It's hard to talk about the rise of Kickstarted video game projects without mentioning Double Fine. After all, it was the record-breaking Double Fine Adventure campaign that started a chain reaction of video game projects on the crowdfunding site.
Now Double Fine is back with a fantasy turn-based game they're calling Massive Chalice. And they have a strong pitch:
"We're inspired by classic tactical strategy games like X-COM, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Fire Emblem, as well as Game of Thrones’ array of noble families," the Kickstarter reads. "With these influences in mind we’re creating an epic, replayable turn-based tactics game where you train generations of heroes to repel a demonic invasion."
They draw from roguelikes as inspiration as well, making sure that each play-through is randomized with different heroes and bloodlines represented. Permadeath is also "inevitable" as the game takes place over multiple generations. Even if your heroes live through battle they'll eventually die of old age.
In other words, if all goes according to plan Massive Chalice will be extremely replayable unless you can't handle your heroes dying.
The game is single player and divided into two parts: strategy and tactical. The strategy portion of the game is the big picture stuff: alliances, marriages, overseeing your kingdom. The battles are where tactics come into play.
Here's Double Fine's "core features" bullet points:
- Your story emerges as you defend against attacks, complete quests, and respond to randomized events in your attempt to preserve the kingdom.
- Line of sight and fog of war mechanics come into play as your squad explores beautiful dynamic 3D battlefields where danger may lurk behind any corner.
- Distinct, customizable heroes learn new melee, ranged, and arcane abilities as they age and gain combat experience.
- Arrange marriage alliances to ensure your heroic bloodlines can handle any future combat situation.
- Battle alongside your ancestors by equipping your heroes with uniquely powerful Bloodline Relics.
- Invest your resources in forging new weapons and armor—and gamble on polluting a bloodline by researching dangerous demonic artifacts.
Double Fine has raised just over $670,000 of the $725,000 goal and with 24 days left in the drive, this is looking like a sure thing. Double Fine Adventure, meanwhile, has been renamed Broken Age and is currently in production.
Check out the Kickstarter page here.
Here's the pitch video with the marvelously funny Tim Schafer:
