Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth
England, 12th century: Philip the monk becomes Prior of the small abbey of Kingsbridge. At the same time, a boy called Jack is raised by his outlawed mother in the woods. His apprenticeship as a stonemason paves his way to become a great architect. Soon, his steps lead him to Kingsbridge where he will build one of the greatest cathedrals England has ever seen. Aliena and Richard have to survive on their own, after the sibling's father, the Earl of Shiring, has been incarcerated and murdered. Aliena vows to make her brother the rightful heir and Earl of Shiring. Like Jack, their way leads them to Kingsbridge. Aliena puts her expertise as a tradeswoman to good use, supporting the cathedral's construction and falls in love with Jack. But Kingsbridge and its people are in grave danger. Philip's rivals, Bishop Waleran and Wiliam, a vengeful noble rejected by Aliena, see the town and its rise to importance as a thorn in their flesh. They want to see Kingsbridge burn. The game-adaption of the world-bestseller "The Pillars of the Earth" is the first co-operative project of Daedalic Entertainment and Bastei Lübbe. This game will be more than just complementary media to the book and will instead retell the story in a new, interactive way. A team of about 20 people works to create a multi-platform adaption of this bestseller. The writers are also in contact and co-operation with the Follett Office and Ken Follett himself. Daedalic is the only studio at the time adapting such an epic reading-experience into an interactive format. The game itself will be released in 2017, at the same time the third novel of the Kingsbridge-Series will be published. The game will be internationally available for PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, Xbox One and mobile devices.
What it feels like
A sincere, unironic heartfelt engagement with the novel's grand themes of ambition, love, and survival. An unhurried invitation to reflect on character motivations, choices, and their moral weight throughout. Joy and sorrow felt at once—the cathedral's grandeur alongside personal loss and struggle for survival.
What it's about
Grounded in 12th-century England with authentic medieval texture and historical setting as core context. Feudal society, cathedrals, nobility, and knights anchor the world in a grounded medieval milieu. Interlocking character journeys—Jack's rise as architect, Aliena's redemption, Philip's defense of the cathedral—structure the narrative arc.
How it plays
Branching conversation choices drive interaction with characters and shape the unfolding narrative. Point-and-click interaction is the core mechanical pillar, with hotspot examination, use, and dialogue as primary verbs. Weighty ethical decisions shape the story and how characters and factions perceive the player's morality.
How it looks and sounds
Hand-drawn 2D art and illustrated backgrounds create a painterly, literary visual identity matching the novel's gravitas. A sweeping orchestral score elevates the epic medieval narrative and cathedral-building grandeur. Interface elements are integrated into the world and character perspective rather than overlaid as abstraction.
How it's structured
Designed exclusively as a single-player experience with no multiplayer component whatsoever. A bounded, authored story arc retelling Ken Follett's novel from beginning to end with definite narrative closure. Player choices fork the story into meaningfully different paths and outcomes, with multiple endings based on decisions.
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