Was there ever any consideration of having this game (partially) funded via crowdfunding.
Some developer and studios like the idea, other hate it. Of course you don`t have to answer - but have you considered having the game financed via Crowdfunding - with free content (not necessarily only digital) for early backers? Options can be vary, from just a skin in the game, to free DLC, named in the credits, names of the pioneers, to visiting the studio, the nice (qualitative) merchandise, or to become kind of a support who would get some penny for each download of the game / sold copy.
looking forward hearing from you 
PS: will there be a hard copy and a printed map and are you considering this game to be ported as a board game?