The team of industry veterans behind Splinters of Ares have more than 50 films and games to their credits including Everquest I and II, Medal of Honor, Guild Wars, Star Wars Tie Fighter, The Sims, Need for Speed, The Shawshank Redemption, The Crow, Crimson Tide, Apollo 13 and The DaVinci Code. The team is looking to raise $1 million to fund a playable demo and trailer of the gritty new film.

“We began the process by assembling a really killer team and securing distribution, something that indie game developers sometimes wait until after all funds kick in to do,” says Stephen Brent, founder and Creative Director, Bulltiger Productions. “The entire project is based around finding ways to put control in the hands of the players and to get players completely immersed in the game. We’re using the film and other media as a way to really explore the stories and NPCs in the game.”

The team is focused on creating a story and IP with both the game and film in mind from day one.

“Films based on games or games based on films are always afterthoughts. We’re developing an entirely new franchise, something completely original, and there’s something really scary about that to the Hollywood old guard,” adds founding partner and Chief Writer, Adam Rodriguez.

The Splinters of Ares MMO, in addition to incorporating elements of the film, includes a number of patented new technologies. The Morphic World engine allows in-game player choices to affect the way the world works in major ways.  Players will be able to kill off major NPCs, build player-controlled dungeons and even destroy entire areas for questing in the game.

In return for their pledge, players can provide voice-over talent for the game, secure mountaintop fortresses, or visit the set for one of the transmedia shoots, among others.