Can't wait to see how this goes...

[cealicu_ca]

Hi there,

 

I just found out about this project and it seems really promising. I will most likely contribute to it as soon as possible because i consider this to be one of the most interesting "trends" in the business. I would much rather donate to a project i believe in (and, presumably, i have a word to say in it's development direction) than most "standard" products. True, i've had my share of disappointments lately but also i've seen some small yet incredibly successful projects come to life, one of the most amazing being the Walking Dead animated series by Telltale (and no, i'm not trying to advertise here, you may freely censor this if needed).

 

This little game for example has given me the best emotional experience i've had from a game since Syberia (the moment Carly was shot was sad but nevertheless it was magnificently done since i was absolutely shocked - and immediately went on google to find out whether that was mandatory or if there was a way, any way, to save her...).

 

Enough rambling...

 

I wish you good luck with this and i'd like to add my share of suggestions:

 

- Immersion:

 

Whatever story you decide to do, whatever level of realism you want to incorporate do it well (as some others, in another topic, have underlined, it's not necessarily about the subject (morality, murder, slavery etc.) but just how accurate and deep the consequences are portrayed).

 

Don't know if this is already planned or not but try to make it a free, or semi-free world. Let factions interact with another independent of the PC (or at least partly independent), let towns get razed to the ground by rival armies - sometimes for good etc. How sad would it be to travel through a city that you previously visited (and maybe had a pike or two with someone in the tavern), a vibrant and beautiful city, only to find it laying in ashes now? Would you spare the lord that has decided to lay waste to it to prevent an all-out war or let him live because although he might be a ruthless killer he's also a very good administrator and his own city is blooming?

 

Make that grand scale world act. Make it dynamic. I have no idea how hard that may be, or even if it's possible considering a donation-based budget but if you can do it - do it.

 

Let people (NPCs) go on their business or not, depending not only on what the PC does but also random events.

 

Weather. Add dynamically changing weather. It adds a LOT to immersion.

 

Lighted houses at night, people with torches and so on.

 

Romance and relationships.

 

Portray morality as it is. Relative, not absolute.

 

Being able to pretty much trash every single object in the game if you want to. Some smashed windows (that might later on be repaired by the owner, or in case of abandoned buildings be left alone, or even replaced with boards and so on). I always wondered how is it possible to down a 10 ton dragon with my magic sword but it's not possible to break down a damn door.

 

Death. Yes, people die. I don't mean that the PC should die but it's funny to go through a city and see some 100 old men and then come back and see that none has passed away since (the last visit which took place some months ago...). I don't mean to be morbid but it's a nice thing to see the scenery changing a bit.

 

Life. Let children be born and raised. Last time you've had some problems with a thief in this city and now you're returning back only to see him raising his newborn child.

 

Anger. Hate. Scripted emotions, but nevertheless, it's wonderful to see a street fight coming out of nowhere in the middle of the city because of some angry guy who's beloved wife has left him for another man. How about some companion who's decisions/advice are influenced, obviously, by the love for some NPC, for example, or by the hate towards some race.

 

- Don't over tech:

 

I really think there's no need for fancy ultra high res 3D environment and whatever. Just get some good artists

 

- Don't over complicate things:

 

I'm not saying to adopt a system like 4 main stats and that's it. But rather than having a lot of things to keep an eye on, try to merge as many of them as possible (possibly with shortcomings as well - for example a rather heavy strength relative to agility (or dexterity) PC would have a -x% on movement speed or whatever). Just make it... make sense.

 

- Let people decide which way to go:

 

Instead of making people chose the class from start, let the build up their own personalized class as they play. You start with a simple dagger and the most simple clothing and from there on you chose whether to be an archer, a mage, a warrior or any combination of those. It's a great feeling (imho) to let me chose my way of playing.

 

- Add non-combat meaningful stats:

 

By non-combat i only mean that they are useless in combat, but let people with high intelligence (or similar), for example, be able to talk their way out (or even convert the foes to his side possibly) of a fight.

 

Oh well, too many things already. Again i wish you all the best and i will be keeping an eye on this.

[NerdBoner]

everything ypu said plus:

 

if this sh1t is as good as its IE predecessors i'm hoping for sequels and expansion packs to carry my character through to the bitter/happy/glorious end!

[alphyna]

Actually, I only agree on the last point: a big yes for non-combat stats. I want to talk, sneak, convince, charm and eavesdrop all the way! Figthing is less interesting.

 

As for the free world — no. Well, not strictly, but free world actually contradicts a good story (in my opinion, which is certainly subjective). If any character can die, then none of them are esessential (or essential characters are somehow artificially protected fom this). And I'm more interested in a character-driven story, the one, where everyone you met is special and essential. So I'm all for "you can kill anyone", but not for "anyone can die on their own".

 

I know that you're probably not speaking about important characters, only about background NPCs. But that's another thing: I don't really care for them. Like, at all. Aging and dying? Why? All these passer-byes (I suspect that's not spelled like this) are like animated background. I would like the ability to influence the world on a greater scale (destroying cities with everyone inside, yay!), yes. But I want it to be about me, my decisions and my character. Or about the story (so yes, if Curst has to slide, it slides, I'm fine with not being able to prevent this). Not about some abstract immersion.

 

Guess our mindsets are really different here. I hate sandboxes (and everything sandbox-y). I don't want to be an ant in a giant anthill with its own rules and life, I don't want a sneak peek. I want a good story of my character. I want bounds and restrictions.

 

Not saying you are wrong here, no. I just want it to be heard that there are diffirent opinions.