Back in the 90s, Sensible Software supplied plenty of titles that became classics, including Cannon Fodder, Mega Lo Mania and Sensible Golf. This time around, founder of the software house Jon Hare has decided to work on the spiritual successor of Sensible Soccer, calling it Sociable Soccer.
The new title isn't exactly Sensible Soccer, as Codemasters still own the license for it, but based on the released images, it'll live up to the name.
"Codemasters is entitled to do what they like with Sensible Soccer. It's their license now. I understand why people associate me with it, because I designed it. But I can't control that license any more. And I've not been able to for 16 years," Hare tells Eurogamer in an interview.
Sociable Soccer will retain its familiar bird's eye view angle, and it will feature a range of camera viewpoints similar to those in FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer.
On top of those, it'll have cross-platform online multiplayer support, which means that players can go toe-to-toe on the field on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. Also, in the spirit of modern games, it'll feature customizable avatars and clan-based online leagues. The game will have more than 500 National, Club and Custom teams, including more than 10,000 researched player names too.
"Competing with FIFA and PES requires much more than just a remake, it needs a different take on football games altogether, blending the instant playability of yesteryear with the power of modern technology," Hare says on Sociable Soccer's Kickstarter page.
Backers can pledge £12 (about $18) to get their hands on the game early. Pledges also range from £15 (about $23) all the way up to a whopping £5,000 (about $7,616), with rewards from the access to development updates and a digital copy of the game to a trip to Finland with Hare to meet the development team, including reindeer, beer and many more.
Sociable Soccer's goal is set to £300,000 ($456,960) with about a month left, and if it meets its target amount before then, the game will be released on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC and Steam in 2016.