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Interview Chris Avellone Interview

VentilatorOfDoom

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Tags: Chris Avellone; Obsidian Entertainment

<p>Gamestar.ru <a href="http://gamestar.ru/article/1789.html" target="_blank">chat up</a> with Obsidian's Chris Avellone.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Please, enumerate five traits of a good RPG.</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>I could write a treatise on this, but for the short answer: Customization, at least one core advancement system, at least one tactical conflict system (normally, I would say "combat," but if we were doing a stealth-based Thief RPG, "stealth" would be the tactical conflict system), meaningful choices, and significant reactivity. There's many more (for example, I do feel narration and story are important, but not central to the experience).&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>What do you think about European-styled RPG's like The Witcher, Risen, Gothic, Two Worlds, Fable?</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>I think they're raising the bar, notably Witcher 2, which was a nice slap to say, "you can do better, you North American developers, and here's proof." Also, Witcher 1 pioneered a lot of great reactivity to your choices. Fable was good in the sense of open-world mechanics, easy multiplayer access, and providing a playground for players. For Two Worlds, there were certain mechanics that we herald as nice systems to incorporate or explore for future games (for example, collecting the same type of magical sword that allowed you to combine them to make them stronger rather than just selling it, a chronic problem most D&amp;D titles have).</p>
</blockquote>
<p><em>Thanks to Jaedar.</em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
 

Jaesun

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IronicNeurotic said:
Jaesun said:
Hmmm so only 2 games are in full development...

Sawyers could probably be still in pre-production.

Yeah the vague: other projects at various stages at well could mean that.

The couple of people leaving was kinda worrisome. I am glad to see Ziets still there though.
 

Vault Dweller

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Chris said:
...for example, collecting the same type of magical sword that allowed you to combine them to make them stronger rather than just selling it, a chronic problem most D&D titles have...
Seriously?

How about throwing less magical items at the player? Just a thought.
 

Shannow

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Vault Dweller said:
Chris said:
...for example, collecting the same type of magical sword that allowed you to combine them to make them stronger rather than just selling it, a chronic problem most D&D titles have...
Seriously?

How about throwing less magical items at the player? Just a thought.
But what would he be swinging while riding around on his horse?

OT:
First answer: :thumbsup:
Second: Conspicuous lack of commenting on the actually good games that were mentioned in the question...
 
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"A man and a half is always in black" -- Tyrax The Mighty
 

Menckenstein

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Does anyone know Obsidian's mailing address? I want to send them my resume and one of my ears. Maybe if I one up Prosper on the craziness scale they'll hire me.
 

MMXI

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VentilatorOfDoom said:
I could write a treatise on this, but for the short answer: Customization, at least one core advancement system, at least one tactical conflict system (normally, I would say "combat," but if we were doing a stealth-based Thief RPG, "stealth" would be the tactical conflict system), meaningful choices, and significant reactivity. There's many more (for example, I do feel narration and story are important, but not central to the experience).
See, this is largely spot on except I know (deep down) that he's talking about scripted narrative C&C, instead of meaningful choices that come about through core game mechanics.

VentilatorOfDoom said:
(for example, collecting the same type of magical sword that allowed you to combine them to make them stronger rather than just selling it, a chronic problem most D&D titles have).
What's so problematic about that? I'd rather take a trip to a vendor periodically than magically combine shit like in JRPGs.
 

Volourn

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" I believe some of our latest titles are really great titles ( Dungeon Siege)"


That's it. He's on crack.


"I'd rather take a trip to a vendor periodically than magically combine shit like in JRPGs."

Most JRPGs I've played don't allow you to do such shgit. Those are European and NAian style.
 

MMXI

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Volourn said:
Most JRPGs I've played don't allow you to do such shgit. Those are European and NAian style.
And most (if not all) European and North American RPGs don't let you do such shit either.
 

Castanova

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Vault Dweller said:
Chris said:
...for example, collecting the same type of magical sword that allowed you to combine them to make them stronger rather than just selling it, a chronic problem most D&D titles have...
Seriously?

How about throwing less magical items at the player? Just a thought.

Loot whoring is a huge component of most RPGs -- the solution is not to turn every single RPG into an exercise in taking itself too seriously. Plus, he mispoke when he said "magical" -- Two Worlds lets you combine two identical mundane items together into something better. It's an interesting method for dealing with junk loot, if not totally successful.
 

Roguey

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I believe some of our latest titles are really great titles (Fallout: New Vegas, Dungeon Siege)
:yeah:
I think they're raising the bar, notably Witcher 2, which was a nice slap to say, "you can do better, you North American developers, and here's proof."
I hope he's just talking about graphics there. It certainly doesn't have better role playing or combat than any modern NA RPG. And no one should emulate the fork.
What do you think about MMORPG? Is Obsidian going to assimilate this experiance?
I think they're fun. That said, we won't be doing them as a studio anytime in the near future (requires too many people, and it's not one of our core competencies).
Aw, looks like Feargus's dream of a Facebook MMO is still on the backburner. They should get Tim "MMO" Cain to give them tips on that.
I thought they did a great job with F3, and I enjoyed playing it, especially because of the exploration aspects and level design.
:yeah:
10335.jpg

Daaaaaaaaaaaaamn look at those guns.
 

Infinitron

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Codex Year of the Donut Serpent in the Staglands Dead State Divinity: Original Sin Project: Eternity Torment: Tides of Numenera Wasteland 2 Shadorwun: Hong Kong Divinity: Original Sin 2 A Beautifully Desolate Campaign Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire Pathfinder: Kingmaker Pathfinder: Wrath I'm very into cock and ball torture I helped put crap in Monomyth
Avellone must be one of the smartest guys in the world who could comfortably fit in with the guys at HotChicksWithDouchebags.

Although he'd need to get a hot chick.
 

curry

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Infinitron said:
Avellone must be one of the smartest guys in the world who could comfortably fit in with the guys at HotChicksWithDouchebags.

Although he'd need to get a hot chick.

He has Tim Cain :smug:
 

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