Late Friday Obsidian Entertainment launched the Kickstarter campaign for their upcoming fantasy RPG and it did not take long before the $1.1 million asked for had been pledged (in fact, it's around $1.4 million now).
The original pitch on Kickstarter reads as follows:
"Obsidian Entertainment and our legendary game designers Chris Avellone, Tim Cain, and Josh Sawyer are excited to bring you a new role-playing game for the PC. Project Eternity (working title) pays homage to the great Infinity Engine games of years past: Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, and Planescape: Torment.
Project Eternity aims to recapture the magic, imagination, depth, and nostalgia of classic RPGs that we enjoyed making - and playing. At Obsidian, we have the people responsible for many of those classic games and we want to bring those games back... and that's why we're here - we need your help to make it a reality!"
The massive attention and success of the campaign has now seen Obsidian establish a set of stretch goals:
"1.1 million, Base Goal - Achieved!
Base game includes three races, five classes, and five companions. We have ideas for these, but we want to hear your opinions on what you'd like to see. Stay tuned to Kickstarter, our website, and our forums to join in on the conversation.
1.4 million, New Playable Race, Class, and Companion!
Expands your options for character creation and adds a companion of the new class.
1.6 million, a Mac Version of Project Eternity and The Story Grows!
We've listened and we'll make a Mac version of the game at this tier. We're also going to add a new major storyline along with new quests, locations, NPCs, and unique loot (special histories everyone?).
1.8 million, New Playable Race, Class, and Companion!
The options grow for your main character and the roster of your motley crew expands with the addition of a new companion from the selected class.
2.0 million, Player House!
Get your own house in the game that you can customize, store equipment in, and where your companions hang out, or, as the elves say, "chillax".
2.2 million, a new Region, a new Faction and another new Companion! And, dare we say it... ? LINUX!
Great news, everyone! For the Tarball Knights of Gzippia out there, we'll be adding Linux support!
Also, the world of Project Eternity grows in a major way with the inclusion of a whole new faction and the territory it holds. This adds new NPCs, quests, magic items, and hours of gameplay. And yes, you got it, another companion.
2.4 million and beyond! Coming Soon!"
One trick used by Obsidian that proved very successful was the "early bird special" where a pledge of $20 will be awarded with a copy of the game. The offer was limited to 25,000 (and has been filled), so anyone looking to pledge now needs to put down $25 in order to be rewarded with the game.
Several of the upper tiers also proved popular so Obsidian are looking into adding some more rewards for those looking to make a substantial contribution.
Anyway, if Project Eternity interests you (and it should), head over to the Kickstarter page for more information.