Hi BWrangler and Co,
I have searched through the forums for a similar topic to this but it eludes me, if there is one at all (and feel free to dump this into the 'questions' thread if you see fit).
I was wondering if we could get a little info regarding the lore that the game/s are based on. Even at the fundamental level games like the Warcraft franchise strive to be built upon a base of lore and storytelling, and I know that you have mentioned the fact that Eschalon harks from a tabletop background (or something similar).
Anyway, what I mean to ask is if there is a stockpile of lore surrounding the game that the users can immerse themselves in while outside of the game world, via the website or some sort of published fiction (a super big ask). I assume that any RPG worth it's weight in salted gully dwarves would have to have begun as a story, so something like an event timeline or a short story section on the website. A world map would be even better! Nothing get's me riled up to play a game more than a world map!
Anyway just food for thinking upon!
Cheers.
Eschalon Lore - Storytellin' n' all that.
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Riverstone
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Eschalon Lore - Storytellin' n' all that.
Siglature! Blessed Sartan!
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BasiliskWrangler
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Riverstone: we did address this very early in development and had mentioned it in a few interviews, but it's probably a good idea for us to reiterate here our thoughts on game lore and storyline...
The storyline of Eschalon involves your character waking up with amnesia. He remembers nothing of his past or even where he is at. Thus, the excitement of playing the game partially centers around you, the player, learning of this world along with your on-screen character.
Instead of us giving you a world map, the first thing you'll want to do when you begin is try to locate one inside the game world. Want to know some lore? Talk to people, and read books that you find. The basic idea is this: rather than flood the player with torrents of lore and game information before it is released, we want players to approach the game with a sense of mystery and curiousness. Exploration and discovery are a big piece of Eschalon's gameplay.
Having said that, this is really what we are doing right now in development: adding lore and map content, reviewing all quests and dialogue, and verifying story integrity even if the player strays from the main plotline path.
I will confirm with you that Eschalon draws heavy influence from years of PnP role-playing, and equally as much from classic computer RPGs from the mid 80's through the mid 90's. Although people have drawn similarities, I would never really compare ourselves to any modern RPG. There have been so few RPGs in the last 10 years that have been inspirational to us that we rarely look to them for ideas.
The storyline of Eschalon involves your character waking up with amnesia. He remembers nothing of his past or even where he is at. Thus, the excitement of playing the game partially centers around you, the player, learning of this world along with your on-screen character.
Instead of us giving you a world map, the first thing you'll want to do when you begin is try to locate one inside the game world. Want to know some lore? Talk to people, and read books that you find. The basic idea is this: rather than flood the player with torrents of lore and game information before it is released, we want players to approach the game with a sense of mystery and curiousness. Exploration and discovery are a big piece of Eschalon's gameplay.
Having said that, this is really what we are doing right now in development: adding lore and map content, reviewing all quests and dialogue, and verifying story integrity even if the player strays from the main plotline path.
I will confirm with you that Eschalon draws heavy influence from years of PnP role-playing, and equally as much from classic computer RPGs from the mid 80's through the mid 90's. Although people have drawn similarities, I would never really compare ourselves to any modern RPG. There have been so few RPGs in the last 10 years that have been inspirational to us that we rarely look to them for ideas.
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Riverstone
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Ahh yes.. of course.. this is the start of the Eschalon journey, so naturally exploration and introductions are the key! Great! I should have realised this because it has indeed been mentioned many times in interviews etc. I love the fact that you have made this 'blank canvas' approach central to the game and look forward to the revelations.
It was a little silly of me to bring up the Warcraft example, not only for that simple fact that it is a very commercial product, but also because the current plethora of paperback novels and game content updates are based on years of previous installments of the franchise (although I have to admit I am quite fond of the characters and universe they have developed). With the advancement through Books 1, 2 and 3 there's plenty of time to fill out the Eschalon story in our minds, and I feel rather excited an honoured to be here at the beginning =)
Speaking of 'camparisons', I am currrently 2 and a half books deep in Ramond E. Fiest's original works, having skipped them for some reason for many years, and can't help thinking about the way his worlds began life as gaming elements. Perhaps one day yourself or some other enthusiastic writer will pen the Eschalon tales.. hehe. This whistful notion also makes me happy to be here at the beginning.. err.. no pressure of course =).
It was a little silly of me to bring up the Warcraft example, not only for that simple fact that it is a very commercial product, but also because the current plethora of paperback novels and game content updates are based on years of previous installments of the franchise (although I have to admit I am quite fond of the characters and universe they have developed). With the advancement through Books 1, 2 and 3 there's plenty of time to fill out the Eschalon story in our minds, and I feel rather excited an honoured to be here at the beginning =)
Speaking of 'camparisons', I am currrently 2 and a half books deep in Ramond E. Fiest's original works, having skipped them for some reason for many years, and can't help thinking about the way his worlds began life as gaming elements. Perhaps one day yourself or some other enthusiastic writer will pen the Eschalon tales.. hehe. This whistful notion also makes me happy to be here at the beginning.. err.. no pressure of course =).
Siglature! Blessed Sartan!
I think that Eschalon might want to create something like an RP-- Roleplaying Forum once the game gets going. I know its stupid a lot of the time. Even having the option to post fan fiction or fan drawings if you can tolerate it could be very interesting. As long as it is moderated, it could add to the game. The objective would be to add to the games involvement. The focus would be more on creating an original world.
I am Myt where's the cheese dip.