14 DAY TRIAL // Paul Neurath, designer of the Ultima Underworld RPG launched back in 1992, has just confirmed that a spiritual successor is now in the works, but in order for the game to be launched, it needs extra funding.
His new company, Otherside Entertainment will be launching a Kickstarter campaign on February 4, but the amount it needs hasn't been disclosed yet.
However, Neurath told IGN that the Kickstarter would feature “extensive stretch goals” if the initial goal is met before the end of the campaign.
“Our goal is to retain what was great about the original. We're pretty convinced it will play as well today as it did 20 years ago. That deep immersion, that sense that you're there, the fun in exploring with that sandbox gameplay and RPG nature of the game,” said Neurath.
The crowdfunding campaign will kick off on February 4
After more than 20 years Neurath thinks now is the right time to bring back one of the most beloved RPG franchises. The way developers are now communicating with fans and how they are involved in the games creation is a huge benefit for both sides.
Neurath's company, Otherside Entertainment, will follow the same pattern and will ask for feedback from fans and players, so that their next game called Ultima Ascendant will meet their expectations.
“When we created the original game, there was a wall between us and the fans. Publishers didn't really encourage us to reach out and have a dialogue. And that was a lost opportunity. And today, with crowdsourced funding and digital distribution, it's a cool opportunity for us to open it up and let the fans who supported the franchise all along to come onboard,” concluded Neurath.
This would be the second game in Ultima universe that seeks funding on Kickstarter after Richard Garriott's Shroud of the Avatar – Forsaken Virtues, which is seen as the spiritual successor of Ultima Online.