Local horror game and id-byte 2013 finalist DreadOut has received full funding through the crowd funding site Indiegogo with 12 hours to the deadline. Digital Happiness, the Bandung-based company behind DreadOut, sought USD 25,000 to fully develop the game into completion with intention to release it in November of this year. Following a highly successful demo release at the end of March, the campaign kicked into high gear.
The company announced the funding achievement through the game’s Twitter account early morning on Sunday.
Full Funded!!!!!!
— DreadOut (@dreadoutgame) May 18, 2013
YEAH!!!! twitter.com/dreadoutgame/s…
— DreadOut (@dreadoutgame) May 18, 2013
Aside from using Indiegogo, the company also sought funding separately for local supporters who wish to contribute to the game by direct bank transfer. The company said that it will close the window for direct contribution at 9 am West Indonesia Time today so it can submit the external funding to Indiegogo accordingly before the deadline of the project which is midnight Pacific Time or 10 am Sunday, local time.
The submission of the external funding is important as it will determine the distribution of the incentives and rewards as described on the Indiegogo project page.
At press time, the game received contributions from more than 500 people around the world, more than 275 of which paid $15, the minimum amount to earn a download of the game along with a wallpaper for their computers and handheld devices as well as a mention in the credits.
Five people who paid $1000 to get the most out of the project will receive a heck of a lot of stuff including a silver necklace replica of main character Linda’s in-game jewelry, a hand painted resin statue of Linda herself, a digital comic book, a printed magazine, physical copy of the game and soundtrack, posters, pins, stickers, a replica of Linda’s bag, and more.
Back in April, Digital Happiness participated in the id-byte roadshow in Bandung which sought local startups and projects that have the potential to grow and be world class companies. At that time, the game received the most rousing reception from the audience and the judges as the team had put together perhaps the most convincing presentation and progress report among all the participants. Rightfully so, DreadOut has earned itself the right to pitch with other finalists at the id-byte conference which will happen in 11-13 June this year.
The company said that previous encounters with venture capitals and investors had left a bad taste in their mouths as they had been asked to divert from their course. Some investors had asked them to make DreadOut a game on mobile platforms while others tried to steer the game away from the horror theme.
We first wrote about the game in January 2012 when Digital Happiness pitched at the Jakarta Ventures Night, run by Singapore VC company East Ventures. At that time the company was expecting to release the game by the June of that year, but apparently the development stalled and they were only able to release a demo by March of this year. Hopefully with the funds the company is set to receive from Indiegogo, it can meet the expected release schedule this time and with any luck, it may receive further support from investors following the id-byte conference, having proved its popularity and resolve.
Digital Happiness will be presenting at casual connect in Singapore on 21-23 May at the Shangri-La Hotel and will follow that up with an appearance at the Game Developers Gathering in Jakarta on 25 May at the JWC campus of Bina Nusantara University. Details for the use of the funds and the rewards for contributors can be found on the game’s Indiegogo page.
