FUNDING
While you can write and create each aspect of your zine yourself, some parts may require funds to complete (either to make a reality or to commission someone to make). Some things that may require investment are:
- Art
- Writing
- Editing
- Layout
- Design
- Publishing
Other than self funding (or getting someone to invest/partner), there are are a few different ways to raise funds for your game. A noncomprehensive list is:
- setting up a co-op
- slowfunding
- settig up pre-orders
- “crowdfunding” platforms (such as itchfunding or Gamefound).
itchfunding
An alternative to Kickstarter that is newer (but avoids many of the issues with kickstarter) is itchfunding. This is the format I curretly am using to create The Mall.
- Jalopy Design: Itchfunding & Gdocs by David Schirduan (Technical Grimoire). As with all the Jalopy Design entries, this one is extremely infomrative in providing a deep look at the benefits and drawbacks to itchfunding in the context of their project.
- Information Thread: How To Setup Itchfunding! by Pandion Games is a fantastic 16 tweet thread that goes over the benefits and steps crowdfund using itchfunding.
- Itchfund FAQ by KeganExe is a great place to get an overview of what itchfunding is and what it can do. PlusOneEXP hosted a great discussion on Itchfunding.
- Part 1 is with Jeff Stormer
- Part 2 is with KeganExe, Adam Bell, Nic Masyk
- Part 3 is with Thomas Manuel & Sam Leigh.
- Google Doc compiling notes on the discussions by EldritchMouse.
- The Mall itchfunding page is an example of an itchfunding page. I used a ton of different models and the above resources to try and structure it in a way that presented the necessary information to backers. You can use any parts of it (especially the Itchfunding & the Mall, The Goal, and the Logistics sections) in your own campaign.
Presale Model
Another funding method being implemented is a pre-sale model
- My Adventures In Selling Stuff Part 2: How I turned a free BigCartel shop into my personal crowdunding platform by Sean Patrick Cain is one twitter thread (in a fantastic series) that goes step by step in how to use the free version of BigCartel to make a pre-order funding platform.
- Craigstarter by Craig Mod is a free to us/edit/extend crowdfunding tool for Shopify.
Slowfunding
Slowfunding is crowdfunding alternative proposed by Long Tail Games, that acts gradual model of colecting pre-orders over an extended period of time, and once it hit pre-determined markers then it triggers going into different stages of production.
- Slowfund launch announcement for Lost Eons goes into the idea behind slowfunding.
- What is slowfunding?
Printing Partnerships
One option is to partner with retailers to help fund a print run. Many online retailers do this (I have experience partnering with Exalted Funeral).
- CHAPBOOK CO-OP is a collection of retailers (Monkey’s Paw Games, Loot the Room, Spear Witch, ratti incantati) that have come together to help designers fund a print run (and sell the games in their storefronts across the globe).
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