OUR VISION
We at KING Art Games are thrilled that story-based tactical RPGs are making a comeback thanks to Kickstarter. We always loved these games and we work hard to be part of this renaissance!
A section of “Girdlegard”, the game world of “The Dwarves"
We had the idea to make a game with epic battles between a handful of heroes and hundreds of enemies (think "Battle of Helm's Deep" in "The Lord of the Rings") and combine these cool battles with a great story and a unique group of playable characters. The result is "The Dwarves".
OUR CROWD COMBAT SYSTEM
Our Crowd Combat System uses physical parameters like mass, dimension and momentum of individual characters to calculate a realistic flocking behavior. If an enemy in the front is hurled into an ally behind him, the information instantaneously travels across the entire group and causes them to react accordingly - everyone is affected.
That results in a very natural and cool-looking behaviour for the whole enemy crowd. Everybody pushes and shoves, squeezes and stumbles all at the same time.
Each character on a battlefield influences all of the others
You can, and have to, make use of this “physical chaos” to hold your own against huge enemy hordes. Additionally each hero has a range of individual attacks available that you can combine into powerful combos.
Without the right tactics and a whole lot of courage your party of heroes will perish
But how does combat feel besides all the physics-based havoc? Think about an RTS like Warcraft 3. In some missions you play only one (or a couple) of powerful heroes. These heroes fight against enemy minions without your help (auto-attacks), but you are the one who moves the characters and who chooses when to use which of their powerful special abilities. These abilities have a cool down, so you have to switch between your heroes to make the most out of them.
Add combos and the environment into the mix and you get an idea of what the combat feels like. You’re in control of an elite group of fighters that can fight for themselves if you’re not around, but who need you to close the deal.
You can rotate and zoom the camera in all our levels
Dwarves is a single player game and to give you enough time for your decisions there is something we call “Combat Focus”. It’s basically “bullet time” that slows down all the action, so you can solve critical situations.
THE GAME WORLD
“The Dwarves” is based on the first novel of the international best-selling fantasy series by German author Markus Heitz.
You play as Tungdil, a dwarf who was raised among humans and gained his knowledge of the five Dwarven Kingdoms primarily from books. He sets out on a grand journey across “Girdlegard” - a conglomeration of kingdoms that’s now more dangerous than ever.
Our main character Tungdil in the vault of his mentor Lot-Ionan
You’ll travel across the game world on a world map that is alive with allied armies, enemy hordes, and NPCs, such as travelling salesmen. When you meet allies or merchants you can talk to them, buy things, and maybe receive a quest. There are also random events and encounters that can occur anywhere in the world. Sometimes it’s just minor things, sometimes these encounters call for tough decisions and might have far-reaching consequences.
There are a few hundred waypoints on the map you can travel to. There will be frequent switches from the world map to a more detailed view, where you can explore important locations and solve hidden puzzles.
Explore the environment to learn more about the world and the characters in it
It is important for us to stay true to the books whenever possible. But at the same time Markus gave us the freedom to change things if necessary and the game offers a range of new adventures and side quests – a few of them written by Markus Heitz himself.
DESIGN
Girdlegard is populated by different dwarven tribes, humans, elves, magi, orcs, bögnils, ogres and Älfar. We’re currently giving all races and characters in the game a unique appearance.
Giselbert Ironeye, King of the Dwarven Kingdom of the Fifthlings, and one of his soldiers
Concept Art of an ogre with some weapon variations
Facial expressions of our protagonist Tungdil
Concept Art of the “Stone Gateway”, the first battleground in “The Dwarves”.
Each enemy has different strengths and weaknesses, as well as a unique combat style.
Not all of your companions are dwarves... or humans.
THE SCHEDULE
We started developing "The Dwarves" early this year. This is our schedule until the release in Mid-2016:
The alpha and beta versions of "The Dwarves" are exclusively for supporters (PC only). Like in our previous games we're looking forward to get your feedback and work together with you to make the game great.