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This has probably been asked umpteen times before, but ARE there any plans for a Pathfinder-based computer game?
Yeah, I would like to know, too. I was playing Temple of Elemental Evil a couple months back (the fan-patched version that fixes most of the bugs). It was great to play a tactical turn-based RPG based on the 3.5 ruleset.
I wish the answer to your question were "Yes," but, given the state of the industry though, I imagine that a company would need a lot of confidence in a project before investing the kind of resources modern computer games demand nowadays. I think (1) not having the D&D name recognition (yet) and (2) not appealing to the average consumer who is looking for a more casual, less-challenging experience would be two strikes against it.
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I wish for a pathfinder game too.
I was watching E3 coverage hoping to hear anything from paizo.
I know of the licensing issue but even software to assist in gaming.
For me it doesn't have to look that great "Dragon Age flash game" just something that allows be to play out pathfinder as a video game
But something that looked like Dragon Age or the new Neverwinter would be awesome
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I'd buy any Pathfinder video game! I was thinking about this lately as well, since I tried to play through Temple of Elemental Evil a few weeks ago (didn't go so well .. I'm too used to Pathfinder rules now). There are also a few 4e games in the works, with Daggerdale just out (not sure if it's any good), and Neverwinter on the horizon. I'd love to see some Pathfinder video game action.
I think a video game is inevitable as Pathfinder gains additional market share. There are plenty of game companies out there that would love to do electronic D&D games. Pathfinder offers a clear path into a similar world and player base, without having to deal with the fickle bottom line mentality of Wizards/Hasbro.
That's not how licensed product development - especially video game licensed development - works. It's usually the licensor who is more concerned that the game be of high quality (because it reflects on their brand), and the publisher who is typically more concerned with the profitability of the game.
When it comes to fickle bottom lines, the developer would be under far more pressure from their publisher than they would ever be under from their support at Hasbro/WotC or Paizo.
I think that if they make a game, they should make it for PC exclusively, and exploit the awesome graphics possibilities.
nitpick:
Good, or even styelized graphics are not the sole domain of PCs. Also, as a rule of thumb, the better the graphics (i.e. the more PCs are uniqeuly able to handle them) the smaller the set of people that can run/enjoy the game at pretty settings.
/nitpick
As an aside, its a personal project of mine to eventually make a game at least based on the OGL ruleset (probably some sort of tactics game). If not Golarion setting, then something I cook up myself.
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RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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As an aside, its a personal project of mine to eventually make a game at least based on the OGL ruleset (probably some sort of tactics game). If not Golarion setting, then something I cook up myself.
There's already a game like that (with a sequel in the works.) Check out Knights of the Chalice at Heroic Fantasy Games.
There's already a game like that (with a sequel in the works.) Check out Knights of the Chalice at Heroic Fantasy Games.
Just checked. out the site, seems pretty cool. Good ideas inevitably happen.
Not a reason for me to not do it too. Besides, mine will be more Pathfinder rulset oriented as apposed to classic 3.5 rules.
Chief Technical Officer
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As an aside, its a personal project of mine to eventually make a game at least based on the OGL ruleset (probably some sort of tactics game). If not Golarion setting, then something I cook up myself.
Just a note that our setting is not open for commercial use. If you wanted to use it, you'd need to make sure your game abides by our Community Use Policy.
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RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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There's already a game like that (with a sequel in the works.) Check out Knights of the Chalice at Heroic Fantasy Games.
Just checked. out the site, seems pretty cool. Good ideas inevitably happen.
Not a reason for me to not do it too. Besides, mine will be more Pathfinder rulset oriented as apposed to classic 3.5 rules.
Agreed. If you put something together, just post about it here, I know I'd look forward to a game like that.
Just a note that our setting is not open for commercial use. If you wanted to use it, you'd need to make sure your game abides by our Community Use Policy.
Of course, the last thing I want to do is anger Paizo for infringing on their rights.
I probably should have been more clear on this:
While I would very much enjoy having the game be set in Golarion, I understand that legal and financial powers that be may not allow me to do so.
Initial development (and may be even releases of the game) will be very much setting neutral, with no refrerence to Golarion and Paizo IP if at all, only implement the rules and content that is currently held in the PRD. Later, once I gain a better understanding of the Community Use Policy, I'll do everything in my power to respectuflly impliment the available content.
If at some point I ger ptermission to do more, cool.
I think that if they make a game, they should make it for PC exclusively, and exploit the awesome graphics possibilities.
Yeah, screw those mac users and their crappy graphics.
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If it's actually based on the Pathfinder RPG ruleset, than I'd prefer turn-based. Real-time RPGs that try to implement things like Power Attack and other "activated" abilities are a giant pain in the ass to manage during combat, in my opinion. Especially as you level up and the menu to get to those abilities becomes larger and larger.
The other option I would go for would be to not try to copy the ruleset, but simply to set a game on Golarion, and try and make the gameplay appropriate to a real-time game.
And console users too...i hate consoles...
Consoles rock. They're not for everything - FPSs just don't belong on consoles - but some things they do well.
No one seems to have an opinion on handhelds though ;p
Handhelds are cool..i had a gameboy...it's never going to threaten PC...
Failure to realize that the handheld market is the largest will be your DOOM.
Handhelds are cool..i had a gameboy...it's never going to threaten PC...
Consoles can't really threaten the PC. They're way too weak.
Of course, it's especially bad right now because the consoles are so old. When they put out new ones, they will be alright again, at least for a while. They'll be able to compete with cheap PCs of the time.
The problem consoles have is that you can't throw out the old graphics card to get a new one, or top up the RAM because it has so little. So sooner or later they'll be way behind the PC again.
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Chief Technical Officer
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The problem consoles have is that you can't throw out the old graphics card to get a new one, or top up the RAM because it has so little. So sooner or later they'll be way behind the PC again.
On the other hand, you buy a new game for it, and it works without having to upgrade your drivers or add more RAM or upgrade your OS or get a new processor or install a liquid-cooling system for your video card. And it *still* works after a decade.
On the other hand, you buy a new game for it, and it works without having to upgrade your drivers or add more RAM or upgrade your OS or get a new processor or install a liquid-cooling system for your video card. And it *still* works after a decade.
Only because there's nothing new to develop with on the console, when there is for the computer - the same is easily true for computer games if developers opt to only develop around specs from a decade ago.
As a software developer myself, I'm pretty fond of development options rather than being forced to write around decades-old hardware constraints... but being able to do so if there's a good reason to! We all write what the audience is receptive to, right?
For sure, and whatever is the best fit for the program.
Normally because of their lower resource consumption a lot of tactics games end up getting on, or being remade on handhelds. It also conveniently makes multilayer options more peer-2-peer, encouraging more folks to buy the game.
But when talking about potential multilayer, networking, Consoles and PCs allow players from across the world to enjoy the game.
Consoles as mentioned before have set-specs, so you'll know the game will run the same for each and every player who buys it on that system. But you have to wrangle through some potential approval processes and paperwork.
Computers are like the wild west. Some places are really nice, with booming economies, while other locations are ghost towns with you having no business there. You can set up shop however you like, either through established channels (Steam, Impulse) or totally by yourself. Watch out for bandits though, there's a chance they may or may not be the end of you.
For sure, and whatever is the best fit for the program.
Normally because of their lower resource consumption a lot of tactics games end up getting on, or being remade on handhelds. It also conveniently makes multilayer options more peer-2-peer, encouraging more folks to buy the game.
But when talking about potential multilayer, networking, Consoles and PCs allow players from across the world to enjoy the game.
Consoles as mentioned before have set-specs, so you'll know the game will run the same for each and every player who buys it on that system. But you have to wrangle through some potential approval processes and paperwork.
Computers are like the wild west. Some places are really nice, with booming economies, while other locations are ghost towns with you having no business there. You can set up shop however you like, either through established channels (Steam, Impulse) or totally by yourself. Watch out for bandits though, there's a chance they may or may not be the end of you.
Do you realize that most handhelds now use the internet and can multiplayer anywhere even better than most PCs, thanks to their portability?
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I have some thoughts on this whole thing; bear with me for a moment.
With that in mind, imagine this: the perfect, easy-to-mod fantasy game engine. essentially, the Neverwinter Nights engine, but cleaned up a little, and using the Pathfinder ruleset. models and textures a little enhanced, maybe a little more capacity for animations, but overall very modest. No physics-jiggle on the t&*#, no lens flair, and no requirement for everything to have a voice-actor. Maybe the artwork could be a little stylized, like Borderlands. It's a good way to hide limited resources.
Paizo could make content for it, other people could be outsourced to make content for it, normal people could make content for it. Good content could be "adopted" by paizo, and sold for 1-5 dollars, sort of like the App Store. A great way for new talent to break into the industry.
Imagine an Adventure Path on this engine. there's your first relase: Rise of the Runelords, the PC game.
Do you realize that most handhelds now use the internet and can multiplayer anywhere even better than most PCs, thanks to their portability?
No, no I did not. But that's also partly because my friends never really used them in that capacity. If they multiplayered, it was with everyone being there at one time.
And on the whole cost thing: A lot of the cost does come in trying to make 3d assets and engines and stuff. I'm actually envisioning something very much simpler. Like how tactics games don't have the most bleeding edge graphics but still contain a wonderful style and visual pop that is pleasing to people.
Maybe the artwork could be a little stylized, like Borderlands. It's a good way to hide limited resources.
Paizo could make content for it, other people could be outsourced to make content for it, normal people could make content for it. Good content could be "adopted" by paizo, and sold for 1-5 dollars, sort of like the App Store. A great way for new talent to break into the industry.
Imagine an Adventure Path on this engine. there's your first relase: Rise of the Runelords, the PC game.
Do this, and make it 2D. 3D would be ideal, but frankly it wouldn't be worth it.
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I'd like to see a Pathfinder based game more in the vein of like the old Fallout Games, something where combat became turn based and you could really code the rules into it hard core. Strategy and things would be nice, multi-player a must. Something on a grid.
If it was on a console it'd have to be either an SNES cartridge, a Genesis Cartridge or a game of the SEGA Dreamcast. No crappy flash games on a phone as a bare minimum ban list.
If it was on a console it'd have to be either an SNES cartridge, a Genesis Cartridge or a game of the SEGA Dreamcast. No crappy flash games on a phone as a bare minimum ban list.
o.0?
Strangest request made yet.
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I'd like to see a Pathfinder based game more in the vein of like the old Fallout Games, something where combat became turn based and you could really code the rules into it hard core. Strategy and things would be nice, multi-player a must. Something on a grid.
If it was on a console it'd have to be either an SNES cartridge, a Genesis Cartridge or a game of the SEGA Dreamcast. No crappy flash games on a phone as a bare minimum ban list.
I wouldn't mind if it was on a WII to be honest...though the controlls would be kinda clumsy.
With that in mind, imagine this: the perfect, easy-to-mod fantasy game engine. essentially, the Neverwinter Nights engine, but cleaned up a little, and using the Pathfinder ruleset. models and textures a little enhanced, maybe a little more capacity for animations, but overall very modest. No physics-jiggle on the t&%~, no lens flair, and no requirement for everything to have a voice-actor. Maybe the artwork could be a little stylized, like Borderlands. It's a good way to hide limited resources.
Paizo could make content for it, other people could be outsourced to make content for it, normal people could make content for it. Good content could be "adopted" by paizo, and sold for 1-5 dollars, sort of like the App Store. A great way for new talent to break into the industry.
Imagine an Adventure Path on this engine. there's your first relase: Rise of the Runelords, the PC game.
You'd still need to contract a company to build this engine. Or more precisely, a production house with the funds to do so would have to contact Paizo and license it.
Other games have tried to be the perfect RPG toolkit. Neverwinter Nights and Dungeon Siege being examples I can think of. The problem is, by the time fans actually put together a worthwhile sized module for it, NWN2 is already out and the ultimate conversion of your favorite module to NWN looks dated already.
That and the modding community is divided among the many RPG engines that already exist. I mean, Rise of the Runelords has been out for years. As has NWN. Why haven't the fans already done this?
Why haven't the fans already done this?
Boundless ambition kills fan projects faster than a bullet to the head?
Boundless ambition kills fan projects faster than a bullet to the head?
And bullets to the head kill pretty fast.
Also money.
Why haven't the fans already done this?Boundless ambition kills fan projects faster than a bullet to the head?
My point exactly. "normal people could make content for it" is usually a meaningless feature. Most content worth downloading is worth paying for.
Which leads us back to finding a real game company to produce a real licensed product. Too bad Pathfinder isn't yet a name big enough to be worth licensing at the scale computer games are budgeted/sold.
It really is a shame.
I would pay a lot of money for a solid video game adventure path experience. Like, on the order of $100+. Per campaign. Even more if each iterative campaign also added another big batch of player options. I know pricing a game at that level is bad for lots of reasons, but man, I would pay.
Yeah, people always imagine a lot, but what will have mass-market appeal (read: make the developers enough money to make development worth their while) requires massive amounts of work. What the average poster thinks is "easy" is quite a ways past someone's hobby project, and once you move past that you need to get something out of it.
While plenty of games have posted building sets for "fan made" content the process has been far beyond the average person's ability. There hasn't been an "easy to build" RPG computer game since EA's Adventure Construction Set in the 80s.
Modernizing ACS would probably be the optimal solution - it wouldn't be beyond one person's ability to make in their spare time, and it would allow even the technically inept to create adventures. Trying to put in every PnP rule for any game would still be tedious in the extreme, however.
Do this, and make it 2D. 3D would be ideal, but frankly it wouldn't be worth it.
I'll meet you halfway and vote for the "2.5D" orthogonal view, but with four allowed camera rotations in steps of 90 degrees. Some amount of zooming would be nice, too.
On the other hand, you buy a new game for it, and it works without having to upgrade your drivers
No, you just have to upgrade the console itself.
Have to as in "game won't work if you don't do it."
Drivers are often optional.
or add more RAM
Has been some time since I had to do that. 15 years or something like that. The trick is to not be cheap when you first get the system. When I bought this computer, the stuff was cheap as hell. And I think I overdid it this time. I never used more than half of it, if that, I think.
or upgrade your OS
Well, see above. I get those upgrade or you can't play things all the time with both my consoles.
or get a new processor
I will admit that the graphics card I have is brand new. Partially because one of the old ones went into retirement and the other one would have been too week by itself. Was a good excuse to get a new card.
The processor? Still more than up for everything. I think it's actually getting bored. I sometimes start several really cpu-intensive tasks at once sot it won't get fat.
And it was the cheapest model in its line.
or install a liquid-cooling system for your video card.
Never got into that stuff.
And it *still* works after a decade.
Yeah. And TVs these days have so many ports you can hook up all the consoles from a whole decade. Maybe a few you won't even need because there is some backwards compatibility going on. But not too much. So if you want to play some of those older games that induce visual cancer, you need at least some of those consoles.
Can totally be done. With enough HD ports, and, of course, legacy ports for older consoles. And an extra room to store all those consoles.
And I hope you don't have an LED TV. Those have really crappy speakers, not really usable. So you need a different sound system. And since the cheaper ones usually don't have enough connections for all the consoles, you need an expensive one. Hooking the TV up to the sound system and sending everything else through the TV seems to limit the throughput to 2 channels. At least in some TVs.
On the other hand, you might have to get a new PC every few years, or upgrade piecemeal. But you only need the one, and you can play everything from a decade ago. If the current OS doesn't have its own system, the worst you might have to do is to set up a VM.
Don't get me wrong, I don't hate consoles. I have two of them.
But we could do this all day. For every argument against PC, there's one against consoles. Let's just agree that they all have their places.
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RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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Do this, and make it 2D. 3D would be ideal, but frankly it wouldn't be worth it.I'll meet you halfway and vote for the "2.5D" orthogonal view, but with four allowed camera rotations in steps of 90 degrees. Some amount of zooming would be nice, too.
I'd be fine if it had graphics like the old "gold box" SSI games, Pool of Radiance, etc., and had similar game play, but updated to Pathfinder rules. Any better or more modern graphics and sound would be great, but not if it made the project too expensive to produce, or delayed it significantly.
I'd be fine if it had graphics like the old "gold box" SSI games, Pool of Radiance, etc., and had similar game play, but updated to Pathfinder rules. Any better or more modern graphics and sound would be great, but not if it made the project too expensive to produce, or delayed it significantly.Do this, and make it 2D. 3D would be ideal, but frankly it wouldn't be worth it.I'll meet you halfway and vote for the "2.5D" orthogonal view, but with four allowed camera rotations in steps of 90 degrees. Some amount of zooming would be nice, too.
I'd wager that pretty much no development house anywhere wants to put their name on something that looks like Pool of Radiance, no matter how inexpensive it might be to produce. That game did not age well.