On August 31, 2023, the campaign for Obojima: Tales From The Tall Grass officially crossed the finish line, fully funded and exceeding expectations. What began as a modest goal of $10,000 to bring this whimsical campaign setting to life blossomed into an extraordinary $2.6 million, thanks to the incredible support of our community.
Overcoming Challenges: Fast-Paced Success
As a small team of fewer than 10 employees, we’ve grown accustomed to navigating the Kickstarter funding landscape for major project launches. However, nothing could have prepared us for the overwhelming response to Obojima.
We planned stretch goals with the hope of raising up to $1 million, anticipating a steady pace throughout the month-long campaign. Instead, we reached a staggering $250,000 on the very first day, unlocking five stretch goals in mere hours. This whirlwind success required us to adapt quickly—writing and releasing three updates on day one alone.
The rapid momentum continued, and within days, we had to pivot again, brainstorming new stretch goals to keep up with the campaign’s runaway success. By the time we hit $2 million, we had offered every enhancement possible, ensuring this project was packed with value for our backers and the Obojima community.
This campaign taught me invaluable lessons about flexibility, teamwork, and the power of community-driven storytelling. Seeing thousands of people rally behind Obojima not only confirmed the project’s potential but also solidified my passion for building communities through creative marketing.
A New Chapter in My Role
This campaign marks a turning point in my journey with 1985 Games. Over the past year, I’ve worn many hats, but the success of Obojima allows me to transition into a more focused role, utilizing my background in Marketing and Creative Writing.
For me, marketing is about more than just promoting products; it’s about storytelling and building communities. With Obojima and 1985 Games’ other product lines, I see endless opportunities to foster vibrant, engaged audiences through content-driven campaigns, contests, surveys, and other interactive projects.
Looking Ahead
The growth of Obojima also means welcoming new talent to the 1985 Games team. I’m excited to see who joins our crew and the fresh perspectives they’ll bring. We already have an amazing group of people, and I know the new team members will help us reach even greater heights.
I’m also looking forward to sharing more updates and creating new opportunities for the community to engage with Obojima. From contests to surveys, there’s so much in store—and I can’t wait to hear from you!
Join the Adventure
Have ideas for stretch goals, feedback on Obojima, or just want to stay in the loop? Join the conversation on our Discord or subreddit, and be part of the adventure as we continue to expand this incredible campaign setting.
Finally, I want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who made this possible: our backers, my talented teammates, and the entire Obojima community. Your support has turned this dream into a reality, and I’m beyond grateful to be part of this journey.
Shelby Ann Davis 