Indie Call of Saregnar - a Betrayal at Krondor-inspired RPG

[Rhuantavan]

The one thing I have to criticize at this point, and a very major criticism at at that, is the lack of cleavage and unacceptable size of tavern wench booba.

I promise, I will try to remedy that!

 

[Robber Baron]

I disagree, no, and yes.

I won't judge an author's vision but the more you deviate from your original direction the more things clash together
Unless there's a new direction
just thoughts

 

[Rhuantavan]

I won't judge an author's vision but the more you deviate from your original direction the more things clash together
Unless there's a new direction
just thoughts

It’s more like that I have finally found that sweet spot I was searching for all these years. I may yet tweak things here and there, but I am mostly working on missing systems, refining existing ones and working on content now. The art direction is close to where I want it to end up.

 

[Robber Baron]

It’s more like that I have finally found that sweet spot I was searching for all these years. I may yet tweak things here and there, but I am mostly working on missing systems, refining existing ones and working on content now. The art direction is close to where I want it to end up.

It's just that with advent of AI texture generation leaving billboard object pipeline behind seems strange when you can save so much time creating content now
3d pipeline also quadruples time spent on creating assets

 

[Rhuantavan]

It's just that with advent of AI texture generation leaving billboard object pipeline behind seems strange when you can save so much time creating content now
3d pipeline also quadruples time spent on creating assets

Well, if the end result is not the game I wanted to make, it doesn't matter if billboards speed up development or not. I might even argue that fewer 3D objects are needed to achieve the same variety I'd get with billboards. Rotate, scale, switch texture, combine. 3D assets are great for that.
Also, AI is not touching this game's assets in any way. Ever.

 

[Robber Baron]

Well, if the end result is not the game I wanted to make, it doesn't matter if billboards speed up development or not. I might even argue that fewer 3D objects are needed to achieve the same variety I'd get with billboards. Rotate, scale, switch texture, combine. 3D assets are great for that.
Also, AI is not touching this game's assets in any way. Ever.

Can't argue with that
Best of luck with the project

 

[Rhuantavan]

Robber Baron You did give me foot for thought on the grass casting shadows or not, though. I'll think about it.

 

[notpl]

I think the 3d trees look great. I adore chunky primitive 3d, especially if it enhances gameplay (like the advantages you mentioned) compared to using sprites.

 

[toro]

The game looks fine.

 

[Robber Baron]

I'll think about it.

make it a toggleable option

 

[BosanskiSeljak]

Please God do not focus a single second more on something as useless as controller support

 

[Ludwig von Eisenthal]

Thank you for your reply. I see your point and understand the decision from a creative perspetive but alas I do miss the
stronger retro look very much. Yet I do hope this wonderful game isn't going the same road as Skald, losing piece of piece of it's retro look.

With billboard actors I can only push the gfx so far

Btw, I don’t mind SKALD’s art direction at all. It’s still a properly old-school looking game.

Would it be possible to offer a "retro" mode to play without the more modern lighting effects? I guess not but I still like to ask.

 

[Rhuantavan]

Thank you for your reply. I see your point and understand the decision from a creative perspetive but alas I do miss the
stronger retro look very much. Yet I do hope this wonderful game isn't going the same road as Skald, losing piece of piece of it's retro look.

With billboard actors I can only push the gfx so far

Btw, I don’t mind SKALD’s art direction at all. It’s still a properly old-school looking game.

Would it be possible to offer a "retro" mode to play without the more modern lighting effects? I guess not but I still like to ask.

Everything is possible with enough time spent tweaking things. I have already implemented various settings for the gfx, but I am keeping them locked out until I figure what the game needs.

 

[Gandalf]

I really like the idea of having 3D objects, because it opens a sea of possibilities to make exploring the scenes more fun. Games like Deus Ex, Thief and Morrowind did this and it is a fantastic, very immersive experience that only adds to the gameplay.

Retro feel is important, because it can take a player back in time to the early 90's. 3D trees/stuff/lightning/ ruin that magic. If I was such a pursit I would be mad!
Writing that, I like those changes. Games made in the 70-80-90's where limited by technology and those new additions look good to me and make the game feel more real.
I can't write that about SKALD. What happened to it is pure disaster.

 

[garren]

Yes, I too feel like the game lost some of the retro aspect graphics wise when looking at the new screenshots, it's less BaK-like now. Still, the 3D looks ok too and allows for more graphical variety, just please don't take it too far.

Also I see there's a minimap now, I really hope that can be turned off. I competes with the player's attention and makes traveling into more of a "follow the minimap" game instead of actually navigating around the world. You could make a point that BaK also had a map, but you had to open it separately to glance at it to get a better idea of your surroundings. I feel like minimaps are a bit of a detriment as the minimap is always there so you end up following it rather than looking around yourself more.

 

[Rhuantavan]

Yes, I too feel like the game lost some of the retro aspect graphics wise when looking at the new screenshots, it's less BaK-like now. Still, the 3D looks ok too and allows for more graphical variety, just please don't take it too far.

Also I see there's a minimap now, I really hope that can be turned off. I competes with the player's attention and makes traveling into more of a "follow the minimap" game instead of actually navigating around the world. You could make a point that BaK also had a map, but you had to open it separately to glance at it to get a better idea of your surroundings. I feel like minimaps are a bit of a detriment as the minimap is always there so you end of following it rather than looking around yourself more.

I know what you mean. I will probably have it off by default. There is a bak-like local map too. Basically a larger version of a mini map.

 

[Alienman]

Ray tracing when?

 

[HoboForEternity]

Maybe there's a quest in game where you have to find a guy named ray and the quest name is ray tracing

 

[HeatEXTEND]

Quest that involves following rays of light in a temple or dense forest

 

[Konjad]

don't be so raycist

 

[Luka-boy]

You did give me foot for thought

 

[ERYFKRAD]

You did give me foot for thought

JarlFrank

 

[Ludwig von Eisenthal]

I've been pondering more about the new graphics. I can live with the 3D-elements (I actually think I understand your design decision about 3D) but I think I now know what's bothering me: It's the colors. The earlier version was generally brighter, but also there were more different nuances in the colors of the trees and between trees and landscape. In the latest version everything looks of a very similar green which makes the discernation more difficult and is less easy on the eye imho.

 

[Rhuantavan]

Yes, I am aware of that issue. I may yet remedy it by adding additional branch elements with a different texture. I still need to create additional types of trees too.

 

[MerchantKing]

I've been pondering more about the new graphics. I can live with the 3D-elements (I actually think I understand your design decision about 3D) but I think I now know what's bothering me: It's the colors. The earlier version was generally brighter, but also there were more different nuances in the colors of the trees and between trees and landscape. In the latest version everything looks of a very similar green which makes the discernation more difficult and is less easy on the eye imho.

I like the terrain. But I don't like the portraits. The gentlemen in it do not have distinguished enough features. It's like they forgot how to draw a properly sized nose and full beard. And whats that? A Pirate hat? Do you even get to sail the high seas in this game?