War of Zodiarcs is currently in the feedback phase of Square Enix Collective, an initiative of legendary Japanese game publisher Square Enix aimed at helping developers to share their game ideas directly with gamers and get feedback before moving forward with crowdfunding. The Collective is a curated platform for showcasing games that allows for direct community involvement, with projects that are upvoted by the public moving on to crowdfunding with marketing and other support from Square Enix.
War of Zodiarcs is a new twist on the Tactical JRPG with cards, and dice added to create an RPG experience that is at once familiar and new. The game features a strong visual concept, a deep story exploring the tumultuous journey to becoming an adult, and a cast of 10 party members all with unique personalities and back stories. War of Zodiarcs is the sort of complex and sophisticated adventure we dreamed of playing as children.
The choice of genres for War of Zodiarcs was inspired by our love of tactical games like Shining Force and Final Fantasy Tactics, games that force you to plan and think about your next move. Cards and dice were added to the mix to imbue the game with the excitement of playing a traditional board game, where you’re filled with anticipation and tension as you prepare to flip the card or throw the dice.
While the story of War of Zodiarcs does follow the traditional “coming of age/hero’s journey” structure, the team at Cardboard Utopia has been working hard to fill the story with twists and surprises that both subvert and pay homage to a beloved genre. As well, great care has been taken to fill the game with a diverse and well developed cast of characters that defy stereotypes and challenge the idea of what makes a hero.
You can learn more about the world of War of Zodiarcs, our diverse cast of characters and the team behind this new take on a classic genre on our website.
About The Company: Cardboard Utopia was founded on the belief that the best, most cherished games are the ones that engage you through gameplay, story, and characters. Not just flashy experiences that leave your thoughts once you put down the controller, but games that make you think, plan, question and discuss. These are the things that create memories for future years. These are the types of games we make.
To schedule interviews with the creators about the game or our experience with Square Enix Collective, please contact our community manager, Mariko McDonald at mariko.mcdonald[dot]gmail.com.
