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Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter have changed the game industry, letting developers make their dreams come true with the help of loyal fans and supporters. The Kickstarter app has facilitated this connection, making it easier for developers and backers to engage.
Through the app, backers can discover projects and support new ideas across various categories like art, design, film, games, hardware, and music. Among the many campaigns launched on this funding platform, some have achieved extraordinary success and raised millions of dollars and widespread attention. Here’s a look at the most successful games that have set the bar way up high.
Star Citizen Kickstarter Campaign - $677,535,169
Star Citizen has raised an enormous $428,650,511 to top the list of Kickstarter projects (of all time). Developed by Cloud Imperium Games, this space simulation game promises an immersive universe where players can explore, trade, and engage in epic space battles.
After the Kickstarter funding progress ended, project creators Cloud Imperium Games kept raising and soliciting funds from its supporters. They stayed in touch with their backers through backer messages, tracking funding progress, keeping up with comments and pledges, and posting updates. These crowdfunding methods raised much criticism and led to legal issues regarding the project, leading to delays.
Star Citizen has garnered a lot of backlash due to unclear release dates. The original launch was supposed to be November 14 but has been delayed repeatedly. Because of this, more than 25% of backers have asked for refunds as early as 2015.
Despite this, Star Citizen is known for being one of the most funded crowdfunding projects, raising over US$676 million as of April 2024.
Ouya Successfully Funded - $8,596,474
Ouya, a micro-console that wanted to bring Android games to the living room, raised a whopping $8,596,474 from its backers. The hardware didn’t compete with the big consoles, but its Kickstarter campaign was an enormous hit. Ouya is the top performer on its first day compared to any other project. Their fundraising goal was $950,000; however, it surpassed one million dollars within eight hours alone.
Sadly, Ouya Inc. faced financial difficulties and delayed shipments from its shipping partner. It shut down operations due to low sales and a reluctance to use the platform. Yet, despite its commercial struggles, it proves that crowdfunding can be a game-changer in the gaming industry.
Shenmue III - $6,333,296
The long-awaited sequel to the beloved Shenmue series, Shenmue III, garnered $6,333,296 from fans eager to support and continue Ryo Hazuki’s journey.
Passionate backers, or creative visionaries, played a crucial role in this success, finding joy and connection in funding new ideas and bringing them to life. It became the fastest campaign to raise $2 million in under seven hours, and by the end of the next month, it raised over $6 million.
Net created the game; fans funded it because they love classic franchises and creative projects. The plot revolves around Ryo Hazuki, a teenage martial artist, as he embarks on a quest to track down his father’s murderer in the 1980s mountains of Guilin, China.
Shenmue III’s campaign totally hit home for gamers who rocked the first two games on the Sega Dreamcast. The overall cost of making all Shenmue sequels is a whopping $70,000,000.
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night Creative Projects - $5,545,991
Koji Igarashi, the mastermind behind Castlevania, struck gold with Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. This epic action game raked over $5.5 million from enthusiastic backers—way more than the original goal. Fans were pumped to support Igarashi’s vision for a nostalgic throwback to the genre and receive rewards for their contributions.
Bloodstained ended up being one of the biggest hits on Kickstarter, smashing records left and right. In 2025, it was the top dog in video game crowdfunding, surpassing Torment: Tides of Numenera. But then Shenmue III came along and took the crown, raising over $6.3 million.
When Ritual of the Night dropped, it got mostly positive vibes, with many saying it truly captured the spirit of the classic Castlevania games we all love.
interests, from space exploration to RPGs and racing games. With platforms like Kickstarter, developers can easily bring all their innovative visions and ideas to life.
Pillars of Eternity - $4,705,524
Obsidian Entertainment brought back the magic of isometric RPGs with Pillars of Eternity, a nod to old-school gems like Baldur’s Gate, which was successfully funded on Kickstarter. The game pulled in an impressive $4,705,524, proving there’s still a huge love for deep, immersive RPGs.
Obsidian’s knack for crafting killer stories and memorable characters played a big part in the campaign’s success. Critics loved it too, giving props for the rich world, captivating writing, and strategic combat. The game snagged a bunch of awards, including Best RPG of 2015.
Torment: Tides of Numenera - $4,188,927
Set in Monte Cook’s Numenera universe, Torment, Torment: Tides of Numenera captivated backers and Kickstarter creators alike with its promise of rich storytelling and profound philosophical themes.
Raking in pledges amounting to $4,188,927, the game raised funding on its website and reached over $870,000 even after the projects wrapped up and its original campaign deadline ended.
The campaign successfully leveraged its predecessor’s legacy, attracting fans eager for a deep and thought-provoking RPG experience. Torment’s intricate world-building and narrative depth were key to its crowdfunding success.