KickStarter SKALD: Against the Black Priory - retro RPG inspired by Ultima

[Sweeper]

Is it the same crew that always watches director’s cuts

Director's cuts are always superior to the theatrical release so... good on you for proving their point?

 

[FalloutBR]

It seems like Skald is getting some attention from Larian's Swen Vincke. I wonder if the new BG3 crowd will enjoy this...

 

[Tyranicon]

It seems like Skald is getting some attention from Larian's Swen Vincke. I wonder if the new BG3 crowd will enjoy this...

Really good marketing boost.

I might be jaded, but I would just assume someone at the publisher called in a favor. Or maybe Swen just saw the project and thought it was cool.

Nevermind that garbage, what's the bear-to-vampire ratio in this game?

 

[FalloutBR]

Really good marketing boost.

I might be jaded, but I would just assume someone at the publisher called in a favor. Or maybe Swen just saw the project and thought it was cool.

Nevermind that garbage, what's the bear-to-vampire ratio in this game?

Yeah, someone probably gave him a nudge towards the game, but I don't think he would tweet about if he didn't actually thought that it was cool.

Game is still a month from release, after the Stranger Things-esque trailer and this endorsement, I wonder what he'll do to keep the hype alive until then... might even drop some pixel art fishmen romance a week before release.

 

[Sweeper]

It seems like Skald is getting some attention from Larian's Swen Vincke. I wonder if the new BG3 crowd will enjoy this...

Great, I hate SKALD now. Thank you Swen, very cool.

 

[PunchYouInTheFace]

Really good marketing boost.

I might be jaded, but I would just assume someone at the publisher called in a favor. Or maybe Swen just saw the project and thought it was cool.

Nevermind that garbage, what's the bear-to-vampire ratio in this game?

Yeah, someone probably gave him a nudge towards the game, but I don't think he would tweet about if he didn't actually thought that it was cool.

Game is still a month from release, after the Stranger Things-esque trailer and this endorsement, I wonder what he'll do to keep the hype alive until then... might even drop some pixel art fishmen romance a week before release.

Pretty sure Skald Developer and some of Larian's developer including Swen has talked to each other and have known about Skald since their demo came out. Iirc.

It seems like Skald is getting some attention from Larian's Swen Vincke. I wonder if the new BG3 crowd will enjoy this...

BG3 crowd? probably not all of them. BG3 has gone beyond the niche. But I bet the visibility would help the Skald to gain some extra interest. It's not a bad thing.

 

[Taka-Haradin puolipeikko]

. BG3 has gone beyond the niche. But I bet the visibility would help the Skald to gain some extra interest.

Why people do keep assuming that BG3 generates interest for other RPGs besides Larians earlier games and possibly BG 1 & 2?

 

[Butter]

. BG3 has gone beyond the niche. But I bet the visibility would help the Skald to gain some extra interest.

Why people do keep assuming that BG3 generates interest for other RPGs besides Larians earlier games and possibly BG 1 & 2?

It's like thinking Marvel movies would generate interest in John Woo movies.

 

[PunchYouInTheFace]

Why people do keep assuming that BG3 generates interest for other RPGs besides Larians earlier games and possibly BG 1 & 2?

Because that is what many would likely to do.

They play Larian games, they like it, they look for more Larian games and something else like it.

BG1/2 is another matter, it's too old, but not impossible.

I've seen many avid cRPG player playing Pathfinder, PoE, even Bg1/2 originally hooked to the genre by DOS2 or now possibly because BG3.

It's the same logic that shooter player who interested in Stalker would likely playing New Vegas.

It's the same logic those who like X thing would seek X-similar thing.

 

[PunchYouInTheFace]

It's like thinking Marvel movies would generate interest in John Woo movies.

False comparison 101.

Marvel movies would generate interest in Superhero movies.

 

[Butter]

It's like thinking Marvel movies would generate interest in John Woo movies.

False comparison 101.

Marvel movies would generate interest in Superhero movies.

I don't even think that's true. Most people who watch capeshit movies pick a camp: DC or Marvel, and they're inexplicably tribal about it. Most of them don't start reading the comic books afterward. They're just normies who watch the thing because it had a big marketing push. When it's done they go back to being normies. BG3 to Skald is as big a leap for normies to make as capeshit action to gun-fu action is.

 

[zwanzig_zwoelf]

It's like thinking Marvel movies would generate interest in John Woo movies.

I'm sure every man of culture is naturally drawn towards John Woo movies after 5 seconds of watching capeshit.

 

[PunchYouInTheFace]

I don't even think that's true. Most people who watch capeshit movies pick a camp: DC or Marvel, and they're inexplicably tribal about it. Most of them don't start reading the comic books afterward.

Most of them don't, some of them are. That's my point.

Also DC "fans" ans Marvel "fans" only exist on Twitter. In real life, both "fans" (i.e. regular people) watch the movies from both studios.

 

[FalloutBR]

. BG3 has gone beyond the niche. But I bet the visibility would help the Skald to gain some extra interest.

Why people do keep assuming that BG3 generates interest for other RPGs besides Larians earlier games and possibly BG 1 & 2?

It's anecdotal evidence, but I do see some people show up in the Pathfinder reddit and even in the TTRPG Discord I frequent that come over looking for more "RPG stuff" after finishing BG3... so there's definitely some subset of BG3 players that might show interest. For a small dev like Skald's it might make a difference...

 

[cyborgboy95]

The last content to go in is the best, and it is low-combat to boot, interesting.

 

[Mr. Magniloquent]

10 hours of gameplay? Is that critical path only? The finished game must be not even double the length of the demo. $15 is reasonable.

 

[Hydro]

How’s the character creation in terms of builds? Is it nuanced enough?

 

[FalloutBR]

How’s the character creation in terms of builds? Is it nuanced enough?

The Steam demo's character creation seems to be feature complete as the demo got updated a couple months ago, you can try that if you want to see how it actually works.

It does seem to have a lot of different options like 9 distinct main classes and a dozen backgrounds to choose from. After that you allocate points in five different attributes and around ten skills and based on those you get a bunch of secondary stats.

It seems complex and nuanced enough for a 20-hour game but who knows if all of those stats and skills will actually be useful during proper gameplay.

 

[Taka-Haradin puolipeikko]

 

[Abu Antar]

15 hour main path, 25 with side stuff, according to the latest update.
Custom mercs option added.

https://www.skaldrpg.com/2024/05/late-stage-feature-bonanza/

Late Stage Feature Bonanza​

Hello!

As I’m writing this, there are 227 hours, 11 minutes and 23 seconds left until launch. That feels surreal, terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time. Just like a good cosmic horror grimdark RPG in other words.



The game in question is, of course, “Skald: Against the Black Priory”. A retro-style roleplaying game releasing May 30th for PC and Mac on Steam and GOG.

The game will sell for 15 USD with a Deluxe Edition priced at 25 USD. This game is VALUE PACKED in my humble opinion so please consider getting the Deluxe edition.



We’re keeping it safe and saying the game has a core path of about 15 hours but in reality, every single first run I’ve seen has taken 25+ hours and that’s not mentioning replayability.

Some New Late-Stage Features​

In the blood-red rush of caffeine fueled crunch madness I decided to add a few nice little late stage features. Rejoice!

MERCENARIES​

Do you want to adventure with the pre-made characters? Or would you rather make every character in the party from scratch? Perhaps a combination of the two?

Oops all new characters!
Fear not! The Outer Isles is full of “Mercenaries”: Blank characters that you can hire and customize fully.

Up to 18 characters can be part of your group and you’re free to swap them in and out from the party management screen that you get access to when resting in beds or at inns!

This game suddenly feels a lot more like murder-hobo pokemon!
You’re even free to leave all your companions in camp and venture forth alone if you want a bit of an extra challenge.

THE WEATHERMAIDEN​

As you set sail across the Outer Isles on the fine ship “Weathermaiden” you can use her as a mobile base of operations.



Sleep, cook, craft, socialize, organize your party, trade and store your loot in style as you plow the steel-gray seas of the Outer Isles!

ULTIMATE MODE​

Also known as “Nostalgia Mode”! This is a small one but it’s such a sweet little feature I can’t help but show it off! The Deluxe Edition (amongst many other cool things) allows players to activate the special retro game frame!



This is sure to bring back some fond memories for a lot of you! Did I mention that you should buy the Deluxe edition?

DELUXE MAP​

The Deluxe Edition will now come bundled with a high resolution version of the overland map! And don’t worry: We’ll include both a spoilery and a non-spoiler version!

SOUND EFFECT UPDATE​

I’ve done a MASSIVE overhaul of the sound effects in the game! Hoooo boy let me tell you it makes all the difference in the world to actually hear those guts spill onto the floor!

I didn’t have time to record footage of it but believe me when I say you’re in for a treat!

In Closing…​

I’m planning to showcase the pre-made characters and I should also do another feature-focus on advanced combat stuff. We’ll see what I can squeeze in before launch and during the launch week.

In any case I’m BEYOND excited to show you the game. We’ve been sending keys to content creators and press and word is seeping in that they’re having a lot of fun with it. Are YOU a content creator or a Press person? Get in touch for a key to the game:

creatorscreators@rawfury.com

presspress@rawfury.com

---

To stay posted, be sure to follow the Skald Twitter and Discord and wishlist on Steam if you haven’t already!

See you in 227 hours!



AL

 

[Infinitron]

We’re keeping it safe and saying the game has a core path of about 15 hours but in reality, every single first run I’ve seen has taken 25+ hours

I never pay much attention to these developer gameplay time estimates because when I play the game it always takes me longer. 10 hours? Nah, it's gonna be more.

Told ya.

ULTIMATE MODE​

Also known as “Nostalgia Mode”! This is a small one but it’s such a sweet little feature I can’t help but show it off! The Deluxe Edition (amongst many other cool things) allows players to activate the special retro game frame!



This is sure to bring back some fond memories for a lot of you! Did I mention that you should buy the Deluxe edition?

Maybe he's still reading our forums.

 

[Ludwig von Eisenthal]

Wow, I forgot that the estimated delivery date was August 2020 - and the "current" one - according to IndieGoGo - August 2022. It sure is about time that game sees the light of day. As for that retro mode: I guess as a mere "Freeman" supporter on the original campaign I'll have the honor and privilege to pay extra money to get this essential mode... yay...

 

[Haba]

"A foole & his money,
be soone at debate:
which after with sorow,
repents him to late."​

But no, being one does not give you any extra privileges. Trust me, I know.

 

[WarHamster]

As for that retro mode: I guess as a mere "Freeman" supporter on the original campaign I'll have the honor and privilege to pay extra money to get this essential mode... yay...

You do have the honor and privilege to pay more, of course, but all Freeman level backers will get the Deluxe Edition (which includes the Ultima mode). https://www.skaldrpg.com/backer-info/

 

[Comte_IV]

What year is this being released?