Wolfsong Kickstarter

Hey everyone! I just wanted to say I'm switching gears with Wolfsong. It is evident right now that the kickstarter isn't going to make it. Running one has been a educating experience (and certainly a humbling one) and it is unlikely I would ever try it again. I can't regain the lost time I could have put towards the game, but I also don't have to feel crappy about never having tried kickstarter at all. I hate questioning regrets, so there is that.

I'm touched by everyone who tried to support me on the project, generous donations and lots of people trying to help me spread the word. That ALL means a lot to me. I mean, it REALLY means a lot to me. There is always a lot of negativity when doing something like this. I always try to remember the kind emails and messages you guys leave me, that keeps me going.

I need to take some time. I'll be taking some contract work so I will likely be away for a few more months. I'm going to try to save up a nest egg, and finish a minimal version of the game on my own. It'll be watered down, but at least it will be finished. I'm going to cut all of the voice work, it was my primary reason for trying to raise the money. I know most my voice actors and actresses would do the work for free, or promises of being paid later, etc, but I can't (and won't) ask anyone to do that. I've heard that crap my entire career as an artist. Maybe in the future I can patch the voices in, but even if they did the work for free, the time it takes to match the different samples up and all of that, I had that figured into the 20k budget as well. It's better to just leave it out for now if I expect to ever finish the product without funding.

Again, thank you all so much, I'm very touched. I'll try to keep everyone up to date on what my plans are for the game. I still want to finish it, I just don't know WHEN I can. Stay cool!

Comments

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Poniiboi 2015-07-31 11:44:59

pretty cool that you did the kickstarter. i'm doing my first steam greenlight and kickstarter in a little bit as well.

Hyptosis 2015-07-31 11:44:59

I wish you luck. At this stage I would recommend use that time to simply work on the project though. I tried press releases, contacting bloggers, youtubers that have reviewed my content in the past, even talking with indie news and game sites. No one would even reply to me, it's not easy. I recommend having connections before going in. It was a true waste of time for me. I really hope it works out for you if you go ahead with it.

DieterTheuns 2015-07-31 14:47:13

Aw, sorry to hear that, man. If it's any comfort to you, kickstarters aren't the be all and end all:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/977464073/five-nights-at-freddys

Hyptosis 2015-07-31 14:47:13

Haha, thanks man. That does make me feel better. I've certainly been doubting myself more and more. I've always thought of myself as pretty damned confident in what I can do, and what I want to do. But some part of me wants other people to really care too. :P I can make the game without funding, it's just going to take a while, and be hard. But I'll get it done because I enjoy doing it.

PianoFortress 2015-08-01 04:46:19

There is always next time!

Hyptosis 2015-08-01 04:46:19

Yeah, we'll see what happens.

Igyzone 2015-08-01 06:48:13

I still think the best way to raise money is by playing on an instrument in middle of city. Some people literally throw their wallets away lolz.

Hyptosis 2015-08-01 06:48:13

Haha, I'll go buy a violin! Fits right? :P

TheEnkian 2015-08-01 08:11:34

That's a shame, man. How's the Greenlight going?

Hyptosis 2015-08-01 08:11:34

The greenlight passed in just four days, so that much was nice.

dragonace555 2015-08-01 14:33:21

I've always really enjoyed your games, especially the artwork, and some of them have been really memorable, and fun! I only just saw about the kickstarter today (I haven't exactly been active on NG for quite a while), and I regret seeing it shut down already. It seemed like a game I would have really enjoyed seeing/playing, especially if the Steam Greenlight went through. Really hoping you don't give up on it! And keep the fun games coming.

And don't doubt anything you do, your games have real potential. Just keep moving forward.

Hyptosis 2015-08-01 14:33:21

Thanks for the kind words! ^_^

DanielCotorogea 2015-08-02 08:42:51

I played most of your games and I think you're awesome. Your artistic skills is amazing, and your imagination matches it. As a fan of your work, I'll tell you my personal opinion about what I think it went wrong with your crowdfunding attempt: since I firs saw your campaign ( the day you launched it) I saw it has a major flaw: the trailer. I think that you didn't spend enough time polishing that damn video... Let's be serious, 60% of kickstarter is the trailer, and yours failed to express the great feeling of your Rpg, and although it describes the world, the story etc. remember that you don't try to launch the sequel of Skyrim, you want to bring to life a new Jrpg with your own characters, races and conflicts, so not everyone has the patience to watch the full video trying to spot some new cool features added to the genre... I wish you all the luck in the world and please finish the game! Maybe the kickstarter failed but you're still greenlit and that should motivate you enough :)

Hyptosis 2015-08-02 08:42:51

Thanks for the kind words man.

Ekthor 2015-08-02 11:51:52

Oh man. Such a shame. I used to check your page here weekly. I would have totally loved to be one of the backers on this project and... Ugh. Absolutely missed it.

Anyway, you can count me in as an early buyer anytime, plus probably a dozen of my friends. Keep up your wonderful work ! We need more of you, seriously.

Hyptosis 2015-08-02 11:51:52

Thanks for the support though, it really means a lot to me. ^_^

kpdaley24 2015-08-02 22:42:16

kickstarter failed but hay there is still patron

Hyptosis 2015-08-02 22:42:16

Thanks for the kind words. :D

TomFulp 2015-08-03 12:34:49

Bummer about the Kickstarter - it's gotten really hard to gain traction with KS nowadays. :(

Hyptosis 2015-08-03 12:34:49

Yeah, I appreciate the help though. I expected about as much, but I had to try. ^_^

CapnFoxonium 2015-08-04 18:59:13

Don't feel too dejected, you're not the first to have your kickstarter fail. Stick to it and keep thinking, let the good ideas sink to the bottom as better ideas come up. Don't be afraid to re-imagine entire gameplay or narrative aspects for more engaging or interesting ones. Many game developers have had to dump large portions of a project for a better idea or technology.
Give it some time before going straight to steam greenlight with your idea, there your project will really be put to the test. Just make sure you have the interesting graphical and gameplay systems to keep your story interesting. I've watched you for a while and know you can do it just as long as you don't get stale. Hood, Kingdom of Liars, and Alice are some of the best flash games Ive ever played since Ive been on newgrounds(I think my first account was like 09). Don't be afraid to reach out, I'm sure people like 2kliksphilip could give you interesting ideas from a completely different perspective.

Hyptosis 2015-08-04 18:59:13

Wolfsong passed Greenlight in four days. So at least there is that. Thanks for the kind words.

abulumai3iah 2015-08-06 04:19:30

I never knew you had a kickstarter!! I would've totally backed it if I had, though I'm not a fan of RPGs. I'm sorry to hear it didn't go through. Maybe try pre selling the game? Or offer your other games for sale, I'd definitely buy Alice is Dead and Kingdom of Liars just for the hell of it. You don't understand how much I love your point and clicks, they are brilliant.

Hyptosis 2015-08-06 04:19:30

Man, that is really touching. Thanks. I've bee debating rebuilding Alice is Dead from scratch for steam release. Like a full start to finish HD experience.