McQuaid's title seeks funding from the Kickstarter crowd.

Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen launched its Kickstarter this afternoon. The Kickstarter campaign will run for 40 days and seeks to raise $800,000. A $45 minimum pledge will get you an alpha invite plus a digital copy of the game (which means including 30 days of game time, meaning it will likely be a subscription-based model), with an estimated ship date of January 2017. Stretch goals include additional classes, races, features and content. Here is the press release sent out by CCO Brad McQuaid's company, Visionary Realms.

Visionary Realms, Inc. announced today their plans to meet a growing demand in the Massively Multiplayer Online Games market by developing Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen, a game targeted towards the challenge-seeking gamer. The game's design and ideas were inspired by feedback from many MMO communities that have been looking for a return to a classic style of MMO gameplay and group-focused game content.

"I receive emails almost every day asking for this type of game," said Visionary Realms' Chief Creative Officer, Brad McQuaid, who is best known for his critical and early involvement in the forming and influence of the MMORPG genre. "No one else seems to be answering this call. It's the kind of game we've been wanting to play for so long and we're finally getting a chance to make it, thanks to major advances in game development technology and crowdfunding."

Visionary Realms Inc. in launching its Kickstarter campaign, now turns to the public for funding. "We believe there are many, many people out there who have been wanting a game like Pantheon for so long and we're asking them for their help in making it happen," said Director of Development, Salim Grant. "It's the perfect opportunity for us to work with the fans and have everyone be a very real and important part of this exciting project."

The team began working on Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen in October of 2013. "We've got a fantastic team," said McQuaid. "These guys have done key work in many of today's AAA MMOs. Now we get to work together on a passion we all share, and make the kind of game we want to make." Members of the Visionary Realms, Inc. team have been involved in the creation of many of the fundamental mechanics and systems still used in most of today's MMO games and experienced by millions of gamers worldwide.

Already the game has inspired gamers to create fansites for the game and communities to fill message boards in anticipation of the game. "I knew there was going to be excitement over this," said McQuaid. "I just didn't realize to what extent. We haven't even shared a lot of real information about the game yet. Wait until they see the Kickstarter site. It's going to be crazy!"

The Kickstarter campaign runs until February 22, 2014, after which Visionary Realms, Inc. will be able to further expand the team to complete the game's development.

For further information about the game, visit the Kickstartar page at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1588672538/pantheon-rise-of-the-fallen. For more information about Visionary Realms Inc., visit http://pantheonrotf.com.

 You can also follow Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen on Facebook and Twitter.

Ann "Cyliena" Hosler, Managing Editor