Top 10 Games That Hurt Crowdfunding 

There's like 10 games by Mythic alone.

Mythic Games Anastyr is what did it for me. I no longer watch multiple boardgame videos daily. I even unsubscribed to some channels and shifted my time to other hobbies.

Black list games left many of us hanging with several unfulfilled kickstarters

Mythic Games and Six Siege hurt things for me. I also think that CMON and their endless series of expansions are preying on FOMO that has spread across so much of crowdfunding board games.

Mythic is the one I know well than hurt crowdfunding. It's a really good example as how not to do things and how bad management may bring down a successful company.

Darkest Dungeon All-In backer, I don't do crowdfunded games anymore. If it's good, I'll get it at retail. If it doesn't go to retail, even less to worry about.

Anastyr was the worst one because they knew things were bad when they collected the money. That was pure theft.

Mythic Games for sure. And I am certain I'm not the only one.

Crowdfunding is so double-edged it's wild. On the one hand, we get absolutely nutso beautiful productions that would *never* otherwise get the funding they need to get made. On the other hand, we can only fly so close to the sun so many times. Maybe though, just maybe, we should be backing off a bit and simplifying things. I love that Cyclades Legendary has a wooden meeples option, that's the one I pledged.

If Mythic Games isn't #1 on this list I'll be shocked.

Lazy Squire games is just really embracing the first word in their name, nothing to worry about.

Stormsunder will always hurt the most. It has so much potential but is sadly too ambitious for the company.

Mythic and Blacklist games are the top companies that are ruining crowdfunding. Lazy Squire Games is creeping up on that inauspicious list.

Madeira Collector's Edition is one of my sad highlights. Great game and it was ostensibly manufactured, but company behind it disintegrated.

The delay on the Honey Buzz expansion is just mind blowing, just no excuse for an expansion of a already finished game

I and 3,200+ others backed Legend Academy by El Dorado Games. I've seen news that El Dorado Games has failed and it seems their web site and social media has been shut down as of last year. Meanwhile they put out an update in January saying the game is still coming and implied that production would finish this spring. At this point I don't expect to ever see the game, but it is frustrating that they don't seem to be forthcoming about what is going on.

As much as I love the game, I think Middara Acts II and III should have been on this list over 7th Citadel. The KS closed in July 2019 with an estimated delivery of May 2021. It's now April 2024 and it hasn't started production yet (it's scheduled to start in May 2024). They are estimated a Q4 2024 delivery, roughly 3.5 years after the estimated delivery and over five years after the campaign ended.

I would also throw in Super Dungeon Explore from Soda Pop Miniatures/Ninja Division, which had a fair number of backers and an established brand and has now officially vanished into the ether, some…7? 8? years after the fact.

I am in the Stormsunder/ Wild Assent camps. I went in knowing there were criticisms/ delays but I did not expect how lacking some of their recent updates have been. They aren’t asking for extra money but they are making us sacrifice time as they focus on fulfilling their side gigs like Ravaged Star.

I'm an All-In'er for both Wild Assent and Stormsunder. I hope the games come out eventually, but I don't expect them to anymore. Even if they do come out, I will 100% never be backing anything from LSG again.

The Red Joker will likely be added to this list since they have gone silent on social media and their Okko Chronicles: Cycle of Earth KS page. The last update was literally over 4 months ago, and that update said they're still looking for production partners. It is now 2 years after the KS ended, and they have been silent for four months on their KS page, and they literally haven't even found anyone to produce the game for them. If it's ever made, it will likely be 3+ years from their KS end. The fact that they are silent, don't answer messages, don't reply to questions on their KS page, and have gone silent on social media all adds up to the likelyhood that they are not going to fulfill Okko Chronicles: Cycle of Earth and Cyber Odyssey. The King of Average contacted them last week, and they just shined him on with the same info about "still looking for production partners."

I interpreted the 7th Citadel Communication as open and honest, but Robinson Crusoe felt like non stop dishonesty. Worse than both is Elf Creek Games, Atlantis Rising, Monstrosities, Honey Buzz still not delivered, they tell you to contact the distribution hub and the hub says Elf Creek have not sent stock. Elf Creek were widely spoken about, and well sought after by new people to the hobby, but those people are not talking about the failure to deliver and the effect on the hobby.

6:Siege was the wake up call I needed to back wayyy off. Lords of Ragnarok was the other that killed my backing pace (was terrible, and I sold mine for a massive loss)

Mythic and my enormous Anastyr pledge is what ruined crowdfunding for me

Soda Pop Miniatures/Ninja Division, their campaign for Super Dungeon Explore: Legends made a boat-load of cash and it all disappeared through poor management, over-reach, and some suspect funds were used for medical bills. The owners would often get into self-righteous arguments with backers and to this day still declare they will one day deliver and backers should stop being so mean and upset at them. Oh yeah, and they took everyone's shipping fees saying the product was almost ready when they hadn't even started manufacturing. They still haven't started, what is it...coming up on 9 years after funding? Strangely, that was my first ever KS experience and I still came back for more. What has stopped me these last couple of years is the shipping costs to Canada negating any savings I would get from KS.

You forgot Funforge's Monumental African Empires. Literally lying to your backers regularly and shamelessly.

7th citadel took so long and had so little communication I swore it was vaporware and I'd been scammed. It suddenly arrived recently and in my opinion is a wonderful game.

$1500 in the hole waiting to see if/when Wild Assent and Stormsunder ever deliver. Not a good feeling but hope they deliver one day

Monumental game and Funforge for me---I have less of an issue when a company can't deliver and goes out of business. But, Funforge specifically telling people to back their game because it won't go to retail and then not delivering, but, selling a retail game of Monumental and expansions in stores, while telling backers to be patient and then eventually ghosting backers is a bitter pill to swallow. They could have at least sent backers the retail game, or, a made it possible to pay extra in shipping for a retail game if that wasn't even possible.

MYTHIC GAMES > Monsterpocalypse. They now make me really back barely anything anymore because of it.

The last update on Stormsunder was completly crazy. The bloodball mini game was so out of place...

I think the reason why Kingdom Death gets a pass in terms of delays is because Poots constantly expands the scope of his content at no extra charge. I have no problem waiting for products that exceed my expectations.

Never forget those scammers of Golden Bell Studios. Never forget.

I've only had this happen once and it was over a decade ago at this point. It was a reprint of the 2-player game, Odin's Ravens. This was the first time I experienced a Kickstarter just fizzling out and the company going bust. I'm not sure what deal was done behind doors, but eventually all of us were contacted by Osprey Games and received copies of the reprint (that is still available from them today). Since then, 4-year waits for games like 7th Citadel don't even phase me.

One should not forget that Steeped Games only delivered the original 'Chia Tea' to its US backers...... those in Europe were shafted and never saw a copy. KS should not have allowed the Chai Tea for 2 when so many lost out on the original.

"Today is a perfect day for an update, Dan." That was me leaving a comment on April's Fools. Sometimes humor is the best cure. LOL!

Massive shout out to Ulisses Spiel and Myth Journeyman. The company behind Myth Journeyman did the KS 9 years ago. The folded. Sold assets to Ulisses Spiel. 7 years after the supposed delivery date... backed got almost everything! Stretch Goals, expansions, etc. Massive number of minis! And Ulisses Spiel did it all... and DIDN'T charge backers a single cent! Not even for shipping! So those companies that genuinely folded due to financial considerations... sell your IP to Ulisses Spiel! Point: for me, Mythic Games killed KS for me. Luckily, my last game was Solomon Kane which delivered. But I was tempted to back Anastyr... good thing I didn't. Their Reichbusters was so bad I've never even played it.

I really appreciate your putting up this video. My experience has been better than your example. One was delayed so long I just packed it away on the self without ever looking at it. Another had their manufacturer go belly up, but they worked hard to deliver a game. With the best parts intact ( I think they lost money). Finally, I gave up on a company that planned to sell the kickstarter games at GenCon before delivering (month or more delay) to me. They finally didn't, but it was unpleasant to deal with it.

After the "Serious Timeline" from Kingdom Death the new plan is that the campaign will finish delivering not after 7 years but after 10 years. Considering that folks were quite incredulous during the campaign that the estimate was 4 years it seems a bit ironic. Honestly, I think even that timeline will be delayed a bit to more like 11 or even 12 years until it delivers. However, I think that you are correct that in many cases the campaign has not heard crowd funding. Personally as someone in their 50s now, I will not back another campaign from Kingdom Death for fear of a decade delay but that campaign in particular has not soured me on crowd funding in general (unlike say Mythic Games or Peterson Games).

for me, crowdfunding just isnt fun anymore tbh. its expensive, its anti consumer at a very basic level, and its a huge risk. any attempts to get a company to be held accountable for their actions either results in a shield wall of fans or torches and pitchforks. its ridiculous. nothing on the page actually matters other than how much of your money theyre going to take. Cheaper Now! no its not in most cases Get it first! if you're lucky Cant get it later! tell that to Game Steward, Gamenerdz, Recess games, Zulu games, etc. Help shape the game! ya right lmao. thats actually pretty rare. sure you can convince them to sell you a playmat or an upgraded component, but thats not really shaping the game, and even thats hit or miss. every year there will be a few new teams i will support because thats what crowdfunding does best. there will be a few expansions from my fav devs. and there might be a game or two ill just say screw it and jump in. but those numbers drop every year, and this year the most. worst part is, its not games not showing up. its really late deliveries, toxic white knights, and general bad practices by companies as a whole thats done me in.

Mythic Games without a doubt for me.

I'm optimistic on Lazy Squire as well, mainly because they're from my city and I want them to succeed. I'm all-in on Stormsunder and still debating using my returning backer pricing for Lavon Rising

Funforge....Everything delayed, months without communication.

To add to your list Diemension Games - Dawn of Madness/Deep Madness, Funforge - Monumental, Arcane Wonders - Freedom Five, One for All - Soul Raiders

I think the problem with CMON buying the Mythic games (Hel and Anastyr) is that there was no accountability as to where the funds from the sale were being applied. CMON could've at least dictated to Mythic that some of the funds be refunded to backers. For instance, when Megacon Games went under and couldn't fulfill Myth Journeyman (funded 2015; estimated fulfilment 2016), the IP was eventually sold to Ulisses Spiele who required that Megacon fulfill all the printed material (cards, adventure modules, etc.) as a prerequisite for the sale. Ulisses Spiele agreed to manufacturer all of the minis. Now for the most part the Campaign is finally being fulfilled 8 years late. CMON simply dumped a lot of cash in Mythic Games lap for the IP and and assets. Mythic Games already mismanaged backers' funds once. I wouldn't trust them, to do the right thing given a second chance.

We are not getting Chai Tea for 2. The only updates come around convention season and they either backtrack their previous updates or come up with yet another excuse of delays. They literally told us the games are on the boat and said we would have them by January yet gave no actual boat or any sort of actual shipping notification. They will go half a year or more without an update and then update us just in time for conventions.

Definitely Ninja Division/Sodapop miniatures.

For me it was when Ninja Division stole my 300 dollars for Super Dungeon Explore Legends.

It's a shame that Mythic fumbled their business so hard because their games are generally very good. Super Fantasy Brawl and 6 Siege are tons of fun, and I bet if someone swooped in with the funds to finish it, Anastyr would have been solid too.

Honestly, bad/disappointing crowdfunded games had a larger impact on my crowdfunding experience than late/unfulfilled games. Expensive games which were almost universally disliked upon arriving to backers. Games that, had I made my purchasing decision after reviews were available, I never would have bought in a million years. But now I'm stuck with a mediocre game that I have no hope of getting my money back on. So now, I only really either back second printings or wait for retail.

Alex I absolutely get it. Most people get burned and just give up but for me these games failing or succeeding doesn't really make an impact, and I say this as a person who lost a couple of things. Crowdfunding is what it is; you are rolling the dice and you will most certainly be late but you may not ever get it. For me the largest impact is if you screw up then I don't support YOUR games but you screwing up doesn't tarnish my expectations for all games.

You should do a video also on companies that are doing a great job. I backed League of Dungeoneers. The game was due April 2024. It will be a little late. But the communication has been the best I have ever had for a crowdfunding. Great updates with actual information. That makes up for the small delays.

Great video. This is exactly the reason why (along with insane international shipping costs to Australia) I only now back pnp games or very low cost games. I refuse to be a victim. There are loads of other games out there also.

Holy Grail popped my "you're not getting your game" cherry 😂... I was really looking forward to getting Copan too

I started following crowdfunding about 2 or 3 years ago which was at the tail-end of COVID stuff and supply chain issues so I don't have a full perspective on all of that except that I know it was a huge disruption to a lot of crowdfunding campaigns. The company I followed that I've seen have the most fallout from that was Elf Creek games specifically with the Atlantis Rising: Monstrosities expansion. Elf Creek ran the campaign pre-COVID with cheap shipping and it threatened to shut down the company with losses due to the shipping price hikes when the campaign was ready to ship. They had to ask for significantly more money to get the expansion to people and it upset a lot backers. They have since had to let go most of their employees to keep the company afloat and try to get their remaining campaigns delivered (Honey Buzz expansion, Paradox Initiative). I have personally liked the Elf Creek games I've played and they make premium stuff but I've seen a lot of negative review spamming of their games - not because the game is bad - but because "don't support this terrible company!" I think they tried to hide their financial position for too long and dig out with other campaigns but that didn't work and they to come clean with backers.

Monumental is my sword to the heart. I now typically only back smaller, focused games, or expansions. Larger games raise the time to receive and risk exponentially w/ no options or recourse. Make you feel helpless.

Rallyman was my biggest hurt personally. I don't know why, but maybe it's because they seemed like such a reliable company and it got so close to delivering and the game is made but just sitting in limbo somewhere... stormsunder and wild assent I really hope will deliver and even though there is more money involved there, it seems less surprising to me.

The makers of Adventures In Neverland still intend to deliver the game though, while not my type game i was aware that they were present last year at spiel with a late stage copy of the game. And they did try to interact in a friendly way with every interested party visiting the booth and potential backer.

Any chance you can see if CMON is going to have pledge tiers for those of us getting that Anastyr core box? If I decide to back their campaign it would be nice to be able to get the SG and other KS exclusives without having to buy another corebox

Not surprised to see Mythic Games at the top. They got me on a Darkest Dungeon All-In. We'll see if they can finish it.

I would have added Kingdom Death monster to the list. I am a Satan Pledge and I might get everything eventually in another 5+ years, but I am not going to back a 3rd KS if they ever launch another one.

I guess it speaks to my engagement post-backing that I recently received 7th Citadel and honestly didn't even know it was late. I mostly follow updates, but not release windows. Maybe that came from having backed Kingdom Death, which I was pretty confident would deliver despite the delays.

I feel like something like Chai Tea for 2 will never be delivered. No news, no updates that I've seen

For me Id say Ive been pretty lucky, the only one that hasn't fulfilled, which many might not really say is a board game "Alba - an open world adventure book" by insidethebox games, under £50 with shipping, one of the cheapest things I've ever backed, luckily for their other titles were picked up by Naylor Games, and I know people who eventually got what they backed with a little extra shipping involved, but it was the turning point that definitely slowed me down, and started researching a lot more, I think videos like this are really important for the hobby, you don't want to lose someone new whos just excited and doesn't know the warning signs others might, not even sure if anyone has done one but maybe a "possible warning signs to not back a game/company" video would be a good follow up, but as always love the content alex

Okay Alex, I did forget Robinson Crusoe. I finally got my copy, but that delay was definitely something that didn't look good for the industry. Good one.

I backed Dan and Connie's campaign JUST for the dice trays and never received them either 😅

I appreciate your optimism regarding lazy squire games, and it's true that they delivered Wild Assent. They are also years overdue on a REPRINT of WA. If it was just Stormsunder I would also be hopeful, but even the updates for WA are a bunch of nothing-burger. I'm afraid that if they cannot fulfill a game that was already finished in a timely manner, and cannot even give an estimation of when it MIGHT that our money is doomed

For me, it’s Diemension Games’ “Dawn of Madness” & Lucky Duck/Van Ryder’s “The Dark Quarter”. I believe I’ll get those games eventually (I hope) and don’t think they are awful people, but it stopped me from backing games forever. I just refuse to be a venture capitalist for board games anymore.

I think the HGG game you were thinking if was Tiles of Arabian Nights? Thnak goodness i dodged that bullet, was tempted...

Space Goat was the first time I got burned with Evil Dead 2. Fortunately there was a heartbeat campaign where I got a game, but it is definitely gave me pause to back games in the future. I didn't back any, but if they kept going, I probably would have fallen into a Mythic Games trap.

Three names came to mind, in this order: Mythic, Petersen, Blacklist. Thankfully I dodged all of these, although did back 7th Citadel, but it's arrived, even though it took years longer than they estimated. I'm also bummed about no follow up to Encyclopedia, it deserves more.

I was never in doubt that 7th Citadel would deliver and from what I’ve played so far it was worth the wait. I still haven’t received Primal though, and there’s a lot of people still waiting for Freedom Five, I’m surprised they didn’t get a mention. Nothing has ever outright burnt me before like Monsterpocolypse though. Mythic Games should have legal action taken against them at this stage.

I won't touch Mythic Games, at least not unless I see a physical box in a store right infront of me that I can buy.

I’ve gotten a few games that took longer and didn’t arrive for months after the promised dates - but Chai Tea for Two is over 2 years from delivery. So I’ve accepted that it’s likely never coming, but I also haven’t backed anything else since then either.

I am a backer for Lasting Tales 2 and also ordered the series 1 miniatures as an addon, without realising the problems behind the company and their history. April 20th, 2024 marked the 3rd year anniversay of their funding for that project and I still believe/have hope that there is a chance that it will be delivered, I just can't say when. If I do ever see another project of theirs appear on kickstarter, I will pay $1 to do my civic duty and warn every potential backer to stay away including sharing this video. I understand that there are pallets of completed pledges sitting in warehouses because companies like blacklist games cannot pay the delivery charges, and that those same pallets are accruing storage charges which can also not be paid. I guess I should start keeping an eye on aliexpress. Great video, thank you.

Robinson crusoe is a good shout - it was meant to be a deluxe edition and it taking so long to deliver put me off portal's other campagins and made me question even 'safe' backs. 7th Citadel didn't seem that bad personally, but I jumped on a little later. Maybe that changed my outlook on it from the norm.

I've been bitten by a few crowdfunding failures (I backed Anastyr 😅) but none of them have really hurt my opinion of crowdfunding as much as my increasingly limited shelf space has put a damper on my desire to back new games 😂

You missed Eternal Adversary. That game was aptly named. I'm pretty sure Adventures in Neverland is never coming. The last update before the abysmal playmat one was that an optional ship miniature was delaying production.

Blacklist games, Mythic and Lazy Squire games is the obvious ones. I was also frustrated with Divinity Original Sin the Board game… But it showed up in the end… But i thought my money was lost along the way.

Mythic Games really hurt me with Hel and due to it I avoided Darkest Dungeon. It hurts to know most likely I also won't get the last two characters of Super Fantasy Brawl due to it

The first three crowdfunded games I ever signed up for were Frosthaven, Robinson Crusoe, and The 7th Citadel.

Very cool thanks 😀🤘🏼

Robinson - never cared much about the delays, but totally understand some of the frustration around the communication and the monkey companion. SS and WA:LR - I have a lot of concerns. They don't sound confident in their own ability to deliver and be realistic about it. Like you said, they seem genuine and with well intent, but at this point they don't even want to put out a date for ETA. Imagine that, they are unable to say when they think it will be done. Every new crowdfunding campaign has an ETA, even if it's unrealistic, even if they only have the basic idea on paper, but LSG are so scared of further disappointment that they won't make an estimate. I consider that worse off than when the campaign first launched. And now they have two massive ambitious projects with multiple waves that they don't know when they'll deliver wave 1... eff, that hurts.

Serious Pulp is an awesome company that was open and honest about the progress of 7th Citadel and the delays. I never once doubted that they would ultimately deliver with an awesome product. And now that I have 7th Citadel in my hands, I can confirm that it is an awesome (and polished) product.

Actually, I've had problem with their dice trays as well. The first one fell apart the day after I bought it. The replacement won't remain snapped.

Yeah Crowdfunding doesn’t feel as safe as it used to. When legit companies aren’t able to follow through you I think it’s time to pause for a lot of us consumers. Maybe every Kickstarter doesn’t need to be $200+ with unlimited minis, upgrades, and expansions. Lot of great, well intentioned companies seem to be over their heads with the complexity of these projects and the poor communication that comes with them. It’s definitely caused me to slow down.

Even tho tabletop gaming is the “safest” items to back. I still won’t do it. I really can’t afford to lose that money, I spent it as a treat to myself and to gamble on a chance I might not get something in return is something I just can’t do.

For me it was Myth: Journeyman. It was one of the original "can't deliver" campaigns and MegaCon never actually explained what happened. They delivered the base games to most people but none of the stretch goals or addons, which was a large portion of the production. Ulisses-Spiele bought them out and delivery of most things is supposedly right around the corner, which is insane when the KS collected funding just over 9 years ago.

I'm surprised that you didn't add Super Dungeon: Legends by Soda Pop Miniatures under Ninja Division to your list. 6,611 backers at $1,290,522 all got fleeced with their mismanagement, delays, poor excuses and just plain lying. $150 I'll never get back. Yes, I'm still bitter. They used our money to try and fulfil other games, string us along and then ghosted us.

These 3 come to mind: 1. EMBER : Obsidian Protocol - backed it in 2019 and still to be shipped. Like you said, im no longer keen to receive and play it. 2. KDM: another one i no longer care. Every item that is coming is going directly to ebay or similar 3. CYBER ODYSSEY: Red Joker might be the new Mythic. I believe i will never see this one.

For many countries around the globe (for non speaking English countries)Robinson Crusoe is still missing and there is no response from portal games if the eproofs are finally done or not.

I've seen Adventures in Neverland at a few conventions in the Netherlands. I believe they were also at Spiel.

I was definitely new to crowdfunding when you convinced me to back 7th Citadel. You playthrough was engaging and I was excited. It looked like a game I could play solo or with my son. Four years later, and after buying 100+ games since, I lost a lot of my interest, especially since I now own other campaign games I want to finish before starting this one. I backed Chai Tea for 2 😢 My wife loved the theme and it would have been a nice experience. I don’t think this one will deliver. What a total fiasco…awful behavior from Steeped Games regarding communication (or lack of it). I agree one should own their mistakes. Once you start to lie, it can only get worse… I backed over 50 games on crowdfunding and Chai is the only game I don’t expect to deliver.

I'm surprised to not see Trudvang by CMON. It funded in August 2019 and still haven't delivered anything except the core set. It taught me there are no safe bets in crowdfunding.

Super Dungeon Explore Legends hit me hard and one that has me shy away from bigger campaigns. Though I am also hit by Chai Tea for 2.

Funforge's Monumental delays certainly meant that I turned away from a company I had a pretty favorable feeling towards from retail. Tokaido was such a gem, and then bad communication/lies and constant delays hurt confidence immensely. Steeped Games is another one, where Dan's flat out lies got too much to handle. Thankfully High Tea was delivered, but Tea for Two was an obvious skip based on that campaign. Edit: Also got burnt on the Warehouse 13 expansion. The good part is that they split shipped through the Amazon store, so I'm only out the expansion. It's frustrating that the co-founder has now died, so other than a print-and-play, I dont think this one is ever coming.

In the case of Robinson Crusoe, several factors came together: It was actually "only" a deluxification and was therefore supposed to be finished within a year - now after three years the language versions are still not printed. Then Portal Games constantly lied in the updates and posted false information about the progress. And particularly frustrating for the German backers: Pegasus had already put the deluxe version on sale before SPIEL in Essen 2023, while as of today (April 2024) the German crowdfunding has still not been completed. This was also the first time that I preferred to cancel a campaign with a 10% deduction of my pledge rather than continue to watch this disaster. I bet when the German games are finally delivered by Portal Games, there will be a lot of offers on eBay & Co where people will sell it far below their own purchase price.

I honestly don’t mind a delayed game so long as I get it eventually and didn’t have to pay a bunch of unexpected fees. Which is why I wasn’t upset about Robison Crusoe. Primal just arrived 2yrs late and I’m soooooooo hyped for it!

Its great to see all of these projects that will never deliver that still have Late Pledge tabs on their pages.

Holy Grail Games, not because they went into liquidation but they mentioned it when there was no chance of salvation. We lucked out through some wonderful people, including the designer, that got into contact with the liquidators and negotiated; we ended up paying WAY too much to the freight company to get our orders but at least we got them. A lot of us were willing to chip in some extra to get it over the finish line because we're huge fans of Rallyman. Consequently, Rallyman GT is my most expensive game by a mile.