We've launched an exciting new project of our own! Introducing the Kickstarter app for iPhone!

Funded! This project successfully raised its funding goal on March 23.

It’s the final countdown!

Update #19 · Mar 20, 2013 · 12 comments

Hello, hello, apprentices! We are officially in the final hours, as Kickstarter has now switched the counter on us to hours instead of days! Now would be the time to start cranking up a certain Europe anthem.

Interview with DJ Grandpa

Abdullah at DJ Grandpa’s Crib runs a weekly podcast interviewing Kickstarter project creators, as he has a passion for real people with real dreams. Himalaya's executive producer and CFO, Rachel Presser, was interviewed to talk about Mage's Initiation and how Kickstarter has breathed life back into adventure games.

Download Episode (MP3)

It’s the third segment on the podcast starting at the 11:43 mark, but do check out the other interesting projects showcased as well.

T-Shirt Designs

We read through the assorted comments from our last update seeking to get a vote on which t-shirt design to go with. It seems that the demand for the busy, full-color “cover artwork” t-shirt is on parity with the demand for the simpler t-shirt that has the silver logo with the spell flare effect. We're calling this one a tie.

Rather than draw straws, we're going to offer BOTH t-shirt designs in the campaign and in our store!

If you pledge at the $50 Magus tier or higher, you can select which t-shirt you’d like in the reward survey we're going to send out.

More Sierra Legend Love!

We’re still flabbergasted at the outpouring of support we’ve received from all these Sierra legends, and it continues with Jane Jensen! It means the world to us that a writer and game designer as talented as Jane gave us a shout-out on her Facebook page! If you haven’t checked out Jane’s new studio, Pinkerton Road, do stop by and take a look at her upcoming adventure game, Moebius.

Adventure Shoutout: Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller

We’d like to take a moment to raise awareness for another great indie adventure game from the hardworking peeps at Phoenix Online Studios! Cognition is an investigative thriller which follows the story of Erica Reed, a serial-killer-hunting FBI agent with the uncanny ability to envision past events using her post-cognitive abilities. The game has great atmosphere and is really engaging to play. We like it a lot! Jane Jensen is also a story consultant, so the entire thing has a very similar flavor to the Gabriel Knight series.

The first two episodes are out now! You can check out Cognition here, and please take a moment to give it an upvote and favorite on Steam Greenlight too.

Conclusion

As we head into the final hours of our campaign, we'd like to say that it has been an incredible experience interacting and chatting with you all in the comments section and taking your suggestions on board. We are currently sitting at a grand total of $107,717 including PayPal pledges and it seems that many backers (and ourselves alike) would love to hit that $120k goal to make ported versions and wide-screen resolutions possible. So, let's try our best to make that happen and please keep spreading the word to new ears in these last few crucial days. But regardless of what figure we end up on, we're elated to have breached the six-digit barrier and would like to thank everybody again for your support in making all of this possible! 

Comments

    1. Missing_small

      Creator Jeff Kagel on March 21

      J.U.L.I.A. is another geat looking game that could use some support. It has thankfully made it's funding, but could definitely use a good boost to get the stretch goals made.

      http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/j-u-l-i-a-enhanced-edition…

    2. Fearbadgewhite.small

      Creator Anaxphone on March 20

      And here I was hoping this place would be less insane than the Dungeon Roll update commentary...

    3. Boballen2.small

      Creator Bobby Allen on March 20

      Jousting Windmills...

      Most other projects I have backed included similar language in the reward levels.

      The letter of the language vs. the spirit of the language.
      I get the spirit of the phrase includes all previous rewards. The intent was to say at $50 and higher you receive a t-shirt. That is not what you actually said in your reward text.

      The letter of the language would mean an Elementalist would receive 4 t-shirts.
      The Elementalist level includes all previous rewards thus has Magus level rewards and gets a t-shirt in its own right.
      It also includes Conjurer rewards which itself includes all previous rewards has Magus level rewards and gets a t-shirt. Moreover the Conjurer level includes Illusionist rewards which has Magus rewards and gets a t-shirt on its own.
      The 4th T-shirt comes from the Elementalist level including Illusionist rewards which has Magus rewards and therefor gets a t-shirt.

      For simplicity sake lets start at the Dabbler:
      Dabbler
      Deamon's Deal Deck
      All previous rewards (Spellcaster, Apprentice, Initiate)
      Spellcaster { included with the Dabbler
      Standard Edition DVD
      plastic DVD case
      All previous rewards (Apprentice, Initiate)
      Apprentice { included with the Dabbler's Spellcaster
      Two colorfull sheets of stickers
      Name in Mage's Tower library
      postage
      All previous rewards (Initiate)
      Initiate { included with the Dabbler's Spellcaster's Apprentice
      DRM-Free digital copy
      Magical Game Art WallPapers
      Access to forums
      Initiate { Included with the Dabbler's Spellcaster
      DRM-Free digital copy
      Magical Game Art WallPapers
      Access to forums
      Apprentice { Included with the Dabbler
      Two colorfull sheets of stickers
      Name in Mage's Tower library
      postage
      All previous rewards (Initiate)
      Initiate { the Dabbler's Apperentice
      DRM-Free digital copy
      Magical Game Art WallPapers
      Access to forums
      Initiate { Included with the Dabbler
      DRM-Free digital copy
      Magical Game Art WallPapers
      Access to forums

      Gotta love language.

    4. Chris_newest_smaller3.small

      Creator Chris Warren on March 20

      @Bobby Allen: If I understand your question correctly, each backer (in every tier) receives only one t-shirt. However, both t-shirts, in all sizes and for both genders, will be available in our online store after the campaign ends. This caters to people would like to get both. :)

    5. Twitter_logo_new.small

      Creator Himalaya Studios, Inc. on March 20

      @Bobby There's just one t-shirt in all the physical tiers at $50 and above. The infographic is pretty straightforward, though there are also bonus resin figures available at the $100 and higher tiers that resulted from hitting our stretch goals.
      -Rachel

    6. Boballen2.small

      Creator Bobby Allen on March 20

      OOPS, I miss represented the compounding...
      Need to look at just the physical rewards...

      Elementalist includes Conjurer, Illusionist, Magus
      Conjurer includes illusionist, Magus
      Illusionist includes Magus.
      The result is 1-Elementalist, 1-Conjurer, 2 Illusionist, and 4 Magus.

    7. Boballen2.small

      Creator Bobby Allen on March 20

      At the $100.00 level can we choose 2 of each or do all 4 t-shirts have to be the same size and style?

      Elementalist includes Conjurer, Shaman, Illusionist, Spellbinder, Magus -- T-shirt
      Conjurer includes Shaman, Illusionist, Spellbinder, Magus -- T-shirt
      Shaman includes Illusionist, Spellbinder, Magus -- T-shirt
      Spellbinder include Magus -- T-shirt

      Gotta love the compounding of the 'includes all previous rewards'

    8. Missing_small

      Creator Flippin ✵ Backer of Mage's Initiation ✵ on March 20

      I like this mario paint version of "the final countdown": http://youtu.be/Dxa8WYydlEM

      Come on, big finish!

    9. Avatar-sm.small

      Creator Gavin Lambert - Tormented Dreamer on March 20

      I blame all of you for that earworm -- it's going to take quite a bit to dislodge that tune. But in all seriousness: yay! Only 2^6 hours to go, let's make them count.

    10. Enry1.small

      Creator David Melanson on March 20

      Oh dear god, now that keyboard line is going to be running through my head all morning.

      Good to see the support from Jane...yes, drop by there and check out Moebius. Also Mystery Game X, the game which as far as I can tell will be released before anyone knows what it is.

    11. Bogie.small

      Creator Gonchi on March 20

      Good call on the t-shirt vote. Hopefully the additional cost of having two shirts made isn't too significant.

3,157
Backers
$125,174
pledged of $65,000 goal
0
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Funding period
Feb 19, 2013 - Mar 23, 2013

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  • Pledge $6 or more

    500 backers All gone!

    Early Bird: Times are tough and we couldn't get the Earth Mages to erect enough barriers to prevent Iginor from falling off the fiscal cliff (or even those lofty-headed Air Mages to cast a decent Float spell). But only so many can be saved from the abyss! So for just $6, if you're among the lucky 500, you'll get a digital DRM-free copy of Mages Initiation for the PC and access to the private backer forums!

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
  • Pledge $16 or more

    1528 backers

    Initiate: A DRM-free digital copy of the Mage's Initiation game on PC, plus a high-quality digital music soundtrack to accompany it. You'll be privy to some magical game art desktop wallpapers and acquire access to the private backer forums.

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
  • Pledge $20 or more

    305 backers

    Apprentice: Two colorful sheets of stickers so you can adorn various objects with your favorite characters. You’ll also get your name inscribed in a book in the Mage's Tower library. Includes all previous rewards, and the postage is on us no matter what corner of the world you're in.

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
  • Pledge $30 or more

    202 backers

    Spellcaster: Standard Edition physical copy of the game on DVD (Windows), in a plastic DVD case. Includes all previous rewards.

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
    Add $5 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $40 or more

    59 backers

    DABBLER: A Demon’s Deal deck in a collectible debossed tin case featuring high-quality monster artwork by John-Paul Selwood; a physical version of the minigame you play at the Iginor Tavern, plus all previous rewards!

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
    Add $10 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $50 or more

    46 backers

    Magus: A Mage’s Initiation t-shirt in full-color on black splendor: a bit more comfortable and suitable for everyday wear than robes and tunics! Available in mens’ S-3XL and ladies’ XS-3XL. You will also receive one foil pack of eight (8) trading cards, and all previous rewards!

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
    Add $10 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $50 or more

    90 backers

    Spellbinder: A special all-digital tier catered to international backers who don't want to get hassled by customs and/or don't have room for our physical items. You will receive all previous digital rewards (digital copies of the game and soundtrack, wallpapers, access to the private backer forums, and your name in the library book) but you will also recieve a PDF version of the art book available at higher tiers, a hi-res PNG of the cloth map of Iginor that comes with the Collector's Edition, the full set of character portraits by Karen Petrasko in digital format, and a digital DRM-free copy of Al Emmo and the Lost Dutchman's Mine PLUS the Al Emmo soundtrack featuring 53 tracks by Tom Lewandowski of Quest Studios!

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
  • Pledge $60 or more

    11 backers

    Illusionist: Get your hands on a breath-taking 8.5" x 11" lithograph signed by game background artist, John Paul Selwood (suitable for framing) and all previous rewards!

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
    Add $10 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $70 or more

    34 backers

    Shaman: A bolstered version of the Spellbinder all-digital tier that includes all of the previous digital rewards in that tier, as well as hi-res digital versions of the poster and spellbook page, access to the closed beta build of Mage's Initiation (ESTIMATED BETA DATE: October 2013 and beta will be Windows-only), and a second digital copy of the Mage's Initiaton game!

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
  • Pledge $75 or more

    7 backers

    Conjurer: Snag a supreme 18" x 24" poster that depicts the game’s cover artwork on a glossy surface, and access to the closed beta version of the game and all previous rewards! (ESTIMATED BETA DATE: October 2013. Please note that the beta will be Windows only.)

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
    Add $15 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $100 or more

    163 backers

    Elementalist: Your very own boxed Collector's Edition that comes with top-notch Kickstarter-exclusive swag! (NOTE: This is the same Collector's Edition package listed on our website's pre-order page.) Includes: a retail-quality box with matte/spot UV and cover flap featuring D'arc in your choice of Mage attire (Fire, Earth, Air, or Water) containing a Windows game CD and audio soundtrack CD, an 11" x 17" old-school cloth map of the land of Iginor, two foil packs of collectible Mage's Initiation trading cards for sixteen (16) total, and an ancient spellbook page. You will also get an awesome limited-edition 4" x 3" x 3" full-color polyresin figure of D'arc, the game's protagonist, depicted as the element class of your choice! (Fire, Earth, Air, or Water) PLUS all previous rewards (Note: the deluxe box replaces the standard DVD case you’d get at the $30 Spellcaster tier).

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
    Add $15 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $150 or more

    68 backers

    Cabalist: A jaw-dropping hardcover book of the game's beautiful art on glossy pages to show off alongside your Collector's Edition. You will also get all previous rewards, and to sweeten the deal we'll throw in another foil pack of trading cards, so you'll get a total of 24 cards!

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
    Add $15 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $150 or more

    11 backers Limited (19 of 30 left)

    Augurer: Be a star in the trophy case in Priestess' palace! A severed head sprite will be made in your likeness. This is a special digital reward for our international and cramped-housing backers; it builds on the Shaman tier with all previous digital rewards but contains no physical items.

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
  • Pledge $175 or more

    12 backers

    Pyromancer: Channel the elements with an ancient bronze Order of the Severed Circle pendant as seen in the game, plus four foil packs of trading cards for a total of 32 and all previous rewards!

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
    Add $15 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $200 or more

    62 backers

    Thaumaturgist: All four of the full-color, polyresin D'arc figures are yours (Fire, Earth, Air, and Water classes). You'll also get the FULL set of trading cards (five foil packs for all 40!), plus all the previous rewards!

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
    Add $15 to ship outside the US
  • Pledge $400 or more

    15 backers Limited (15 of 30 left)

    Evoker: An “extra” sprite to appear standing around in the game as a depiction of yourself (or your own design), as the Mage class of your own choice, plus all previous rewards! (And once you reach this level, you don't need to add extra for shipping.)

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
  • Pledge $500 or more

    1 backer All gone!

    WRAITH: Your likeness will grace the featured missing persons' poster that D'arc pieces together in order to solve a major quest, and all previous rewards!

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
  • Pledge $800 or more

    1 backer Limited (1 of 2 left)

    Beastmaster: The forests of Iginor wouldn’t be so great to explore without interesting monsters to fight: you get to design a monster at this tier plus receive all previous rewards except Limited quantity tiers!

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
  • Pledge $1,250 or more

    1 backer All gone!

    Flame Warlock: Craft a Fire-themed combat spell of your own design for use by D'arc in battle. This spell will become lore in the game universe and any sequels! Includes all previous rewards except the Limited quantity tiers.

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
  • Pledge $1,250 or more

    1 backer All gone!

    Water Warlock: Craft a Water-themed combat spell of your own design for use by D'arc in battle. This spell will become lore in the game universe and any sequels! Includes all previous rewards except the Limited quantity tiers.

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
  • Pledge $1,250 or more

    0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)

    Wind Warlock: Craft an Air-themed combat spell of your own design for use by D'arc in battle. This spell will become lore in the game universe and any sequels! Includes all previous rewards except the Limited quantity tiers.

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
  • Pledge $1,250 or more

    0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)

    Earth Warlock: Craft a Earth-themed combat spell of your own design for use by D'arc in battle. This spell will become lore in the game universe and any sequels! Includes all previous rewards except the Limited quantity tiers.

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
  • Pledge $3,000 or more

    1 backer All gone!

    Archmage: For the true collector, awaits a stunningly vivid 16" x 20" original canvas painting based on Mage's Initiation lore. The artwork depicts D'arc as a child, being lead towards Iginor's Mage Tower by his new Magical Masters, Gurdet and Aranea. This painting is one-of-a-kind, and is signed by the artist, John Paul Selwood. It will arrive to you professionally framed and matted with acid-free materials, and museum glass. You'll also get a prominent Associate Producer credit within the game, a total of five (5) digital copies of the game, and all previous rewards except the Limited quantity tiers.

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
  • Pledge $5,000 or more

    1 backer All gone!

    Supreme Air Archmage: Become a NPC combatant in Mage’s Initiation! Fight toe-to-toe with D’arc himself in the Training Hall with the winds of war on your side. This includes having your own lip-synced dialog portrait drawn in the game and voicing your own lines and battle grunts. A complete range of fighting animations will be exclusively animated for your battle sprite, including attack moves, spell-casting, injury recoils, knockdowns, running, walking, and more! You'll also get a prominent Associate Producer credit within the game, a total of 10 digital copies of the game, and all previous rewards except the Limited quantity tiers.

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
  • Pledge $5,000 or more

    1 backer All gone!

    Supreme Earth Archmage: Become a NPC combatant in Mage’s Initiation! Fight toe-to-toe with D’arc himself in the Training Hall, summoning the powers of all things rock and loam. This includes having your own lip-synced dialog portrait drawn in the game and voicing your own lines and battle grunts. A complete range of fighting animations will be exclusively animated for your battle sprite, including attack moves, spell-casting, injury recoils, knockdowns, running, walking, and more! You'll also get a prominent Associate Producer credit within the game, a total of 10 digital copies of the game, and all previous rewards except the Limited quantity tiers.

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
  • Pledge $5,000 or more

    0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)

    Supreme Water Archmage: Become a NPC combatant in Mage’s Initiation! Fight toe-to-toe with D’arc himself in the Training Hall, backed by the crushing waves to quench your thirst for victory. This includes having your own lip-synced dialog portrait drawn in the game and voicing your own lines and battle grunts. A complete range of fighting animations will be exclusively animated for your battle sprite, including attack moves, spell-casting, injury recoils, knockdowns, running, walking, and more! You'll also get a prominent Associate Producer credit within the game, a total of 10 digital copies of the game, and all previous rewards except the Limited quantity tiers.

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014
  • Pledge $5,000 or more

    0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)

    Supreme Fire Archmage: Become a NPC combatant in Mage’s Initiation! Fight toe-to-toe with D’arc himself in the Training Hall, calling on the great inferno to aid you in battle. This includes having your own lip-synced dialog portrait drawn in the game and voicing your own lines and battle grunts. A complete range of fighting animations will be exclusively animated for your battle sprite, including attack moves, spell-casting, injury recoils, knockdowns, running, walking, and more! You'll also get a prominent Associate Producer credit within the game, a total of 10 digital copies of the game, and all previous rewards except the Limited quantity tiers.

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2014