It takes a great deal of perseverance to deal with the ups and downs of indie game development, a  lesson which lone developer Lucas Best has learned well. After graduating from Duke University with a degree in Computer Science and Visual Arts, Best started Light Orange Productions, his own company, and soon after released Hex Master, Roonihopper, and Chat Mate on the App Store after just a few months. His most recent project, Emerge, began as a college project and has become his most difficult project to date.

The game is a basic platformer. Players will be charged with moving a ball from ledge to floating ledge through a 3D environment in an effort to reach “the next tier of existence.” A scoring system will be worked into the game as well, grading players based on their ability to follow the correct path towards each of the game’s objectives. Modes will include free-play – where players move about the environment without being led along by objectives until they fail to reach a platform — as well as a level editing mode.

Best’s past success with Emerge has been checkered, a version of the game was released previously on the App Store with little success, but his hope is that these enhancements will aid in boosting its success. To make the grand re-release a success, Best is asking for funding in order to acquire 3D modeling software, pay for advertising, and pay artists for work to be done on the game as well. Pledge rewards can be found on the game’s Kickstarter page and further details on Emerge can be found on Best’s website. Check out the preview materials here and be sure to lend your support the project!