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Republique Kickstarter by Ryan Payton - NOW FOR PC AND MAC! [Ended, $555K funded]
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Zeouterlimits
Member
BlackBerry confirmed.
MrCunningham
Member
Femmeworth
Banned
Come on guys, obviously they are going to announce Linux support.
Dreams-Visions
Member
awwww shit
Haunted
Member
Sounds good. There's no shame in adapting a different strategy if the initial pitch didn't connect optimally.
Ignis Fatuus
Banned
Fuck. Yes.
I only hope there's still enough time left to make the goal once the word gets out. In this case it might even be a smart idea to cancel the current Kickstarter and start a new one in a week after announcing new platforms.
Dog Problems
Banned
Whatever happens, whether it's starting a new Kickstarter or pushing this one on, I hope the rewards stay the same.
I've had my eye on that journal and book.
Ignis Fatuus
Banned
Video update on Kickstarter, this was filmed last week so I assume it's not the one Ryan is talking about up there.
Watching now...
They'll be providing new images of the rewards, very good. That's something that I think really benefited The Banner Saga.
And future version retooled for PC and Mac sort of confirmed? I assume this will be clarified later and put front and center.
lol @ Vita.
Watching now...
They'll be providing new images of the rewards, very good. That's something that I think really benefited The Banner Saga.
And future version retooled for PC and Mac sort of confirmed? I assume this will be clarified later and put front and center.
lol @ Vita.
I have to be a buzzkill and agree with this. I'm doubtful that $500K is feasible regardless of the platform.
LiquidMetal14
hide your water-based mammals
Would buy in for a Vita version but it seems like a long shot.
Gouda Jouji
Member
Excited to hear about a potential PC version.
It'll be a damn shame if this doesn't make it though... Ryan, can't you get your old buddy Hideo to help you out?
It'll be a damn shame if this doesn't make it though... Ryan, can't you get your old buddy Hideo to help you out?
somebody who wrote it specifically for iOS devices? not sure whats so hard to comprehend about it bro.
You can design a game, its gameplay mechanics and such for a specific device but not the story. A story is not device-specific.
VariantX04
Loser slave of the system :(
a story can be device-specific if the writer takes into the account how the player interacts with the game.
The_Darkest_Red
Member
Yep, that's it. If you go in with the mentality that the story and "game" elements of a game are completely separate then I could understand why you would find the statement in question to be a bit pretentious. However, that's not how you should look at it because that doesn't appear to be how the team is looking at it. Ideally, the story in a game should be an integrated part of the total experience, not something completely separate. Journey is a good example of this. In that way a story can be shaped around how a player interacts with the game, at least to some extent.
In other news, I'm ready to come out and say this kickstarter has no chance of success without a platform change (and even then I'm skeptical).
It is a lofty goal, regardless. But I know there have to be some people like me who don't own iOS devices but really want to play the game. This would be the first KS I throw down for if it came to a device I own (PC, Android, PS3, etc.).
Even if that was true, there's a big range of devices that feature the same user input interface as iOS.
Of course, there's also an issue of it being a good story in any way whatsoever if it's a huge deal if you swipe a touch screen or a mouse. For me it sounds like "this book is on good if read on Kindle".
Visualante2
Member
How a story is delivered, is intrinsically linked to the story itself. If it's a different device, medium then you're talking about a different story ultimately. Maybe they worded it poorly, but I can see where they're coming from. I still don't think this'll get funded.
I'd understand all these sentiments if iOS was the only platform with touch input.
Ignis Fatuus
Banned
Visualante2
Member
It's a portable, with a particular screen format, probably played in a specific setting for specific periods of times. These are all considered when you design a game. In the same way a graphic novelist would, compared to any other visual storyteller.
mescalineeyes
Banned
"We're sticking to our guns."
is what I really want from this.
Well that and VITA support. COME ON.
Kickstarter page:
From the media we've seen, it looks like the game and story revolves around the player's direct relationship with Hope. So because the player is communicating using the phone, and helping Hope with the touch screen, it means the story is designed around that interface.
Although I think you're taking conflict with the fact that it's iOS platform. I agree it could work on Andriod, although I'm guessing the fragmented audience is an issue for Camoflaj.
I will admit I did not notice and I applaud them for actually evaluating other platforms.
Same can be said about Android (maybe excluding the screen size) and Vita and 3DS (though the touchscreen here is a bit different, I admit).
What if it's part of the story that the player is using a phone? That writes off PC and consoles immediately (though I appreciate they're not touch devices, and isn't directly linked to your point). Now, onto touch devices specifically:
I guess Vita is acceptable, inasmuch as you could imagine the Vita as a smartphone as much as you could imagine the sideways-positioned DS as a book in Hotel Dusk. But getting stuff on Vita is pretty much Sony's call as much as Camouflaj's at this point. Plus I don't even know if Unity can compile for Vita just yet...
Android brings up its own host of problems, namely device diversity (isn't it more diverse in terms of hardware standards than PC?) plus piracy is pretty bad on it. I can see why the Camouflaj folks are reluctant to release the game for that platform, considering it probably wouldn't be worth the effort in terms of returns.
They're aiming for phones because thats how Hope communicates with the player, I think. I talk, text, email through my phone, not my videogame consoles.
I think it's good that they want to adapt the game if it were to come to other consoles, especially because in today's industry most people would take it how it is, but vague answers of commitment really don't mean anything.
From what it sounds like, the text and dialogue of the game are both specifically tailored around the idea that the player is holding a phone or tablet device. It's very interesting as it might be among the few games that actually treats the player as a "player" (to use theatre lingo); there is no avatar.
I think this could be adapted fairly easily for something like a Vita -- maybe change a few words here and there -- but to bring the game to PC would be an endeavour. It's hard to know just how much would need to be altered, but if what RP says is true, they are in pretty deep here.
I think this could be adapted fairly easily for something like a Vita -- maybe change a few words here and there -- but to bring the game to PC would be an endeavour. It's hard to know just how much would need to be altered, but if what RP says is true, they are in pretty deep here.
The game will be playable on iPad, won't it? Unless it requires actual phone functionality or maybe GPS there's no reason it can't be on other devices.
For example there are games that go for an old school approach apply filters to simulate the CRT TV look on high definition displays - the developers of these games didn't refuse to make them for anything that's not an old school arcade machine. No reason you can't emulate a phone screen on a PC, or let players feel like they're talking over the phone on an iPod Touch or Vita. It's a game.
I see your point, I guess. I still think PC/Mac/console isn't ideal due to the lack of touch. Anything with a large or widescreen touch display (such as a phone, tablet, Vita) seems like a good fit, though. Having it on iPad certainly deconstructs the "phone only" argument, but then I suppose you could argue that people would play the iPhone version on their tablet anyway, so they may as well make it Universal and let the people who would play it on iPad anyway utilise the game full screen, instead of being a blurry zoomed-in mess.
But honestly, I'm really not opposed to this game being on other platforms. If Camouflaj find a way to make it work on one platform or another, cool. The game looks ace, and if it turns out as well as I'd hope, I'd want as many people as possible to play it. If it does go multiplat I'd get the superior version, whatever that is.
Somehow I get a feeling this game will require a lot more suspension of disbelief from its actual story (setting & plot) than pretending my PC is a phone ever would.
I don't know. We've probably seen about 30 seconds of footage and a few paragraphs of the premises. It's hard to make any strong assumptions at this point.
HamPster PamPster
Member
Ryan talked on Weekend Confirmed how since the platform is a phone they wanted the game to start off with you receiving a phone call from Hope and to make the game centered on using a phone. But its not like I've never received a phone call in a game before. I've picked up plenty of calls before; I don't think making the call go to my actual phone adds anything to the story (if anything it adds an extra layer of cheese making the whole thing harder to take seriously)
I understand, but don't agree with the story only working on iOS. Instead of me playing a game on my phone, on the PC (or wherever) I would just play a guy playing a game on his phone. I don't think that extra level of abstraction takes anything away
If anything it could actually improve the story because I know what my phone does and how it works and the moment the game challenges that knowledge my immersion will be broken. Using some fake phone interface on a different device sidesteps this problem IMO
Anyway I hope the game pulls through in the end. I have an ipod touch but rarely play games on it, in part because few games appeal to my tastes
I understand, but don't agree with the story only working on iOS. Instead of me playing a game on my phone, on the PC (or wherever) I would just play a guy playing a game on his phone. I don't think that extra level of abstraction takes anything away
If anything it could actually improve the story because I know what my phone does and how it works and the moment the game challenges that knowledge my immersion will be broken. Using some fake phone interface on a different device sidesteps this problem IMO
Anyway I hope the game pulls through in the end. I have an ipod touch but rarely play games on it, in part because few games appeal to my tastes
diffusionx
Gold Member
It's not the starting point for any game. The fact that they proudly proclaim it is from "Camouflaj + Logan" was my first tip-off, because I was like, "who the fuck is Camouflaj + Logan"? Then I learned it was from Ryan Payton, and I see no reason to care. I am sure he is a nice guy, but his name on a game isn't drawing me to it.
Epic did Infinity Blade and brought a lot of attention to iOS because they are Epic and have been making cool games for almost two decades. Not because they said they would do a AAA game if, you know, you chip in half of it and here's a CG video and a bunch of preorder junk. They just did it. And let's be honest here, there's a gulf between Epic and Camouflaj + Logan as wide as the ocean.
Infinity Blade was made by the core team that made Advent Rising. Just so you know. While technically, a subsidiary of Epic, it's still a team most people before Shadow Complex were unaware of.
New interview on Gamezone. It sounds like they can get funding from outside sources but will give up IP ownership:
http://www.gamezone.com/editorials/...uncovers-the-aaa-ios-experience-of-republique
http://www.gamezone.com/editorials/...uncovers-the-aaa-ios-experience-of-republique
Ryan Payton said:
B_Rik_Schitthaus
Banned
Maybe they have a fake IOS interface in the game, where you go for email and to search mini websits, that would be a little awkward if brought onto PC.
Not sure what the issue here is. If you want to make the best game possible, you need to design and write specifically for the platforms you're targeting, wouldn't you agree?
No promises, but the team is working on a new gameplay space that we're thinking of showing off before our Kickstarter campaign ends. It won't be rated up, but should give you guys a much better idea of the moment-to-moment.
Ignis Fatuus
Banned
I think people are interpreting it as "I am writing something that can only work on iOS" instead of "I am targeting iOS, therefore I wrote a story that would suit it."
By the way, have you heard back from the podcast?
Are you sure about that? Is HL2 not amongst the best games on 360 despite being designed for a wholly different control interface?
There are design decisions which resonate with the player regardless of the interface. Canabalt is amongst the best games on iOS, and it's equally good on PSP and PS3.
I agree, but a story is good or bad regardless of the platform. If I take Planescape: Torment and make it a text adventure on the PC Engine, the story will be just as good, the other elements that make it a fantastic will be what's missing, not the story.
I must be just a regular gaming message board user to you, and that's true, but perhaps you should listen to experienced people.
Maybe, you think, you shouldn't take what some developers say as the word of God. Seriously, everyone's different. It's nice to listen to what others have to offer, but if you fundamentally disagree don't expect them to break down and admit faults where there are none. It's completely subjective, and everyone tries different things. For some, focus is on the fun factor, for others the storytelling or emotion, for others the universe, world setting, or symbolism. It doesn't matter. Each contributes to their craft and you shouldn't ask for an artist to do something they don't want to do. Just saying, you know, respect and all that...
BTW: For what it's worth, from what we've seen so far, if I was in charge I'd try to port it to Vita and the 3DS at the very least as well, but I'm not in charge. It's their call. If they think they need the iOS for some reason or another, that's their call. Even if it was for other systems though, I don't know if anything would even change. They'd probably still have a hard time getting funding. Sadly. Great game idea!
Alexios
Cores, shaders and BIOS oh my!
If that's it then all they'd really need to do is reskin it into a faux desktop a la Uplink. Replace calling with a Skype-like app, have e-mail or messenger apps, etc. It'd all be superficial differences. Anything an iThing can do (and more), a PC can do. Even be on the go, if it's a laptop, though I somehow doubt the scope of the game includes it knowing if you're still at home or on a train, and even if it does, well, you might never be on a train while playing even if you do get it on iOS...