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[dude]

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/201...y-day-gives-planescape-dev-kickstarter-fever/

Eek. We might be about to find out if Tim Schafer’s crowd-funding of a game is one-off lightning in a bottle, or a viable alternative for developers to work outside of publishers. Chris Avellone, the lead developer of isometric RPG classic Planescape Torment and current creative director of Obsidian Entertainment, responded to Michael Antonelli’s suggestion on Twitter that “I’d kickstart $500 for an old school isometric RPG. For Planescape 2? $1000” by stating:
"Hmmmm. I admit, I’ve got Kickstarter fever now. I feel like a bunch of doors suddenly appeared in game development."

I took his temperature, readers, and he was boiling hot.

He also offered “I’m down” in response to another tweet asking “Now can we get a Kickstarter campaign for an old school isometric RPG by @Obsidian_Ent @ChrisAvellone?”

Obviously there’s a world of difference between flippant Twitter-ness and a game plan, but for a publisher-agnostic company like Avellone’s Obisdian, that difference isn’t such a big obstacle. It just depends on the kind of game he’d want to make and the resources available. Supportive tweets should go here.

Seems like Obsidian and Avellone might follow Double Fine's lead?
Obviously, this is different than an adventure game - an old school RPG is much longer and more expensive than any adventure game. It'll also probably take much more than 8 months. But what the hell, we can't let this opportunity slide, let's show our support with Twitter!

 

[Xater]

You have my sword...uuuh I mean money!

 

[ActStriker]

It begins

 

[SparkTR]

If they set up a Kickstarter, I'll donate. What is there to lose? If it succeeds we'll have a great RPG, if it fails everybody keeps their money like it never happened.

 

[CecilRousso]

It would be very nice to see Avellone and a small team at Obsidian trying to do a "Double Fine". The question is how much time (read: money) they would need to do an RPG with a scope that would satisfy the fans, even with lower production values.

 

[dude]

Also, tinfoil crazy fantasy dream time: He just started following James Ohlen in Twitter. Perhaps to talk, throw arund ideas, maybe for an old school RPG game, together.

I'm going to change my pants.

 

[Xanathus]

Heh, I wonder how long it will be before game developer luminaries of the 90s like Richard Garriott and uh some other guy who have switched to making casual Facebook games will come back to exploit this Kickstarter-style funding craze.

 

[bernardobri]

PS:T2? Just take my credit card already.

 

[Derrick01]

Even though I said yesterday I would never participate in paying for games before they're out...I have to admit Obsidian doing this would be incredibly tempting.

I think I'll have to pass in the end though. It's a bad precedent to set for myself and I won't do that even for my beloved Obsidian.

 

[Haunted]

This kickstart beloved franchises thing is exploding right now. Better capitalise on it before the spark is gone.

 

[HK-47]

I'd help fund a interesting new idea. However a) I dont want PST 2 and b) they would never get the license to a defunct D&D setting.

 

[Dynamite Shikoku]

if the games suck can you get a refund?

 

[dude]

I'd help fund a interesting new idea. However a) I dont want PST 2 and b) they would never get the license to a defunct D&D setting.

I dont mind it not being PS:T2 and even not being in the Planescape setting at all. I just want another old school, party based, isometric RPG.

 

[CecilRousso]

if the games suck can you get a refund?

Not so far, and I hope no developer will offer such a thing.

 

[TheDarkKnight774]

I'd help.

 

[Metallix87]

It begins

Agreed. Big changes are coming to game development, and consumer relations with developers.

 

[Drazgul]

I dont mind it not being PS:T2 and even not being in the Planescape setting at all. I just want another old school, party based, isometric RPG.

As long as I can murder them all and play the game solo.


Not really passionate enough when it comes to adventure games to fund the DF project, but for this I'd definitely drop 50-100$.

 

[Soulhouf]

Do it!

 

[Madrugador]

Wait, Planescape 2? IS THIS REAL LIFE?

 

[Gelry]

I hope they do it. Infinity Engine 2, more moddable, story/mechanics/graphics on par with or better than PS:T/Fallout 2/BGII.
It doesn't even have to be 3D. 2D will do just fine. Just make it high-res. (1080p) And no console version

 

[Lord Griegous]

I'm down, as long as it is an FPS reimagining of the first.

 

[Derrick01]

if the games suck can you get a refund?

No and there's no guarantee it will even come out. That's why I hate this idea of making the customer the investor/publisher. We're supposed to be buying a finished product, that is our role.

 

[HK-47]

As long as I can murder them all and play the game solo.


Not really passionate enough when it comes to adventure games to fund DF project, but for this I'd definitely drop 50-100$.

Anyone who wants to play a party based Avellone game solo is scum. There I said it. Also insane.

 

[dude]

I hope they do it. Infinity Engine 2, more moddable, story/mechanics/graphics on par with or better than PS:T/Fallout 2/BGII.
It doesn't even have to be 3D. 2D will do just fine. Just make it high-res. (1080p) And no console version

Yes. This is exactly what I want. I'd Pledge at least 100$ for such a thing, which as a student is as much as I can give.

If they really will make PS:T 2 they will easily get 10MM $$$ for PC-only version.

If there's justice in the word...

 

[Castor Krieg]

If they really will make PS:T 2 they will easily get 10MM $$$ for PC-only version.

 

[Drazgul]

Anyone who wants to play a party based Avellone game solo is scum. There I said it. Also insane.

Buddying it up with the party NPC's is all fine and well - betraying them is even better! If a game like that ever came out I'd play it through countless times, I'd just like one of them to have the challenge of a solo run.

 

[StoppedInTracks]

Hell I wouldn't mind them using Inifity Engine once again.

Yes, I'd donate $30 for a new Infinity Engine based game...

 

[Imp the Dimp]

I LOVE CROWDFUNDING

 

[Conciliator]

Don't care about adventure games but I'm in $100 for a new game set in the Planescape universe headed by Avellone(or any other RPG with a surrealist setting headed by Avellone, really).

 

[EatChildren]

No and there's no guarantee it will even come out. That's why I hate this idea of making the customer the investor/publisher. We're supposed to be buying a finished product, that is our role.

Your role is whatever you want it to be. That's the great thing about stuff like this. You don't have to do it.

 

[StoppedInTracks]

/pic not related to P:T or Icewind Dale 2

Best engine ever. Best battles ever.

God I need to reinstall Icewind Dale 2 now...

 

[Lasthope106]

Takemymoney.jpg

Seriously, my wallet is burning right now to make this happen!

 

[Deadly Cyclone]

No and there's no guarantee it will even come out. That's why I hate this idea of making the customer the investor/publisher. We're supposed to be buying a finished product, that is our role.

Thing is, you can *just* buy the end product. Others like to help fund these things. You don't have to donate anything, just buy the game when it's out.

 

[Smirk]

Wow, this is great news. Kickstarter fever commences.

 

[Tesseract]

a new planescape headed by the best writer in the industry? take my money.

 

[MightyHedgehog]

How can it seriously be a Planescape: Torment sequel when that instantly involves way too much money for a Kickstarter project? I want them to focus on original worlds built with the scope of such a smaller production in mind, anyway.

 

[mujun]

I'd prefer another Fallout.

 

[Corto]

Here Avellone. Write the amount you seem fit on it and I'll sign it.

 

[StoppedInTracks]

Can Garriott start a kickstarter for Ultima X now...

...oh and van Caneghem also for Might and Magic X.

 

[Smithy C]

I'll hold on to my money until Nintendo tries to Kickstart Mother 4.

 

[Kem0sabe]

Never going to happen. D&D single player rpg´s are dead and buried.

 

[obonicus]

Planescape Torment seems really really unlikely. Obsidian doesn't own the IP and the actual IP owner doesn't seem to care much for it.

How about a new Arcanum? Tim Cain's at Obsidian.

 

[Bomber Bob]

I'd prefer a post apocalyptic rpg.

 

[Interfectum]

 

[Castor Krieg]

I want them to focus on original worlds built with the scope of such a smaller production in mind, anyway.

Planescape universe (it's originally pen&paper system) is probably the most original universe for an RPG ever. Number of games in that industry over the last 20 years: 1. I think we can have one more.

Never going to happen. D&D single player rpg´s are dead and buried.

You don't understand Kickstarter, do you? If the projects meets the goal all is funded from the start. Their salaries will get paid, etc., etc. They can just sit and make the game THEY WANT. It doesn't matter if it sells even one copy, the cost of the game has been already covered.

 

[Krilekk]

To kickstart a game for an IP they don't even have the rights to would be ... strange. Almost on the verge of scamming.

 

[MightyHedgehog]

I'd prefer another Fallout.

I'd prefer a Wasteland remake, 80s intact.

 

[Imp the Dimp]

Obsidian doesn't own the IP and the actual IP owner doesn't seem to care much for it.

Who's got the license? Atari?

 

[Orayn]

Who's got the license? Atari?

Atari just lost it, actually. Hasbro can re-license it to whoever.

 

[Derrick01]

Thing is, you can *just* buy the end product. Others like to help fund these things. You don't have to donate anything, just buy the game when it's out.

I plan on it. Lord knows I'm not skipping an Obsidian game.