Blockade Runner is just one example of an alpha funded game

[Discussionware is a new weekly feature aimed at promoting discussion with thought provoking topics. Each week we’ll be taking a look at a topic that influences indie gamers or developers and we’ll leave it open for discussion by our wonderful readers.]

Alphafunding. It’s kind of an odd concept if you think about it. Essentially you’re paying for a game that’s unfinished but with the promise that it’ll get better with future updates.

Ever since the launch of Minecraft last year, the idea of alpha funding has grown from something that was relatively niche and a “quirky idea” to being a new form of game funding by developers around the world.

Just take a look at the newest candidate: Blockade Runner, the Minecraft-like that’s based in space. The development team has currently released an alpha version for free but you can also pay to get access to updates as they come in. So far, in just over a week, the team has sold over 1200 copies at $10 each. That’s $12000 in a very short amount of time.

Other developments include Desura’s recent efforts to promote alpha funding on their platform by giving alpha games a dedicated section. Through Desura, a very legitimate (and my personal favorite) digital distribution store, you can now pay to play what are essentially unfinished games.

I remember a time when the beta versions of games were free…

But what do you think? Is alpha funding a new way to simply get a game to release? Do you participate in alpha funded games? Sound off in the comments!