The crowdfunding campaign for Shadow of the Eternals, the spiritual successor to 2002 survival horror game Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem, launched this morning, confirming a funding goal of $1.5 million.
Precursor Games, which a press statement says includes the "creators" of Eternal Darkness, will be released in an episodic structure, the first of which is slated to launch in 2014 for Windows PC and Wii U. Shadow of the Eternals is also being developed on CryENGINE, according to a press release.
The description of the game's plot released today closely resembles that found in an internet cache last week. The cache listed a game called Shadow of the Ancients by Precursor Games, which has similarities to new information released on Eternals.
"Featuring an ensemble cast, Shadow of the Eternals will span over 2500 years of human history," reads the statement of the plot. "Players will question their own perception of reality as they progress through this mind-altering psychological horror."
According to the game's website, the community will be able to "contribute content to the game" through backer rewards. By "being a member of the Order" and participating on the game's forums, backers "may receive" rewards including their name in the credits, their created content in the game and the ability to vote on the inclusion of other backers' content.
"Precursor Games intends to leave no stone unturned in order to create an unparalleled experience for gamers," CEO of Precursor Games Paul Caporicci said in a statement. "We have a talented team, incredible technology with CryENGINE and a new business model where we directly integrate the fan base into the development process, allowing for new possibilities and game direction."
The video, posted above, from the game's official YouTube introduces the title and its development team, as well as explain the developer's choice to crowdfund the game. IGN has also posted nine minutes of footage from the in-development horror game, offering a more in-depth look from the teaser trailer posted last week.
According to the Precursor Games website, the studio was founded in July 2012 is based on Hamilton, Ontario. Too Human and X-Men Destiny developer Silicon Knights' head Denis Dyack is the current Chief Creative Officer of Precursor. Caporicci, along with much of the studio's staff, also have credentials at Silicon Knights.