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Rostere

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Blog Comments posted by Rostere

    Chris Avellone

    Posted

    As much as I would like a sequel to Torment, Arcanum or Alpha Protocol, the more you think about it, I think Obsidian are really better off if they get to decide what they want to do themselves. I mean, think about it. Most of us agree on that the most important part of a game is a unique and memorable setting, and immersive storytelling. Now let's examine the respective strengths of these games:

    • Torment: A unique setting (Planescape). The setting is interpreted in such a way that we find no fantasy stereotypes (no elves, no swords, et.c.). The story plays with philosophical and metaphysical themes. The story is told through a huge load of text, and every part of the game is different from the other, and adds a unique aspect to the story (take the different companions, for example).
    • Arcanum: The world of Arcanum, one of the most memorable created in the 21st century in my personal opinion. The setting is a realist interpretation of what would happen when an industrial revolution takes place in a classical fantasy world. Dragons are displayed at archaeological sites, Orcs are factory workers, and so on. There's a huge open world to explore and a wealth of options in character creation. Hell, even reading the manual to Arcanum was more interesting than playing "Generic Fantasy RPG X".
    • Alpha Protocol: How can you put the stereotypical fantasy RPG hero in a modern world? Oh, he'd be a secret agent. And the goblins and orcs would be Saudi terrorists and the Russian Mafia. Essentially, this game sees our reality through a RPG looking glass. It's unique in the sense that it's a real world RPG, and it has a really heavy focus on character interactions and relations.

    What they all have in common is the completely unique setting for the game. I have faith in Obsidian that should they be given the opportunity, they will not fail here. Since Tim Cain (project leader on Arcanum) is currently employed at Obsidian, I think what most of us would really want is Tim Cain and Chris Avellone banging their heads together, using their craziest ideas to create an original IP that is a truly creative reaction to the generic fantasy blandness we see so much today.

     

    Having said that, they would probably not even be able to get access to any of the aforementioned franchises - and if that was possible, it would be so much better for Obsidian's future to invest in their own IP compared to throwing their money at some lazy publisher sitting on, say, the Arcanum IP.

     

    Yeah, and good, immersive storytelling goes without saying ;) I doubt Obsidian will let us down on that one, regardless what anyone writes here...

    • Like 1
    Chris Avellone

    Posted

    Most importantly, use an innovative setting. In my opinion, the best recent examples of these include Planescape and Arcanum. Arcanum would be my ideal choice if only existing IPs are taken into account. But I can say for sure that I would trust Obsidian with creating a new setting, just make sure it's something entirely new.

     

    I would prefer the game to be an RPG (that almost goes without saying), ideally with RTwP combat. Story is more important than game mechanics, though.

     

    Another interesting option would be a collaboration with an unique indie developer, for example ACE Team who made Zeno Clash. I guess people out there have lots of other suggestions here, though.

     

    EDIT: Oh cack, forgot that maybe you are not allowed to use Planescape without using D&D rules. Seeing how 4th Ed. messed up the alignment system, that's never going to work.

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