Two Belarus-based poker and fantasy fans are currently looking for funding with an impressive presentation of their Lord of Poker concept on Kickstarter.
The intriguing and complex proposed role-play fantasy poker game they have designed could create cross-over opportunities between subscription poker tournaments and the booming eSports competition industry, and its developers are focused on multi-channel online and mobile capability to ensure a wide appeal to the very significant millennial demographic.
The Kickstarter presentation (accessible here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/39490487/lord-of-poker?token=04b935de) explains:
“The Lord of Poker is a unique Role-playing Poker Game (RPPG) combining poker, an RPG, and a fantasy card game that expands your gaming experience through innovative gameplay.
“In Lord of Poker, every class (Assassin, Paladin, Wizard, Druid, and Monk) has attributes distributed between four primary skills: Mind, Courage, Endurance, and Luck. These all combine with the arcane forces of ancient Magic to play a role in determining the victor.”
This passage, setting the scene for the background story, may sound familiar in places to some recreational poker players:
“In ancient times, nearly forgotten, poker was more than just a game. It was a way to resolve the deepest conflicts. In those days of yore, the ability to win at poker was closely connected with the knowledge of a secret poker magic.
“However, all Magic has a dark side, and over time some players were engulfed by greed and the influence of sinister forces. Rather than play by the rules, they sought to gain an advantage over others by any means, no matter how evil. Countless hands were won by these ruthless players.”
The foundation of the game is Texas Hold’em. Each round of card combat (poker session) starts with six participants – three players and three mobs, who play for gems. A participant is knocked out from the table when he/she loses all their gems.
“When a mob is being knocked out it may drop special items that players can acquire: pieces of equipment, magic runes, potions, magic scrolls and additional gold. Card combat continues until there is only one player left at the table. This player then takes all gold and items in the pot. The card combat mechanics gradually get more complicated with every level-up a hero gains.”
Players gain experience by making specified poker moves and combos during card combat, completing quests, defeating opponents at the gaming table and levelling up.
After reaching an experience threshold, the player’s hero advances to the next level. With every level-up that hero gains 2 points to be distributed between two (four for the Monk) primary skills available for improvement.
For example, the Paladin will more often receive points to be put towards the enhancement of Courage/Mind, while the Druid will more frequently have to choose between Luck/Endurance. This system preserves the specialisation of classes throughout the game.
Magic is at the heart of The Lord of Poker. There are many different spells: defensive or offensive, blessing or cursing, those that can increase or decrease a hero’s attributes. Mastering them is the key to determining success or banishment.
The business model depends largely on a monthly subscription from players of $10, with discounts in the form of game rewards.
The Kickstarter funding window for the project closes on May 3, by which time the developers hope to have raised $100,000. Thus far they have attracted 56 backers – mainly from Belarus – who have pledged $1,790.
The developers have boosted interest in the project with a Youtube vid here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXX9zaEJCm0