Well first of all thanks for the shout out :)

So, don't get me wrong but you gotta snap out of it. The middle part of your article is classic fear of failing. You want to make a game for people to enjoy, nobody's going to die here ;)

What can you do? Do it like Richard Branson. As I see it you have two major problems.

• The prototype isn't in the state you wish it to be
• How can you finance the project so it can really lift off?

Break these into smaller ones and ask more questions until you come to a solvable solution. Remember doing baby steps!

The prototype: You have seemed to have gained some interest in the community. Why don't you let them do some beta testing?
You would be surprised that a lot of gamers actually want to help even if you're only like 40%finished.
You are unhappy with your graphic design? Offer equity to someone who is a professional or just roll with your current state and pay a professional after you gained some traction crowdfunding.
For example you can scout for a designer on 99designs.com (Tim ferris is using them for all his projects). It's a marketplace where designers send in some previews what they would do woth your idea and you decide who you'll pick.

How to fund it?
Yes do crowdfunding. If you feel like you're ripping off people than pay them back. That's exactly what ethereum smart contracts are for. Calculate how much you would need, open a smart contract and let everyone who's backing you get equity and a free game depending on their share.

That's all I can write for now cause I'm typing this here on the phone. I'll write later more.

Don't give up! :D