Badmojo

I loved PST and DAO, both had great deep companions I liked. I actually want a semi big pool of companions to choose from with a LARGE dialog trees I can interact with. It is something I have missed in these modern games. Getting to know your companions, befriending them, possible romance with, helping them out, perhaps even altering their personality (like turning an evil person good or vice versa), those are cool things to do. I cared about DAO characters a lot, I went out of my way to complete all my companion quests, even looking all over for stens sword. I felt pain when one of my characters died at the end and reloaded to save everybody. In DA2, I felt nothing for any of the characters. They were shallow and I the dialog was horrible. When some died, I did not care and honestly felt nothing for them. Bonding with companions and characters through dialog and action really makes a RPG for me.

What about joining a cult that worships god, demons, or some entity? They are usually the "evil" faction that you fight, but I cannot think of any RPG that allowed you really to join up with them. It would be nice to join a cult (and/or secret society). Something different for a change.

No voice acting for the main character at all. Partial voice acting for important characters and companions is fine, but absolutely none for the main character. Why? For one, voice acting automatically limits the dialog options, don't say it wont, developers left and right have confirmed this multiple times. You will be limited to stupid dragon age/mass affect dialog options of one liners of good/evil/snarky. Secondly, voice acting is EXPENSIVE and time consuming, the more dialog, the longer it takes to record and the bills start going up. As another pointed out, you have to have the writing locked in place and you can forget any changes later on. Another reason is the characters personality is fixed, again that is because of the limitations of dialog. You will probably end up with a commanding military personality like shepard or hawke, you can forget thoughtfull mage personalities, scared personalities, paranoid..etc. Basically you can forget customizing your personality. Fallout did it correct, it was all dialog except for important scenes and/or characters. Basically this is what happens when you do voice overs.

The only thing I am more tired of than dragons is elves and dwarves.

One thing, if there are other non human races, let them be unique in culture/personality/habits and traditions. I want people to treat them like they are, I also want the character to have dialog options that fit the species/character and not just a reskinned human.

Well, looks like elves are in judging by this: Crap, tired of elves/dwarves.

I love leveling (kind of the point of many games) and I do NOT want a level limit. I love going from a weak nobody to a near god machine at the end, that is the fun, but I understand why some would not want to. Perhaps have an option in settings to turn on a level limit for those who want to be limited? One thing I hate is having to grind, grind, grind to level up for some super hard monsters, perhaps a little cheat where you could convert gold to xp? And/or buy some skills from trainers in the game.

No, just no. this is one of those things were realism crosses from fun to annoying. I personally hate inventory managment, and the fact you run out of room. I would like to see something done, like only NEW items get weight added, each of the same item gets stacked on and only counts a fraction of the weight before. It is so annoying running out of room and having to go to a town, drop/sell everything, come back to where you were, and do it all again.

Actually, there is no reason that both versions of mature cannot be used, the witcher does it good. The biggest thing that has prvented real mature themes from coming out was because publishers forced censorship on anything controversal in a game. I would like to see a game cover many topics of maturity from high brow to low brow stuff. Children and child Killing - no game would allow this now, most games are childless hollow worlds or have immortal children. Allow kids in but do not make them immortal, let them be killed but there will be a price on your head if you are seen doing it. Child soldiers - a sad fact of life is that children in poor countries are usually dragged into the military to fight and die. A tactic in the past was to have an army take over an area, kill most of the men, take the women into slavery and the children (and surviving men) were either taken as slaves or forced to join the military. Drug use - every society has it, should be shown. Prostitution - been around since the dawn of civilization, it should be prevelant, but not "token" characters all in some dark alley brothel, but common in some places. Religion - religion has always been a controversal topic, but what if it was more? The gods/beings worshiped are real here. What if one god/being gave nice weather, perfect health to all, maybe even bring back the recently dead. However, what if the price was the occasional human sacrifice? Slavery - slavery should be in, one thing that was cool about fallout was you could fight slavers or become a slaver. Politics - I love politics in RPG's, I would like to see more done for those of us who love social quests, like manipulating groups through gile, seduction, blackmail...etc romance - should be in, its fun for some us and as long as its optional, nothing is wrong. Blackmail - everybody has dirt the characters could find, the flip side is to avoid doing something that the characters could be blackmailed for. Sex/seduction - its a fact of life and it should be in the game, but I would like to see more of it than simple romance. I would like to see sex as a social tool/weapon. In fallout 2 you could accept sex as payment from a woman to save her husband. Was that a jerk thing to do, yes, yes it was but I loved that you had the option. There is also the fantastic moment where you sleep with the daughter in a barn, the father catches you and forces a shotgun wedding. Its been a while, but I think there was also a way to seduce/sleep with the mob bosses wife to gain information. Just like to see sex/seduction used in a social situation to add another layer of gameplay outside the usual types. Racism/sexism should be in, these are things you could try to change or things you use to exploit people. Prisoner Treatment - some created gladiator rings for entertainment, some were used as slaves, some were treated humanly, some were used in experiments, etc There was a good list of things listed earlier, along those lines would be nice.

I am just going to post what I posted on the tropes thread: It's starting here and its going to get worse. *sigh*

I think a form of romance is doable and would be welcomed by some fans (not a big fan of it myself) but personally I think serious relationships in a video game are an absolute joke. Just because a character calls you "husband" doesn't mean you love her; it feels like empty words and it's an empty relationship....because she's an AI program. I don't care if it's a roleplaying game, roleplaying love just isn't doable imo. Having said that though, I did enjoy the little bit of flirting that the Courier and Cass did, and I know a lot of people liked Doctor Dala from OWB. I think flirting is fine, as flirting can be playful, flattering and funny without being too serious, but it really shouldn't extend beyond that. A "friends with benefits" sort of relationship could be humorous, fun and appease those that DO want romance without being awkward for those that don't. Seems like a fair in-between point. Thats all that should be. Maybe some flirting maybe some hot affection at night and maybe imply that they married in the end if they are still alive. Do ont go with the getting married, having kids etc during the story. Timeskips are the worst things for RPGs because they always fail to deliver^^ Exactly. We should be aiming for characters that are deep and detailed enough that we experience everything they do, but you CANNOT simulate love. You can simulate flirting and it still offers entertainment in the same way a "THAT'S WUT SHE SAID OOOOOOOOH" remark offers entertainment, but beyond that, it just starts to feel incredibly forced and fake and alienates the player from the experience. See, I can't understand this. If its OPTIONAL, you can just ignore it, but some of us DO like it. DOA was actually pretty good with bonding relationships (not just romances) and actually felt something for the characters. As for not feeling "love", there is a whole visual novel culture in japan who wants a word with all of you, also tali in mass effect 2 is one of the most memorable characters. Again, include it, but do it well and not slapped on or forced.

Its overused tropes what is being complained about, but saying all tropes..yea...

This is pop culture and we both like it. You like it as it is, I am a bit bored and often annoyed today. RPG has not to be about saving a damsel in distress or being attacked by wolvess. It can be, and it can be done well, but it can be something else, because it is not what makes an RPG an RPG. I have been saving damsel in distress for 20 years. THAT is boring. I would be willing to try something new. I can't remember the last time I saved a damsel(it could be a prince if you play a girl, or gay *shrug*) in destress since mario. I actually would love to save a damsel in destress, perhaps even win her hand in marriage with a large financial boost from the father...has ANY game offered that outside japan?

Hello Darji. This is the internet and I find myself disagreeing with you. I know, it may be a surprise. First of all, I am not telling the developers what they should do. I (and others here) am just saying what I would like to see, what I, humbly and personally, care about because I enjoy CRPGs and I am looking closely at this project. So, I am sure we have much in common. Maybe you knew it but could not express it properly (it is fine, I am not clear myself when writing in this language). Unfortunately, this is internet. Sexism is a hot topic and causes many threads to be closed. Many players do not see an issue in sexism. You do not and you are even fed up with the topic, like Badmojo. I am sorry you feel this way but please, let's just be... cautious and respectful. If you wanted to win something, I give you all. You won, I will not be able to fight a troll war in english. NOW, about tropes/stereotypes/<any word people prefer> and Project Eternity: Obsidian probably already chose much of what is going to be put into the game, they gave us this forum nonetheless. I chew the bone happily. One thing I would like to say is that Obsidian is in a position to renew CRPGs. To invent something. I think that giving a kick in some "tropes" (the ones I do not like, of course), could be what could make this game a great game, a new reference. Choosing to step deliberately aside from the gaze of the horny teenage (and male, and white, and straight) computer-roleplaying geek we all have been to some extend. (btw, Brienne > Red Sonja) Here is the thing Margaretha. These topics especially about Woman in video games went in the last couple of weeks to level of pure stupidity. I am pretty sure you know the tropes in vdeogames kickstarter right? We are already that far that these so called feminists calling a game like Ico sexist only because you don't play a girl or have to protect a helpless girl. We are at a level were we call great indy games sexist. These people scream for equality in games but on the other hand cry out loud when woman get hurt in videogames and calling it rape culture (Hitman: Absolution or the new Tomb Raider is a good example for these "arguments". Its gone to a level that is not helathy for everyone anymore. And I am sorry when I am think of it. I don't have anything against strong Women in games actually I love them My bests friends are women and I have absolutely no problem here but its getting really tiresome. Something I don't want to have to worry here at all. I have played many games from these people and they never try to portrait woman in a sexist way. And if you believe it or not there are many woman in the real world which tlove attention or witch love to look sexy. And these characters should be exist in these kind of games as well. Not all women are strong and have a lot of self esteem or as of course not all men. Also tropes are a part of video games and their culture as well are these tropes are part of our whole society. What would a fantasy adventure without romance or a damsel in distress? Without someone you love and you have to rescue. And yes this could be a man or a woman. What would an RPG without these "animals" that are attacking you and totally not react like they would in real life? It would be pretty boring. What I am trying to say with my bad English is that Tropes done right are not a bad thing. Let Obsidian just do their Job they know how to write characters and stories that are not sexist in any way. Weeks? Try months. I have seen this show up again and again on many forums. It always start innocent enough.."I think women...", then in a short while you ALWAYS have anybody who doesn't agree with this view accused of sexism,mysogonist, supporter of rape culter..etc. driving people away who does not agree, then the ones who stay end up arguing with each other over minor details, then the game forums ends up drying up because this one topic overrides everything and then people leave the forums alltogether and it just becomes a cesspool of angry people. I hope it does not turn into that, I really want to talk about great ideas and excitement for the game, but I have seen this happen many of times already. My advice, *IF* this topic looks like its headed that way, create a seperate forum page for politics and move it there before it turns into a yelling match.

I loved crossroads Keep, I like the idea of customizing/upgrading my home. I also like ego draconis 2 with your tower, having a lab to build your monsters, smith..etc. That is what I would like, choose the direction from going a nice good keep, to creating a lair of evil. Some things if I was evil, necromancy lab to build monsters/reanimated undead soldiers, torture/prison chamber to feed if I am a monster like a vampire, to break spirits to turn into servants/thralls, etc Other things like hiring servants or soldiers, upgrading defense/buildings...etc. Would like to actually have a personal town/keep like area to run. What can I say, I love a little city building stuff like this. I said I hope its in, but it will be cool if its also a stretch goal.

People need to remember that its a game that is supposed to be a fantasy. Having women in sexy revealing clothing is part of a lot of strait guys fantasy, and the majority of players will be strait guys. It should cater to different people, but not at excluding stuff other people like. I do agree that in COMBAT situations, yea, armour makes sense, but if the armour turns women into asexual beings that you cannnot tell if its a woman or a man, its just ugly to me. Again, allow people to customize their characters how they like.

Races - a large variety, but no tolkein types Resting - meh, I hate resting and it serves no purpose besides a time sink. Would rather have a regenerative health/magic that regenerates at a steady rate, but if you stand still and/or not fighting it regenerates faster. Romances - love romances and want to see it added as long as its optional Non violent solutions to problems - I love the thinking character who can talk their way out of problems through logic/seduction/threats..etc Dialog - I like lots of dialog to read, with dialog trees, with many branching dialog choices based on your knowledge/skill/stats..etc A combination of planescape torment + vampire the masquerade bloodlines dialog would be great. Evil paths - I want the option to be evil, not just slightly bad guy but still does good quests (bioware, looking at you), but actual bad guy that does bad things. factions - Lots of factions, but if you join some, you will be locked out of others. I also want to see some evil factions to join. What about cults? Definetly want to see assassin and theives guilds. Assassination/thief dialog - can talk to someone and try to still/poison/kill option in dialog depending on what you have. Like the option to casually touch and inject a poison into a target with a percentage chance score could show up. Unusual Magic I would like to see Social - Most magic deals with throwing fireballs, lightning..etc, where are the ones to manipulate people? Most of these should be availible to activate in a dialog chat Seduction - can be used to seduce someone, can be activated in a dialog text fear - make someone afraid of you forget - makes someone forget something Remember me - makes a character think they know the person sleep - makes a character tired and knocks them out (like talking to a gaurd) madness - makes someone goes insane Thrall - evil power to turn someone into a thrall/servant for you etc Dark Arts - where are the cool evil powers? Necromancy - raise the dead to fight for you, should have levels, the beginning should have just bring a corpse back, the master level should bring the corpse back, but raise their level to a level below your character to fight for you. At the hight of this power you should be able to bring back a person as an udead minion with all their skills/memories to fight for you as a thrall Summon Dead - summon skeltons/zombies/vampires..etc Summonology - summon demon or other entity, can choose what type of being if you know its secret name, some might fight for you for a price, some might be summoned to make a deal with a character, need to know something? Sure, for this price, want more power..sure, for this price, etc, Not all entities should be bad, but they should all want something in return, however the evil entities like demons should try to get your sould and/or corrupt you to the dark side. Possession - if in visual range, you can take over someones body to control it like your own Astral Projection - not really evil, but being able to project your mind out of your body to scout and spy on people/locations, the limit is the distance from the body, if you have the possession power you can possess people also. these are off the top of my head.

I love steam and its the only DRM I accept, gog is really good and is DRM free, so obsidian might consider putting it on there also.

I do want human in, but I am sick and tired of elves/dwarves/dragons. Especially the rivalry between elves/draves, when they are in the game, they alway hate each other and elves are nature lovers and draves are underground. Got my fill of those two, enough, keep them out please. I would love to play a monster race like vampires/zombies, the vampires in vampire:the masqurade Bloodlines were fantastic, would really like to play something similiar. An inteligent zombie would be cool, hell even something really weird and unexpected like a demon would be fantastic, heh, playing a succubus/incubus would be...interesting and definetly new!. I also like the idea of characters changing into a new race in the course of a game, like going human to vampire, or getting killed, but instead of dying, have the option to come back as a zombie, etc.

I actually like knowing, maybe a simple option in the settings could hide it for those who do not like mechanics showing like that, but leave it on for those of us who like to keep track.

I think Triss and Geralt in Witcher 2 were fine. When Triss was out and about, she dressed practically (and still looked really attractive, IMO). When Triss and Geralt had sex, surprise, they didn't wear clothing. It's not unreasonable to expect prostitutes or anyone engaged in sexual activities to wear sexualized (or no) clothing. When people who are engaged in mortal combat dress like sex workers as a rule, that's when the characters become hard to take seriously. This should apply to both male and female characters. EDIT: There are also conventions you can establish for certain types of characters that still remain egalitarian. E.g. in 3E/3.5, sorcerers were sort of presented as wild "sexytyme" spellcasters who lost their shirts. The iconic sorcerer was a dude in a strap corset. This even carried over to Seoni, the iconic Pathfinder sorceress (in fact, many Pathfinder female characters dress in heavy armor). Barbarians, male or female, generally just don't wear a lot of clothes, in any setting. That's where you get a lot of the "classic" Frazetta/Vallejo look. I think having a good range is important. If male plate armor for heavy fighters looks like Maximilian plate out of the Holy Roman Empire and the female equivalent looks like a bikini, that's some serious male gazin'. Actually that is interesting. Ok, in social situations you would expect women (not all obviously) in non armour to dress more feminen/sexy clothing. It happens in real life, just go to the mall. However, in fighting then yea, armour would probably be more practical. Still, I would like to see some eye candy armour now and again. Some sepcies like succubus or vampires (flesh would be natural armour) would have more sexualized armour. As for your companions, I think the players should get to decide what they wear with a variety to cater to everybody.

*sigh* how did I know the top thread would be the sexist/ sexy armour thread? Oh, I see it in EVERY gaming site everywhere I go and I am personally sick to death wtih it. If you dress your companions how you want then they should have the option to be sexy (bikinni armour) or not sexy (unisex armour). As for the rest of the world I expect to see variety, there are going to be women who dress in realistic armour and be tough, however I also expect there to be women who dress in sexy armour and act more femine also (or mix and match). It is a GAME, it is supposed to cater to egos and fantasies. I am tired to death of developers not pushing the envelop because they are afraid of offending somebody or group. Romances - I personally LIKE romances in games and think it should be in as long as its optional. It adds emotional links to characters and give them something beyond the adventure/quests in the game. Which is a good thing. Although I had a problem with the way bioware did it in the later games where it made EVERYONE bisexual. I have no problem with gay or bisexuality in the game, the problem was in how unrealistic it was. I just cannot accept that EVERYBODY is bisexual, it was just very lazy writing. Elves/draves/dragons - ok, sick to death of them. Actually sick of the fantasy setting all together, wish we went somewhere else, sci/fi, steampunk, presentday..etc, maybe the next game? Choosing the generic race or the usual races in the game - how about NEW optional races you could play? Something not seen before? Besides that, another person mentioned vampires/zombies they are sick of, but I actually like them, would be neat to play them (inteligent zombie..wah?!?!?!). Not many rpg games let you play monsters, it would be a nice change. Rats - enough with the rat quests! Time sink/fetch quests - enough with the meaningless time sink fest quests. Have each quest mean something, give an interesting story Mindless NPC's - I hate going into a town and every non important NPC says the same one liners, so they are just walking billboards. I am not expecting a large dialog, but at least give each NPC a little backstory of themselves, or something interesting to say that makes them a little different and unique from each other. Big city but only a few NPC's. This one bugs me like no other, you go into a large capital "city" or a large hub, but there is only like 10 NPC's in the area. This is supposed to be the bussiest place, but it is freaking small. It would be nice to see areas that actually have a lot of people in them to give it an idea of it being huge and very busy. Everybody attack you - ok, you go into an area, you see two enemies attacking each other, however, if you attack anybody, they stop fighting and EVERYBODY attacks your character. Mature does not mean mature - I have seen soooo many games that slap on the M title and then the devs will use it as a selling point in how mature the game is...only to realize the game is at best a PG-13 with a very small token mature moment (elder scrolls being the worst at this). When a title has mature, I expect it to be an actual mature game. It should have mature topics that cover things like, sex, sexism, racism, drugs, slavery, prostitution..etc. Some of these things could be things that the characters are trying to change. Token Maturity - like mentioned above, the mature section is sectioned off in out of the way places. Like the only prostitutes are in the brothel, or there is only one drug dealer/user, or you have the ONE token person who is a racist/sexist/slaver..etc. It should not be in every area, but it should be prevelant enough that you should not have to look for it or read between the lines like a victorian romance novel to get the hidden meaning. Characters treated the same regardless of gender/race/species/occupation - this drives me nuts, I think dragon age 2 was a big offender, you were a mage, you had a freaking staff on your back, antimage sentiment was rampent, yet templers treated you just the same as everybody else. I think arcanum/fallout/vampire the masqurade bloodlines were the best at treating people based on who/what you are. Combat the solution to every problems - please allow SOCIAL characters to be created, I prefer NON violent solutions, using my brains in diplomatic/seduction/social skills to using a sword.