Update #88: Final Sprint and... Release Date!

[Luckmann]

 

Portraits is another area that could use always use more, but probably takes quite a while to produce. What's the plan there? (Can always add more down the line too I guess, plus there's custom portrait support).

We are looking into creating variations on current portraits. We want to get in as many portraits as possible, but it takes a lot of time to do ones that are of a high quality level.

 

 

Do you have a general idea, a set "goal" for each, say, "three per gender per (sub)-race"? Anything along those lines?

 

Also, are you still working on more character customization settings? Very personal opinion, I realize, but for example the female deathlike has less gaudy (more helmet-like) heads than the male deathlike (and a portrait to match) and vice versa (I am sure someone wants to play a female deathlike with a truly monstrous shape).

[Sensuki]

There's also a fairly big quality rift between the earlier outsourced portraits and Kaz and Lindsey's ones IMO. I'd probably prefer fewer uniques to more variants but YMMV.

 

@Luckmann I think some of the actual godlike heads need a bit of work (some of them anyway) when they added hair to some of them it made a few of the models not look that great. Female Fire Godlike heads for instance. Nice to see some more final character art coming through though - looking forward to the Elf revisions.

Edited January 14, 2015 by Sensuki

[BAdler]

Will the Linux version also come on this release date or is there another delay like in the alpha/beta?

Would be really sad

It should be available at the same time (barring unforeseen problems). It is running pretty well right now.

[Luckmann]

There's also a fairly big quality rift between the earlier outsourced portraits and Kaz and Lindsey's ones IMO. I'd probably prefer fewer uniques to more variants but YMMV.

 

@Luckmann I think some of the actual godlike heads need a bit of work (some of them anyway) when they added hair to some of them it made a few of the models not look that great. Female Fire Godlike heads for instance. Nice to see some more final character art coming through though - looking forward to the Elf revisions.

 

I have no idea who did them, but the two deathlike portraits that are in the game at the moment (1 male, 1 female), whomever made those (and some others, I just mention the two because they are easily found for reference, but there's several in the same style) should have their salary doubled and just start churning portraits out like mad, because damn those look nice.

 

I'm not sure who did what.

[BAdler]

 

 

Portraits is another area that could use always use more, but probably takes quite a while to produce. What's the plan there? (Can always add more down the line too I guess, plus there's custom portrait support).

We are looking into creating variations on current portraits. We want to get in as many portraits as possible, but it takes a lot of time to do ones that are of a high quality level.

 

 

Do you have a general idea, a set "goal" for each, say, "three per gender per (sub)-race"? Anything along those lines?

 

Also, are you still working on more character customization settings? Very personal opinion, I realize, but for example the female deathlike has less gaudy (more helmet-like) heads than the male deathlike (and a portrait to match) and vice versa (I am sure someone wants to play a female deathlike with a truly monstrous shape).

 

 

We would like to make a few variations per portrait that already exists. As for additional portraits, we have a list of them that would be a bit more ambiguous and could work for multiple races. Things like helmed or hooded faces.

[HaydenRead]

Really hope that there is a preload option, and that backers get their keys in time to do the preload of the game (as opposed to getting them on release day as the post seems to suggest)...

[Luckmann]

 

 

 

Portraits is another area that could use always use more, but probably takes quite a while to produce. What's the plan there? (Can always add more down the line too I guess, plus there's custom portrait support).

We are looking into creating variations on current portraits. We want to get in as many portraits as possible, but it takes a lot of time to do ones that are of a high quality level.

 

 

Do you have a general idea, a set "goal" for each, say, "three per gender per (sub)-race"? Anything along those lines?

 

Also, are you still working on more character customization settings? Very personal opinion, I realize, but for example the female deathlike has less gaudy (more helmet-like) heads than the male deathlike (and a portrait to match) and vice versa (I am sure someone wants to play a female deathlike with a truly monstrous shape).

 

 

We would like to make a few variations per portrait that already exists. As for additional portraits, we have a list of them that would be a bit more ambiguous and could work for multiple races. Things like helmed or hooded faces.

 

 

Doesn't work for godlikes! Because of the no-helmets thing.

 

But seriously though, that's really great to hear, it didn't occur to me before that you can do it like that, but sometimes you just want to have that knight-helmet thing going on.

[Mabec]

GTA got nothing on march

[BAdler]

Really hope that there is a preload option, and that backers get their keys in time to do the preload of the game (as opposed to getting them on release day as the post seems to suggest)...

 

We will make sure to get the backers their keys before the release date. I misspoke in the update. Probably a few days before or something.

[JFSOCC]

 

 

new hotness

[middydj]

great news!

[norg]

 

Will the Linux version also come on this release date or is there another delay like in the alpha/beta?

Would be really sad

It should be available at the same time (barring unforeseen problems). It is running pretty well right now.

 

 

Wow this is good news, at least you are trying to make it i see my money was a good investment.

[Lord Kelric]

Woot!  Can't wait!

[Keyrock]

Dat Brigandine New Hotness! 

[ryukenden]

Is there going to be a UI update? That was one of the things that bothers me in the BB. I think that can be better before shipped. 

Edited January 14, 2015 by ryukenden

[Sonntam]

That is very comforting to hear! Cowled portraits would indeed be an excellent option.

[Shaz]

After a spot of natural disaster and an absolutely horrible year without internet, this is some lovely, lovely news.

 

Cheers!

Edited January 14, 2015 by Shaz

[knightguy]

Excellent news!  Just means I'll have to avoid spoilers for a few months till I can actually play it!

[Azmodiuz]

Finally an update, how exciting. I like the 20 minute video, thats neat -to see them in the morning at everyday working on the game ! 

+1 to whomever decided to do that!

[Endrosz]

There was a part in the meeting video, starting at 4:12, when Sawyer nodded repeatedly. I found that strangely reassuring, and had to create a GIF out of it:

 

 

During those long, cold winter nights, when decline blankets the outside world, and RPGs are scarce and weak, just take a look at Joshua Eric Sawyer's encouraging face and your soul will be uplifted. </tongue-in-cheek>

 

I don't think it's a good idea to publish Pillars of Eternity two days after GTA 5, but *shrug*.

Edited January 14, 2015 by Endrosz

[Sedrefilos]

New screen shots on the GOG store. So pretty.

 

http://www.gog.com/game/pillars_of_eternity_royal_edition

Screens look a-w-s-o-m-e!

[Flow]

I don't think it's a good idea to publish Pillars of Eternity two days after GTA 5, but *shrug*.

 

They likely had plans in place before GTA5's latest delay.

 

At some point, you have to stop trying to predict your competition and just pick a date.

[Miquel93]

There was a part in the meeting video, starting at 4:12, when Sawyer nodded repeatedly. I found that strangely reassuring, and had to create a GIF out of it:

 

 

During those long, cold winter nights, when decline blankets the outside world, and RPGs are scarce and weak, just take a look at Joshua Eric Sawyer's encouraging face and your soul will uplifted. </tongue-in-cheek>

 

 

 

[AndreaColombo]

 

We would like to make a few variations per portrait that already exists. As for additional portraits, we have a list of them that would be a bit more ambiguous and could work for multiple races. Things like helmed or hooded faces.

 

 

Hi Brandon,

 

while I am very glad to hear you have more portraits planned, and I do appreciate variations of existing portraits, there are some races that are still widely under-represented. For example, dwarves and the sand-skinned aumaua (can't recall what they're called off the top of my mind). Are there plans to add portraits for those, if not by release, in the first post-release patch?

 

Another unrelated thing I wanted to ask—currently all characters in PoE move simultaneously when an order is issued, which creates the infamous "army of clones" effect. The IE games worked around this by applying a random 1–10ms delay from when the order is issued to when characters execute it. Is something similar planned for PoE?

 

Thanks!

[Reever]

New screen shots on the GOG store. So pretty.

 

http://www.gog.com/game/pillars_of_eternity_royal_edition

 

That price though

So, on the GOG editions. My Slacker Backer would probably get me the normal Hero Edition, but what about some of the bonuses I backed separately (like the guide), will those be downloadable from the backer portal?

 

Or are you upgrading me to the Champion Edition?