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Zwinzler Games

Zwinzler Games is an indie game company working to connect people around the world & foster empathy through unique gaming experiences.

$1,071
pledged of$1,000 goal
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0Days Left

Project Description

Why Zwinzler Games?

While the gaming industry is growing in popularity and reach, most of the games in the market today are formulaic, shallow, and don't represent the diverse community of people that plays them.

Games, by nature, provide a unique opportunity for players to step into the shoes of someone else and immerse themselves in experiences they may never encounter in real life. We think that this is a great opportunity to help people gain empathy and understanding for different points of view in a way that isn't possible any other way. 

We are creating games that will help players to empathize with people that are oppressed, marginalized, or hurting. We want to make games that show, not tell. And we want to make games that present people with illustrative, rather than pedantic, experiences. 

We believe that this empathy will lead to progress and aid for the people represented in our games.

We also strive to have diverse representation within our company, and uplift voices that are often muffled in the game industry. 

In 2017, only 21% of game developers were women, and an even lower percent held leadership positions. On the other hand, almost half of the people that play games are women. In Zwinzler Games, 3 out of our 4 members are women, and our CEO is a woman. We want to give women more representation in both this industry and in leadership.

Who are we?

Our team isn't made up of just business partners -- we're four friends! We all met in the marching band at Miami University (OH), and from there, we grew into a cohesive team and family.

We wanted to use our skills and creative energy to make a difference in the world, and we thought: what better way to do that than through a game company? Then, Zwinzler Games was born.

Our team is currently made up of four people:

Audrey - CEO, programmer, graphic designer. Audrey leads the team and keeps us energized and on track!

Katie - COO, programmer, web designer, and occasional graphic designer. Katie makes the buttons, and they're darn good ones. 

John - CFO and lead animator. John provides us with awesome animations, information about tax forms, and amusing faces during our company Skype meetings. 

Heather - Lead audio engineer, and lead researcher. From design to delivery, we want our games to be well-researched and sound amazing, and Heather makes it happen. 

What is this campaign for?

We currently have two games in development, using the free tools we have available to us. 

But, in order to release our games and continue to grow our business and our game production, we need two things: 

1) In order to release our games on the App Store, we will need an Apple Developer account

2) We want to purchase audio and graphic software so we can make our games look and sound even better in the future

3) Any money leftover will be used for marketing our games, so we can spread our message to more people and continue to grow our company!

     

    Updates

    The Campaign FAQs

    What games are we currently working on?

    We currently have two games in development: Victimized and Make Ends Meet.

    Victimized started out as an idea to build a game that would contrast the typical war games on the market today. In the game, you play as a civilian running across the different wars throughout history, while attempting to survive as the battles blaze around you. The pixel-art designs and animations shifts the focus from the usual graphic violence of the war game genre. This game focuses on the people, rather than the wreckage. This game will be released for iPhone in August 2018.

    Make Ends Meet is a puzzle game focusing on the difficult financial realities of a life in poverty. You wrap a rope (representing your income) around different items at each level, trying to make the ends of the rope meet. America is supposed to be the land of "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps", but after playing this game you might find that more difficult to do than you thought. We are planning to launch Make Ends Meet in December 2018.

    What are your plans for future games?

    After we release both Victimized and Make Ends Meet, we have another big game in the works. We're currently in the process of choosing platforms and software, and have started preliminary storyboarding and game design. You can follow us on our Twitter, Facebook or Instagram if you'd like to keep updated!

    06/28/2018
    Mug
    $70
    06/27/2018
    Monetary Contribution
    $50
    06/27/2018
    Puzzle E-Book
    $25
    06/25/2018
    Puzzle E-Book
    $20
    06/24/2018
    Puzzle E-Book
    $20
    06/24/2018
    Monetary Contribution
    $50
    06/23/2018
    Game Art Poster
    $40
    06/23/2018
    Mug
    $70
    06/23/2018
    Monetary Contribution
    $1
    06/22/2018
    Monetary Contribution
    $5
    Monetary Contribution

    Pay what you want! You contribute any amount you want and we'll give you a shoutout (with the #shoutMEOWt) on our social media accounts and get our cats to help. Then everyone will know how much we appreciate you (including our cats)!

    8 Supporters
    Select this reward
    5.00 USD
    Beta Tester

    We will be releasing an iPhone game app called "Victimized" in August. This game is a contrast against other war games: it emphasizes the citizens within areas impacted by war. The purpose of this game is to broaden the player's perspective about war and give them a way to empathize with war victims.

    This reward allows you to be one of the first people to play this game, as a beta tester! You will also receive the #shoutMEOWt reward, and get a shout out on our social media!

    1 Supporter
    Select this reward
    20.00 USD
    Puzzle E-Book

    We will email you a puzzle e-book made by the members of Zwinzler Games! It includes different types of puzzles, including a paper version of our second game, Make Ends Meet.

    You will also receive the previously listed #shoutMEOWt and Beta Tester rewards!

    5 Supporters
    Select this reward
    40.00 USD
    Game Art Poster

    You will be sent an awesome (11x14) poster for our upcoming game, Victimized. It features the background graphics for all the different wars throughout history that are in our game.

    Victimized, which will be released in August, is a contrast against other war games: it emphasizes the citizens within areas impacted by war. The purpose of this game is to broaden the player's perspective about war and give them a way to empathize with war victims.

    You will also receive the e-book, beta tester, and #shoutMEOWt rewards, which you can view above.

    27 Left
    3 Supporters
    Select this reward
    70.00 USD
    T-Shirt

    Do you want to show everyone around you just how much you support us? Or maybe you might just want a comfy shirt? For this contribution level, you can have a comfortable Zwinzler Games t-shirt of your own! With a picture of our logo (Gianna the Giraffe), our company name, and our slogan, this shirt is perfect for supporters of Zwinzler Games.

    You will also receive the e-book, beta tester, and #shoutMEOWt rewards, which you can view above.

    22 Left
    3 Supporters
    Select this reward
    70.00 USD
    Mug

    Get cozy and enjoy a tasty cup of coffee, tea, or whatever hot beverage you prefer with this Zwinzler Games Coffee Mug. Coffee, tea, and your hot beverage preference not included.
    You will also receive the e-book, beta tester, and #shoutMEOWt rewards, which you can view above.

    17 Left
    3 Supporters
    Select this reward
    100.00 USD
    Phone Case

    We'll have a custom-made phone case, featuring our charming Gianna the Giraffe, designed in a color of your choice and sent directly to you! With this Zwinzler Games-themed phone case, your phone will be fully prepared for Victimized beta testing!

    These phone cases are available for just about any type of phone, but if you are in doubt, you can send us an email at [email protected] to make sure.

    You will also receive the e-book, beta tester, and #shoutMEOWt rewards, which you can view above.

    19 Left
    1 Supporter
    Select this reward

    About the Entrepreneur

    Medford, MA
    Created 1 Campaign
    Tech

    Rewards

    Monetary Contribution

    Pay what you want! You contribute any amount you want and we'll give you a shoutout (with the #shoutMEOWt) on our social media accounts and get our cats to help. Then everyone will know how much we appreciate you (including our cats)!

    8 Supporters
    Select this reward
    5.00 USD
    Beta Tester

    We will be releasing an iPhone game app called "Victimized" in August. This game is a contrast against other war games: it emphasizes the citizens within areas impacted by war. The purpose of this game is to broaden the player's perspective about war and give them a way to empathize with war victims.

    This reward allows you to be one of the first people to play this game, as a beta tester! You will also receive the #shoutMEOWt reward, and get a shout out on our social media!

    1 Supporter
    Select this reward
    20.00 USD
    Puzzle E-Book

    We will email you a puzzle e-book made by the members of Zwinzler Games! It includes different types of puzzles, including a paper version of our second game, Make Ends Meet.

    You will also receive the previously listed #shoutMEOWt and Beta Tester rewards!

    5 Supporters
    Select this reward
    40.00 USD
    Game Art Poster

    You will be sent an awesome (11x14) poster for our upcoming game, Victimized. It features the background graphics for all the different wars throughout history that are in our game.

    Victimized, which will be released in August, is a contrast against other war games: it emphasizes the citizens within areas impacted by war. The purpose of this game is to broaden the player's perspective about war and give them a way to empathize with war victims.

    You will also receive the e-book, beta tester, and #shoutMEOWt rewards, which you can view above.

    27 Left
    3 Supporters
    Select this reward
    70.00 USD
    T-Shirt

    Do you want to show everyone around you just how much you support us? Or maybe you might just want a comfy shirt? For this contribution level, you can have a comfortable Zwinzler Games t-shirt of your own! With a picture of our logo (Gianna the Giraffe), our company name, and our slogan, this shirt is perfect for supporters of Zwinzler Games.

    You will also receive the e-book, beta tester, and #shoutMEOWt rewards, which you can view above.

    22 Left
    3 Supporters
    Select this reward
    70.00 USD
    Mug

    Get cozy and enjoy a tasty cup of coffee, tea, or whatever hot beverage you prefer with this Zwinzler Games Coffee Mug. Coffee, tea, and your hot beverage preference not included.
    You will also receive the e-book, beta tester, and #shoutMEOWt rewards, which you can view above.

    17 Left
    3 Supporters
    Select this reward
    100.00 USD
    Phone Case

    We'll have a custom-made phone case, featuring our charming Gianna the Giraffe, designed in a color of your choice and sent directly to you! With this Zwinzler Games-themed phone case, your phone will be fully prepared for Victimized beta testing!

    These phone cases are available for just about any type of phone, but if you are in doubt, you can send us an email at [email protected] to make sure.

    You will also receive the e-book, beta tester, and #shoutMEOWt rewards, which you can view above.

    19 Left
    1 Supporter
    Select this reward