How to Plan for Game Delays Without Losing Backer Confidence

4 March 2025

So you’ve launched a game project on Kickstarter or any other crowdfunding platform, and things are buzzing. Backers are excited, your team is motivated, and everything seems to be cruising along. Then, BAM! A delay hits you like a sudden boss fight you weren’t prepared for. Sound familiar? Delays happen more often in game development than we’d like to admit. But here’s the thing: delays don’t have to mean disaster, especially when it comes to keeping your backers on your side.

Managing game delays is tricky, no doubt about it. However, with proper planning and transparent communication, you can keep your backers confident and engaged. Ready to dive in? Let’s break this down step-by-step.

Why Game Delays Are Unavoidable (and Totally Normal)

First things first—let’s address the elephant in the room. Delays are not always a sign of failure; they’re often a natural part of game development. Imagine baking a cake. You might plan for it to be out of the oven in 30 minutes, but if you realize halfway through that it needs more time to achieve that golden perfection, are you going to take it out early? Of course not. The same principle applies to games.

Unrealistic timelines, unexpected bugs, resource shortages, or even team burnout—these are just a few reasons why delays happen. And guess what? Most backers understand this (as long as you don’t leave them in the dark). The key is managing their expectations and keeping them in the loop.

The Importance of Transparency (AKA, Honesty Is Your Best Friend)

You know what really makes backers angry? Ghosting them. When you’re radio silent, their imaginations will go wild. They’ll assume you’ve taken their money and disappeared (and let’s be honest, there have been some shady projects in the past that have done exactly that). So, rule number one: communicate.

Be Open About Progress

Think of your backers as your teammates. They’re invested in your success both emotionally and financially, so treat them with respect. Regular updates show that you're working hard and taking their contributions seriously. Share what’s going well and what’s not. Did your artist get sick and fall behind schedule? Did a certain mechanic turn out to be more complex than anticipated? Let them know.

Acknowledge the Delay Early

Here’s the thing: the sooner you admit there’s going to be a delay, the better. Nobody likes surprises when it comes to deadlines. Announcing it late feels sneaky, like when a player is told mid-mission that the boss fight has five extra phases. Get ahead of the narrative. Explain why the delay is necessary and how the extra time will improve the final product. Remember, your backers want the game to be good, not rushed.

How to Structure Your Update About a Delay

Now, let’s get practical. If you’re going to tell your backers about a delay, there’s a wrong way to do it (“Oops, we’re late, sorry about that!”) and a right way. Here’s a clear structure to follow:

1. Start With Gratitude

Begin by thanking your backers. A little appreciation goes a long way. Something as simple as: “First off, we want to say a huge thank you for your support and patience…” can set a positive tone.

2. Explain the Situation

Next, lay out the facts. Be clear and concise about what’s causing the delay. No need to drown them in industry jargon—just explain it like you’re talking to a friend.

3. Own the Responsibility

This one’s important: take responsibility. Saying “We underestimated how long this would take” is way better than blaming external factors. It shows maturity and accountability.

4. Provide a New Timeline

Nobody likes being left in a limbo of “soon.” If possible, give a realistic new timeline. And this time, pad some extra time into your estimate to avoid more delays down the road. (Pro tip: underpromise and overdeliver.)

5. Highlight the Benefits

Finally, remind your backers why the delay is worth it. Are you refining a specific feature? Polishing the visuals? Squashing bugs that could ruin the experience? Show them how their patience will pay off in the end.

Keeping Backers Engaged During a Delay

A delay doesn’t mean your backers have to sit around twiddling their thumbs, waiting for updates. In fact, this is a great opportunity to deepen their connection to your project. Think of it as a side quest to keep them entertained before the main storyline continues.

Share Behind-The-Scenes Content

People love behind-the-scenes peeks. Share concept art, animations, or even short videos of your design process. Ever wondered why "making-of" documentaries are so popular? They make people feel like insiders, and that’s exactly what your backers want.

Run Polls and Q&A Sessions

Engage your backers by asking for their input. For example, run a poll about cosmetic design options or specific gameplay features. Hosting a Q&A session can also help address concerns while building a sense of community.

Celebrate Milestones

Even if the release date is delayed, celebrate the small wins along the way. Finished implementing a new feature? Show it off. Solved a tough coding issue? Tell your backers about it. This keeps the momentum alive and shows progress.

The Psychology of Backer Confidence (And How to Hack It)

Backer confidence is a fragile thing, like balancing on a tightrope. To maintain it, you need to understand what motivates your supporters in the first place.

The Fear of Being Scammed

Let’s be real—backers have been burned before by projects that overpromised and underdelivered. Your job is to prove that you’re different. Timely updates, actionable steps, and genuine enthusiasm for your project will help calm their doubts.

The Need to Feel Valued

People love to be part of something bigger than themselves. By involving your backers in the process and acknowledging their contributions, you’re validating their support. Treat them as collaborators, not just wallets.

Planning Ahead: Avoiding Future Delays

Want to avoid delays entirely? While no plan is foolproof, here are some best practices to minimize the chances of needing to push back your deadlines.

1. Build a Realistic Timeline

It’s tempting to set ambitious deadlines to impress potential supporters, but don’t fall into this trap. Be brutally honest with yourself and add buffer time for unforeseen setbacks.

2. Test Early and Often

Start playtesting as early as possible to identify game-breaking bugs or balancing issues. Fixing problems early on can save you from major delays closer to launch.

3. Manage Team Burnout

Your team can’t produce great work if they’re exhausted. Set boundaries, encourage breaks, and foster a healthy work-life balance.

Bonus Tips: Turn a Delay Into a Positive

Believe it or not, a delay can actually be a blessing in disguise. You can use the extra time to add features that weren’t originally planned or to refine the overall experience. Frame the delay as a commitment to quality, and your backers will likely rally behind you.

Final Thoughts

Game delays are like plot twists—they’re unexpected, sometimes frustrating, but if handled well, they can make the story even better. By being transparent, engaging with your backers, and showing genuine effort, you can turn a potentially negative situation into a chance to build deeper trust with your supporters.

So, the next time you hit a roadblock, don’t panic. Take a deep breath, communicate clearly, and keep your backers in the loop. After all, they’re your biggest allies in bringing your vision to life.