In recent weeks we've produced Kickstarter summaries to show how campaigns are progressing, and this entry includes successes, cancellations and some close calls. Considering the fact that some exciting games have arrived and are on the way from successfully crowdfunded campaigns in the past, it's certainly worth keeping track of the comings and goings.

As always the focus is on current campaigns or those that have been completed in the past seven days, so those that have dropped off the list do so as they are now finished.

With further preamble, let's get to it.

Funded Project

APEXICON - Fantasy Puzzle Combat — Wii U included in core target [approx $5100 of $5,000 target reached, 3 days to go]

APEXICON

This was the second attempt of developer Actos Games to get this project funded, having closed the initial attempt late last year. The campaign returned with an updated alpha build free to try on PC, a lower target and with the Wii U eShop included in the core goal. Now funded, this will attempt to blend wordplay with RPG elements, with touch controls on the GamePad seeming like an ideal option. A recent promotion gives an extra copy and future games in the "mini-collector" tier, while the developer is discussing publication opportunities with DoubleFine.

Chances of Wii U release — Confirmed.

Project Updates

Cult County — Wii U and 3DS included in core target [approx $41,300 of $580,000 target reached, 11 days to go]

Image1

The project initially confirmed for the 3DS was moved to Unity-supported systems, which means Wii U, PC, PS3, PS Vita, PS4 and Xbox One. Following some fan pressure, however, the 3DS has now been added as part of the core goal along with the other platforms. As before when announced in 2013, this will be an episodic survival-horror FPS, with Renegade Kid aiming to use its experience from Dementium: The Ward and Dementium II on the DS.

Chances of Wii U / 3DS release — Very unlikely based on current momentum.

Hex Heroes — Wii U included in core target [approx $55,000 of $80,000 target reached, 3 days to go]

Hex Heroes Concept Art

This is a "Party RTS" (real time strategy) with some serious pedigree, being led by artist and co-developer of popular PC title The Bridge, Mario Castañeda, with music from the much-loved Grant Kirkhope. Initially planned as a Wii U exclusive due to its core idea of local multiplayer for up to five players, with the GamePad player leading four others on the TV, it's since added a PC version to broaden the potential audience. Has added additional cameos from popular YouTube channel Game Grumps, along with varied game characters.

Chances of Wii U release — Momentum has enjoyed a boost over the last week, but this'll need a strong final few days to hit its target.

Twisted Fusion — Wii U exclusive [approx £2,470 of £3,000 target reached, 10 days to go]

Twisted Fusion

This début Nintendo game from Lewis Pugh, who's previously released a number of smartphone games, will utilise the Nintendo Web Framework on the home console. Described as an "open platformer", the gameplay in the pitch video brings to mind Renegade Kid's Mutant Mudds, while there'll also be an adjustable difficulty scale on the Wii U GamePad screen.

Chances of Wii U release — It's still looking positive, with consistent momentum suggesting it'll hit its modest target.

Flying Hamster II — Wii U and 3DS as unspecified stretch goals [approx $31,750 of $150,000 target reached, 13 days to go]

Flying Hamsters 2

The original Flying Hamster was released on PSP, Vita and iOS, but this sequel aims to expand the original idea with a large "hub-based open world", with action platformer gameplay and rather cute visuals. This will apparently be a 2D adventure RPG in practice, with particular inspiration from Wonder Boy / Monster World.

Chances of Wii U / 3DS release — Based on current momentum, very slim. Neither Nintendo system has a firm goal yet, and the campaign is struggling to gain momentum towards its core goal.

Nintendo Underdogs Reorchestrated (NUREO) — Approx $3,250 of $6,000 target reached, 7 days to go

NUREO

This is a fan-driven project — headed up by Colin McIsaac — that aims to produce an album of 20 tracks for "underappreciated" Nintendo themes. Examples cited are WarioWare's "Ashley's Theme," Super Mario RPG's "Beware the Forest Mushrooms," and Mario Kart's "Rainbow Road"; stretch goals include live instrument soloists and guest arrangements.

Odds of success — Momentum has improved, but this will be a close call.

Cosmochoria — Wii U included as $25,000 stretch goal [approx $17,475 of $10,000 target reached, 10 days to go]

Cosmochoria

This title is already funded for its main release on PC, so is already successful. It looks like a colourful, charming take on Asteroids style gameplay as you explore and plant seeds on planetoids when fighting off aliens. It's Wii U stretch goal has been drastically reduced from $150,000 to $25,000.

Chances of Wii U release — Reasonable odds right now, though extra momentum is needed; this one has a chance.

Tom Sparks and the Quakes of Ruin — Wii U included as $210,000 stretch goal [approx $2,400 of $50,000 target reached, 18 days to go]

Tom Sparks

Described as a "3D diesel-punk action-adventure game full of crazy weapons", it takes an isometric top-down viewpoint and promises an action adventure of exploring, upgrading weapons and challenging enemy fights.

Chances of Wii U release — It looks almost impossible. Despite looking like a rather slick title in the pitch video below, this campaign has stalled; $210,000 is a huge number with such poor momentum.

Cancelled Project

JetGetters — Cancelled

Jet Getters

This title from tinyBuild certainly stood out as a game that simply aims to provide ludicrous fun. A dogfighting aerial combat game, it encourages players to leap from their plane and skydive; they can either land on a team-mates' plane and shoot with their handgun or land on an enemy plane to hijack it. Its description of "Just Cause 2 meets Battlefield 4" seems apt. Despite the buzz around the game and having reached its original goal, the studio pulled the campaign due to discussions with investors and a delay in release to 2015. Apparently backers will not only get their money back but will also still get a free copy of the game when released — a bizarre turn of events.

Chances of Wii U release — Unclear, the Wii U goal wasn't reached and the campaign has been closed.

So those are some crowdfunding efforts currently doing the rounds on Kickstarter. Let us know which ones interest you, and likewise point us to any we've missed in the comments below.