Well-Actually War Trall Spidweb Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 I am finally posting some long overdue information about Avernum 6. I was hoping to release screenshots and more detailed plot information next month, but here is a bit of what's been going on. Avernum 6 is in full development, and the demo section is almost done. I still hope to have the Mac version out for Christmas. It will be the last Avernum game. (OK, I think it'd be really neat to do a game about the first days of Avernum, like Avernum: Origins, but not until the far future.) The storyline is the most detailed and twisty of any Avernum game. I think it's really cool. It's definitely very apocalyptic. Much of Avernum is going to be trashed. (Or trashed again.) Many characters will return, and some of them will get the dramatic ends to their stories they deserve. Much of the future of Avernum and its place in the world will be settled. (And, of course, the player will make a real difference in this.) Other things of note: * Every graphic has been redone. All of the icons will be anti-aliased and have shadows, which makes the game look much nicer. It's the prettiest game we've ever done. * I will use and expand upon all interface improvements from Geneforge 5. Being able to play in a window, play at any resolution, etc. * The buffing system will be very similar to Geneforge 5. Haste is weaker now, and you can have fewer buffs overall. Haste potions will be full double actions, though, the sort from the older games. * A bunch of game and system improvements. Dual-wielding weapons is back. The world map will be much more useful, as will quest destination marks on your map. You can see full information about items by mousing over them. (Finally!) * My favorite trio of wizards, Solberg, Lark, and Gladwell, return. As does X. And many other familiar faces. * The game takes place in Avernum. The old Avernum. But, for the first time, you start in the Great Cave. * The final fate of Avernum, it turns out, is something I've been foreshadowing since Exile 2. * Anama, no. Skribbane, yes. And yes, the first hit is free. Hope this information is of interest. - Jeff Vogel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Lilith Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Originally Posted By: Spidweb Dual-wielding weapons is back. Holy Moses, this is either going to be very good or very bad. Quote: * The final fate of Avernum, it turns out, is something I've been foreshadowing since Exile 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Randomizer Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Whoa, lots of improvements and changes. Dual weapons will be interesting compared to pole weapons. Originally Posted By: Spidweb Many characters will return, and some of them will get the dramatic ends to their stories they deserve. Much of the future of Avernum and its place in the world will be settled. (And, of course, the player will make a real difference in this.) - Jeff Vogel Tor is sitting in the Great Cave yelling at the party to get off his lawn and grumbling about getting no respect anymore for being the guy that used to hand out stone daggers to the new Exiles back at Fort Avernum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unflappable Drayk Toby-Linn Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Originally Posted By: Spidweb (OK, I think it'd be really neat to do a game about the first days of Avernum, like Avernum: Origins, but not until the far future.) I agree, that would be very cool. To see how the wizards drove back the monsters and created the moss. Maybe see the Castle under construction? Originally Posted By: Spidweb * A bunch of game and system improvements. Dual-wielding weapons is back. The world map will be much more useful, as will quest destination marks on your map. You can see full information about items by mousing over them. (Finally!) Dual wielding would be cool, interested to see how that works. I love the added functionality of the map, so useful. And mousing over items to see information? That is great! Originally Posted By: Spidweb The final fate of Avernum, it turns out, is something I've been foreshadowing since Exile 2. Wait, Exile 2 and not Avernum 2? Did something happen in Exile that didn't happen in the remake? I wonder if this points to war between the Empire and the Avernites.... This game sounds awesome, and I can't wait to see screenshots. If Spiderweb Software had a pre-ordering system, I would have ordered it already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyshakk Koan Sss-Chah Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 i've always thought that an avernum: origins would be nice. and i'm sure he meant that it wasn't anything that happened in exile that didn't happen in avernum, but he just said exile because it was released long before avernum.\ edit: fixed a grammar error that i just found. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Lilith Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Originally Posted By: Toby-Linn Originally Posted By: Spidweb The final fate of Avernum, it turns out, is something I've been foreshadowing since Exile 2. Wait, Exile 2 and not Avernum 2? Exile 2 was made earlier than Avernum 2. If you were advertising Coca-Cola, you wouldn't say it's been made since 2001 when you could say it's been made since 1886, would you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Alorael at Large Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 The haste idea is very clever. It makes potions useful and valuable, and it keeps that overpowered haste for when you absolutely need to be overpowered. —Alorael, who sees no need for sad faces. Jeff is enthusiastic about his game, and it will end things with a bang. It will be pretty. It will be nifty. It could conceivably be terrible, but it sure sounds like Jeff is working very hard at making it awesome instead. His track record is fairly good at pulling this sort of thing off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ineffable Wingbolt Rent-an-Ihrno Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Great, just great! It really sounds like A6 is going the way I'm hoping for. I'm particularly happy to hear about the apocalyptic climax and some of the back-to-the-roots-stuff. I wonder what dual-weilding will do to Battle Disciplines? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyshakk Koan Darkdread Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 I just hope all the cool new improvements are friendly to old machines running Windows (like mine) and that we do not need to wait for patches or versions 1.0.2 to run it properly :s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Slawbug Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 So, as Elohi-Bok said, competition for resources in the caves leads to some kind of ultimate power struggle. IIRC that was the only apocalyptic lead given in Exile 2, that wasn't given in Exile 1. The Olgai tribe is supposedly asleep, so either we have more Rentar followers (NO.) or another Vahnatai tribe. (Presumably the Darkside Loyalists get in on the fun as well.) Demons, mages, dragons, sliths, nephils, and the Empire are all out -- I don't think there were any real additions on those fronts, as far as apocalyptics go, in Exile 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk nikki. Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Originally Posted By: Spidweb * The game takes place in Avernum. The old Avernum. But, for the first time, you start in the Great Cave. <3s. I suppose at this point it's too much to ask for an outdoors, too, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrulous Glaahk Lord Bob Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Looking forward to it. Although Avernum 3 called, and it wants the phrase "last Avernum game" back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curious Artila jORDO Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Maybe the portals all become unstable like the "Destroy the Empire Portal" situation in E2. They are all going crazy and you have tho first take the Onyx Scepter to all of them as your first main mission. Bad things come through. Mayhem ensues. Any way one slices it, I am REALLY glad to know that duals are back. I was never sure if it would get another go round. I hope the selection of shields and the almost certain -to hit% makes the choice to double up a difficult one. Can't wait to sink my teeth into the demo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ineffable Wingbolt Øther Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 I hope the traveling system isn't like G5. It was okay, but I always prefered Avernum 5 portals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Dikiyoba Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 The Geneforge traveling system and the new Avernum traveling system have always been different. Dikiyoba doubts it would change now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrulous Glaahk Silver Shadow Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 *Every* graphic was redone? Did Jeff hire a graphics designer? 'Cause man, that's a lot of work... If there was a pre-ordering system, there would be one more copy sold already. As it is, I'm having trouble trying not to buy A1-3 and making myself broke. >_> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Randomizer Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 I was wondering about upgrading graphics since this is that last of the series. Maybe Jeff plans an upgrade of the older Avernum games to the new graphics and game engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrulous Glaahk Untamed Banana Slug Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 I think it's sort of obvious that Avernum 6 will likely revolve around open conflict over resources in Avernum. Not only was this a touchy issue in Avernum 5, it's inevitable that people are going to have to eventually fight over the finite amount of space and resources in the underworld. It just raises the question: Who would the Empire support if Avernum was attacked? Obviously the Vahnatai are out, but Dorikas (if he lives) might not want to support traitors to the Empire either. He'd probably just sit back and enjoy the show. On the other hand, the Vahnatai don't exactly have a rosy history with the Empire, so allowing them to gain more power might not be a good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curious Artila rampancy Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Originally Posted By: Spidweb It's definitely very apocalyptic. Much of Avernum is going to be trashed. (Or trashed again.) Doesn't Avernum get trashed in pretty much every Avernum game? Quote: * My favorite trio of wizards, Solberg, Lark, and Gladwell, return. As does X. And many other familiar faces. I've been dying to know if X finally got his anvil spell finished... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Locmaar Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Originally Posted By: Solimpsest So, as Elohi-Bok said, competition for resources in the caves leads to some kind of ultimate power struggle. IIRC that was the only apocalyptic lead given in Exile 2, that wasn't given in Exile 1. The Olgai tribe is supposedly asleep, so either we have more Rentar followers (NO.) or another Vahnatai tribe. (Presumably the Darkside Loyalists get in on the fun as well.) I have no trouble with people still following Rentar, as long as their role is no more prominent than the Mad Monks' from Exile/Avernum 3. But it's a pretty safe bet to assume, that the Vahnatai are fed up with humans and the lot intruding on their homeland and farming their mushroom. From all we've seen in Avernum 5 the caves just aren't big enough for everybody. It's gonna be so much fun - I just know it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Well-Actually War Trall Acky Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Originally Posted By: The MAN * I will use and expand upon all interface improvements from Geneforge 5. Being able to play in a window, play at any resolution, etc. Originally Posted By: The MAN * The buffing system will be very similar to Geneforge 5. Haste is weaker now, and you can have fewer buffs overall. Haste potions will be full double actions, though, the sort from the older games. Sweet Quote: *As does X. I'm waiting on that anvil spell. Quote: * The game takes place in Avernum. The old Avernum. But, for the first time, you start in the Great Cave. Nice change of pace. Quote: * Anama, no. Skribbane, yes. And yes, the first hit is free. Yeah for Skribbane! I'm actually a little surprised the Anama will not be returning in this game. I had gotten the feeling that they were forshadowing to become a major influence in the next game. Oh well. So, what about the cave cows? You promised in the Avernum 5 hype thread that they'd return. The Last Archon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Understated Ur-Drakon Earth Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Gladwell returns? As a some sorta undead (like Garzahd or what it was) or "normal" living person? If latter then either killing him wasn't canon or he is way better mage than we knew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast VCH Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 So the lower cave's inhabitants are gonna finally kick out the squatters hmm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Randomizer Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 From the instructions for Avernum 6: X's Falling Anvil (Min. Mage Spells skill 17, Costs 25 spell energy) - The most powerful attack spell available to mages. It strikes foes in a circular area with an intense physical blow. As you gain more skill with this spell, the damage increases. Effect: Does 30 damage plus 1-6 points per point of spell strength to all foes in the circle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Well-Actually War Trall Acky Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 Edit: I'm sorry The Last Archon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast *i Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 Ackrovan, please watch your language. That is inappropriate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Well-Actually War Trall Rowen Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 Do we get any new playable races? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrulous Glaahk lampshade Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 Although when I was young I used to have a Vahnatai PC, I don't think there should be anymore new races. I prefer the Human, Nephil, and Slith trifecta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Randomizer Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 From Jeff's blog in the comments section: Yes. I will finally address X's magical ambitions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenderfoot Thahd Clawbo Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 OK, OK, I'll admit. I haven't read all of the responses, but the thing I would like to see is a new and better engine. No offence, but the new engine has too stiff animations, I simply don't like it. The best engine, in my opinion, is the one from Avernum 3, so I think it'll be either that or a brand new one. And AFTER Avernum 6, I belive Avernum Online is the way to go. I would join the SECOND it would be out. I don't think It's just me, I bet other people would be thrilled to get in. @lampsahde I don't think a new playable race would hurt us. HINT: Vahnahtai Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasoned Roamer Steel Maverick Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 This sounds very exciting. Especially the return of dual wielding. I hope it'll make my melee weapon user as powerful as my pole arm user. I also hope Jeff will bring back some old weapon types like maces, flails and crossbows just to add that final dimension to the game. Comboing your Frozen Blade with the Oozing blade etc, should be intersting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Articulate Vlish feline monstrosity Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 This sounds like it is going to be soooooo epic! I simply can't wait! I think the two things Id most like to see in the game are: 1. the ability to roam free in world and just ignore the plot for a bit (like Avernums 1 and 2, and 3 except of course that stuff changed if you messed around for too long in 3). I missed being able to do that in A5 and while the linearity of it was good it didnt feel like clasic Avernum gameplay. and 2. I hope it feels as epic as it sounds like it's going to be. A lot of people complained when Jeff updated the engine for A4 that without the "outside" Avernum didn't feel as big and epic anymore. I kind of agree and I hope this is addressed in A6 since it'll be set in the same caves. All the same whatever Jeff does it's bound to be a great game. Can't wait for the screenshots next month!!! P.S Avernum Online has been discussed before I'm sure. Although lots of people would love to play it it'll never happen. Shame really. I think Jeff should sell the Avernum rights when he retires so someone else can do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Soul of Wit Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 I am tingly with excitement... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Randomizer Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 Originally Posted By: feline monstrosity P.S Avernum Online has been discussed before I'm sure. Although lots of people would love to play it it'll never happen. Shame really. I think Jeff should sell the Avernum rights when he retires so someone else can do it. I think this has been partially addressed in Jeff's blog. He doesn't know how to code to convert the game successfully to online format. No one wants to buy him out to sell the game rights to would do it online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Articulate Vlish feline monstrosity Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 Originally Posted By: Randomizer No one wants to buy him out to sell the game rights to would do it online. What? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast *i Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 To clarify, no one wants to pay a fair amount for the rights to Jeff's games. If they did, they would then have the ability to make an online version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyshakk Koan Abhishek Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 PC requirement? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Student of Trinity Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 A bit more patience than for Mac. I'm not sure exactly what you're asking, Abhishek, but I expect that the hardware requirements for A6 will be very modest, despite the upgraded graphics. And the game will be ported to PC a few months after it comes out for Mac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Randomizer Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 PC requirements will probably be the same as for Geneforge 5. Jeff hasn't said whether he is using OpenGL or staying with DirectX for graphics. After all the complaints with Geneforge 5, Jeff will probably hold off on making major changes that prevent it's use on older computers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasoned Roamer Reve Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 So Erika is back as a Crystal Soul then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyshakk Koan Abhishek Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Wish you are correct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Understated Ur-Drakon Earth Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Originally Posted By: Reve So Erika is back as a Crystal Soul then? No, she'll be back as ghoust. If she wants money or items for her services no idea why and where she puts those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasoned Roamer Reve Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 I think, in all the games, Erika was the person I missed when she died the most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Understated Ur-Drakon Celtic Minstrel Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Whoa, completely missed this. I just have to say that I'd love to see an Avernum: Origins! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Alorael at Large Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 It would be a survival horror RPG. I'd play it. —Alorael, who envisions it as one very long Dark Waters, possibly with some Drake Pillars thrown in. It could be an excellent game along the lines of Za-Khazi done right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast The Mystic Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 Originally Posted By: Reve I think, in all the games, Erika was the person I missed when she died the most. How exactly does somebody die the most? I thought that when you're dead, you're dead. Originally Posted By: Celtic Minstrel I just have to say that I'd love to see an Avernum: Origins! Yes, it would be interesting to see. I'd like to see the Empire's original expedition in Avernum, or maybe Hawthorme's rise to power, or the political struggle that got Solberg, Erika, X, etc. sent down to the caves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Feo Takahari Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 Originally Posted By: Fin de siècle It would be a survival horror RPG. I'd play it. The most likely interpretation of your remark is that you're joking about such an unlikely combination of genres. If you have in fact heard of Sweet Home, the RPG that TV Tropes claims was also the first survival horror game, good on you for your knowledge and your reference. Myself, just from what TV Tropes has to say about the game, I suspect those genres should never be combined again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Randomizer Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 I could see for Avernum: Origins starting out as assistants to the great wizards: Solberg, Patrick, Erika, X, Rone, Aimee, ... and finding out that it means doing meaningless tasks of finding ingredients and pest control. Eventually it could lead up to the assaults on Grah-Hoth's fortresses and his imprisonment. The First Expedition could be fun. Try to survive getting caught up in the deaths of various members in the Metris Spiral, and all those other places where you find the bodies in Avernum 1. If you find a route back to the surface you win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk nikki. Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 Originally Posted By: Randomizer If you find a route back to the surface you win. At least there wouldn't be that god-awful gauntlet to get through first, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Alorael at Large Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 I've heard of Sweet Home, but I don't think a survival horror RPG would necessarily be bad. Just very different in all ways from survival horror FPS games and the like. More H. P. Lovecraft, less splatter. —Alorael, who thinks that in Avernum in particular the emphasis would have to be on hardscrabble survival rather than horror. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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