You've landed on the lunar research station.
Too bad you *crash* landed.

What is Crashed Lander?

This is a gravity-based arcade game inspired by classics like Lunar Lander and Space Taxi. You'll pilot your craft from pad to pad trying to beat your best time – then flirt with that fine line between speed and control. 

If you’re brave enough to try Hard Mode you’ll be flopping around like a QWOPy, low gravity turtle. With a little practice you’ll be zippin' around doin' barrel rolls. You can also pilot your lander in virtual reality with your Oculus Rift.

Download and play the demo now:
Windows   |   Mac OS X   |   Linux

Contribute to get the XL version of the demo with 4 more levels!
You can also support me with your Thumbs Up on Steam Greenlight.

You’ll see sites from the cutting edge of fractal mathematics, bizarre organic shapes, arcane archaeological digs, and all manner of WTFderful alien vistas. Each level is a  hand-crafted landscape that encourages the player to explore - and goof around!

“Crashed lander is really great! Play it with the autopilot off though”
Bennett Foddy, foddy.net

“...it's set in a wonderfully bizarre alien world that's absolutely worth exploring”
Konstantinos Dimopoulos, indiegames.com 

“Crashing is just as rewarding as landing, which transforms Crashed Lander from an interesting experiment to a delightful low-gravity playground.”
Richard Moss, web.appstorm.net 

Where will the money go?

I'm shooting for 4 months of living expenses plus a bit more to cover taxes and fees. This will give me time to polish the game, add new play modes, and create lots of new levels for you to explore. I'm also in need of a new computer. My main system got fried late last year when my power supply went kaput - along with the CPU and motherboard.

I want to use this campaign to give me a running start on a full-time game dev career. Last year I had to quit my day job to help take care of my Dad. I'd like to turn this problem into an opportunity by working at home where I can bring in some money and take care of my family at the same time. 

Here's a break-down of how I'll be spending the money:

• Rent: $1800 for 4 months
  
• Utilities, food, and other living expenses: $2200
• New computer: $800
• Steam Greenlight submission fee: $100
  
• Unity Pro subscription: $300
• IndieGoGo and Credit Card fees: 7% of funds $450
• Taxes: About 15% of funds $950

If I don't make it to the full goal, I'll be using the funds in the same way over a shorter period of time. I'll have to get a part time job and split my energies. The full version of Crashed Lander will still be completed, it'll just take longer if I can't continue putting all of my time into the project.

What will be included in the game?

This free demo is just a taste of what's to come. I have plans for many more levels and new play modes - plus plenty of shine and polish. Here's a rundown of the main features I have planned for the full version of Crashed Lander:

• Support for Windows, Mac OSX, and Linux
• Full Oculus Rift support
  
• At least 24 levels to conquer and explore
• Time Trials - as featured in the demo
• Trail Tracker - fly through a custom course on each level 
• Fuel Hoarder - finish a level with as little fuel as possible
• Online high score lists
• Achievements
• Hidden collectibles - explore the nooks and crannies to find 'em all
• A full hour of my own original music
• Gamepad support (xbox 360 controller)
• Customizable vehicle - new paint jobs and doodads for your lander

I'll also be taking feedback from my supporters via polls and live Q&A sessions. You can help shape the final version of the game with your ideas, comments and suggestions.

Explore alien landscapes.

What about the Perks?

This campaign isn't just about raising funds - it's about having fun and getting you into my game! Here are some details about the different Perks: 

Everyone who contributes will get their name in the credits and a free warm fuzzy feeling. (^_^)

I like what I see: If you contribute five dollars or more you'll get the Extra Large version of the demo. The XL Demo will include 10 full levels with Time Trial and Fuel Hoarder modes plus online high score lists. It will be released during the last week of this campaign.

Play in the Voronoi ball pit

I'm In! Everyone who chips in $10 or more will get a digital copy of the final game released on June 15th, 2014 - for all three platforms, Windows, Mac and Linux. If I can get the game onto Steam you'll get a Steam key, too. Get in early and you can grab one of the 20 discounted perks for $7.

Note that the Linux version will be somewhat experimental. I have very little experience with Linux but thanks to Unity's cross-platform magic I can build for multiple operating systems. You can always try the demo to see how it works on your system.

Heck ya, can't wait! Contribute $15 and you'll get the full game plus monthly developer builds to keep you entertained until the final release. You'll also get an mp3 album of the soundtrack - Music to Crash To. Glitch-hoppy, loop-based music that I make with Kaossilator and Looptastic Producer. You can hear some of the tracks on my SoundCloud page.

Nerd Cred: $25 or more will get you a spot on the game's main menu. This will be a slideshow featuring profile pics and names of all Nerd Cred contributors. You provide me with a (family friendly) picture and the name, nickname or Twitter handle that you want to display.

Lots of nooks and crannies to explore in the Rococo Arch

Art Director for a Day: Make your mark at the $150 level. We'll get together via a Google Hangout and create a special level for inclusion in the final game. You'll make all the design decisions and I'll do all the work. We can make a landscaped terrain, a spacey sci-fi environment, or an abstract obstacle course.  I'll do my best to create whatever you can dream up. If you happen to be digital artist we could also put some of your own creations in the game. 

This is gonna be epic! Get your head in the game for $250. I'll create a 3D model of your face and head and you'll be immortalized in a virtual landscape - Mt Rushmore style! Where else could you get a chance to fly up your own nose? :) You'll need to provide a series of pictures of your head that I'll use to construct and texture the model - easily done with a smartphone or digital camera. I'll also give you a copy of the final model that you could send to a 3D printing service to get your very own mini you. 

Collect  alien artifacts

Brought to you by: You can sponsor Crashed Lander for $3200. This will get you a spot on a loading screen that displays every time people play the game. A drop in the bucket compared to the cost of some advertising options and you'll get your product or service in front of thousands of gamers and VR enthusiasts. 

Who am I?

I'm a 46 year old digital tinkerer living in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, USA. I've been making things with computers for over 33 years using every creative tool I can get my hands on. For the last three years I've been using Unity to combine my various digital design skills into fun, experimental projects. I feel I'm ready now to launch a full-time game dev career and Crashed Lander will be my first full-on game. 

You can see some of my other game experiments over on my BrainBlinks website. Widdly Tinks is a one-finger arcade game, Gravitas is a fun physics toy, and Breeders is a simulation of artificial life.  

Thanks for taking the time to read my GoGo proposal. I appreciate whatever support you can give - even if it's just a Tweet or Facebook post about the campaign. Every little bit will help me reach my goals. I'm active over on Google+ and Twitter and I'll be happy to answer any questions you have here in the comments section.

Thanks for your interest and support!

Notes about the campaign:

I'm collecting fund via PayPal, but you don't have to have a PayPal account to contribute. There's an option on the ordering page to use your credit card without an account.

Check the Updates tab to read bout what I'm working on this week.