Game News Project Eternity Kickstarter Update #2: Stretch Goals Revealed

[Spectacle]

Can we have a stretch goal for 6 man parties?

Has it been confirmed that the party size is 3 or 4?

No, but with only 5 companions total in the base game, it doesn't really sound like they are planning for 6 man parties.

 

[St. Toxic]

Cancelled backing. I am fucking disappointed.

As should everyone. Supporting this product is supporting the decline of rpgs.

 

[Vault Dweller]

Spectacle

They might. Unlike BG, PST had less companions but offered a lot more. You acquired them gradually and it worked well. Considering that 1.1 mil goal isn't a lot of money for a full scale development, it's easy to assume that it included only the bare necessities (spare companions are extra). Since PST-style companions are a lot of work, it sort of makes sense. Less is more and all that.

Edit: Ironically, people getting used to Bioware RPGs and a shitload of companions, cut out of cardboard, is probably the reason for the backlash.

 

[Infinitron]

Rule of thumb: Since this game is an Infinity Engine homage, assume that it works identically to IE until explicitly told otherwise.

 

[Cosmo]

No, but with only 5 companions total in the base game, it doesn't really sound like they are planning for 6 man parties.

Or it's just that they planned for the minimum batch of companions for the first minimal goal.

 

[godsend1989]

Who charges back now never finished an Obsidian game in their life period, you know they can add stretch goal pokemon balls i don`t care as long this guys make the game, they know what their doing better then your retarded ideas.

 

[Spectacle]

Spectacle

They might. Unlike BG, PST had less companions but offered a lot more. You acquired them gradually and it worked well. Considering that 1.1 mil goal isn't a lot of money for a full scale development, it's easy to assume that it included only the bare necessities (spare companions are extra). Since PST-style companions are a lot of work, it sort of makes sense. Less is more and all that.

Edit: Ironically, people getting used to Bioware RPGs and a shitload of companions, cut out of cardboard, is probably the reason for the backlash.

I see your point, but in PST combat was pretty much a sideshow. I'm probably one of the few guys on this forum who really liked Icewind Dale 1&2, so I enjoy the greater tactical options you get with 6 characters under your control.
I wouldn't mind if they pad out the companion pool by adding some cardboard characters in addition to the planned proper companions. Most people are not terribly interesting characters, there's room for companions who don't do much more than swing swords or sling spells. :D

 

[Semper]

I wouldn't mind if they pad out the companion pool by adding some cardboard characters in addition to the planned proper companions. Most people are not terribly interesting characters, there's room for companions who don't do much more than swing swords or sling spells. :D

to eliminate all this butthurt they simply should add party creation. this way you are able to create an infinite amount of douchebags entering your band and on top 5 well developed ones. there would be still the problem of the low amount of classes for a 6 person party, given that that's what they're aiming for, but that's another story.

 

[FeelTheRads]

to eliminate all this butthurt they simply should add party creation.

But then there's the butthurt of the Biodrones, like with W2, who can't identify themselves with 6 persons at the same time if they create them themselves instead of being premade.

So, what kind of butthurt do they want to generate? Seems like they don't want the Biodrone butthurt. There's too many of them which means a lot of moneyz.

 

[m_s0]

Well there goes my optimism out of the windows. If that happens, I will....I willl...I don't know what I will do, but it will be messy.

I doubt he'd do more than just guest-design an npc/quest or something along those lines, and there's still the guys at Obsidian to filter that shit, so it won't be anything major (it better not fucking be), but it still sounds like a waste of resources they don't have to begin with.

Best case scenario: he'll lend his name and stay the fuck away from the game. Still, it's not a compromise I want from Obsidian.

 

[Infinitron]

I doubt he'd do more than just guest-design an npc/quest or something along those lines, and there's still the guys at Obsidian to filter that shit, so it won't be anything major (it better not fucking be), but it still sounds like a waste of resources they don't have to begin with.

Read entire thread before posting.

 

[CappenVarra]

Meh. Here are some stretch goals that I would actually donate for:
- Optional fully party creation; all NPCs can be safely ignored and are never required to complete a section of the main quest (I'm looking at you, kotor2, a "RPG" that simply refuses to just let me play my goddamn character(s))
- NWN1-like modding toolset + the ability to create your own races and classes (using just the pre-defined class abilities, let's not get into Universal RPG Creator territory) and use them in mods

Well, a man may dream...

 

[m_s0]

I doubt he'd do more than just guest-design an npc/quest or something along those lines, and there's still the guys at Obsidian to filter that shit, so it won't be anything major (it better not fucking be), but it still sounds like a waste of resources they don't have to begin with.

Read entire thread before posting.

I skimmed it, but I missed that post. Damn, that was a scary though.

 

[kaizoku]

1.4 million, New Playable Race, Class, and Companion!

Expands your options for character creation and adds a companion of the new class.

This doesn't cost very much to add and can add to replay value. Not a big deal, but okay.

1.6 million, a Mac Version of Project Eternity and The Story Grows!

We've listened and we’ll make a Mac version of the game at this tier. We're also going to add a new major storyline along with new quests, locations, NPCs, and unique loot (special histories everyone?).

OSX, +1 storyline for an additional 200k. Seems like a good deal. Nothing wrong with this.

1.8 million, New Playable Race, Class, and Companion!

The options grow for your main character and the roster of your motley crew expands with the addition of a new companion from the selected class.

Nothing wrong with this goal except that it is becoming repetitive. I'd rather see a larger, deeper story or maybe even (gasp) some improved graphics, or a more sophisticated combat system.

2.0 million, Player House!

Get your own house in the game that you can customize, store equipment in, and where your companions hang out, or, as the elves say, "chillax".

Obvious Biodrone pandering is obvious. OTOH, it doesn't take much money or development time for them to add it and if it leads to a bunch of biodrone gamer chicks helping to fund the game just because they'll pony up for any game that lets them play house in some way then I don't have a major problem with it. As long as it doesn't turn the game into the Sims. It's just a location where you can put stuff. That should take a programmer maybe a few hours to implement. I think it's the focus on the biodrones more than the goal itself that is alarming.

2.2 million, a new Region, a new Faction and another new Companion! And, dare we say it... ? LINUX!

Great news, everyone! For the Tarball Knights of Gzippia out there, we'll be adding Linux support!
Also, the world of Project Eternity grows in a major way with the inclusion of a whole new faction and the territory it holds. This adds new NPCs, quests, magic items, and hours of gameplay. And yes, you got it, another companion.

Linux support is awesome and it's difficult to imagine this project not reaching 2.2 mil. I love this trend. Pretty soon we won't need Windows for much of anything at all. All the best games nowadays are Kickstarter games and most of the best projects seem to be adding a Linux port. As Windows 8 approaches and shows what Microsoft's vision is for the future of their OSes (basically tablet focused OSes), I am migrating mostly to Linux now. Windows only for games, Adobe, Autodesk, and other linux-unfriendly applications. My goal is to spend 90% of my computer time in Linux.

DRM Free

: We are looking into it! Please check back for updates.

I am thinking of donating $500, which is about 2/3 my monthly income, but not having a DRM free version has really been giving me pause. I'd at least like to wait to donate until this is confirmed. I hate steam. Steam is the only reason that I still play a pirated, cracked version of FONV. A non-steam version has been requested on the Beth forums many times, but has always been ignored. For Steam only at best I'd throw in $65, but probably only $20-$25.

 

[nihil]

This was a very badly handled Kickstarter. It started out great with the countdown and hysteria, but they had the goal set too low, and the stretch goals are a disappointment. Not just the "player house". They make the game sound really small in scope. Double the money and get eight companions in total? It doesn't have to be a bad thing, but they presented it really badly. I can't see anyone getting very excited for these stretch goals, and it seems that way on the graph, too. They should've put their energy into one or two exciting goals at $2M and $3M, and presented them in a way that draws attention to the positive aspects of the game, not to the fact that it's a small scale game.

 

[oldmanpaco]

Rule of thumb: Since this game is an Infinity Engine homage, assume that it works identically to IE until explicitly told otherwise.

The problem is it's been 3 days and they have not confirmed this is what they are planning. I don't why they don't just say what they are trying to make.

edit: And their servers are down again. Bush league.

 

[Esterhaze]

2.5 Million - more interesting setting

 

[Infinitron]

This was a very badly handled Kickstarter. It started out great with the countdown and hysteria, but they had the goal set too low, and the stretch goals are a disappointment. Not just the "player house". They make the game sound really small in scope. Double the money and get eight companions in total? It doesn't have to be a bad thing, but they presented it really badly. I can't see anyone getting very excited for these stretch goals, and it seems that way on the graph, too. They should've put their energy into one or two exciting goals at $2M and $3M, and presented them in a way that draws attention to the positive aspects of the game, not to the fact that it's a small scale game.

Bingo. This is the first good, non-butthurt critique of the stretch goals that I've read.

 

[nihil]

Rule of thumb: Since this game is an Infinity Engine homage, assume that it works identically to IE until explicitly told otherwise.

The problem is it's been 3 days and they have not confirmed this is what they are planning. I don't why they don't just say what they are trying to make.

edit: And their servers are down again. Bush league.

Well, didn't they say something along the lines of "we're aiming to recreate the magic of Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale and Planescape: Torment"? All those are IE games.

 

[Tigranes]

I'm mixed. On one hand, the stretch goals are not awesome by any stretch of imagination. Player House chillax sounds retarded. But then, the original scope was for 1.1 million. Did anyone actually think that scope-wise they were going to get a Baldur's Gate 2 for 1.1 million? They weren't going to have 15 fleshed-out companions, 6 cities, 20 classes and five million items. I would bet money that we would reach 2.2 million before the end, and definitely get those stretch goals - after which it looks a lot more satisfying. I mean, we know that the companions will be in Torment / K2 / NWN2 style, not, say, Arcanum (which had 1 real follower and 25 bodybags).

The other thing is the player house, and if it's like a house you decorate and then your followers hang out it's retarded. If it's like the Sink in OWB, then fine, I can accept that, though it's not particularly exciting. I don't see it being a full blown stronghold, or they'd have said so. The point is they never had Hearthfire style larp-homes in any of their games before, so I don't see why I should assume that here until we get more detail.

What I do think is crap is the way it's all been set up. I guess in their position, before it goes live, 1.1 mil seems like a lot of money, and they probably wanted to model W2's drive, but it was never going to be a lot of money - you invoke BG2 and you get certain assumptions about scope, whether from Biofans or from Codexers. I'd have preferred larger, more genuine stretch goals - mac/linux, language support, new regions. I can understand why they did it this way, but I don't know if that will help them. Hard to say.

Anyway, my pledge and enthusiasm stays unless they reveal some actual details that genuinely suck. At least romances aren't a stretch goal I guess.

 

[Semper]

The problem is it's been 3 days and they have not confirmed this is what they are planning. I don't why they don't just say what they are trying to make. And their servers are down again. Bush league.

the real problem is that the countdown did end on friday... a whole weekend following with almost none support at all. that's serious shit! you can't hype such anticipation and send the whole team off. even if they don't thought of such support you have to prepare for the events.

 

[oldmanpaco]

Rule of thumb: Since this game is an Infinity Engine homage, assume that it works identically to IE until explicitly told otherwise.

The problem is it's been 3 days and they have not confirmed this is what they are planning. I don't why they don't just say what they are trying to make.

edit: And their servers are down again. Bush league.

Well, didn't they say something along the lines of "we're aiming to recreate the magic of Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale and Planescape: Torment"? All those are IE games.

Yes they did. But what does 'the magic' mean to them? I get it means different things to different people but they should really clarify what they are building before taking everyone's money.

 

[Wise Emperor]

I like how Sawyer's at his formspring, dodges the questions about small party size and act like a smartass. I don't care about player house, its not that relevant to me, but ffs creating spiritual successor to Infinity games, you can't simply say that 5 companions are enough and 3 more are stretch goals. Hope he clarify this.

 

[godsend1989]

Haters gonna hate..

 

[nihil]

Well, didn't they say something along the lines of "we're aiming to recreate the magic of Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale and Planescape: Torment"? All those are IE games.

Yes they did. But what does 'the magic' mean to them? I get it means different things to different people but they should really clarify what they are building before taking everyone's money.

Yes, it wouldn't have hurt if they were clearer, but it also shouldn't come as a surprise if features are lifted from IE games given what they said.