Advertisement
The Berlin studio Paintbucket Games is successfully appealing for support for the game project on Kickstarter The Darkest Files.
Update from April 19, 2024: The four-week Kickstarter campaign ended yesterday, Thursday, with proceeds of exactly €50,001 The Darkest Files. A total of around 1,200 supporters took part in this, unlocking several bonus content and features ('stretch goals') along the way.
The release date is still 'summer 2024'.
Report from March 20, 2024: It took just five hours to surpass the minimum target of €10,000 at the Kickstarter launch yesterday, Tuesday: As of today (March 20, 9 a.m.), around 270 backers have raised almost €14,700 for the implementation of the 'historic true'. Crime games' The Darkest Files agreed.
Advertisement
This makes a Nintendo Switch version possible in addition to the PC version. The Steam Deck optimization (from €15,000) is also almost certain – the next 'stretch goal' will then be activated from €25,000. The crowdfunding campaign doesn't end until April 18th – completion is scheduled for August 2024.
The title is being developed in the East Berlin district of Lichtenberg by Paintbucket Games (motto: Play with impact): The studio was founded by Jörg Friedrich and Sebastian Schulz Through the Darkest of Times and Beholder 3 won several awards – most recently with the German Computer Game Prize 2023.
The Darkest Files puts the player in the role of prosecutor Esther Katz in the service of Attorney General Fritz Bauer, who investigates Nazi crimes in post-war Germany. The task of the special unit: collect evidence and circumstantial evidence that can be used in court, question witnesses, reconstruct the events of the crime, identify the perpetrators, and bring charges.
Similar to previous Paintbucket games, the game is characterized by an exceptional graphic style, this time mixing 3D environments with 2D comic effects.
Paintbucket Games has for The Darkest Files has already successfully collected funding from the federal government, states and the EU: The Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg initially provided €110,000 in 2020 – a further €310,000 came from the Federal Ministry of Economics (BMWK). €130,000 comes from the Creative Europe Media pot.
If you want to get your own impression before investing on Kickstarter: go ahead Steam There is already a free demo of The Darkest Files.