Episode 14: Epic Card Game and We Happy Few! June 16, 2015
We're back, because we couldn't stand to think you'd miss these Kickstarters!
Welcome back to Fanboy on Kickstarter, the column that tries to clue you into the can't-miss fanboy fantastic opportunities in the world of crowd sourcing. I only publish when I can find products that meet two simple criteria 1) I've actually invested in the project and 2) I think it's a unique, valuable, and inexpensive project for Fanboys to similarly fund. For more information, check out the archive!
It's been a while. Frankly I've not been this excited about Kickstarter projects for a while. But these two are sure to entice you to support what are sure to be some very memorable projects.
OK, enough preamble, let's get on to the games!
We Happy Few
Funding Ends July 4, 2015
Aren't dystopias the greatest? Something about wandering about in a society where there's something just not quite right with everyone but you. Do you try to fit in? Do you try to fight your way out. And what about the whole mystery of it's origins, it's destiny, and whether you can prevent all that from happening...
We Happy Few is one of those vacation spots I can't wait to visit. A whole town of happy drug-taking, mime-faced, colorful, deadly citizens who are all that stand between me and, well, who knows?
A deadly set of circumstances, you literally need to find ways to survive in this green and insanely pleasant land. The Bobbies are apparently way too happy to show you why they don't need guns, and the citizens are right there with them on the mayhem meter.
Will you find your way out? Will you sucumb to the alure of the drugs that will make you another of "We Happy Few?"
There's only one way to find out. Join this kickstarter!
Still not sold? You obviously need to watch the TV a little...
OK, now that you're obviously sold, let's look at the stats, because we're still sensing some resistance!
Name
We Happy Few from Compulsion Games
Summary
Adventure in a dystopian village, survival game with just enough twisted socialization you may have trouble dealing with "real" society when you take a break.
Sweet Spot Donor Level
Pledge $30 for the Downer Tier - Game on Steam and T-Shirt
Funding Status
OK, they're still short of the $201,353 (?) goal but that's where you come in. Remember, if they don't make their goal, you're not out any money yourself. It simply doesn't fund.
Background
As they say:
"Indie game developer, makers of the game Contrast. We're based in an old gramophone factory that only leaks sometimes. We want to create interesting, fun games that are out of the ordinary. We like to think of ourselves as craftsmen, who create games that we love and are proud of."
So if you're a fan The Prisoner, Wayward Pines, or the works of Philip K. Dick, you will have trouble not getting your ticket to the village of We Happy Few!
Epic Card Game
Funding Ends June 30, 2015.
OK, the Epic Card Game Kickstarter is already funded, in fact it funded 12 hours after it was announced.
Why so fast?
Well, Robert Dougherty was one of the designers of Ascension, one of the first groundbreaking deck building games ever. His last Kickstarter produced a gem of a game called Star Realms. An incredibly portable deck building game for two players, very addicting, and oh yeah - it was named Table Top Game of the Year at SXSW and won 4 Golden Geek awards and others. The App version of Star Realms has been converted to Android, iOS, and Windows OS. And take it from me, it's a perfect game that you should look into as well.
This is your chance to get in on the next Dougherty card game, if only for the bragging rights, and the cost is so incredibly low! But let's check out the game first, because if the game isn't great it doesn't matter who created it.
Let's take a look at their promotional video...
So the game is an incredible value, 120 cards plus tokens for only $15. But they didn't skimp on the art, it's magnificent. Check out these samples!
OK, now that we've sold you on the value, and the beauty, let's look at the stats, because that's what we do here!
Name
Epic Card Game
Summary
All the great play of a trading card game, without the high cost and hard to find cards. Two to four players, 128 cards in a box for $15 is a deal you don't see very often.
Sweet Spot Donor Level
The $15 level is great if you just want the base game. If you're typically a collector, $20 gets you an additional 12 promotional cards that won't be generally available.
Funding Status
They're funded. Almost 6x their goal. This is a solid project.
Background
In 1994 Rob dropped out of college to pursue his life long passion: games. He opened the iconic Your Move Games stores, and led the store's legendary professional team which created a slew of Hall of Fame Magic players. Rob went on to run events in New England for Wizards of the Coast and to create his own games. Rob was inducted into the Magic Pro Tour Hall of Fame in 2006. Since then he's founded, designed and created games like Ascension, EpicTCG, and the now legendary Star Realms.
So much value, so much beauty, I am counting the days until I get this myself! This has my highest recommendation.
That's it for this episode. Again, send us your feedback and your own Kickstarter picks via the Fanboy Planet Facebook page!
Note: For simplicity's sake, these articles typically refer to delivery conditions and pricing within the US. Most Kickstarter projects handle world-wide delivery, which you can review on the individual project pages.
