I have about 18 months right now to get that next big thing signed up.
You passed the etiquette check. Avoided the expression "slam dunk". You do not get poo flung at you at the graphixwhorecodex.
“What is this game we want to make?”
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You take something like Arkham City. It’s sort of like a fighting game, a third-person fighting game. Five years ago they wouldn’t have made that like Arkham City. You look at what Skyrim does well, what’s really fun about Skyrim. So that’s the kind of thing where… I think there’s this desire to say, “First-person sword fighting isn’t always the best entertainment.” But hey, the fighting in Arkham City is awesome.
So where do RPGs need to go from that? Do they need to get more like Devil May Cry? Do they need to get more like this or like that? And we’re looking at who plays role-playing games. I’m distinctly a role-playing game player. I play a ton of games, because I’m in the industry. I play Ninja Gaiden. I can respect Ninja Gaiden. But I would not play a ton of Ninja Gaiden. It’s just not my thing. All of their focus is on that system. When you’re making a role-playing game, your system is broader, much broader. That’s what we’re trying to say. What is combat? A lot of the other systems in role-playing games, they all work awesome and people love them. They still need to evolve and move forward a little bit, but what should combat be in that next big role-playing game? That’s one of the things we’re trying to zero in on.
Well, since only action games are mentioned it's pretty obvious what Feargus' favoured direction would look like...
And before you think about "evolving and moving forward (a little bit)", how about at least managing to copy gameplay that was done well? If it "has" to be action gameplay: copy M&B; if it "must not be turn based": copy Infinity Engine; if it should be a good RPG with actually novell gameplay take a hint from W2, Chaos Chronicles or ToEE.
Sorry, but RPG gameplay has been steadily devolving and Obsidian games are some of the worst offenders. Examples for good gameplay are either old games or indies and I just can't stand the non-sense drivel PR-talk of "evolving" anymore. Instead of copying wheels they try to drive around on squares. Not to mention that all games mentioned are for consoles. Clearly shows their focus. Not surprizing from Obsidian but it still always manages to disappoint.
Ah well, OE can churn out another buggy console action game. I'm still a happy camper 'cause I finally have alternatives