Crown Gambit: A Strategic Journey Through Succession Wars and Moral Dilemmas

As anticipation builds for Crown Gambit, the upcoming strategic card-battling RPG from developer Wild Wits, insights into its creative inspiration have been shared. After an engaging discussion in August at Gamescom, we caught up once more with art director Antoine Tabouret-Loudéac for a deeper dive into the game's thematic elements.

In the conversation, Tabouret-Loudéac elaborated on how the architectural marvel Mont Saint-Michel influenced the design of the game's kingdom, particularly its capital. This stunning French abbey served as a model for crafting a significant and grand setting within the game world. Additionally, the themes of succession wars featured in the narrative drew inspiration from the popular series that explores similar conflicts.

The game centers around the realm of Mildred, a kingdom envisioned as an expansive fortification reminiscent of Mont Saint-Michel, yet on a larger scale. This kingdom is characterized by a noble class that wields powerful relics, granting them extraordinary abilities to exert control over the populace. At the heart of this conflict lies the crown, the ultimate relic that governs all others.

Players will navigate a dynamic and intense struggle for succession within this complex kingdom. The narrative invites players to discover the relics owned by the king while deciding whom to support in their rise to power. This intricate storytelling is woven through deep social conflict and moral dilemmas.

The overarching theme of navigating through these social tensions involves making difficult choices in a world characterized by moral ambiguity. The dynamics of succession and the harsh realities of political intrigue challenge players to determine the best—or perhaps the least unfavorable—course of action, especially in a setting where every character has their own unique flaws.

When asked about the potential for dragons within the game, Tabouret-Loudéac clarified that the world of Crown Gambit is grounded in a low fantasy context, steering clear of mythical creatures. The target for the game's unveiling on the Steam platform is projected for the year 2025, following a successful Kickstarter campaign earlier this year.