PixelCount Studios is a game developer created from “the ashes of Lionhead Studios” with 2 of the veterans. Not only did they work on Fable, but other projects such as Black & White and The Movies. Based in Guildford, United Kingdom, their goal is to bring back the aspects that people loved about their games and that is what they’re hoping to do with their very first project – Kynseed. Described as a “whimsical sandbox RPG adventure”, Kynseed has features and aspects that may remind gamers of Stardew Valley. However, it’s a bit more complex and has twists on the story and gameplay that takes from British folklore and legends. The former Fable developers are excited to introduce this Kickstarter project to the public and hope to raise $38, 817 total. Check out the introductory video below:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/405964313/kynseed-a-whimsical-sandbox-rpg-adventure?ref=video

One of the biggest differences between Kynseed and other farming adventure RPGs is the presence of a character named Mr. Fairweather. As the player starts their adventure in the land of Quill, a magical acorn is given to you that grows a “family tree”. As time passes, the character gets older and life will eventually come to an end. However, the game can continue as long as there is a family member to turn the business over to. Whether it is an adopted offspring or one of your own, as long as the family acorn is passed down then the game will continue. Otherwise, it is game over. Of course, the continuation of a gameplay through the agreement with Mr. Fairweather isn’t without sacrifices. The former Fable developers have much more than that in store, with interesting features to set Kynseed apart from the rest.

• An Aging World
  • The 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 Old
  • Individuals and animals grow old and eventually die. Families remember your good deeds or wrongdoings for generations.
• Unique Life Mechanic
  • Pay 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 Combat
  • Wander 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 System
  • Build 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.

Essentially, think Stardew Valley with choice consequences and an aging system to making a more impactful and meaningful gameplay. Though the game may be pixelated, a lot of thought and time has gone into the overall game mechanics and features. So, if the player so chooses to commit unkind or unsavory actions, it is likely that those actions will see plenty of consequences down the line. For those curious, there is a very early prototype available which can be downloaded here. So, what do you think of Kynseed? Is it a project you expected from former Fable developers? What do you think of the mechanics behind the game? Feel free to leave any thoughts or comments in the section below or begin a conversation on Don’t Feed the Gamers official Facebook and Twitter!