What type of engine for Book II

[Samsword]

I think I like number one. I would like to keep this game pretty much similar to the way it is, with lots of new tweaks of course!

One thing though: I play RPGs, mostly for the storylines, so I would like to see other solid characters beside your own, that you interact with a lot. And I think it would be way cool to have "Escort so-and-so Quests" Where you don't necessarily play other characters, but there are quests that an NPC will follow you or something.

(It could also allow for summoning creature spells. Your creatures have their own AI, but will fight for you and follow you.)

That way you only have to focus on your character, but it also allows for great character interaction and what not.

[kingdelmi]

I voted for number one. I think that main thing is a creative approach and game balance. Book I engine is quite good. I think that it is better to developer to spend time on the creative design and scenario than to make a new "cool" engine. Many recent games have a "very cool" engines but nothing else.

[jape]

I think eschalon should stay single player.

Dont get me wrong, i have absolutely nothing against party based games (adds lots of tactics for turn based combat if party is used), but eschalon was single player game and book 2 should be too.

Nothing wrong with doing new engine though (you could use it in different game brand with party).

EDIT: IF you guys ever do party based game, dont create watered down combat in it. Take a long look at x-com combat system (lots of tactics) when designing it. Theres absolutely no point of doing party based game, if it does not add anything into the game.

EDIT: second big reason why i chose option 1 is because developing new engine adds quite a lot of development time. Eschalon was a good game in its current form. It just needs more of pretty much everything (quests, spells, traps, monsters, bit more UI design (spellbook sucks), and so on...). I want Book 2 asap, not in 4 years after new engine is done :p

[Krafen]

I went with option 1.

I like the current engine. There are many little things to improve, of course, but this forum is full of suggestions so I won't go into them here. It has a nostalgic feel I enjoyed and it looks good. A Wiz8-style engine could be great, but I suggest getting a bit more mileage out of the current engine first.

Party-based games can be a lot of fun. One advantage to single-character games, though, is they are more conducive to a detailed story about the character. For me, the developing story, the twists and surprises, those are what really draw me in and make a game great.

[Roland]

I went with option 1.

I like the current engine. There are many little things to improve, of course, but this forum is full of suggestions so I won't go into them here. It has a nostalgic feel I enjoyed and it looks good. A Wiz8-style engine could be great, but I suggest getting a bit more mileage out of the current engine first.

Party-based games can be a lot of fun. One advantage to single-character games, though, is they are more conducive to a detailed story about the character. For me, the developing story, the twists and surprises, those are what really draw me in and make a game great.

Basically said all I would of said

So a vote for #1 for me as well.

Though I'd like to see a game (another series?) done with #3 as well at some point too.

But just to clarify and make sure I'm thinking of #3 the right way...wasn't Wiz8 done completely from a first-person point of view?

I don't remember seeing any isometric shots of that game. So if that's the case would you be able to shift from char to char and view the game environment and play "as" different characters in your party?

Just wondering?

But again, my first choice would be an improved version of Book1 engine and a bit larger world to explore and higher rez (1280x1024 would be my ideal heh)

Thx for all the hard work and a very fun game!

Regards & Good Hunting All

[JMAN123]

Option 1:

The current style that Eschalon: Book 1 puts forth is a solo rpg with a nice unique style that I feel has not been seen in quite some time. Changing the resolution is obviously a clear plus, but changing the game format is something entirely different. This being the case, I feel that sticking to the successful style that the first one entails in a solo party format is the way to go.

I do think though, that the addition of other semi-useful PC's that could assist you for a period time in the game (say, assisting a scout back to his encampment as you and he fight off some rouge warriors on the trip).

[Ikarius]

Hrmm.
Personally... I suspect the best idea is to keep Book II and III solo, and move to party-based for the next series. There's going to be a next series, right?

As far as the party based, I'd *kill* to see party based done isometric, but where you explore with a single character, and expand to turn-based party combat on battlefields based on where you're at. Think ultima IV or V, or the gold box games- isometrical though.

--Ikarius

[Corbeau_1945]

i've voted for second option. party is a great idea.

of course third option is good, i love Might and Magic collection(my preffered is M&M6 : the mandate of Heaven)

[csharp0]

which option pertains to the phantasy star games that was on sega (i think). i love eschalon book I, but also like the old phantasy star games in that you had other characters fight along side. the only drawback was that the characters were predetermined, you just had to find them and add them to your team. i would like to have control over the team. sorry i went off subject.

if having a team makes the engine from book I too different i would just say stick with what you have which is a fantastic game. thank you for developing it.

[BasiliskWrangler]

I am going to unsticky this topic. The decision has been made to go with Option #1.

Thanks for everyone's responses. They really have helped decide the fate of the not only Book II but the Eschalon series in general. I feel comfortable in saying that we will keep Book III a "solo-character isometric" game as well. It just feels right for keeping the integrity and continuity of the series.

Party-based mechanics and a different graphic engine will be used in other games. I hope to have an announcement about our next game outside of the Eschalon series before the end of 2008.

[Jaesun]

Party-based mechanics and a different graphic engine will be used in other games. I hope to have an announcement about our next game outside of the Eschalon series before the end of 2008.

Awesome! I am soooo looking forward to Book II and the "Other" game. Yay!

[Saxon1974]

Great, I am excited for both of these things to happen!

[Sslaxx]

Party-based mechanics and a different graphic engine will be used in other games. I hope to have an announcement about our next game outside of the Eschalon series before the end of 2008.

Looking forward to seeing what you're doing with that - I really enjoyed Wiz8, and a game similar in style to that one would make my gaming day!

[binger]

Even tough both Wizardry 8 and Dungeon Master are among my most favourite RPGs, i voted for option #1.

Please keep the engine!

I have nothing against party-based roleplaying (see above), but I had lots of fun with book 1 and want book 2 to be the more of the same, just a little more refined. The same should apply for the last part of the trilogy.

After that (or, if manpower allows, in the meantime), I'd love to see Basilisk Games make a party-based RPG with a whole new engine.

Edit: Just read the post from April 23rd concerning the decision to stick with the engine & creating another game, so I could've just kept my mouth shut.

[recluse]

Gosh, that's a tough call. I like either a solo or a party. I'm sure it will be great either way.