Harmonix partners with crowdfunding site Fig, takes seat on advisory board

Fig, the crowdfunding solution for game developers that allows for reward-based funding alongside equity investment, will partner with Harmonix to bring an upcoming title to market. In a press release issued today, Fig also said that Harmonix's chief creative officer, Alex Rigopulos, will join the advisory board.

Rigopulos joins Feargus Urquhart (Obsidian Entertainment), Brian Fargo (inXile Entertainment) and Tim Schafer (Double Fine) on the advisory board. The four men will be responsible for vetting projects and teams before they are invited to launch on Fig. Additionally, they will counsel and mentor developers before, during and after the crowdfunding process. All four independent companies have also vowed to launch new games through the service.

Fig's first campaign, the award-winning Outer Wilds exploration game, launched on Aug. 18 and has currently raised more than $101,000 on a $125,000 ask. Fig tells Polygon that while more than $500,000 in total investment was offered to them, Outer Wild's developer Mobius Digital has only accepted $75,000 so far.

Fig games share revenue from eventual sales with investors, while the platform itself takes a portion of participating game sales in perpetuity. You can read more about their novel approach to crowdfunding in our report.

Harmonix's next game, Rock Band 4, is being co-published by Mad Catz. The peripheral manufacturer, which also owns Saitek, has recently told investors that it needs Rock Band 4 to be a hit in order to ensure the continued financial stability of the company. That statement, which was required by US securities law, concludes that the game's October launch could "raise substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern."

Rock Band 4 will be available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.