The Fig crowdfunding platform has introduced a new Open Access financing program. It allows you to raise money for projects without time limits — unlike the program used, for example, Kickstarter.

On Kickstarter, IndieGoGo and many other platforms, project financing takes no longer than 30 days. If the game or any other project does not have time to collect the declared amount for this period, all the money is returned back to the backers, and the development ends before it begins.

Fig itself previously used the same model, writes PC Games Insider. But now she has launched an Open Access program that:

  • covers the full development cycle of the game. The collected funds go to the studios immediately, not in a month;
  • allows you to raise funds in stages. The studio divides the entire development process into stages, marks them on the roadmap and indicates how long each of them will take. As soon as the backers finance the next stage of development, the studio can plan the next one and also add new mechanics and functions;
  • gives backers access to the current playable version of the project. And all upcoming automatic updates during the Open Access period become free for them.

This scheme cannot be associated with the usual pre-order of the game, clarifies Fig. In fact, the development goes on the money of backers — and goes simultaneously with the fundraising.

According to Fig founder Justin Bailey, this funding model was created for the reasons that indie games are no longer suitable for “traditional” crowdfunding campaigns.

A 30-day campaign is not enough to maintain awareness of the indie game. Open Access allows developers to immediately improve their financial situation, plan the development cycle and organically support the growth of awareness.

Justin Bailey

Founder of Fig

Right now, Open Access is being tested on the indie game Vagrus – The Riven Realms from the studio Lost Pilgrims. According to her roadmap, backers are currently raising money for the sixth stage of development. The project managed to raise $ 18 thousand.

Also on the topic:

Tags: