Blade Symphony did a $15k KS to buy a Source license, plus other stuff. They're a "mod" and they're selling Blade Symphony. Really, the line between mod and indie game is pretty blurred these days. Is Stanley Parable a mod or an indie game? It's a mod? But mods can't compete in IGF, and Stanley Parable got a Seamus McNully nod. Is Blade Symphony a mod? They're selling pre-orders. But when I played it a few years ago it was a mod. Can you sell a mod? Apparently so. Does that make it an indie game or a mod? Does the distinction matter anymore? The debate is rather silly. Can we just call them 'games' and stop making rules for who's allowed to make money off which ones?
I'm making DA because I loved TS and I want to see it rebuilt. I did the KS partially because I'd rather work on DA this summer than get a summer job or take summer classes. I'm sure you all share the same sentiments. I wouldn't exactly be getting rich from a few thousand dollars. I repeated a few times in the video that the game's free because I didn't want people to think that I'd be Kickstarting my way into profits, or that they were pre-ordering anything. After the KS the game will continue to be free. But I suppose I can't win, I get criticism either way.
Anyway, the other reason I did the KS is to let people hear about the game. It looks like it's not going to go through, which is fine with me. I'm thrilled that a lot of people seem to be enjoying it and a lot more people have offered to help. So, primary goal failed, but secondary goal succeeded.