Video game projects on Kickstarter are a dime-a-dozen, but it's not every day that a game offers to give players the chance to play as legendary game designers like Hideo Kojima, Tim Schafer and Cliff Bleszinski. That is, however, exactly what Dawn of the Devs aims to do.
Here's how the developers at Underdog Studios describe the project:
"Dawn of the Devs is a 2D puzzle platformer where three game industry gurus (Tom Schiffer, Biff Klozinski and Hiro Komiya) embark on an epic quest after they are drawn into the Wicked World of Gaming, an alternate world where every negative aspect of the game industry has come to life thanks to the dark arts of a sinister character," reads the game's Kickstarter page. "Together they'll have to combine their unique abilities while they journey through twisted lands, defeating enemies and solving puzzles to rid the World of Gaming from the menace that has risen and threatens to destroy the game industry forever."
Each developer boasts special abilities that relate to their real-world video game designer counterparts. Hiro Komiya, for example, can use a cardboard box to sneak past enemies, just like Solid Snake from Kojima's Metal Gear Solid series. Schiffer grants players the ability to use an adventure game cursor and inventory system to solve problems, a throwback to Schafer's long history working on adventure games at Lucasarts. Klozinski uses a chainsaw-equipped assault rifle that looks just like the Lancer from Gears of War, the series Bleszinski is best known for creating at Epic Games.
Together, the three will have to overcome a satirical video game world filled with internet trolls, fanboys, Pirate Bay pirates and Meta-Critic cultists. It's all tongue-in-cheek, but also looks like it actually does have something clever to say about the current hot topics of the video game industry.
Underdog Studios says the game is about paying homage to the great developers that have inspired so many.
"We are making this game as a love letter to all those game developers who have given us so many unforgettable moments with their games, from the bottom of our hearts and with the uttermost respect for their figures and background," reads the game's Kickstarter page. "Many of them have inspired us to get into the game industry; some others have enlightened us to improve every day, while some others are a role model for many game developers. We really wanted to make homage to all these minds behind unique worlds, characters and universes that we have enjoyed in so many unforgettable experiences."
The game is currently seeking $65,000, and has raised over $3,000. Pledging $10 to the campaign will snag backers a digital copy of the game, but only if you act quickly. Only 240 early bird backer rewards are left, at which point, backers will have to pledge $15 to get a digital copy of the game upon release. Should the game exceed its funding goal and enter stretch goal territory, Underdog Studios is also looking to add developers like Peter Molyneux, Gabe Newell and Shigeru Miyamoto to the mix.
