The crowdfunding campaign for the revival of the beloved web series "The Guild," now titled "The Guild: Ren Faire'd," has officially become the highest-funded film project in Kickstarter history. The campaign surpassed its initial goal of $1.5 million, ultimately raising over $6.8 million from more than 45,500 backers.
Creator Felicia Day expressed her gratitude, stating, "The Kickstarter is over. $6.8 million. You guys are incredible. Thank you for the support. The community. The creativity. We are so excited to make a movie and so much more for you guys." The project is slated for release in 2027.
While "The Guild: Ren Faire'd" now holds the record for the most successfully funded film via crowdfunding on Kickstarter, it's important to note a distinction. The overall highest-funded film project on the platform is "David" (2025), which reportedly raised approximately $52 million, though this was achieved through an investor model rather than direct backer contributions. Furthermore, "David" was based on "The Bible," a fundamentally different source of widespread recognition compared to a 2007-2013 web series about World of Warcraft players.
"The Guild" originally debuted online in 2007, resonating with a generation of gamers who were deeply invested in the burgeoning online multiplayer landscape. The series followed a group of dysfunctional players in an MMO, capturing a specific cultural moment. The revival's success highlights a strong nostalgic connection for many, though its adaptation to a modern context presents creative challenges. The original series found distribution through platforms like Zune Marketplace and MSN Video, reflecting a vastly different digital era.
The film's narrative will see the characters, known as the Knights of Good, attending a renaissance faire. While the comedic potential is high, the success of weaving in modern gaming culture, such as Discord servers and datamined raids, into humor that appeals beyond the original fanbase remains a question. Nevertheless, the overwhelming financial support from the community suggests a strong desire for the project's realization.