Peter Molyneux reveals Populous 'reinvention' Project Godus on Kickstarter

Game designer Peter Molyneux's new development studio 22cans has announced its next project, an "innovative reinvention" of groundbreaking god game Populous, currently named Project Godus. 22cans has turned to Kickstarter to crowd-fund the game, seeking £450,000.

"Godus blends the power, growth and scope of Populous with the detailed construction and multiplayer excitement of Dungeon Keeper and the intuitive interface and technical innovation of Black & White," reads the Kickstarter project description. "The original Populous hailed from the 8-bit era but Godus will use the most modern technology the world has to offer."

22cans promises a "living world, unique and detailed" that can be influenced by players' actions, both good and evil. Players can engage in multiplayer battles between other players' gods and their respective worshippers.

Peter Molyneux says in pitch video that 22cans wants to go "back to those glory days of [Populous developer] Bullfrog, back to when we focused ultimately on the gameplay" in creating Godus.

Godus is bound for unspecified PC and mobile devices, with the possibility of additional platforms.

22cans estimates that the game will take seven to nine months to complete, with an expected September 2013 release date. But, 22cans says, "if we exceed the amount of funding we're asking for, we'll use the extra to enhance the game further and support additional platforms which will add a little more time to the development schedule."

Pledge levels on the Kickstarter range from £5, which includes access to the backer-exclusive forums, to £5,000, which includes a trip to E3 2013 and a chance to be interviewed by Peter Molyneux on television. A £15 pledge nets one downloadable copy of Godus, plus access to the beta.

Developer 22cans released its first game, iOS and Android block-breaking mystery Curiosity: What's Inside the Cube?, in November.