Two ex-Lionhead Studio's employees have come together to create PixelCount Studios to try their hand at indie development. The two chaps, Neal Whitehead and Charlton Edwards, have had a lot of experience with the Fable series and are hoping to use that knowledge with their new PC game, Kynseed. This 2D sandbox RPG is now up on Kickstarter and is looking for £30,000 to fund the project.

The game takes place in the land of Quill over generations of protagonists. You can choose your gender, start and farm, start a lineage and discover the secrets of the land. You will meet townsfolk and other NPCs to fill in the land and to do dealings with. But the most important person of all is the mysterious Mr Fairweather, who gives you a present that will shape your entire existence and beyond.

The titular Kynseed will guide you through the overarching stories of the game. From here, your family tree will grow and, depending on your decisions, it will flourish into a solid monument or wither into a laughable disgrace.

Gameplay has the usual open-world themes. There's combat to be had with unfriendly 'faery-tale creatures' but the mischievous Mr. Fairweather will be there to boost your abilities... for a cost. You can run your own pub or apothecary and search the lands for rare items and mythical creatures.

Other features include:

  • An Aging WorldThe land is affected by your choices and deeds. Seasons come and go and affect the world both visually and in gameplay.
  • Living Things Have Memory and Grow OldIndividuals and animals grow old and eventually die. Families remember your good deeds or wrongdoings for generations.
  • Unique Life MechanicPay the mysterious Mr Fairweather for powerful upgrades and revivals, at the cost of years from your life! Will you miss out on your child's development to buy that music box that makes dragons dance? Will your business suffer because you bought a pet cat that turns people to stone?
  • Real-time CombatWander from The Path and indulge in meaty combat against various nasty faery tale creatures that guard the materials and loot you need to become the greatest in the land.
  • Meaningful Relationship SystemBuild friendship into romance and produce heirs to continue your legacy. Do favours for others and not only gain friendship but also juicy information and gifts.

There is a prototype of the game if you would like to try it before backing. The team warns that 'The prototype is not a demo (not even close to one!) and is more to just get a handle on controls set over a week on your family farm during an idyllic summer.'

At this point, the game has nearly brought in 20% of the campaign goal with 27 days remaining. You have until June 3rd to shower your affection (and money) on Kynseed. The Kickstarter trailer is available below:

https://ksr-video.imgix.net/projects/2512534/video-777182-h264_high.mp4