Help bring more life to my innovative Action RPG

Hello, my name is Steve. In summary, I am here to kindly ask for donations in order to improve my indie ActionRPG video game project. It is constrained by the lack of art assets that are cohesive to the intended art style of the game world and of an appropriate level of quality. Up to this point I have been unable to attract a game artist as a partner, who would normally be able to handle these matters. And I do not have the artistic capabilities, nor the extra resources, to fill that gap myself.

 

The game has been in development for over two years using placeholder assets and there is an early playable demo which can be downloaded by anyone. Meaning that you would not be helping to start a project from scratch, but to add tangible value towards an expanded demo. Which, in turn, will be used to improve the likelihood to attract deeper funding for growing the project in all aspects.

Please continue reading below for further details ...

 

A Little About Me

A lifetime gamer (be it video, board, or role-playing games) since I first got my hands on Pong. My favorite video game genre is Action Role-Playing Games (aka ActionRPGs or ARPGs or sometimes referred to as “Hack’n’Slash”). I have many years of involvement in the computer industry, both designing and leading various technical projects. I also have credited video game industry experience from my contribution to EA Mythic’s AAA MMO, Warhammer Online.

 

About the Project

After two decades of playing a majority of the bigger releases within the ActionRPG genre, I generally noticed a recent lack of “gameplay loop” innovation (ie the repetitive activities that a player will take while playing a game), especially from the larger studios who have the resources. I am not referring to various gimmicks which become unengaging after a few days, such as climbing walls or leaping across wide gaps just because they are there, but a deep and lasting system design that expands the gameplay loop while still keeping the core action within the scope of the genre.

 

I became tired of waiting, so I set out to design a one-of-a-kind system to do just that. And after more than two years of work with the help of various other contributors, there is an early playable demo that reasonably exhibits this system along with the overall thematic scope of the game world itself ... with the exception of reaching the desired visual potential.

 

The game is called Natural Balance: Chronicles … In it you can experience the independent journeys of natural enemies as they struggle with the harmful acts caused by the opposing race. Each side is in a constant tug-of-war to sustain sufficient levels of their respective energy in order to survive. The changes in the balances of energy affect not only the world, but also all of the players in it in various ways.

 

You can read details about the game, view videos and images, find links to social media, and download the demo at Natural Balance Chronicles on IndieDB

 

VIDEO - Natural Balance: Chronicles - Official First Look Video Trailer:

 

The pre-alpha demo has already been voluntarily covered by ARPG fan sites and independent content providers, such as ...

• “Natural Balance Chronicles Indie ARPG” by Idodmg:
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOUOPgM32BY
• “Natural Balance Chronicles - An Indie A-RPG with a cool Energy System” by Smattymatty:
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi24tUR3h0Y
• “Découverte de la démo de Natural Balance : Chronicles” by Hack’n Slash World (French only):
• https://www.hacknslashworld.com/decouverte-de-la-demo-de-natural-balance-chronicles/

 

How to help?

First, aid indie game developers

Please consider supporting committed individuals or small teams who work hard to provide the world enjoyment via new and diverse games.

 

Video games have generally helped fight the isolating effects brought on by COVID by providing an entertaining distraction and relief of stress:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/gaming/2021/07/13/video-games-2021-covid-19-pandemic/7938713002/

 

Second, Donations … are you a:

• Fan of ActionRPGs - Instead of blowing a few extra bucks on your next virtual cosmetic item, please consider supporting the genre so that you have another title to fill the gap between seasons or expansions of other ARPGs.
• Game Artist - Support the project with a donation of money or an asset. On the side, drop me a line if you are a concept artist or experienced with 2D/3D game art (especially with the Unreal Engine) and would be interested in working on the project in some capacity. While I would love to support entry level technical artists who are looking to gain experience in this role, I honestly lack the appropriate knowledge to be a proper guide.
• Family Member - In place of that next Christmas card or birthday gift.
• Friend - In place of picking up that next tab at a restaurant or buying me a drink.
• Lotto player - Please consider skipping a week to play your numbers or buy that scratch off ticket ... you have a better chance to get something in return with my game. ;)
• Game Publisher or Investor - For those who are potentially interested in backing the project at a deeper level, I freely acknowledge that it is currently too early in the development stage to reasonably attract your attention. However, if you see the potential, please consider following the project and reach out to me once it is at a stage that is appropriate for your involvement. A pitch deck can also be made available, should you want further insights.
• Everyone else - What would motivate you to donate? Your name listed in the credits, something named after you in the game, a simple “Thank You”? Let me know in the comments.

 

Third, help build the community:

Please join the Natural Balance ActionRPG community via one or more of its social media’s channels which are listed at the bottom of the presskit page of project:

https://www.indiedb.com/games/natural-balance-chronicles/presskit

 

The game is also open to player feedback. So for donors who are interested in helping out in that way, connect with us so that you can be informed of new releases, public or private.

 

Fourth, spread the word:

It costs you only a few seconds of time to share this campaign to others.

 

Where will my donations go?

Since the focus of this request is for game art to sufficiently demonstrate the target quality and visual style within the game, the plan is to post either a pre-made asset that meets those objectives or concept(s) for custom artwork to be made by a freelance artist, along with an associated price (adjusted to compensate for any taxes and/or fees) per asset posted. Once sufficient donations are reached for the most recently listed item, I will acquire it and show it in use within the project and then post another entry. This way you can see that your donations are being genuinely utilized, piece by piece.

 

Let us start off with a low cost, pre-made package ... I have been eye-balling this collection of gems that will be used in the game as actual gemstones, others as “motes”, and some others as crafting resources other than actual gems. A total of $25 USD in donations are needed to unlock this lovely set.

 

 

 

Wrapping Up

As a general disclaimer, this indie game is basically a startup business with all the accompanying risks. While I intend to manage it professionally and create a business entity at the appropriate time, I cannot provide any guarantee, now or in the future, that the game will result in a final delivery or produce a profit that brings value to your contributions beyond the art it will directly purchase.

 

With that said, this project is my personal passion and I will continue to apply my own resources for as long as it takes. Please make a donation because you believe in me and / or the potential for the project itself.

 

Thank you for your time and consideration. Feel free to contact me with any questions.