I've already got quite a few projects sponsored (around 25). I went a little mad when I first discovered this project back in March and have funded all of the games I think were worth funding. So far only two have failed to reach their targets (A game wiki and a card based game). There are several that i quite fancy funding, but money is now tight so I've got to decide which I think are the best of the bunch.
The first one called Spate only has until Saturday to reach its goal of $12 000. At present it has $9.797, so still has some way to go. Looking at the video I'm really impressed with the game. The graphics look really good for a platformer.
Here's what the developer has to say:
The game plays very much like the classic platformers of our youth mixed with some interesting new ideas. It's set in a steampunk world where you play as private Detective Bluth. Detective Bluth is hired to track down a businessman who was last seen entering a forbidden zone known as the Xzone. As the story goes on, we learn that Detective Bluth has a secret of his own and we learn that this investigation may mean more to him then just a paycheck.
Some of the things I've focused on from the beginning have been to create a dark, rainy world, that sucks the player In. To make the game feel cinematic but not slow things down. To surround the player with a comedic murder mystery set in a rich steam punk world. And finally, to have familiar controls and gameplay that avoid annoying gimmicks.
HERE's an excellent video showing you some game play.
Pledges range from $5 to $1500 or more. To get a copy of the finished game you'll have to donate $10. The $1500 donation gets you Rewards 1-4, Spate "Backer" Tshirt, plus the games main villain will be made in your likeness, and with your name. I will also take any design input into consideration. Rewards 1 to 4 include the $5, $10, $25 and $30 rewards as well:
$5 Reward:
A unique, hand drawn "Thank You" sketch sent to you in the mail. As well as a Hi-Res "Spate" desktop Wallpaper. Your name will also be added to the games credits. (Estimated delivery June 2012)
$10 Reward:
DRM free copy of Spate, distributed digitally on the PC. (Estimated Delivery: Dec 2012)
$25 Reward:
Early copy of the BETA version of Spate, distributed digitally on the PC. Help shape the game!
$30 Reward:
A digital copy of the games soundtrack!
Here's more info about the game:
Mystery enshrouds newly announced 2.5D platformer, Spate, which meets our gaze with a great gameplay trailer and tempts our wallets with a Kickstarter plea.
For the past year, Eric Provan has been building his own game in Unity and now he’s showing off the results – our reaction is a mix of awe and wonder. Steampunk settings aren’t too uncommon nowadays, what with the popularity of the style, but Spate certainly takes its familiar tropes and makes them its own. There are steamships and peculiar robots of course, but heavy rain and expressionistic creatures lurch around the game’s first trailer too.
There’s a discomforting quiet to the trailer, as someone on YouTube already pointed out, so a backing track may be the only thing missing. Or perhaps the sound of the rain pattering has its own effect. Rather than dwelling on that, have a read of the game’s description below:
“Spate is a 2.5D platformer set in a rich steampunk world. The game plays very much like the classic platformers of our youth mixed with some interesting new ideas. It’s set in a steampunk world where you play as private Detective Bluth. Detective Bluth is hired to track down a businessman who was last seen entering a forbidden zone known as the Xzone. As the story goes on, we learn that Detective Bluth has a secret of his own and we learn that this investigation may mean more to him then just a paycheck. ”
Reference accessed http://www.indiegamemag.com/open-the-floodgates-spate-gameplay-trailer/">HERE
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Cloudberry Kingdom has received $16 037 of the required $20 000. The project needs to be funded the same day as Spate above, i.e. Saturday. with only 3 days to go it's touch and go as to whether either of these projects will make it.
Developers description:
Cloudberry Kingdom is a randomly generated side-scrolling platformer with the ability to cater to your desired level of difficulty through use of a level-designing AI. This AI is capable of building a platformer level, ensuring that it is possible, and obeying our specifications to make sure that it is challenging and fun in general <you can read about the technical details of the AI here>. We have used this AI to create a platformer of epic proportions! Seriously, it’s huge, like, infinite levels huge.
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-6fBVjouPU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBRW5oulxZY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qUmlT-GY-M
Features
Some of the odds and ends that will be making it into Cloudberry Kingdom are listed here. If you can think of something else that sounds cool, message us or put up a comment!
•HUGE campaign!
•Infinite Levels!
•Arcade Mode!
•Leaderboards!
•Custom Level Builder!
•Ability to share levels and challenge friends!
•10+ heroes all with unique physics!
•“Hero Factory”! Design and customize the physics of your hero and have new levels created specifically for that hero!
Why do we need help?
We have thrown everything we have into making this beast of an AI, and not only did it steal our souls, it stole our money. This led to a pretty fun game, with pretty terrible art. Then we got an artist, and came its current state. Now, we’re looking to take the final plunge into making a game that feels like the real deal, smooth animations, great graphics, and some really sexy cut-scenes!
How will the money be used?
What will we do with the funds, exactly, to make this insanity become reality? We'll hire a full time artist to make the game shine in all its glory.
We'll find an animator to help polish the game and make some awesome cinematics. We promise the cinematics will be less ridiculous than our Kickstarter video.
If any money is left over we will probably upgrade our programmer's diet regime from cat food to human food. Maybe.
If the project gets over funded then we will go really crazy. The AI gets more powerful the more obstacles we design for the game. Every time we add a new obstacle the AI quickly learns how to use it and then can immediately start designing levels with it, combining it with any of the other obstacles already in the game. The same is true for heroes. We can design new heroes, with totally new physics and controls, and the AI will figure out how to design levels specifically for that hero. This leads to an awesome combinatorial explosion of insane potential, and the more funding we get the more material we can give to the AI to make really unique levels and a truly awesome experience.
•An AI that is able to adjust the difficulty of the game based upon how you play!
•Bungee Mode!
•Compiled replays of all attempts combined!
•Make your own Campaign! Others can challenge you to your own saved levels!
•Customizable Characters!
•Facial Expressions!
