Party games are usually a fun time (as long as it’s not Mario Party). And the Jackbox Party games have cornered a niche of party games where only the host needs to buy the game, the rest can join via any device that can run a web browser.
But it looks like there’s a new coming that’s utilising that format, but as a standalone game.
Developer Tributary Games is working on King Of The Castle, an online multiplayer party game “of shifting power dynamics and intrigue for players of all ages”.
One player, the game host, is the Monarch in power, while other players (a maximum of 21) join in as part of the Nobles. How everyone acts will determine the fate of the kingdom.
As the Monarch, you must balance the demands of the Nobles, or risk having political revolt or unrest, or being usurped and dead. Nobles will get to vote on important decisions based on the hundreds of possible events that can happen, each changing the landscape of the kingdom.
The voting bit is where the game becomes a social experience, as all players are able to persuade, intimidate or even send bribes in order to sway polls. Even the law of the land can be altered.
And to support the whole medieval fantasy roleplaying bit, every player can create a character by customising their name, pronoun, appearance and family crest.
Anyone, friend or strangers, can join a game so long as they have the room code. Players also need to be able to see the host’s game screen. This should not be a problem if all the players are in the same room, and the host can stream the screen.
King Of The Castle will be out on March 2 on PC via Steam.