This is not a drill, I repeat this is not a drill! During the Game Awards 2015, Tim Schafer took to the stage to announce Psychonauts 2, coming not to Kickstarter, but Fig. Fig is a brand new crowdfunding website exclusively for games, with a unique twist.
The team is asking for $3.3 million, and at time of writing, they’ve already received over $107,000 in less than half an hour. The campaign has 34 days to go, and if the goal is not met (which there’s no way it won’t be), the game won’t be made. The campaign page has the usual fun video you’d expect from a Double Fine pitch, as well as a detailed list of what they hope to accomplish, and who’s working on the game. No gameplay was shown, but hey, there’s Gabe Newell and Jack Black in the pitch video.
Fans have been hollering for Psychonauts 2 since the release of the original. It never sold particularly well, but it became an instant cult classic. Many thought Psychonauts 2 was a surefire release when Minecraft creator Notch approached Double Fine with an offer, but Schafter wanted more money than Notch could provide.
Some might be surprised Double Fine is turning their noses away from Kickstarter, which they’ve had success there twice now. But Fig was started by Justin Bailey, former COO and Producer at Double Fine, a prominent figure in the Double Fine Adventure documentary series. Not to mention the fact that Schafer is on Figs advisory board. Interestingly, we see in the series him talking about moving away from traditional publishing, and his growing interest in crowdfunding. Perhaps we should have seen this moving coming sooner.
Psychonauts 2 will be available in Fall 2018 (if it gets funded) and is available on all the current gen systems, PC, mobile, and Atari 2600 that’s it.
Out of curiosity anybody notice that @PlayFig twitter count only has 1,000 followers to @DoubleFine 96,000 ? Will be interesting to see if this campaign gives FIG the boost it needs to be taken seriously.
It could very well be. Or, on the other hand, people still might be sore about Broken Age and its its questionable release, and howDF launched a second Kickstarter before the first was complete. I could see it going either way.
Mix feelings on that! It seems like all the people critical of DoubleFine, are being drowned out or watered out on social media. Perhaps it’s best to wait 24 hours to see how many of the positive voices remain on Twitter.
I get a feeling that they’re hoping this is their big coming out party. I mean, just look at that funding goal, it’s pretty insane. From the looks of it they’ll make it, so good for them, but hopefully for Fig it raises awareness of their platform, because as it stands now I think people only know their games and not the platform.
A shame, while i love Psychonauts and want a new game on it. I won’t sign up on Fig for that.
I find this site not being user friendly at all. There is a lot of restrictions about the investment, the idea is good but they need to redefine their headlines.
As a random user at this time i find the site repelling.
I loved Psychonauts and I’d love to see a sequel. Like Dawn I won’t be signing up for Fig just for the one game. I’m still not sold on the platform and frankly I don’t see it taking off. That said, I don’t doubt this will make funding and I will pick it up once it releases. If it ran on Kickstarter or even Indiegogo (which I never used) then I’d consider giving some money. Just not with Fig.
Besides, if you’re taking a look at the rewards…i’ve never seen something as awfully made than this! 10$ = Psychonauts 1!! owning myself 2 copy on Psychonauts (GoG and Steam..) i am interested like everyone else in Psychonauts 2 only!
But you simply can’t do it! Next rewards is 33$ Psychonauts 1+2!
Which first mean that Psychonauts 2 is evaluated at 23$..and secondly that if you want Psychonauts 2..you need to at least put 33$ on the table..since there is no reward at 23 with only Psychonauts 2.
It is obviously a way to inflate the funding! Such Shady moves..it doesn’t honor them.
You know, I think part of the problem is making the documentary free. I wasn’t a huge fan of Broken Age as a game, but the documentary behind the making of it was well worth every penny.
Now that the doc is going to be free for everyone, right out the gate, they ended up losing a big carrot. Its worth it, I think, everyone should be able to see the episodes, but I wonder if it would be better for the backers to get an early look at them.
Yeah, I think this is one of those cases where its clear the game is getting funded regardless and I’ll be happy to pick it upon release .
I think the problem with Fig is how its only about videogames, honestly. I understand they want a game-centric crowdfudning platform, but I don’t know if one ONLY for videogames will work.
And, call me cynical, but I have to wonder how much of this is about making Psychonauts 2, and how much of it’s about establishing Fig. Tim Schafter works for their company, and Justin Bailey used to work at DF after all.
I don’t understand all the love for Psychonauts. I’ve tried playing it a few times and couldn’t get into it. Ahh well!
It’s a girl thing, greg 😛
It’s full of nice color and all..
I like flashy colors ^^
[…] I don’t think this is what Fig was originally intended for. Fresh(ish) off the heels of the massively successful Psychonauts 2 campaign, Fig was enjoying a boost in both popularity and credibility. What better way to follow that up […]