Welcome back to another exciting installment of This Week in Kickstarter, where we sift through the site to bring you the cool, and maybe the not so cool, and give you our take.
EVERSPACE
A rogue-like 3D space shooter with non-linear storytelling.
EVERSPACE is a rouge-like space shooter that employs persistent progression and an in-depth upgrade and damage system. This space themed shooter features high fidelity graphics and a nonlinear story that pushes the player froward. The game supports virtual reality headsets like Oculus Rift.Though the studio behind EVERSPACE is new, the team is far from a group of rookies, many earned their stripes creating the successful series Galaxy on Fire. The team strove to fully utilize that "one more try" feeling that hooks so many players on a game. Here, players can keep all the credits they earn after they die, so there is no frustration or punishment for trying to venture out further than ever before.
I'm not a fan of allowing me to keep my credits after I die. Without risk, there is no fulfillment to the reward. It feels more like grinding and endlessly throwing myself at a wall till it breaks. That complaint aside, good God this game is beautiful! Every moment looks like the perfect sci-fi wallpaper and the first person combat looks stellar and engaging, while the third person flying seems straight out of Star Wars. I have no doubt I'll be clambering to give EVERSPACE a try when it comes out!
MOVE – Motorize Blinds and Shades
A $29 bluetooth controlled motor for your existing indoor blinds and shades.
MOVE is a simple-to-install motor that allows the modern lazy person to control their blinds without getting off the couch. It's built to retrofit as many different indoor blinds and shades as possible. If it has a rope, string, beads, etc., MOVE can most likely fit it.MOVE can be controlled via smartphone and even be automated based on the time of day/night, or even based on the temperature or solar conditions. And need I mention again it's only 29 bucks?
Is this the most world changing Kickstarter of all time? No, and I'm glad the ad video didn't feature pretentious hipsters being brought to the promise land by this glorious Kickstarter but instead chose for a bit of humor and charm while showing the benefits of the device. For $29, this isn't that bad a buy. I'd never consider spending $29 just for a motor to shut my blinds for me, but there are plenty out there that would, and MOVE's easy installation and killer price should snag it some buys.
One Night Ultimate Vampire
A night of supernatural finger pointing.
One Night Ultimate Vampire is the prequel to One Night Ultimate Werewolf, with expanded roles including assassins, gremlins, and of course vampires. The game can be played stand alone or with other One Night games.
In One Night Ultimate Vampire, players are given a secret role title such as werewolf, villager, vampire, etc. Each role is unique and will have different playstyles or objectives. The game uses android or iOS phones into the mix, using the free app as a sort of game master, dictating the players and calling the shots.I'm not that big a fan of using phone apps in board games—maybe I'm just being a crust old coot—but I prefer the more traditional set ups and relying on the game's included features to dictate the experience. I can see the use of such an app for beginner players, so I'd love to have the option of an app but then be able to take off the training wheels and have a person run the match when they feel ready. This game can actually be played without any cards or boards, as it's really just a suped up version of Mafia. Still, the lovely illustrations add a certain atmosphere that Mafia lacks, and the addition of unique roles and goals make this game stand out on its own.
Scriba – The Stylus Reinvented
The stylus reinvented.
Scriba is a new stylus designed around natural hand movements. The stylus is built with a flexible body and dynamic squeeze motion, which allows Scriba to respond to your every touch. With this, users can create large or thin brush strokes by simply squeezing the handle accordingly.Scriba has no buttons. The performance is activated with a light squeeze of the bendable segment of its body. This allows for precise lines on digital screens, something that is usually only available with the use of a Wacom tablet or similar device.
The majority of tablet features are designed around fingers, so it's understandable that to some this device might seem like something to pass up. However to the stylus user, the ability to more easily and precisely draw lines on a digital surface is a godsend, something every modern artist looks for. Whether or not the Scriba takes hold will be something the future decides, but its utility is undeniable.
IKI: A Game of EDO Artisans
Master the art of trade on the streets of ancient Japan.
IKI: A Game of EDO Artisans is a strategy game for 2-4 players, ages 13 and up. The game takes about 60-90 minutes and is based in the city of Edo, what we today call Tokyo.The focus of the game is set in Nihonbashi, the main district of Edo, where streets were lined with shops selling everything from rice to kimonos. Players must hire artisans and vendors, and train them to do business, build symbols of Edo, and contribute to the development of the town.
It only takes a glance at the donations/goal ratio to see the game clearly has an audience. Mastering the art of trade on the streets of ancient Tokyo sounds all at once like a fascinating game and an engaging history lesson. While the game may seem intimidating because of its focus on trade, resources, cards and meeple, being 13+ means the game shouldn't be too difficult to get the hang of and have fun with.
SunPort – Plug into Solar. No Panels Required.
Just plug in and demand solar anywhere.
Demand is the best way to attract more meaningful investment in solar power projects. But without solar panels, how can you show you have a demand for it? That's where SunPort comes in.Solar Power generators use a sort of "currency" called REC's. When you plug in your blender, refrigerator, game console or automatic back scratcher, there's no telling where your energy is coming from. But with SunPort, you can ensure that the energy you use, at least from that outlet, is clean and green.
So, this Kickstarter represents a good product, but the actual Kickstarter itself, as in the page, does a somewhat poor job explaining just what this is, relying on a video from the EPA to explain a credit system that they've renamed for marketing purposes. Basically, in addition to buying this device, you'll pay for "credits" so the device will route green energy to the outlet as opposed to other sources. Companies do this all the time when they're going green, but because of their connections (i.e. money), they're able to arrange for more efficient and large scale green energy routing. Essentially you're doing this on a smaller scale. I think it is an interesting idea and providing a free year's worth of credits makes the device tempting.
Disclaimer: The author (Bryan Heraghty) does not back any Kickstarter projects he writes about, nor are any of these inclusions sponsoring TechRaptor. These projects are included solely because the author thinks they are interesting.
What are your thoughts on some of the Kickstarters we saw this week? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below! If you have a game or technology Kickstarter you think deserves attention, you can either comment below, email TechRaptor, or tweet @techraptr or @greyhoodedbryan your suggestion!
