I'm thinking of running a video game on kickstarter, should I get a patent before I do this?

Also I would like to keep my real name confidential if I do apply for a patent,

thankyou

Mailing something to yourself doesn't work and isn't accepted if there was ever a court case about it.

In the US if you want to register, pay the $35 registration cost to the copyright office. It isn't difficult (the paperwork takes about 30 minutes) and not particularly expensive. It is nothing compared to the other costs of doing business.

There are two typical profiles of people interested in videogame patents

Sometimes, but not always. There are times where people create truly innovative processes and they deserve the protections patents give.

I don't mean the classic software patent where a natural algorithm or existing process is protected by adding "On A Computer".

The purpose of a patent is to give a limited monopoly to the person or group who invented something so they get the opportunity to benefit from their invention. Consider the years when Zynga cloned every new and popular product they could find, causing several popular young programs to suddenly drop and die when the Zynga clone hit the market with its mega-marketing campaign. If those applications had implemented some truly unique processes and patented them, they would have had about 20 years of protection on that specific process.

Patents are expressly designed to prevent people from doing exactly what Zynga and other clone-makers do, they stop people from making clones that deprive the original inventor of the opportunity to profit from their invention.

While I have no love for software patents generally, I do think more game studios (that have some money) should consider patent options for processes they create that are uniquely theirs, and to get advice from patent attorneys before launch or shortly thereafter. I've seen firsthand how a cheaply made clone can destroy a small business. The innovators have the cost and difficulty and risk of innovating, the clones just copy the results in an attempt at profiteering.

As people have said. Patents are not for video games generally. (They absolutely exist but what is actually patent-able is a little nuanced https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_patent#United_States).

There are some situations where you can get a patent, but unless you are designing a new game engine it is unlikely you would need that protection. If you live in the US you get free copyright protection as soon as you create you work. Registering you work only "strengthens" you claims if you need to sue someone.

Mailing something to yourself doesn't work and isn't accepted if there was ever a court case about it.

While that is absolutely true for the USA (and I agree that spending the registration fee is probably worth it, at least for copyrights -- patents are roughly 50 times more expensive), I would nevertheless not shove the idea off the table alltogether too hastily.

It has some validity in the UK insofar as it is well-accepted as proof of having known the details written on paper prior to some point in time. However, it is explicitly stated by the patent office that this does not give conclusive proof you indeed invented whatever is written on that paper. This is in my opinion a very reasonable point of view on the patent office's behalf (a very exceptional thing).

The point is however not proving without any doubt that you invented something, but you can demonstrate that you had the knowledge in your possession at some time. In a dispute, another party claiming to be the originator will have to prove that they owned the intellectual property earlier. All in all, it is not 100% bulletproof, but it gives you a good head start at near-zero cost.

Also, the sealed envelope -- a special one -- it is a perfectly legitimate, established, and officially recognized way of dating your creation in a legally binding way without disclosure in France (must be sure to meet the legal requirements, special envelope and such).