Reddit roundup: can a Kickstarter hurt a game's chances with publishers?
Campaign Discussion · PledgeRadar Editorial ·
u/stratostze92 was told by a friend at a publishing studio that Kickstarter can be a red flag: backer sales don't show up on Steam, backers rarely leave reviews, and some campaigns overpromise. They asked whether that's true.
The answers: it depends on the publisher, and on whether the campaign succeeds.
What Reddit users said
A failed campaign will keep publishers away; a wildly successful one won't be a problem. Statistically, success isn't likely.
Original commentSeveral crowdfunded games picked up large wishlists afterwards, but teams that failed to deliver what they promised saw that goodwill evaporate.
Original commentRan a publisher and wasn't a fan: a successful campaign means your most engaged audience already owns the game, so those sales never reach the publisher.
Original commentAt a trade show in 2020, more than one publisher told them a campaign would hurt because the bulk of sales would already be made.
Original commentHas seen funded games still sign with publishers for marketing, and others sign because they needed more development budget.
Original commentRuns a micro press: if you can run a successful campaign you may not need a publisher, unless they offer sales channels you can't reach yourself.
Original commentPublisher-dependent: some never look at crowdfunded games, others don't care.
Original commentSource: Can a Kickstarter campaign hurt your chances with publishers? (r/kickstarter)
Replies in this roundup summarize public comments posted on Reddit and are credited to their original authors, with links to the source. They are third-party opinions, not statements by PledgeRadar or its members. PledgeRadar does not verify these claims and accepts no legal responsibility for the content of community discussions.