Badass Kickstarter projects

[Fred]

Hey lads and ladettes,

I'm sure all of us have at some time wandered upon a finished kickstarter project and kicked ourselves for not being able to back it. Well, i have created this thread in attempt to allow awesome kickstarter projects to gain more recognition; and also for the community to share the projects they're backing/want to back. In other words, if you spot an awesome kickstarter project, share it here!

- Please avoid playing card related projects and post them in the Playing Card Plethora instead.
- Please, no self promotion (unless it's genuinely awesome)
- Please adhere to the template below:

1- Project category
2- Project name
3- Project kickstarter link
4- Project goal (optional)
5- Project end date (optional)
6- Description/why you love this particular project (optional)

I'll start off!

Category: Food/BEEEEERRRR
Name: PicoBrew Zymatic: the Automatic Beer Brewing Appliance by PicoBrew LLC
Link: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1708005089/picobrew-zymatic-the-automatic-beer-brewing-applia?ref=recently_launched
Goal: $150,000. end date 30th Oct 2013
Reason: Self explanatory. IT"S A FUGGIN AUTOMATIC HOME BEER BREWER!

[Nurul]

Video Games
Mighty No.9
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mightyno9/mighty-no-9
$900,000 (as I'm writing this post it's at $3,065,210)
End date is in 31 hours of this post

An all new japanese action game. Reminds me of mega man and I loved mega man.

[Fred]

Yeah that's an absolutely awesome project, though i was put off by the delivery time of 2015..

Product design (pen)
Pen/stylus made from MAGNETS. POLAR PEN - Modular Tool
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1171695627/polar-pen-both-tool-and-toy-pen-stylus-made-from-m?ref=live
3545% funded (Nearly $500,000)
end date 16th Oct 2013

Check out the 'revolver'! http://vimeo.com/73722444#at=1 I could play with this for hours..

[ronyo_faukx]

Video Games
Mighty No.9
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mightyno9/mighty-no-9
$900,000 (as I'm writing this post it's at $3,065,210)
End date is in 31 hours of this post

An all new japanese action game. Reminds me of mega man and I loved mega man.

That's probably because it's the same guy that designed MegaMan. Capcom have denied all his requests to do another game, so he's branching out on his own (with some of the other devs from the past projects) to do his own version.


Product Design
Cold Bruer
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bruer/cold-bruer-a-cold-brew-coffee-system?ref=home_popular
$30,000 (currently $130,279 which is 434% of the goal)
Ends October 10th

I love coffee, so this was a no brainer. The coffee will also, apparently, keep for much longer than hot coffee does (weeks vs. about a half hour).

[Rob Wright]

This is the opposite of Baddass. In fact, it may be the dumbest, what the F were you thinking, useless POS ever.

Busted! Outlet Covers

Every wonder why outlets look so surprised? We did. And now you can see why too.

With the Busted! Outlet Covers you can finally see what your outlets have been up to when you weren't looking.

.. just please, remember to knock first.

$19,292 goal , $11 for 1 outlet cover 

[Fred]

Hahaha 10/10 would lol again. I love how they also included an ebony version. No discrimination going on here!

Back on topic:

An awesome small scale project:

Art
The 2014 Cut Paper Art Calendar
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1661567318/the-2014-cut-paper-art-calendar
Over 700% funded, ends on 7th Oct 2013
Absolutely gorgeous paper cutting art. I personally could not give a fuck about a calendar so i backed all of the postcards with the art!

[Fred]

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?! 3hours in and more than $600,000 funded!

Tabletop Games
Reaper Miniatures Bones II: The Return Of Mr Bones!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1513061270/reaper-miniatures-bones-ii-the-return-of-mr-bones
Ends 26th Oct 2013.

I backed it just to enjoy the ride. Have absolutely no idea what the fuss is all about, though the figures are pretty cool.

[sprouts1115]

just Fred - Holy crap!  If I was a Dungeons & Dragons guy, I would have a major hard on with this.  This guy has so many ppl backing him his rewards they are set up in waves.  This pledges will ship out with wave 7 for example.  Incredible!  His rewards look like "The name of the Wind playing cards"  Looks like they are running out of ideas and just putting anything for the stretch goals...

[Don Boyer]

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?! 3hours in and more than $600,000 funded!

Tabletop Games
Reaper Miniatures Bones II: The Return Of Mr Bones!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1513061270/reaper-miniatures-bones-ii-the-return-of-mr-bones
Ends 26th Oct 2013.

I backed it just to enjoy the ride. Have absolutely no idea what the fuss is all about, though the figures are pretty cool.

I remember Reaper minis from when I was a gamer.  This "Bones" stuff is a big deal because it makes minis affordable while still retaining the high level of detail and quality most gamers appreciate.  In ye olde days, minis were lead - it was soft, it could break, it was toxic and eventually it was banned by the government.  Other metals came in and some companies also started using plastic, but nothing plastic could match the quality of the metal minis.  Too many of the finer details were lost in the process from art piece to mass-produced mini.  This material gives people the best of both worlds.

Did you look at the previous KS project, Bones I?  It pulled in over three million bucks.  This is just getting warmed up, by comparison.  The stats on that project are that if they worked with a single molding machine, operating 24 hours a day, assuming no production breakdowns, it would take them just short of 22 MONTHS to fulfill all the pledges of that project alone.  They used more than half of the three-million-plus for new equipment.

[Rob Wright]

This is not a badass project- Just bad.

This should be filed under- What the F were you thinking?

WALL MOUNTED FOLD DOWN GAS BBQ. A BIG SIZE BBQ IN A BOX






No way this passes UL testing. This is burning down a house and killing someone in the making.

[Don Boyer]

This is not a badass project- Just bad.

This should be filed under- What the F were you thinking?

No way this passes UL testing. This is burning down a house and killing someone in the making.

It's not likely to burn down a house.  Your typical barbecue running on liquid propane gas or natural gas won't burn hot enough to burn brick, which is what it's mounted to.  Only an idiot would mount it to a wall made with flammable materials.

That, and since it's an Australian project, I don't think Underwriters' Laboratories will testing this grill anytime soon.

It's really a brilliant idea.  Apartment dwellers in New York who have terraces would love to have a grill on their terrace, but it violates the city's Fire Code.  Because of this design working more like a fixture than a freestanding device, it might actually pass muster if properly installed.  It would have to be connected to the natural gas lines for the house, though - transporting containerized LPG within New York City limits requires special licensing and is not something a typical civilian can simply sign up for.  Best part of all is that when it's not in use, it has barely any footprint to it in the stored position, giving you more space to enjoy the terrace.

[Rob Wright]

This is not a badass project- Just bad.

This should be filed under- What the F were you thinking?

No way this passes UL testing. This is burning down a house and killing someone in the making.

It's not likely to burn down a house.  Your typical barbecue running on liquid propane gas or natural gas won't burn hot enough to burn brick, which is what it's mounted to.  Only an idiot would mount it to a wall made with flammable materials.

That, and since it's an Australian project, I don't think Underwriters' Laboratories will testing this grill anytime soon.

It's really a brilliant idea.  Apartment dwellers in New York who have terraces would love to have a grill on their terrace, but it violates the city's Fire Code.  Because of this design working more like a fixture than a freestanding device, it might actually pass muster if properly installed.  It would have to be connected to the natural gas lines for the house, though - transporting containerized LPG within New York City limits requires special licensing and is not something a typical civilian can simply sign up for.  Best part of all is that when it's not in use, it has barely any footprint to it in the stored position, giving you more space to enjoy the terrace.

While I'll agree against a masonry service. It may be ok. The problem is most home owners are idiots. Selling home insurance- trust me. I talk to them every day. Just because you send out an instruction sheet saying don't bolt this to something flammable, doesn't mean that people still won't locate this in a dangerous place. Inventor/company can still be held liable. There's a reason why there are stickers on lawn mowers saying don' put your hand under deck. You actually pointed out a potential problem. Putting this on a balcony were there is a roof over head-  if there was a gas leak/owner cuts on gas but doesn't lite it. While the chances are low, gas could accumulate on the ceiling starting an explosion. Also while the gas may not start a fire. How many times have you grilled fatty hamburgers, and it flares up almost out of control. What's above the grill? If its under an eave of a roof, under a carport, etc.
I'll admit when I first saw it. My first thought was ingenious. Then my Insurance mind, and construction background took over. I cant tell you how many times I've replaced vinyl siding on a house because the old was melted from a grill being too close.

[Don Boyer]

While I'll agree against a masonry service. It may be ok. The problem is most home owners are idiots. Selling home insurance- trust me. I talk to them every day. Just because you send out an instruction sheet saying don't bolt this to something flammable, doesn't mean that people still won't locate this in a dangerous place. Inventor/company can still be held liable. There's a reason why there are stickers on lawn mowers saying don' put your hand under deck. You actually pointed out a potential problem. Putting this on a balcony were there is a roof over head-  if there was a gas leak/owner cuts on gas but doesn't lite it. While the chances are low, gas could accumulate on the ceiling starting an explosion. Also while the gas may not start a fire. How many times have you grilled fatty hamburgers, and it flares up almost out of control. What's above the grill? If its under an eave of a roof, under a carport, etc.
I'll admit when I first saw it. My first thought was ingenious. Then my Insurance mind, and construction background took over. I cant tell you how many times I've replaced vinyl siding on a house because the old was melted from a grill being too close.

I'd be willing to wager than any such installation of something like this would have to be done by a professional contractor.  Not everyone has the tools and knowledge needed to mount this on on the side of their house, especially if you're using a gas connection from the house mains rather than an LPG tank.  I'd also wager they'll be slapping a warning sticker on the back indicating where and how it can be mounted safely.  Lastly, the creator is Australian, so his government's laws are probably being complied with, and it would be a challenge at best to sue someone overseas with the kind of ambulance-chasing lawyer that would take up such a case in the first place, where it's clearly the negligence of the installer and not the device's inventor that's at fault for mounting it incorrectly.

And all of this also means very little since we have no idea about how the device truly works.  It could very well have a fire- and heat-retardant insulation as well as a gas-flow limiter that only permits so much fuel and no more at any given moment.  After that, the only liability is if some idiot burns something on the grill, in which case, it's a lawsuit they'd stand no chance of winning - even ambulance chasers like to get paid, so they'd be unlikely to take the case unless you paid up front rather than working on a contingency basis.

[CordedTires]

Trying to rescue this thread from oblivion:

Graphic Design
Subversive Accolades
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/markallender/subversive-accolades
End date: Thursday March 20
I love this because........well, it's badass.

[PrincessTrouble]

A few non-card KS projects I've backed:

Project Design
Keyport Slide 2.0 - The Keychain Reinvented
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/keyport/keyport-slide-20-the-keychain-reinvented
Raised $153,341of $75,000 goal.
This project was successfully funded on Mar 23, 2013.
I love, love, love my keyport!

Gadgets
Thermodo ~ The Tiny Thermometer for Mobile Devices
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/robocat/thermodo-the-tiny-thermometer-for-mobile-devices
Raised $336,018 of $35,000 goal.
This project was successfully funded on Apr 9, 2013.
I have a temperature problem in my office, so my thermodo comes in handy when I'm arguing with the maintenance guy about thermostat settings.

Games
Precision Machined Metal Gaming Dice
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/124127689/precision-machined-metal-playing-dice
Raised $80,608 of $4,000 goal.
This project was successfully funded on Apr 22, 2013.
I love these dice.  All of Amber Rix's projects are badass.

Games
Precision Machined Spinning Tops
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/124127689/precision-machined-spinning-tops
This project was successfully funded on Dec 8, 2013.
Raised $78,118 of $3,000 goal.
Should have my tops soon.  Can't wait to play with these with my son.

Design
Kisa
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1316011250/kisa
This project was successfully funded on Nov 22, 2013.
Raised $101,989 of $40,000 goal.
I like both cats and candles and metal skeletons are badass.  Should have my reward soon.

[Don Boyer]

Hey, I love your KeySlide, too!  That's a wicked-cool gadget, thinking of getting one for myself.  I don't think they'll support my post office box key, though - they're marked so as to not be copyable.

[PrincessTrouble]

Hey, I love your KeySlide, too!  That's a wicked-cool gadget, thinking of getting one for myself.  I don't think they'll support my post office box key, though - they're marked so as to not be copyable.

Don, I had a high security key that wasn't copyable either.  I sent it in to the Keyport folks and they modified it to fit my keyport.  Even sent me back the head of the key that they cut off.  Great customer service. 

[Don Boyer]

Hey, I love your KeySlide, too!  That's a wicked-cool gadget, thinking of getting one for myself.  I don't think they'll support my post office box key, though - they're marked so as to not be copyable.

Don, I had a high security key that wasn't copyable either.  I sent it in to the Keyport folks and they modified it to fit my keyport.  Even sent me back the head of the key that they cut off.  Great customer service.

I don't think I'll have that option.  Technically the key to my post office box is property of the post office.  Eh, whatever.

[Rob Wright]

Pretty awesome project

COOLEST COOLER: 21st Century Cooler that's Actually Cooler

A 21st Century Cooler? It's about time!


Regular coolers are boring, break easily and are a hassle to haul around just to carry the ice. The COOLEST cooler is 60 quarts of AWESOME packed with so much fun you'll look for excuses to get outside more often.

Maybe you want to use the built-in ice crushing blender to whip up some margaritas or smoothies on your next boat trip or tailgate?

Maybe you just want to always have music on hand with the waterproof bluetooth speaker or want to recharge your electronics with the built in USB charger?

What else?

[PurpleIce]

Holy Sh*t. It's $4,500,000 funded on the cooler. That's pretty "cool" considering how it never got funded on its first project...

Did anyone back this? And any idea what is the highest funded KS project of all time?

[ecNate]

And any idea what is the highest funded KS project of all time?

Pebble watch, $10million

https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/most-funded?ref=most_funded

[Fess]

Kraut Source is Mason jar kitchenware for making fermented foods like sauerkraut, natural pickles, kimchi, kefir, and more. It's stainless steel, dishwasher safe, and easy to use.

If you are already buying live-culture fermented foods, you know how expensive that can get. Kraut Source encourages the DIY, artisanal spirit by enabling home chefs to create gourmet fermented foods, economically.

Kraut Source is designed for singles and families of all sizes. It fits on wide-mouth Mason jars, so you can make pint, quart, or 2-quart size batches. It takes up little space, so you can have several batches going at the same time. Its elegant, streamlined design means that it will look really nifty on your counter top.

This is as badass as they come for me right now. The yums I can make.

[Fess]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1026360181/new-salem

The quick social game of set collection, drafting, hidden identities, and paranoia.

You and several of your fellow 17th century citizens have decided to flee Salem, Massachusetts in the midst of the famous Salem Witch Trials to create an opportunity to start anew. You are all committed to eliminating any witch presence in your new town, but you also have your own selfish priorities for how development should be directed. Work to build the new town you envision while keeping New Salem free of the Despair wrought by witches.

New Salem is a hidden identity, deduction, drafting, and set collection game for 3-8 players that relies on simultaneous play to provide an extremely engaging social experience in under an hour. Each player receives a character card that determines the building types they will attempt to collect. Puritans must also pool their resources (Hope) to prevent New Salem from being overrun with Despair.

New Salem creates an experience where each player is working independently toward the highest score while also working together to prevent the witches from winning. Puritans must find a balance between selfishness and altruism to maximize their score while avoiding accusations of witchcraft.

New Salem lends itself well to the preferences and play style of each individual group. While it is important for witches to hide their identity, Puritans can choose whether to aggressively pursue a suspected witch and put them on trial or to attempt to remove Despair that the suspected witch is bringing into the town.

Drafting - New Salem uses drafting to allow each player to choose each building that he or she will build. As the game's primary mechanic, drafting creates a system of simultaneous play that allows this game to be finished in under an hour and scale seamlessly between three and eight players. You will never be waiting for your turn.

Set Collection - Who doesn't like collecting sets of things? Not only do you collect sets of three buildings of the same type for extra points, but the art on those buildings will also connect to form a beautiful panoramic picture and create a scene that brings the town to life.

Deduction - Observing which buildings are and are NOT drafted by other players provides players will serve as evidence that may help you determine which character card is held by each player. Observing and discussing the choices made by other players and the amount of Hope and Despair they are introducing to the town will help the Puritans as they discuss who may be a witch and put them on trial.

Social Interaction - There is nothing more important to us in the games that we publish than extremely rich social interaction. You will be paranoid when you play this game. You will be suspected, accused, and you will make a case to defend your actions throughout the game.

Overworld Games is a two man team, this is their second kickstarter campaign. I've played the Print and play for this a lot. It's fun, it's engaging, and with the right attitude it's got tons of laughs. Thought I would post it. Base pledge for the game is $26 domestic, +$10 international. Three days left on the campaign and they're marching toward a wooden cubes stretch goal.

If your family and friends like a simple game now and again, may want to have a peek. The mechanics are not difficult at all.

[Don Boyer]

And any idea what is the highest funded KS project of all time?

Pebble watch, $10million

https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/most-funded?ref=most_funded

Not any more - Coolest Cooler, $13,000,000+!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ryangrepper/coolest-cooler-21st-century-cooler-thats-actually?ref=most_funded

[PurpleIce]

And any idea what is the highest funded KS project of all time?

Pebble watch, $10million

https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/most-funded?ref=most_funded

Not any more - Coolest Cooler, $13,000,000+!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ryangrepper/coolest-cooler-21st-century-cooler-thats-actually?ref=most_funded

Yes...and to think this guy failed his first launch. That's why if you think your stuff is genuinely good, don't give up.