KickStarter Shroud of the Avatar - Lord British's Not-Ultima Online 2

[Jaesun]

Yeah there are already 2 threads about this already.

 

[Vival]

But other than a few exceptions, like Chris Roberts, I’ve met virtually no one in our industry who I think is close to as good a game designer as I am. I’m not saying that because I think I’m so brilliant. What I’m saying is, I think most game designers really just suck, and I think there’s a reason why. It’s really hard to go to school to be a good designer.

Some trolling by our esteemed lordship but he probably has a point there. Well, not him being a good designer but game design being a tricky skill to learn.

 

[hiver]

i just saw Fargo tweeting it while posting on user voice.


:Richard making friends:

 

[Infinitron]

Oh fuck it's Dupre!



(real name: Greg Dykes)

 

[FrancoTAU]

If they wheel out Shamino than I'm fucking pledging even if the game blows.

 

[Infinitron]

If they wheel out Shamino than I'm fucking pledging even if the game blows.

That would require Garriott to clone himself.

 

[Stabwound]

It's cool seeing the interviews with Garriott's old buddies who the companions are based on, I gotta admit.

It sounds like Garriot couldn't acquire the trademarks for the names of the avatar's companions. That's just decline all around. Even if he made a strictly U4-7 style game it would be hollow without Iolo and Shamino and the rest.

 

[Jaesun]

What does Iolo and Dupre matter when it is a MMO.

 

[Stabwound]

Well yeah I know it doesn't, but what I said was if this game was a true spiritual successor to U7 with no MMO in it at all, he couldn't use any of the characters besides Lord British and I guess the Avatar. No Iolo, Mariah, etc.

 

[Infinitron]

Well yeah I know it doesn't, but what I said was if this game was a true spiritual successor to U7 with no MMO in it at all, he couldn't use any of the characters besides Lord British and I guess the Avatar. No Iolo, Mariah, etc.

Yeah. Now that I think of it, it's funny that the U4E guys can't use Lord British, but they do have Shamino in their game...who is also Richard Garriott.

 

[Xavier0889]

What does Iolo and Dupre matter when it is a MMO.

"Oh so you're a bard too? I can teach you a couple of songs for a handful of [random currency]!"
"I can lead you in the Path of Honor. Just give me a little donation, and enjoy the duck!"

 

[Saduj]

Dupre is a carpenter who willingly gives up his own life in order to save the world and who later comes back to life. How original.

Actually, he seems like a cool guy. Can't even blame him for shilling for this shitty game because you'll notice that Shittish doesn't even show him any footage of it......

 

[FrancoTAU]

I didn't have as much nerdrage when Dupre came back in U9. I was so annoyed with the game up until that point that it was more "of course they shit on another pivotal moment".

 

[Zetor]

They'll just be called Yolo and Dudebro.

 

[Jarpie]

They'll just be called Yolo and Dudebro.

And Shimano? :D

 

[RK47]

To wonder if there will be ninja gargoyles

 

[uaciaut]

I genuinely dont' get what's in this guy's head. On one hand he's trying to make full use of his reputation of creating the ultima series into play, this including bringing people that had some sort of importance in the series. On the other hand he's implementing the shittiest of mmo-type/retarded "features" that simply scream of bad taste and desperation for $$ and that in general are the kind of shit the people who liked the classics, like Ultima, hate with a passion.

I mean even beyond going with whatever messed up ideas he may have about implementing in his game, can't he at least see he's pushing away old ultima fans as much as possible with "NEW 1.1 MIL FEATURE: PETSS!!" and at the same time he's not doing that great with the mmo crowd who is either looking forward for TES online or is playing LoL or something else at the moment. I mean i haven't actually touched on the ultima series that much but am i missing something here?

 

[Xavier0889]

I genuinely dont' get what's in this guy's head

Two words: midlife crisis.

 

[buzz]

I mean i haven't actually touched on the ultima series that much but am i missing something here?

Ultima Online. He probably considers that game his personal magnum opus rather than any of the previous games in the series.

 

[Infinitron]

Oh fuck it's Dupre!



(real name: Greg Dykes)

Haha, the "Dupre baby" has been found on Facebook.

BTW, delicious drama in the comments here: http://gamasutra.com/view/news/1888...igners_really_just_suck__Richard_Garriott.php

Richard Garriott and Chris Spears themselves show up to defend themselves, and also Jonathan Blow.

 

[Excommunicator]

I also saw a comment from DX:HR lead designer there (Jean-Francois Dugas)

What Jonathan Blow said is about the best way of summing up the whole issue

 

[Infinitron]

Garriott's reaction to the recent brouhaha: http://www.portalarium.com/images/docs/Words Taken Out of Context.pdf

However, while ALL artists in the industry are better than I ever was, and while I can easily hire
a programmer who is better than I ever was, it is far more difficult to hire a designer who is
clearly capable of leading a top 10 game. For any company, growth only comes when the
company finds another leader who can make a top 10 game. Origin only grew when we found
people like Chris Roberts and Warren Spector. Most other attempts at creating new game lines
failed when we gave the reigns to junior people looking to advance. I want emphasize that this
was not always the case, but it happened more times than not. As a business it’s important to
understand why.

Yeah, or maybe Origin had a serious company culture problem that prevented young talented designers from rising up.

 

[Jaesun]

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/portalarium/shroud-of-the-avatar-forsaken-virtues-0/posts/433901

Art Direction in Shroud of the Avatar

When we first started discussing Art Direction for Shroud of the Avatar, we felt it was critical that the virtual world be steeped in a traditional medieval fantasy feel, but have added a modern twist that we think will be a real treat for players to experience, taking them into something fresh.​

There are an abundance of medieval fantasy games out there—so we asked ourselves how do we set the game apart, how do we create a unique and marketable identity in an oversaturated market? The answer came in Richard’s natural storytelling ability. Over the last few months, Richard developed a complex, rich story in which two worlds collide, the ancient world melding with the modern, and the world art we’re creating will reflect that in a fresh and unique way.​

We started with traditional medieval elements and layered in elements of a primitive electro-mechanical future. Our objective is to create a visual aesthetic that is both familiar and unique. And now with the addition of Tracy Hickman to the team, his vision for the story will continue to evolve that world, and in turn, evolve our depiction of that world.​

Richard’s attention to detail and sense of direction demands that all characters, weapons, objects, and buildings need to “make sense” and not just exist as eye-candy. We are creating a world that sets Shroud of the Avatar apart from the pack-- but also one where form always follows function. We believe this design process will create believable, fascinating worlds and our art will follow that vision.​

We look forward to incorporating your feedback and sharing more!​

 

[Stabwound]

Hey, the setting sounds at least a little interesting. Why didn't he come out with some storyline/setting details before now? If it's not strictly puke-worthy generic fantasy it might have a little hope of some kind.

 

[FeelTheRads]

https://d2sx9mrt4zumaq.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/SotA_mountainPass-1024x512.jpg

Needs moar brick texture. The sky is missing it.