I happily kickstarted it, but I had no belief it would actually deliver. $500k is 5 software devs or artists for a year. That's not very much money for a 3D game.

And it's only 5 people if you're offering below-industry pay, not paying taxes, no benefits, no office, no equipment purchases, etc. I'd figure 150k/person minimum, with more like 2-300k in more contentious areas.