Arcane Engine is an idea I've had for a long time. It takes the basic principles of a base defense game, but combines it with RPG and Chemistry-like action, allowing the player to create new elements and use these elements as attacks on enemy units. Think "Magicka" with an RPG and base defense element. (pun intended on element)

The game will start off mostly basic, most likely with only the Fire element. The player will load the Fire element into the Arcane Engine, and the engine will spew out a basic fire attack.

This will be the basic form of attack for a minute or two, in order to get the hang of the initial mechanics of the game. Then, once enough experience is accrued, the player character will be able to select from a list of known elements, such as water, ice, earth, space, etc. and add them to the mixture inside of the Arcane Engine.

In doing so, new elements are created with completely different effects, requiring the player to build an internal encyclopedia of elemental effects, similar to the way type-based effects worked in the Pokemon series.

Eventually the player will be able to combine multiple elements (up to 3 or 4) at once, creating extremely powerful and varying effects that will become increasingly required as more and more pressure is put on the base from the enemy units.

So what exactly am I contributing money to?

Essentially, donations go towards everything I cannot physically do myself. I handle the coding and animation, but I need to hire official artists and sound developers in order to make the project up to the standards I wish. I've hired these people in the past out of my own pocket, but I end up not actually making any money in the end since the game itself will be forever and completely free.

Donations go to:

• The hiring of a sound developer.
• The hiring of at least one game artist.
• iPad / Android porting services (Charging $0.00 for the game)

Unfortunately, talented people don't work for pennies, and thus my dilemma. I would appreciate even the smallest donation unconditionally, as anything that helps me not pay out of my college-student pocket is a blessing in itself.

Experience

In addition to developing Flash games, I actually work at Flashgamelicense.com, a site that auctions off games to the highest bidder. I work on reviewing games and eventually approving them to be sold, so I am very knowledgeable about what makes a game very addicting and impressionable.

For an example, here is the most recent game I created with a small team of 3. (http://www.kongregate.com/games/ScottProductions/cloud-to-ground-guardian)

Additionally, I have created a few fairly popular mods for the game: "Amnesia: The Dark Descent" ) http://www.moddb.com/mods/amnesia-through-the-portal/