Trebuchet, the Montreal-based studio behind Prison Boss VR (2017), just launched a Kickstarter campaign for a new game that places you on the back of a trusty steed and puts a lance in your free hand. The multiplayer VR jousting game, appropriately dubbed Jousting Time, is targeting SteamVR-compatible headsets including Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Windows VR headsets.
Trebuchet is aiming to raise $30,000 CAD ($23,400 USD) on the crowdfunding platform in an ‘all-or-nothing’ campaign that is set to last until May 2nd, 2018—meaning if they don’t hit their goal, all backers are refunded their pledge amount. If Trebuchet’s Kickstarter video is any indication (shown above and below), the game will hopefully be just as delightful and ridiculous.
As for the game itself, according to the Kickstarter page, you control your horse with the left hand, maneuver your weapon with your right, and gain speed by yelling at your horse through the VR headset. There are several weapons available besides your trusty lance including broadsword, fencing foil, mace, bow, and battleaxe. Each weapon has its own strengths and weaknesses, so understanding the specifics of each weapon and “gauging your opponent’s speed versus your own will determine who will win in the arena.”
Trebuchet is also adding a spectator mode via a web client, which will support PC and Mac at launch, and plans to also integrate community functions for Twitch streamers and viewers. Spectators will be able to vote for which weapons you want jousters to use, send emotes to show your happiness or discontent and bet on your favorite jouster to earn in-game coins which you can use to buy new reactions.
Outside of the actual gaming arena, the studio says there will also be a hub area called ‘the Feast’, a place where you hobnob with other VR jousters, launch jousting matches, and play integrated mini-games.
Estimated arrival to the lowest funding tier ($12 CAD, $9.40 USD) is slated for a November 2018 beta testing period. Higher funding tiers offer backers a shot at the game in closed alpha, which is slated to begin July 2018. Check out the Kickstarter campaign here.