agewisdom
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Everything posted by agewisdom
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No, they shouldn't unless there's an explanation of how the PC become exceedingly powerful in-game. In some of these games, the antagonist are gods, or devas that have unlimited lifespans... So, it doesn't really make sense how a puny PC, even after some serious levelling can defeat them. In the context of BG2, it makes sense as over time, you find out that the PC has the essence of a god in themselves. I like how in PST you couldn't ever defeat the wizard (I can't remember, the one that stole Morte), no matter how hard you tried.
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I think the main problem is that Obsidian has a very good idea of the size and scope of the game given the estimated date of release they have planned from the start. In order to substantially increase the stretch goals to USD3-4million, they need to revise this initial assumption, which I think they're hesitant to do. Still, I think the OP is right, they need some visionary and cool goals if they want to hit a larger amount of funding. But to do that, they might need to revise their estimated date of release.
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Of Conjuration and Summoning
agewisdom replied to ddillon's topic in Pillars of Eternity: General Discussion (NO SPOILERS)
Love the this idea. I still remember the fun I had in BG2 summoning devas.... -
Hi HappyElf, Could you let me know which tabletop RPGs have those? I'd like to see how they implement this, just to satiate my curiosity.
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I'm just wondering whether there have been any games that have done so, especially those in the 80's or 90's in cased I missed out. But it seems difficult and perhaps not very satisfying if it's a mini-game that devoid of actual content related to the debate at hand. Maybe a scripted approach is the only way to proceed, for now.
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There's nothing wrong with scripting. I'm just exploring whether a non-scripted approach to debate is possible and whether any games have done so. That's all.
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Yes, it could something subtle. It doesn't necessarily need to be an *in your face* type of news. For instance: 1. A travelling ministrel singing about the fall of an evil necromancer. 2. Some braggard claiming credit for some quest that you've done. You could have the option to set things straight. Little things like that...
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You could be right. I am just exploring whether this has been done before. Not to the best of my awareness. There could be a proper debate, but just restricted to a few scripted events. The debate in the courtroom in NWN2 best comes to mind.
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Dear Critical, You have made some excellent points here. Still, if the Antagonist is NOT a stereotypical villain who wants to destroy the world (ala Archdemon in DA:O), I would like to have a chance to talk to him. This needs to be done earlier in the game rather than at the final conflict. At example like you've given would Lanius in Fallout New Vegas. As the PC grows in power, he'll most likely oppose the Antagonist or his lackeys during certain quests. At this time, I would like to: 1. Find out why they're doing these specific tasks that seem to be to the detriment of the common good; 2. Whether it's possible to have a compromise between two factions rather than taking extreme actions; 3. Maybe even join him, if I change my views. After all, a discussion/debate isn't always a one way street; 4. If after numerous attempts at discussions (over the course of several quests), reconciliation is impossible, then there's no choice but to resort to battle.... Even then, perhaps rather than having an all-out faction conflict, the PC and antagonist could limit the needless deaths by having a single one-on-one duel to the death?
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Yes, Obsidian needs to get this right. Previously, the Publisher would bear part of the blame but since this is a Kickstarter funded project, they'll need to get it right. Otherwise the less than sterling reputation of QC at Obsidian will be cemented for good. With so many potential beta testers, hopefully it would be easier to squish those bugs.
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I feel having a FEW trophy loot (like 5, one for each class) would be a better choice. That way, if you see your PC wielding an awesome weapon, you'll know how immediately that it was played on a hardcore mode.
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Awesome update. Happy Birthday, Chris
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Well, it really depends on the system they're planning to use. A mage/wizard need not be intelligent but that needs to be explained in the lore. Generally, it's just assumed (or rather I just assume) that a higher level of intelligence would assist in making a mage/wizard more powerful. Hmmm... I like the idea that intelligence/charm may actually work to the detriment of the PC when dealing with non-standard characters. Throws a kink in the works so to speak.
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Some interesting points here. 1. Definitely agree not every fight should be avoidable. That's why I presume you can only skip combat if the NPC are civilized (i.e. non monsters) people/race with a reasonable amount of intellect. That would include wizards, of course. I mean a big bad barbarian or bear wouldn't have any inclination to debate, right.... 2. Oblivion's speech mini-game was pretty horrible. Definitely not how I would want it to be implemented. Not too sure how it could be well implemented though. 3. Manaan quest in KOTOR, Court debate in NWN2 and debate with Loghain in DAO are great examples of non-combat. Unfortunately, these are all highly scripted events. I just wish this could be extended to normal encounters through a debate mechanic, where it makes sense, that's all.
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A non-violent approach to Fallout 2, eh... I like. Sort of like Deus Ex where one could try to win the game by using tranquilizer darts. Yeah, the RTK XI mini-game was a bit lame. Still, in my personal experience, I have not seen a debate system implemented in any cRPGs, so it's just an example. Has there been any such debate/non-combat system implemented in any cRPGs? Deus-Ex/Thief was one where a non-violent approach is possible but no debate/argument, though.
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Hi all, Yes, I prefer if the game allowed an option to try to solve conflicts through debate, intimidation or charisma. The problem with most non-combat options implemented in CRPGs is that it's like in Shardbearer's words "a singular do-you-have-enough-points-in-charisma stat check." My thoughts are whether it's possible to have a mechanic or mini-game that actually replaces combat with a duel or debate system. This should only be possible with civilized enemy NPCs with a certain level of intellect. Hey, a fellow ROTK player. I'm surprised to see one in this forum. Yes, I was thinking amongst the same lines. The intellectual strategist/general used a debate system to determine who was better insead of a straight up duel.
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Hi All, I know there has been several games where a debate or discussion was used to instead of a big bad batte finale, must notably with the Transcendent One in PST and with Letho in Witcher 2. But these were just one off instances rather than permeating throughout the game. I was just wondering whether there has been any cRPG where debate/discussion acted as a combat system in itself. Not too sure whether this is workable or not since it might need to be in the form of a card game or something similar to be practical. There are times when playing as a wizard/mage - where I start thinking. Here we are, two powerful archmages standing toe to toe with a major difference of opinion. And all we can do to settle our differences is to start hurling fireballs at each other? How about a civilized discussion or debate? The loser can leave and reassess his position. The winner can proceed with his objectives and get some cool loot. A win-win situation.
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The greatest difficulty with reactivity is the HUGE amount of work involved. The more options available to the PC, the harder it is to implement since you have to take into account all the different reactions amongst the NPCs to the PC's different actions. Like what has been posted earlier, it would be ideal if you killed bandits nearby a town, their economy would improve, which may mean an improvement in the town environment and economy (i.e. vendor goods). Conversely, if you do nothing, the village may slowly wither and die. A town crier/radio station/newspaper attempts to implement reactivity on a more simplified scale. Not too sure whether there are other better mechanisms to do this.
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Fully support this... An important consequence of this would be you could send a thief to scout ahead: 1. To avoid any ambush 2. To lay traps in advance and goad the enemy into your only carefully prepared ambush...
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You know what I want? I want to make sure for EXOTIC specialization/class, there's a proper gameplay and lore to backup how the PC managed to gain his/her specialization. Of course, this should not been done for the run-of-the mill classes. I would like this to be implemented for those specialization that are rare, difficult to attain or secretive... A great example of this was: Dragon Age: Origins - Arcane Warrior specialization This was a lost specialization where the elven warriors specialized in both martial arts and combat magic. The PC couldn't learn this from anybody since these specialization was lost since the fall of the Elven Kingdoms. During the course of his adventures, the PC could learn this from a memory/soul gem, if he performed the proper actions. What I hate about certain cRPGs is that once you reach, say a certain level (e.g. level , suddenly you are given a choice to specialize without any explanation or background of this class in-game. For example, in Dragon Age: Awakenings, once you reach a certain level, you could specialize by choosing a battlemage. But there's no lore, exposition or background to this. It just breaks immersion. It would be better if you meet certain NPCs who are masters of these class. You could for example challenge them to a duel, and see how they fare against your non-specialized PC. If you are impressed, you could pay them to teach you, for a fee... Of course you must meet the basic pre-requisites in order to specialize.
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A good compromise would be different climates in different areas. It could be snowy and icy in the north. In the south, you could have the occassional tropical shower ala BG2 rain... something that doesn't require a lot of resources. Like crusty mentioned, dynamic seasons might be expensive to implement and unless it adds to gameplay, I don't think it's worth it.
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Armand, you have got to get Obsidian to put you in-game as a bard with your great songs
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Dialog, best seen and not heard?
agewisdom replied to Bhazor's topic in Pillars of Eternity: General Discussion (NO SPOILERS)
Maybe they could prioritize. Major NPCs, companions and quest givers that you interact with on a regular basis should have voices but not speak every line. Those NPC that are there for flavor might not need any voice overs. Rather, ambient sounds like those in PST would sufice. -
Dear Azrayel, That's a great idea on the quest line. Tying up this with the news/rumor mill system would be very intriguing. However, this may need to be sparingly used, perhaps on the main quest line? It needs to be one where the quest is of high visibility so that it has the necessary impact on the player.
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Well, I'm sure Obsidian will handle the news system differently, if it was implemented. Besides, any media reporting system will be biased depending on who owns it. If we look at Three Dog in the Fallout 3 system, I can see why you say his word appears to represent the world's view on you. But that is an assumption on your part that everybody believes Three Dog. That is not always necessarily the case.
