Through the platform Kickstarter, the legendary MMORPG developer Raph Koster raised funds for his new project Star Reach. It didn’t take long for him to gather the money for his “Living Galaxy Sandbox” MMORPG.
Who is Raph Koster? The 53-year-old Raph Koster (in the title image) is a first-generation MMORPG developer. He worked on the predecessors of today’s MMORPGs, the so-called MUDs (Multi User Dungeons)
In the 90s, he was the Lead Designer of Ultima Online and also worked on the legendary MMORPG Star Wars: Galaxies.
He is a proponent of “sandbox MMORPGs,” where players enjoy maximum freedom. This is the branch of MMORPGs that has been at a disadvantage compared to WoW and theme park MMORPGs for about 20 years.
Koster plans a SF-Sandbox
This is his new project: Since 2019, Koster has been working at his own company “Playable Worlds” on the SF MMORPG Stars Reach. At its core, Stars Reach is meant to be a sandbox again, a world that evolves driven by the players.
Koster claims that in Stars Reach you will be able to alter the landscape and build cities. You can even ruin planets, just as humanity has ruined its 8 home worlds. That’s okay – there will always be new worlds to explore in the endless galaxy that can be ruined.
After one hour, the new SF MMORPG Star Reach reaches its goal on Kickstarter
What he wanted on Kickstarter: On Kickstarter , Koster raised money for the project. The actual goal was 190,000 €, or 200,000 $. However, fans had gathered the money within just one hour.
Meanwhile, the first stretch goal has already been achieved, and a bonus race will be developed.
Koster promises: Anyone who spends 30 $ or more on Kickstarter will gain access to Early Access in a month when the Kickstarter campaign ends.
One can speculate that Koster is not really about collecting the full production costs for the game, but also about generating initial hype for his project. Such crowdfunding actions often create loyal fans who then serve as multipliers and promote the game and its brilliance outward. This phenomenon can be seen with Star Citizen.
Many trust the MMORPG guru so much that they are putting their credit cards to the test
This is particularly noticeable: Koster is proud that he financed the project within 1 hour. It is noticeable how much trust is placed in him and his project:
- The “small package” for 30 $ was taken by 784 backers.
- But many users also participated in the project with 100 $ and more and then claimed certain bonuses.
- 126 people indulged in the “Homesteader” package for 120 $, which included an exclusive pet and promised land ownership at launch.
- Even more, 146 people, paid 450 $ to secure a “lifetime land right,” as well as a robot dog companion and other bonuses.
- 16 people entered the Nebula Surfer tier for 2,000 $, the “best offer for solo players” and could claim their own planet.
- 4 players spent 10,000 $ and indulged in the “Galactic Plenipotentiary Tier,” allowing them to bring up to 15 people into the game, and receive their own guild spaceships – and of course their own planet, for which they could even choose the appropriate climate.
With so much early praise and invested money, one can only hope that the MMORPG turns out well. Such “MMORPGs where you buy land in advance” have often disappointed players: Player pays 10,000 $ to become king in MMORPG – subjects rebel
