G3 Studios unveils THORVALLA© on Kickstarter
Computer game legend Guido Henkel returns with a brand new role-playing game; Fans can contribute to help create new gaming universe
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. – The future of computer gaming took another giant leap forward today with renowned game content creator G3 Studios premiering their new computer role-playing game THORVALLA. In addition, the official Kickstarter campaign for THORVALLA launched today, allowing the fans to directly help raise the funds necessary to develop and produce the game.
Legendary computer RPG designer Guido Henkel returns to the industry as the driving force behind THORVALLA. With almost 30 years of experience in the computer games industry, Henkel has designed and worked on such landmark titles as Planescape: Torment, Realms of Arkania: Blade of Destiny, Realms of Arkania: Star Trail, Realms of Arkania: Shadows over Riva, Fallout 2, Neverwinter Nights and many others. Virtually all of his games have been cited and honored with awards across the globe, cementing his reputation as one of the industry’s premier computer RPG designers.
“THORVALLA is a game I’ve wanted to make for some time,” says Henkel, “but the state of the computer games industry was such that I simply did not feel there was a way to properly bring the concept to life.”
With the advent of crowd-funding and the rise of Kickstarter in particular, the tables have now turned, enabling content creators to stay true to their artistic visions without the corporate pressures and interests of traditional game publishing.
“Kickstarter brings the fans and the creative people closer together,” Henkel adds, “and for the first time in 20 years, I feel that there is an opportunity to make a game for the fans, with the fans.”
THORVALLA conjures up images of Nordic origin, but that is only the beginning as the project’s Art Director Thu-Lieu Pham points out. “The game incorporates many real world influences. Although it is a high fantasy setting, we are trying to make use of world mythologies and civilizations. While some of it is Nordic, the game universe also features tribal people, much like Native Indians, as well as societies that resemble the rich Asian cultures.”
Naturally, the game will also feature more traditional fantasy elements, including orcs and goblins, as well as an expansive magic system that enriches the world and the player’s abilities. With the help of veteran game designer Neal Hallford, whose credits include games such as Betrayal at Krondor, Might & Magic III: Isles of Terra, Planet's Edge, Champions of Norrath, Lords of Everquest, and Dungeon Siege, the world of Thorvalla will be alive with creatures, rich with lore and ripe with opposing factions.
THORVALLA also reinvents the mechanics of role-playing. “It is time to think outside the box a little,” noted Henkel. “For me, much of the attraction of this project comes from the fact that I can try out some unique new ideas that will help set the game apart from what we have seen in the genre so far. Who says that role-playing outcomes have to be determined by dice rolls, necessarily? What if we applied a bit more tactics, instead?”
In addition to funding THORVALLA through Kickstarter, G3 Studios is also using the official www.thorvalla.com website for fans to contribute to the project through Paypal.
For more information, visit the Kickstarter campaign at www.kickstarter.com or check out the official website at www.thorvalla.com
Still pledged some $$, but we shall see how it turns out. I'm afraid most potential bakers are already have been bled dry.
