Godsidian at it again, Project Eternity footage (looks sexy)

Obsidian has released the first in-game footage for Project Eternity, demonstrating how the engine will feature dynamic elements such as lighting, weather, water and wind in a 2D engine. Those features arent easy when youre dealing with otherwise static 2D assets, but the wizards at Obsidian have it sorted.

Writing on the Obsidian forums, Project Eternity director Josh Sawyer said the team were impressed by what the artists (lead environment artist Hector Espinoza and rendering programmer Michael Edwards) managed to achieve. While we are still working on refining some of the dyanmic elements, were very happy with the progress weve been able to make and hope you feel the same way, Sawyer wrote.

If watching that video isnt enough, why not read (or re-read) this interview with Chris Avellone where he reveals how the team is progressing with the project. He also makes a good case for why the studio opted for the 2.5D perspective in this brave new 3D-obsessed world.

http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/04/10/first-in-game-footage-of-project-eternity-shows-2d-dynamic-elements/

Looks amazing! :D

Call me crazy but haven't we seen this in a 2D engine before...???

Also, is it just me or is anybody else sick of these long kickstarter videos with the people blabbing on and on to show 10 seconds of game footage?

I know the content is more important but I'm really liking how these classic-type games are getting the nice graphics treatment. It really adds to the atmosphere and immersion. :]Elann2008

I had no idea it would look so good, if we can keep getting more old school style rpgs that look this wonderful I will be a very happy man

Yup it is look pretty amazing and it is a old school design so it's all good.

That looks absolutely fantastic.

I had no idea it would look so good, if we can keep getting more old school style rpgs that look this wonderful I will be a very happy man

kozzy1234

Indeed

I know the content is more important but I'm really liking how these classic-type games are getting the nice graphics treatment. It really adds to the atmosphere and immersion. :]Elann2008

Hey this does look great.

It should run phenomally too!

I definitely have my eye on it. There is a lot of potential for emotional expression in the environment for this game. 

Looks really nice.

I certainly aint gonna complain about these 2.5D graphics.

[QUOTE="ArchonOver"]First Wasteland 2, then this, then Torment. SOO MANY GOOD RPGS :D-wildflower-

It's not a bad problem to have, especially after suffering through the past 10 years of action-adventure games masquerading as RPGs.  There are so many promising looking RPGs on the horizon that even if only half of them pan out, we'll still have more RPG goodness than we've had in a LONG time.

I used to be really cynical towards the WRPG genre due to all these action adventure games masquerading as RPGs. But now I am really hopeful towards the genre. I really hope this keeps up. Great time to be a WRPG fan.

[QUOTE="Brean24"]I understand shitty graphics is a requirement for indie development, but what is wrong with 3D graphics? I mean don't get me wrong, the artwork is pretty, but when I'm playing a game I don't want it to look like concept art, I want it to look like a game. This isn't the 1990s. Graphics have advanced dramatically since the dawn of the hack and slash genre, and there are plenty of inexpensive engines that look dramatically better than what was shown in the video. kozzy1234

Not sure if being serious or just trolling.

Why does everything have to be 3d?

I don't think anyone has been more out-spoken, bitter, and cynical about the current state of cRPGs than I have (well, at least on these boards - not counting the Codex, of course), but lately I've been feeling downright optimistic, even giddy, about the future of my favorite genre.  Has hell frozen over?  Watch out for those flying pigs, guys!

-wildflower-

Yeah, you certainly are or was more cynical about the genre than me. Most of my pessimism of the WRPG genre was actually on the System Wars board where I got replies such as "troll confirmed", "what a [swearword] you are marosad" and "you actually prefer these boring turn based games over real time combat?". Speaking of the Codex, I used to think that I was all alone with a lot of gripes I had with the modern wRPG genre, until I found out about that site.

I'm not saying everything has to be 3D, I'm just presenting my opinion. I just prefer 3D over 2D when it comes to action RPGs and action games in general. It just annoys me it seems like indies are allergic to modern graphics these days when there are literally no excuses anymore. It's really not that much more expensive. 2D is good for some games but if I am playing a game that involves hacking someone to little pieces with a sword for example I want to actually see it and not a little sprite from 100 feet away. And by 3D I mean something like Diablo 3 or Torchlight 2 not like Skyrim or Mass Effect.Brean24

This isnt an Action RPG though.

2D graphics also age a lot better. 

Not trying to be a party pooper or anything, but just because an RPG is in 2D doesn't make it a good RPG, same goes with 3D. The game has to deliver, whether it be 2D or 3D. People see an old style 2D RPG and automatically get a boner like it's the next coming of Jesus.FelipeInside

1. It is Obsidian one of the few true rpg devs left

2. It is very early on, for this early it looks amazing. For Obsidian games I expect great dialogue, characters, fun game and story, things they do very well. Dont really ahve to worry about those things. The thing I was not sure about was how good the game would look, this video early on is very very promising for the graphics/art design aspect. This early on I did not expect these types of things. And Lastly bugs is the only 2nd aspect I was not sure about. One out of my two worries look to be tossed to the side, will have to wait for the other.

<- HappyKalDurenik

Yeah, me too.  

Call me crazy but haven't we seen this in a 2D engine before...???

FelipeInside

I don't think we saw true dynamic lighting in a 2D game before.

It bugs me that the shadows on the ground don't change with the sun or at least disappear when it's night, but I'm sure they're working on this.

First Wasteland 2, then this, then Torment. SOO MANY GOOD RPGS :DArchonOver

It's not a bad problem to have, especially after suffering through the past 10 years of action-adventure games masquerading as RPGs.  There are so many promising looking RPGs on the horizon that even if only half of them pan out, we'll still have more RPG goodness than we've had in a LONG time.

[QUOTE="ArchonOver"]First Wasteland 2, then this, then Torment. SOO MANY GOOD RPGS :D-wildflower-

It's not a bad problem to have, especially after suffering through the past 10 years of action-adventure games masquerading as RPGs.  There are so many promising looking RPGs on the horizon that even if only half of them pan out, we'll still have more RPG goodness than we've had in a LONG time.

I know it seems as if we are having a surge of Adventure games, then RTS games, now RPG games. 

It seems like a good year to own a half-ass decent pc.

Wow, this game definitely looks good.

With this, Star Citizen, and Shroud of the Avatar on the horizon, I'm liking the future for PC gaming.

I used to be really cynical towards the WRPG genre due to all these action adventure games masquerading as RPGs. But now I am really hopeful towards the genre. I really hope this keeps up. Great time to be a WRPG fan.

Maroxad

I don't think anyone has been more out-spoken, bitter, and cynical about the current state of cRPGs than I have (well, at least on these boards - not counting the Codex, of course), but lately I've been feeling downright optimistic, even giddy, about the future of my favorite genre.  Has hell frozen over?  Watch out for those flying pigs, guys!

Looks ok. I prefer 3D. I know their budget is too small but, I rather have a squad base game with 3D graphics like DAO (I didn't like the colors and environments in DAO though). It would of been perfect if it was 3D with the colors and designs they are using.

[QUOTE="Maroxad"]I used to be really cynical towards the WRPG genre due to all these action adventure games masquerading as RPGs. But now I am really hopeful towards the genre. I really hope this keeps up. Great time to be a WRPG fan.

-wildflower-

I don't think anyone has been more out-spoken, bitter, and cynical about the current state of cRPGs than I have (well, at least on these boards - not counting the Codex, of course), but lately I've been feeling downright optimistic, even giddy, about the future of my favorite genre.  Has hell frozen over?  Watch out for those flying pigs, guys!

I understand shitty graphics is a requirement for indie development, but what is wrong with 3D graphics? I mean don't get me wrong, the artwork is pretty, but when I'm playing a game I don't want it to look like concept art, I want it to look like a game. This isn't the 1990s. Graphics have advanced dramatically since the dawn of the hack and slash genre, and there are plenty of inexpensive engines that look dramatically better than what was shown in the video. Brean24

Not sure if being serious or just trolling.

Why does everything have to be 3d?

I understand shitty graphics is a requirement for indie development, but what is wrong with 3D graphics? I mean don't get me wrong, the artwork is pretty, but when I'm playing a game I don't want it to look like concept art, I want it to look like a game. This isn't the 1990s. Graphics have advanced dramatically since the dawn of the hack and slash genre, and there are plenty of inexpensive engines that look dramatically better than what was shown in the video. Brean24

I understand shitty graphics is a requirement for indie development, but what is wrong with 3D graphics? I mean don't get me wrong, the artwork is pretty, but when I'm playing a game I don't want it to look like concept art, I want it to look like a game. This isn't the 1990s. Graphics have advanced dramatically since the dawn of the hack and slash genre, and there are plenty of inexpensive engines that look dramatically better than what was shown in the video. Brean24

I think it's one of those things where it's better than nothing. This doesn't really look all that great to me though. I've seen lighting and water effects in 2D console games like this though the console games graphics aren't using dynamic lighting. The techy part about it is they are using dynamic lighting with their game engine in 2D backgrounds which is neat but, isn't that big of a deal. It still looks pretty bland to my eyes.

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"] What is wrong with having a 2D RPG Game with Voice Acting and Cut-Scenes? Answer: nothing. It just adds to the immersion. The Diablo Series always had cut-scenes. Granted, it's more of an action RPG than classic RPG but still "2D".-wildflower-

Do you realize how much voice acting limits a game?  

Compare dialogue choices in something like Planescape to something like Mass Effect or Dragon Age.  It's a HUGE difference.  Voice acting also affects other things, too, and, at least for me, it DETRACTS  from (and I hate this industry Buzzword) immersion way more than it adds.  My imagination is a much better voice-actor than any washed up Hollywood actor could ever hope to be.

Well, I love voice acting. I DO agree that it limits a game... but mostly due to costs.There is a LOT of voice acting to be done by actors.

I also agree imagination is great.... but then WHY have graphics? why have sound? might as well leave it all to the imagination???

I think the voice of a character is just as important as how he/she looks, dresses, acts.

And some games do it fine (ex, The Witcher Series)

Guys, this footage is freakin' pre-alpha.  It looks great for how early in development this game is.  

[QUOTE="kozzy1234"]

[QUOTE="Brean24"] One, the 2d rendering makes it look like it's hand painted, and it give it a visually stunning appearance. Two, it isn't an action RPG, this is going to be a full fledged WRPG.

 

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"]

[QUOTE="-wildflower-"]

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"] What is wrong with having a 2D RPG Game with Voice Acting and Cut-Scenes? Answer: nothing. It just adds to the immersion. The Diablo Series always had cut-scenes. Granted, it's more of an action RPG than classic RPG but still "2D".Brean24

Do you realize how much voice acting limits a game?  

Compare dialogue choices in something like Planescape to something like Mass Effect or Dragon Age.  It's a HUGE difference.  Voice acting also affects other things, too, and, at least for me, it DETRACTS  from (and I hate this industry Buzzword) immersion way more than it adds.  My imagination is a much better voice-actor than any washed up Hollywood actor could ever hope to be.

Well, I love voice acting. I DO agree that it limits a game... but mostly due to costs.There is a LOT of voice acting to be done by actors.

I also agree imagination is great.... but then WHY have graphics? why have sound? might as well leave it all to the imagination???

I think the voice of a character is just as important as how he/she looks, dresses, acts.

And some games do it fine (ex, The Witcher Series)

I think he means that if it wasn't voice acted, there will be a lot more text we can read through which is better for us. If they had to pay for the voice acting, either the writing gets cut down which is the worst thing possible for an RPG, or they run out of $.

Sh*t that looks so awesome. Glad I helped fund this, and will have a copy of the game on release.

Less cool, I just discovered I missed the Torment kickstarter by 4 days...and I totes can afford to pledge now. Lame...

Sh*t that looks so awesome. Glad I helped fund this, and will have a copy of the game on release.

Less cool, I just discovered I missed the Torment kickstarter by 4 days...and I totes can afford to pledge now. Lame...

dommeus

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"]Not trying to be a party pooper or anything, but just because an RPG is in 2D doesn't make it a good RPG, same goes with 3D. The game has to deliver, whether it be 2D or 3D. People see an old style 2D RPG and automatically get a boner like it's the next coming of Jesus.kozzy1234

1. It is Obsidian one of the few true rpg devs left

2. It is very early on, for this early it looks amazing. For Obsidian games I expect great dialogue, characters, fun game and story, things they do very well. Dont really ahve to worry about those things. The thing I was not sure about was how good the game would look, this video early on is very very promising for the graphics/art design aspect. This early on I did not expect these types of things. And Lastly bugs is the only 2nd aspect I was not sure about. One out of my two worries look to be tossed to the side, will have to wait for the other.

Well, I love voice acting. I DO agree that it limits a game... but mostly due to costs.There is a LOT of voice acting to be done by actors.

I also agree imagination is great.... but then WHY have graphics? why have sound? might as well leave it all to the imagination???

I think the voice of a character is just as important as how he/she looks, dresses, acts.

And some games do it fine (ex, The Witcher Series)

FelipeInside

I don't recall The Witcher games having extensive dialogue trees.  

I will (begrudgingly) agree that, in some games and genres, voice acting is fine but in a dialogue heavy RPG it's simply not needed.  It's going to take away WAY more than it adds.

Also, if one wants a fully voiced, action-RPG there are scads of them already available, and I'm sure the big publishing mills will continue to churn them out in the future.  These Kickstarter projects are aiming for a different audience (and a neglected audience at that) so their working with a completely different aesthetic and it's not going to, nor is it meant to, appeal to everyone.  That's a good thing, too.  Trying to paint with too wide of a brush leads to mediocrity and, besides,  it'd be kind of a dull world if we all liked the same things.

I'm not just picking on voice acting either, I feel the same way about people wanting these games to be 3D, too.  

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"]

Well, I love voice acting. I DO agree that it limits a game... but mostly due to costs.There is a LOT of voice acting to be done by actors.

I also agree imagination is great.... but then WHY have graphics? why have sound? might as well leave it all to the imagination???

I think the voice of a character is just as important as how he/she looks, dresses, acts.

And some games do it fine (ex, The Witcher Series)

-wildflower-

I don't recall The Witcher games having extensive dialogue trees.  

I will (begrudgingly) agree that, in some games and genres, voice acting is fine but in a dialogue heavy RPG it's simply not needed.  It's going to take away WAY more than it adds.

Also, if one wants a fully voiced, action-RPG there are scads of them already available, and I'm sure the big publishing mills will continue to churn them out in the future.  These Kickstarter projects are aiming for a different audience (and a neglected audience at that) so their working with a completely different aesthetic and it's not going to, nor is it meant to, appeal to everyone.  That's a good thing, too.  Trying to paint with too wide of a brush leads to mediocrity besides which, it'd be kind of a dull world if we all liked the same things.

I'm not just picking on voice acting either, I feel the same way about people wanting these games to be 3D, too.  

I agree.

I understand that these types of projects are aimed mostly at people with nostalgia for the old RPG 2D Games. Personally I used to be able to read walls of text back in the day, but I guess I'm spoiled now and like my audio. Also, must be my old age but I can't seem to read lots of monitors anymore...

I would actually love to play one of these old style isometric RPGs again, but there are just so many it's confusing.

Guys, this footage is freakin' pre-alpha.  It looks great for how early in development this game is.  

-wildflower-

[QUOTE="-wildflower-"]

Guys, this footage is freakin' pre-alpha.  It looks great for how early in development this game is.  

PernicioEnigma

I was talking more about the shadows and other niggling little issues.  I'm perfectly happy with what they're showing now so it won't matter to me either way.

Wildflower being OPTIMISTIC about an upcoming RPG ??? MY GOD man !!! The END has come !!!FelipeInside

Like I said, watch out for those flying pigs, too.  :twisted:

We have more than enough 3D games in the world. Give me my 2D games like Project Eternity and Transistor. I can't believe it's even a complaint. If you don't like this type of classic, old-school game then why bother coming into the thread to make stupid comments. There's a VERY specific reason why projects like Wasteland 2, Project Eternity, Numera, Divinity: Original Sin are on Kickstarter, and that is why people funded/backed these games.Elann2008

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"]

[QUOTE="Brean24"] Why do you want games to go backwards? There's a lot of 3D games for a reason. 2D is outdated, and it's been so anti-mainstream lately that it's not even underused anymore. Almost every single indie game uses 2D engines apart from a select few. It's 2013, why limit yourself to such a restrictive engine?sleepingzzz

Diablo 3 says hello...

Diablo 3 is not 2D.

It's a combination. It's like the "new" 2D. Call it 2.5D....  proper word would be isometric.

....Hopefully big publishers will take a note and realize that the're is a market for these types of games.Chrome-

No, No, and No.  They'll only fudge it up with endless cut-scenes, voice-acting, color coded but still illusory choices, and other needless window dressings.  Keep the bean-counters out of it.

[QUOTE="Chrome-"] ....Hopefully big publishers will take a note and realize that the're is a market for these types of games.-wildflower-

No, No, and No.  They'll only fudge it up with endless cut-scenes, voice-acting, color coded but still illusory choices, and other needless window dressings.  Keep the bean-counters out of it.

[QUOTE="Elann2008"]We have more than enough 3D games in the world. Give me my 2D games like Project Eternity and Transistor. I can't believe it's even a complaint. If you don't like this type of classic, old-school game then why bother coming into the thread to make stupid comments. There's a VERY specific reason why projects like Wasteland 2, Project Eternity, Numera, Divinity: Original Sin are on Kickstarter, and that is why people funded/backed these games.FelipeInside