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The globe stops spinning in RPG Earthlock for PC, next-gen
Snowcastle Games recently achieved its funding goals on Kickstarter for Earthlock: Festival of Magic, the developer's turn-based RPG for PC, Mac, Linux, Wii U, PS4 and Xbox One. As the first of three chapters planned for the JRPG-inspired saga, Snowcastle earned $178,193 on the funding platform and will continue to accept donations for the game on its website to achieve its numerous stretch goals. The game is set on the planet Umbra, which "mysteriously stopped spinning ages ago." Players guide a scavenger known as Amon as he tracks down a warlock's army, stopping regularly at Amon's home Plumpet Island to farm for magical items used during battles. The turn-based battles also feature a pairing system in which attackers are directly matched with healing specialists known as protectors. Previously known only as Festival of Magic, the game turned up on Kickstarter in November before Snowcastle canceled the campaign in December. It was also shown off by Nintendo in a Wii U montage video in August. Snowcastle is planning to launch the game in Q1 2015 on PC, Mac and Linux with console launches planned for the following quarter. [Image: Snowcastle Games]
Festival of Magic wants to turn farmers into warriors [Update]
Update: Game Director Bendik Stang sent us an email clarifying that Jorgen Klubien's current contribution to Festival of Magic is more as a mentor to Snowcastle Games' art team and that he would only get directly involved should the game get funded. The visual look of Festival of Magic is largely determined by Art Director Frits Olsen and Concept Artist Fredrik Tyskerud. We've updated the language of our original post below to reflect this change. Festival of Magic combines turn-based combat with farming mechanics tossed, all wrapped up in a familiar JRPG-inspired bow. Developer Snowcastle Games is currently seeking $250,000 to finish it up on Kickstarter. The story, which was written by comic scribe Magnus Aspli, focuses on a village, its sorceress governor and a warlock who has stolen her life force. As young Amon, players must track down the warlock's army and revitalize the withering sorceress in the process. Art Director Frits Olsen and Concept Artist Fredrik Tyskerud will handle the visual look of the game, though should Festival of Magic get funded, Snowcastle Games hopes to tap Nightmare Before Christmas and Lion King artist Jorgen Klubien for his talents. The game world, Umbra, is one where magic and technology flourished side-by-side. Plumpet Island, the home base for Amon, serves as a hub and farming retreat – there players will grow magical plants that are used for battle. Combat is handled through a pairing mechanic where warrior characters are teamed up with protector characters. We caught our first glimpse of Festival of Magic during a Wii U indie games montage, but the game is also coming to PC, Mac and Linux. It's already made it through the Steam Greenlight gauntlet and the developer is keen on bringing the game to Xbox One and PS4 – granted it gets funded in the next 24 days.
