Chalk up another win for Kickstarter-funded game development. The latest success story belongs to Stoic, an Austin, Texas, based studio founded by Alex Thomas, Arnie Jorgensen and John Watson, three industry veterans who worked together on a little game called Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Having set out on their own, the trio turned to Kickstarter to fund The Banner Saga, a hybrid RPG/turn-based strategy game with striking hand-animated graphics. The Kickstarter campaign launched on March 19 with a goal of $100,000. Two days later, the total pledges sit at $145,661.

As a successful Kickstarter project, The Banner Saga is in awfully good company. Both Double Fine's Adventure Game and Brian Fargo/inXile's Wasteland 2 have famously turned to the community for funding, and the community has come through. Double Fine's Kickstarter closed with over $3 million in pledges, while Wasteland 2 is currently sitting at $1,460,515 -- a comfortable margin above the game's $900,000 goal. No wonder Overhaul Games plans to use Kickstarter to fund Baldur's Gate 3.

So, what exactly is The Banner Saga? Conveniently enough, that very question is both posed and answered on the game's official website.

"Short answer: role-playing meets turn-based strategy, wrapped into an adventure mini-series about vikings."

"Travel through stunning landscapes straight out of an animated film as your party escapes what could be the end of everything. Battle painstakingly hand-animated foes in strategic, turn-based combat. Make decisions with real consequences in conversations with people you'll actually care about."

"The Banner Saga is a mature game aimed at gamers who appreciate art, story and strategy. Hope you'll join the caravan."

Role playing, turn-based strategy, adventure, vikings... sounds pretty good, right? You won't know the half of it until you see the game in action. Check out The Banner Saga's announcement trailer, along with a few screenshots, below.

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The Banner Saga is currently slated for PC and Mac, though the success of its Kickstarter -- which still has 30 days to go -- may enable Stoic to bring the game to other platforms (iOS, Kindle, PSN, XBLA and Vita are listed as possibilities). A free version of The Banner Saga dedicated to multiplayer combat is expected to release in the Spring.

Ranters, what do you think of your first look at The Banner Saga? Interested parties can contribute to the game's Kickstarter here.

The Banner Saga is currently in development for PC and Mac.

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Source: The Banner Saga Kickstarter [via VG 24/7], Stoic