Kickstarter has become a popular way for small indie developers to fund their projects, with games like Shovel Knight being targeted for release via the Nintendo eShop, but every so often there's a campaign that aims for something a little different.
New Jersey-based developer Island Officials is looking to release their new DS game, Orion's Odyssey: A Pattern Blocks Adventure, as a boxed retail release.
While releasing a new DS title in the age of 3DS and digital downloads is a big risk, it's not unheard of. Last year, Jason Rohrer with Music by Tom Bailey: Diamond Trust of London led a successful Kickstarter campaign and was released as a physical product, complete with box and manual. Island Officials has previously released puzzler Hands On! Tangrams for DS, which was published by Storm City Games.
The Kickstarter goal is $85,412 and ends on 19th May. There are a variety of rewards for backers.
What do you think to the idea of buying a boxed indie game for the DS in this day and age? Would you rather see it released as DSiWare or via the eShop? Let us know in the comments section.
[source kickstarter.com]
Comments 18
"What do you think to the idea of buying a boxed indie game for the DS in this day and age?" Well people still make games for the Sega Megadrive, Dreamcast, NES etc. so a boxed release for Nintendo DS, which is still playable on 3DS, isn't that unfeasible.
I'd love to pledge but I don't know if I can either afford it nor whether I'll like the game. Its got a while until the fund raising stops so I got a while to decide I guess. Either way I hope it works out for them
I dunno about the US, but DS software still outsells 3DS software in the UK, so it's not like it's a dead platform.
It's all about downloads now. They should make it DSiWare too!
From the short gameplay clips in the video, this game actually looks really good, and something that's right up my alley. No doubt they would make more money if they just released it now as an eShop game, but its pretty cool that they are making this a boxed game. I might just go for the early adopter award and get a copy, but I'll think about it first. I'll definitely give a bit of money now though
@Peach64, I don't think they talked about a BBFC or a PEGI rating in the video, so I think its an America exclusive.
I refuse to buy things virtually, but I haven't given indie teams much love. If this does get a physically release I'll definitely look into it.
looks like shovelware..
I don't understand this kickstarter attempt. At the end they state that the game is finished, marketing is done, it's ready for submission to Nintendo and they already have a publisher.
What do you need our 85k then? Just to pay for a box and cart? Can't they just release this on dsiware instead? They would probably reach more people that way. (considering game shops probably won't be too quick to stock DS games now)
While the game looks fun (I hope it succeeds!) the appeals made in their video fall flat. The pacing was too quick to develop the premise, the developer commentary seems rushed, and the problem of tiny DS footage limited the immersion.
Also this might just be me but, why are they including a fee for rewards in their final asking? I always thought rewards went to either extraordinarily generous backers or came out of pocket, frankly.
EDIT Their most immediate concern should be raising the backer cap on each of the reward tiers; math must not be a strong suit for the creators of a geometry game!
this... is... AWESOME! suporting this for at least 20$ because it looks like a hybrid of ghost trick & super scribblenauts, both games that i like on the DS alot! man i love kickstarter =D
Looks like a bit much on the goal amount, but then again I don't know how much it costs to produce a retail game.
@Optimist_Prime The most they can possibly make is $79,000 if you don't take the $1, $10, and $30 tiers into account. I'm going to have to agree with most of your comment.
$85,000 seems pretty hefty to ask for.
Ha! I remember pattern blocks from elementary school! This looks cute; I like the artwork and the idea.
Though for international backers it's a bit costly, as it's an additional $13 US just for shipping. So it'll be $38 or $43 for the game instead of $25 or $30. I would honestly have preferred a digital release, although I can understand the desire for a boxed version as well. Hmm.
eShop. People are starting to forget DS so that is just a bad place to sell.
It looks somewhat interesting! And I have nothing against a new third-party retail title this late on the DS! It's actually quite fresh, since 99,9% of all the interesting games nowadays go straight to download!!
The ONLY kind of game that excites me are boxed releases. 1. They are highly collectible. B. Digital releases aren't real. Once they get erased from your system's memory, they're as good as permanently gone unless some future device recreates em, which isn't especially likely for 90% of games.
Tanagrams ain't really my thing. But I really like the art style so I think I'll be getting this game and its cool box art
Even if this came to the eShop i'd be cautious. While it still could turn out decent enough for a download this will so tank at retail. It's not like the more polished Scribblenauts games suddenly vanish from the earth, you know.
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