The Future of RPGs

[Dorateen]

I guess nobody is doing geldboxes though. Except for that dorateen project

Don't lump me into this discussion. From where I stand, "The Future" is nothing but lies and balderdash, and I'll have no part of it. I'm happily entrenched in The Past.

Snorkack I think Excidium was referring to Swords & Sorcery as the MM2-like.

 

[Snorkack]

care to provide a link? The only Swords&Sorcery I know of is this indie ios game which excicium sure as hell isnt talking about.

 

[Dorateen]

Swords & Sorcery - Underworld

 

[Akratus]

I want games to not do things idiotically that had already been perfectly thought-out two decades ago.

 

[Maxwell's Demon]

[..]

Yeah, a couple of these depend a bit on your interpretation. It remains that healing potions are still the go-to healing method. I interpreted the second one to mean in the sense of "use magic and you tempt the demons of chaos to take control of you" or "chance for random effect instead of casting the spell" rather than simply the logical consequences of spell effects which is what Larian did.

 

[sullynathan]

There's a lot of optimism here, I like it.

 

[Durandal]

I wish someone would make a hacking simulator with actual roleplaying elements, like Uplink with a fleshed out world, CnC and 'exploration'
Considering how little art assets it takes to simulate a loonix distro and the gameplay plus story being able to rely mostly on text, I'm surprised nobody has tried making one

 

[Eirikur]

I'd like to see the day where AI becomes so advanced that NPCs become self-aware and react naturally to anything we do to them.

 

[Maxwell's Demon]

I'd like to see the day where AI becomes so advanced that NPCs become self-aware and react naturally to anything we do to them.

I would be constantly tempted to break the fourth wall.

 

[DawnrazorDCLXVI]

Games could tie in int with actual intelligence tests, etc.

 

[Shin]

I'd like to see the day where AI becomes so advanced that NPCs become self-aware and react naturally to anything we do to them.

It's called Radiant AI, dummy.

 

[Neanderthal]

Am I really asking for that much? I believe I am asking for movies with good setting, direction, acting and story all in one. The basics. I am claiming that in rpgs we are not given even the basics.

The early Fallouts and BG2 are examples of games that got most of everything right. And then what happened? It suddenly became "you are asking for too much"?

No not at all, in fact I don't think you're asking for enough, you say BG2 and I admit that game was a solid addition to what the first BG did, but that game was a clear degeneration from the old Ultimas: No living world, no environmental interaction, no NPC routines, no convoluted philosophies or strong theme to ponder and no loadless gamemap. It seems every game that comes out has a little more shaved off, a few more features thrown away and a bit more content regarded as not conducive to the "core" experience. Year after year this shit happens and why the fuck are we putting up with it or not asking developers why they can't match what was done twenty years ago on what was in comparison a virtual fucking difference engine.

And then some journalist cunts have the gall to say that such and such a game is innovative and pushing the boundaries, when in reality its like a half formed foetus compared to the supermen upon whose shoulders it standing.

 

[Mustawd]

[BG2] was a clear degeneration from the old Ultimas: No living world, no environmental interaction, no NPC routines, no convoluted philosophies or strong theme to ponder and no loadless gamemap.

This is sig worthy...

Neanderthal, you are truly

 

[Neanderthal]

Well I were talking about BG1, but I suppose same holds true, just I thought BG2 were on a good path trying to expand on what came before as games should.

Oh and cheers matey.

 

[DeepOcean]

The future of the RPGs?
Well, Larian with D:OS 2, if they don't butcher the stretch goals, could be a pretty interesting RPG and move on a positive direction.
Obsidian isn't interested on pushing anything new foward lately, they are perfectly fine with milking mediocrity so I don't count them.
InXile after Wasteland 2 let me skeptical but they are trying something new with Numenera, we will see. BT 4 being a dumb down Bard's Tale game don't leave me impressed.
VD with his Colony ship RPG it could be something pretty different but if it takes as long as AoD, I will teach my granchildren how to play it.
Styg made a pretty good RPG but it is another case of IF he releases a new game, it will take forever.
Copper Dreams from Whalenought could be interesting and they do some voodoo to release games relatively fast, Serpents on the Staglands was cool game but it was more of an take of BG 1 + gothic art style than something completely new.
Siege of the Dragon Spear from Beam Dog if by a miracle turns out good, is a slam dunk of an old game on an old engine.
On 2016, we will see Numenera, maybe BT 4 by 2017, maybe PoE 2 and D:OS 2 by 2018, VD, Styg and Whalenought I can't count them as they could take forever to release something IF they have money spare to eat on the process.
The RPG genre, counting no suprises, counting no sudden incline, will generate something like 1 RPG game per year for the next three years and most of them are sequels or nostalgia sequels... yeah... my hobby look as alive as ever.

 

[Lilura]

The early Fallouts and BG2 are examples of games that got most of everything right.

Fallout and BG2? You lump BG2 in with the numero uno RPG, Fallout? You disgust me.

 

[Mustawd]

The early Fallouts and BG2 are examples of games that got most of everything right.

Fallout and BG2? You lump BG2 in with the numero uno RPG, Fallout? You disgust me.

 

[Trashos]

No not at all, in fact I don't think you're asking for enough, you say BG2 and I admit that game was a solid addition to what the first BG did, but that game was a clear degeneration from the old Ultimas: No living world, no environmental interaction, no NPC routines, no convoluted philosophies or strong theme to ponder and no loadless gamemap. It seems every game that comes out has a little more shaved off, a few more features thrown away and a bit more content regarded as not conducive to the "core" experience. Year after year this shit happens and why the fuck are we putting up with it or not asking developers why they can't match what was done twenty years ago on what was in comparison a virtual fucking difference engine.

And then some journalist cunts have the gall to say that such and such a game is innovative and pushing the boundaries, when in reality its like a half formed foetus compared to the supermen upon whose shoulders it standing.

Neanderthal, we are definitely on the same page. I think gamers let companies have too much of an easy time. (well, not Codex, the rest of the gamers)
I understand the difficulties developers have while developing their engine and I cut them some slack, but after a BG1 I expect a BG2. It is the same attitude I am keeping towards PoE, to be frank. More on BG2 below.

Fallout and BG2? You lump BG2 in with the numero uno RPG, Fallout? You disgust me.

I am sorry about that. But yes, I have spent countless hours on both and I love them both.

Having said that, if I were asked to present what an rpg should be like, I 'd show them Fallout. If I were asked to present how to transform mediocre ideas into stellar through brilliant execution, I 'd show them BG2.

 

[Lilura]

If I were asked to present how to transform mediocre ideas into stellar through brilliant execution, I 'd show them BG2.

Dah fuq? What does that even mean?

BG2 is overrated to the point of making me blush for the Codex; its strongest aspect being the non-linear exploration of quest-dense Athkatla and some of the encounter design, but I don't see how even that can be called "brilliant execution".

The vast majority of the campaign is mediocre. Read the dialogue and count the stat/alignment checks on one hand, campaign-wide; watch and wait as numerous, unskippable cutscenes play out; play past Chapter Three where the campaign turns into a linear borefest and the narrative takes a nose-dive; cringe at the monty haul uber-itemization; and where are the choice & consequences that the Codex holds so dear?

 

[Xathrodox86]

Stop focussing on high-gloss presentation and huge yet empty maps and start concentrating on core gameplay mechanics again!

Cohesive storyline, interesting characters, quests that matter and drop the fucking "go kill X boars" shit that so many RPG's have nowdays. Experiment with the genre by all means, but do it cleverly. RPG is supposed to be an immersive experience, not a half-assed attempt that is meant to show awesum graphics and an open, boring world.

 

[StaticSpine]

I really hope for more AoD-like games: more tight campaigns without filler content and high replayability.

 

[Maxwell's Demon]

Cohesive storyline, interesting characters, quests that matter and drop the fucking "go kill X boars" shit that so many RPG's have nowdays. Experiment with the genre by all means, but do it cleverly. RPG is supposed to be an immersive experience, not a half-assed attempt that is meant to show awesum graphics and an open, boring world.

Developers need to drop the huge, eyegasmic open world thing if they want their games to revolve around combat. If a game designer wants to put that much into making an open world, make the game about exploration instead, for instance (and I'm sure Codex veterans could come up with something better), making an ill-fated Arctic expedition in the 19th century. If it's not going to be the focus of your creative energies, maybe it shouldn't be the focus of the players' time.

 

[Mortmal]

The future of the RPGs?
Well, Larian with D:OS 2, if they don't butcher the stretch goals, could be a pretty interesting RPG and move on a positive direction.
Obsidian isn't interested on pushing anything new foward lately, they are perfectly fine with milking mediocrity so I don't count them.
InXile after Wasteland 2 let me skeptical but they are trying something new with Numenera, we will see. BT 4 being a dumb down Bard's Tale game don't leave me impressed.
VD with his Colony ship RPG it could be something pretty different but if it takes as long as AoD, I will teach my granchildren how to play it.
Styg made a pretty good RPG but it is another case of IF he releases a new game, it will take forever.
Copper Dreams from Whalenought could be interesting and they do some voodoo to release games relatively fast, Serpents on the Staglands was cool game but it was more of an take of BG 1 + gothic art style than something completely new.
Siege of the Dragon Spear from Beam Dog if by a miracle turns out good, is a slam dunk of an old game on an old engine.
On 2016, we will see Numenera, maybe BT 4 by 2017, maybe PoE 2 and D:OS 2 by 2018, VD, Styg and Whalenought I can't count them as they could take forever to release something IF they have money spare to eat on the process.
The RPG genre, counting no suprises, counting no sudden incline, will generate something like 1 RPG game per year for the next three years and most of them are sequels or nostalgia sequels... yeah... my hobby look as alive as ever.

Pretty much nothing to discuss ,i dont understand why people speak about mechanisms and what they would like to see, no one in the industry cares(except larian) and the few indies doing great suff already knows what they need to know . We got everything this year, 2016 top rpg will be grim dawn by default due to the lack of contenders. There's dragon's dogma but its a re-release,already got it on PS3 , nothing else.
http://www.indiedb.com/ , worth looking at from time to time, might find some gems sometime, rarely .

Computer RPG as an hobby is dead and buried. Yes the desert crossing again , like nothing at all, when people where creaming their pants at the idea to play something like eschalon(and its very mediocre) .

 

[Electryon]

I can't honestly think of a better time for RPGs than right now, it isn't even close. First we can talk about the trend of crowd-funded games specifically designed to emulate and bring back memories of classics, because the designers actually loved those games. Secondly, with GOG and Steam, anyone has access to nearly the entire history of the genre at any time (and those they can't get for sale can be found and emulated). And while certain AAA titles certainly leave a bad taste in everyone's mouth, would anyone argue that a game like Dark Souls is anything less than a masterpiece of modern gaming, and that it's sequel was certainly above average?? At any rate, no matter what your tastes are, we are being treated to at least a DOZEN games every year that are legitimately excellent efforts. Mileage may vary based on one's taste, but I highly doubt there is anyone here who didn't find SOMETHING they thought was uniformly excellent in each of the last 2-3 years....

 

[Brutan]

Isometric RPGs have made a comeback in recent years and they were somewhat successful. Understandably they were mostly sequels or spiritual successors to old games. I want to see is NEW settings, I'm sick and tired of elves and Romans.

I want to see a SF RPG set in something similar to Alpha Centauri (the TBS game) universe. Where you visit each colony and see how they try to build their own (dis)utopia and ultimately joining one or starting your own(as a game ending).
Or they could try a game set in the USSR where you try to manipulate and threaten citizens in order climb up the letter. How many innocent bodies are you willing to walk on in order to make it to the top? Hell, anything new would be a welcome change.