Obsidian Is Doing A Thing: Project Eternity - The Something Awful Forums

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Games > Obsidian Is Doing A Thing: Project Eternity

Scorchy: Jul 15, 2006; Smug Statement: Elementary, my dear meatbag.

quote:

"Project Eternity is going to play and feel like an Infinity Engine game."

Project Eternity is the codename for an isometric viewpoint, party-based RPG developed by Obsidian Entertainment. Players will quest through a original fantasy world where magic and power is determined by the quality of a person's soul, based on roughly 16th century medieval technology levels. The story will explore themes like the strength of souls, memory, mortality, and reincarnation. There will be elves and dwarves, drug trafficking, psychic detectives, trickster gods and anti-mage firearms.

It's being built on the Unity 4 engine and slated to come to PC, Mac, and Linux in Spring 2014. There are no plans to port it to consoles.

The game will be DRM free and moddable.

Further reading: Basic World Setup | Souls and Technology | Why use the Unity engine | Supported Resolutions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUleDEFkUtE

The stated goal is to create an experience reminiscent of classic Infinity Engine franchises, such as Icewind Dale, Planescape: Torment, and Baldur's Gate.

That means a 6 player party, with adjustable formations, and interesting companions to talk to. It will be an isometric view, with Real-time-with-Pause combat, on hand-painted 2D backgrounds.

Voice-acting will be limited to important characters and only the first few lines.

Crafting and enchanting will be in.

The combat system used will be a new system built in-house by Obsidian. Stamina will be the tactical resource, expended and recovered quickly. If a character loses all Stamina during a fight, they are knocked out for the duration. Health is the long term strategic resource. Heal effects or spells are rare or non-existent, generally recoverable only by resting, so health has to be carefully managed over many fights.

There will also be non-combat skills, which will be leveled up separately from combat skills. These abilities govern the ability to gain new items, companion interaction, world travel, and learning new things. Many encounters have alternate solutions that let you avoid combat, without losing on experience gains.

Further reading: Combat System Overview | Non-combat abilities | Inventory System | Damage vs. Armour Mechanics & Math

You'll be able to pick from 6 main races (further divided into subraces and ethnicities):

- Humans
- Elves
- Dwarves
- Godlike - Blessed before birth by one of the deities in the world, similar to aasimar or tieflings in D&D
- Orlans - Small, big-eared people who mostly live in the woods, reminiscent of gnomes and halflings.
- Aumaua - Bipedal and larger than humans, they live near coastal and island regions

quote:

We are still developing the races of Project Eternity, but we are creating a range that encompasses the recognizable (e.g. humans, elves, dwarves), the out-of-the-ordinary (e.g. the so-called "godlike"), and the truly odd (?!). Races and subraces differ from each other culturally, but the races also have different physiological factors that can contribute to friction and confusion between them.

quote:

If you want to create a wizard who wears plate armor and hacks away with a broadsword from behind a heavily-enhanced arcane veil, we want to let you do that. If your idea of the perfect fighter is one who wears light armor and uses a variety of dazzling rapier attacks in rapid succession, we want to help you make that character. So it's good to think of Project Eternity's classes as being purpose-ready but not purpose-limited.

There will be around 8 companions to fill out your party; if you want more you can create your own NPCs from scratch at the Adventurer's Hall, ala Icewind Dale, but they will be personality-free.

Further Reading: Class overview | Four Core Classes | Non-Core Classes

Higher than expected Kickstarter funding has increased the scope of the game, so now we can now expect two big, big cities in the game. The comparison has been made to Baldur's Gate or Athkatla in Baldur's Gate.

There will be a massive mega-dungeon in the game called the Endless Paths of Od Nua. Expect monsters and traps and puzzles. The size and scope was determined by the number of backers of the campaign, and in the end it came out to 15 levels.

Player housing is in. There will be a place to rest up, store your items in chests and swap out companions in your party.

A player stronghold will be included. Crossroads Keep from Neverwinter Nights 2 will be a good idea of what to expect. There will be fights and quests, and light strategic castle management elements.

There's three separate game modes that can be turned on for increased difficulty:

Expert Mode - Similar to Fallout New Vegas' Hardcore Mode. You can turn on/off ease-of-use features like showing reputation gains, skill checks, and gameplay elements.

Trial of Iron - Ironman/Hardcore mode. You get one save. Once you die, the save gets deleted. Do you have the stones?

Path of the Damned - Spiritual successor to Icewind Dale's Heart of Fury mode. All enemies across all difficulties spawn on encounters, and combat difficulty is amplified.

quote:

The first question you may have is, "Can I enable multiple challenge modes at once?" Yep, you sure can. They have to be selected at the beginning of the game, but if you want to play with two or all three at the same time, you can certainly can do so. If you're not quite sure you want all of the elements that come along with a given mode, this funding level will also cover implementing the ability to enable and disable the individual sub-features.

Scorchy posted:

It's sounding like Josh Sawyer might be all up in this one which means it'll totally be awesome and/or cancelled.

There's no word yet who's working on it, but we have reason to believe that Josh Sawyer...

is stoked.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 21:50

Hulk Smash!: Jul 14, 2004

I'm holding out for Neverwinter Nights of The Old Republic: Omega Protocol.

Scorchy posted:

It's sounding like Josh Sawyer might be all up in this one which means it'll totally be awesome and/or cancelled.

Also this.

Hulk Smash! fucked around with this message at Sep 11, 2012 around 21:56

# ? Sep 11, 2012 21:51

ThePhenomenalBaby: May 3, 2011

Category Fun! posted:

There's no word yet who's working on it, but we have reason to believe that Josh Sawyer...

is stoked.

Based on the use of emoticons Josh "Anime" Sawyer is Lead Designer for Final Fantasy Versus XIII. Great Job Josh!

# ? Sep 11, 2012 21:54

Pope Mobile: Nov 12, 2006; Talked to Jesus lately? More bars in more churches, synagogues, mosques and all other places of worship, guaranteed.

Tweets like that don't belong ~~with a mugshot like that~~ anywhere.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 21:55

Vincent Van Goatse: Nov 8, 2006; Veni, vidi, Lombardi.

I'm hoping for Fallout: Ireland with ghoul leprechauns.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 21:58

Holy Cheese: Dec 6, 2006

I don't want another elf sword thing.

Make it balls to the wall sci-fi for shits and giggles.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 21:59

Space-Pope: Aug 13, 2003; Action Squirrel!

Holy Cheese posted:

I don't want another elf sword thing.

Make it balls to the wall sci-fi for shits and giggles.

This. I'd kill for either a faithful '80s sci-fi, or a crazy Buck Rogers '50s affair.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:01

Smart Car: Mar 31, 2011

They're really putting a lot of work in that South Park RPG, even enigmatic countdowns now.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:01

Corin Tucker's Stalker: May 27, 2001; One bullet. One gun. Six Chambers. These are my friends.

I like the Wheel Of Time, and think the setting would lend itself to Obsidian's strengths. If we're talking about an existing property that's what I'd be most interested in.

However, it would also be really cool if they just came out and made a completely new thing. These guys are talented at fleshing out worlds in creative ways. Seeing what they could do without any restrictions would be neat.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:01

cat doter: Jul 27, 2006; Teenage Mutant Ninja Cripple

What's the significance of the ourobouros type thing with the number 3? It couldn't be Baldur's Gate 3, could it? Oh gently caress why did I even type that.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:03

Smart Car: Mar 31, 2011

cat doter posted:

What's the significance of the ourobouros type thing with the number 3? It couldn't be Baldur's Gate 3, could it? Oh gently caress why did I even type that.

The number is just counting down days, it was a 4 yesterday.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:04

cat doter: Jul 27, 2006; Teenage Mutant Ninja Cripple

Smart Car posted:

The number is just counting down days, it was a 4 yesterday.

Oh, didn't realise THAT was the countdown part. That was just my logical conclusion when it came to 3. I'm that guy.

That guy.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:05

the black husserl: Feb 25, 2005

cat doter posted:

What's the significance of the ourobouros type thing with the number 3? It couldn't be Baldur's Gate 3, could it? Oh gently caress why did I even type that.

You know, you're right. This is almost certainly a release of Dungeon Siege 3 for Android/iOS.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:05

cat doter: Jul 27, 2006; Teenage Mutant Ninja Cripple

the black husserl posted:

You know, you're right. This is almost certainly a release of Dungeon Siege 3 for Android/iOS.

You are a cruel person.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:06

Space-Pope: Aug 13, 2003; Action Squirrel!

cat doter posted:

What's the significance of the ourobouros type thing with the number 3? It couldn't be Baldur's Gate 3, could it? Oh gently caress why did I even type that.

Of course not. Baldur's Gate 3 is going to be made by Bioware. It will feature console-friendly action combat, even more characters to gently caress than Dragon Age 2, and Minsc will now be a woman whose VA works for Gamespot. On its way out the door, when its revealed to be garbage, people will complain on forums. Game journalists will respond by telling you that you didn't really have fun playing the original games, anyway.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:07

Megazver: Jan 13, 2006

Well, the terminology doesn't seem to be Dungeon Siege or Wheel of Time related. Wheel of Time doesn't have religion, apart from the whole Dark One thing. JEYNE KASSYNDER was a divine champion, I suppose, but not a 'he'.

Hopefully this is a new IP.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:09

Comrade Flynn: Jun 1, 2003; Do you not hear that?! That's "Puttin' On The Ritz", man!

Space-Pope posted:

Of course not. Baldur's Gate 3 is going to be made by Bioware. It will feature console-friendly action combat, even more characters to gently caress than Dragon Age 2, and Minsc will now be a woman whose VA works for Gamespot. On its way out the door, when its revealed to be garbage, people will complain on forums. Game journalists will respond by telling you that you didn't really have fun playing the original games, anyway.

I don't like you.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:10

cat doter: Jul 27, 2006; Teenage Mutant Ninja Cripple

Space-Pope posted:

Of course not. Baldur's Gate 3 is going to be made by Bioware. It will feature console-friendly action combat, even more characters to gently caress than Dragon Age 2, and Minsc will now be a woman whose VA works for Gamespot. On its way out the door, when its revealed to be garbage, people will complain on forums. Game journalists will respond by telling you that you didn't really have fun playing the original games, anyway.

This thread is making me loving cry, why are you doing this?

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:10

mcvey: Aug 31, 2006; you're like the only guy on the team with a moustache.

If it has anything to do with Dungeon Siege it'll be a huge let down. Anything less than Baldurs Gate 3 will be a huge let down but then again:

Space-Pope posted:

Of course not. Baldur's Gate 3 is going to be made by Bioware. It will feature console-friendly action combat, even more characters to gently caress than Dragon Age 2, and Minsc will now be a woman whose VA works for Gamespot. On its way out the door, when its revealed to be garbage, people will complain on forums. Game journalists will respond by telling you that you didn't really have fun playing the original games, anyway.

will be 100% correct.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:14

Scorchy: Jul 15, 2006; Smug Statement: Elementary, my dear meatbag.

I'm personally still waiting for the Aliens RPG. That broke my heart.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:15

Holy Cheese: Dec 6, 2006

I just want ray guns.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:16

Healbot: Jul 7, 2006; very very very fucjable
very vywr very

Space-Pope posted:

Of course not. Baldur's Gate 3 is going to be made by Bioware. It will feature console-friendly action combat, even more characters to gently caress than Dragon Age 2, and Minsc will now be a woman whose VA works for Gamespot. On its way out the door, when its revealed to be garbage, people will complain on forums. Game journalists will respond by telling you that you didn't really have fun playing the original games, anyway.

That post is so accurate I'm crying.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:19

bef: Mar 2, 2010

ropekid what are you up to

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:20

Cowman: Feb 14, 2006; Beware the cow

It'll be Alpha Protocol 4. They're skipping 2 & 3.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:23

Nostrum: Jul 26, 2005

Space-Pope posted:

Of course not. Baldur's Gate 3 is going to be made by Bioware. It will feature console-friendly action combat, even more characters to gently caress than Dragon Age 2, and Minsc will now be a woman whose VA works for Gamespot. On its way out the door, when its revealed to be garbage, people will complain on forums. Game journalists will respond by telling you that you didn't really have fun playing the original games, anyway.

IGN will post a 100/100 review of it based on the opening cutscene.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:26

Jerusalem: May 20, 2004; Anybody remotely interesting is mad in some way or another.

Whatever it is I hope it is really good and they make a lot of money from it, based purely on what they deserved for Fallout: New Vegas

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:29

rope kid: Feb 3, 2001; Warte nur! Balde
Ruhest du auch.

bef posted:

ropekid what are you up to

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:44

Megazver: Jan 13, 2006

How long have you been waiting to post this picture?

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:48

cat doter: Jul 27, 2006; Teenage Mutant Ninja Cripple

Jerusalem posted:

Whatever it is I hope it is really good and they make a lot of money from it, based purely on what they deserved for Fallout: New Vegas

Dear game industry,

Do not offer bonuses for metacritic ratings, offer bonuses for sales figures. Also gently caress you for not giving obsidian their bonus for New Vegas you cunts.

gently caress you forever.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:48

1stGear: Jan 16, 2010; What?

Its not some Forgotten Realms or other fantasy kitchen sink setting, right? Obsidian deserves better than that.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 22:55

I AM THE LAW: Jul 14, 2012; by Y Kant Ozma Post

Hey guys you made one of the best games of the past decade that sold a buttload but your metacritic rating didn't hit 85 (lord knows how it wasn't in the mid to high 90s) so no bonus for you thanks for playing.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 23:01

Astroduck: Aug 30, 2006

gently caress all these games with elves in them. Alpha Protocol deserves a sequel more than any of them. Yes, even Baldur's Gate.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 23:07

Cardboard Fox: Feb 8, 2009; [Tentatively Excited]

Since most goons already mentioned the obvious sequels, I'm going to guess they're making KOTOR 4. After how horrible TOR was, Lucas probably came running back to Obsidian begging them for forgiveness.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 23:10

Jerusalem: May 20, 2004; Anybody remotely interesting is mad in some way or another.

Cardboard Fox posted:

Since most goons already mentioned the obvious sequels, I'm going to guess they're making KOTOR 4. After how horrible TOR was, Lucas probably came running back to Obsidian begging them for forgiveness.

gently caress you for making me think this is even remotely a possibility, because now I'll inevitably be disappointed.

# ? Sep 11, 2012 23:12

Palpek: Dec 27, 2008; I never asked for this
lama, sheriff Truman.

Cardboard Fox posted:

Since most goons already mentioned the obvious sequels, I'm going to guess they're making KOTOR 4. After how horrible TOR was, Lucas probably came running back to Obsidian begging them for forgiveness.

But according to Bioware TOR was KOTOR 3+4+5

# ? Sep 11, 2012 23:19

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# ? May 23, 2013 20:01

Megazver: Jan 13, 2006

"One little piece of information that was slipped to me -- call it "insider information" if you like, or call it something to take with a grain of salt -- is that whatever this game is, it's likely to be a PC-exclusive title, and something of a "crowd pleaser" for fans of hardcore RPG gaming."

# ? Sep 11, 2012 23:21

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