The indie-developed sandbox RPG has launched a Kickstarter campaign to support bringing its fantasy world to gamers. Rick Damigella reports.

The indie video game "Hawthorn" is currently seeking support through a Kickstarter campaign. The title is described as a cooperative sandbox RPG with elements of colony and life simulation, set in a fantasy world inspired by Victorian-era fairy tales. The game's world features animal folk such as mice, otters, and owls, each from distinct regions.

The development team behind "Hawthorn" includes members with previous experience on major titles such as "Skyrim," "Dune Awakening," "The Last of Us," "Uncharted 4," "Lost Legacy," "Dragon Age," and "Ultima Online," as well as work with the "Dungeons & Dragons" tabletop game. According to the team, "Hawthorn" aims to deliver strong world-building, backstory, and memorable characters.

The developers state that their approach prioritises retaining creative control and allowing the game's community to have a significant influence on its direction. The team believes that a charming and heartwarming game experience is in demand, offering players a form of escape.



Game On: The AAA-talent behind indie game ‘Hawthorn’

Welcome to the world of Hawthorne. They live here. Together. The animal folk. Mice from Lundvik. Otters from Otterheim. And owls from High Ari. Hawthorne is a co-op sandbox RPG with a little bit of colony sim elements thrown in there, a little bit of life sim. And it's set in a fantasy world that's based on Victorian-era fairy tales. The ambitious new game is an independent production from a team with triple-A game experience, from Skyrim to Dune Awakening and even the Dungeons & Dragons tabletop game. I was on The Last of Us, Uncharted 4, and Lost Legacy. And then before that, I was on Dragon Age for a little bit and Ultima Online. World-building, rich backstory, and unforgettable characters will always be part of Hawthorne's identity. We all are pouring everything we have into making this a reality, and our whole philosophy around the bootstrapping side of it is being able to maintain our vision for the game with really our audience and our community being the only ones that get to influence the direction of the game. These bold homesteaders explore, carve a place for themselves here. I feel like in this day and age, having something that's charming and wholesome and heartwarming is very much needed right now, and people are looking for that kind of escape. Perhaps one day, we'll earn each other's trust. Leveling up in Hollywood, I'm Rick Damagella.

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