Now this is going strongly off topic and I'm sorry for that:
If 5 cover-shooters per year can co-exist, 1-2 isometric TB games per year can too. Nobody is doing anything like ToEE gameplay-wise. Which I think would be the inspiration to start from, when making a Pathfinder game.
The only sophisticated system is Div:OS. But that is quite different in the "story and feel" side of things from a game that one would expect from OE. Torment isn't out yet and I haven't really followed it, but from what I gather the system is rather simplistic and there is comparatively little combat. Of Seven Dragon Saga we still know nothing of gameplay. Currently it still strongly smells of vapourware to me
And I'm not sure if isometric TB was confirmed, or if it'll take the shape of a blobber or something else.
If OE started development now, they'd finish in ~2 years and be the ~third to fourth game of that "type" in 4 years... ("Type" being used very roughly.)
RTwP on the other hand, is something that "can" find publisher money. As SCL (and Aarklash Legacy) proves. Should this not be a fluke, and more publishers decide to fund such games, then that nice can be "filled" quite quickly.
Neither side is convincing to me. Thinking in your categories is what made me hate industry executives. It's what lead to consolitis, awesome-buttons and dumbing down.
OE can make as many shitty mmos for Russian mobsters as they want. If it pays their bills. But with those bills paid, and with (kickstarter) funding, I'd like them to make games that
they'd
want to make. And hopefully that is not some mmo trash, but something more in vein with what "the codex" would like. And personally I'm interested in whether
that might be a TB isometric game. (To me, ideally in the vein of ToEE, Div:OS or JA2.) (Given all I know about them I don't expect it.)
Back on Topic:
mindx2 Sword Coast Legends
http://www.rpgcodex.net/forums/inde...wn-rtwp-d-d-5e-rpg-with-optional-co-op.96970/
The thread also contains most concerns. (Basically I'm the only one not expecting only the worst and willing to say so
)
I don't expect them to become any clearer than they have on the contentious issues. But that's no reason not to try
I'm interested if they'll be available on non-DRM venues like GoG (at some stage).
They've talked some about the DM mode that allows changing stuff on the fly. Will there also be an editor to make community content/mods? If so, how powerful/flexible can we expect it to be? Can additional assests be added and existing rules be changed like in NWN? Or will it just be intended to make adventures like in Neverwinter Online (because anything more might hurt DLC sales)?
It's clear that they'll sell additional content (races and classes, and perhaps spells, feats, items, properties, tile sets) as DLC. Is that the type of content they've planned? What scope is planned for the DLCs? Do they plan to sell in "Horse Armor"-sized chunks (meaning one race or class at a time), or will it more resemble the Neverwinters in expansion where each expansion added a new campaign
and races/classes/etc.
Would they describe their OC more as combat focussed hack&slash or more as story-driven? Will it be more linear, or will it have the "HUB"-setup of Bioware games? How about branching story-lines and C&C? Will stats and skills influence dialogue options? Will they aim for a dark, gritty, morally grey tone, that's all the rage these days, or will it be more light-hearted, pehaps even comic?
Will there be companions to pick up in the OC? Will you (nonetheless) be allowed to make the whole party yourself?
Can't think of anything else where the answer wouldn't be obvious...