Interview Avadon: The Black Fortress Interview

[Jason]

Tags: Avadon: The Black Fortress; Jeff Vogel; Spiderweb Software

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<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Now that the details for <a href="http://www.spiderwebsoftware.com/avadon/index.html" target="_blank"><strong>Avadon: The Black Fortess</strong></a> are out and about, we thought it time to pin down Jeff Vogel for another <a href="http://www.rpgcodex.net/content.php?id=205">round of questioning</a>.</p>
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<blockquote>Any future plans not related to Avadon?<br /><br />Quite a few. We&rsquo;re looking hard at the future, figuring out if we have a place in it. In the near future, will will be releasing new, highly upgraded versions of the first Avernum trilogy. They are about a decade old and really showing their age.<br /><br />We are also looking hard at other platforms. Specifically the little ones that you carry around everywhere.</blockquote>
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[mondblut]

In the near future, will will be releasing new, highly upgraded versions of the first Avernum trilogy.

That's not even funny anymore. Imagine Bioware remaking BG 4 times, whenever a new engine is available.

Oh wai-...

Imagine Bioware remaking BG 4 times and not even bothering to alter the character names, that is.

 

[SuicideBunny]

that was disappointing on quite many levels.... it even has friggin giant rats...

at least i won't have to play it with those first trilogy remakes.

 

[Trash]

I think he'll be sorry about spending more time on yet more Avernum/Exile remakes. His core demographic has already played them extensively and if he wants to attract new people with his new awesome graphics, well, he's going to fail. I think he's frightened about leaving the ip/cashcow behind that was so popular.

 

[Andhaira]

What the fuck? Remaking Avernum/Exile AGAIN???

 

[Abelon Blanchetourbe]

15. Anything else we should know about Avadon?

Dragon Age: Origins, whatever you might think of it (and I loved it) showed that it’s possible to have a gritty, hardcore RPG with lots of system complexity and still appeal to a wide audience. I want to do the same thing with Avadon. I want it to have depth, still appeal to the more casual player, and, above all, to be really fun. I don’t know how well I will do, but it won’t be for lack of trying.

Gamepad support and fights requiring tactics such as pressing A, B, and X from time to time should be enough to recreate the kind of hardcore fun Dragon Age provides on 360. Can't wait !

 

[clockradiospeakers]

I wouldn't mind remakes of the first three Geneforge games with the Geneforge 4/5/Avadon engine...

 

[Saxon1974]

I would be down for remakes if he upgraded the graphics and walking animation since I only played about half way throught the first Avernum.

But I do agree that those that have already played them arent likely to buy new and improved versions. Maybe he thinks he can appeal to new gamers or something.

 

[JarlFrank]

So bascially, he only marginally improved the graphics, the engine is still the same... and he's going to do remakes?

At least they won't take him more than a month if he works quickly, heh.

 

[Awor Szurkrarz]

There will not be skills related to dialogue. Right now, I think it fits the game world better to make the best conversation trees I can and make those available to everyone.

 

[OSK]

In the near future, will will be releasing new, highly upgraded versions of the first Avernum trilogy. They are about a decade old and really showing their age.

WHHHHHHHHY?

At least re-make the Exile trilogy. Exile > Avernum.

 

[Severian Silk]

I'm OK with the remakes. It's not like there aren't other RPGs out there that would benefit from being remade with one or more of their core features scrapped and redone. (Arcanum with a proper turn-based system for instance.)

I've only bought one of the trilogies so far, so there's no way it could hurt me.

 

[GarfunkeL]

Stupid remakes and stupid DAO aping. It's gonna be frigging awesome, sure.

 

[Elzair]

In the near future, will will be releasing new, highly upgraded versions of the first Avernum trilogy.

That's not even funny anymore. Imagine Bioware remaking BG 4 times, whenever a new engine is available.

Oh wai-...

Imagine Bioware remaking BG 4 times and not even bothering to alter the character names, that is.

Honestly, I would rather play BG 4 times than play the shit they released after it.

 

[syllopsium]

Of course he's remaking the games - it worked before and will (probably) work again. Look at the previous posts on his blog about how he makes money.

It should be fairly low effort on his behalf. I've only just started playing Avernum 6 demo and I can see why his games are successful. Sure, they're a bit clunky, but there's some nice touches and a definite storyline.

 

[Tails]

I wouldn't mind remakes of the first three Geneforge games with the Geneforge 4/5/Avadon engine...

Indeed, this would be a wiser decision. Still I didn't play the first three ones, they just start have weird slowdowns in some places. 4/5 Geneforge work just fine.

 

[istara]

Anyone pick up on this?

"We are also looking hard at other platforms. Specifically the little ones that you carry around everywhere."

Just imagine BoA for the iPhone... I cannot wait...

 

[Hobo Elf]

From the look of the character portrait in one of the Avadon screen shots I can at least say that Vogel has hired a better artist if anything. At least that much has improved.

 

[Crooked Bee]

There will not be skills related to dialogue. Right now, I think it fits the game world better to make the best conversation trees I can and make those available to everyone.

 

[SimpleComplexity]

I heard he's also writing a book about himself:
Jeff Vogel: From Nerd to Pimp

 

[WarHamster]

Still I didn't play the first three ones, they just start have weird slowdowns in some places. 4/5 Geneforge work just fine.

The first three Geneforges work just as fine 99% of the time. The slowdowns only happen in areas with a lot of NPCs who have "flavor dialogue" popups (namely, the guards in cities). Other than that, I've experienced no problems with G1-3.

 

[BlaineMono]

What the fuck is Avadon? Is it like Avalon with a runny nose?

also Vogel either hides a horrible sequel-churning sweatshop in his basement or has this condition when his body literally excretes CRPGS.

 

[Humanity has risen!]

Still I didn't play the first three ones, they just start have weird slowdowns in some places. 4/5 Geneforge work just fine.

The first three Geneforges work just as fine 99% of the time. The slowdowns only happen in areas with a lot of NPCs who have "flavor dialogue" popups (namely, the guards in cities). Other than that, I've experienced no problems with G1-3.

There was a lot of slowdown on my M11x with my Nvidia GPU, but when switching to Intel integrated graphics it was fine.

The culprit is probably modern Nvidia and ATI drivers.

 

[Severian Silk]

Yeah, I got slowdown when I tried playing AV4 if I remember correctly. No slowdown in 5 or 6 I think.

Haven't tried recently since I got my new vid card tho.

 

[Awor Szurkrarz]

What the fuck is Avadon? Is it like Avalon with a runny nose?

also Vogel either hides a horrible sequel-churning sweatshop in his basement or has this condition when his body literally excretes CRPGS.

He sleeps 8 hours each night. It works wonders for productivity.