With 'Metal Gear Solid 4' and 'Halo 4' in his rear view, Ryan Payton reveals 'Republique'

Ryan Payton, Metal Gear Solid 4 producer and Halo 4 narrative designer, has revealed Republique, a "stealth survival" hybrid designed for mobile devices. Payton's new studio, Camoflaj, marked the announcement with a $500,000 Kickstarter to fund its development.

Ryan Payton, Metal Gear Solid 4 producer and Halo 4 narrative designer, has revealed Republique, a "stealth survival" hybrid designed for mobile devices. Payton's new studio, Camoflaj, marked the announcement with a $500,000 Kickstarter to fund its development.

In a premise that feels as though it would be right at home in a Sega CD FMV game, players take control of massive security system as they attempt to guide a woman named Hope out of a totalitarian state. In the proof-of-concept video that accompanies the Kickstarter, Hope provides hints about the best way to help her progress, such as activating a computer screen to distract an enemy soldier.

A half-million dollar Kickstarter is just the latest in a series of big gambles from Payton. In 2008 he left his position at Kojima Production to be closer to his mother (who had been diagnosed with cancer) and to help design the story of Master Chief's return in Halo 4. Three years later, he struck out on his own, telling Kotaku at the time, "Some people say I'm crazy, but I want to make a game that one billion people play at once, and it's something that hits them harder than a great book or film."

Though he lacks the support of a major publisher, Payton isn't exactly going it alone. Republique will be created in conjunction with Logan, the production house behind the live action Skyrim trailer.