What developers need to know about funding a game with Kickstarter in 2026

Games companies raised $26 million on Kickstarter in 2025, level with 2024, with 443 video game projects successfully funded, including 55 over $100,000 and 11 over $500,000, according to Ico Partners' Thomas Bidaux. Bidaux says early indicators suggest 2026 will be in line with 2025's pace, but projects now need release-quality footage, ideally a demo, and an already engaged audience, since crowdfunding is fundamentally a marketing and community exercise. Skyhook Games' David Harper says Lawn Mowing Simulator 2's campaign fell below its target in the final 24 hours after a large pledge was removed, and only completed after Kickstarter extended it by a week.