About this project
$125,174
3,157
Playable Demo!
Click here to download the Mage's Initiation demo and give us your feedback
Mage's Initiation has been funded! THANK YOU!
Thanks to our amazing backers! We couldn't have done it without you. Now it's time to aim for our stretch goals! We have opened up a PayPal funding option so those who are unable to use Amazon payments still have a way to back the game. Click the image below to pledge via PayPal.
Current PayPal Pledges: $2,591
LIST OF STRETCH GOALS:
Our rewards system is simple: All tiers include the rewards from previous tiers, with 3 exceptions:
- Tiers with a limited number of backers: these exclusive rewards don't carry over to subsequent tiers.
- The Collector's Edition box will replace the DVD case edition for anyone who pledges at $100 or higher.
- The $50 and $70 all-digital tiers stand alone and don't roll into the other tiers, as they were specially constructed for backers who only want digital rewards.
The Kickstarter version of the game will be released for Windows.
Now that we have met our Porting stretch goal, we will be giving out Wine wraps at the PC release then upgrade Mac and Linux users to the native versions when the engine ports are ready. This is for DIGITAL COPIES, if you're a Mac user and would like to see physical Mac copies in our store, let us know!
Android and iOS copies cannot be offered as rewards due to rules relating to their distribution (which are beyond our control).
Mage's Initiation is a Role-Playing / Adventure Game hybrid, very similar in style and execution to Sierra On-Line's classic Point-&-Click Quest for Glory and King's Quest series. It maintains all the charm of classic and timeless adventure games of yesteryear while adding 21st century innovation to the mix - like multiple game interfaces, and a free-range magical combat system!
We're all very big fans of the adventure genre here at Himalaya Studios, and we feel that Sierra's games really hit their peak in the early 90s. We're working hard to provide a nostalgic experience, reminiscent of that golden era of 2D Sierra adventures circa 1993-1994.
Mage's Initiation has a medieval / fantasy setting and it features multiple playable character classes, spell-casting, and an open-field magical combat system, complete with equippable items and monster loot drops!
In the quiet, provincial realm of Iginor, evil is stirring. Dangers abound on all sides: the forest, wastelands, and even the once-protective mountains look to the tiny town with glaring eyes. Into this, a young, would-be Mage sets forth to prove himself worthy of joining the ranks of his brethren. This is his journey. A Mage's Initiation.
You assume the role of D'arc, a sixteen-year-old Initiate who must complete a trio of tasks set by his Mage Masters. Journey through the medieval-styled realm of Iginor. Brave a goblin-infested forest. Navigate a vast lake to encounter an evil so pure, not even beauty can disguise it. Ascend to the peaks of Flyteria, a valley of winged warriors once dedicated to protection of the human town.
Succeed and D'arc shall take his place among his fellow Mages.
Fail and nobody shall remember his name.
In-game screenshots from the current alpha build of Mage's Initiation.
Earth, Air, Fire, Water... the choice will affect your game-play. From combat strategy to spells and puzzles, each class provides a unique set of challenges. With four ways to live (and re-live) the adventure, you're sure to discover great replay value!
- Inspired by Sierra On-Line’s "Quest for Glory" series
- Hi-res, Point & Click Adventure / RPG (up to 1280 x 960)
- 4 character classes with unique quests provide multiple replay value.
- Choice of Interface. Play with a Sierra Icon Bar or LucasArts Verb Coin.
- Full-length, self-contained (non-episodic) story.
- An original stats system, integrating game score with XP. No grinding!
- A unique set of spells for each Mage class.
- Equip an array of mystical gems to enhance your spell-casting.
- Lay waste to a horde of monsters in an open-field battle system.
- Loot drops of various worth, ranging from common to extremely rare.
- Buy scrolls to identify unknown items. Sell and trade them for profit!
- 30+ dialog portraits - fully voiced and lip-synced.
- Over 80 beautifully illustrated screens by John Paul Selwood (Hero-U).
- A magical musical soundtrack by Brandon Blume (King's Quest 3 Redux)
- Decision points that will resonate across (already planned) sequels!
Daniel was first introduced to adventure games at the impressionable age of twelve, a moment which inspired a frenzied flurry of fan fiction and original works. Now a teacher, he attributes his love of literacy, writing and interactive storytelling to these gems, both past and present, and hopes to continue writing and designing games for the benefit of players. His past contributions include AGD Interactive's remakes of King's Quest II and III, and the commercially released Al Emmo and the Lost Dutchman's Mine. With Daniel's talent for game design and engaging storytelling, Mage's Initiation promises to be enjoyable and satisfying experience for even the most hardened adventure gamer!
Artist Eriq Chang has created design & illustration for major entertainment and consumer brands for over 16 years. An avid Sierra fan, his projects include creative direction with Brandon Klassen and Brad Herbert on the long-awaited 'Art of Sierra' project and developing pixel-y goodness with childhood inspirations like Andy Hoyos and Lori & Corey Cole. But it is working with family at AGDI & Himalaya that reminds him most of home and where it all began. Eriq's design work on the collectibles has been amazing and we're certain you're going to love the swag he's whipped up for you!
Mage's Initiation is a fortuitously art-intensive game featuring over 80 beautifully-illustrated backgrounds. The style we shot for was greatly inspired by Sierra legends like Andy Hoyos and Peter Ledger. Back in the day, we loved the way they crammed so much detail into low-res graphics, not to mention the stunning cover artwork on the game boxes! We wanted Mage's Initiation's art to recapture that feel-good, nostalgic look from a bygone era -- the diverse terrain and scenery which the protagonist encounters on his epic journey: mountains, deserts, and forestry all complimenting one another, as seen in King's Quest V and Quest For Glory I. In addition, the contrasting of bright and verdant fantasy settings with ominous Gothic tones like in King's Quest VI, Quest For Glory IV, and Legend of Kyrandia.
We have assembled a cadre of extremely talented artists and animators with a passion for retro adventure games. Shane Stevens, whose sprites you might recognize from Resonance, has masterfully crafted a multitude of hi-res character sprites with a distinctive retro look. Jeremy Kitchen and Carlos Hoyos have also diligently animated NPC and monsters to give them that familiar vintage style with plenty of flair.
In keeping with retro tradition, the game will feature lip-synced portraits whenever characters talk. Karen Petrasko has taken on the task of giving our characters a soul with her incredibly detailed artistic talents, the depth of which gives this old-school concept a facelift befitting a modern game!
Our 2D cutscene animator, Jess Bebe, has also been very hard at work, creating some terrific and fun animated sequences that will play at certain game intervals.
Eriq Chang is no stranger to our games, and his artistic expertise is being put to full use for Mage's Iniation. Eriq's working on the design of some of our collectible swag items - so you know they'll be a treat.
Overall, we are familiar with the impact that a well-made and artistically beautiful game can have on the player. We have a very good feeling that the art in Mage's Initiation will tug at your nostalgia strings in the best way possible!
We have already invested significant time and money into Mage's Initiation via self-funding and most of the major legwork has already been completed. In order to see this game through to its conclusion in a timely fashion (and to the quality anticipated) we're asking for your generous support. We've been honored and privileged to have an enthusiastic and passionate fan-base and, with your help, we promise to deliver a fantastic game worthy of player expectations. Kickstarter has proven a very successful means of raising support and awareness for our beloved adventure genre and we'd love to have your backing in our continued endeavors!
Want a Steam key? Help Mage's Initiation get Greenlit! Your vote, favorite, and comments go a long way towards helping us get the game out to a wider audience. Every single backer is guaranteed a Steam key if Mage's Initiation is accepted onto the platform!
Our goal is simple: to develop the best possible 2D Sierra-style adventure / RPG hybrid game we can! We're aiming for a target of $65,000. We have determined that after rewards, fees, and taxes, this goal will provide us with the minimum we need to complete a commercial adventure game with rich, detailed features that our fans have come to expect from us, and within a reasonable time-frame.
To finish Mage's Initiation with a heavy dose of polish, we need your help. While much of the design, artwork, and other assets have been completed, we still have a way to go to bring it to the level our supporters have come to expect from us.
Pledged funds will go toward paying our talented team to complete outstanding tasks, hiring voice actors, marketing/PR to boost our signal, and providing you with the most epic experience as a result.
We have sourced a slew of enchanting rewards for those of you as excited as we are about bringing Mage's Initiation to fruition! From the low-ballers to the high-rollers - we've got you covered!
Below is an infographic showing visual depictions of the rewards at each reward tier. The infographic is long, however, so if you find it difficult to compare tiers visually, here is a matrix for easier comparison:
Now that we have met our initial funding goal, the game can be expanded to include a set of entirely new class-based side-quests, additional enemies to fight, more loot, new characters, new environments, an autographed novel, FRIGS (French, Russian, Italian, German, and Spanish) language translations, and additional 2D cutscenes.
Heck, because we appreciate you helping us out so much, we'll even throw in one new collectible polyresin character figure for every stretch goal we meet! These will be rewarded to backers at certain tiers at NO extra cost!
Take a look at the stretch goals table at the top of the page to see everything we have planned!
Rachel (our CFO) has determined that we need a minimum of $35,000 to see Mage's Initiation to postmortem. You may be wondering why we are asking for $65,000 instead of $35,000 if that is the case.
After two months of detailing a development schedule, in addition to a budget for the rewards we're offering and shipping after Kickstarter and Amazon take their cut, the necessary buffer was estimated to be between $25,000 - $30,000.
Being the most fiscally conservative death metal singer we know, she suggested a buffer of $30,000 to cover other expenses such as campaign overhead and marketing/PR efforts, not to mention taxes. But she won't bore you with tax talk (even Slagg, the Great Red Demon, is scared to go near her spreadsheets.) Although she will say that you need not worry about our budget being eaten alive by taxes as she is quite familiar with many advanced tax planning techniques, which will keep the Lord of Iginor's greedy paws out of our gold reserves.
We'd like to thank Emily Morganti for helping to spread the word about our AGDI and our Sierra remakes over the years, and also giving us a hand with promoting Mage's Initiation to a wider audience!
Risks and challenges
As an independent studio, we know well the inherent difficulties associated with developing and distributing a quality game. We also know the pain of having to abandon intended features due to time and budget constraints, especially when dealing with a plot and story of the breadth and scope we like to tell, complete with all the bells and whistles.
That said, we have released five successful adventure game titles on extremely low budgets – to critical acclaim, no less. We are well-placed to see our latest and subsequent projects through, produced to even higher standards with a budget befitting the quality we strive to attain.
Over the past three months, we carefully sourced all of our rewards with much detailed analysis of everything from the polyresin figures, and t-shirts down to the shipping services and supplies used to get them to you. In addition to game development, our team members have experience in other fields including (but not limited to) financial management, professional printing, logistics, and retail management. Drawing upon this diverse experience and knowledge has enabled us to take great care with working the rewards into the budget to ensure that we stick to it without compromising the quality of the swag and game. We will deliver everything that is promised and still have the funding required to make a great game. We will be transparent about where your money is going.
This is not to say that we’re taking the success of this Kickstarter project as a given. We have planned for just opposite, in fact. Mage's Initiation will be developed and released, even if this crowd-funding campaign does not reach its goal -- albeit with fewer features and over an extended development time, and with less awesome swag in your hands out the gate.
We want to take the opportunity to thank every one of you - both long time fans and new-comers, who have supported and intend to support our endeavors to bring you the best gaming experience possible. May the adventures continue!
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Funding period
- (31 days)