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[Ignis Fatuus]

well, at least it's something you can do.

I still don't know if kamspy ate his stick of RAM he promised to eat if Bioware releases DAII demo on PC.

The cake may be a lie.

 

[subversus]

First pass of the concept piece of the Desert Rangers from Andree Wallin and they are some real bad-ass dudes. I'll post when done.

great!

 

[zkylon]

Hope "when done" means today.

 

[Toma]

Cool stuff

 

[Ignis Fatuus]

Wheee new update.

Things are sure looking good to hit our next milestone of $2.1 million dollars, which makes the game deeper of course, but it also brings the design talents of Chris Avellone of Obsidian. We look forward to having Chris bring his style and prose to the game. When you include the PayPal money on top of the Kickstarter funds we are over $1.980 million with 12 days left to go. One of the questions I constantly get is an understanding of what happens when donations continue to grow. The question is especially important as I think there are more RPG gamers out there than almost any other category.

I would like to give a little visibility on what we would expect to add to the game if we hit $2.5 million and $3.0 million. And do keep in mind that ALL money raised goes into development.

Scope and scale is the number one request, and it is what we are focusing our monies on primarily. So at 2.5 million dollars we would bring in another couple of designers to help create more areas. This will not only increase the overall size and depth of the world, but it translates to more story lines and more player options as well. At this funding level we would also bring more level scripters in to allow us to get levels in faster. When we get levels in faster it allows more iteration time to really hone things in. I believe that iteration time is the single most important factor towards shipping a polished and deep game.

In addition, we will add more NPC portraits and equipment artwork as per what the fans have requested in the forums. We would also increase the music budget to allow Mark Morgan to layer in even more atmosphere. The bottom line is that this kind of budget insures that Wasteland 2 is BIGGER than Wasteland 1. And for the people that remember little Billy from WL1... well he was left for dead and he is pissed.

The third most asked about feature is for us to provide a mod kit to allow players to create their own scenarios. I have always loved those kinds of tool-sets to set players loose to keep the world expanding. To create these kinds of tools is time consuming and requires a separate team of guys to do it. While we are not ready to commit to that feature yet, we can say that if we were to hit 3 million dollars, it would be possible to do a mod kit without cutting into the plan for the main game. In fact, IF we ended up making the mod kit we would not release it until after Wasteland 2 shipped as our hands will be quite full to insure things are done well. The game will also increase in scope as well so this is not a binary equation. As always, we will be posting polls in the forums to help with these sorts of decisions. Yes we are reading the forums!

On the production front we have already started our pre-production process. We have our art team starting work on setting the look of the game. Once we have the look established, we will run tests across several different technologies we are evaluating to settle in on our tech for the project.

And Andrée Wallin is wrapping up his first concept piece for the Desert Rangers and they look bad ass. It's a beautiful mixture of the military with touches of the old west rangers.

And lastly I wanted to include a description of the Desert Rangers background, as many players are not familiar with them:

On the same day that the U.S. and Soviet Union were attempting to extinguish each other, a company of U.S. Army Engineers were in the southwestern deserts building transportation bridges over dry riverbeds. They worked deep in the inhospitable desert valleys, surrounded by a number of survivalist communities. Located directly south of their position on that day was a newly-constructed federal prison. In addition to housing the nation’s criminals condemned to death, the prison contained light industrial manufacturing facilities.

Shortly after the nuclear attack began, the Engineers, seeking shelter, took over the federal prison and expelled the prisoners into the desolate desert to complete their sentences. As the weeks passed, they invited the nearby survivalist communities to join them and to help them build a new society. Because of each community’s suspicions towards one another, times were difficult at first. But as time nurtured trust, this settlement -- which came to be known as Ranger Center -- grew to be one of the strongest outposts. Ranger Center even proved powerful enough to repel the hands of rancorous criminals who repeatedly attacked in attempts to reclaim what was once “rightfully theirs.”

The citizens of Ranger Center, after first believing that they were the only ones who survived the nuclear maelstrom, soon realized that communities beyond the desert’s grip had also survived, Because they had such success in constructing a new community, they felt compelled to help other survivors rebuild and live in peace.

Toward this end, the Desert Rangers, in the great tradition of the Texas and Arizona Rangers a century before, were born.

 

[daebo]

Wheee new update.

Was just going to post this...

3 million... a mod kit... oh glorious... Even if they don't hit that... I hope they can come up with that post production...

 

[bdouble]

Interesting. I would think it smarter to just promise a free post release content update with modkit or something instead of just a bigger and bigger world. Seems like you are reaching diminutive returns having almost every tier make the game simply "bigger"

 

[Ignis Fatuus]

Interesting. I would think it smarter to just promise a free post release content update with modkit or something instead of just a bigger and bigger world. Seems like you are reaching diminutive returns having almost every tier make the game simply "bigger"

He seems to be promising a mod kit at 3 mil.

 

[AstroLad]

I like the 2.5m stuff because it will make the game even better. The 3m stuff, I've never been a modder or much of a player of mods so nbd to me. I've already contributed my $250 anyway

 

[Portugeezer]

QUIT TEASING ME! Dammit, I really want it to get as much money as possible.

 

[subversus]

hm

We added 6 $1,000 backers in just 5 minutes of the latest update. Wow!

 

[Deleted member 80556]

Well, we oughta reach 3 million now. I need that mod kit! And the bigger world and OST.

 

[ZoddGutts]

3 million for a mod kit? lol The Shadowrun Returns Kickstarter will already be providing a mod kit if they hit their 400k goal.

 

[epmode]

Yeah, I can't see this hitting $3 million. But RPGs like this are absolutely perfect for official mod support so I'd love to see something released even if it falls short.

 

[Toma]

He seems to be promising a mod kit at 3 mil.

SHIT! I already thought thats a given! I am going to rage if I dont get my hands on the mod kit ~_~ Maybe they just use it as a funding bait, but will release a mod kit post release anyway, regardless of the funding.

 

[EternalGamer]

3 million for a mod kit? lol The Shadowrun Returns Kickstarter will already be providing a mod kit if they hit their 400k goal.

Yeah, now they are just being greedy. And as someone else said, the constant idea of a "bigger" and "bigger" game isn't appealing. At some point it just becomes an annoying bunch of shit you have to slog through. I'm not 12 years old with all summer to play games anymore. I want quality, not quantity, especially when we are already talking about a huge 40+ hour game.

Also that little piece of "fiction" he wrote about the backstory of the "Desert Ranger" was fucking embarassing. There were numerous sentences in it that, besides being a syntactical mess, just made me wince. I hope that isn't representative of the type of writing in this game.

Seriously thinking about pulling out of this thing and putting that money into Shadowrun instead; that's the game I really want anyway and I doubt I have time for two huge games of this type in the same time frame.

 

[A Human Becoming]

3 million for a mod kit? lol The Shadowrun Returns Kickstarter will already be providing a mod kit if they hit their 400k goal.

As other people have said, Wasteland is likely aiming to be a bigger game than Shadowrun Returns. Also, Brian probably doesn't see a mod kit important as Jordan does. That's why he put it at such a large number; it's simply extra.

Also that little piece of "fiction" he wrote about the backstory of the "Desert Ranger" was fucking embarassing. I hope that isn't representative of the type of writing in this game.

You should comment on the forums why you don't think it's very good. Brian seems to be very receptive. Won't hurt anyway unless it's not constructive criticism. Personally I had no problem with it. Not amazing writing, but I wouldn't call it embarrassing.

 

[subversus]

I see nothing wrong with this "fiction". Fallout isn't Dostoevsky too.

 

[EternalGamer]

As other people have said, Wasteland likely aiming to be a bigger game than Shadowrun Returns. Also, Brian probably doesn't see a mod kit important as Jordan does. That's why he put it at such a large number; it's simply extra.


You should comment on the forums why you don't think it's very good. Brian seems to be very receptive. Won't hurt anyway unless it's not constructive criticism. Personally I had no problem with it. Not amazing writing, but I wouldn't call it embarrassing.

It wasn't anything conceptual. It was just that the prose was bad. Like I said, I just hope that didn't come from their main writer.

 

[akira28]

And for the people that remember little Billy from WL1... well he was left for dead and he is pissed.

Ohhohohho! That one got me. ;D


They did say mod kit, but that it wouldn't be immediate. Maybe they're saying 3 mill - mod kit OTB.

Yeah, now they are just being greedy. And as someone else said, the constant idea of a "bigger" and "bigger" game isn't appealing.
Seriously thinking about pulling out of this thing and putting that money into Shadowrun instead; that's the game I really want anyway and I doubt I have time for two huge games of this type in the same time frame.

eternalgamer: seeya~

no. really. getoutfrog.jpg

 

[subversus]

It wasn't anything conceptual. It was just that the prose was bad. Like I said, I just hope that didn't come from their main writer.

Erm... It wasn't the prose. It was Fargo telling what happened in the game.

 

[wrowa]

Also that little piece of "fiction" he wrote about the backstory of the "Desert Ranger" was fucking embarassing.

How is it that on the internet it's always either "great" or "embarassingly bad"? There's never a middle-ground.

 

[EternalGamer]

Erm... It wasn't the prose. It was Fargo telling what happened in the game.

Well, as long as it was Fargo and he isn't the one doing the writing, then no big deal, obviously.

 

[EternalGamer]

How is it that on the internet it's always either "great" or "embarassingly bad"? There's never a middle-ground.

Your right, embarassing was probably a bit of an overstatement. I mean, it wasn't like that guy millionaire guy who wanted to kickstart the MMO or anything. But it also isn't the type of thing I want to read hundreds of pages of in game.

 

[akira28]

Well, as long as it was Fargo and he isn't the one doing the writing, then no big deal, obviously.

He basically took what was written in the original Wasteland manual. I actually have the manual here....yeah it's word for word dude. So you don't like the game, would rather spend your money on Shadowrun, which I will be supporting in addition to this game. You're unfamiliar with the product in question, and you have many complaints. So why...why? Why? How long, how long? Aaahhhhhh?

 

[Famassu]

Yeah, now they are just being greedy.

Lulz. Yeah, it's so greedy to aim for more money to spend on development! YOU BASTARDS, WE'RE ON TO YOU!

 

[Ignis Fatuus]

For the record, Michael A. Stackpole is a great writer and I think most people who have read his books would agree.

 

[Toma]

Its not as fast as after the Obsidian announcement. The 3M are looking slightly unlikely, but I want that mod editor damnit

 

[Eusis]

Well, at least I figure either A. modders would figure out a way to make it easy enough to stick stuff in anyway, or B. if the game's a big enough success a mod kit comes ANYWAY, just much later than it would've if they hit 3 million.

 

[EternalGamer]

For the record, Michael A. Stackpole is a great writer and I think most people who have read his books would agree.

I admit complete ignorance about the original Wasteland game and to Stackpole's writing. And if that description was verbatim from the original manual, obviously it would be absurd to dismiss or be concerned about the game's writing based on that.

I am interested in this project, obviously, or I wouldn't have kicked in. I do think, though, at some point, "more money so we can make it bigger" hits a point for me that makes it not appealing at all. In fact, I generally prefer smaller, tighter, carefully constructed worlds.

 

[Ignis Fatuus]

I admit complete ignorance about the original Wasteland game and to Stackpole's writing.

Yet you say you're a Shadowrun fan? How odd.

 

[Toma]

Yet you say you're a Shadowrun fan? How odd.

You just couldnt let that one slip by, could you?

 

[StoppedInTracks]

lol good luck with that 3 000 000 goal.

Never gonna happen.

 

[dLMN8R]

3 million for a mod kit?

no

 

[DaBuddaDa]

Almost to 2 million!

 

[Card Boy]

lol good luck with that 3 000 000 goal.

Never gonna happen.

I still maintain my 2.8 to 3 mil guess. All those kickstarters I mentioned on the previous page got like 30 to 40% more in the final 48hrs.

 

[Ignis Fatuus]

You just couldnt let that one slip by, could you?

Well he's not going to figure out how far he shoved his own foot in his mouth all by himself!

 

[EternalGamer]

Yet you say you're a Shadowrun fan? How odd.

Well, I played the SNES game and loved it. I don't know anything about the tabletop or any novels or anything.

 

[Ignis Fatuus]

Well, I played the SNES game and loved it. I don't know anything about the tabletop or any novels or anything.

Why don't you go back to the Shadowrun Returns thread and check the first name listed under returning writers.

Still worried about the writing in Wasteland 2? Lemme know, I'll wait.

 

[Toma]

Why don't you go back to the Shadowrun Returns thread and check the first name listed under returning writers.

Still worried about the writing in Wasteland 2? Lemme know, I'll wait.

You meanie, heh.

 

[scy]

It's like ... I kind of want to ruin the fun but I just can't bring myself to do it.

 

[EternalGamer]

Why don't you go back to the Shadowrun Returns thread and check the first name listed under returning writers.

Still worried about the writing in Wasteland 2? Lemme know, I'll wait.

Much less so, thanks for disabusing me.

 

[HP_Wuvcraft]

Stackpole is getting a lot of work this year and next.

Also:
$1.98k with PayPal.

 

[Corto]

The way he phrased the mod tools talk it almost seemed like it could happen post-launch even if they don't reach 3 millions. A bit confusing that excerpt. Or maybe it's my own shortcomings and/or wishful thinking.

 

[HP_Wuvcraft]

The way he phrased the mod tools talk it almost seemed like it could happen post-launch even if they don't reach 3 millions. A bit confusing that excerpt. Or maybe it's my own shortcomings and/or wishful thinking.

He's most likely dangling the mod tools as a carrot.

I have no doubt that they will eventually be released.

 

[Toma]

He's most likely dangling the mod tools as a carrot.

I have no doubt that they will eventually be released.

My guess too. Especially since they already need to start programming the base game with that in mind, or the mod tools will never fit in.

 

[A Human Becoming]

The way he phrased the mod tools talk it almost seemed like it could happen post-launch even if they don't reach 3 millions. A bit confusing that excerpt. Or maybe it's my own shortcomings and/or wishful thinking.

I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case. After all, this is just to fund making the game. It's not for anything after it's released.

 

[EatChildren]

Yeah, now they are just being greedy. And as someone else said, the constant idea of a "bigger" and "bigger" game isn't appealing. At some point it just becomes an annoying bunch of shit you have to slog through. I'm not 12 years old with all summer to play games anymore. I want quality, not quantity, especially when we are already talking about a huge 40+ hour game.

I think you've missed their point. As they state over and over, 'bigger' means more stories, plot threads and divergences in quests.

 

[EternalGamer]

I think you've missed their point. As they state over and over, 'bigger' means more stories, plot threads and divergences in quests.

Well it if means the last of those, then great.

But I don't personally care at all for having "hundreds of hours" of quests. If I wanted to play a single game for months on end, I'd subscribe to an MMO.

 

[DiscoJer]

Well it if means the last of those, then great.

But I don't personally care at all for having "hundreds of hours" of quests. If I wanted to play a single game for months on end, I'd subscribe to an MMO.

Well, as someone who has waited 25 years for a sequel, I want WL2 to be as long as possible.

This game is meant for a very specific audience - it could well be that you aren't part of it.