Independent video game developers face significant challenges in securing funding, with overhalf relying on personal finances due to limited access to traditional investment.Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter offer an alternative path, yet the majority ofcampaigns fail to reach their funding goals. This research investigates the key drivers behinddonors’ participation in the highly successful Coral Island crowdfunding campaign,specifically examining what motivated backers to support this project and why they chose itover others. The research adopts Michel Harms’ Theory of Intention Driving Values, which categorizes motivation into financial, functional, social, epistemic, and emotional values. Aqualitative methodology was employed, with data collected through 10 semi-structuredpersonal interviews. Findings reveal that epistemic value, the desire to explore and supportnew, interesting experiences, was the primary motivation for donors. Therefore, thesefindings do not align with the Theory of Intention Driving Values by Michel Harms, whichstates that epistemic value has no influence on the intention to invest. Moreover, this theoryhas limitations as it does not account for several motivational particular views identified inthe interview results. Respondents who did not donate to other crowdfunding campaigns explained that they either did not actively seek out additional projects or preferred to focus onstrengthening their personal connection with Coral Island. This research offers practical insights to help independent developers create more effective crowdfunding campaigns.