“If turn-based tactics and feudal fantasy had a lovechild, and that offspring founded a mighty century-spanning dynasty, it would be Massive Chalice.”
It took just five days for Double Fine Productions’ Massive Chalice to meet its Kickstarter funding goal of $725,000. It is now well past $780,000.
Massive Chalice is Double Fine’s latest project. Other titles include Psychonauts, Brütal Legend, and Iron Brigade. Their last one, Broken Age, closed its Kickstarter drive at around $3.3 million. Massive Chalice is currently at 21,000 backers and the number is continually increasing. Clearly they are doing something right.
So what is it about this game that is drawing fans in droves?
Inspired by classics like X-COM, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Fire Emblem, Massive Chalice is a single-player, turn-based, feudal fantasy that places equal weight on strategy and tactics. That alone might have worked, but the Kickstarter page also makes an allusion to Game of Thrones that may well have something to do with the incredible rise in popularity.
Massive Chalice boasts a system of dynasties, of noble houses nurturing heroes, much like the beloved book and TV series. The game is built to be replayable, with each playthrough beginning with a randomized assortment of heroes to keep each session unique.
It also features multi-generational campaigns that allow you to grow and train your dynasties to protect your kingdom from demonic invasions. Pick your heroes, decide when it’s time to retire them (or keep them fighting till death!) and nurture the next generation of nobles. For lovers of epic fantasy looking to recreate your favorite battle scenes, this is the game.
The game’s Kickstarter page doesn’t list any stretch goals. It explains why:
“We’re asking for the minimum amount to make an awesome game, and the game’s scope will grow based on the amount of total backing we receive. There will be ongoing conversations with the community as new features are considered, so stay tuned and let us know what you’d like to see in the game.”
Double Fine wants to focus on the product itself and work alongside fans to keep improving the game’s scope. It immerses eager fans in the development process by rewarding backers in various ways: one of them allows those who donate $100 or more to design their own house and legacy to be placed in the game.
Brad Muir, project lead for Massive Chalice, talked to GamesIndustry International about the interactive fan experience:
“With this, we really want people to feel like they’re getting in from the very beginning. Their feedback will be listened to. We haven’t made all of the decisions yet. It’s cooler. They feel like they’re more a part of the process and they can see it take shape, as opposed to a lot of these other games.”
Fans will also get to see a series of behind-the-scenes footage chronicling the creation of Massive Challice. It will be filmed by 2 Player Productions and will be available for free viewing online. Other game merch is available as well, and of course, there are some enticing goodies for backers.
Massive Chalice was built with Double Fine’s 3D in-house Buddha Engine and is set for a September 2014 release on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
