Obsidian's "Pillars of Eternity"

[Tebonas]

Personally I've enjoyed every single Obsidian RPG until the point where the rush job to finish it showed. So of course they got my 20 Dollars. 2/3rds of an Obsidian RPG is worth more than the finished products of most competitors.

[Riggswolfe]

Dead Money is the crappy one.

I don't know what magical thing they did to make the FO3 engine work, but FO3 crashed for me literally dozens of times. I had lockups maybe 2 or 3 times in New Vegas. Beyond that though, I think pretty much every system in the game is improved in New Vegas compared to FO3, the story is better, the characters are better, the game feels far more "Fallout" probably because the people who were making it, you know, made Fallout.

And none of that is to say that FO3 was a bad game, it was pretty good when it wasn't locking up or going all video-crazy, but New Vegas is several notches above IMO.

While I'll agree with you on story and gameplay stuff, FO3 ran MUCH better for me than NV. I had very few technical problems with 3, while NV gave me a lot of crashes/lockups, and several glitchy quests including one that was broken entirely for me due to dialogue selection.

I had the exact opposite experience. FO3 was a great game but not very stable while NV I had very few problems until I added tons of mods to it.

[Zetor]

I found F:NV to be rock-solid* (especially compared to other games with Bethesda engines), and overall a heck of a lot better than F3 in pretty much every way. IMO it's the best 'western' RPG made since 2001, so I'm happy to toss my $20 on this particular piece of vaporware!

* note that I played it only 6-7 months after it launched -- I'm pretty sure it was a lot worse at launch. LolobsidianQA, etc.

[Lucas]

There is a new article on Eurogamer: it combines new info from Tim Cain and what Sawyer said in yesterday's update:

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-09-18-project-eternity-interview-new-information-tentative-spring-2014-release-date

Project Eternity won't be built on Dungeons & Dragons rules. "We are making our own RPG mechanics," Cain revealed, even though D&D has been "a huge influence" on them.
At the core of the rules will be souls. In the Kickstarter video, Josh Sawyer said a character's soul was tied to the magic system. Cain expanded: "No, you don't have to be evil to access any abilities. They aren't categorised like that. Instead, in this world, your soul is connected to your power. Simply put, people who have whole, unbroken souls are more powerful than those people who just have fragments of souls. The nature of these souls, and how they might break, is something we will explore in the game.
"While there are social concepts of good and evil," he added, "the game does not track an alignment for the player. Instead we will use a reputation system to keep track of what different groups in the world think of you. Consequences of your actions will matter in Project Eternity."

[Riggswolfe]

There is a new article on Eurogamer: it combines new info from Tim Cain and what Sawyer said in yesterday's update:

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-09-18-project-eternity-interview-new-information-tentative-spring-2014-release-date

Project Eternity won't be built on Dungeons & Dragons rules. "We are making our own RPG mechanics," Cain revealed, even though D&D has been "a huge influence" on them.
At the core of the rules will be souls. In the Kickstarter video, Josh Sawyer said a character's soul was tied to the magic system. Cain expanded: "No, you don't have to be evil to access any abilities. They aren't categorised like that. Instead, in this world, your soul is connected to your power. Simply put, people who have whole, unbroken souls are more powerful than those people who just have fragments of souls. The nature of these souls, and how they might break, is something we will explore in the game.
"While there are social concepts of good and evil," he added, "the game does not track an alignment for the player. Instead we will use a reputation system to keep track of what different groups in the world think of you. Consequences of your actions will matter in Project Eternity."

Cool. It sounds like they are essentially using the FO:NV system of tracking how different factions feel about you. I like that. Let's be honest, in New Vegas it was pretty clear the Legion was evil but the other groups were mostly "not as bad" rather than good and it worked pretty well.

[Lucas]

Guns are briefly mentioned at the end of the Eurogamer article, but here's a quote from Josh Sawyer straight from the Obsidian forums:

http://forums.obsidian.net/topic/60265-please-no-guns/page__st__20#entry1192544

We will be doing an update on the technology of P:E, but in brief, the firearms of this world are relatively recent inventions and equivalent to the single-shot wheellock weapons found in 16th century Europe.  Their use is uncommon and for specific purposes.

[Lucas]

Update #4:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/obsidian/project-eternity/posts

- New tiers ($50 and $80)
- DRM free with GOG (you will have the opportunity to choose between GOG and Steam)
- Add-ons to your existing pledge
- Beta access for those who pledged $140

[rk47]

So that's how they do the QA. They pay to be hired to hire Beta Testers.
All the best to Obsidian, I don't see the need to invest in this venture. Not so desperate for a game in 2 years time, thanks.

[NiX]

It's so sad how badly I want this to hit 2 million so I can have my isometric hangout.

[Amaron]

- Beta access for those who pledged $140

They need to improve the higher tiers even more.  If I'm not getting the box till release it better be equal to a normal box. 

[Furiously]

I wish I had faith they would actually be able to complete this on time and budget.  Anyone want to bet on when they come back asking for more money?

[Amaron]

I wish I had faith they would actually be able to complete this on time and budget.  Anyone want to bet on when they come back asking for more money?

Right after South Park flops.

[Sky]

The comment about donations was merely because it would've been neat to have an f13 sponsored thing in it.

[Yegolev]

my eyes



are full of scam

[ghost]

my eyes



are full of scam

But.....you get a beta key!

[Furiously]

Can anyone suggest why this particular offering is better to get into now rather than waiting to see if it actually gets made?

[Viin]

Too bad they don't do any profit sharing through Kickstarter - I don't see how anyone would donate $5k for a tshirt and a book, oh and a virtual NPC shaped like your favorite dwarf. Woo.

[Viin]

Can anyone suggest why this particular offering is better to get into now rather than waiting to see if it actually gets made?

At this point, I'd say not worth it. It's funded, so it's being made. The main reason to hop on the kickstarter is to get the project going. Now that it's going ... I'd wait.

[Hutch]

Can anyone suggest why this particular offering is better to get into now rather than waiting to see if it actually gets made?

At this point, I'd say not worth it. It's funded, so it's being made. The main reason to hop on the kickstarter is to get the project going. Now that it's going ... I'd wait.

Being funded does not necessarily mean it will get made. At this point, it just means that you won't get your money back.

But if it does get made, then you can reserve a copy now for $25, instead of whatever they'll charge for it once it goes retail.
If you're into the perks, you can decide for yourself if they're worth the money.

[Viin]

Being funded does not necessarily mean it will get made. At this point, it just means that you won't get your money back.

Of course, but more money (above the original asked for amount) doesn't mean it will necessarily get made either.

[Amaron]

It's not really funded though.  That's just an arbitrary number they set at which they think they can put together something bare bones. 

[Threash]

Can anyone suggest why this particular offering is better to get into now rather than waiting to see if it actually gets made?

At this point, I'd say not worth it. It's funded, so it's being made. The main reason to hop on the kickstarter is to get the project going. Now that it's going ... I'd wait.

Being funded does not necessarily mean it will get made. At this point, it just means that you won't get your money back.

But if it does get made, then you can reserve a copy now for $25, instead of whatever they'll charge for it once it goes retail.
If you're into the perks, you can decide for yourself if they're worth the money.

If it's on steam you can just get it for 5 bucks six months later, you are gonna wait several years already as it is.

[ghost]

Can anyone suggest why this particular offering is better to get into now rather than waiting to see if it actually gets made?

It's really gambling.  The 20 bucks is certainly less than you'll pay at launch, but it's probably more than you'll pay on Steam in 6 months.  Hell, maybe even in 3 months.  But then again it might be good.  I figure there's a 5% chance it will be Fallout NV good. 

[Furiously]

Without a publisher to push them are they going to be able to make a game on budget? My magic 8-ball says... "No."

[rk47]

See, i'm kinda baffled like that. Why are they aiming it soooo low? 1.1 mil for a 2 year development cycle? the fuck?
They hit that within a week and made themselves look greedy by adding more and more stretch goals.

In the end, I  fear they might .... overstretch themselves . 
Not optimistic on this project at all.

[koro]

It's starting to sound like some of you need to show the court where on the doll Feargus Urquhart touched you.

[rk47]

can't blame us for being cynics, but alright, let's go:

KOTOR 2- awesome script - unusual take on Star Wars universe - bogged with a shitload of bugs errors and rushed ending. We thought it's just Obsidian having a first time's nervousness....maybe they'll get better...
NWN 2 - Shit camera, terrible frame rate at launch, gameplay was mostly attempting to get used to the camera while being accompanied by a dwarf who likes to fight, a tiefling who likes to thief, and a elf who loves forests. /golfclap a true D&D experience.
NWN 2 Expansions - MOTB was a step in the right direction, but gameplay remains shit. Epic badgers HP and Epic D&D isn't enjoyable. Storms of Zehir - no, the game has outstayed its welcome.
Alpha Protocol - Oh man, I waited a LONG time before giving this a go from the bargain bin. It was so buggy at release and the gameplay is a mish-mash of mini game. I really thought Obsidian is going to give their best shot in this project, AP being their own IP and all...but nope. Aside from nice characters - the timed dialogue sequence just made it very frustrating since it's quite unclear at some point on how the protag would respons when you pick certain lines.
Dungeon Siege 3 - OH OOOOH IT'S D3 !!! OMFG OBSIDIAN IS MAKING D3!!! No wai- It's D-Ass 3.  Are they that desperate? I bought the DS pack 123 for $10. That's how fast it dropped - what a turd. I fought with the camera before being told that a gamepad would make my action RPG experience better. I uninstalled and played Torchlight instead.

Then talks about Wheel of Time RPG...but nothing came of it. All is quiet...then all of the sudden, MCA or was it someone else from Obsidian said they have an offer to create RPG based on an IP they cannot refuse.

I was excited. Are they doing something Middle Earth? It's gotta be a fantasy game but what could it be? -

Eric fucking Cartman wearing a wizard hat.

 

[calapine]

Man, keep your bombacut mouth shut. 

Kotor 2's ending was Lucas Arts fault.
NWN 2 was great, NWN MOTB even better. And bugs...pff!

[trias_e]

Alpha Protocol also rules, the timed dialogue along with the multiple paths the game can take are fucking rad, and it's almost always totally obvious what the protagonist will say, especially if you think of the options as "James Bond", "Jason Bourne", and "Jack Bauer". 

[Lucas]

The game will use the Unity engine, same one used for Inxile's "Wasteland" sequel:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/obsidian/project-eternity/posts/313192

Linux support has been removed from the stretch goals, because they decided they will include it no matter what. But, apparently, they have a new, big stretch goal that they will unveil in a forthcoming update.
------

Oh, and if you missed it, yesterday Josh Sawyer talked a little more about the nature of "Souls" in Project Eternity and the technology level of the world (there is also a video: I actually understood a little better all that stuff about the souls only after watching the video :P)

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/obsidian/project-eternity/posts/312639

[Ingmar]

Alpha Protocol also rules, the timed dialogue along with the multiple paths the game can take are fucking rad, and it's almost always totally obvious what the protagonist will say, especially if you think of the options as "James Bond", "Jason Bourne", and "Jack Bauer". 

I think that works for 2 of them, but the "Bond" one was pretty fail at being Bond-like.

[Sky]

I agree completely.

[Trippy]

Can anyone suggest why this particular offering is better to get into now rather than waiting to see if it actually gets made?

For the donation level swag.

[Sky]

I thought the idea of a Bat Country band of bandits was humorous. We could demand two NPCs named Mr Bloodworth.

[Paelos]

And Sky, the bearded ax-carrying lumberjack bandit. He's after your wood.