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The Incredible Baron is a side-scrolling, real-time strategy game that draws influence from games like Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, and Starcraft.
In each level, you start at one side of the map, expand your base, and build up your army of exotic creatures so you can push to the opposite side of the map and destroy the enemy's base.
Key Features
- Over 45 creatures to collect and use in battle
- 30 story driven levels and 60 unlockable challenge levels
- Customizable army and tech tree
- Exotic environments presented in a 16-bit inspired art style
- Zany characters set in a unique time period
- Fun contraptions and abilities
- No premade DLC or deceptive in-app purchases. Just an honest, full game.
$10,000 - Stretch Goal 1: More Abilities!
If we hit this stretch goal, we'll at least three new abilities to the game! Have a suggestion? Let us hear it in the comments!
Baron uses activated abilities to research with a more hands-on touch: Baron's trusty flintlock, healing adhesive strips, deadly landmines, bouncy boards, a giant growth potion, stink flowers and more...
In the game, you play as Baron, an early 19th century man's man, explorer, and naturalist. He's set sail for uncharted territories with one objective: SCIENCE.
As Baron, you'll 'research' the various indigenous species you encounter with a set of trusty tools inspired by pseudo science, quackery, and a healthy dose of old fashioned buffoonery. According to Baron, blasting animals with his flintlock is a great way to research.
Rack up enough research and you can start using the local fauna for your own purposes.
In The Incredible Baron, you can completely customize your own army of crazy creatures. You can even customize the tech tree you have to move through to make new units available.
Units have unique abilities, strengths, and weaknesses, so creating a good strategy before starting a level lends the game a sort of "deck-building" feel.
Baron may fancy himself as incredible like the Hulk, but he's also incredible like a fish thiiiiiiiis big. Meet a unique cast of characters and journey to exotic new lands while playing through his farcical adventure of science and deception.
If you back us, not only will you get a fun game out of the deal, but you'll get a usable game engine. We provide the FRB engine and tools to the public for free. That means any technology we develop as a result of your backing ends up in the hands of indie developers, paving the way for future cool games.
You can start using the engine and tools right now. Just head to www.flatredball.com and check it out. Multiple professional developers have already made games with it! But a lot of great features (like iOS support!) are in development specifically for Baron. If our campaign is successful, you'll be helping these features come to fruition!
$5 - The Game
Your choice of platforms (iOS / Android / Win8). Your name in the credits under “Kickstarter Donors.”
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$10 - Kickstarter Bronze Edition
Get the game, plus the Kickstarter exclusive Mind Control Flower ability!
One whiff of the pheromones emitted from this flower and foes become friends! This unique ability will be available from the start of the game and only available to Kickstarter backers at this level and beyond.
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$15 - Kickstarter Silver Edition
Includes everything in the Silver Edition, plus the Kickstarter exclusive RoboFox creature!
Only Kickstarter backers at this level and beyond will have access to this creature! Your RoboFox will be unlocked and ready to command from the onset of the game.
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$20 - Kickstarter Gold Edition
The game, Kickstarter exclusive creature and ability, AND a PDF of Baron and Smartlee’s encyclopedia / art book! We'll rework the in-game encyclopedia into a print-suitable PDF art book, complete with colorful entries for every creature and ability encountered on Baron's expedition. Backers at this level and beyond will have their names honored within its pages.
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$25 - Kickstarter Super Soundtrack Edition
Includes everything in the Gold edition, PLUS the amazing original soundtrack by Michael Mancuso. There are already 20 tracks currently in development. Check out a preview of his work here!
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$100 - Kickstarter ULTIMATE Edition
Includes everything in the Soundtrack Edition, PLUS a limited edition hardcover, color printed version of Baron and Smartlee’s encyclopedia / art book. This is an actual physical version! An awesome addition to your collection of rare game artifacts or coffee table!
The image below is just a concept mockup, but rest assured the final product will rock.
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$200 - Level Dedication
Name a level!* These names are featured prominently on the level select menu. We're willing to work with you in determining the environment type for your level (snow, jungle, beach, Baron's ship, crypt, cave, dessert, forest) on a first-come, first-serve basis. Includes Kickstarter Ultimate Edition! (Limited: 30)
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$300 - Discover a New Species!
Put your pet in the game / design a creature! Your creation will join the roster of unlockable creatures and you’ll get a special mention in its encyclopedia entry!* Includes Kickstarter Ultimate Edition. (Limited: 5)
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$1,000 - The Incredible You!
We'll put your likeness in the game as an animated NPC with a detailed dialog box portrait! Help us write scenes for your character, including a dramatic plot twist! Plus, your name in the credits as a designer. Includes Kickstarter Ultimate Edition. (Limited: only one availabile!)
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$10,000 - Design a Minigame!
Come up with, or help us design a minigame and we'll add it to the game! For example… Toad Houses in Mario 3, destroying the car in Street Fighter 2, or Chocobo Racing in FF7. This game will help players earn extra XP and possibly other goodies. Plus, your name in the credits as a designer! Includes Kickstarter Ultimate Edition.
*We reserve the right to veto names and design ideas that aren't suitable for all the little Baronmaniacs out there. Don't worry, we aren't very picky when it comes to gracious backers willing to support us at this level, we just don't want to serve any hard time.
Risks and challenges
There are always unknowns in game development, especially when developing on new platforms. Time estimates are never an exact science. I always emphasize the difficulty of correctly judging the scope of projects to my students at Columbia. It's a hard thing to get down! I'm still trying to get better at it!
With all of that said, the Baron team has a solid track record of professional shipped titles across a variety of platforms. Having worked for big studios and on independent projects, we have the experience—and the passion—to ensure our game reaches completion.
What we don't have is a deal with a publisher, loans, or grants to allow us to work full time on the game. As it stands we have spent over two years chipping away at the game. This game, and thus this Kickstarter, represents our effort to step away from publishers and part time jobs and self-fund our development from here on out.
We appreciate your support!
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Funding period
- (30 days)