Proven Lands
Proven Lands is an impressive exploration-focused, science-fiction sandbox roguelike currently on Kickstarter and Steam Greenlight. Still in its early stages, the game’s tech demo is already pretty impressive, allowing your spaceman to roam vast procedurally generated alien landscapes, crafting and fighting enemies. The finished product is far more ambitious than this though, inspired by Star Trek, Don’t Starve, Project Zomboid and Cataclysm; it’s not just another sandbox survival game, the major emphasis here is on exploration and storytelling.
The procedurally generated Voxel-based worlds that you will explore in Proven Lands feature different topographies, weather effects, natural disasters, rivers, flying isles, asteroids (in space), and a wide variety of alien creatures living in their own ecosystems. As you progress through the game, you’ll build, craft, forge alliances, travel to other planets, use vehicles, create outposts, and meet AI companions. There are also plans to implement a co-op multiplayer too, allowing you to explore the alien worlds with a friend.
The other feature of Proven Lands, which is just as important as the exploration, is the storyline – or to be more precise, storylines – as there are two very different story delivery systems. One is an entirely optional scripted story, with philosophical leanings – touching on themes such as friendship, bravery, responsibility and even pregnancy. The other part of the story is delivered by an AI meta game engine which tailors a gameplay experience specifically for the player, much like a D&D game master. The player’s character will also have its own driving factors, with its own ambitions, traits and moods; it’s a bit like the system that’s in place for The Sims.
The Kickstarter has thus far made more than $31k within it’s first week, with an end goal of nearly $500k. This $500k goal may be a little too high, but the team has had some great feedback, and there is a lot of buzz around the game. They’ve already had an offer from a big name publisher, and the game is currently #4 on Kickstarter’s “Discover for Video Games” category, while nearly reaching the top 100 on Steam Greenlight in just a few days.
We’ll keep you updated on the game’s progress at IGM, but ff you’d like to support Proven lands directly, you can contribute to the Kickstarter campaign and vote for it on Steam Greenlight.
