We’ve covered a number of projects here on oprainfall. While most have been games, we have covered other types of gaming-centered projects. One of the first ones we covered was a book called Up Up Down Down Left Write: The Freelance Guide To Video Game Journalism. Our first Crowdfunding Spotlight wasn’t for a game but, more or less, a gaming think-tank called L.A. Game Space. This Spotlight deals with this type of project, though more like the former than being obscure like the latter. This is GameLoading: Rise of the Indies.
GameLoading is a documentary that deals with the rise of indie games and indie game culture. StudioBento, located in Clifton Hill Australia, intends to show how indie game developers are changing the status quo with new ideas despite not having the big budgets of mainstream studios.
The list of talent they have either done interviews with or will do interviews with is quite incredible. For those they’ve already talked to, they have games developers Chris Avellone (Obsidian Entertainment), Mare Sheppard (Metanet Software Inc.), Khang Le (Hawken) and Alexander Bruce (Antichamber) as well as founders Trip Hawkins (Electronic Arts) and David Helgason (Unity Technologies). The list of those they plan on contacting is also impressive, with Jens Bergensten (Minecraft), Jakub Dvorsky (Machinarium), Ian Dallas (The Unfinished Swan), Justin Ma (FTL), Kellee Santiango (Developer Relations for OUYA), and many, many more developers, journalists, and industry veterans. The project will be taking them around the world for interviews and indie-dominant conventions – starting with the USA for PAX Prime and IndieCade, going through Europe, checking out the burgeoning Japanese indie market, and finishing back in Australia.
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| Just a few more of the many people they interviewed. |
To go along with the documentary, StudioBento also plans on creating an eBook to coincide with the film. The eBook will include details of the developers they meet as well as a look behind the scenes at these developers’ work practices. A soundtrack is also being created with music from the film, as well as music inspired by the film.
But just like the video games they cover, it takes more than passion (which they have plenty of) to finish a project. That is where you guys come in. They are looking to raise $50,000 to help them complete GameLoading. So far, they have raised over $22,000 with 15 days left. And if they get over that $50,000 mark, they have plans to buy their own equipment (they’ve been borrowing sound equipment and lenses from friends; $60,000) and additional filming done by some talented camera people ($75,000).
In return for your generosity, StudioBento has some lovely gifts for you. The first is a credit in the film and a free game bundle ($5). You can also get what they call the Premium Games Bundle for $25 (F.Y.I. Both bundles combine for 23 total games as of right now). Reward tiers that include the film start at $15 with a digital copy. You can also get the film on DVD ($35) or Blu-Ray ($40). Other non-limited tiers include the soundtrack (starting at $35) and an exclusive T-Shirt ($100). If you’re a game developer and want to get your game in the film, you can donate $400 (10 spots remaining). You can also be given a chance to Test Screen the film ($1,000; 4 remaining) or be a producer on the film (Associate Producer at $2,500; Co-Producer at $5,000; Executive Producer at $10,000).
This is a wonderful opportunity StudioBento has to show the Indie gaming scene at this stage as we move towards more digital gaming. We would like to wish them the best and hope that all of you can help support this wonderful project by donating towards the Kickstarter campaign.
