Earlier this week at PAX, Keiji Inafune announced Mighty No. 9, and predictably the fans who have been hungering for a proper sequel to Mega Man that Capcom refuses to make, were ardent in proclaiming "Yes!", "Finally!" and "Take my money!". The astounding traction the Mighty No. 9 Kickstarter has gained is a testament to the power that people now wield in seeing things they are excited about actually gets made. Capcom, along with other publishers, are learning they can't hold us.

With the sheer volume of posts, shares, news and fandom surrounding the announcement this week, it's really hard not to get caught up in the energy. I'm continually fascinated in Kickstarter projects that have launched and found funding in the gaming sphere and otherwise. There is a certain magic in creators taking on projects they are passionate about and being afforded the ability to appeal directly to fans or people who are otherwise interested in what they are making.

Creators and independent studios of all sizes have sensed the magic of Kickstarter as a platform; the advantages it offers are too alluring to ignore. The risk of time, emotional and monetary investments going up in smoke are greatly reduced and allows for truly novel projects to flourish. Who wouldn't want to cut out acquiescing to bad ideas for the sake of business? With creators who are grounded in knowing what people want and what they are capable of producing, great things are happening.

A teacher once told my class that when we we reach the year 2000, nothing will really feel different. That there would be changes that would happen where we really start to feel as if we are living in the 21st Century. Between the hyper interconnectedness we now experience with social media saturation and ways to challenge the status quo, I can't help but feel we are in the midst of stepping into a new millennium that is quickly finding its identity; it really is an exciting time to live. Welcome to the new age.