About this project

Paper Dinosaurs is an all-new video game and cartoon property we have been developing for over a year. Aimed squarely at the “Nick Jr.” crowd, Paper Dinosaurs is designed to appeal to the youngsters with bright, colorful and friendly characters, and is meant to entertain while reinforcing positive values and the importance of family and friends in the storylines. The idea first came up with my own kids, when they were about five. We were on an origami kick, making all sorts of animals, but all they wanted to do was build dinosaurs. They were fascinated with them, just as I was at their age. After we built a few, I looked down at the table, and I could just see them coming to life… walking and talking and singing and dancing. The boys and I acted out the parts, and we had a blast. Paper Dinosaurs was born at that very moment.

I wrote some notes, scribbled out a few sketches, and even modeled out some 3D dinos in an early version of Lightwave, but the software and tools to achieve the look I envisioned were a ways off. I knew that if we could achieve the look of stop-motion animation with advanced digital animation tools, we could create a unique look like no other cartoon. Using paper as the medium has a dual-purpose effect for me… I love the way it looks in the models and sets... but the fact that any kid with a scissors can cut out his or her own dinosaur and play along crosses the bridge from video games and cartoons into arts and crafts in a way I have never seen done before.

So, exactly what is Paper Dinosaurs? It’s a cartoon and video game series with an Arts and Crafts component. It’s a website portal to their paper world, where kids can watch the cartoons, play the games, and build and share their own Paper Dinosaurs!

On the website, you will find our video player and gamer’s lounge. You will also find the Paper Dinostore. Here, you will be able to buy the real-world Paper Dinosaur products for purchase… Paper Dinosaur Cut and Fold Pattern Kits, Press and Fold Dino Paper Packs, Paper Dinosaur Pop-Up Storybooks are just some of the products we will offer. Currently, we offer all the different Paper Dinosaurs products available on CafePress... primarily teeshirts, kids and baby stuff, coffee mugs, laptop skins and much more: www.cafepress.com/paperdinosaurs

We plan to launch the full website when the video game is ready... hopefully in October.

Project #1:  Paper Dinosaurs Crazy Dino Player v1
Category: Colorful Animated Entertainment
Platform: Website, Mac and PC, iPad, iPhone
Appeals to Ages: 0-5 (and up :-)

In this simple button masher, you select 1 of 4 Paper Dinosaurs and then simply click on them to make them burp, talk, sing, tell jokes, do silly tricks, or one of 50 other general amusements. Non-interface… any child can click anywhere and the Paper Dino does something cute, funny or adorable. Similar to the Spore Creature Creator, but for really little kids.

The game is free. Additional Dino Packs will be available for 99 cent download.

We are in production now, but only part-time. We need to raise $9,860.00 in 30 days, at which point will begin production full-time, with a goal of finishing the game 90 days later.

Expenses:

We will use your money to pay the artists and programmers for building the game and to develop the website plus:

Licensing costs for software needed for development
ESRB rating and other fees

What will we do with any pledges over our goal?

Porting to other platforms
Additional Marketing
Video Game Project #2

If funding the projects this way is a success for us, our plan is to roll right into Project #2: Paper Dinosaurs Build-A-Dino Workshop, which is a much larger, more involved Virtual Pet-style multi-player game. The development of Crazy Dino Player will supply us with the core playing mechanics for the Workshop.

Our team has been developing the brand for this last year… building the models, writing the scripts, developing the look, and basically having fun creating this world! We have basically put together the animation dream team for this project (See the full bio below).

Up to this point, the work put into Paper Dinosaurs has been self-financed by Berny, Jymn and myself. The development has been completely part-time, as we all have day jobs. However, we all believe in it so much that we have continued to chip away at the stone, we firmly believe we can turn Paper Dinosaurs a world-class children’s entertainment powerhouse brand.

But, we need your help! Thank you in advance for your generous support. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Drop me a note anytime:

mark@paperdinosaurs.com

We plan to make regular updates here on Kickstarter, and we will keep everyone posted on the cartoon's progress on our Paper Dinosaurs Facebook Group.

Thanks again for your support, and for helping get this train rolling!