[VeritasWaits]

I've been trolling these boards for about a year now, but I finally decided to jump in and say something after reading the No Continues interview.

I wanted to let you devs know that I'm really impressed with the evolution of AoD since I started following it. I think you guys are on the right track, and if at any point you need anything from us (donations, moral support and warm fuzzies, etc), I hope you'll say something. Seriously, I'd be willing to make a $10-$20 donation through paypal or something, over and above buying the game when it's released, because I think this project is important to the industry as a whole (and also cause I'm selfish and just really want to make sure this game is released asap so I can play it  ). I have a feeling other community members would feel the same.

I've been moving to a new apartment this month, and as I was boxing up my stuff I found my old copy of Wizardry 8, which I couldn't help but break out for another play through. And you know what? I'm having more fun with this 7 year old game than I have with any recent title of the last two years or so (with the possible exception of Mass Effect, for somewhat similar reasons). I love that the game will completely kick your ass unless you play smart. It just makes success that much more rewarding. It's far from perfect (the story is too sparse, etc), but it's been a great reminder of what really makes a game fun and rewarding, versus what just makes it flashier.

So, all that to say, thanks for all your hard work! Keep it up, and if at some point there's something this community could do that would really help you out, just say so! If anyone else feels the same, chime in here too.

[Vince]

I wanted to let you devs know that I'm really impressed with the evolution of AoD...

Thanks, mate.

I think you guys are on the right track, and if at any point you need anything from us (donations, moral support and warm fuzzies, etc), I hope you'll say something.

Moral support, please. Sticking around and providing your honest opinions on various topics would be greatly appreciated.

[FireStomp]

+1 to everything Veritas said. Nay, +5.

[Felix]

I would like to ask something that may sound silly...

Is there any "moral alignment" in the setting?

I mean, in most of Rpgs there's always a general good-vs-evil conflict (not to mention the boring "you are the chosen one"), and the usual setting is "good" aligned.
Also, we usually see that good guys have the best in the game, if there's an option to choose a side (like ToEE, or KotOR). So, while you can choose a evil guy, or play a really nasty charcter, you'll always get the feeling that evil is merely a small add-on, not actually a real gameplay choisce.

From what i see, the general feeling in AoD is more or less neutral...i'm correct?

[Vince]

Is there any "moral alignment" in the setting?

None.

From what i see, the general feeling in AoD is more or less neutral...i'm correct?

It depends entirely on your own point of view. There are no good or evil factions. Each faction firmly believes that they are doing the right thing and that they are the "good guys". Each faction will present compelling arguments proving beyond any doubts that they are doing what's necessary (which often includes killing a whole lot of people). Your character will have to decide for himself/herself which factions are good [to you] and which factions are evil.

[Felix]

It depends entirely on your own point of view. There are no good or evil factions. Each faction firmly believes that they are doing the right thing and that they are the "good guys". Each faction will present compelling arguments proving beyond any doubts that they are doing what's necessary (which often includes killing a whole lot of people). Your character will have to decide for himself/herself which factions are good [to you] and which factions are evil.

Great. That's exactly what i meant with neutral 

And much more realistic/natural, imho.

[PrzeSzkoda]

You forgot about the so-needed constant supply of fresh groupies.

I totally had to make my first post over here absolutely pointless and irrelevant. Cheers 'n all.

[VeritasWaits]

Lol, maybe we should just make this the "my first pointless post" thread or something 

[Felix]

Lol, maybe we should just make this the "my first pointless post" thread or something 

Hey, this wasn't "my first pointless post"! :rant:
Nor the last

[Zaij]

I check these boards out two or three times a month and each time I leave wishing it was already out. I put money on my paypal account a while ago just waiting for this game, and it's still sitting there.

[silisquish]

Yaaaaaayyyy! ... huh? That was pointless

[WCG]

There are no good or evil factions. Each faction firmly believes that they are doing the right thing and that they are the "good guys". Each faction will present compelling arguments proving beyond any doubts that they are doing what's necessary (which often includes killing a whole lot of people). Your character will have to decide for himself/herself which factions are good [to you] and which factions are evil.

This sounds great, but I do like to play the good guy in games. From what I've seen of the backgrounds, none of them would really be appropriate for a hero type, with the possible exception of the knight (whose attitude towards his noble patron would really rub me the wrong way!). The rest are quite willing to cheat, kill, or steal, on orders or for their own gratification.

This isn't at all a criticism, because the game sounds great. But I imagine that picking no background would be best, if I wanted to play an honest and heroic character, wouldn't it? Since, as I understand it, a character doesn't have to be combat-heavy and kill everyone he encounters, that would fit pretty well for this kind of character, too. (No, I have no problem with combat in a game, but it will be interesting to try a different style.)

Note that I really enjoyed The Witcher, but the choices there were really immaterial. No matter what choice my character made, the results were bad and ended up with a whole lot of people dead. That was frustrating, because it made my decisions unimportant. I much prefer my decisions to mean something (and as I say, I usually want to play the hero).

Bill

[Azael]

The "good" path in most RPGs usually always mean that you have to kill a lot of people just because they're, you know, "evil". In this game it seems like you can go through the main quest in a more pacifist manner so that even though the morals of the factions can be questioned, your character can still abide to a code of ethics. To me, that is a lot better than serving the Forces of Good^TM while still being a homicidal maniac, exactly like the so called Bad Guys^TM

EDIT: Didn't notice the thread necromancy.

[Hector]

I doubt it would be easy to be a "good guy" in this setting, but it's possible.  Thing with being good is it's a lot harder than being nasty.  It takes considerably more effort, especially when everyone else is a dick.  Still, if you really want to, you can go ahead and play the most moral and ethical character in the entire game; just don't expect it to be easy.  That said, if you you succeed in finishing the game without kicking too many strategically placed puppies, I reckon you can probably be proud of yourself.

[Vince]

This sounds great, but I do like to play the good guy in games. From what I've seen of the backgrounds, none of them would really be appropriate for a hero type...

The concept of hero is very one-dimensional. It requires clearly marked good and bad guys. If you are one of the good guys and you kick bad guys' ass, you are a hero in the making. AoD doesn't have that. There are several factions and neither can be defined in terms of good or bad. Well, from the common man's point of view, they are all bad and the world would be better off without all of them, but eliminating all of them isn't an option. It simply isn't possible since fighting even 4-5 opponents will be extremely challenging, so attacking a faction with a few dozen guards will be a very short suicide mission.

In other words, you can only be a hero for your own faction (which may easily mean that you are  an evil, cold bastard), but not in general.

But I imagine that picking no background would be best, if I wanted to play an honest and heroic character, wouldn't it?

You can easily play an honest guy and there is a proper reputation trait that tracks your honesty.

I doubt it would be easy to be a "good guy" in this setting, but it's possible.  Thing with being good is it's a lot harder than being nasty.  It takes considerably more effort, especially when everyone else is a dick.  Still, if you really want to, you can go ahead and play the most moral and ethical character in the entire game; just don't expect it to be easy.  That said, if you you succeed in finishing the game without kicking too many strategically placed puppies, I reckon you can probably be proud of yourself.

It's not about kicking puppies. The merchant guild questline doesn't require you killing anyone, yet it's the most ruthless and immoral faction in the game.