The Weekly Geek: A live action sword-fighting video game
Kickstarter projects are the new geeky hotness — and the latest big, nerd celebrity dream product is a super-powered combination of multiple brands of geek. Author Neal Stephenson is behind Clang, a sword-fighting video game using a sword peripheral (and focused on teaching proper technique). Think of it as the evolution of the Rock Band 3 “pro” mode, only for budding Jaime Lannisters instead of budding Dave Navarros.
Not only can I get behind this as a seriously fun-sounding game — and an opportunity to actually learn something interesting — it could also be a new favorite way to work out. Move over, Wii Fit and EA Sports Active — working out by decapitating virtual baddies just sounds so much more fun!
From the Escapist:
Described as “Guitar Hero with swords,” Clang appears to be the kind of in-depth fencing game couch samurais have been dreaming off since motion controls started gaining popularity. Apparently, early versions of the game will use an “off the shelf” motion controller — from the video it appears to be a Razer Hydra. The Kickstarter is asking for $500,000, and has just passed the $150,000 mark.
“In the last couple of years, affordable new gear has come on the market that makes it possible to move, and control a sword fighter’s actions, in a much more intuitive way than pulling a plastic trigger or pounding a key on a keyboard,” reads the game’s Kickstarter page. “So it’s time to step back, dump the tired conventions that have grown up around trigger-based sword games, and build something that will enable players to inhabit the mind, body, and world of a real sword fighter.”
If you want to see Clang in action, take a look at the video below, and check out the Kickstarter page If all goes well, the game will be released in February 2013.