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Hand of Fate brings card gaming to video game life. An infinitely replayable series of quests; build your deck, then try to defeat it!

You can still get Hand of Fate!

Our Kickstarter is over, and Hand of Fate is getting made - but you can still get access to the Alpha, Beta, and pre-order the release version at the Hand of Fate page!

A sublime blend of tabletop card gaming and video game magic, inspired by tarot and fantasy, developed by Defiant Development in Brisbane, Australia.  Released DRM-free for PC, Mac, and Linux.

In a cabin at the end of the world, the game of life and death is played. Draw your cards, play your hand, and discover your fate. 

Hand of Fate is a card based roguelike, in which the player builds a collection of cards into a deck, which is then used to deal out the dungeon floors through which they adventure. Upon entering a combat, all of the cards the player has collected fly into their character's hands as fully modeled 3D assets, and combat begins.   

Update #1 - Off to a great start!

Update #2 - Updates, and Weapons!

Update #3 - Midway!

Update #4 - From concept to model - 6 of Plagues.

Update #5 - A close up look at gear and equipment.

Update #6 - Revised Stretch Goals.

Update #7 - Final Week!

Update #8 - The Mage Revealed

Update #9 - Kickstarter exclusive weapon pack

Update #10 - GOLDFARB!

Update #11 - 70 hours left!

Update #12 - Exclusive Backer Encounters.

Update #13 - Raising the Lich.

Build your deck, enter the world of Hand of Fate, and prepare to face the King of Skulls.

Key Features

  • Tabletop card game brought to vivid life.
  • A unique take on roguelike gameplay.  
  • Visceral action-RPG combat.
  • Game changing gear and items make every playthrough unique.
  • Hundreds of encounters, items, armour, weapons, artifacts, and mysteries to unlock.
  • Unique deck building mechanics let you customise your own adventure, as you seek to defeat the Jack, Queen and King of each suit.
  • Discover the mysteries of the world of Hand of Fate, as you complete your collection.
Hand of Fate uses a deck building mechanic that allows players to choose both the types of loot they will gain and even the type of adventure they will embark upon.

Most roguelike games use randomness to increase game difficulty, Hand of Fate uses Deck Building mechanics so the player can completely customise and control their game experience, which is then randomly distributed as the dungeon level they delve into.

Got a favourite combo of weapon and ability?  Stack the deck with those to increase your odds.

Need to defeat the Jack of Skulls?  Swap in holy weapons and abilities to do extra damage to undead.
“Scales, Skulls, Dust and Dread, Four Suits, Four Fates, Four Prices Paid” - Ancient Proverb

Jack of Skulls.  King of Dust.  Jack of Dread.  At the end of each dungeon waits a member of the court, ready to end your quest where you stand.  Defeat them, and you’re one step closer to facing the game's ultimate challenge.  Fail, and your quest ends.

The twelve cards of the court provide the structure and framework for the player's progression through the game.

A host of equipment waits to be discovered in the Hand of Fate world. The player will come across a variety of weapons, artifacts, armour and gauntlets to assist in their travels. 

The weapons range from brute force apparatus to magical devices of destruction. Artifacts provide the player with special abilities that can be triggered during combat, while magical weapons have their own intrinsic powers. Armour ranges from pure defensive, to magically enhancing your abilities and attacks. 

The guiding principle for Hand of Fate is that every piece of gear should be a game changer.  There are no "Sword + 5% damage" instead there are weapons that become more powerful the weaker you get, shields that shoot fire when you block, artifacts that create a whirlwind of destruction, and many more.  Discovering unique combinations of weapons, armour, and abilities is one of the keys to mastering Hand of Fate.

Even if you do not fund a reward tier on Kickstarter, please vote for us on Greenlight!  

Steam Greenlight is a system that enlists the community's help in picking some of the new games to be released on Steam - developers post information, screenshots and video of their game and seek a critical mass of community support in order to get selected for distribution. 

If you want to see Hand of Fate on Steam, the best way is to support us on Greenlight.

Click here to check out our Greenlight page.

Defiant Development is a Brisbane, Australia based game studio. We've been around for 3.5 years now, and you may have heard of some of our projects - Heroes Call (a groundbreaking tablet RPG that inspired our early thoughts about Hand of Fate), Warco (a proof of concept for a game about War Journalism that sadly never found a home with a publisher), Ski Safari (published by Defiant, and one of the two developers is our Art Director) and the upcoming Ski Safari : Adventure Time, or some of our AR games. We're a combination of local veterans of the console industry (Pandemic, THQ, Sega, Krome) and fresh new talent, and we're all about making new, exciting games. Members of the team have worked on series like Mercenaries, Destroy All Humans, Freedom Force, Homeworld, Fable, Dark Reign, Fury and Total War. In short, it's a kick-arse crew.

We've worked hard to get Hand of Fate to the point where we can show you our vision for a new take on card gaming.  We've gotten to this point with the support of Screen Australia, and our own warchest built up from previous games.

With your help, we can take it over the line to a finished game that's as good as it can possibly be.

When we started working on games in the late 90's, it seemed like every new game that came out established a new genre, or a new set of mechanics and conventions.  As time has passed, budgets have become bigger and the willingness to innovate among the larger publishers has vanished.

Kickstarter offers us the perfect chance to build something that speaks to that golden age of game development, a card game that's also something new and different.

Revised! As we extend towards and beyond our goals we have some amazing additions to the mix. Additional cards, new enemies, new weapons, and new encounters that we're just itching to get in.


We've passed $37.5k, which means we'll be adding an exclusive pack of additional weapons to the game for all Kickstarter subscribers!

In addition, and hugely excitingly, we've got an all star team of guest designers who'll be creating cards for a special expansion pack that every Kickstarter backer will receive.

As we get closer to our goal, we'll reveal more of the guest designers, but to get you warmed up, here is the first, with an introduction from Morgan Jaffit

"In seeking out designers for our expansion, I wanted to try and involve the people who had been most influential on my development as a game designer.  People who had either shown me the ropes, or shown what was possible.  It's an incredible honour to have Ian Livingstone, OBE on board, as there's no single person who's more responsible for me being in games today.  From the Fighting Fantasy books, to playing Games Workshop games, and watching his transition into being a video games powerhouse with Eidos, Ian has blazed a trail through the industry."

We've passed our second goal, and in the process announced our second guest designer!

"Every person we've chosen to be a guest designer has been chosen because they're the people who've helped make me who I am as a developer. Rob Cunningham is a mentor, a creative mastermind, and now the CEO of Blackbird Interactive (developing the incredible Homeworld : Shipbreakers). He also started an art foundation (eatART) that makes giant robots, not to mention one of the coolest people on the planet. Working with him to create new concepts is amazing, as his mind and his pen are both blisteringly quick. Ideas comes to life and jump off the page as you talk, and his creative style has been an ongoing inspiration for me."

Hand of Fate needs your help to become a success.  We appreciate every pledge, big and small, and we'd love you to tell your friends about our game.

With your help, Hand of Fate will be a reality in early 2014.




Risks and challenges Learn about accountability on Kickstarter

Hand of Fate is very close to Alpha - everything we intend to build for the game is complete and the overall structure of the game is in place. From here, we have a lot of polish, balance and tuning yet to go. We're confident we can complete that with the amount we've asked for.

At Defiant, we have a lot of experience in shipping on budget and we're confident that we can get everything in place for our launch.

FAQ

  • What is the minimum spec?

    This is still being determined (we're still optimising!) but if you've got a SM2 card you should be fine. The game has been developed in Unity 3D, and we come from a background in mobile, so we're pretty good at squeezing things onto platforms where the constraints are tight.

    Last updated:
  • Is the game coming for Linux?

    Yes, we've just announced Linux support! All rewards now include a Linux build. We can't update the reward text (because you're not allowed to change rewards that people have already pledged to) but rest assured you'll get a Linux copy with any appropriate reward tier.

    Last updated:
  • Do I get a Steam key with my pledge?

    If the game is Greenlit (and it's looking good - we're 20% of the way to the top 100, in the first 48 hours on Greenlight) then you'll receive a Steam key with any appropriate pledge level.

    Last updated:
  • Is the game Free To Play / Freemium?

    No, it's not. You get the whole game, with any stretch goal cards, for the purchase price. We have no intention of implementing consumables, or rare cards, or booster packs. We plan to ship expansion packs of additional cards after release, with new themes, encounters, and opponents, but those will sell at a set price.

    Last updated:
  • When will the game be finished?

    April, 2014 is our current release date. If we hit our stretch goals, some of the stretch content may come on board a little later.

    Last updated:
  • What's the currency conversion for USD?

    $1USD is pretty much equal to $1AUD, so just think about the prices as if they were USD and you're close enough! You should have a little change left over (An Aussie dollar is only worth 93c Amercian, as of the start of the Kickstarter) but it's pretty close.

    * Our currency conversions are a rough guide, and may change over the course of the Kickstarter.

    Last updated:
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    USD $15* FIRST ADVENTURER ============================== EARLY BIRD PRICE Digital copy of the game for PC, MAC and EXCLUSIVE IN GAME BACKER CARD. ============================== Includes access to BACKER ONLY FORUM and NAME IN CREDITS as a Kickstarter backer.

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    USD $20* ADVENTURER ============================== Digital copy of the game for PC, MAC and EXCLUSIVE IN GAME BACKER CARD. ============================== + access to BACKER ONLY forum + NAME IN CREDITS as a Kickstarter backer.

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    USD $25* FIRST DELVER ============================== EARLY BIRD PRICE for BETA ACCESS beginning Jan 2014. Includes 2 ADDITIONAL EXCLUSIVE BETA CARDS. ============================== +DIGITAL COPY of the game + IN GAME BACKER CARD + access to BACKER ONLY forum + NAME IN CREDITS as a Kickstarter backer.

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    USD $30* DELVER ============================== BETA ACCESS beginning Jan 2014. Includes 2 ADDITIONAL EXCLUSIVE BETA CARDS. ============================== +DIGITAL COPY of the game + IN GAME BACKER CARD + access to BACKER ONLY forum + NAME IN CREDITS as a Kickstarter backer.

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    48 backers

    USD $40* ARTISAN ============================== Digital ART BOOK featuring incredible concept art by Nick Smith and Jesse Gillespie along with digital wallpapers. ============================== + BETA ACCESS + 2 EXCLUSIVE BETA CARDS + DIGITAL COPY of the game + IN GAME BACKER CARD + access to BACKER ONLY forum + NAME IN CREDITS as a Kickstarter backer.

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    USD $50* VANGUARD ============================== EARLY BIRD PRICE - ALPHA ACCESS as soon as the Kickstarter ends you'll receive early access, a spot on our exclusive Alpha mailing list where you'll be able to make suggestions and give feedback. See exactly how the game is completed! ============================== This reward also includes an additional digital download copy of Hand of Fate (so give one to your friends!). Includes 4 EXCLUSIVE ALPHA BACKER CARDS in game. ============================== + DIGITAL ART BOOK + BETA ACCESS + 2 EXCLUSIVE BETA CARDS + DIGITAL COPY of the game + IN GAME BACKER CARD + access to BACKER ONLY forum + NAME IN CREDITS as a Kickstarter backer.

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    83 backers

    USD $60* VANGUARD ============================== ALPHA ACCESS as soon as the Kickstarter ends you'll receive early access, a spot on our exclusive Alpha mailing list where you'll be able to make suggestions and give feedback. See exactly how the game is completed! ============================== This reward also includes an additional digital download copy of Hand of Fate (so give one to your friends!). Includes 4 EXCLUSIVE ALPHA BACKER CARDS in game. ============================== + DIGITAL ART BOOK + BETA ACCESS + 2 EXCLUSIVE BETA CARDS + DIGITAL COPY of the game + IN GAME BACKER CARD + access to BACKER ONLY forum + NAME IN CREDITS as a Kickstarter backer.

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    14 backers

    $80* USD ROBES ============================== An exclusive Hand of Fate T-shirt. Especially designed for our backers! ============================== + ALPHA ACCESS + ADDITIONAL DIGITAL COPY + 4 EXCLUSIVE ALPHA CARDS + DIGITAL ART BOOK + BETA ACCESS + 2 EXCLUSIVE BETA CARDS + DIGITAL COPY of the game + IN GAME BACKER CARD + access to BACKER ONLY forum + NAME IN CREDITS as a Kickstarter backer.

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    42 backers

    $100* USD - THE TREASURE CHEST ============================== Limited Edition DELUXE BOXED version of Hand of Fate, physical copy. Includes 2 discs (game + All additional digital materials) as well as manual. ============================== +T-SHIRT + ALPHA ACCESS + ADDITIONAL COPY + 4 EXCLUSIVE ALPHA CARDS + DIGITAL ART BOOK + BETA ACCESS + 2 EXCLUSIVE BETA CARDS + DIGITAL COPY of the game + IN GAME BACKER CARD + access to BACKER ONLY forum + NAME IN CREDITS as a Kickstarter backer.

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    21 backers

    $130* USD CARD SHARP ============================== The Hand of Fate TAROT DECK. Created from in-game cards, you'll receive the unique Hand of Fate tarot - tell your fortune, play a game, it's your choice! ============================== + PHYSICAL BOXED COPY + T-SHIRT + ALPHA ACCESS + ADDITIONAL COPY + 4 EXCLUSIVE ALPHA CARDS + DIGITAL ART BOOK + BETA ACCESS + 2 EXCLUSIVE BETA CARDS + DIGITAL COPY of the game + IN GAME BACKER CARD + access to BACKER ONLY forum + NAME IN CREDITS as a Kickstarter backer.

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    27 backers

    $200* USD THE TABLETOP GAME ============================== An actual size cast bronze Meeple (figurine) as well as two Hand of Fate tarot decks enables you to accurately recreate the Hand of Fate experience at home. Not included: Mysterious Dealer with malevolent intentions. ============================== + 2 TAROT DECKS + PHYSICAL BOXED COPY + T-SHIRT + ALPHA ACCESS + ADDITIONAL COPY + 4 EXCLUSIVE ALPHA CARDS + DIGITAL ART BOOK + BETA ACCESS + 2 EXCLUSIVE BETA CARDS + DIGITAL COPY of the game + IN GAME BACKER CARD + access to BACKER ONLY forum + NAME IN CREDITS as a Kickstarter backer.

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    $500* USD GAME MASTER ============================== Create an ENCOUNTER for Hand of Fate! We'll take your suggestions and description, and create a CARD OF YOUR DESIGN that will feature in the game, with the gameplay you suggest. We'll also send through an autographed print of the original card art. Also includes an additional PHYSICAL COPY of the game, so you can show off your creation, and a DESIGN credit. ============================== + MEEPLE + 2 TAROT DECKS + 2 PHYSICAL BOXED COPIES + T-SHIRT + ALPHA ACCESS + ADDITIONAL COPY + 4 EXCLUSIVE ALPHA CARDS + DIGITAL ART BOOK + BETA ACCESS + 2 EXCLUSIVE BETA CARDS + DIGITAL COPY of the game + IN GAME BACKER CARD + access to BACKER ONLY forum + NAME IN CREDITS as a Kickstarter backer.

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    $2000* USD WEAPON MASTER ============================== Create a WEAPON for Hand of Fate! We'll take your suggestions and description, and create a CARD OF YOUR DESIGN that will feature in the game, along with a 3D model of the weapon that will appear in game. We'll also send through an autographed print of the original card art. Also includes an additional PHYSICAL COPY of the game, so you can show off your creation, and a DESIGN credit. Excludes "GAME MASTER" reward. ============================== + MEEPLE + 2 TAROT DECKS + 2 PHYSICAL BOXED COPIES + T-SHIRT + ALPHA ACCESS + ADDITIONAL COPY + 4 EXCLUSIVE ALPHA CARDS + DIGITAL ART BOOK + BETA ACCESS + 2 EXCLUSIVE BETA CARDS + DIGITAL COPY of the game + IN GAME BACKER CARD + access to BACKER ONLY forum + NAME IN CREDITS as a Kickstarter backer.

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    $3000* USD ONE WITH EVERYTHING ============================== Come and spend a day in the Defiant Development studio (or remotely via videoconference) and see how the magic happens. We will introduce you to the team and walk you through how you have contributed to the game. Includes all rewards below this, including designing your own encounter and weapon (as per "WEAPON MASTER" and "DUNGEON MASTER" rewards) and a DESIGN credit. This does not include flights, accommodation or any travel costs. ============================== + DESIGN A WEAPON + DESIGN AN ENCOUNTER + MEEPLE + 2 TAROT DECKS + 2 PHYSICAL BOXED COPIES + T-SHIRT + ALPHA ACCESS + ADDITIONAL COPY + 4 EXCLUSIVE ALPHA CARDS + DIGITAL ART BOOK + BETA ACCESS + 2 EXCLUSIVE BETA CARDS + DIGITAL COPY of the game + IN GAME BACKER CARD + access to BACKER ONLY forum + NAME IN CREDITS as a Kickstarter backer.

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- (30 days)