Interesting concept going on: Kassgrein, responsible for some of the best Team Fortress 2 pony re-skins around, is using a Kickstarter-like website to get group funding to create a Twilight Sniper complete with facial expressions and ponified HUD. You can see it here or click the picture above.
Did I say group funding? No, I dub this Herd Funding! And I think it's pretty neat. He's a productive, creative member of the community with a professional background in video game modeling that releases his work free for everyone. Now he's just trying to get a commission for his continued hard work and useful skills, like many artists in the community who accept commissions. This is just a little different because what he's making isn't for one individual commissioner. I wonder if we'll see more herd funding in the future?
Keep in mind that he's going to release the result free to the public once it's done, though 10 lucky supporters will get the model 15 days early. So, yes, you can just get this free when it's done, but never forget that supporting the things you love is the only way to help them grow and keep them going.
Note: this is already 48% funded, and when you pledge money you'll only actually pay if the project is 100% funded. Also, you CAN donate any amount you want just by clicking on one of the support options and changing the dollar amount. Even just a few bucks would help to make this a success!
I so hope this concept takes off! It would make this fandom the poster child on how to fund art projects without resorting to copyright, DRM, censorship, and the rest. All the documentaries and charities together are nothing compared to what this can become.
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