Finding original games, especially from the bigger game developers, is becoming something of a chore. WWhile Ubisoft and Activision continue to produce annualized franchises that fans don’t seem to want as much anymore, truly original titles can always be found on Kickstarter. Designers and developers on the crowdfunding site are creating new experiences and approaching tired genres from a different angle, holding their begging bowl out to the masses to drum up enough cash to keep the lights on long enough to finish the game. So as we enter the season of giving, here are three projects that could use a helping hand. This time we looked at French-inspired animal courtroom drama Aviary Attorney, haunted house FPS Curse of the Darkness, and comic-book inspired side-scrolling adventure Spectrum.
Project: Aviary Attorney
Genre: Courtroom Puzzle
Platforms: PC (Win, Mac, Linux)
Funding Target: £7,000 ($11,000)
What Is It?
Fans of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney will find this a delight. The game is similar in gameplay to the Nintendo title, but instead the detective is a bird by the name of Monsieur Falcon, dressed up a bit like Sherlock Holmes. The inspiration for the surreal characterisation is found in the works of French caricaturist J.J. Grandville. He was best known for satirical lithographs that appeared in Parisian newspapers in the 19th century, and developer Sketchy Logic has credited him as the lead character designer. To keep the mood of the era, they have employed compositions written by Camille Saint-Saens.
Why Fund It?
The use of artwork that is nearly 200 years old in a modern video game is a stroke of genius, and the way Sketchy Logic has managed to create an entire game true to the era, both in terms of substance and style, is invigorating. Fans of Phoenix Wright would find these extra appealing, and with a low target it is bound to get made, but the more players that donate funds, the more episodes and cases there will be for Monsieur Falcon to solve.
Best Rewards?
- DRM-free copy of the game – £7 ($11)
- Digital copy of game and soundtrack – £15 ($24)
- Game, physical soundtrack, hardcover copy of book – £120 ($189)
- All of the above, plus help design a character (limited to three people) – £500 ($785)
Project: Curse of the Darkness
Genre: FPS Horror
Platforms: PC (Win, Mac, Linux), Xbox One, PS3
Funding Target: $50,000
What Is It?
Curse of the Darkness is a horror FPS that is designed to scare you out of your seat and leave a brown smear as you do so. The game leaps around locations, from a haunted mansion to Mayan ruins, to swamps and even Hell itself. If you want your action story-driven, this is probably not for you, but those seeking gore-filled FPS mayhem should have a look.
Why Fund It?
Yes, it is another FPS, but it is the first FPS ever to be created by a professional haunted house owner (kids, ask your guidance counselor if this is a realistic career choice). The house in question is the Darkness Haunted House in St. Louis, hence the title. It ranks in the top ten scariest haunts across the entire United States of America, so they know a thing or two about how to manipulate your senses. Hopefully that knowledge can transfer over to the video game market.
Best Rewards?
- Copy of the game – $10
- Game plus entry into the Darkness Haunted House – $25
- Game, t-shirt, plus entry into the Darkness Haunted House – $50
Project: Spectrum
Genre: Side-Scrolling Puzzle Platformer
Platforms: PC (Win, Mac), PS4, Xbox One
Funding Target: $10,000 NZD ($7,810)
What Is It?
Inspired by Comix Zone, a cult Sega game released on the Genesis in 1995, Spectrum is a fluid, hand-drawn side-scrolling puzzle platformer that takes place in the pages of a comic book. However, Spectrum has shifted away from ComixZone’s action beat-‘em-up emphasis by placing the focus on puzzles. As well as the usual jumping between platforms, the main character Tadashi, a Japanese computer science student sucked into the titular graphic novel, has the ability to phase between colours. This gift is a key factor in progressing, as he must match the colour of the platform when jumping to it, or fall right through.
Why Fund It?
The comic book art world is beautifully realised and incredibly detailed. It is the result of eight months of hard work by New Zealander Mido Basim. If that were not enough, the game has already been given the thumbs up by the Steam Greenlight community.
Best Rewards?
- DRM-free copy of the game (early bird of 300 copies) – $10 NZD ($8)
- DRM-free copy of the game (after early bird sells out) – $15 NZD ($12)
- Game, digital art book and soundtrack – $25 NZD ($20)
- Previous rewards, plus beta access (limited to 300) – $50 NZD ($39)
- Previous rewards, plus embed your initials in the game world (limited to 50) – $250 NZD ($195)
- Previous rewards, plus design a puzzle within the game (limited to five) – $500 NZD ($390)
- Lifetime fan level includes 10 custom Spectrum 16GB USB sticks, any future games made by the developer, invite to the launch party in Auckland (travel not included), and a handmade Spectrum bracelet (limited to two) – $5,000 NZD ($3905)
Until Next Time…
On that colourful note, we draw another Kickstart This! to a close. We hope you are all enjoying the new format (god knows the editors are!), which was redesigned to offer basic information about the projects. If you are on the fence regarding donating to a game, you can always ask questions directly on the funding board.
