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Torment: Tides of Numenera Kickstarter by InXile [Complete; $4.3 million funded]
- Thread starter Perkel
- Start date
Yes it is, the "Toy" sounds interesting.
I wish the busts were cheaper. Oh well, that is the only physical award I particularly care for.
The new video was great, btw. Love the concept of the companions
feeling your pain
A good approximate rule of thumb is that Paypal seems to tend to be about 1-2% of the KS total at any given time.
Brother None
Member
No idea! Haha. We're approaching one week left when you usually start upcurving slightly, but why today has been more active, I'm not sure. PE did give us another nice shoutout, plus I guess a lot of people are getting their wages today, and our tier/add-on expansions seem to be going over well, so maybe it's a combination of all that.
Brother None
Member
ElectricThunder
Member
Rather randomly, but has there been any words on the range being sought after on the music aside from the stretch goal that landed some orchestra use? As in, given the unusual setting, is there any hope for the likes of synths or even some FM Synth action coming out to join the otherworldly party?
Given the samples we've already heard, I'd imagine it'll be a combination of orchestra and electronics.
Thats a freaky looking sea monster thingy. And how are we supposed to navigate underwater?
I guess you walk around inside the worm creature-like thingie. I wonder if you start at the tower and then proceed to explore the rest of the labyrinth, or the other way around
Never ceases to surprise. I'm really curious how many levels you had in mind when doing that artwork. x)
Brother None
Member
18.
Haha.
Nah seriously, it's a fun creative process but we're basically building it up off the cuff. As such, I wouldn't take it as a literal presentation of how it plays out in the game. For instance, the presence of the jungle may only be seen through text or not at all, and perhaps most time is spent in the central labyrinth? That kind of stuff is really subject to change, and especially the size of it shouldn't be taken as representing literal level size. It is all based on real ideas we have for the place, and we will implement fathoms, it may just not all quite be what shown. But that should be understandable, since we're only just in pre-production.
AstroZombie
Banned
I sure hope mrs. Wilson's and Kickstarter's shenanigans do not hurt this project(or Divinity).
Brother None
Member
I got a few notes from people dropping pledges or switching to PayPal for it, which seems fair enough to me. Don't think it's major enough to really impact Kickstarters in a major way though.
AstroZombie
Banned
While I'm glad to hear that. Hopefully abuse of that level will be kept to a minimum.
Correct.
AstroZombie
Banned
Precisely.
I do not want to derail this thread anymore, so here's a link: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=528903
That's the same reaction I had when I saw that update.
It is. Still oh mah gahd.
I found a download link to an interview with Fargo on a talk radio. Was interesting. Starts around 24 min.
http://www.640toronto.com/HostsandShows/VideoGameSophistry.aspx
I really like the points he makes about how developers always listen to feedback after a game is done in regards to whats lacking and such, so why shouldn't that process occur at the start when something can be done about it. It really paints kickstarter as a win-win for most everyone.
http://www.640toronto.com/HostsandShows/VideoGameSophistry.aspx
I really like the points he makes about how developers always listen to feedback after a game is done in regards to whats lacking and such, so why shouldn't that process occur at the start when something can be done about it. It really paints kickstarter as a win-win for most everyone.
D
Deleted member 102362
Unconfirmed Member
What is this referring to? What happened?
Ok wait, people are dropping support of Torment's KS because a 9-year-old girl/her mom put up what looks like a joke KS project?
Christina Mackenzie
Member
Either that or they are switching to PayPal.
7 days left and they need about $300K (PayPal contributions accounted for) to reach the $3.5M milestone. Can it be done?
At the very least, I'd like to see it reach the $3.35M mark.
7 days left and they need about $300K (PayPal contributions accounted for) to reach the $3.5M milestone. Can it be done?
At the very least, I'd like to see it reach the $3.35M mark.
It must be a few people at best.
So about that yesterday's bump, was it really the mention Torment got in the project eternity update that did it? Pretty impressive if you ask me.
So I was thinking about how combat would work and then an interesting thought stuck with me. Why not make a combat system inspired by The Temple of Elemental Evil? I know they aren't using D&D but they could still do something similar. If they are going to make a sequel to one of the games with the best story, why not also get inspired by one of the games that has the best turn based combat that uses a party of adventurers.
Brother None
Member
It was probably a combination of things & coverage that happened to coincide well, including PE's mention.
$3.5 million is pretty much a given at this point.
Acidote
Member
New update, 2D PRE-RENDERED GRAPHICS Obsidian collaboration:
Updated our Journal (11): Delving Deeper into Story & Graphics
TL;DR: Nathan Long tells a story (video). Five Fathoms Deep. Dust and Water concept by Andree Wallin. Collaboration with Obsidian Entertainment. 2D pre-rendered graphics.
Hi Forgotten Ones,
Thanks to you, we had a record-breaking debut at the beginning of the month. With the announcements of Pat Rothfuss and Chris Avellone last week, we sailed past Wasteland 2’s total of nearly $3M. You’ve seen how great Wasteland 2 is coming along. We’ll have even more resources for Torment.
In the early morning of March 6th we had no way of knowing how powerful your response would be. We were humbled and inspired by your outpouring of support. And as we come upon our final week, we again do not know what to expect. Perhaps RPG fans will surprise us a second time. Whatever the outcome, we can assure you that Torment will bring you a powerful, profound role-playing experience – you’ve already ensured that. But just how far we’ll be able to take it depends on all of you.
We have a couple surprises left for you. We hope you enjoy them.
Nathan Tells a Story (several, in fact)
In our Tales of Torment episodes, we’ve talked about many aspects of the game’s creative elements. Writer and designer Nathan Long (also a Wasteland 2 designer) brings all of those pieces together, explaining how we use these components to craft an RPG story. He talks about this in the context of possible subplots within the Bloom. This episode is a bit longer than most, but I think you'll find it’s worth it. =)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae3cG6QAos0
Fathoms
The ranks of the Forgotten have grown to over 57,000, thus bringing us five Fathoms deep in the Castoff’s Labyrinth. And we’re already 1/3 of the way to Fathom six! We’ll also add a bonus Fathom to the Castoff’s Labyrinth when we reach 10,000 Likes on our Facebook page, so spread the word!
Some of you have wondered if the Castoff’s Labyrinth will play such a strong role in the game, and be such a cool location, that it could even encourage players to die on purpose. We won’t design it that way. =) Like every area in the game, it has its part to play in the narrative, in your story. And what exactly that role is will be part of your legacy – but it’s just a part, and it will differ based upon your choices, your priorities.
We’ve been expanding the Labyrinth both through Stretch Goals and by going into deeper Fathoms, which might give the impression that it’ll cover a majority of your game time. But while death is very relevant to legacy, abandonment, and mystery, death on its own isn’t one of our themes. The Castoff’s Labyrinth will absolutely be an exciting and awe-inspiring area, both for you to play (and for us to design =) ). But it’s just one small component of the full game, and not by any means the most exotic aspect we have planned. And Dana Knutson’s concepts of it aren’t necessarily literal representations of its size or contents – your mind is malleable and the pathways within change and shift under your feet. Who can say what lies within the deepest recesses?
Technology Collaboration with Obsidian
As you know, we’ve been working on Wasteland 2 in Unity and will be implementing Torment in Unity as well. Meanwhile, about 20 minutes away, Obsidian Entertainment is creating Project Eternity, also in Unity. Though there are major differences between our games, there are also similarities as all are RPGs built in the same engine. As many of you have suggested, it only makes sense that we collaborate where we can.
We are happy to announce that inXile and the great guys over at Obsidian have reached an agreement to share tools and technology when it makes sense. This will allow both companies to be more cost-effective on these projects, allowing your pledges to go further in terms of creating art, content, gameplay, and game polish. Vive le classic RPG revolution!
Another Major City
You’ve already seen Sagus Cliffs, which will be a major hub in the game. As part of an upcoming Stretch Goal, we’ll be adding the Oasis of M’ra Jolios as another prominent city location. Here’s Andree Wallin’s concept, Dust and Water, of this complex and bizarre urban ecosystem (wallpaper versions will be available soon at our website):
A gigantic dome of water shimmers in the middle of a vast desert, seemingly impervious to the cruel rays of the sun's heat. Curved obelisks from another age rise from the sands to cup and surround the bubble like gentle fingers.
This impossible oasis is home to numerous kinds of water-breathing abhumans. Some sport fins for legs like merpeople, some wear flippers for hands, while others appear almost human, being marked with only a dorsal fin from their head to their waist. No two are quite the same. Indeed, some are immigrants from far away, come to this aquatic utopia through strange pathways in reality.
But humans live here too, mostly for trade or work. They use various numenera to breath underwater – implantable gills, breathing apparatuses, portable air bubbles, and so forth. A town of air-breather buildings has grown up around the outside of the dome. These air-breathers are reliant on the dome, as most of their food (and all of their water) comes from within, but they make a good trade in the unique foods, animals, and textiles grown under the water. And of course visitors can find multiple shops in the air-breather town that will provide the varied numenera they need to enter the dome themselves.
Miscellaneous
April Fools’ Day
We’ll have a significant Update for you on Monday. It just so happens that’s April Fools’ Day. Rest assured that our Update will be real. =)
Video Q&A
We’ve opened a new Q&A forum on UserVoice. Post and vote for your biggest questions and Colin will do a future video that answers some of the top voted ones. Ask away!
Closing Party
Just a reminder that if you want to celebrate with us at our closing party on Friday, April 5th beginning at 2 PM PDT, please login at tormentRPG.com and let us know – we’re looking to finalize the guest list today. We plan to broadcast live from the event and will send information next week on how to watch.
Some Words on Graphics
I’ve advertised that we’d say more about graphics this week. The most popular Stretch Goal request from you, our backers, is for 2D pre-rendered graphics, which would mean that Torment would have a fixed, isometric camera with 2D backgrounds. A primary disadvantage is that this approach requires a longer, and therefore more expensive, pipeline for art assets, but its advantages are numerous:
The same basic feel as classic RPGs (such as the Baldur’s Gate series and Planescape™: Torment) in terms of camera and environments
Environments will have a more “painterly” look, allowing us to more closely represent our concept pieces
By designing the art for a fixed camera view, every scene will look its best
System requirements will be lower
Because we are using a 3D engine, characters, effects, and some environmental props would still be modeled in 3D. This allows them to be changed dynamically during play (a 3D box could be opened, for example) and enables us to still adapt our Wasteland 2 pipeline and underlying systems (such as for character animation).
A famous recent example of this approach in practice is the screenshot released by Obsidian for Project Eternity last fall. We agree that it would be the best style to realize our vision for Torment and have been investigating its feasibility throughout this Kickstarter campaign.
We’ve been carefully evaluating the costs and trade-offs, and it looks like a 2D pre-rendered graphics approach may be possible. Being able to achieve this quality bar is only an option because of your great support – we are thrilled at the possibility that Torment could be as strong in its aesthetics as it will be in its storytelling and choices and consequences.
So what exactly will a Torment environment look like in-game? For that, I’ll have to ask for your patience a little longer – stay tuned next week!
Kevin Saunders
Project Lead
SquiddyCracker
Banned
This is everything I asked for in terms of stretch goals 
I suggest a thread title change to include the words "2D graphics!" and "second city!" and "holy shit!"
but yeah, looks like they're really going all out now. Throw in a mockup screenshot of the in-game graphics and this should push them over the 4 mil mark. I like how they're aiming for a graphic style similar to Project Eternity, Infinity Engine 2.0 anyone? Now who's going to complete the trinity and make a spiritual successor to Icewind Dale?
quoting again for new page:
but yeah, looks like they're really going all out now. Throw in a mockup screenshot of the in-game graphics and this should push them over the 4 mil mark. I like how they're aiming for a graphic style similar to Project Eternity, Infinity Engine 2.0 anyone? Now who's going to complete the trinity and make a spiritual successor to Icewind Dale?
quoting again for new page:
New update, 2D PRE-RENDERED GRAPHICS Obsidian collaboration:
Updated our Journal (11): Delving Deeper into Story & Graphics
TL;DR: Nathan Long tells a story (video). Five Fathoms Deep. Dust and Water concept by Andree Wallin. Collaboration with Obsidian Entertainment. 2D pre-rendered graphics.
Hi Forgotten Ones,
Thanks to you, we had a record-breaking debut at the beginning of the month. With the announcements of Pat Rothfuss and Chris Avellone last week, we sailed past Wasteland 2s total of nearly $3M. Youve seen how great Wasteland 2 is coming along. Well have even more resources for Torment.
In the early morning of March 6th we had no way of knowing how powerful your response would be. We were humbled and inspired by your outpouring of support. And as we come upon our final week, we again do not know what to expect. Perhaps RPG fans will surprise us a second time. Whatever the outcome, we can assure you that Torment will bring you a powerful, profound role-playing experience youve already ensured that. But just how far well be able to take it depends on all of you.
We have a couple surprises left for you. We hope you enjoy them.
Nathan Tells a Story (several, in fact)
In our Tales of Torment episodes, weve talked about many aspects of the games creative elements. Writer and designer Nathan Long (also a Wasteland 2 designer) brings all of those pieces together, explaining how we use these components to craft an RPG story. He talks about this in the context of possible subplots within the Bloom. This episode is a bit longer than most, but I think you'll find its worth it. =)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae3cG6QAos0
Fathoms
The ranks of the Forgotten have grown to over 57,000, thus bringing us five Fathoms deep in the Castoffs Labyrinth. And were already 1/3 of the way to Fathom six! Well also add a bonus Fathom to the Castoffs Labyrinth when we reach 10,000 Likes on our Facebook page, so spread the word!
Some of you have wondered if the Castoffs Labyrinth will play such a strong role in the game, and be such a cool location, that it could even encourage players to die on purpose. We wont design it that way. =) Like every area in the game, it has its part to play in the narrative, in your story. And what exactly that role is will be part of your legacy but its just a part, and it will differ based upon your choices, your priorities.
Weve been expanding the Labyrinth both through Stretch Goals and by going into deeper Fathoms, which might give the impression that itll cover a majority of your game time. But while death is very relevant to legacy, abandonment, and mystery, death on its own isnt one of our themes. The Castoffs Labyrinth will absolutely be an exciting and awe-inspiring area, both for you to play (and for us to design =) ). But its just one small component of the full game, and not by any means the most exotic aspect we have planned. And Dana Knutsons concepts of it arent necessarily literal representations of its size or contents your mind is malleable and the pathways within change and shift under your feet. Who can say what lies within the deepest recesses?
Technology Collaboration with Obsidian
As you know, weve been working on Wasteland 2 in Unity and will be implementing Torment in Unity as well. Meanwhile, about 20 minutes away, Obsidian Entertainment is creating Project Eternity, also in Unity. Though there are major differences between our games, there are also similarities as all are RPGs built in the same engine. As many of you have suggested, it only makes sense that we collaborate where we can.
We are happy to announce that inXile and the great guys over at Obsidian have reached an agreement to share tools and technology when it makes sense. This will allow both companies to be more cost-effective on these projects, allowing your pledges to go further in terms of creating art, content, gameplay, and game polish. Vive le classic RPG revolution!
Another Major City
Youve already seen Sagus Cliffs, which will be a major hub in the game. As part of an upcoming Stretch Goal, well be adding the Oasis of Mra Jolios as another prominent city location. Heres Andree Wallins concept, Dust and Water, of this complex and bizarre urban ecosystem (wallpaper versions will be available soon at our website):
A gigantic dome of water shimmers in the middle of a vast desert, seemingly impervious to the cruel rays of the sun's heat. Curved obelisks from another age rise from the sands to cup and surround the bubble like gentle fingers.
This impossible oasis is home to numerous kinds of water-breathing abhumans. Some sport fins for legs like merpeople, some wear flippers for hands, while others appear almost human, being marked with only a dorsal fin from their head to their waist. No two are quite the same. Indeed, some are immigrants from far away, come to this aquatic utopia through strange pathways in reality.
But humans live here too, mostly for trade or work. They use various numenera to breath underwater implantable gills, breathing apparatuses, portable air bubbles, and so forth. A town of air-breather buildings has grown up around the outside of the dome. These air-breathers are reliant on the dome, as most of their food (and all of their water) comes from within, but they make a good trade in the unique foods, animals, and textiles grown under the water. And of course visitors can find multiple shops in the air-breather town that will provide the varied numenera they need to enter the dome themselves.
Miscellaneous
April Fools Day
Well have a significant Update for you on Monday. It just so happens thats April Fools Day. Rest assured that our Update will be real. =)
Video Q&A
Weve opened a new Q&A forum on UserVoice. Post and vote for your biggest questions and Colin will do a future video that answers some of the top voted ones. Ask away!
Closing Party
Just a reminder that if you want to celebrate with us at our closing party on Friday, April 5th beginning at 2 PM PDT, please login at tormentRPG.com and let us know were looking to finalize the guest list today. We plan to broadcast live from the event and will send information next week on how to watch.
Some Words on Graphics
Ive advertised that wed say more about graphics this week. The most popular Stretch Goal request from you, our backers, is for 2D pre-rendered graphics, which would mean that Torment would have a fixed, isometric camera with 2D backgrounds. A primary disadvantage is that this approach requires a longer, and therefore more expensive, pipeline for art assets, but its advantages are numerous:
The same basic feel as classic RPGs (such as the Baldurs Gate series and Planescape: Torment) in terms of camera and environments
Environments will have a more painterly look, allowing us to more closely represent our concept pieces
By designing the art for a fixed camera view, every scene will look its best
System requirements will be lower
Because we are using a 3D engine, characters, effects, and some environmental props would still be modeled in 3D. This allows them to be changed dynamically during play (a 3D box could be opened, for example) and enables us to still adapt our Wasteland 2 pipeline and underlying systems (such as for character animation).
A famous recent example of this approach in practice is the screenshot released by Obsidian for Project Eternity last fall. We agree that it would be the best style to realize our vision for Torment and have been investigating its feasibility throughout this Kickstarter campaign.
Weve been carefully evaluating the costs and trade-offs, and it looks like a 2D pre-rendered graphics approach may be possible. Being able to achieve this quality bar is only an option because of your great support we are thrilled at the possibility that Torment could be as strong in its aesthetics as it will be in its storytelling and choices and consequences.
So what exactly will a Torment environment look like in-game? For that, Ill have to ask for your patience a little longer stay tuned next week!
Kevin Saunders
Project Lead
AstroZombie
Banned
Hopefully next week will be really big for this project.
The 2D prerender tease is so good. That made me really hype. The game would look sooo gorgeous with a 2D pre-render style. I really think it would help to envision the world of Numenera the best.
Nice that they are working closer with Obsidian together. I think it is a mutual advantage for both to share their experience and assets.
Can't wait for that picture.
Nice that they are working closer with Obsidian together. I think it is a mutual advantage for both to share their experience and assets.
Can't wait for that picture.
The oasis water city sounds great. I like that it seems to serve as an interdimensional nexus of sorts - shades of Sigil in that respect.
They've done all they need to, especially after they release the environment screenshot, which could potentially add to a meaty final bump. Only question at this point is where the final total lands.
They've done all they need to, especially after they release the environment screenshot, which could potentially add to a meaty final bump. Only question at this point is where the final total lands.
I thought this was the 4 million stretch goal but this is already included.