This is my project that I've been working on for almost 4 years and now I need your help to finish it because I can't do it alone.
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<--- DOWNLOAD the PREVIEW VERSION on Itch.io --->
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----------- The games has been GREENLIT -------------
To thank you all for your amazing support we're adding +1 digital copy of the game to every pledge that grants you a copy. Eg. 10€ = 2 digital copies of the game.
Thank you!
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Lead the Courier and finish the delivery, but be wary of the cursed and long forgotten crypts. You will have to learn how to use the magic torch to your advantage - to solve puzzles, dodge, or lure enemies into traps and explore dark places without loosing your flame. Do you have tremendous courage to finish the delivery?
PUBLIC MENTIONS & AWARDS
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FEATURES
- Ambiental and carefully hand-crafted maps full of puzzles & secrets
- Magic torch - light your path, scare off the enemies, solve puzzles...
- Deadly traps & rich treasures
- Simple yet appealing story with a twist
- Beautiful pixelated graphics
- Music and visuals for perfect ominous ambient
- World map with secret maps to unlock
- Perfection system
- Achievements
- Full controller support
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STORY
Enter the story of a young and mischievous fella' on his first work day at the Pony Delivery Service. This is the Courier.
His first errand is simple, take a letter to the guardian of the crypts. But like in every story, something must go wrong. The Courier is determined to finish his delivery despite all the dangers lurking down in the crypts but it may be a much longer journey than he ever imagined.
Lead the Courier through the ominous crypts full of mysteries and forgotten secrets. Regardless of the dangers you'll face you have to make sure the letter is delivered. Don't be afraid though, for you won't be going alone...
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Your best friend is a magic torch which will guard you from the forsaken souls and illuminate the darkest pathsbefore you. Be aware though for the torch needs to feed otherwise its flame will vanish and you may get lost forever.
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TORCH MECHANICS
The main aspect of the game is a magic torch that you wield. Environment will react to it's flames in different ways so it will be common for you to toggle the flame on and off throughout the game. Some enemies will leave you alone while others will try to extinguish the torch. It's up to you to learn all about them and use that knowledge to your advantage. Some enemies you can lure into traps, or sneak past them. And will you let the Dark Moths drink your light or let them attack you? There are also riddles in the dark that only magic flame reveals. Enemies and puzzles should not be your main worry though. You must keep your torch filled with magic flame at all times or fall prey to the dark spirits. Use your torch wisely and look after its flame.
EXPLORATION & BACKSTORY
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As you progress through the game, you'll find more about the sect of cultists that was operating down the crypts. Or does it still? It's up to you to explore the dark places and learn their forgotten secrets. Read the books and parchments left behind as you delve deeper and deeper down the crypts.
Reading the scripts is not required to complete the maps, but you may miss secret areas and puzzle hints. Maps will be filled witch secret rooms and corridors for you to explore but first you need to find them. How? You can find tips in the writings lying around or you may go deeper into the darkness and watch for hidden switches and other clues.
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AMBIENT
We are working really hard to create the best ambient that we can. We want players to enjoy just being there in the game and feel the crypts around them. Lights, sounds, music and events are repeatedly pieced together until everything feels perfect.
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ENVIRONMENTS
The world is seperated into three episodes. Each episode will take the Courier deeper down the crypts and unlock new gameplay elements, enemies and puzzles. Each episode will also feature a unique theme with one extra sub-theme. The fact that the game is happening down the crypts shouldn't confuse you, the underground hides much more than some graves and dusty scrolls.
REPLAY VALUE
Each level will have secrets and relics just begging to be found, but most of the time that won't be an easy job. This offers an extra challenge and you may soon find yourself searching for perfection points in each map. Some maps will also have alternative endings, unlocking secret maps for you to enjoy. Your efforts put in exploration will be rewarded.
Secret places also offer rich treasures which can be used for...
UPGRADES & MAP UNLOCKS
Somewhere in the game you'll be able to use your money to buy some small upgrades from ghosts like increased number of hearts or slower flame consumption. You can also use gold coins at the friendly spirits found around the secret places which will unlock extra maps.
There is this Ferryman on the Swamp of Sprits, for example, which will take you to the other side (unlocking the map) but the ride won't be for free.
Unlocking extra maps won't be mandatory to finish the game though. For true explorers and perfectionists there's a lot to do in the game so make sure you grab all the shinnies you can find on your way.
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We put a lot of thought into how the Courier of the Crypts should sound. Like visuals the sound has
changed over the years of development. Originally we had music playing throughout the game but
we realized that it didn`t work as we hoped it would. We scratched that idea and started working on
a new concept. We came up with the idea of not having music at all but rather have some short
musical segments or stingers that let the player know on what is happening sound wise. Therefore
you will hear a distinct music piece when boss battle starts or when you find a particular secret.
The whole game will be driven by soundscapes as we feel it is the best representation of what the
crypts would sound. These soundscapes will be dynamic, meaning they will change according to what
the player torch status is. For instance, when you are running low on torch light the soundscape will
change to become creepier. The player will definitely know that something is going on – that
something is not right.
On the other hand there will be a Courier of the Crypts soundtrack which will feature complete scores of the short pieces that you will hear in game plus there will be some bonus theme songs included in the final rendition of the game.
MUSIC EXAMPLES
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First concept and idea for the game was born in April 2011, on the Ludum Dare #20 competition (see the entry here). The theme was "You won't be going alone, take this!". In 48 hours I created this quick and rough prototype of a Courier weilding this magic torch that scares the spiders off. After the competition I left the idea alone until October that year. It was an October challenge - make/finish something and earn at least 1$. I created a whole new visual style of the game and added more of the gameplay like throwing flame urns, switches, gold and more. At that point I knew I can do much more from this and my journey began. Through many prototypes and different visual styles I've reached the final form which I'm working on in the last year.
PROJECT'S EVOLUTION
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You will get a DRM-free digital version of the game as well as Steam / GOG key. The game has been greenlit so the keys will be supplied when available.
The same rules apply for extra copy perk.
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You'll get an access to the private forums which will be created after the campaign. I'll be posting private testing builds there for preview, testing and discussion.
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The soundtrack which will feature complete scores basedon short pieces you will hear in the game.In addition, there will be bonus theme songs included in the final rendition of the game. Look under the music section for the examples
Digital format only
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Courier of the Crypts poster to hang on the wall in your room. It will be signed by myself on the back with a thank you note.
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Add Courier of the Crypts to your games collection shelf and get a full CD box with a game and printed manual.
(You still get the digital copy of the game)
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Almost 4 years of the development is a lot, especially when it comes to one person behind the game. After the game release I want to gather all the notes and memories to write a full book about the development. It will include good and bad personal moments that I faced during that time - from times that I almost quit to smiles when I saw first article published about the game. Book will also contain scrap notes (early game designs, level designs, skecthes...) as well as images from different development stages. Every printed book will be signed with thank you note added.
(PDF or softcover printed format)
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Graveyard of supporters will be a standalone map with graves and statues of pledgers who selected limited graveyard special reward. You'll be able to chose one of the premade tombstones / statues and put your name or nickname on it.
To make it even more interesting, this map will feature a secret to be found for every player. Your grave may get some visitors after all ;)
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This is a quick preview of different options, but there will be much more to chose from.
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You'll create a bonus map with our guidence for all the players to play. You'll have free hands to create whatever you want with the assets already in the game. Of course, there will be some rules like what can you write in the parchments (
no inappropriate content) and how much gold you can place around for the sake of game's balance.
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If you pick a tier with a physical reward please add 5€ for shipping fees.
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Through all these years I was working on the game in all the spare time I could find , next to the full time work and studies. I've brough the project really far and it seems there are a lot of people who would like to see this game out and released. To finish the game as I wanted it to be I need your help.
Money requested will give me a year to finish the game as I want it to be, working on it full time. I've done lots of graphics and implemented large amount of features but I still need more content including maps. Crafting each map carefully takes a lot time as well as drawing new graphics and implementing new features.
Initial funding target is the minimal amount I can live and work with.
HOW WILL THE MONEY BE USED
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Food & Coffee - even though I'm working from home, I still need to pay for food and coffee that will keep me going.
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Company expenses - If the campaign succeeds I'll have to register as a so-called independent entrepreneur to satisfy the taxation and bureaucratic requirements. This adds extra monthly expenses.
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Sound & Music - Even though I'm working on everything by myself I still can't produce any sounds or music. Great music and sounds for the game with ambient like this one does not come for free.
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Stretch goals - money that will pass the initial target will go towards the stretch goals. This means paying for extra help (freelancers) where needed.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T REACH THE GOAL
I'll most likely need a new job or at least start heavy freelancing. That will slow down the development enormously or even stop it for a while.
Risks & Challenges
As we all know, there are things in life that come to us unexpectedly but for what's in my power, I'll do my very best to follow the plan and release the game in late 2015 (November?). Game development is full of challenges and sometimes a task takes much longer than you planned. In worst case scenario, the release date will be postponed by a few months.
Should problems arise, I have people ready to aid me on my quest.
Other than that, I will work hard and finish the game no matter what. I was doing that for 3 years next to the full time job and studies and I will surely make it in full-time mode. The game is my passion and my soul afterall.
Other Ways You Can Help
I know some of you simply can't contribute. I understand this game is not for everyone and that you may not feel like putting your money into it. You may even just dislike the pixelated style of the game and that's perfectly fine as well.
If you like what I'm doing or if you want to help me with my dreams, regardless how much interest you have in the game, then please help me the following ways.
- Use Indiegogo share tools to spread the word
- Tell your friends about this game
- The game has been greenlit, spread the word
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Are you a youtuber or a streamer? Play the preview version of the game.
- Tweet, show, share, draw, yell, all of this will help.
Thank you all for your time and support. There is no Courier without you!