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‘Cult County’ Dev Discussing Their Options Following Failed Kickstarter
The crowdfunding campaign for the survival horror game Cult County ended today drastically short of its $580,000 goal. As promising as the game looks, I can’t say I’m too surprised.
Even the horror genre’s biggest crowdfunding success stories have fallen well short of Cult County’s goal, including Dead State ($332k) and Among the Sleep ($248k). I don’t think I’ve seen a horror game raise even $350k,- and that includes Shadow of the Eternals — if you don’t count their dual campaign strategy – which had significant attention (not to mention controversy) surrounding it.
I do hope Renegade Kid continues work on the game, because it has definite potential. If a recent tweet from Jools Watsham, studio co-founder and Cult County lead, is any indication, it sounds like they’re considering reworking the campaign for another go.
People tell us we need to reduce the # of platforms and budget for Cult County. Only way to reduce budget is to only make episode 1.
— Jools Watsham (@JoolsWatsham) May 2, 2014
I’d suggest returning to Kickstarter with a playable build of the game and distributing that to YouTubers and the press. It worked for Stasis, Grave, and DreadOut, among others. A trailer or guided walkthrough will never be as effective in selling potential donors on your game as their being able to play it themselves or watch someone they respect or are familiar with play it.
Just my two cents.
All of us here at Bloody Disgusting are deeply sad to learn that The Blob director Chuck Russell has passed away at 74 years old.
Russell’s career began with his directorial debut, 1987’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors.
The multihyphenate film director, screenwriter, and producer is best known for helming 1994 comedy The Mask starring Jim Carrey, Arnold Schwarzenegger actioner Eraser, and adventure spinoff The Scorpion King. The latter served as the first leading role for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
The filmmaker left an indelible mark on horror with his ANOES sequel, 1988’s The Blob, and 2000’s Bless the Child.
Russell’s final film credit is 2024’s Witchboard remake starring Madison Iseman (I Know What You Did Last Summer), Aaron Dominguez (Only Murders in the Building), and Jamie Campbell Bower (“Stranger Things”).
It marked Russell’s return to horror after a lengthy hiatus, and he shared sequel hopes to Bloody Disgusting in an interview ahead of the remake’s release: “I got to design the board with real mystical symbols and things that I know represent good and evil, and where that board takes us if the audiences respond to the film, and I hope they will; I know it’s out there for you guys, but the sequel is a world we’ll get to go a little further. That’s sure the intention.”
He also recently expressed interest in returning to the franchise that began his career.
TMZ notes that Russell passed away at his San Diego-area home.
We send our deepest condolences to Chuck Russell’s family, friends, and fans.
Director, Co-Writer & Producer Chuck Russell behind the scenes of the horror film, WITCHBOARD. Photo courtesy of The Avenue and Atlas Distribution
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