Orken by SIXMOREVODKA — Kickstarter
Once there were Neanderthals, and we probably outcompeted them. Humans are an invasive species. In order to progress we must expand, and we’ll stop at nothing to do so. This is a story as old as time. This is human nature.
Why is it, then, that this chord is so rarely struck in fantasy media? Why is it that there’s always some other murderhobo race doing the dirty work for us across decades of fantasy publications? Why is it always some clobbering Orcs with little agency beyond being manipulated by evil forces responsible for all the pillaging, raiding, and conquesting?
ORKEN asks a simple question:
What if Orcs were just another part of our evolutionary story? Would they go the way of the Neanderthal, or fight tooth and claw for their right to live?
So, what is ORKEN?
ORKEN is an ambitious publishing venture by art studio and IP development house SIXMOREVODKA, known for their work for clients including Epic Games, Marvel, Sony, Riot Games, WB, and countless others. It’s aimed as an upending of the stale tropes of faceless villains and endless monotony in the fantasy genre, asking the question; what if Orks were just another part of our evolutionary timeline? Would they fade away like Neanderthals, or fight for their right to live?
It pitches two empires at their prime against one another, granting each the depth and motivation they deserve, their actions each driven by fear; fear of ruin, fear of humiliation, fear of the unknown. Can there be hope for peace, or are they mutually doomed to keep drawing blood until they’re both destroyed?
Materially, ORKEN is a campaign putting 6 books up for grabs, ready to go to the printers and make their way out to backers as soon as the campaign closes. It encompasses novels, illustrated novels, and setting books, with add-ons expanding out to maps, tarot-style cards, art prints, and a companion glossary handbook. There are extensive previews for all of the available items being released as part of the campaign, totalling 592 finalised pages of content free for anyone to enjoy. The campaign is running until the 26th of March, and is already well past its first two stretch goals – but there are plenty more in the tank.
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