With less than four days and £96,000 left to go in 22Cans' Kickstarter campaign for Godus, the studio's Populous-esque god game, the company released the title's first gameplay footage straight from its playable prototype today.
According to the video, 22Cans developed the prototype in "just under two weeks" in an effort to entice interested parties into backing the project on Kickstarter as the funding drive winds down.
The world initially has no human life. Then, each civilization begins with two followers of the player overseeing the proceedings — the god who shapes the game world — and expands over time, with the player facilitating the society's growth by sculpting the terrain in the world. Eventually, the civilization will encounter other civilizations. That culture clash becomes literal when the two societies' citizens begin fighting and dying, sending their souls floating upward.
There aren't any major bugs on display, but 22Cans nonetheless cautioned, "Do keep in mind that this is a prototype and by no means the final game." A second video from the prototype, one featuring commentary by studio head Peter Molyneux, will be released tomorrow.
The studio also noted that Godus will not require an internet connection in its single-player mode. "An online connection is required for online multiplayer and potentially some additional features," said 22Cans.
The Godus Kickstarter campaign must meet a funding goal of £450,000 by 12:50 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 21, in order for 22Cans to receive the backers' contributions and use them to make the game.
