Two of the top five highest funded crowdfunding projects of all time are video games
Ever wondered about the most successful crowdfunding projects to ever get funded? Well, a look at Wikipedia’s list of the highest funded campaigns ever gives a very interesting overview of what people want to invest their money into these days. The most funded project, classified under the mysterious category of Blockchain, is called The DAO (Decentralised Autonomous Organisation), an organisation that is run through a set of business rules operating in computer code, where funds are being held in the cryptocurrency known as Ether. It raised an incredible $177 million – and counting!
The second most crowdfunded project is, thankfully, more understandable to us mere mortals: a video game called Star Citizen that features space combat set in a 30th-century Milky Way centered on the fictional United Empire of Earth (UEE). A key theme of the game is citizenship – or lack thereof – in the UEE, which must be earned through player actions. It secured over $100 million from its online supporters.
The third most funded project, which raised $17 million, is a three-wheeled vehicle developed by the American startup automaker Elio Motors, designed to offer high mileage for a low-cost vehicle (base price $6,800). The futuristic three-wheeler (two wheels in front, one at the back) will be equipped with all the standard features like airconditioning, power windows, airbags and ABS, but with an affordable price tag.
The fourth most crowdfunded project is a third-generation version of a smartwatch called Pebble Time, which closed crowdfunding at $10.3 million. Unlike other popular smartwatches, it doesn’t come with a touchscreen, however it promises around seven days of battery life, can be worn by swimmers, has an always-on screen and comes with a multitude of applications.
Video games are king on crowdfunding platforms, and the fifth most popular project is one called Prison Architect, a construction and management simulation where the player takes control of building and running a prison, with tasks like recruiting staff to unlock more aspects of the game, running finances, and keeping their inmates content. It also secured over $10 million from crowdfunders.
For Malta’s popular crowdfunding projects, check out the Zaar Crowdfunding platform and see what innovative projects you can back.