A New Star in the cRPG Sky: Epictellers' Bold Move

Epictellers Entertainment, a small but ambitious studio from Barcelona, is making waves with their upcoming cRPG, Starfinder: Afterlight. Unlike many studios that shy away from the genre after Baldur's Gate 3's massive success, Epictellers is diving right in. Their Kickstarter campaign has already surpassed its goal, raising over €530K in just a few weeks. The studio's co-founders, Ricard Pillosu and Albert Jane Goset, have a background in AAA game development but wanted to create something closer to their hearts. They're big fans of tabletop RPGs and have been Dungeon Masters for years. This experience shines through in their approach to Starfinder: Afterlight. The game is set in a science fantasy universe, blending magic and interplanetary travel. It's more like Guardians of the Galaxy than hard sci-fi, with a comedic tone and a focus on fun. The story revolves around an extinction event called the Afterlight, which the player must prevent. Epictellers is aiming for a quality level similar to Owlcat's games, not Baldur's Gate 3. They're using the Godot engine and plan to release modding tools shortly after launch. The game will feature branching narratives, multiple ways to complete quests, and optional romances. The Kickstarter campaign has been a success, with over 9, 650 backers. Epictellers plans to use the funds to add more voice acting and other features. They're also working with Paizo, the IP holders, to bring the Starfinder universe to life. Despite the challenges of adapting a tabletop RPG to a video game, Epictellers seems committed to making Starfinder: Afterlight a unique and engaging experience. It's a bold move, but one that could pay off if they can deliver on their promises.