LAST CALL FOR FUNDING: Hover: Revolt of Gamers, The Universim, and More

The thing I like about the Last Call is that I get to present many different crowdfunding campaigns. Unfortunately, with the guidelines we set for this, there will be a few that slip through the cracks. Last week, there were a pair of projects that were being planned for the game-starved Wii U that unfortunately did not meet our criteria: the tactical action game Salvaged from Opposable Games and the action adventure Source from Fenix Fire. Both were above our $20,000 (USD) low-goal cap but below the 50% funding threshold.

This week, we have two other games that are interesting but will slip through the cracks. The first is Harmonix’s Amplitude. Yes, it’s that Harmonix. The guys who brought the world Guitar Hero, Rock Band, and Dance Central attempted a crowdfunding campaign with a lofty but potentially reachable goal of $775,000 to bring an updated Amplitude, originally developed for the PS2, to the PS3 and PS4. Unfortunately, with less than a week left, the campaign has yet to hit the halfway point.

The second is a 3D action platformer called Clive and the Stones. The goal here was more modest at £25,000, but the game has only been able to raise about £500—a bit sad because not only would it have been on the game-starved Wii U, but the concept looked good. It’s a bit rough and needs to be smoothed out a bit, but it looked good.

So, sad to say, these will not appear on our list. But we still have quite the list to get to. And just like before, you can use the quick navigation tool at the top and bottom of each page to check out all the projects.

Halfway There

Arkis Vir

• Goal: $10,000
• Platforms: Windows, Mac OS, Linux

From the Kickstarter page:

Arkis Vir is a turn-based strategy game with the goal of bringing the best qualities of 4X board games to the computer. Inspired by popular board games such as Twilight Imperium and Eclipse, we are looking to bring a similar experience to the video game world. To accomplish this, we are building an e-sports platform on 4X games that will be accessible to those that are new to the genre, as well as challenge veteran players by giving them competition from around the world. Arkis Vir contains a mix of traditional turn-based strategy mechanics, and Euro mechanics, to bring you fast-paced yet in-depth matches that can be finished in one sitting.

Choose one of four races and capitalize on their unique abilities to outlast, outrun, outfight, or outsmart your opponents. Experiment with a variety of technologies to catch your enemies off guard, or stick with your tried-and-true tech combos. Test different play styles to find your niche, but no matter which technique you choose, you must conquer the galaxy.

You can also check out Arkis Vir on Steam Greenlight.

DIESELSTÖRMERS

• Goal: $50,000
• Platforms: Windows, Mac OS, and Linux; plans for Xbox One, PS4, and Wii U

From the Kickstarter page:

DieselStörmers is a furious run & gun game that follows the inhabitants of Ravensdale taking back their city from a rampaging ork horde. On release, the game will have a story/campaign mode that allows you to pick among a range of different missions with varying difficulties, objectives and parameters.

You can play in singleplayer mode or with up to four teammates in co-op multiplayer mode to enable additional team strategies like energy arcs between players, team upgrades, complementing shot patterns and the parallel use of environmental objects. Co-op at its best.

It should be noted that the developers of this project, Black Forest Games, attempted to fund this project last year, missing their $500,000 goal by $72,000. They also developed and successfully crowdfunded the well-received Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams.

Exogenesis ~Perils of Rebirth~

• Goal: $32,000
• Platforms: Steam, Windows, Mac OS, Linux

From the Kickstarter page:

It’s 2069. Yudai Sayashi’s ragtag club of “treasure hunters” (referred to as looters by those who know them), Durchhalten, was closer to real treasure than they’d ever been before. Overly eager, Yu’s sister Miho ran carelessly towards the vault, triggering a trap that killed her.

Two years later, Yu comes across a startling discovery. The mythical Noah’s Ark, borne of legend by those who believe the Old World can be restored, turns out to be a real thing.

With the help of the kid genius Toshio, Yu learns about the existence of the Lazarus Protocol inside Noah’s Ark – a system that can recreate anything from the past – a machination developed during the time when humanity’s survival was uncertain. Using the Ark, Yu believes Miho can be brought back to life.

Before setting out to find the Ark, however, Yu wants to reunite the now defunct Durchhalten. The group had disbanded after the tragic incident two years ago, and he wants everyone to be there when Miho opens her eyes once more.

It should be noted that Exogenesis was approved by the Steam Greenlight community in a blistering 7 days. A demo for the game is available on the Kickstarter page.

Trial of Trails

• Goal: $2,500
• Platform: Windows with stationary bike

From the Kickstarter page:

Welcome to the world of Trails! Trails is a fantasy land filled with strange places, interesting people, and frightening beasts. What makes Trial of Trails special is how the game’s overworld is designed. Instead of pushing a joystick to cross endless landscapes, players must bike the real-world distance between towns by riding on a stationary bike. Of course, all is not well in Trails. Monsters are attacking at a steadily increasing rate. Roads are no longer safe. The mountains are teeming with creatures. What force could be behind this madness?

Trial of Trails aims to take exercise and turn it into the kind of grand adventure that RPG fans love and crave. The story unfolds and is paced in such a way that players should feel compelled to get back on their bikes each night – a desire that many find difficult to apply to fitness. There are quests to complete, loot to collect, and monsters to slay. Like any RPG, it takes many hours to complete. The difference this time, is that instead of hours on the couch or hunched in front of a computer, players will be exercising for hours each week.

The Universim

• Goal: $320,000
• Platform: Windows, Mac OS, Linux

From the Kickstarter page:

The team’s deepest desire and ultimate inspiration is to create a game that we, and the community, want to play. We want to create a game that is just as unique as it is entertaining; something that will always keep you coming back for more. The Universim aims to unleash you upon the universe with the powers of a god to begin forging your galactic empire in the stars. The ability to play as a god gives you unparalleled power, but unlike other god-games, you cannot interact directly with your population in the game. However, you can influence their decisions and change the way in which your civilization evolves. It is up to you to decide which technology path they follow and what kind of research they undertake-you have the power to shape their future. Instead of taking control of a static game world that awaits your every command, life will go on as you would expect. You are effectively taking control of a living simulation. Like a ball of clay on a potter’s wheel, the world will keep spinning, but you will be there to mould it to your liking. Although, the ball of clay may or may not slap your hand away at times.