hand, it seems that there has been a kind of reevaluation in this genre over the years. At gaming fairs like Gamescom, MMORPGs have hardly been a topic at all.
There aren’t many developer studios that still dare to take on MMOs. The risks seem to be very high. A lot of money would need to be invested in development, and whether it will be possible to retain a large player community in the long term is uncertain. The market, especially in the free-to-play sector, is simply oversaturated, and gaming habits are also changing. The trend is increasingly moving towards games that offer shorter play sessions but faster rewards, like MOBAs. Establishing a new, complex MMORPG in the market has become difficult. And financing such a game through crowdfunding is even harder. It seems that single-player titles have it easier here. Is this just a subjective impression? Discuss with us!
Interesting: The western MMORPG is dead, and you are to blame.
