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***Update 1 – 2015-10-13 – 00:40 CEST***

I am very glad to inform you guys that Plug In Digital Label´s African-Fantasy 2D Action-RPG “Aurion: Legacy of the Kori-Odan” has been fully funded on Kickstarter (+41,000 Euro). So the next goal is to reach 75,000 Euro within six days from now. So I wish Plug In Digital Label the best of luck with that =) Speaking of which, Madiba Olivier (the founder of Kiro’o Games) gave us the following information earlier today (you can download and play the Aurion: Legacy of the Kori-Odan for example), so please enjoy!

“Hi Gaming Ground team,

I am Madiba Olivier founder of Kiro’o Games. I hope this find you well. I am writing you to personally tell you that the 1st African fantasy RPG in the world, Aurion Legacy of the Kori-Odan, has crossed the line of 100% and has reached 40.000€, our Initial Goal on Kickstarter.

We are now burning about the reaching of 75.000€ our first stretch goal recently unveiled and even more. With your boost through an article or tweets, we really think we could reach it. This is a part of the gaming industry story which is written there, day after day, and your audience can be very interested to be part of it.” – Madiba Olivier, founder of Kiro’o Games.

Interesting links:

– Our website : www.kiroogames.com

– Landing page for the game with playable public Demo : http://aurionthegame.com/

– Latest game trailer : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4d2bXaDJ1Rg

– Cool video made by a youtuber : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d62LTov4s84

– the heroine Making-of : https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/plugindigitallabel/aurion-legacy-of-the-kori-odan/posts/1362411

– Veteran gamedesigners from Halo and Alone In the Dark supports the campaign : https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/plugindigitallabel/aurion-legacy-of-the-kori-odan/posts/1365730

– Worldmap of the game revealed : https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/plugindigitallabel/aurion-legacy-of-the-kori-odan/posts/1355745

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I´m probably far from the only one that welcomes innovation, creativity and new ideas in the video game industry. Because let´s be honest, there is too much duplication in the industry nowadays (COD 25, Sims 34 and so on). However, thanks to the indie scene we get to see (and experience) games which most AAA studios (and publishers) wouldn’t even dare to dream about making (safe play = safe money. Thus the never-ending circle of AAA sequels and remakes ). And I think it´s safe to say that Plug In Digital Label´s (it´s a Cameroonian indie studio) African-Fantasy 2D Action-RPG “Aurion: Legacy of the Kori-Odan,” (for Windows, a PS4 port will be done “if” Aurion collects 100,000 Euro on Kickstarter) is a perfect example of such a game. Not only that, “Aurion” is writing video game history as well. As it´s one of the very first ambitious and big African game projects to date. And so far “Aurion” is doing really great on Kickstarter as well.

“Aurion Legacy” displays some really beautiful graphics and animations (everything is hand drawn).

However, “Aurion: Legacy of the Kori-Odan” is about 22,000 Euro short at the moment (with 19 days left to go). So “hopefully” I will raise some awareness about the game´s existence, because I think “Aurion” deserves to happen. Not only because the project is really vital for the game development scene in Africa, but also because there are plenty of stories, myths and cultures in Africa as well. In other words, we could get to experience a lot of creative (and never seen before) games “if” more African game development studios emerges (“Aurion” might work as a door opener on this front).

Say hello to Enzo kori odan, the prince of Zama.

Anyhow, so what is “Aurion” all about then? Well, it´s a 2D African Fantasy Action-RPG which aims to innovate the genre (according to the developers for example). And by the looks of it, “Aurion” might actually live up to that ambition (the real-time combat sequences and heavy combos looks really cool for example). As for the plot of the game, Enzo Kori-Odan (the prince of Zama) had plans to marry his lifelong love interest Erine Evou (princess of Zama) and become the king of Zama. However, faith had other plans for Enzo. As Ngarba Evou (Enzo´s new brother-in-law) wants to overthrow Enzo from the throne.

Meet Erine Kori Odan, the queen of Zama.

And that´s where you (the player) come into the picture. As you will be sent out on a dangerous journey to reclaim the throne that´s rightfully yours. So Enzo and Erine are at your disposal, and it´s your job to clear Zama (a land that´s heavly inspired by African culture, myths and lores) from evil and suffering (trust me, there are plenty of villains in “Aurion” for you to fight). Well, that sure sounds really promising for me at least.I would also like to point out that Enzo and Erine have different abilities, powers and skills. So they work together as a team (Erine is a support character, while Enzo is the main character of the game), something of which made me think about the “Streets of Rage” series. Anyhow, I wish the Plug In Digital Label the best of luck with “Aurion”. And “if” you like (and believe) in the game, then show “Aurion” some love and support on Kickstarter!

Robin “V-Act” Ek
The Gaming Ground
Twitter: @TheGamingGround