Troll breaks developer’s heart on Kickstarter

What’s worse than not hitting your Kickstarter target? Thinking you have hit it, only to have that dream taken away.

That’s exactly what happened to 2Awesome Studio whose shooter Dimension Drive was nearing its $25k with only minutes to spare. It seemed that success was to elude the group, only for a mystery backer – going by the name of ‘Jonathan’ – to swoop in with hours to go with a €7,000 pledge.

No sooner had the celebrations begun, however, than they were cruelly cut short when Kickstarter informed the studio that the payment was fraudulent and had been reversed. By which point Dimension Drive’s had just 30 minutes left to reach its target.

The campaign eventually failed, falling short by a painful €6,519. Making matters worse, the celebrations and subsequent disappointment were all streamed live on Twitch.

Some developers have come out in support of the game, however. Vlambeer’s Rami Ismail urged Kickstarter to grant it an extension, saying that had the timing have been different the game could still have been funded.

This is so awful. Kickstarter protects creators from pledge cancellations that drop project below the funding goal in the last 24 hours,” he explained. But in this case, it was Kickstarter that removed the pledge last-minute because the card used for the pledge was stolen.

But in this case, it was Kickstarter that removed the pledge last-minute because the card used for the pledge was stolen. Basically, Kickstarter’s timing there ‘cost’ them $23K. 30 minutes later and the $7k would’ve bounced, but the $23k would still come in.

But on the other hand, Kickstarter did what they were supposed to. This is an awful situation. Hope there’s a good resolution here. I wouldn’t be able to stomach another Kickstarter after that happening, but hopefully maybe they can get an extension or something?”

He added that if an extension is granted he would pledge $1k – a sentiment echoed by Rhianna Pratchett.

Who is Jonathan, Jonathan is our hero! We love you and we want to meet you in person!

THANK YOU

7000k in a single pledge! #DimensionDrive

— 2Awesome Studio (@2AwesomeStudio) May 13, 2015

We've just been informed by Kickstarter that the 7K euro pledge was fraudulent. Somebody played with our dreams. Sorry for the confussion 🙁

— 2Awesome Studio (@2AwesomeStudio) May 13, 2015

Somebody pledge 7k to our Kickstarter just to be taken a way in the last moment. Trolling our end of #Kickstarter. Funded and it's gone

— 2Awesome Studio (@2AwesomeStudio) May 13, 2015

Don't know what to do now, mentally devastated 🙁 Don't know what to do now#gamedev #indiedev https://t.co/b9lROaQQvz

— 2Awesome Studio (@2AwesomeStudio) May 13, 2015

Thanks for all the love guys. Can't keep up with all the mentions. We're devastated and thankfull at the same time for all this support.

— 2Awesome Studio (@2AwesomeStudio) May 13, 2015

Thanks for all the words of support and encouragement we have received. Sorry if we didn't reply to some messages, try to keep up now.

— 2Awesome Studio (@2AwesomeStudio) May 14, 2015

I wouldn't be able to stomach another @Kickstarter after that happening, but hopefully maybe they can get an extension or something?

— Rami Ismail / رامي (@tha_rami) May 14, 2015

@tha_rami I'll match it if they get an extension.

— Rhianna Pratchett 🧙🏻‍♀️ (@rhipratchett) May 14, 2015