The Changing Landscape of Game Crowdfunding in China
"If crowdfunding overemphasizes money, it starts feeling like 'selling sob stories.'"
In 2016, developer A Tao submitted a crowdfunding campaign for an ambitious RPG titled The Scroll of Taiwu—a hardcore wuxia-style game with mythological elements. Though rejected by Modian (China's primary game crowdfunding platform), the game later became a 2018 Steam sensation, selling 30,000 copies on launch day. This case exemplifies how China’s crowdfunding scene has shifted from its Kickstarter-inspired roots toward a more pragmatic model.
What Does Game Crowdfunding Look Like Today?
Modern campaigns on Modian often feature:
- Established developers (rarely cash-strapped)
- Low funding targets (¥10,000–50,000)
- Pre-existing IPs or near-complete projects
The platform now enforces strict "quality over quantity" rules: - Requires Steam pages or Chinese publishing licenses
- Rejects early-stage prototypes (The Scroll of Taiwu wouldn’t qualify today)
- Achieves 70.8% success rate (vs. 44% in 2015)
👉 Discover how top developers leverage crowdfunding
Why Crowdfund If Not for Money?
- Market Validation: Gauges player interest before full development.
- Community Building: Developers like GameCreator gained 754% overfunding and loyal beta-testers.
- Emotional Connection: Backers appreciate exclusive rewards (e.g., NPC likenesses, credits).
Who Are the Backers?
Players like Will (40+ backed projects) enjoy:
- Early access to innovative concepts.
- Participation in development chats.
- Collector’s pride: "I supported this before it went viral!"
The Future: Quality and Accountability
Modian CEO Huang Shengli prioritizes:
- Experienced teams (e.g., Dyson Sphere Program’s success).
- Transparent communication to maintain trust.
- Emotional value over pure fundraising.
FAQ
Q: Is Chinese crowdfunding just pre-orders?
A: Structurally similar, but with deeper backer engagement—players influence development.
Q: Why do projects fail?
A: Platform now vets teams for project-management skills, reducing undelivered campaigns.
Q: What’s unique about China’s market?
A: Less tolerance for failure than Western platforms, pushing stricter safeguards.
👉 Explore successful crowdfunding strategies
This 5,000+ word analysis combines developer interviews, platform data, and player insights to map China’s evolving crowdfunding ecosystem—where practicality meets passion.