Starfinder video game teased / spoilered?

[Inqui]

One developer studio in Moscow which did support Owlcat with Pathfinder Kingmaker as outsourcing company has a picture of a unannounced "Classic isometric party-based computer game set in a famous universe" and the picture of it clearly shows several Vesk and a Kasatha.
http://rook1.com/
http://rook1.com/images/photo_2020-04-27_12-34-09-1.jpg

Now if this is true and not just assets they grabbed from the net I would expect this to be of a much lower production value than Pathfinder as that company only made a single mobile game so far which isn't even released yet.
Unless of course they are also just supporting by outsourcing, although they apparently were not involved in Wrath of the Righteous.

[Milo v3]

Interesting.

[Themetricsystem]

Oh boy, the domain registration seems to check out and that is 110% Starfinder, no doubt about it.

Intriguing indeed, I'd bet we get the official announcement at PaizoCon, and by the looks of it, this is most likely going to at least be partially based on Dead Suns.

[Inqui]

I wonder if Owlcat will be involved.
Its imo still a bit too early for Owlcat to announce a new project as they still have the DLCs to finish and a lot of bugfixing to do (and most people expect also a improved definitive edition).
A bit too early to announce a new project, especially if they do it over kickstarter like in the past and require peoples goodwill. Owlcat has mentioned that there will be big news soon, but based on teasers that likely means DLC 1 for Wrath of the Righteous.

And if rook1 does it on its own. Well, Owlcat also came from nowhere, so they might be able to do it, but only having a mobile game credited to them does not inspire too much confidence.

[Leon Aquilla]

Until we have a formal announcement we don't even know if Rook 1 is supporting development or taking the lead. My guess is not -- a lot of times when leaks like this occur it's usually a satellite studio that forgets opsec like this.

[CorvusMask]

I wonder if this is real whether it will be turn based or real time.

I do like that they made vesk look beefy and bigger than other medium sized creatures.

[Wesrolter]

I think real time would sorta ruin the game so it should be a turn based one. I did enjoy Neverwinter nights as a game but I think having to mash your characters class ability (Envoy, Operatives) every couple seconds would be too annoying. Temple of Elemental Evil was a squad, turn based RPG which I think held a better DnD feel then Neverwinter.

[Inqui]

CorvusMask wrote:

I wonder if this is real whether it will be turn based or real time.

I do like that they made vesk look beefy and bigger than other medium sized creatures.

I highly doubt that this is in game graphic. Looks more like a mock up to me.

If Owlcat is involved then it will likely be both with real time being the primary mode.
If they do it on their own it depends on how much they were inspired by Pathfinder.

As for using abilities real time, for recurring modifiers Kingmaker used toggles instead of having to click them every time. (Power Attack, Manyshot, etc.)

[CorvusMask]

I mean i'm still skeptical about that, because real time works weird with shooty shooty games (while those do obviously exist, I still think they work less well that way)

But yeah I do think its mock up myself but I still think I like how they did that one

[Milo v3]

I hope it's not 'real time turn based', since I find those too clumsy and frustrating now'a'days but it probably will be.

[Dracomicron]

Milo v3 wrote:

I hope it's not 'real time turn based', since I find those too clumsy and frustrating now'a'days but it probably will be.

Being an XCOM fan, I agree, but Owlcat's Kingmaker eventually got the turn-based mostly right (even if they went off the deep end with system mastery BS and monster difficulty).

[The Stubbs]

False alarm apparently. Not a thing that is happening

[Themetricsystem]

It's fake huh, do you maybe have some source on this?

Owlcat had put out active requests for submissions for 3d artists as of late 2020 to specifically work on a sci-fi CRPG property and given the art... and their work with Owlcat on Kingmaker ...

[Gaulin]

Aaron shanks said that it's fake on a Reddit thread.

[Porridge]

Gaulin wrote:

Aaron shanks said that it's fake on a Reddit thread.

Link here.

[Leon Aquilla]

Sad!

[Gilfalas]

Gaulin wrote:

Aaron shanks said that it's fake on a Reddit thread.

People under legally binding NDA's would have to say that wouldn't they?

;)

[CorvusMask]

Like at very least that says that even if the mockup was real, its not something that will be announced for ages :p So same as if it was completely fake. Either way disappointing.

[Ashbourne]

Gaulin wrote:

Aaron shanks said that it's fake on a Reddit thread.

Are you sure someone didn't fake Aaron shanks saying that? I also heard JFK is helping write the game. Hard to know what to believe these days. I still think the Drift Crisis is just a conspiracy theory made up by someone on Akiton trying to boost the sale price of Thasteron.

[lekaicasi46]

I've lost track of the various playtests. I'm assuming Ciravel is tied to one of the new Starfinder classes about to release. Which one doesn't seem to be mentioned.

[John Mangrum]

Ciravel is the iconic precog from Galactic Magic.

[lekaicasi46]

I've lost track of the various playtests. I'm assuming Ciravel is tied to one of the new Starfinder classes about to release. Which one doesn't seem to be mentioned. https://100001.onl/ https://1921681254.mx/

[Milo v3]

The Precog, as John mentioned.

[John Mangrum]

Time loop.

[Zwordsman]

I would be into a starfinder game~
Though in general for that genre. I prefer the coopable ones. like baulder's gate and the old icewind dale style one. Like letting a friend hop on to control one c haracter and be along with the story. Even if they don't have active control over much of anything.

[Inqui]

And the website is gone.

[Loreguard]

Might be that something does exist but a small subcontractor forgot about signing a NDA, or some employee, not aware of the NDA posted something about the project on their page, and now heads are rolling.

It might have also been some company thinking that Pathfinder Infinite meant that they could make a digital game using the universe and license it as Pathfinder Infinite, and didn't actually read the details.

I'm hoping that if it was an overstepping of a NDA, by a subcontractor, I hope it doesn't impact the potential of the product continuing to be developed. And I would think that owlcat would be able to reuse much of the framework for starfinder, that they built for pathfinder 1st ed.

It is worthy to note however, also, that Paizo is already working with Amazon on the audio game for Alexa devices. I had fun playing through the intro game with my kids.

It obviously isn't a Isometric video game, but it is a computer game version of Starfinder. It also I'm sure makes licensing details important for any other companies wanting to partner on Paizo computer games.

[Themetricsystem]

So I did some more digging and I am sorry to go against the grain here and discount AS on this but... Starfinder JUST had a Trademark approved explicitly for a downloadable computer game for Personal Computers and Home Consoles, neither of which would functionally cover the Alexa and other voice-activated/run Apps that we already have or know about.

Serial Number #90558184 so... yeah, I'm absolutely not buying the line that the leak is fake, but rather that Paizo has simply either not informed their teams that this can be talked about or they've been directed to try misdirection because... well, the trademark for this specific purpose (as well as one for Toys and another for what looks like a TV show of some sort) is public record and was JUST approved in the last 40 or so days which just so happens to line up with the leak in question.

Maybe they filed those nearly a year or so ago as a just-in-case but the timing of the approval plus the content of the "leak" mentioned at the top of the thread has me thinking this is indeed potential credible and real.

The fact that the website got pulled is a good hint that the developer IS in contact with Paizo as I'm not exactly sure some random fake leaker would, first, be able to create a new original piece of art that is so convincing, and second, that the faker could reasonably be appealed to in any easy or quick way to pull the whole website.

Gimme that sweet sweet Owlcat CRPG with an XCOM tilt to it, the IP is PERFECT for this kind of game, and after two successful launches for Pathfinder content, I think they probably feel comfortable enough adapting SF rules, themes, and setting to the existing engine.

[CorvusMask]

I mean I think its telling that they used term "False Alarm" not "this is fake".

Like because former can also be used for "oops, sorry, this isn't the supposed announcement" :p Like I presume it might be situation of company asking "hey is it okay if we advertise we are involved in upcoming project but don't spell it out?" and didn't realize the mockup makes it too obvious what the game is about because it features several starfinder only races.

That said, it could be just fake and I'm reading too much into it. Doesn't matter much anyway because as I said, it being too early is about same as it not being real because it means project might not get greenlighted. Nature of game projects is that lot of them get quietly cancelled on the background.

[FormerFiend]

Well this is annoying. I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate rpgs that try to replicate the mechanics of ttrpgs. That style of gameplay is like pulling teeth to me; getting through Kingmaker was one of the most frustrating experiences of my life as a gamer & every attempt I've made at Wrath of the Righteous has been like slapping my head against a brick wall.

But they're relatively cheap & easy to make, and can be vehicles for great stories. Kingmaker I would argue is a definite improvement over the AP it's based on. I've got more mixed feelings on Wrath of the Righteous' story but I'd still probably say improvement to lateral move.

[keftiu]

I might play a Starfinder game! I’d certainly enjoy getting to make a character - Androids and Lashunta are very dear to me.

[FormerFiend]

I'll almost certainly buy it if only because I do love the setting so much.

Whether or not I'd play or finish it, idk.

I would want the species selection to be beyond the core seven & include at the very least the legacy races along with maybe a few other select choices.

[keftiu]

Is there a ready AP for conversion the way Kingmaker broke Pathfinder out into videogames, or would an original story be a better fit?

[keftiu]

CorvusMask wrote:

I mean i'm still skeptical about that, because real time works weird with shooty shooty games (while those do obviously exist, I still think they work less well that way)

But yeah I do think its mock up myself but I still think I like how they did that one

Have you played any of Harebrained Schemes' work? They did two very good Shadowrun games (and one mediocre one, but it was their first try) and an incredible Battletech game that were all turn-based and "shooty shooty." Hell, Shadowrun even had assault rifles, melee weapons, and magic powers all in play, and it worked super well.

[CorvusMask]

Its why I think turn based works well with shooty shooty yeah :D Shadowrun is first example I think when I think of "I can't imagine how this would work in real time"

[Inqui]

keftiu wrote:

Is there a ready AP for conversion the way Kingmaker broke Pathfinder out into videogames, or would an original story be a better fit?

Depends on who is doing it really and how much experience they have with story writing.

Starfinder has a limited number of APs to draw from and several are not really compatible with video games like Threefold Conspiracy or Fly Free or Die.
The high level ones like Devastation Ark and Signal of Screams are of course also not suitable for a video game where you start from the beginning unless you heavily rewrite it.

Assuming Owlcat does it they will likely draw from an AP. Imo either Dead Suns because it gives a good overview of the setting or Horizon in the Vast as adding a management part is their thing and Kingmaker was well received.
Against the Swarm might also be possible.

[Yakman]

i don't really play a lot of video games, but i would probably buy a Starfinder game.

[Peg'giz]

I really hope that a Starfinder game is comming, but at the same time I hope that it will not only a "Pathfinder:Kingmaker/WotR-Reskin".

I would love something more akin to Dragon Age Origin or Mass Effect, with one Major (Player) Hero and several companions to choose from.
Also either a more action focused combat or a complete switch to a X-Com/DD2 style combat.

[CorvusMask]

Eeeeeeeh, I'd rather want BG 3 styled starfinder game than ME.

Don't really want third person shooter with cooldowns for starfinder :p

(but either way, I do hope it isn't real time with pause yeah)

[Leon Aquilla]

Well we're not getting a video game, but we are getting a board game

[Leon Aquilla]

Okay, may have spoken too soon

[Rysky the Dark Solarion]

Ello Ello what have we here?

[Themetricsystem]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... my my my! The hype intensifies.

Looks like I'm going to have something new for my wishlist once they get a page listed for it, Kingmaker and WotR were fantastic early entries for the Paizo IP but I do really and truly think that Starfinder is FAR more ripe for this kind of game, especially if they lean into the tactical style wargame stuff.

[Davor Firetusk]

I guess the question is what AP would they be using. I mostly gave up on video games a long time ago (I got a retro system December 2019 and have barely played that) so I'm not heavily invested but It's not impossible with the right game that I try and jump in. Attack of the Swarm feels like it would be a fun one to convert, but maybe they go with a 3 parter at a lower price point and go Against the Aeon Throne?

[Leon Aquilla]

They dropped some clues that seem to heavily imply Dead Suns, but who knows.

[Opsylum]

Leon Aquilla wrote:

They dropped some clues that seem to heavily imply Dead Suns, but who knows.

Where did this happen? I'd been somewhat expecting this to be a 40k game, but if they've confirmed they're working on Starfinder...just, wow. My day is just made.

[Leon Aquilla]

Off-hand mystery comments by Owlcat staff. Again, who knows. It might not even be Starfinder for all we know (but if it is an original IP, man, what a mistake when SF is RIGHT THERE)