This Week In Kickstarter, we've got a revamped space shooter, a post apocalyptic survival game, and a "no experience needed" guitar.
Descent: Underground
A revamp of the vehicular first person shooter, Descent.Designed to bring the classic space FPS back in a modern style, Descent: Underground features the familiar 3d maze levels of the originals.
The game functions as both a prequel to the old school cockpit space fighting series, and a modern take on the formula. The team plans to keep to the original flight mechanics, arcade style combat and tight corner maps, while intending to improve upon them. These improvements include:
- Six-Degrees-of Freedom combat
- Choose from nine customizable ships to suit your play style
- Destructible terrain conceals hidden resources, power ups, and tunnels
- Master new game modes along with your favorites from Descent
- Prove your prowess with rankings, achievements, and leaderboards
- Single-player & Multiplayer
- Top flight graphics with Unreal Engine 4
I must confess, the importance of the Descent series is beyond my knowledge; I never crossed paths with the series before. One look at the preview video made me wish I had though. The claustrophobic corridors, intense laser fights, and thrilling space flights make this a series I'd like to know more about. Seeing the progress the team has already made in their video helps me feel more confident about this, even more so that they got the actual rights to the games. Too many instances of "Game inspired by famous JRPG" that promises too much and that has a video of 20 somethings talking about how great it will be are on Kickstarter. I'd much rather see what you have, and Descendant Studios delivered. Having support on Windows, Mac, and Linux is great, but man would I love to see this on a VR headset, which the game also supports. The project is about halfway funded so far at over $310,000 of its $600,000 goal at the time of writing. The project is open til April 10, 2015.
descendentstudios.com
jamstik+ The SmartGuitar
The easiest way how to learn guitar, period.The jamstick+ is a small device for learning to play the guitar. It never needs to be tuned, and is designed to be so easy you'll be strumming your first cord in minutes.
The jamstick+ gives new guitars players a chance to confidently learn on their own, using their iPad and bluetooth to create music. The device works with a line up of Apple products, including phones, tablets, and mac. Using a variety of apps such as jamTutor, users can learn the basics of guitar.
I understand the utility of using apps and something like the jamstick+ to start getting into guitar, but to be honest a cheap real guitar would probably be a better bet. The starting cost of the jamstick+ is pretty high considering many may learn guitar simply isn't for them (for instance people like me who, no matter how hard we might want to learn guitar, our small hands and crooked fingers simply won't get us far.) Still, if you've got the money to drop, the jamstick+ looks like a very practical and powerful tool for guitar beginners.
The jamstick+ has already reached well above its $50,000 goal, raising $225,759 at the time of writing. The Kickstarter remains open till May 7, 2015.
jamstik.com
Posthuman
Play as one of the few remaining humans on Earth fighting to survive and make your way to a rumored fortress.Posthuman stars you as one of the last remaining humans left fighting against monstrous mutants as you attempt to make it to safety. To reach this safety, you must complete ten zones successfully. As you travel, you may meet other humans and trade items or make use of each others skills. However, you might also face random encounters with mutants, and should you receive too many scars, you will turn into one yourself.
Posthuman looks like a fun time, not only because of the game mechanics, but because you can see a story of a lonely traveler unfold as you play. I love seeing tangible consequences to my actions. A pseudo-zombie post-apocalypse scenario is a tad overdone in this day and age, but it's as reliable as any for unfolding some human drama.
The Kickstarter has amassed well over its $27,000 goal, reaching $96,273 at the time of writing. The Kickstarter closes April 24, 2015.
mrbgames.com
Lignite Collection for Pebble - Quality Watchfaces and Apps
A collection of cool watch faces and apps for the Pebble and Pebble Time.Since it's success, the Pebble has been a cost effective and battery efficient solution for those looking into the smart watch field. With Pebble's SDK, people have been able to make some very cool apps with it. Now Edwin Finch has taken to Kickstarter to sell a handful of watch faces for the device. To put it short, they look great!
The clocks are each distinctly unique and original. Even on the original Pebble's dull black and white these faces manage to pop and catch the eye. Instead of selling these individually, they will be sold in a pack for a few dollars. Donators can influence designs by voting on things like colors or placements of elements.
At only 16, Edwin can brag about already being a successful entrepreneur, and he deserves it. The designs are slick and have a distinct flavor or personality. While I don't own a Pebble, I would sign up for these in a heart beat if I did (and wasn't writing this Kickstarter series). Selling them individually would no doubt be a tempting idea, but I think he made the right decision by going for a couple of designs bundled together.
The Kickstarter has well surpassed the $800 goal, reaching $1,539 at the time of writing. The Kickstarter ends April 28, 2015.
edwinfinch.com
SALEM: A Strategic Card Game of Deception for 4-12 Players
A game where you accuse and defend other townsfolk as you hunt the witches of Salem.Salem is a strategic card game where 4-12 players attempt to hunt the witches of Salem. Players act as one of 12 prominent villagers in town and are given 3-5 Tryal cards. These cards reveal if they are truly witches or innocent. During the game, players gather cards they can use to accuse or defend other players. You can never play a card on yourself, and deciding who to help and accuse means choosing friends and enemies. Once enough accusations have been made on one of the players, the player who gives the final accusation chooses one of that player's Tryal cards to reveal. When all the witch cards have been found, the villagers win.
Salem reminds me of that game I used to play where a bunch of people gathered in a circle and were secretly assigned as being a cop, nurse, or murderer. I mean that in the best possible way. Games where people accuse one another and try to solve who is the culprit are always fun and always keep intensity because at any moment it could be you getting accused. Salem looks like a fun game where anyone can lose and still have a good time. And its faux book container looks awesome.
Salem has already risen well over its $6,000 goal, raising $23,244 at the time of writing. The Kickstarter will stay open till April 24, 2015.
facebook.com
UAMP - Soul Shaking Audio for Your Ears
A tiny device that unlocks your music's full potential.UAMP aims to bring the clarity and nuance of a hi-end audio system to a portable device that fits in your pocket. Our smart phones come loaded with a plethora of features, but at the cost of the clearest audio output. The UAMP looks to solve that problem by packing all the electronics of a hi-end system into a small form factor. Deeper bass, clearer sound, etc.
It is designed to be completely on the go. Jogging, cycling, walking, weightlifting, the UAMP can be used in all these scenarios. And weighing in at just 26 grams will keep it from being a burden. It can even fit in your tiny jean pocket. Its added equalizer creates quick ways to adjust the sound for what you're looking for, and the rich sound will come through even if you're wearing cheap headphones.
The UAMP looks like a terrific deal at its price point, where super clear headphones are often over double that. How well it works would remain to be seen (or heard) but going off the simulated experience used in the video, the UAMP looks like a great idea for audio lovers who want to bring their music clarity with them. The added car mode is also pretty great. The UAMP works with all iPhones, Android phones, iPad and Android tablets, Apple and Windows laptops, etc.
UAMP managed to obliterate its $15,000 goal, raising a staggering $206,124 at the time of writing. Donations remain open until April 10, 2015.
uamp.co
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!
