The Banner Saga 3
Final tactical RPG in the Viking-inspired Banner Saga trilogy.
Jon Sørensen (1868-1936) · Public domain
The Banner Saga 3 is a tactical role-playing game, the concluding chapter of a trilogy that started with *The Banner Saga* and *The Banner Saga 2*. It was created by the studio Stoic and released by Versus Evil.
Its turn-based combat is inspired by Viking culture. Stoic, founded by former BioWare employees, wanted to make a third game after the 2016 sequel, believing their fictional world had more stories to tell. At a 2016 conference, co-founder John Watson confirmed their plan to finish the trilogy, estimating a $2 million budget and noting they had looked into outside funding.
The game was announced in January 2017 alongside a Kickstarter campaign. The $200,000 goal was met in under a week, and by March the campaign had raised $416,986. Watson explained that while Stoic would provide most of the funding, the Kickstarter would also build a community of enthusiastic testers. The game launched on macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
According to Metacritic, the game received generally favorable reviews.
Quick Facts
- Title
- The Banner Saga 3
- Developer
- Stoic
- Publisher
- Versus Evil
- Writer
- Alex Thomas
- Composer
- Austin Wintory
- Series
- The Banner Saga
- Platforms
- macOS / Microsoft Windows / Nintendo Switch / PlayStation 4 / Xbox One
- Released
- July 26, 2018
- Genre
- Tactical role-playing
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Banner Saga 3 is a tactical role-playing video game featuring turn-based combat, with themes inspired by Viking culture. It was developed by Stoic, a studio founded by former BioWare employees. Following the release of The Banner Saga 2 in 2016, Stoic expressed interest in creating a third installment, noting that the fictional universe they created had plenty more storytelling opportunities. At the 2016 NASSCOM Game Developer Conference, Stoic co-founder John Watson reiterated their intention to complete the trilogy and estimated the budget required would be $2M, adding that they had considered external funding.
In January 2017, The Banner Saga 3 was announced with the launch of a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. The goal of $200,000 was achieved in less than a week, and the campaign concluded in March with $416,986 raised. While the majority of the funding would still come from Stoic themselves, Watson said that the Kickstarter campaign would also create a community of enthusiastic testers. The game was published by Versus Evil and released on macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
Reader's Guide
The Banner Saga 3 concludes a trilogy that began in 2014, marking the end of a narrative arc developed by Stoic, a studio founded by former BioWare employees. Its significance lies in its successful use of crowdfunding to supplement development costs, raising over $416,986 on Kickstarter after a $200,000 goal was met in under a week. This campaign also served to build a community of testers. The game received 'generally favorable' reviews according to Metacritic, indicating a positive critical reception. As the final installment, it represents the culmination of a series that explored Viking-inspired themes through tactical turn-based combat. Its release across multiple platforms—macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One—ensured broad accessibility. The game's legacy is tied to the completion of the trilogy and the studio's ability to fund a project through a combination of self-financing and community support, demonstrating a viable model for independent game development.
Did You Know?
- The game's Kickstarter campaign raised $416,986, exceeding its $200,000 goal.
- Stoic co-founder John Watson estimated the budget required for the game would be $2M.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Banner Saga 3?
The Banner Saga 3 is a turn-based tactical RPG that serves as the final installment of the three-part Banner Saga series. It carries forward the Viking-inspired world and narrative established in the first two titles.
Who made The Banner Saga 3?
The game was developed by Stoic, a studio whose founders previously worked at BioWare, and published by Versus Evil. Development was supported in part by a 2017 Kickstarter fundraising campaign.
What platforms is The Banner Saga 3 available on?
Players can experience the game on Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
How does The Banner Saga 3 end?
As the series finale, the game delivers the ultimate resolution to the caravan's long journey, with the player's accumulated decisions across all three entries shaping the final fate of the characters and their world. The narrative closes out the overarching arc that began with the first Banner Saga title.
Why is The Banner Saga 3 important to tactical RPG fans?
Stoic's co-founder John Watson explained the studio felt the fictional world still had untold stories, pushing them to commit roughly two million dollars to complete the trilogy. The game stands out for weaving Viking cultural elements directly into its turn-based combat mechanics, setting it apart from other tactical RPGs.
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