BackerKit
BackerKit is a crowdfunding platform focusing on creative projects with an emphasis on tabletop games and fantasy books. On ethical grounds, BackerKit bans projects containing art produced by Generative AI.[1][2]
History
BackerKit was founded in 2012 by Maxwell Salzberg and Rosanna Yau as a pledge management, payment processing, shipping, audience engagement, and pre-order tool for Kickstarter campaigns.[3] In 2022, BackerKit announced its own crowdfunding marketplace in response to criticisms within the tabletop role-playing game industry against Kickstarter's investment in Blockchain.[4] The first major crowdfunding campaign on BackerKit was for Gloomhaven's Grand Festival, which raised over $5 million.[5][6] Other early successes included Return to Dark Tower ($2 million)[7][6] and Spirit Island: Nature Incarnate ($1.2 million).[6]
In 2024, the premium edition Brandon Sanderson's novel Words of Radiance raised $16 million on BackerKit, breaking the platform's record.[8][3]
- ^ Hall, Charlie (2023-10-02). "BackerKit bans AI-generated content from its platform, including art for board games". Polygon. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
- ^ Carter, Chase (2023-10-03). "Kickstarter rival Backerkit bans crowdfunding projects solely using AI-generated art". Dicebreaker. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
- ^ a b Hall, Charlie (2024-02-21). "Brandon Sanderson, credited with the biggest Kickstarter of all time, brings his next project to Backerkit". Polygon. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
- ^ Carter, Chase (2022-12-12). "BackerKit discusses challenging the 'big green K' as it moves from crowdfunding tool to competitor". Dicebreaker. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
- ^ Hall, Charlie (2022-06-15). "Gloomhaven leaves Kickstarter over blockchain push". Polygon. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
- ^ a b c Hall, Charlie (2023-07-18). "Kickstarter rival Backerkit exits beta on the heels of a successful Gloomhaven campaign". Polygon. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
- ^ Theel, Charlie (2022-06-23). "Return to Dark Tower is a fascinating and expensive sequel to the cult classic board game". Polygon. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
- ^ Nawotka, Ed. "Brandon Sanderson Raises $16 Million, Breaking Records Again". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2024-09-05.