‘Nox Archaist’, the 8 bit retro RPG for Apple II, Mac, and PC fully funded on Kickstarter

6502 Workshop has started a Kickstarter campaign for Nox Archaist, an 8 bit sword-and-sorcery RPG in the vein of Ultima and Bard’s Tale. Now, what’s surprising is that the RPG will be playable on Apple II or on a modern Mac or PC. Within a span of a few days, Nox Archaist has already been fully funded, passing the initial goal of  $8,500 and now stands at US$ 25,123 with 27 days to go.

In the words of the developers, “our goals for this project are to capture the retro-gaming experience from the 1980s and explore what might have happened if commercial RPG development had continued on 8-bit computers to the present day. Nox Archaist will be playable on both original Apple II hardware (128k enhanced Apple //e, Apple IIc, and Apple IIGS with dual floppy) and modern Mac and Windows PCs through emulators.”

Nox Archaist is being made from scratch, in assembly language, on real Apple II hardware. Now, that’s something you don’t see every day. The unique project has already received approval messages from RPG legends Richard Garriot (Ultima) and Rebecca Heineman (Bard’s Tale III)

Nox Archaist is set in a sinister realm ruled by swords and sorcery. Adventurers brave enough to explore Nox Archaist will encounter engaging NPCs and a vast storyline within a sandbox world with linear storyline elements. Hordes of vile enemies will block your path to fame and riches.

Much more than just a “hack and slash” game, Nox Archaist will offer a rich and rewarding world to explore and discover, with many secrets, interesting stories, and a deep history to unravel. Gamers will enjoy features like skills-driven character development and strategic turn-based combat scenarios which integrate with the game’s storyline and push the boundaries of the Apple II platform.

Features

• Complex world with both linear storyline and non-linear sandbox elements
• Hiding in tall grass, horse jumping, swimming
• NPCs with independent movement and adaptive behavior
• Advanced mob combat tactics
• Popup windows and other modern user interface elements

For more information regarding the game, backer tiers and stretch goals, visit the official Kickstarter page here.