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The Solar Games

A futuristic solar kart battle & racing mobile game where 50% of in-app purchases for upgrades, music & comedic commentary are used to finance solar in Haiti!

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The Solar Games

The Solar Games

The Solar Games

The Solar Games

The Solar Games

A futuristic solar kart battle & racing mobile game where 50% of in-app purchases for upgrades, music & comedic commentary are used to finance solar in Haiti!

A futuristic solar kart battle & racing mobile game where 50% of in-app purchases for upgrades, music & comedic commentary are used to finance solar in Haiti!

A futuristic solar kart battle & racing mobile game where 50% of in-app purchases for upgrades, music & comedic commentary are used to finance solar in Haiti!

A futuristic solar kart battle & racing mobile game where 50% of in-app purchases for upgrades, music & comedic commentary are used to finance solar in Haiti!

Bradley Bulifant
Bradley Bulifant
Bradley Bulifant
Bradley Bulifant
1 Campaign |
Orlando, United States
$4,447 USD 41 backers
48% of $9,250 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

goodXgames Inc. was formed as a result of working in Haiti since 2010, learning about the problems that exist, and creating a solution that incorporates gaming, technology, solar energy solutions, and an awareness of a larger community.  

As a result of our experiences we are making social impact games for a community of gamers and non-gamers so that they enjoy the experience and make a real world impact by simply having fun.

This campaign is focused on two fun games and one impact program initially benefiting Haiti.

                                    

There are 1.3 Billion people without access to electricity and we feel that the largest growing industry on earth, video gaming, could help provide a sustainable means to support rural electrification.  Our only caveats are making sure that our games are fun and our impact network is successful.

The Solar Games will contribute 50% of profits to a low interest credit fund for communities without electricity access.  This fund will provide a variety of positive impacts such as creating jobs, technical training for Haitian installers, providing durable solar products, and helping provide a mechanism for gamers and the entertainment industry to create real world change through video games.

As a social enterprise we feel its important to move from traditional donor based models for development and create sustainable revenue structures that allow us to grow as a company and improve peoples' lives at the same time.

The first round of funding pays for $9,250 in software licensing and will allow us to work on our free time to release Solar Games: Battle by April 2014.  If we hit $18,000 we can pay to have a smaller core team release Battle by February 2014.  Stepping up to $32,000 allows us to retain our core staff and release The Solar Games: Battle by December 2013.  Stretch amounts beyond that will add additional features to The Solar Games: Battle and will progressively scale up to the release of The Solar Games: Racing for Haiti by March 2014.  Following The Solar Games: Racing, our next stretch goal will allow us to develop the ground accountability and technical support network with our impact partners in Haiti (Please see our Impact Program section for more details). Further funding allows us to create racing and battle locations from China, Africa, India and the peoples' choice.

Please refer to our Stretch Goals section for more details on what pledges create.  

Indiegogo is the best platform for creative and cause related campaigns.  We feel at home with the Indiegogo community and the flexibility that Indiegogo provides.  We have supporters from China to Haiti so we need an easy platform that can accommodate our international backers.

The year is 2033. Global climate change efforts over the past 20 years have failed. The environmental apocalypse has arrived and it is causing strange mutations across planet Earth. The global community has one last hope to save the world. We have created...The Solar Games.

The Solar Games is a series of mobile games that empowers players to create change in the world through simply playing a game. 50% of game profits will be contributed to a low interest microfinance fund that will help rural developing communities get access to solar electricity. Our partners in Haiti will geotag the solar installations to show players where their gameplay has impacted real lives.

The Solar Games: Battle is the initial release of The Solar Games, which is a Mad Max style solar kart battle game.  Our larger goal is create The Solar Games: Racing, which is a solar kart racing game based on real locations, intially focusing around Haiti.  Through gameplay a player's success will be tracked by competitive leader boards and the real-world impact they create through gameplay and in-game purchases.   

To view videos and more information about each individual game, scroll a quarter mile down the page. 

The Solar Games will release on Android, iOS, PC, Mac, and Linux all of which will be DRM-free.  Additional stretch goals will include console releases for Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network, pending licensing approval.

Below is a quick snapshot of our Stretch Goals for the campaign.  About a half mile down the page is a detailed description of the first 9 Stretch Goals.  Stretch # 9 begins the Stretch Game, Solar Games: Racing.

The majority of our perks are cumulative so you get every perk that comes before your designated funding level.  See our perk descriptions to the right and images at the bottom of our campaign page for more information.

We have a variety of digital perks as well as some that are handmade by our Haitian artists for The Solar Games.  Supporting our project at these perk levels will directly support the arts in our favorite city: Jacmel, Haiti.  

The $30 Microwatt Perk includes a bracelet made by Sadras Jean Baptiste from Jacmel, Haiti who is making very well-made bracelets from colorful phone wires, durable strings, and recycled plastics.  This perk is not cumulative.

The $750 Gigawatt Perk includes a Haitian Flag painting on canvas with a screen print of The Solar Games logo.  The main painting is done by the artists from FOSAJ, one of the largest art collectives and schools in Haiti with over 1,200 artists.  Also included at this level is a portable 2-watt solar charger for any USB chargeable device.

The $2,500 Zettawatt Perk includes a papier-mâché mask made by Vady Confidant, an acclaimed papier-mâché artist and painter from Jacmel, Haiti and a member of FOSAJ. This perk also includes an invite to our launch party in Orlando, FL (travel expenses not included).

IMPACT VIDEO COMING SOON! Featuring multiple perspectives on electrification and interviews with some of the pioneers of rural electrification.

Our Impact Program is a coordinated network among the microfinance, solar, and educational organizations primarily in Haiti and America.  The program is meant to address the United Nations' Sustainable Energy for All Initiative which is focused on bringing energy access to the 1.3 billion people without access to electricity.  Not having electricity leads most families to burn fossil fuels for energy and indoor lighting.  This is not only expensive but it has a large negative health impacts for families.  Over 2 million people die every year from respiratory diseases caused by indoor smoke inhalation. 

How Does it Work?

Microfinance Fund: The program works by using game profits as low interest funds for community lenders that work to qualify micro-loans for schools, small businesses, medical clinics, households, and communities without access to electricity.  

Accountability:  A monitoring & verification program operated by our partners ensure that the money is being offered at low interest rates for quality equipment as well as a feedback system for solar installers on the ground.  

Gameplay Feedback:  The feedback program connects with The Solar Games through geotagged system installations.  The geotagged systems will show players the real impact of their gameplay.  Friends will also see their group impact from gameplay as well.

Education & Economic Development:  Further technical capacity and sales training sessions will be regularly hosted to ensure our solar installer partners are meeting international electrical codes for safe installations.   

Experience:  Aside from our involvement with the United Nations Foundation's Energy Access Practitioners Network, we have worked and consulted with the leaders in the global solar movement and have based our program on the best practices for rural electrification and local economic development.  

Pilot Programs

Our two pilot locations will include Cameron and Lle a Vache, Haiti.  Both of these communities have no electricity access for a combined population of 25,000 households.  We are working with our Haitian installation partner, Haiti Energie, to integrate The Solar Games Impact Program as a potential financial solution for these communities.

We have built a very strong relationship with Haiti and feel that this program will not only provide jobs for Haitians but it will also provide tech jobs for our team as well as our American solar product manufacturers and partners.

For more info about our Impact Program, follow the link to our Impact Page.    

Long Term Goals

As we provide more renewable energy solutions a variety of health, poverty, and climate issues will be addressed.  Further, increased energy access leads to telecom access, connectivity, and allows for rural developing communities to access social networks, new technologies, and education and income opportunities.

Once we fine tune our Haiti operation, we plan to replicate our Impact Program in rural China, India, Africa, and other global locations in need of electricity.

             

Please consider contributing to our campaign and share our project with your friends and networks.  We are so close to making this dream come true. Your contribution will not only help to great jobs for our team and partners but it will also create a new opportunity and a better life for our global community.

If you cannot contribute financially but want to support our campaign please share our campaign with the available Indiegogo share tools or personally tell someone about the campaign. 

                                       

                                      

A solar kart battle game incorporating surreal locales, solar physics, a comedic attitude, and a positive social impact through gameplay.

The first in the series, The Solar Games: Battle is akin to Mario Kart meets Fallout. The game is set after the environmental apocalypse where a global battle series has been established. The heart and soul of the game is to be the last survivor in an epic solar battle royale.  Gameplay is fast and intense but with a dose of humor. Players will be able to battle their friends in multiplayer mode by collecting carbon based power-ups and attacking other players.  Players will also be able to choose comedic backseat driver commentary and select exclusive music tracks to play during the battles.  The initial landscape is based on elements from Haiti, China and other locations planned for the future.

Initially The Solar Games: Battle will have four surreal arenas and a complete solar buggy tier that evolves from a Steam Punk/Mad Max design to a Cyber Punk/Tron solar buggy. 

Vehicle Upgrades, Carbon Points, and Solar Cash.

Through the course of battle victories players will earn Carbon Points. Carbon Points are an in-game currency that players can use to purchase upgrades to new vehicle tiers as well as purchasing powerups before battling.  Players can also purchase or occasionally earn Solar Cash, the second in-game currency. Solar Cash can be spent on the same kart upgrades to receive them faster, pre-purchaseing powerups, and other exclusive in-game content. The purchase of Solar Cash will not create a pay-to-win atmosphere.

Each player will have an in-game garage that will hold all of their karts that are not being used. The garage can be upgraded to store more vehicles.

Player freedom is essential throughout The Solar Games.  In addition to fully customizable karts, players can also customize their audio experience. In-game music will integrate culturally relevant and collaborative music efforts from local artists for each locale.  Players will have the option of streaming music or listening to curated playlists by celebrity artists. Players will have the option to submit music on a monthly basis and have the community vote on their favorite submissions. The community chosen works will then be available in The Solar Games marketplace.

Comedic commentary tracks are a backseat driver experience where players choose from a variety of comedic characters. Guest comedians and commentators will be available in The Solar Games marketplace. Players will have the option to submit comedic commentaries on a monthly basis and have the community vote on their favorite submissions. The community chosen works will then be available in The Solar Games marketplace.

Commentary Introductions




Each player can interact with other players through the World Hub. The world hub will bring players together through Alliances of racers that work together to show off achievements and impact while providing a centralized place to socialize with people from all over the world  This visual network and menu hub will be the main starting point for The Solar Games: Battle and future releases like The Solar Games: Racing.

Below are the Battle Stretch Goals.  If we reach some of our goals we'll continue to show more stretch goals.

                                              

                                                   Battle Stretch Goals

$18,000: Release The Solar Games: Battle by February 2014: If we hit this goal we will be able to release Battle earlier than expected.

$32,000: Early Battle Mode release: This funding level will allow us to be able to obtain our human resource needs and all of the software necessary to release The Solar Games: Battle in December 2013.

$37,000: 12 Additional Powerups + Helmet Content Pack: This funding level will allow for an additional 12 powerups and a 5 helmet content pack.

$39,000: 2 Additional Track Content Pack: This funding level will allow for 2 additional tracks in The Solar Games: Battle.

$49,500: Haiti Recording Session:  This funding level will allow us to take a production crew and one lucky winner to Haiti.  This session will allow us to produce our collaborative music session for the soundtrack to The Solar Games.

$59,500: New Vehicle Tier: This funding level will allow a second set of vehicles to be created for The Solar Games: Battle. This vehicle class may be a bike, trike, truck, or 2-wheeled futuristic big wheel thingy.

$69,500: Pink Slip Mode: This funding level will allow Pink Slip mode to be created. Pink slip mode allows for players to wager Carbon Points. The winner takes all and the loser has to earn back what they lost through gameplay.

$79,500: Stunt Mode: This funding level will allow players to have a stunt mode within battles. Players will be able to earn more Carbon Points or Solar Cash through performing various stunts while in battle.

$94,500: 5 Surreal Events: This funding level will allow us to add 5 surreal events to the game such as: tornados, hurricanes, dinosaurs, goats, acid rain and a variety of other options.

We have more stretch goals planned to create The Solar Games: Racing and we will reveal them as our funding level draws near.

                                            


The Solar Games: Racing is akin to Mario Kart meets Fallout. The game is set after an environmental apocalypse where the global landscape has become a surreal wasteland. Gameplay is fast and intense but with a dose of humor. Players will be able to race in multiple modes, including single player and multiplayer, across realistic tracks based on real world locations. The initial landscape is based on Haiti with more planned for the future.

The game will feature five classes of karts that players can race with and against: buggy, truck, trike, bike and a 2-wheeled futuristic big wheel thingy.

Real World Locations

The Solar Games: Racing is initially based on Jacmel, Haiti and surrounding areas. We have traveled to Haiti to film and document the look and feel of the landscape and culture. We are now turning this into gameplay experiences for a realistic and unique feel for the player. In the future, we hope to feature more locales such as China, Africa, and India.

Kart Customization and In-Game Currencies

Through the course of the game, players will earn Carbon Points that can be spent to upgrade all of the different parts of their kart: solar panels, motors, tires, frames, shells and batteries. Players can also purchase or occasionally earn Solar Cash which can be spent on the same kart upgrades to receive them faster, to purchase cosmetic upgrades to the kart and other exclusive in-game content. The purchase of Solar Cash will not create a pay-to-win atmosphere.

Each player will have an in-game garage that will hold all of their karts and parts that are not being used. The garage can be upgraded to store more karts and parts. Players will also be able to show off their garage to their in-game friends.

RACING MODES

The Solar Games: Racing will feature several different race modes. Players can race in traditional race modes such as circuit and time trial races. There will also be a unique Pink Slip mode, where players can put their karts or Carbon Points on the line and race in a single, very intense, winner takes all match. League and Alliance play will allow players to be put on to a global ladder and see where they stack up against the best in the world. There are also several other modes planned for the future such as Last Man Standing modeStunt mode, and Kitty Cat mode.

The majority of our perks are cumulative so you get every perk that comes before your designated funding level.  We strived to create the most value for your Perk, some directly support artists in Haiti as they're making our cool artisan rewards.  So go find one you like!  See our perk descriptions to the right and images at the bottom of our campaign page for more information.


“It’s On” is a documentary web series that makes you part of the creation of The Solar Games. It is filmed and hosted by Cesar Munhoz and stars the entire Solar Games team. The short webisodes will premiere on our YouTube channel and website each Monday. Check out the Indiegogo teaser videos at 


Core Team

Bradley Bulifant: Executive Producer
Steve Brown: Producer
Jacob Morris: Technical Producer
Phillip Mullennax: Marketing 
Wossenu Areda Weldekiros: International Development Director
Jessie Chin: Artist & Chinese Community Manager
Tyler Edlen: 3D & Environmental Artist
Chris Rodriquez: Graphic Designer
Cesar Munhoz: Videographer & Creator of “It’s On” YouTube Series

Additional Team Members

Arielle Goldfarb: Concept Artist
Brian Russ: 3D Artist
Chris Halterman: Sound Assets
Christine Lancaster: Sound Assets
Dana Carlstrom: Artist & Repertoire
Demetrios Panayi: Music Licensing
Jonathan Giffin: Sound Assets
Jon Rivera: Animator
Keith Caro: SEO & Music Marketing
Kyle Romanak: Film Production                                                                             Fernanda Salviano: Editor
Luis Miranda: User Experience Tester
Mark Baculanta: 3D Vehicle Artist
Nikko Laudicina: Sound Assets & Mastering
Oscar Araque: 3D Artist
Pete Bingham: Special Effects
Ryan Ryan Getsie: Music Marketing & Journalism
Zach Ahearn: 3D Artist

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Choose your Perk

Yoctowatt

$5 USD
2 copies of the game, your choice of a mobile version (iOS or Android) and a PC (PC, Mac, or Linux) version, access to all IndieGoGo Backer Exclusive Google Hangouts with the development team (First Come First Serve), and a digital wallpaper for your PC or Mac!
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
5 claimed

Zeptowatt

$10 USD
Enjoy the music of The Solar Games: Battle on any device with the digital soundtrack of the game! Also play the game before anybody else with early Beta Access and get your name in the credits!! CUMULATIVE
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
4 claimed

Nanowatt

$20 USD
Unlock the Master Battle Pack and get 4 of 5 karts to start with, all 4 tracks, 500 Solar Cash and all 12 powerups unlocked right from the start!!! CUMULATIVE
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
5 claimed

Microwatt

$30 USD
A handmade bracelet made by a Haitian Artist exclusively for the The Solar Games! ONLY AVAILABLE AT THIS TIER! NOT CUMULATIVE ABOVE $30
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
10 out of 3000 of claimed

Digital Art Package

$40 USD
Get four beautiful digital high resolution The Solar Games: Battle lithographs for you to use as desktop backgrounds or print them out and hang them in your home!!! CUMULATIVE
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
0 claimed

Digital Novella

$50 USD
Get a digital download of The Solar Games Novella written by Annie Craton. The Novella tells the story of Battle. Linked into the text will be music, video, and images that relate to the story as it is being told!!! CUMULATIVE
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
1 claimed

Solarwatt

$60 USD
Get an exclusive in-game helmet showing off your IndieGoGo prowess! Only available to IndieGoGo backers! CUMULATIVE
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
0 claimed

Dual Milliwatt

$75 USD
Comedic and Music Package - Automatically receive five comedic audio tracks to use and five artist music tracks to use on day one of The Solar Games: Battle!!! CUMULATIVE
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
0 claimed

Watt

$100 USD
Get an exclusive in-game kart shell showing off more of your IndieGoGo prowess! Only available to IndieGoGo backers!! CUMULATIVE
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
4 claimed

Shirtowatt

$125 USD
Get an exclusive The Solar Games T-shirt!!! CUMULATIVE
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
1 claimed

Founder

$200 USD
An invitation to join the ranks of the most exclusive club at The Solar Games: The Founder's Club! This gets you exclusive access to the in-game Founder's Badge, 250 Solar Cash each month for 1 year and you receive every game created by goodXgames for FREE for the next 10 years!!! CUMULATIVE
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
1 claimed

Kilowatt

$250 USD
Receive a helmet pack that contains 3 new helmets and 1 IndieGoGo exclusive Haitian Voodoo helmet!!! You also receive 3 additional kart shell designs!! CUMULATIVE
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
0 claimed

Megawatt

$500 USD
Design your very own helmet exclusive to you only to show off and brag to all of your friends about!!! CUMULATIVE
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
2 out of 300 of claimed

Gigawatt

$750 USD
Receive an exclusive Haitian Artist logo print featuring The Solar Games Logo!! Plus receive a 1.8 watt backpack solar charger!! Charge your phone, or any other small electronic device with the power of the sun!!! CUMULATIVE
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
0 out of 1000 of claimed

Terawatt

$1,000 USD
Ever wanted to be in a video game? Now you can!!! At this level get your face in the game as a bobble-head character!!! CUMULATIVE
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
0 out of 300 of claimed

Petawatt

$1,250 USD
Receive four beautiful Lithograph prints to hang on your wall and show off to all of your friends and family!!! CUMULATIVE
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
0 out of 500 of claimed

Exawatt

$1,500 USD
Get a personalized paint job for you favorite solar vehicle. You get to work with the art team and come up with your own graphics that you want seen by all of your opponents across the globe!!! CUMULATIVE
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
0 out of 50 of claimed

Zettawatt

$2,500 USD
Receive a beautiful Haitian hand made paper-mache mask made for The Solar Games and receive a digital version to use in-game! Also come visit the team in Orlando, FL and celebrate with us at our official launch party!! Must provide your own means of transportation and be 21 yrs of age or older. ONLY THE FIRST 10 PEOPLE AT THIS STAGE WILL RECEIVE THE PAPER-MACHE MASK. These can only be obtained through IndieGoGo!! CUMULATIVE
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
0 out of 10 of claimed

Yottawatt

$5,000 USD
Work right along side The Solar Games art team to create your own racer from the ground up! You will also be able to create your own personal style of shell for the buggy class. Any design you want we will help you create it!!! Also, you creation will be placed for sale on our in-game marketplace, and you will get in-game credit for designing it!!! CUMULATIVE
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
0 out of 10 of claimed

Solar Deity

$10,000 USD
Work with the team to design your own Battle track for yourself, your company or your brand!!! Once completed your designs will be sold in our store for the whole world to see and buy!!! CUMULATIVE
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
0 out of 10 of claimed

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