The Life and Suffering of Prince Jerian Opens Public Playtest Ahead of Kickstarter

Narrative-driven RPG The Life and Suffering of Prince Jerian is now available in a fully open playtest on PC via Steam, as developer Schisma Games and publisher 101XP prepare for the game’s Kickstarter campaign launch on March 17.

Previously accessible only to selected participants, the current playtest has been unlocked for everyone. Players can instantly access the build, and those who have not yet requested entry can do so through the Steam page to receive automatic approval. The playable version covers the entirety of the first chapter, concluding at a pivotal narrative turning point. According to the developers, later chapters in the full release will escalate the stakes considerably, introducing more frequent and far-reaching decisions, while expanding well beyond the scope of the current slice.

Set in the Blessed Arknian Empire, The Life and Suffering of Prince Jerian casts players as a royal heir born into a rigid theocratic society governed by the divine Twins. As a spiritual successor to The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante, the project builds upon its predecessor’s focus on philosophical dilemmas, branching storytelling, and consequence-driven design. From childhood onward, Jerian must navigate political tension between nobility and clergy, balance personal conviction with duty, and determine the ideological direction of the empire itself.

The upcoming Kickstarter campaign aims to secure additional funding to broaden the game’s narrative complexity and systemic depth. The team has indicated that their ambitions for literary storytelling, moral choice frameworks, and large-scale branching paths already surpass their earlier work, but further support would allow them to implement expanded storylines, additional content, and more refined production values. Full campaign details, including stretch goals and backer rewards, will be revealed once the crowdfunding initiative goes live.