$2.6 Million Cozy Game Disappears: What Happened to Its Website and Backers?

How could a game called PuffPals: Island Skies turn sour? Launched on Kickstarter in April 2022 by Fluffnest, this game aimed to capture the charm of Animal Crossing. With a goal of just $75,000, excitement grew, leading to an incredible $2.6 million raised. Fast forward to today, and the game’s website is gone, refund requests are ignored, and lawsuits against the company are piling up.

Fluffnest was founded by David Pentland and artist usLily in 2020, also through Kickstarter. Initially successful, they sold plush toys that attracted a large fanbase. In 2022, they decided to expand into gaming. However, the modest funding goal raised red flags, as $75,000 seems far from enough to develop a game. Typically, creators set low goals to secure some funding, knowing stretch goals can help later. This often results in projects lacking the capital needed to succeed, leading to unfinished games and dissatisfied backers.

Despite raising a hefty sum, much of that $2.6 million was misleadingly inflated. Backers could pledge $20 for the game, but many also opted for pricey add-ons like plush toys. Consequently, the true amount available for game development was much less than reported.

Updates from Fluffnest began to dwindle, and missed deadlines piled up. Promises of improved communication and progress updates soon followed periods of silence. This pattern is common in Kickstarter projects, where enthusiasm shifts to frustration as backers feel ignored.

Adding to the confusion, Fluffnest—balancing its plushie business—was reportedly facing issues, such as delayed shipments and unhappy customers. Social media discussions revealed that some trademarks had expired, and the game’s development was contracted out to a company called Room 8.

Things escalated when Fluffnest announced it would shut down, citing rising shipping costs, yet claimed production of Island Skies was secure. This contradictory statement raised more doubts, especially due to the lack of communication over the years.

The last update came in May 2023, filled with excuses and blame, a far cry from earlier promises. Today, the game’s pre-order page leads nowhere, and those involved in development are reportedly unpaid. Refunds? Unlikely, as Kickstarter doesn’t guarantee project delivery.

Currently, Fluffnest faces various lawsuits, with substantial amounts owed. The development company Room 8 is suing for $1.9 million. With court dates stretching into 2027, it’s unclear whether this was a misguided venture or something more nefarious. Regardless, the fate of backers and developers remains uncertain, while countless cozy video games await players on the market.

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Fluffnest,Kickstarter,PuffPals: Island Skies