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Quest for Glory creators join with Brawsome to launch Kickstarter for Hero-U
Corey and Lori Cole are the creators of Quest for Glory, a highly regarded series of role-playing adventure games that first arrived in 1989 and then continued as a series of sequels through 1998. Now, the couple is planning another game called Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption, and they've taken to Kickstarter to try and raise $400,000 to make it.That's a tidy sum, but this is a substantial project: Not only are the Coles developing the title, but Australian game developer Brawsome is on board as well, having recently released its own puzzle/RPG game, MacGuffin's Curse. Hero-U is set to play like a tactical, top-down RPG, but it is also supposed to include the charm, puzzles, and story that the Coles and their games are known for.If you're interested in contributing, the team is offering most of the usual Kickstarter bonuses, from a simple digital copy of the game and soundtrack, all the way up to the chance to get a personal D&D adventure from the Coles, or to appear in or help out with Hero-U's design yourself. The team's got about $290K left to earn and 26 days to get there, but given the pedigree of the folks behind this one we'd guess their chances are better than most.
Sword of Fargoal 2 and the iControlPad 2 both head to Kickstarter
Two big followup iPhone projects are looking to Kickstarter for funding. First up, the developers of Sword of Fargoal 2 have launched a US$50,000 campaign. The first game in that series was a relatively early hit on iPhone. The sequel has a much larger scope and is expected to hit several platforms, including iOS. Supporters can get copies of the game's soundtrack, extra versions of the title or see their name in the game or a song. I imagine this project will be funded before long. Meanwhile, the people behind The iControlPad are working on a second version of the popular iOS controller. They've launched a $150,000 Kickstarter campaign, which is a not insignificant goal, but you can get a version of the finished product for as little as $69. More generous backers can pick up better versions of the controller, which is supposed to eventually include not just controls for iOS (and other Bluetooth) devices, but also a full keyboard, and a number of other buttons. It seems like a nice device. While $150k might be a little high, the controller's popularity will probably get it funded. Both of these projects come from solid backgrounds and sound very cool. We look forward to seeing just how both of these fundraising efforts come out.
Tex Murphy gets a Kickstarter page for Project Fedora
The rumored Tex Murphy Kickstarter has been confirmed, to the tune of $216,000 (out of $450k as of this writing). That's how much creators Chris Jones and Aaron Conners have put together already to make the long-awaited "Project Fedora," the next in the cult classic series of full motion video sci-fi noir titles.You can get a copy of the (eventual) game just by backing at the price of $15, and there are lots of other rewards for higher payments, including a collector's edition, new commentary for the old Tex Murphy games, and even the chance to beta test and be in the game itself. The creators say that the game will have full-motion video, but it will also include a 3D game world, with branching paths of story to follow. As Tex says in the wild Kickstarter video, "it's hat-in-hand time," so go over and give if you want to get in early.
Deepworld launches Kickstarter project to help fund a Mac beta
When I first met the guys making Deepworld, a 2D sandbox-style building game similar to Minecraft, at GDC in March, I told them that the project would be bigger than they thought. They do have extensive experience developing software and servers, but running a game this big requires a significant investment. It looks like they now agree. The game has spawned a Kickstarter project to try and raise some early funds for servers and development. The group is offering several prizes to supporters, including your own personal servers and worlds, art books and other swag, plus the possibility of getting your own items, name, or even pictures in the game itself. The goal is US$20,000, overall, and as of this writing, the guys have raised about $4,000. They say they want to take the project full-time, and this money will help them do that. I definitely wish them well. Deepworld looks good, and as I said when I first saw it, the Mac (and iOS) would benefit from a game like this.
Lost Pages of Taborea: Gotta catch 'em all
What an incredible expansion Chapter III: The Elder Kingdoms is turning out to be! In addition to the awesomeness of the new two-seated mounts and the new instance, Runes of Magic also received surprisingly large new gameplay features. Yes, I'm talking about the new pet system that seemed to be overshadowed during the advertising of The Warnorken Castle, but is no less exciting than Warnorken Arena, for which the patch was named. The pet system is so large in scope that it renewed the initial wonder and excitement I had when I first logged in to RoM and saw all the uniquely deep elements it began with. Finding, naming, and caring for pets is an entire game unto itself that bleeds into -- and feeds -- other aspects of RoM as well. It's Pokemon meets Digimon meets MMO, and it's delivered to you by the Easter Bunny. Hop past the jump to reveal all the inner workings of this awesome new system.
