If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the
FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to
register or
login before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
| 19 FEB 2004 at 1:59pm |
Randy-JAJourneyman
Posts : 1351
Joined: 11 OCT 2002
Location: US
Status : Offline | 'Dreamfall' continues the story of 'The Longest Journey' -
Oslo, Norway - February 18, 2004 - Funcom was recently awarded a grant from the Norwegian Film Fund to partially finance the development of 'Dreamfall', the long-awaited follow-up to 'The Longest Journey'. The
Norwegian government has, for the first time, actively endorsed game development, marking a welcome shift in the cultural acceptance of computer games as a medium comparable to film and television.
Scheduled for release in the fall of 2005, 'Dreamfall' continues the story of one of the most critically acclaimed adventure games ever made, and will bring adventure gaming into a new era. Focusing on story and characters, 'Dreamfall' features unparalleled 3D visuals, advanced character animations, stunning audio, and innovative gameplay - wrapped in a unique and magical ambience.
'Dreamfall' is set in the 23rd Century, where a young woman accidentally uncovers a conspiracy related to dreams; a conspiracy that may herald the destruction of the twin worlds of science and magic. Confronted by
mysteries that she cannot resolve on her own, she must seek assistance from the one person who might have the answers: April Ryan, the heroine
of 'The Longest Journey'.
"We're making a game that can be enjoyed equally by fans of the first game and new players," says game director and writer Ragnar Tørnquist. "In 'Dreamfall', we are expanding the scope of the adventure genre to
include action elements that will allow us to tell an even more involving, exciting, and surprising story."
More information, images and features will be revealed at E3, where Funcom will present a playable version of 'Dreamfall' to invited members of the press.
About the Norwegian Film Fund - Established on 1 July 2001 as a civil executive body under the auspices of the Royal Ministry for Cultural Affairs, the Norwegian Film Fund is charged with administering all national support for film production in Norway. 2004 marks the entry of
computer games as a media which is entitled to grants by the Norwegian Film Fund. The support mechanisms have as their purpose to secure a qualitative and diverse supply of Norwegian audiovisual products. For
more information visit www.filmfondet.no/english/
About Funcom - Funcom is an independent developer and publisher of computer and console games with a focus on single-player adventure games and online role-playing games. Funcom continues to expand its
track-record of more than 23 games to date. Recent successes include the multi-award winning The Longest Journey, and the award winning and critically acclaimed Anarchy Online - The Notum Wars.
|
| 19 FEB 2004 at 2:03pm |
AnneGuild Master
Posts : 4800
Joined: 8 MAR 2003
Status : Online | I am stunned.Thank you.
|
| 19 FEB 2004 at 3:45pm |
| Deleted User | Actually, forgetting my rash forum days a year ago when I actually called Ragnar an "ass" or something to that effect (ouch, stoopid me), I'm looking foward to this just on the strength of this press release. The name's great, Funcom did Anarchy Online and are supporting it well past it's sell-by-date and it could be interesting.
I'm not so worried about action elements anymore, after BS3 showed me I could put up with them in adventures. If anything, the sequences in TLJ where action was occuring without consequence pee'd me off somewhat, and it'll be interesting to see what they come up with.
Hopefully we'll be updated with concept art and early screens within the next sixth months... at last, a game to look forward to beyond this year!
|
| 19 FEB 2004 at 7:21pm |
| Deleted User | Wow, an upcoming adventure game that promises to revolutionize the genre. How original! :
No, seriously, this is extremely nice to hear. I can't wait for the game!
|
| 19 FEB 2004 at 7:41pm |
| Deleted User | I couldn't care less any more about revoultionising the genre. I just want a good game to come out of it... I've recently got out of the narrow bandwith I set for myself in terms of adventuring, and have started to expect more. Hey, it might not provide anything I'm looking for in a game, right? But even so, something different's coming and I hope it's worth the wait.
And what a wait - expect slippage!
|
| 19 FEB 2004 at 7:58pm |
Bob_the_BuilderJourneyman
Posts : 956
Joined: 25 APR 2003
Status : Online | It sounds really cool. I think it's cool that they're making games that take place in the universe and not direct sequels (and this possibly means it doesn't have to be a pure adventure like longest journey)
NO SOUP FOR YOU!
|
| 19 FEB 2004 at 10:37pm |
| Deleted User | Focusing on story and characters, 'Dreamfall' features unparalleled 3D visuals,
Oh well. > :'( :-/ :
|
| 19 FEB 2004 at 11:13pm |
| Deleted User | Sounds good!
How are they going to resolve the ending of TLJ though? The game left more unanswered questions than answered ones.
|
| 19 FEB 2004 at 11:39pm |
Lucien21Guild Master
Posts : 4876
Joined: 9 JUL 2003
Location: 0
Status : Offline | Originally Posted By BacardiJim (19 FEB 2004 10:36pm)
Oh well. > :'( :-/ :
I know it's a tragedy. When they could have spend there time making a rubik's Cube puzzle fest. :
Dear Diary, My teenage angst bullsh*t now has a bodycount.
|
| 20 FEB 2004 at 1:18am |
| Deleted User | Originally Posted By Lucien21 (19 FEB 2004 11:39pm)
I know it's a tragedy. When they could have spend there time making a rubik's Cube puzzle fest. :
I think he meant the 3D graphics.
|
| 20 FEB 2004 at 2:19am |
| Deleted User | Exactly. I already assumed that TLJ2 would be heavy on story and light on puzzles. I didn't realize that it would be 3D.
|
| 20 FEB 2004 at 2:35am |
AnneGuild Master
Posts : 4800
Joined: 8 MAR 2003
Status : Online | Well we know that April didn`t die.And that Crow lived a long life.I have played this game so many times.Will the sequal match up to the original? and I am a syberia fan.
|
| 20 FEB 2004 at 2:50am |
Bob_the_BuilderJourneyman
Posts : 956
Joined: 25 APR 2003
Status : Online | Originally Posted By BacardiJim (20 FEB 2004 2:18am)
Exactly. I already assumed that TLJ2 would be heavy on story and light on puzzles. I didn't realize that it would be 3D.
And this is bad because the game will probably look really good...?
NO SOUP FOR YOU!
|
| 20 FEB 2004 at 5:13am |
szcaxJourneyman
Posts : 935
Joined: 12 OCT 2002
Status : Online | It's funny... before BS3 came out, there was much concern that it would be an action-adventure despite the guy from Revolution who insisted that it wouldn't be.
Here, Ragnar says outright that action will be an important part of the game... where's the uproar?
Also, do you think Ragnar is being pressured by Funcom to actionize the game (like Roberta and KQ8 )?
Black holes are where God divided by zero
|
| 20 FEB 2004 at 8:09am |
KatewalkerfanSpace Cadet
Posts : 131
Joined: 24 JUL 2003
Status : Online | That is great, I can't wait to see it!
|
| 20 FEB 2004 at 9:09am |
DirhaelIntergalactic Janitor
Posts : 30
Joined: 20 FEB 2004
Status : Online | Hello everyone! I'm new here on this forum (altough I've been a long-time vistior of JA+). I just tough I had to register so I could post a little "addition" to that press release:
from gamer.no:
when asked if this will be a point-and-click adventure or if you'll have direct control of the character, Jørgen Tharaldsen, product manager at FunCom, had the following to say:
- You will have direct control of the character in a full 3D enviroment and we are also moving more towards including more action. The fact that we're moving into 3D only means that we can use even more ways of telling a good story & as such expanding the adventure-genre. The classical point'n'click system is legendary but everything have to progress. We're sure that 3D is the right way to go for the genre, but it does not mean that we're removing elements like puzzles; we're only expanding the possibilities.
[table][tr][td][url=http://www.doublefine.com/news.htm][img]http://www.doublefine.com/lil-df-babies-web.gif[/img][/url][/td]&&[td]Tim Schafer Quote:
|
| 20 FEB 2004 at 9:43am |
| Deleted User | Well, that doesn't say a heck of a lot. I guarantee it'll be a lot like BS3 in many ways, and kinda hope the action is going to be simplified to near-RPG standards... but who knows?
The best we can all hope for is a great game. 3D is no longer a real issue anymore, as we now all know a 3D game can look great - at least, as great as a pixellated 640X480 screen can look great at any rate. Hey, that ryhmes!
Remember that the majority of TLJ, even in 2D, was 3D prerenders with 3D characters. The graphics aren't going to change much in terms of design - it'll probably use a 3D camera (hopefully with character-relative movement) to shift angles between scenes.
Rereading the press release, we only have to wait until E3 before we get screens. Mark it on your calenders, folks!
|
| 20 FEB 2004 at 9:46am |
DirhaelIntergalactic Janitor
Posts : 30
Joined: 20 FEB 2004
Status : Online | Originally Posted By MonkeyDude (20 FEB 2004 9:43am)
Rereading the press release, we only have to wait until E3 before we get screens. Mark it on your calenders, folks!
Don't forget the playable demo!
...where Funcom will present a playable version of Dreamfall to invited members of the press.
[table][tr][td][url=http://www.doublefine.com/news.htm][img]http://www.doublefine.com/lil-df-babies-web.gif[/img][/url][/td]&&[td]Tim Schafer Quote:
|
| 20 FEB 2004 at 1:09pm |
KsandraSchattenjger
Posts : 2459
Joined: 2 APR 2003
Status : Online | Originally Posted By szcax (20 FEB 2004 5:13am)
It's funny... before BS3 came out, there was much concern that it would be an action-adventure despite the guy from Revolution who insisted that it wouldn't be.
Here, Ragnar says outright that action will be an important part of the game... where's the uproar?
Also, do you think Ragnar is being pressured by Funcom to actionize the game (like Roberta and KQ8 )?
I think most of us have pretty much resigned ourselves to it by now. I don't like action, but I can live with it as long as there isn't too much and it's not too difficult. As to why Ragnar chose to include it... who knows? Maybe it was a condition of making the sequel, or maybe he truly does think it will improve the game.
The 3D thing is OK with me, although I wish they were making Dreamfall in the same style as the first game. As long as they come up with a good interface (i.e. not like the one used in BS3 or Uru), I'm not really concerned.
|
| 20 FEB 2004 at 1:51pm |
| Deleted User | Originally Posted By szcax (20 FEB 2004 5:13am)
It's funny... before BS3 came out, there was much concern that it would be an action-adventure despite the guy from Revolution who insisted that it wouldn't be.
Here, Ragnar says outright that action will be an important part of the game... where's the uproar?
It's because we're missing certain people who commented a lot on BS3 before.
|
| 20 FEB 2004 at 9:34pm |
ShanyGuild Master
Posts : 3313
Joined: 19 JUN 2003
Status : Online | Focusing on story and characters, 'Dreamfall' features unparalleled 3D visuals, advanced character animations, stunning audio, and innovative gameplay Yes, and it focuses on the story and characters then, right? :
About the story:
'Dreamfall' is set in the 23rd Century, where a young woman accidentally uncovers a conspiracy related to dreams;[...] she must seek assistance from the one person who might have the answers: April Ryan, the heroine of 'The Longest Journey'.
For now, it sounds REALLY cliche. I would have liked a sequel with April as the heroine because that was what the first game was hinting at, and she was part of what made the first game poular...but enough of that for now.
Gameplay- "action element"- ok, I don't know what these are going to be or if you can die in them (the manual of the first game stated that you can't die in the game because this is an adventure and you want to have fun, not suffer from dying all the time, this is the approach I like). If there is too much action in the game, and/or it involved you dying all the time, I'm gonna pass on it. Like I did with BS3.
There, someone who doesn't like the changes that are going to be made to the game.
I mean, if it ain't broke don't fix it, right?
|
| 20 FEB 2004 at 9:47pm |
JoGuild Master
Posts : 3313
Joined: 3 NOV 2002
Location: AU, Qld.
Status : Offline | I agree with Shany, I'd certainly prefer April to be the heroine - still that doesn't mean to say the game won't be as good if not better than the original. Perhaps they felt that if April was the heroine again, the game may not make enough sense to those who have never played the first one.
I don't mind 3D really, but just hope there's not the type of action that doesn't relate to the story and "take over"! Doesn't sound as though it would reading the press release.
|
| 20 FEB 2004 at 11:07pm |
| Deleted User | Still, IMO, and I know it's not everyone elses, a little action wouldn't hurt for dramatic tensions sake. Not every adventure needs to be sedate - as long as its mixed in well and doesn't throw in suprises a lá BS3's cutscenes (I loved the rest of it tho') which don't amount to the rest of the game, then fine. The flow is important...
edit - I forgot my point! It's just at the end of the game, with that battle in TLJ, I didn't feel rushed or anything to finish the game during the fight. Sure, chucking in an action sequence or timed bit right then would've sucked seeing as the rest of the game had it... but as a resolution it bombed. It wasn't tense... it felt important at first to help in the fight, then you realised that you could stand around and think for as long as you wanted and the illusion of drama faded.
That's my point. Throw in haphazard action into a game style that doesn't use it just aint going to work, as is using action sequences that involve the player to a degree yet don't respond as they're just a form of cutscene.
Meh... understand?
|
| 20 FEB 2004 at 11:27pm |
ShanyGuild Master
Posts : 3313
Joined: 19 JUN 2003
Status : Online | I see your point, there were parts in TLJ, where April was either being chased or had to do something in a hurry when it didn't matter if you did it right there or not.
It was actually pretty funny seeing the mutant bump into her on the roof and trying to hurt her without anything happening. Though the mutant was scary.
Now, I understand that there should be a sense of tension, but it doesn't have to involve combat or a timed sequence.
Think of the mutant situation. Instead of being chased by it until you get rid of it, April could've hidden somewhere or climbed on a ledge or something, and make it look like any minute the mutant will catch her, and you have to help. You have all the time in the world but it creates a sense of tension.
I mean, think about some Lucas Arts games, they had situations where you thought you were in danger and had to act quickly, but in fact had all the time in the world. For example the end of MI3 (though it's seperated into timed areas) and for Grim Fandango (the fight with Domino, that was gruesome).
|
| 21 FEB 2004 at 1:38am |
kittySorcerer Apprentice
Posts : 269
Joined: 27 SEP 2003
Status : Online | Damn. I am really really really looking forward to this game and I've been reading Ragnar's blog forever looking for news. I want this game to be good.
I'm sad it's not going to be point and click. I haven't played BS3 yet and I liked MI4 ok, but I guess I'm just lazy--I love point and click. It makes me sad that all the "good" big-budget games aren't using it.
Still, I think this game is going to be awesome.
|
