Interview Leon talks to GameBanshee

[Diogo Ribeiro]

Let's not forget that Troika could very well be bought by Microsoft to start eclusively devloping next-gen titles for Xbox and Xbox2, and that Ronald McDonald may also be Elvis.

That's my conspiracy contribution for this thread. I'll let the conspiracy masters do the rest.

 

[Sol Invictus]

There's nothing conspiratory about Troika developing console titles. Did you even read the interview?

 

[Kamaz]

Strangely, but NMA has more positive feedback/quotes on the same interview. Maybe its how you put it?

 

[Seven]

On topic response: Cross-platform development? What complete and utterly horrible turn of events. It really saddens me because I don't like what Troika is turning into. With Bioware's Dragon Age as a PC only game, Troika seems on the verge of becoming a cross-platform developer. Even worse, is the possibility that they might stop making PC games altogether and focus on console titles for the sake of money.

I don't think they'd gp this route for the sole purpose of making money; unbending principles are great, but they're somewhat meaningless if you're out on the street starving.

So, if anything, Troika's cross-platform games would be developed on current generation consoles like the PS2 and the X-Box, and that's not something I want to see.

I think you're a little too pessimistic about the situation. I don't think any publisher would shell out for a console title from an RPG developer in this day (given that it would take about two years to develope) that wasn't next gen capable.

Right now, my current biggest worry with Vampire Bloodlines is that the maps could be really small, so that the game can be readily ported to the X-Box.

Perhaps you haven't seen those five demonstration videos (I think they're at IGN); those maps look pretty expansive.

Well, there was never any talk about small levels or loading times in the previews, interviews and gameplay videos of either DXIW or Thief 3, so there you have it.

I'd call this an excellent example, except for the fact that both of those titles were targeted for the consoles from day one. Perhaps something a little more contextual might help.


All-in-all, I'd be disappointed if they went the console route (given the lack of depth in console RPGs), but hey like I said they have a business to run, and employees who they're responsible for, so that kind of supercedes what I want.

 

[Elwro]

if troika doesn't have mark morgan then they didn't make fallout kekeke

 

[Diogo Ribeiro]

There's nothing conspiratory about Troika developing console titles.

That's right. Then again I wasn't addressing this point.

Did you even read the interview?

Did you? If you did, that's weird, because I did read the interview, yet nothing in it lead me into considering the possibility they could ever "stop making PC games altogether". Nor that "Vampire Bloodlines (could have really small maps), so that the game can be readily ported to the X-Box."

 

[jiujitsu]

I like Troika. I believe in Troika. I think they are all we have left.

Everyone else is 'selling out.' They probably should too, but they still cling to the traditional rpg style we all like.

People shouldn't be so hard on them. They have to make sacrifices if they want to survive as a company.

Don't be so selfish.

 

[Stark]

From Troika’s point of view, we’d be very interested in continuing either of these, especially Arcanum. However, there’s no interest from Sierra or Atari to do either of these projects as far as we can tell.

there goes my secret hope that Troika is working on Toee 2. Yeah, silly. i know.

Well, we really want to make a Troika style in depth RPG that is flashy enough to grab the attention of the press and the public. Vampire: Bloodlines has had a high profile in the press due to the engine we’re using for it and the ability that has given us to be cutting edge with our visuals. We also want to make games that are accessible to a lot more people than hardcore RPGers, without losing sight of the things that appeal to the hard core gamer. Finally, the overriding design goal would be the one that we always have: to make a fun game that tells a great story in a world that reacts to the player’s actions.

I'm curious: Other than the TB vs RT combat, what other elements are considered appealing to "hard core" gamers that they'll need to sacrifice? I can't think of any other. fanciful graphics? even hard core gamers do not mind good graphics in game. Phat l00t? maybe.

but beyond that, can't imagine why casual gamers would not like a good and deep story, with mutiple solution to quests, good dialog, good atmosphere, etc, that hard core gamers enjoy. so again, minus the TB combat, what concessions do they need to make to appeal to casual gamers?

 

[Whipporowill]

Well - casual gamers tend to shy away from large amounts of text, or advanced character managment, I'd say. Hopefully we won't see that happening, anyway - but that's probably what's next if something has to be cut to streamline a title for mainstream appeal.

 

[Stark]

I like Troika. I believe in Troika. I think they are all we have left.

Nah. there's always the small, independant developers. also, some of the European developers show some promise too. If good games dry up in North American we'll just need to look elsewhere.

 

[Whipporowill]

If Gothic 3 turns out crap or not translated into english (where the fuck is the expansion, Atari?!), I might loose hope for a while though...

Also, I'm pretty sure Sith Lords will be at least as good as the first one. So, while we might see more "mainstreamed" rpg titles - the same titles will be better in quality.

 

[Stark]

Well - casual gamers tend to shy away from large amounts of text, or advanced character managment, I'd say.

hmm... i think you're right. if by "streamlining to casual gamers" they mean catering the game to console gamers playing on a couch. i can see them not liking overly deep character management. they may go NWN's way of "recommend" button to satisfy these gamers.

as for texts... BG had plenty of texts yet it sold well, so i'm not too worried there. I recall some of the console games had plenty of texts too.

 

[Stark]

If Gothic 3 turns out crap or not translated into english (where the fuck is the expansion, Atari?!), I might loose hope for a while though...

I love Gothic 1, and somewhat 2. Some of the atmosphere is lost in the sequel. however both are excellent games which is why i'm having confidence in those Germans making quality rpg in years to come.

and the stupid Atari had been holding the expansion (all ready and translated) and left it gathering dusts. by now even if they sell it it'll be dated and won't sell well (personally i don't think i'll buy). Classic case of developer getting screwed over by publisher.

 

[Whipporowill]

I'd buy the expansion and has actually held off from replaying the game, due to making the next run through with either a mercenary or a mage - feel brand new, and then they fucking withhold the game? Gee, I'm happy.

While their was a certain atmosphere to the first game, it lacked somewhat in pacing - I simply lost interest after a while. G2 felt more non-linear in places - and simply, better technically. Give me better graphics, inventory management and possibly a more diverse skillset and I'm happy for #3, without any major changes.

 

[Stark]

for me, I prefer some new tactics in melee combat or spell casting for that matter.

while the dodge and strafe is very well done, I can't help feeling if they've added one or two more options it'll spice up the battle so much more. options like trip or feint. nothing too complicated that it overwhelms me, but one or two more would really be nice.

as for spell caster. I read that the expansion jack up the difficulty so much that it's not viable to play magician in expansion. I made the mistake of playing fighter in original, (and would probably forced to play that again in exp, if i have it) but seeing that expansion is, for all appearances, not coming out, there's no great loss.

another thing i notice in this german game. it's not the usual fantasy game with stock elves and dwarves. the buildings and architechture are so much more... european. I think it takes a european to get it right. another plus to Gothic creators.

 

[Sol Invictus]

I don't think they'd gp this route for the sole purpose of making money; unbending principles are great, but they're somewhat meaningless if you're out on the street starving.

If they don't make the games I want to play then there's absolutely no reason why I would want to buy their products. No one should have any inclination to support a company that isn't worth supporting. Is there?

I think you're a little too pessimistic about the situation. I don't think any publisher would shell out for a console title from an RPG developer in this day (given that it would take about two years to develope) that wasn't next gen capable.

Don't be so sure people know what they are doing. In a time when X-Box is about to expire, publishers like Atari are still focusing on developing games for the platform with titles like DemonStone.

Perhaps you haven't seen those five demonstration videos (I think they're at IGN); those maps look pretty expansive.

No more expansive than some of the larger maps in Thief 3, I'm afraid.

All-in-all, I'd be disappointed if they went the console route (given the lack of depth in console RPGs), but hey like I said they have a business to run, and employees who they're responsible for, so that kind of supercedes what I want.

If they go down the console route, and care more about taking money out of the pockets of console gamers, then they can live off it. I don't see any reason why we should want to give them any of our money for games we don't want to play. You are the consumer, what you want is more important than their desire to make money. You're not obliged to buy any of their console titles.

 

[Sol Invictus]

I like Troika. I believe in Troika. I think they are all we have left.

I'd prefer to have more faith in Bioware's Dragon Age than anything Troika can come up with at this point.

Everyone else is 'selling out.' They probably should too, but they still cling to the traditional rpg style we all like.

Is Vampire in the traditional rpg style we all like? How many games have Troika made? 2. TOEE had good combat, but the dialogue and storyline was far from what we liked about Fallout.

People shouldn't be so hard on them. They have to make sacrifices if they want to survive as a company.

Don't be so selfish.

Selfish? It's my money. I'm not going to pay for a console game. Why should anyone feel obliged to support a company that isn't making games you want to play? If Troika decides to make console games for $$$, fuck them. I'm not interested in any console games and see no reason why I should support them.

 

[Whipporowill]

Rex, there's been at least one board member who's seen the game live - at E3 or something. I can't for the life of me remember who it was, but I remember him being a lot more impressed after having seen the actual game in action (he mentioned the dialogues for instance). He didn't mention loading times or maps being small, as that'd be one of the things I'd bring up from having seen the game. Still that means nothing, but I think there's less indication of smaller maps from what we've heard than the opposite.

 

[Sol Invictus]

If all goes well and Vampire sells well perhaps they'll continue the trend of developing PC games, in which case I'll continue to support them (I do have Vampire preordered, after all). But if they decide to head down the console route I'm bailing my money.

 

[Seven]

If they don't make the games I want to play then there's absolutely no reason why I would want to buy their products. No one should have any inclination to support a company that isn't worth supporting. Is there?

I'm not too sure where this is coming from, I was simply responding to the fact that you said that they might go console for the sole purpose of making money; I disagree. BTW, what makes you think that they'd go console only?

Don't be so sure people know what they are doing. In a time when X-Box is about to expire, publishers like Atari are still focusing on developing games for the platform with titles like DemonStone.

I thought Demonstone was coming out next year. Plus look at when they started production on it.

No more expansive than some of the larger maps in Thief 3, I'm afraid.

I disagree. I was under the belief that the different hubs would have different maps (excluding sewers), not tiny maps.

 

[Sol Invictus]

I thought Demonstone was coming out next year. Plus look at when they started production on it.

That's my point, damn it. There's nothing else coming out. Halo 2, Jade Empire and KOTOR II are the only titles worth getting on the X-Box. Atari should have focused Demonstone's development on X-Box2 rather than an antiquated platform.

 

[Saint_Proverbius]

Volourn, one would think that people who developed the engine,

Tim Cain, Chris Taylor

Chris Taylor was LEAD DESIGNER, not programmer.

SPECIAL,

Chris Taylor.

Errnt! Wrong again. Tim Cain, Chris Taylor, Feargus Urquhart, and Jason Anderson for SPECIAL.

and story

Tim Cain

Leon, Jason, Feargus, etc. as well.

I don't think they'd gp this route for the sole purpose of making money; unbending principles are great, but they're somewhat meaningless if you're out on the street starving.

OR.. They could lower their overhead by not living in an area with such a high cost of living or have an office in an area where office space is so expensive.

That's the other side of the coin they don't say. When they go to a publisher and say, we'd like to make such and such game and we'd like you to publish it for us. The publisher will generally ask what they want for making that game. If the cost is too high, then the publisher is naturally going to refuse. When they say they have to pay their people and their office rent and utilities when they factor in the cost of the game development, and they live and work in one of the most expensive places in the United States to live and work, that cost is going to be high.

 

[xemous]

they should all just put in to buy a house, rig it up with a few power phases, slap in some uber connection and code in there

gold :D no rent, nothing

 

[Sol Invictus]

Like Reflexive?

 

[Sol Invictus]

Concerning Saint's corrections - remind me never to post drunk.