Starfarer's Orchard at Dusk

Auckland, New Zealand

Harborline Collective

326 Backers

  • 49%

    Raised

  • 326

    Backers

  • 20

    Day Left

raised
0 %

Goal: $61,525

Funding

Short description

Starfarer's Orchard at Dusk is an original video game crafted by Harborline Collective in Auckland, New Zealand, blending atmosphere, mechanics, and story into a distinctive journey. Our team is building bespoke systems and art so the world feels handcrafted, surprising, and deeply replayable.

Introduction

Starfarer’s Orchard at Dusk is a contemplative, narrative-driven game set on a tranquil planetoid where ancient, bioluminescent trees form a vast orchard under a perpetually twilight sky, and where the player's small, mindful actions send gentle ripples through the wide, serene spaces of this alien ecosystem, nurturing new growth and slowly unveiling a cosmic story. The project is built upon a philosophy of intentional, tactile interaction, rewarding a player's curiosity and patient observation with breathtaking botanical discoveries, peaceful puzzles, and profound narrative revelations about the nature of life and memory.

We are weaving an adaptive, ethereal musical score that subtly answers to and reflects the player's rhythm of movement and their nurturing intent, making the soundtrack a symbiotic part of the gardening and exploration experience. Environmental storytelling is embedded in every facet of the Orchard; every unique plant species, crumbling astronomical tool, and softly pulsing fruit hints at the advanced civilization that once tended these grounds, their connection to the stars, and the delicate balance required to restore it. Our camera system acts as a gentle guide, shifting with imperceptible subtlety to maintain a flawless flow and frame the majestic, otherworldly beauty of the Orchard without ever breaking the player's immersive presence.

Gameplay is a meditative cycle of planning your growth patterns through the biodome, satisfying traversal across the soft, organic terrain, and magical moments of serendipity as the orchard's living world responds to your care. Harborline Collective employs a rigorous weekly prototyping process to validate the feel and emotional resonance of every interaction, from planting a seed to manipulating starlight, ensuring the core experience is always polished and impactful. We are committed to delivering silky-smooth performance on modest machines, and every systemic element, from growth cycles to light refraction, is designed to interlock, ensuring that each visit to the orchard feels unique and rewarding.

The Problem

Too many games ask for endless hours instead of intentful moments. Stories are often fragmented by grind rather than elevated by play. Players deserve experiences that trust them to read, listen, and act with care.

We think pacing is a feature, not an afterthought that fills calendars.

Our Mission

Our mission with Starfarer's Orchard at Dusk is to deliver meaning through motion, sound, and space. We commit to transparent development and respectful community management. We cultivate a studio culture that treats health and creativity as inseparable.

We ship with accessibility presets and remappable inputs on day one.

How Your Contribution Will Be Used

Funds are allocated to art, engineering, narrative, audio, QA, and certification. We keep a contingency to cover delays without rushing or cutting corners. A public budget breakdown and monthly updates will be shared with backers.

We will prioritize fair pay and predictable schedules for our collaborators.

Stretch Goals

If we exceed the base goal, we will add a photo mode and a maker-friendly level editor. Further milestones include an original EP release and additional accessibility options.

Why This Matters

Backing thoughtful mid-scope games widens the space between tiny and gigantic projects. Your support demonstrates that care, craft, and calm can succeed in the marketplace.

Rewards for Donors

  • $10 – Backer role and digital thank-you postcard.
  • $20 – Early demo access and name in credits (supporters).
  • $30 – Digital soundtrack sampler and feedback forum access.
  • $50 – Full soundtrack, exclusive wallpaper pack, and beta key.
  • $100 – In-game cosmetic set and supporter credit upgrade.
  • $250 – Founder credit, private Q&A session, and two launch keys.

Support Us

If this resonates, lend your support and tell a friend who loves thoughtful games. Your pledge helps us turn months of prototypes into a complete experience. Together we can publish a title that respects your time and rewards curiosity.

Join us as early stakeholders in a world that will keep growing after release.

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