On January 16, 2017, White Lotus Games launched a Kickstarter campaign for Sundered. Six months later, their follow-up to Jotun would hit the grand stage of E3 2017. It’s one thing for a game to be announced at E3, like Shenmue 3, but for one to have a successful campaign and hit the show in such a short amount of time is astounding.
The Kickstarter Pitch
Sundered is a 2D side-scrolling Metroidvania, with horror elements. What sets it apart is its artstyle, which is totally hand-drawn. Like many Metroidvania’s, you find upgrades throughout the map that let you beat tougher enemies or get to new areas. Sundered’s twist on this formula is that these powers can become corrupted, which will make you stronger, but will also make you more demonic. How corrupted you are at the end of the game will determine what ending you get. It’s not much, especially if you don’t care about the plot, but it’s a novel idea that shakes things up a bit.
White Lotus’ campaign was a success on its very first day, smashing its CAD $25,000 goal in 24 hours on its way to collecting CAD $202,102 by its February 16 end date. Since then, they’ve been a model citizen, releasing 13 updates, at least three of them per month.
Off to See the E3 Wizard
The most interesting thing about Sundered’s Kickstarter is that it promises a July 2017 release. We’ve developers overestimate their planning ability, and often have to delay their game. But an E3 showcase, by way of Indie Megabooth, is a hell of a declaration. “We’re not going to be late, and this show a month before our release will prove it.
Simply being there is enough to convince anyone that that Sundered is just about ready to go. White Lotus has already done such a great job of showing off their game that there isn’t really anything left for them show at this point that backers have questions about. In that regard, don’t expect any great reveals or epic new proclamations. The developer is going to do exactly that – show gameplay we’ve more or less already seen before, maybe a new level or a weapon, and that’s it. They don’t actually have all that much to gain at E3 this year, other than marketing, which they’ve already done a fantastic job of.
Still, you have to admire these developers. Not many studios can fund a game flaunt it at gaming’s biggest event of the year within five months. E3 has been feeling Kickstarter’s presence big time in recent years, and Sundered is about to add itself to that list.
For more coverage on this game, and complete coverage of all things indie gaming at E3 2017, keep your eyes on Cliqist.
