Three years after launching a Kickstarter campaign for their cozy shop sim Trash Goblin, Spilt Milk Studios has reflected on the evolving landscape of game financing. Despite facing rejection from 74 publishers, including one that withdrew during what appeared to be a final contract signing, the studio successfully crowdfunded the project and avoided redundancy. Today, the game is available across Steam, Epic, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, iOS, and Android, supported by numerous paid and free DLCs.
Upon reviewing the funding sources for Trash Goblin up to its 1.0 release, the studio discovered that crowdfunding accounted for only 10% of the total budget. Instead, players contributed over one-third of the funds through the initial campaign and revenue from Early Access, which was reinvested into development. Another third came from UK government support, specifically through the competitive Prototype Fund and Content Fund, alongside Video Game Tax Relief (VGTR) or its successor, VGEC. The remaining resources included company reserves, margins from work-for-hire projects, and specific support from Microsoft for the Xbox release.
Nicholas Lovell, Product and Strategy Director at Spilt Milk Studios, notes that while Trash Goblin is often viewed as a crowdfunding success story, the Kickstarter funds were a minor component of the overall development cost. He argues that in 2026, asking "what is the budget for your game?" is no longer meaningful because indie funding has shifted away from relying solely on publishers or single campaigns. Publishers typically provide project financing in exchange for revenue recoupment, whereas crowdfunding often serves as a tool for marketing, community building, and market testing rather than full financial coverage.
As the studio prepares to launch its next title, Gobble Inn, a cozy rogue-like currently seeking £50,000 on Kickstarter, Lovell explains that the budget is entirely dependent on the stage of development. The project began as a prototype during a three-day game jam last Christmas. The team is now polishing a playable demo, believing that crowdfunding based solely on presentations and track records is no longer viable. If the campaign demonstrates real demand, they will commit to an Early Access release.
The financial scope for Gobble Inn ranges from £250,000 to £2.5 million, depending on market feedback and player engagement. If Early Access demand is weak, the team will fulfill existing promises without expanding features significantly. However, if demand mirrors the success of Trash Goblin, they will proceed to a fully localized 1.0 release across all platforms with post-launch support. This flexible approach allows the ten-person team, supported by freelancers and specialists, to adapt their plans based on player feedback rather than adhering to a rigid financial structure.
Lovell emphasizes that while publisher funding and new investment funds still exist, Spilt Milk Studios prioritizes controlling its own destiny to avoid external decisions that could shut down a project. By utilizing multiple funding sources and maintaining a flexible commitment strategy, the studio aims to survive and continue delivering wholesome games with a unique twist.
Sources: GamesIndustry.biz.