This project didn't make it. Backers were refunded. I moved to smaller project, see https://www.patreon.com/pixelabcd
Play the demo! - Works well with Wine.
An ALPHA DEMO for WINDOWS is available for download here.
Your feedback is very important, so if you encounter a bug during your playthrough of the demo, please let me know so it can be fixed.
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Nightkeep is a project I’ve been working on for the past 2 years. My goal is to craft a fine metroidvania RPG set in a fairytale-like world.
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While Nightkeep is influenced by Castlevania series (this shows the most in the design of Nyros’ Castle), it is also influenced by many games from the SNES and PlayStation eras, such as Breath of Fire, FInal Fantasy, Alundra and Dragon’s quest. Without these titles, I’d probably never get into game development in the first place. This games, however, isn’t just about a castle and some crazed king.
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The gameplay is primarily based on quests, which are not divided into main or side quests. Every single one has its place in the game’s world.
You play as Arietta, one of the hunters, coming to the Nightkeep village, where she has a job to do and important decisions to make. Some of the events she won’t be able to alter, others however will directly impact the world around her.
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By fulfilling different quests, you get “rank points”, which upgrade your abilities, open up new quests and cause various scenarios across the game world. Your rank, aside from being a way to upgrade your stats, is also a crucial element of the story.
All this game needs is chance.
The game features:
- Original fantasy story with fairytale elements.
- Original artwork and soundtrack
- Many various quests and NPCs
- Multiple endings
- Classic RPG elements - EXPs, a leveling system, equipable items and power ups.
- More than 70 different items
- Slight rogue-like elements
- Supported platforms: MS Windows
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Long ago, the world was divided into 4 different kingdoms. A chain of events, however, caused one king to disappear, leaving the 3 kingdoms fighting over his lands.
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All that is in the past now. Let’s jump 735 years into the future, where two huntresses are on their way to the Nightkeep village, sent by their guild. There’s work waiting for them there, alongside many difficult decisions, which could alter the fate of the entire kingdom. The story will gradually uncover the events that have occurred in the kingdom, the meaning of the Guild of Hunters and also incorporate the already mentioned “rank”.
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The game world will have its own backstory and structure. The game is set in the eastern kingdom, where most of the story plays out, though it might occasionally refer to inaccessible places to explain bits of the story. Most of my previous stories began small, but I always managed to grow them into complex worlds with unique characters and its own history.
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PixelABCD (Milan Svaty)
The supervillain. Responsible for anything from the story to the design. I’m behind the pixel art, animations, game design and code you may find in Nightkeep. I’ve been making games for fun since 2000 and Nightkeep is my first larger project, which I’d like to release for both the fans of its genre and broader audience. I founded a Czech and Slovak RPG Maker community. It bears the name RPG2 Heaven, which I also like to use as a signature on all my work. A giant fan of Castlevania and JRPG games.
Thomas. J. Peters
Among the sprawling reach of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, California, professional composer Thomas J. Peters crafts lavish & powerful thematic musical settings for Nightkeep.
RHLPixels (Kat Chase)When it comes to portraits, RHLPixels is a perfect choice. She’s been painting portraits from an early age and loves Breath of Fire, which has been of quite some influence for Nightkeep. With her help, every character will have its unique portrait.
Thomas Schmied
Without Thomas, we couldn’t get to where we are now. He’s translated the Nightkeep demo and this campaign. Before that, he also localized the Greenlight campaign, which was greenlit. With his help, I’ll be able to create an English version of the final game.
Without the rest of the team, this game wouldn’t be possible!
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Why Indiegogo and not Kickstarter? The answer is simple - using Kickstarter requires the creator to be from one of the allowed countries, which isn't our case.
I’ve decided to learn pixel art, so I could make my own original game. Now, it’s been 2 years, since I began my work on Nightkeep. I make games purely for the joy of making games, I don’t make any money off of them. With your help, I’d love to work on this project full-time.
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I’ve met many wonderful people willing to support the project, including a talented composer Thomas J. Peters, which has made 6 original tracks for the game. I’m financing the project myself and would like to properly reward everyone from the team.
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I have, however, run into the point, where my income wouldn’t be enough to pay for more music tracks, which I wished to have in the demo. Because of that, the tracks for Rare monster fights, Noelle and Elleon’s theme and the village itself are not included.
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I’d also like to replace some tracks heard in the demo, for I have different intentions with them. For example, I want to replace the current metal version of the boss theme with a new, more JRPG-oriented one (although the metal boss theme will find its use later on in the game). I’d also like to have a different track for every character, just like in many JRPGs.
Existing features:
Currently, about 60 monsters are finished (both art and coding), 6 bosses and about half of the game world, although some older maps need a revamp. All core systems, swords, weapons and the menu are finished. Custom key binding for keyboard and gamepad controls are supported. The storyline, however, is in its early stages and I’m slowly filling up the world with characters.
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Planned features:
Main and Side storylines and quests, more characters, maps, enemies, bosses and rare monsters. “Clear the way” battle sequences, a fishing minigame, some smaller puzzles and a marker for the in-game minimap. Hairdresser.
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Pledge $10
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Pledge $20 or 25
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You’ll get: A digital copy of the final game for MS Windows (Steam key or or DRM-Free), a digital copy of the game’s soundtrack, an instruction manual describing anything from the menu, the statistics and the game mechanics, such as how monster spawning works, etc. Your name in the ending credits.
Pledge $35
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- You’ll get: 2 digital copies of the final game for MS Windows (2x Steam key or or DRM-Free), a digital copy of the game’s soundtrack, an instruction manual (see the $20 perk), a PDF book “The Chronicles of Nightkeep”, which will describe the world alongside many of its current or past residents in detail and a PNG map of the game. Access to the different alpha versions. Your name in the ending credits.
Pledge $50
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You’ll get: 2 digital copies of the final game for MS Windows (2x Steam key or or DRM-Free), a digital copy of the game’s soundtrack, an instruction manual (see the $20 perk), a PDF book “The Chronicles of Nightkeep”, which will describe the world alongside many of its current or past residents in detail and a PNG map of the game. Access to the different alpha and beta versions. A special backers-only in-game item. Your name in the ending credits.
Pledge $75
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- You’ll get: 3 digital copies of the final game for MS Windows (3x Steam key or or DRM-Free), a digital copy of the game’s soundtrack, an instruction manual (see the $20 perk), a PDF book “The Chronicles of Nightkeep”, which will describe the world alongside many of its current or past residents in detail and a PNG map of the game. Access to the different alpha and beta versions. A special backers-only in-game item. A painting or statue (your choice) of you (I’ll use a photo as a reference, feel free to send a photo of your pets, etc) in Vandark Manor as a part of Balthazar’s art collection. Your name in the ending credits.
Pledge $150 or 300
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- You’ll get: 3 digital copies of the final game for MS Windows (3x Steam key or DRM-Free), a digital copy of the game’s soundtrack, an instruction manual (see the $20 perk), a PDF book “The Chronicles of Nightkeep”, which will describe the world alongside many of its current or past residents in detail and a PNG map of the game. Access to the different alpha and beta versions. A special backers-only in-game item.
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$150 only Design a rare monster (note: it must blend into a medieval fantasy world). Your name will be displayed in a separate section of the ending credits (Lead Backers).
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$300 only Design a quest (note: it must blend into a medieval fantasy world). Your name will be displayed in a separate section of the ending credits (Lead Backers). The quest can make use of new characters, which could stay in the world afterwards, if you wish!
Pledge $500
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- You’ll get: 3 digital copies of the final game for MS Windows (3x Steam key or DRM-Free), a digital copy of the game’s soundtrack, an instruction manual (see the $20 perk), a PDF book “The Chronicles of Nightkeep”, which will describe the world alongside many of its current or past residents in detail and a PNG map of the game (+ a copy showing the secrets). Access to the different alpha and beta versions. A special backers-only in-game item. Design a rare monster and a boss (note: both must blend into a medieval fantasy world). Your name will be displayed in a separate section of the ending credits (Lead Backers). I’ll use your photo as a reference when designing one of the Patrons - the guardians of the lands. One of the patrons, Odyele, can be seen in the beginning of the Indiegogo trailer.
*All items will be delivered once the game’s development is finished (excluding alpha/beta access). During the development, I’ll send you regular updates about the game’s development, through Indiegogo. I’ll get in touch with the Lead Backers after the end of this campaign.
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Why so much money for such a simple game? First, Indiegogo will get its cut from the funds raised and then the country I live in, as it is required by the law (tax, etc). A part of the money will go towards music production to ensure a great soundtrack for the game. It is an integral part of the world, providing it with great atmosphere, therefore I’m working with a professional composer to get the game to where I want it to be.
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Next, a cut of the funds will go towards the game’s translation, and portraits for every character. I’m trying to give as much of my free time as possible, but the development is slow. That’s why I’m asking you to allow me to work on the game full-time.
The rest of the money will go towards the game’s production (art, code and story) and keeping me alive (electricity and snack). As I said, I’ll be working on the project full-time and keeping an active relationship with everyone interested in Nightkeep. That means: Regular updates, answering questions, etc.
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If we manage to raise the funds we need, I can ensure an original soundtrack, additional art, faster development and a full English localization of the final game.
If you’re interested in my project, please consider backing it. Play the demo and let me know what you think. The demo is more of a public alpha, so expect some things, including parts of the story to change.
With your help, I can make sure Nightkeep will be a pleasant and memorable experience.
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Budget Allocation (base budget is 10 000 USD). I will gladly answer questions regarding the game and its funding.
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