Our regularly revised feature keeps you up to date on the Kickstarter games worth watching, and helps you track projects both before and after they’re funded.
Welcome to the Kickstarter Compendium, a gathering of games and game-related projects that we’ve come across that deserve your attention. The crowd-funding model for video games has resulted in some interesting new game ideas, and new projects are going up on a weekly basis that deserve your attention.
The only problem is keeping track of it all – what’s worth watching, and what are these different projects about? As an ongoing feature, our Kickstarter Compendium is your guide to games seeking funding through Kickstarter. After funding projects are complete, this feature will also track what games (and game-related projects) got funded and what games didn’t, and where possible, offer links to the projects as they are developed.
Games Seeking Funding
Anima - Gate Of Memories
Developer: Kai Nesbit
Fundraising Goal: $90,000
Funds Due By: January 14, 2013
Anima - Gate of Memories is an action-focused RPG that allows players to freely experience a world brimming with an enticing story and striking characters. Two sould are trapped in a parallel dimension, and must unravel its secrets before they slip into RPG-induced madness. Like other RPGs this generation, the payer's choices will impact other characters, as well as the overall story.
Antharion
Devloper: Orphic Software
Fundraising Goal: $10,000
Funds Due By: January 5, 2013
Antharion is a turn-based combat, party-based game with old school vibes. With a custom party of four and an open world ready to explore, it hearkens back to 16-bt era RPG games. The world contains over 100 dungeons, around 20 cities, and more than 50 monster types to do battle with. Don't forget the 45 unique magic spells either; this game sounds huge.
Developer: HyperSloth
Fundraising Goal: £20,000
Funds Due By: January 2, 2013
In this first-person puzzle/adventure game, you'll take control of a college graduate searching for meaning in his life. Finding solace in studying his dreams, Howard will encounter nightmares as well. Narrative elements from Dear Esther and non-linear gameplay mechanics of Deus Ex both inspired the formula Dream is presenting, putting exploration on a pedestal. Collectibles and multiple game endings promise to extend the longevity of the game.
Forsaken Fortress
Developer:Photon Productions
Fundraising Goal: $100,000
Funds Due By: December 22, 2012
Whats better than a post-apocalyptic world game? A post-apocalyptic world game with base building. In Forsaken Fortress, you'll design and upgrade a base with which to house survivors in. Maintaining the base, interacting between survivors, and scavenging for supplies in the wasteland are all integral ingredients for survival.
The Last Door, Episodic Horror Adventure
Developer: Alejo AC
Fudraising Goal: £3,852
Funds Due By: December 21, 2012
The Last Door is an atmospheric, episodic, horror adventure game with orchestral music used to heighten the mood. Set in the late 19th century, the story draws inspirations from H.P. Lovecraft and Edgar Allen Poe, focusing on a character who arrives at an old friend's house to find that something is seriously wrong in Sussex County. Following the pilot episode, the developer hopes to continue the story with more episodes.
Meriwether: An American Epic
Developer: Sortasoft LLC
Fundraising Goal: $35,000
Funds Due By: January 6, 2013
Based on the titular explorer and his companion William Clark, An American Epic tasks you with forming the Corps of Discovery. Over the course of the historic 28-month journey, you'll lead this band of hunters, explorers, and interpreters on a mission to find an all-water route across the country, form good relations with Native Americans, and map the area as well. The game splits your time between "Lewis" and "Travel" mode. "Lewis" mode will allow you to hunt and interact with characters, while "Travel" requires you to complete part of the famous expedition.
Metacell
Developer: Products for Robots
Fundraising Goal: $35,000
Funds Due By: February 10, 2013
Metacell is a 2D twitch puzzle shooter. Set in an alternate universe, Metacell is the first of a five game saga where new gameplay mechanics will alter the genre with every installment. The sci-fi plot opens on the year 2272. There are two dimensions: the primeverse, where things are structured and logical, or the metaverse, where things don't make sense whatsoever.In order to stop a lurking danger from seeping into the primeverse, you'll need to guide your crew through the dangers of the metaverse.
Pathfinder Online
Developer: Goblinworks Inc.
Fundraising Goal: $1,000,000
Funds Due By: January 14, 2013
Pathfinder Online is designed to encourage human interaction between players. Economics, politics, and diplomacy will all play a huge part in this fantasy world. Originally a tabletop RPG, Pathfinder's world promises exploration and warfare in addition to player interaction. The tabletop RPG roots are influencing much of the character progression, a staple of MMOs. The fundraising goal is massive, but the developer is well on its way to the finish line.
Developer:Subterranean Games
Fundraising Goal: £150,000
Funds Due By: January 3, 2013
Blending the god game of Overlord with the Rts elements of Starcraft, War for the Overworld tasks you with building an empire underground. You'll have a host of units at your command, ready to defy any forces of good that enter your dungeons. Building doors will allow you to control the flow of enemy forces, allowing your minions the chance to swiftly end the valiant knights' lives.
[NEXT UP: Peruse the numerous games that have been successfully funded through Kickstarter, and track their progress after funding is complete]