Kickstarter Success Stories: From Idea to Bestseller

A collage of successful board games that started on Kickstarter, showing their box art and components

The world of board games has been revolutionized by crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter. Many innovative games that might have never seen the light of day through traditional publishing channels have found their way to tabletops around the world. Let's explore some of the most successful board games that started as Kickstarter projects and became huge hits in the gaming community.

1. Gloomhaven

Designed by Isaac Childres, Gloomhaven is a perfect example of a Kickstarter success story. This massive dungeon-crawling game raised over $4 million in its second Kickstarter campaign and has since become one of the highest-rated board games of all time.

Gloomhaven game box and components laid out on a table, showcasing its intricate miniatures and map tiles

2. Exploding Kittens

This quirky card game, created by Elan Lee and Matthew Inman (of The Oatmeal fame), became an instant sensation. It raised nearly $8.8 million from over 200,000 backers, making it one of the most backed projects in Kickstarter history.

Exploding Kittens card game box and a fan of colorful cards featuring humorous cat illustrations

3. Kingdom Death: Monster

Adam Poots' Kingdom Death: Monster is a prime example of a niche game finding its audience. This dark fantasy board game raised over $12 million in its second Kickstarter campaign, appealing to hardcore gamers with its complex gameplay and high-quality miniatures.

Kingdom Death: Monster game box and a display of its detailed, gothic-style miniatures and game board

4. Scythe

Jamey Stegmaier's Scythe is a testament to the power of unique themes and beautiful artwork in board games. Set in an alternate-history 1920s Europe, this game of resource management and area control raised $1.8 million on Kickstarter.

Scythe game box, board setup, and player mats showcasing its dieselpunk-inspired artwork and mechs

5. Root

Leder Games' Root, designed by Cole Wehrle, proves that innovative gameplay mechanics combined with charming artwork can capture gamers' hearts. This asymmetric war game featuring woodland creatures raised over $600,000 on Kickstarter.

Root game box, board, and wooden animal meeples, highlighting its whimsical forest warfare theme

The Impact of Crowdfunding on Board Games

These success stories highlight how Kickstarter has transformed the board game industry. It has allowed designers to bring innovative ideas directly to players, bypassing traditional gatekeepers. The platform has also fostered a sense of community, with backers feeling invested in the games they support from concept to production.

Moreover, the success of these games on Kickstarter has influenced the broader board game market. Many games that start on Kickstarter go on to receive wide retail distribution, and their innovations often inspire other designers and publishers.

Conclusion

From Gloomhaven's epic campaign to Exploding Kittens' viral appeal, these Kickstarter success stories demonstrate the diverse range of games that can find an audience through crowdfunding. As the board game industry continues to grow and evolve, platforms like Kickstarter will undoubtedly play a crucial role in bringing fresh, exciting games to players around the world.

Whether you're a casual gamer or a dedicated enthusiast, keep an eye on Kickstarter – the next big hit in the board game world might be just a pledge away!