Dungeon of Elements is the latest in a line of games that attempts to meld disparate genres into a cohesive package. The framework is an RPG dungeon crawler that includes character creation, loot collection, and crafting. The combat in the game uses a puzzle system that takes its inspiration from classics like Tetris and Dr. Mario.

The game is actually fairly close to completion, so the Kickstarter campaign is really meant to bring an extra layer of polish particularly in sound design. Pledging $15 or more will net backers a copy of the game, and higher-tier rewards include digital artwork, virtual currency for other Frogdice titles, exclusive in-game weapons, invitations to the launch party and more.

The development team has done a great job showing off what Dungeon of Elements is really about, and you can get a first-hand look at how it’s progressing by checking out the campaign’s official video on the Kickstarter page. That page also has much more detailed information about the game including the story, details about boss battles, and more about the world in which the game takes place. With just over two weeks to go, the campaign is sitting around 65% funded, so there’s still plenty of help needed.

Puzzle games and dungeon crawlers collide in Dungeon of Elements

© 2013, The Indie Mine. All rights reserved.

Lex Laser is a turn-based strategy game based in a 2d game world. Set on colonies in the far reaches of space, players will spend their time fighting, mining, looting, exploring, and – like any smart hero would do – running away. When it comes to combat, the game tries to overwhelm the player with numbers rather than brute strength. Foes are plentiful, and the objective is to dispatch them quickly and efficiently before they grow too great in number to handle. Again, it is turn-based, so shots are placed ahead of time which creates an almost tactical combat/puzzle game hybrid. Equipment upgrades take place between missions and allow various found items to be combined for upgrading the weaponry and adding new gadgets.

The development team plans to break the story up into short episodes, playing on the format of popular sci-fi television shows. This isn’t an unexpected surprise considering the game’s inspirations include a few notable series like Babylon 5 and Firefly.

Early estimates are that development will carry over into early-to-mid next year if the base Kickstarter goal is reached. Should the campaign go exceedingly well, the team has mentioned stretch goal ideas like turning Adventure Mode into a heavier plot-driven Story Mode, creating dev tools for the gaming community, and bringing the game to tablets. The details for how the Kickstarter funding is budgeted have been outlined directly on the campaign page.

The usual Kickstarter rewards are present, in particular those that get the contributor’s name into the game. There’s also artwork, a copy of the soundtrack, and access to alpha, beta, and finished builds. With just over three weeks to go and the campaign doing well, there’s still time to get involved.

© 2013, The Indie Mine. All rights reserved.

In Election War Room, the player battles his or her way through the turn-based campaign trail trying to earn enough electoral votes to win the election. Special interest groups, auctioned special abilities, and saavy choices in campaign states all go towards achieving that goal. Election War Room  works as a two-player, asynchronous game, though both players’ moves are resolved at the same time once their choices are made.

The current plan is for Election War Room to be released this month, but the team needs some help crossing the finish line. That’s where Kickstarter comes in as the team has set up their own campaign to raise the final $6k. The money is intended to go towards finishing up the artwork and improving quality through additional playtesting. The blue sky dream is to raise a total of $15k that might eventually make the game free, but the team is setting their sights on the more realistic goal at this time. Rewards for backing the game range from free copies to backer-created news items to a developer-centric boardgame night in San Francisco with the creator of Plants vs. Zombies who was an advisor on the project. Check out the official campaign video below then head on over to the Kickstarter campaign page to check out all of the rewards.

© 2012 – 2013, The Indie Mine. All rights reserved.

Sundae Factory, a new 3-man indie development studio out of Montpellier, France,  has announced details on their first title. Ecotone is a single-player platformer coming to PC and Mac. Promising a “unique, dreamlike, and mysterious atmosphere” and a skill system for your character, the player’s avatar must cross a world filled with exotic creatures and monsters.

One interesting aspect to Ecotone is that each level features a different type of gameplay whether it be speed-based, puzzle solving, gravity-based challenges, and more. Each level also thematically centers on a sentence that will often bear a key to getting to the finish. This sounds perfect for riddle fans out there.

Riddles in each stage give clues to success

Sundae Factory can’t finish Ecotone on their own and have turned to an Indiegogo campaign to help raise the $12,000 needed to get the game finished and published. Everything from free copies of the game to beta access to figurines are some of the perks being offered. Initial funding will go towards legal fees, software property rights, sound design, and marketing costs. Should the campaign exceed the goal, there are plans to bring Ecotone to mobile platforms.

Stay tuned to The Indie Mine for future updates on Ecotone, and you can get your info straight from Sundae Factory by checking them out on Twitter and Facebook.

© 2012 – 2013, The Indie Mine. All rights reserved.

Over 32 million people actively play Fantasy Football every year. Over 8 million people play the social media game Mafia Wars. Rival Studios believes these numbers can translate into a successful massively multiplayer online Fantasy Football game. That’s why they’re creating Touchdown Wars, a Free-2-Play browser-based game that will allow you to create and customize everything football from entire leagues all the way down to the equipment.

Games are run on a daily basis and every simulated game factors in a variety of elements including team composition, coaching strategy, player development, and more. As GM and coach you can build up players or trade with friends and rivals in order to shape the best team. League awards are available just like in real football. For those who are really into the team-building aspects of series like Madden or NCAA Football, there’s a lot here for the micromanager in you.

Rival Studios can’t do it alone though and that’s where the Kickstarter campaign comes in. They’re trying to raise $17,500 in order to hire graphic designers, developers, and pay for other production costs. Backers will have a chance to earn early beta access, in-game money, a variety of Touchdown Wars-themed paraphernalia, and the ability to design in-game items including logos, stadiums, and more. There’s just a few weeks left, so if you’re a fan of the pigskin go check out the campaign now.

© 2012 – 2013, The Indie Mine. All rights reserved.