Webcomic creator and avid gamer Leeanne M. Krecic, also known as “Mongie,” is set to release her first game, Everdate, based on her smash hit Eisner and Ringo nominated comic Let’s Play. A Kickstarter campaign for the game launched on Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, February 14th at 12pm PST and features opportunities for fans to get exclusive game content, merchandise, early access, and even be a producer on the game!
Everdate is being developed by Krecic under her newly launched “Mongie Studios” along with game studio Always Imagine, known for their work for clients including Sony, Sega, Xbox, Disney, Lego, Mattel, Warner Brothers, and Lucasfilm. “Mongie Studios” gives Krecic the opportunity to continue to develop her own IP and direct-to-fan business model while creating a unique immersive experience for fans of Let’s Play.
“I’m so incredibly excited to present Everdate! It has been a fantastic experience thus far, and it is a wish come true of mine to be able to create a video game. Pursuing my career as a comic creator in 2016 was a dream, and this will be another box checked on my bucket list! I’ve always loved gaming since playing text-based games on the Commodore 64. And another passion of mine growing up was playing Magic: The Gathering. Now I can combine my love for both in Everdate, a dating simulation, and a CCG game. I hope others will enjoy Everdate as much as I have, and it will allow readers to stay connected to the story of Let’s Play for when it can return,” said creator Leeanne M. Krecic.
With nearly 7 million global subscribers, Let’s Play is one of the world’s most popular webcomics, helping establish the incredible growth of webtoons in the U.S. The print editions of Let’s Play, published by Rocketship Entertainment, are among the most successful Kickstarters in the platform’s history and have ranked #1 on Amazon, with volume 3 set to release this summer. Let’s Play has a devoted readership who have been obsessing over the fate of game-developer Sam Young’s personal life and the relationships of the diverse cast of characters. Everdate empowers those fans to choose their ‘ship’ – the subject of intense online debates for years!
Players will be able to play as one of 12 canonical characters and interact with other Let’s Play characters throughout the world. This game mode will be handled like most popular dating simulation games, with information shared between characters that may be vital in contributing to a successful date. After the players have reached a comfortable relationship with their potential partner, they then set up their date, which includes selecting from a series of locations that will take place over three stages. Players will choose their attire to further prepare for the date and then build their date deck. Their date deck will be made up of general, item, and character-specific cards that are unique to each character. From there, the date is played out at each location in a co-op fashion, with the player and their date trying to use their date decks to meet the various demands of their date locations.
“Everdate has all of us excited!” said Tony Hobdy, CTO of Always Imagine. “Working with Leeanne and her team has been one of the best collaborations we’ve ever had on a project, and it’s exciting to build something that feels new and innovative. We can’t wait for people to play it.”
Everdate will be available on both mobile and PC with additional platforms including Mac, XBOX, and Switch, being unlocked via stretch goals of the Kickstarter. The Everdate Kickstarter will have multiple tiers beginning with the base game featuring the 12 main characters from the series – Sam, Marshall, Charles, Angela, Link and more. Tiers start at $19 for the base game and higher tiers include even more exclusive content, merchandise, producer credits, and invitations to the private online launch party with Mongie! Backers will also have the opportunity to purchase additional character and and location packs including Sam’s parents, Warquest, Ruminate, and gender swapped packs. All tiers include exclusive content that will not be available in the later retail release of the game.
Images via Mongie Studios and Always Imagine
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