Chris Avellone: We'll most likely not be using Onyx engine

[Pop]

A Mac version of the game is a certainty and a Linux port is highly probable. The engine has to support both of those things and that narrows our options considerably, hence the focus on Unity. Wasteland 2 had the same issue.

[Freddo]

I can't say I think this is pleasant news. I'm guessing this means it will be a 2D engine like the Infinity Engine, which I'm not that fond of anymore. I much prefer a 3D game like NWN where you can rotate and zoom the camera and have the game overview you want.

[Thelionheart]

Fife is essentially an emulated fallout engine (not sure if fo1 or fo2 though) so I'd consider that a bit too archaeic.

[Zoraptor]

Pretty surprised at this- I'd have thought licencing might be a reason for not having a tool kit/ SDK but not for not using Onyx at all.

 

Presumably DS3 has some of the middleware it uses listed in its EULA/ splash screens, so that would give an idea of some of the 3rd party stuff that is being used.

[metiman]

Wasn't there also talk about an engine that Troika never finished? Maybe Tim Cain could get the code? It really is a disappointment that they aren't going to use Onyx. It seemed like a nice engine and the graphics reminded me a bit of Diablo 3 graphics (a good thing). It looks like we will probably end up with an engine thread similar to the one we had on the Wasteland 2 boards. Wouldn't it be simpler just to cut and paste that discussion?

[Enclave]

I can't say I think this is pleasant news. I'm guessing this means it will be a 2D engine like the Infinity Engine, which I'm not that fond of anymore. I much prefer a 3D game like NWN where you can rotate and zoom the camera and have the game overview you want.

 

Umm, did you miss the very first sentence on the kickstarter page?

 

"Project Eternity is an isometric, party-based RPG set in a new fantasy world developed by Obsidian Entertainment."

 

Note, isometric. You're not going to have a mobile camera. They were ridiculously up front about that.

[Gibbscape_Torment]

I can't say I think this is pleasant news. I'm guessing this means it will be a 2D engine like the Infinity Engine, which I'm not that fond of anymore. I much prefer a 3D game like NWN where you can rotate and zoom the camera and have the game overview you want.

 

Umm, did you miss the very first sentence on the kickstarter page?

 

"Project Eternity is an isometric, party-based RPG set in a new fantasy world developed by Obsidian Entertainment."

 

Note, isometric. You're not going to have a mobile camera. They were ridiculously up front about that.

 

Wasteland 2 is isometric, and it has a mobile camera.

[Wombat]

As a non-specialist, I didn't know the exact cost of Onyx engine but I knew it had been always tied to expensive projects no matter how game-play looks ("2D" or "3D"). I've gotten quite sure that it is not going to be a wining battle for a company like Obsidian.

 

Personally, I'm O.K. with IE-level graphics. One of my concerns, at the moment, is that they may not be accustomed to the engine they are going to use.

[C2B]

That's ..... surprising. So what are they going to use if they go for the same style but not infinity?

 

(Also, let's bring the kickstarter up as high as possible so that they can use their engine )

Edited September 18, 2012 by C2B

[Enclave]

I can't say I think this is pleasant news. I'm guessing this means it will be a 2D engine like the Infinity Engine, which I'm not that fond of anymore. I much prefer a 3D game like NWN where you can rotate and zoom the camera and have the game overview you want.

 

Umm, did you miss the very first sentence on the kickstarter page?

 

"Project Eternity is an isometric, party-based RPG set in a new fantasy world developed by Obsidian Entertainment."

 

Note, isometric. You're not going to have a mobile camera. They were ridiculously up front about that.

 

Wasteland 2 is isometric, and it has a mobile camera.

 

Wasteland 2 is not isometric and they never described it as such. Yes one of it's various camera angles is an isometric angle but that's besides the point.

[Bos_hybrid]

Disappointing, was hoping to see another Onyx based game.

 

And add another drain on resources.

[alanschu]

All I can say is...

 

Never thought about the middleware cost (apparently that's not a one off expense). Maybe that

s part of what prevented Fargo from considering it.

 

It sucks big time that they are going to depend on external tech and support though.

 

No, middleware stuff is often licensed.

 

It can also be why toolsets don't get released as a result.

[AW8]

Here's hoping for CryEngine 4

[alanschu]

Wasteland 2 is not isometric and they never described it as such. Yes one of it's various camera angles is an isometric angle but that's besides the point.

 

Regardless, when people talk about an isometric camera they are referring more to the top down view at a slight angle, which does not prevent a mobile camera.

 

If you want to split hairs with terminology, a "fixed" camera at ground level would still be "isometric" but people would be pissed.

Edited September 18, 2012 by alanschu

[Enclave]

Wasteland 2 is not isometric and they never described it as such. Yes one of it's various camera angles is an isometric angle but that's besides the point.

 

Regardless, when people talk about an isometric camera they are referring more to the top down view at a slight angle, which does not prevent a mobile camera.

 

If you want to split hairs with terminology, a "fixed" camera at ground level would still be "isometric" but people would be pissed.

 

The absolute most you can get out of an isometric camera that moves is one that moves side to side.

[alanschu]

The absolute most you can get out of an isometric camera that moves is one that moves side to side.

 

Or rotate around so you can look from the other side, or a host of other things. As long as it keeps that top-down from an angle perspective, no one will really mind.

 

Unless an isometric camera means something different to you.

[Pop]

Josh specifically mentions fixed perspective in the pitch video, and I never really dug the NWN camera orientation even when they allowed you to disentangle it from whatever character you were specifically focusing on.

[Troller]

We gotta be able to rotate the camera, how else would we be able to get the upskirt shots of female companions and NPC's

[metiman]

We gotta be able to rotate the camera, how else would we be able to get the upskirt shots of female companions and NPC's

 

Couldn't you use a mirror for that? Or Obsidian could add a backscatter xray gun as a bonus item for donations above $100. When a character gets hit with the gun you will see them naked for several seconds. I do agree that upskirt shots are of the most profound importance in any true RPG, but there is more than one way to skin that kitty.

[Nepenthe]

https://twitter.com/...804807514054656

 

Apparently the middle-ware is expensive (whatever that means).

 

Bit disappointing I think as the guys would obviously know the engine well and I'd like to see it in action more.

 

But yeah, wonder what engine they'll go for instead.

Right, this is what I missed earlier. A pity, considering the apparent effort put into it.

 

Edit: From Starwars' link here: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-09-18-project-eternity-interview-new-information-tentative-spring-2014-release-date says they already have an engine, though.

Edited September 18, 2012 by Nepenthe

[Nines]

From Starwars' link here: http://www.eurogamer...14-release-date says they already have an engine, though.

And they keep silent about it. Unity? :D

[Olauron Mor-Galad]

I would like to see Onyx engine as one of the stretch goals.

[billt568]

Guarantee they will be sharing Fargo's unity build. Isometric 3d with somewhat painted backgrounds for free.

[entrerix]

i actually hope they do share with wasteland 2. if the two companies work together on a new, easy to use engine for these types of rpg's then it would allow for even more games in a similar vein to be made over the next few years.

[Tlantl]

I'm betting the issue would be with onyx using RAD game tools. I can'y find a any recent prices but when NWN 2 was released the modding community hit the great wall of granny making it impossible to add animations to the game. The price for the software was in the hundreds of thousands of dollars range. RAD supplies a lot of middleware and the onyx engine use bink video and granny.