BARCELONA – The cosmic dice are rolling in favor of a new contender in the CRPG arena. Starfinder: Afterlight, the debut project from indie studio Epictellers Entertainment, has become a veritable phenomenon on Kickstarter, shattering its initial funding goal in a little over an hour and now rapidly closing in on half a million dollars in pledges.
The campaign, which launched on October 7, 2025, sought a modest $87,179 to bring its vision of Paizo's popular science-fantasy universe to life. That goal was obliterated in a stunning 80 minutes, signaling an immediate and powerful hunger from fans. The momentum barely slowed, with pledges rocketing past $200,000 within the first few hours. As of this writing, the project has soared beyond $470,000 thanks to the support of over 7,900 backers, with 26 days still remaining until the campaign concludes on November 6.
"It’s been a whirlwind. We knew there was a community for this, but the speed and passion of the response has been humbling," said a representative from Epictellers, a studio founded in 2023 with a focus on "emotionally resonant storytelling."
The studio has been quick to position Starfinder: Afterlight with an elevator pitch that has certainly captured imaginations: "Divinity: Original Sin meets Guardians of the Galaxy." This fusion of deep, tactical turn-based combat and a vibrant, character-driven space opera narrative appears to be a potent combination for RPG enthusiasts.
A Foundation Built, A Vision Expanded
Crucially, Epictellers has already secured self-funding for the game's core development. The record-breaking Kickstarter campaign is not about making the game exist, but about making it better. The additional funds are earmarked for expanding features and polishing the experience to a high-gloss sheen. Key areas of improvement include higher-quality voice acting and further refinement of game systems.
Backers are being invited to be a part of that process directly. The campaign offers a coveted spot in a Closed Beta, allowing participants to provide feedback and help shape the game alongside the developers.
For those looking to join the journey, the official Kickstarter page offers a full breakdown of all the available reward tiers, which range from a Digital Steam key to extensive physical collector's items.
Star-Studded Talent and a Galaxy of Content
The project is already turning heads with its confirmed talent. Voice direction will be handled by Neil Newbon, the BAFTA-winning actor who brought the beloved vampire spawn Astarion to life in Baldur’s Gate 3. His involvement signals a serious commitment to high-caliber character performance.
The game itself promises to cater to a wide range of players. It will feature multiple difficulty modes, from a forgiving "Story" option for those invested in the narrative, to a punishing "Nightmare" mode for tactical veterans seeking the ultimate challenge.
Rewards for backers are plentiful, including:
- Digital Steam Key
- Akitonian In-Game Dice
- Custom Discord Role
- Exclusive Kickstarter Wallpaper
- Collector's Player Core Rulebook
- Enemy & Companion Miniatures STL Packs
- An Additional Game Copy to Bring a Friend
The Road to the Pact Worlds
Co-founder Ricard Pillosu expressed the team's exhilaration and newfound pressure in a recent press release. “We’re thrilled to unveil Starfinder: Afterlight in partnership with Paizo. This marks the beginning of a journey we want to take alongside Starfinder fans everywhere.”
Looking ahead, the development roadmap is clear. Starfinder: Afterlight is aiming to launch on Steam in Early Access in Q2 of 2026. This initial release will feature Act 1 of the game, offering between 10 to 15 hours of content. This phased approach is designed to integrate community feedback directly into the development process, leading up to a full release scheduled for 2027.
The monumental success of Starfinder: Afterlight is yet another indicator of the booming demand for deep, narrative-driven CRPGs in the wake of titles like Baldur's Gate 3. As the industry continues to dissect the secrets behind such successes, one thing is clear: players are craving rich worlds and compelling stories.
This newfound attention, however, brings its own set of anxieties. As Pillosu candidly admitted, the team now feels "more scared about huge success than a bit of failure." The stakes are high, but with a passionate community already fully onboard and a clear vision for the stars, Epictellers is poised to deliver an adventure that could very well become the next big name in cosmic role-playing.
The intrigue around well-crafted RPGs is at an all-time high, a trend underscored by the continued fascination with titles like Baldur's Gate 3. For a deeper look into what makes these games tick, you can explore this analysis on Baldur's Gate 3's compelling design.
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