I know some of you may be expecting an April Fool’s Joke out of me today. Well to that I say this: I’m lazy and not that creative. Don’t raise your expectations of me. What you can expect? Some awesome new Kickstarter projects! And this time around, they’re not all gaming-centric. Let’s run through a few ideas that could be worth backing!
Dragon Fin Soup
Why it’s Cool
Well if you can’t tell already, this isn’t a tabletop game. This my friends, is a straight-up video game, all ready for me and my thumbs. (That sentence came out weirder than anticipated.) Brought to us by Grimm Bros, Dragon Fin Soup is a top-down, turn-based tactical RPG starring Red Robin, a “cheerful yet raging alcoholic that makes a living as a sword for hire and bounty hunter in a remote country village.” YES. I’m in. Furthermore, I love the art direction this game has taken. It’s adorable as hell and hearkens back to those old school RPG’s without using the “retro” look as a reason for terrible graphics. This game will be PRETTY.
Price Points
At only $5 backers will receive the Dragon Fin soundtrack and HD wallpapers. And that’s the only level at which you don’t also get the game itself. At $15 and up, you get a copy of the game on your system of choice: Steam, PC, Mac, Linux, PS3, PS4, or PS Vita. (They’re supporting Sony Cross-Buy too. They’re great.) Distinguishing those levels are a slew of digital and physical add-on’s, ranging from gorgeous prints to in-game pets/familiars to having your name as a ghost or monster. Higher up the rewards border on ridiculous (or awesome), with engraved cystals, fancy music boxes, or having an NPC in the game based on you.
Status
Dragon Fin Soup is already a go with nine days left in the campaign! Their first stretch goal of $50,000 unlocked an endless Labyrinth mode as well as accounted for the porting costs to PS-systems. (Which meant your humble host was all-in.) Further stretch goals include new weapon sets, a new playable character, and more in-game content. If you want a copy of Dragon Fin Soup in April of 2015, all you need to do is plop down $15 now. (Man that’s a long ways away.)
Funding period ends: April 11th
Dungeon Dwellers
Why it’s Cool
S2 Adventures has put together Dungeon Dwellers, a cooperative (but competitive) card game that simulates a dungeon crawl. Two to four players take control of one of these familiar RPG classes: the Warrior, the Priest, the Mage, and the Rogue while exploring three levels of a dungeon. It’s a cooperative effort in that all players have to survive the boss fights in order to not lose the game, but only one player can actually “win,” based on whoever has gathered the most gold for themselves throughout the adventure. The CG artwork is clean and effective, but really shines on the few monster card examples that are shown.
Price Points
For $10, backers can get a Print and Play version of the game that includes all stretch goals. From there the price goes up to $45 for an physical copy of the game (which includes a whopping 438 cards before stretch goals). Upper tiers include physical rewards like a Gripmat or a T-Shirt, and other price points come with the reward of naming one of the seven bosses.
Status
Dungeon Dwellers is a go with plenty of time left in the funding period to hit several of its stretch goals. So give it a look!
Fund period ends: April 22nd
Blue Dungeon Tiles
Why it’s Cool
Because dear god they will instantly become the most useful component for any tabletop RPG you run from here until the end of time. These dungeon tiles (designed by the ingenius Kevin Chenevert) feature a corridor design (of various types and configurations) on one side and a blank grid on the other. They can be drawn on with dry-erase, wet-erase, and permanent markers, allowing you to get specific with your dungeon mapping. The basic sets come enclosed in a plastic case, which has room for all 48 tiles as well as a marker.
Price Points
For $6 you’ll receive a tile “sampler,” with one of each of the eight 4″x4″ tiles. From there it shoots to $30 for the basic set, which includes 48 tiles. This point also includes a variety of stretch goals, including more template expansion sets (stairwells, rounded corners) as well as cut-outs of fantasy/tech decor to accentuate your maps. Increased donor levels essentially increase your number of tiles, giving you ultimate flexibility in your design. Be sure to look over the rewards and specifics of each tier before buying. (I got a little confused.)
Status
Oh, this is totes a go. It has 21 days left on its clock and already has nearly 500 backers. So just go get yourself a set and became the best (or most-equipped) Dungeon Master possible.
Funding period ends: April 22nd
Carbon Fiber RPG Dice Caddy
Why it’s Cool
Because you need a better way to transport dice. I mean it. No more lugging around a giant velvet bag filled with a pound o’ dice every time you travel to someone’s place for an RPG. This carbon fiber tube is durable and sleek, providing a stylish means of conveyance for your favorite set of polyhedrals. Lance came up with this idea for a larger-in-diameter tube after feedback from his first Kickstarter, the Carbon Fiber Cache.
Price Points
This is pretty simple. Now that the early bird period is over, $24 will snag you one of these dice caddies. It’s a little on the pricey side, but carbon fiber ain’t cheap.
Status
The Carbon Fiber Dice Caddy project is already 300% funded, so it’s a go! There’s no stretch goals, so all you’re really doing here is buying a high-quality case for your precious dice.
Funding period ends: April 18th
The Dead
Why it’s Cool
Written by James Maddox, “The Dead is a comic series that brings the tale of what happens after you die.” Yeah, I’m down with that, Sounds like an indie book to me! The finished collection will be a 170-page graphic novel (six issues) that tells Maddox’s original story, with the possibility of more based on the success of this campaign. Partnered with the gorgeous artwork of Jen Hickman, The Dead looks to have real shelf-worthy potential. And don’t you want to support new independent works and stuff?
Price Points
$5 nabs you a PDF copy of issue one, while $10 gets you a digital version of the entire first volume. After that, things get physical. $20 buys the full trade paperback. Higher tiers include swag (t-shirt, pin), signed/sketched on copies, and commissioned artwork by Hickman.
Nope. Not creepy at all.
Status
The Dead is a go! Now all that’s left are to help it hit its stretch goals, which add more content to the books as well as increase the number of copies in their print order.
Funding period ends: April 24th
And that’s it for this edition of the Kickstarter Kabinet! Keep your eyes on the future folks. It’s looking awfully fun.
