Game News Stardock working on RPG with new studio

[Panthera]

Given the track record of established RPG developers out there in recent times, I say an entirely new studio has a better chance.

 

[Ryuken]

Read on other sites this was going to be a cross-platform project though...

 

[Seboss]

My only concern would be: How good are they at writing dialogue? I mean, that's a pretty important part of a Baldur's Gate-style RPG...

Not only that, but design is also an issue. GalCiv is all nice and good but the art just plain suck.
As for dialogs, the descriptions, events etc in GalCiv are rather silly even though they don't take themselves seriously.
Sins of a Solar Empire is much better in these respects but Stardock was merely its publisher.

Elemental doesn't look too shabby in the art department so there's hope. Besides, they're building a whole new studio for this RPG game so we can expect anything.

 

[bailuu]

Not only that, but design is also an issue. GalCiv is all nice and good but the art just plain suck.
As for dialogs, the descriptions, events etc in GalCiv are rather silly even though they don't take themselves seriously.
Sins of a Solar Empire is much better in these respects but Stardock was merely its publisher.

Elemental doesn't look too shabby in the art department so there's hope. Besides, they're building a whole new studio for this RPG game so we can expect anything.

My feelings exactly. GalCiv2 was a great game in a lot of ways but totally fell short in character. Even for a space sim it was too bland. If Stardock can bring their reliable quality and just find a talented writer this game could really be something to look forward to.

 

[MetalCraze]

I couldn't care less if Stardock's RPG will have a shitty graphix or not - it's the good writing and tb combat that I miss.

 

[Longshanks]

^^Again, I've not played any of their games. But, I did read that Wardell did most of the artwork for GalCiv on his own when he could not even afford a proper graphics package (though, maybe you're talking about the sequel too?). So it's probably not a good indicator, they are quite a bit bigger now. Also, they'll have a new team working on the RPG project. With no info on the game, or even who'll be working on it, there's little reason to be overly positive or negative, but Stardock's history of catering to a niche and the control they have over their work is a good starting point.

 

[mondblut]

While GalCiv are by the book properly done 4x games, they somehow end up mind-numbingly boring. I fear any Stardock game is going to be like that.

 

[obediah]

Read on other sites this was going to be a cross-platform project though...

Yeah, that never bodes well.

At least now we know there is something worse than not having any RPGs.

Having hundreds of shit diablo, oblivion, FF clones and shooters with skills masquerading as a thriving RPG market.

 

[Burning Bridges]

I welcome stardock making a RPG. But it's a long time out .. and in the current economic situation such company expansions have to be taken with a grain of salt.

While GalCiv are by the book properly done 4x games, they somehow end up mind-numbingly boring.

Which game does not? I got several weeks of fun out of GalCiv2, that's all I can expect from a game.

 

[Spectacle]

Brad is known to be a big fan of Planescape.

Too bad about those Michigan tax credits. Otherwise Stardock would have opened their new studio in Seattle, then Annie could have started working there and we'd have a Codexer on the inside.

 

[buccaroobonzai]

I welcome stardock making a RPG. But it's a long time out .. and in the current economic situation such company expansions have to be taken with a grain of salt.

While GalCiv are by the book properly done 4x games, they somehow end up mind-numbingly boring.

Which game does not? I got several weeks of fun out of GalCiv2, that's all I can expect from a game.

I would have to say the Fallouts(plus new quest mods), Arcanums(plus new quest mods), and the best NWN mods I have played for months....More then any other type of game except Strategy-more then Adventure, FPS, Racing, Trivia (Scene It etc.) Platformer(Indiana Jones etc.)

 

[The Brazilian Slaughter]

Its good news, I have quite a lot of respect for Stardock. I wish we had more stardocks instead of Biowares and Bethesdas around the PC market. I don't think they're going to make a new Fallout, but at least I'm sure its better than anything Bioware or Bethesda could do. That, and Stardock listen closely to their fanbase.

 

[Seboss]

And they're hiring professional writers according to a recent post from Brad Warfell. Thanks gods.

 

[Tigranes]

And they're hiring professional writers according to a recent post from Brad Warfell. Thanks gods.

That... that sounds good.

Good RPG news!

Just not used to it, sorry.

 

[Forest Dweller]

Hey, I like Stardock. I just question their ability to make a decent RPG by codex standards as this is their first foray into the world of RPGs,.

I honestly can't think of an easier genre to make a good games in than RPG personally. All the flopping comes from the lack of will or determination to use guidelines already there out of fear of "och..it won't sell... och it will be too niche" etc.

No. C&c, good c&c, as well as a branching storyline, is one of the hardest things to pull off.

 

[Davaris]

Hey, I like Stardock. I just question their ability to make a decent RPG by codex standards as this is their first foray into the world of RPGs,.

I honestly can't think of an easier genre to make a good games in than RPG personally. All the flopping comes from the lack of will or determination to use guidelines already there out of fear of "och..it won't sell... och it will be too niche" etc.

No. C&c, good c&c, as well as a branching storyline, is one of the hardest things to pull off.

With CRPGs the functions the script programmers need are nearly endless and there is so much work in creating and debugging the scripts, that the scripting is almost like creating a second game engine (and that's just for a basic RPG). As DS says, when you add Fallout like C&C and branching storylines, the complexity increases to a whole new level.

So "och..it won't sell... och it will be too niche", is what they may say publicly. In private they are probably saying "RPGs are too big and complex. Lets lower our sights and make something simpler."

 

[Liberal]

Great. Just what we need. Another bland and uninspired story. Oh yeah. I can almost imagine Stardock humor on my monitor.

This is a Bastard Sword. I don't know why it's called Bastard. I mean, clearly not because it was forged by an illegitimate hammer. And I'm pretty sure holding it's handle doesn't make you a bastard. But use a cloth just in case.

 

[BethesdaLove]

Sounds already better than 95% of the market.