KickStarter Nox Archaist - 8-bit RPG for Apple II, Mac, and PC - now with Lord of Storms expansion

[6502 Workshop]

It's most closely related to the super early Ultima games with NPC's that repeat the same lines in every town.

Uh... is this game somehow related to Nox (2000)?

I remember those well and love those games!

Ultima transitioned to a interactive NPC dialog system in Ultima IV, where each NPC had something unique to say and the player could ask the NPC questions like NAME and JOB which could produce a variety of responses with keywords the player could then ask about.

This is the style that inspired the NPC dialog system in Nox Archaist. Standing on the shoulders of giants, one improvement we endeavored to make was capitalizing the keywords that NPCs would respond to so the player does not need to guess.

 

[KeighnMcDeath]

Euo also uses that highlighted text for key words. This I hear is tedious when it comes to getting NPCS with information to discuss or rather program it in without it looking... clunky. Dynamic and learning conversation? I have no clue how it is handled.

Anyway... finally purchased.

 

[6502 Workshop]

Euo also uses that highlighted text for key words. This I hear is tedious when it comes to getting NPCS with information to discuss or rather program it in without it looking... clunky. Dynamic and learning conversation? I have no clue how it is handled.

Anyway... finally purchased.

Thanks for your support!

 

[Broseph]

I bought this on Steam a while back, got around to playing it for a bit today. I lasted 25 minutes until my party was wiped by bandits. :D

Do you save progress by resting at inns? I assumed that was how it works but I spent my gold before I got to try that.

This game is not really made for people of my generation, but I applaud the effort and I really respect the work you've done here. My experience with the early Ultimas is only limited to Ultima IV and I never got very far in that game either. That being said, I'm going to keep playing this in between other games on my backlog. Great stuff.

 

[6502 Workshop]

I bought this on Steam a while back, got around to playing it for a bit today. I lasted 25 minutes until my party was wiped by bandits. :D

Do you save progress by resting at inns? I assumed that was how it works but I spent my gold before I got to try that.

This game is not really made for people of my generation, but I applaud the effort and I really respect the work you've done here. My experience with the early Ultimas is only limited to Ultima IV and I never got very far in that game either. That being said, I'm going to keep playing this in between other games on my backlog. Great stuff.

Thanks for giving an Nox Archaist a try! It was very much inspired by Ultima IV and V.

Saving progress can actually be done anytime (except combat) by pressing Q to quick save the game. It even works in dungeons. Another feature you might find helping is the quest log, which can be accessed by pressing /. While the quest log is very rudimentary it does keep track generally of the major tasks to work out.

Nox Archaist was designed for the Apple II computer, which the first 5 Ultima games used. We pushed that 40 year old hardware absolutely as far as it could got to squeeze in QOL features like this.

Enjoy!

 

[6502 Workshop]

Hello all,

December 12 was the 1-year anniversary of the release of Nox Archaist. Many thanks for your support!

To celebrate, Nox Archaist digital edition and Book of Hints (digital) are 50% off in our store and on GOG & Steam!


Nox Store
https://nox-archaist.myshopify.com/collections/nox-archaist

Nox on Steam
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1509080/Nox_Archaist/

Nox on GOG
https://af.gog.com/game/nox_archaist?as=1649904300


Also, the Nox store also now has a Lord British t-shirt!
https://nox-archaist.myshopify.com/...oducts/lord-british-undefeated-unisex-t-shirt

According to former Origin Systems developer Dr. Cat, Nox Archaist is the only personal computer game that Lord British appears in as a character in which he remains undefeated!

 

[Ladonna]

December 12 was the 1-year anniversary of the release of Nox Archaist. Many thanks for your support!

I enjoyed the Apple version, but is there any news about the possible Commodore version?

 

[6502 Workshop]

December 12 was the 1-year anniversary of the release of Nox Archaist. Many thanks for your support!

I enjoyed the Apple version, but is there any news about the possible Commodore version?

@oziphanto is working on a Commodore port. He is making progress though it is slow going as there are lots of devils in the details. Nox Archaist was designed to push the Apple II to the limit and that resulted in some code that isn't very port friendly. We do not have a prototype yet so I don't want to raise hopes too high. I'm optimistic it will eventually come together but it may take a long time.

 

[Contagium]

Is Lord British flipping us off here or giving the thumbs up?

Hello all,

December 12 was the 1-year anniversary of the release of Nox Archaist. Many thanks for your support!

To celebrate, Nox Archaist digital edition and Book of Hints (digital) are 50% off in our store and on GOG & Steam!


Nox Store
https://nox-archaist.myshopify.com/collections/nox-archaist

Nox on Steam
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1509080/Nox_Archaist/

Nox on GOG
https://af.gog.com/game/nox_archaist?as=1649904300


Also, the Nox store also now has a Lord British t-shirt!
https://nox-archaist.myshopify.com/...oducts/lord-british-undefeated-unisex-t-shirt

According to former Origin Systems developer Dr. Cat, Nox Archaist is the only personal computer game that Lord British appears in as a character in which he remains undefeated!


View attachment 21993

 

[KeighnMcDeath]

Funny, I got this for AppleII, Realms of Quest 5 for the Vic20, Realms of Antiquity for Ti-99/4a, and I would say the Briley Witches Chronicles for c64 but I can't get that thing to run. There are games I like on some platforms and if exclusive.. that's fine.


Of course there will be... WHAT'S NEXT on the MENU?

 

[Tweed]

I need to go back and finish this some day. I got sidetracked by who knows what, but I'd messed up my party anyway. Whatever you do DON'T try to multiclass, it will end poorly.

And if you’re playing on Windows you can download my custom emulator that has extra stuff just for Nox.
https://github.com/hasseily/NoxArchaistCompanion

Damn, that'll make it a lot easier too.
The kobolds in this game are really dangerous, too bad you can't get any for your party.

 

[rikkles]

I need to go back and finish this some day. I got sidetracked by who knows what, but I'd messed up my party anyway. Whatever you do DON'T try to multiclass, it will end poorly.

And if you’re playing on Windows you can download my custom emulator that has extra stuff just for Nox.
https://github.com/hasseily/NoxArchaistCompanion

Damn, that'll make it a lot easier too.
The kobolds in this game are really dangerous, too bad you can't get any for your party.

The companion just gives you information that you'd otherwise get in different ways in the game. It doesn't make the game easier, but potentially easier to play. It also gives you superspeed options for speed runs, but I don't think you need that yet

 

[Tweed]

The companion just gives you information that you'd otherwise get in different ways in the game. It doesn't make the game easier, but potentially easier to play. It also gives you superspeed options for speed runs, but I don't think you need that yet

I was interested in the conversation logging, but superspeed doesn't sound bad either. Typically once I get used to the flow of information I want the game to start running faster and I do remember Nox Archaist moving at a slow pace at times.
Don't suppose you can hax04 the game and make kobolds playable?

 

[rikkles]

I was interested in the conversation logging, but superspeed doesn't sound bad either. Typically once I get used to the flow of information I want the game to start running faster and I do remember Nox Archaist moving at a slow pace at times.
Don't suppose you can hax04 the game and make kobolds playable?

The bundled app/emulator has speed options (2x, 4x, 8x I think), it's just that the companion gives you even more speed that makes the game faster than a rabid dog on speed. Users beware.

To hax04 the game, let's just ask very nicely Mr 6502 Workshop for the location of the byte that decides on the player sprite, and if one can instead point to a monster sprite. But given how optimized Nox is, I have a sneaking suspicion that the kobold monster sprite is only loaded into memory when maps with kobold NPCs/enemies are loaded.

Nox Archaist: Kobold DLC

 

[Infinitron]

https://www.6502workshop.com/2022/04/making-of-nox-archaist-book-in-stock.html

Making of Nox Archaist Book (In Stock)



We are excited to announce the print edition of the Making of Nox Archaist book is now in stock and available to order!

An e-book version is also now available.

Click HERE to order your copy with color cover and interior!



In the Making of Nox Archaist, co-founder and lead developer Mark Lemmert talks about how making the game began as a childhood dream and ended with the first commercial role-playing game released on the Apple II in 30 years.

Mark describes the challenges, including a failed Kickstarter, the Apple’s quirky graphics system, and getting decent audio out of a one-bit speaker. Along the way, the team received help from many sources, including Richard Garriott (Lord British), Dr. Cat, Burger Becky, and Steve Wozniak (Woz). Finally, after a wildly-successful Kickstarter and a year of non-stop coding, Mark details how an obscure floppy-disk bug nearly derailed the entire project just weeks before release.

We hope that you enjoy reading our story! Order HERE!

And...

If you haven't already, we invite you to join our Nox Archaist Discord server. It's a great place to share tips and tricks with other players and ask questions to the dev team.

http://discord.noxarchaist.com

-Mark, Chris & the 6502 Workshop Team

Website - http://www.6502workshop.com

Discord - http://discord.noxarchaist.com

Twitter - @6502Workshop

Forums - http://forums.noxarchaist.com

Facebook - http://facebook.noxarchaist.com

Kickstarter - http://kickstarter.noxarchaist.com

 

[Infinitron]

https://www.6502workshop.com/2022/05/do-you-want-more-8-bit-games-like-nox.html

Do you want more 8-bit games like Nox Archaist?

Announcing the 6502 Workshop Patreon!

Does the idea of helping 6502 Workshop release more games at a faster pace sound like something you'd be interested in? Want to get perks that give you unparalleled insider access to details about the projects we have underway, and even the opportunity to directly influence those projects?

If the answer to any of those questions is yes, the new 6502 Workshop Patreon is what you're looking for! Click here to join up!



Patreon FAQ

How does Patreon help us produce games faster?

The short version is, the more income we receive from Patreon, the more time we can devote directly to making games. This is especially true for lead developer Mark Lemmert, as his day job is freelance consulting. The nature of this job is such that he can adjust his workload as he sees fit. This literally means that for Mark, income from Patreon translates directly to more game development hours each month!

Will 6502 Workshop make more games anyway, even without Patreon support?

Probably. However, Patreon support helps us to do so much more quickly!

What sort of perks and insider access is available through Patreon?

Depending on your pledge level, you can get access to the Inner Circle Discord channel where only 6502 Workshop developers have access, and an invite to the monthly live video chat with the 6502 Workshop developers, insider updates, free swag, and more!

Spoiler

Other News

After announcing its release last month we sold out of the Making of Nox Archaist print edition! Many thanks to everyone who bought a copy!

We've got more copies in stock now, available to order here (full-color print + ebook or separate ebook).











In the Making of Nox Archaist, co-founder and lead developer Mark Lemmert talks about how making the game began as a childhood dream and ended with the first commercial role-playing game released on the Apple II in 30 years.

Mark describes the challenges, including a failed Kickstarter, the Apple’s quirky graphics system, and getting decent audio out of a one-bit speaker. Along the way, the team received help from many sources, including Richard Garriott (Lord British), Dr. Cat, Burger Becky, and Steve Wozniak (Woz). Finally, after a wildly-successful Kickstarter and a year of non-stop coding, Mark details how an obscure floppy-disk bug nearly derailed the entire project just weeks before release.

We hope that you enjoy reading our story! Order HERE!

And, you can help us make more games and related products like this book by supporting our Patreon!

Regards

Mark Lemmert - 6502 Workshop Co-Founder and Lead Developer
Website - http://www.6502workshop.com

Patreon - http://patreon.com/6502workshop
Discord - http://discord.noxarchaist.com
Twitter - @6502Workshop
Forums - http://forums.noxarchaist.com
Facebook - http://facebook.noxarchaist.com
Kickstarter - http://kickstarter.noxarchaist.com

 

[Tweed]

I guess it didn't sell enough?

 

[Contagium]

I wish I liked this more than I did. I would certainly buy anything else this studio released, and other so-called retro "developers" could learn a thing or two from 6502 workshop. (Hi Bruce!)

 

[Infinitron]

Coming March 31st, 2023: https://www.6502workshop.com/2022/07/nox-archaist-expansion-pack-new.html

Nox Archaist Expansion Pack! **NEW**​

Announcing Nox Archaist: Lord of Storms!



PREORDER LORD OF STORMS HERE

You have learned of Lord Estintar’s suspicions that the cult has something to do with the increase in storm activity. He charges you with investigating. The task will not be easy, but you accept this duty.

Your quest will take you to uncharted reaches of the Isles of Wynmar. Traps, puzzles, and powerful magic items await, which may or may not be able to help you.

Those brave and foolish enough to face these perils will come face to face with the Lord of Storms!

The Nox Archaist: Lord of Storms digital download includes:

• New HDV hard-drive image for Apple II, Mac, or PC
• A brand new quest line
• New mobs and new unique items
• New features, including character renaming
• PDF of the manual

Note: This is an expansion pack for Nox Archaist, and requires the full game to run.

PREORDER LORD OF STORMS HERE

6502 Workshop Patreon!​

Does the idea of helping 6502 Workshop release more games at a faster pace sound like something you'd be interested in? Want to get perks that give you unparalleled insider access to details about the projects we have underway, and even the opportunity to directly influence those projects?

If the answer to any of those questions is yes, the new 6502 Workshop Patreon is what you're looking for! Click here to join up!

Patreon FAQ​

How does Patreon help us produce games faster?

The short version is, the more income we receive from Patreon, the more time we can devote directly to making games. This is especially true for lead developer Mark Lemmert, as his day job is freelance consulting. The nature of this job is such that he can adjust his workload as he sees fit. This literally means that for Mark, income from Patreon translates directly to more game development hours each month!

Will 6502 Workshop make more games anyway, even without Patreon support?

Probably. However, Patreon support helps us to do so much more quickly!

What sort of perks and insider access is available through Patreon?

Depending on your pledge level, you can get access to the Inner Circle Discord channel where only 6502 Workshop developers have access, and an invite to the monthly live video chat with the 6502 Workshop developers, insider updates, free swag, and more!

Regards,

Mark Lemmert

Co-Founder and Lead Developer

6502 Workshop

Website - http://www.6502workshop.com

Patreon - http://patreon.com/6502workshop
Discord - http://discord.noxarchaist.com
Twitter - @6502Workshop
Forums - http://forums.noxarchaist.com
Facebook - http://facebook.noxarchaist.com
Kickstarter - http://kickstarter.noxarchaist.com

 

[6502 Workshop]

I guess it didn't sell enough?

Nox Archaist sold around 4000 copies, a large amount for 8-bit retro games which can run on original hardware but not enough for me or my dev teammates to quit our day jobs (which was never the goal).

As Nox Archaist players have expressed interest and enthusiasm for more content, we started the Patreon as an additional way to support that effort. It's pretty simple for me - my day job is freelance consulting so Patreon support give me the ability to spend less time on consulting and more time on game development.



-Mark

 

[Melan]

That's a very nice amount - well done!

You mention the expansion requires the base game. But will it be a new campaign (e.g. Ultima VII/Serpent Isle), or something integrated into the main game (e.g. Ultima VII/Forge of Virtue)?

 

[Tweed]

Will playable kobolds be in this expansion?

 

[Ladonna]

Will playable kobolds be in this expansion?

Is there any other games besides the Phantasie series where you can play as a Kobold?

You mention the expansion requires the base game. But will it be a new campaign (e.g. Ultima VII/Serpent Isle), or something integrated into the main game (e.g. Ultima VII/Forge of Virtue)?

This.

 

[Sacibengala]

...On GOG, for that matter.

 

[Tweed]

Is there any other games besides the Phantasie series where you can play as a Kobold?

DCSS, KotC 2, and Oubliette.