[Oscar]

Wow Oscar, those screenshots are simply fantastic. 

Thanks!

[Zaij]

So the team has been pretty silent about AoD the last fortnight. Something big in the works?

[Anonxeuix]

It's the monthly sacrifice. We're all wondering whose next.

[Vince]

So the team has been pretty silent about AoD the last fortnight. Something big in the works?

The closer we are, the less we have to report. All features are discussed and implemented. All models and animations are long done. We're tweaking quests and balancing checks, xp, reputation, and rewards, which is pretty much what Oscar said recently.

For example, the second Imperial Guards' quest was a fairly straightforward "take over the gate". The Imperial Guards are a military organization, so their goals are often straightforward, which is logical, of course, but does not make interesting gameplay. So, we had to spend some time on it, looking for fitting way to improve it. Now, we have 3 options:

low INT - straightforward attack
good INT, low CHA - a clever plan which puts your ass on the line, because you have to do the hardest part* yourself
good INT, good CHA - a clever plan with someone else doing the hardest part, you get a promotion because you're the "management material", plus it unlocks a special briefing for the next quest, which completely changes the goals, because you've demonstrated that you can do more than follow orders.

* only 1 player in 10 will make it.

The best part is that players with low-med INT fighters will be completely unaware of the extra levels of complexity and options, which makes gameplay truly stat- and skill-based.

[Wrath of Dagon]

If brute force isn't the solution, you're not using enough brute force.

[Oscar]

If brute force isn't the solution, you're not using enough brute force.

Heh.

What I love about this new questline is that you can even be a manipulative bastard in the most "combat heavy" questline.

[Wrath of Dagon]

 

[sporky]

Sounds good you guys. And let me say, to work on one thing for this long in your spare time, especially as a group, without fizzling out or losing interest is remarkable.

[Oscar]

As a matter of fact, our interest is highest than ever.

[Julius]

So the team has been pretty silent about AoD the last fortnight. Something big in the works?

The closer we are, the less we have to report. All features are discussed and implemented. All models and animations are long done. We're tweaking quests and balancing checks, xp, reputation, and rewards, which is pretty much what Oscar said recently.

For example, the second Imperial Guards' quest was a fairly straightforward "take over the gate". The Imperial Guards are a military organization, so their goals are often straightforward, which is logical, of course, but does not make interesting gameplay. So, we had to spend some time on it, looking for fitting way to improve it. Now, we have 3 options:

low INT - straightforward attack
good INT, low CHA - a clever plan which puts your ass on the line, because you have to do the hardest part* yourself
good INT, good CHA - a clever plan with someone else doing the hardest part, you get a promotion because you're the "management material", plus it unlocks a special briefing for the next quest, which completely changes the goals, because you've demonstrated that you can do more than follow orders.

* only 1 player in 10 will make it.

The best part is that players with low-med INT fighters will be completely unaware of the extra levels of complexity and options, which makes gameplay truly stat- and skill-based.

That makes me rage - not because of the quest design which is swell - but because of the... I guess, cynicism. I guess this isn't the right place to re-iterate that AoD will probably feel like a expedition into the corporate world of today, something which I could gladly avoid to experience myself. I guess this is why I'll play an all-out fighter character at first. If we're going to be hopelessly amoral, then you know strength is the basis for justice, and by justice I mean rape everyone that I don't like... with my sword. Hellz yeah, who needs management if everyone is dead and I get all their loot?

[Vince]

I don't see it [this particular design] as cynicism or some kind of corporate life reference. In IG quests you are not a single agent. "Direct assault" scenarios are effective but costly in terms of casualties (you played the demo, so you know that dying is easy in the game), so anyone who can come up with good, casualty reducing plans will be recognized and rewarded. It takes Intelligence to come up with good plans and Charisma to get men to listen to you and to be ready to die for you. Sounds reasonable, no?

PS. Your looting opportunities are limited when you are with the Imperial Guards.

[micks]

@Vince & Oscar: I know it might feel like there's essentially nothing of importance to say bout the current progress, but to those of us who have been following this project since forever even a few words on how you added a bit here and there or tweaked some old quests are generally of considerable interest.

[Tuomas]

Definitely.

[Oscar]

Sure, I'll make a thread about some of the changes and explaining a little more of this "polishing" thing we keep raving about.

[sporky]

That makes me rage - not because of the quest design which is swell - but because of the... I guess, cynicism. I guess this isn't the right place to re-iterate that AoD will probably feel like a expedition into the corporate world of today, something which I could gladly avoid to experience myself. I guess this is why I'll play an all-out fighter character at first. If we're going to be hopelessly amoral, then you know strength is the basis for justice, and by justice I mean rape everyone that I don't like... with my sword. Hellz yeah, who needs management if everyone is dead and I get all their loot?

That's an interesting reaction. Did you want something more heroic or more idealism?

I think it sounds realistic.