Hero-U - from the makers of Quest for Glory

[der_ketzer]

Originally Posted by Vainamoinen

But as for the details everyone seems to be craving about... errr, well, I'll try hard to not want more details. It's only been a few month since Tim S. told us abso-fucking-lutely NOTHING about his project, namely because he hadn't yet thought this far, and got more than three million dolllars. Or Jordan W., who scored almost two million without handing out more than a remote idea about what his game would be like.

That's what I thought too after reading this thread. And it may just be Darth Marsden users having spent too much money on Kickstarter already with not enough projects delivering a finished product.

[Vainamoinen]

One of the first updates also has disheartening information. As a "supporter testimonial", they're quoting a post from the adventuregamers forums which states things in a way that they feel they "couldn't have said it better themselves":

Also, for me, the major strengths of both the QFG franchise and the Hero-U “battle plans” are that the emphases are on plot and story immersion, and the Coles’ mantra, FUN, not HD graphics or pretty shiny things or what have you. (Incidentally, if people are worried about art, Eriq Chang has things in pretty good order. Google or Facebook search him and you’ll be a lot less concerned.)

Now, I really did my best, but the brunt of what I could find was a client list and half-naked pictures of the artist in bed (I kid you not). If someone could guide me towards some ambitious work demonstration, because whatever Spikey here found to be in "good order", I couldn't find it.

I think we need to remember the story focus and not get distracted with art. Let’s face it, that’s not the purpose of the project, as Corey said yesterday, buy the multi-million games like CoD if you want film-budget artwork.

I am sick of the idea that video gamers should "not get distracted with art". Video games are ALL about art in one way or another. If deplorable graphic art can be made up with excellent gameplay and story, I'm honestly the first to buy. These are art forms themselves for sure. Spikey is correct to assume that movies have excellent graphic artwork because they are multi million dollar productions, but he grossly exaggerates the matter in an attempt to silence the critics altogether.

No one expects high res, mega defined, ultra detailed, massively time consuming graphics here. Just a bit of effort, an acknowledgement of art more than art itself. A distinct style, thorough reference research, inexhaustible inventiveness and a bold approach to one's work are not particularly tied to the budget*. If the final game looks like every other fan made game (or worse: just like games looked 25 years ago), budgeting has gone awry; and I'm also afraid that in this case, there has been no "artist" on the team.

*missing from this spontaneous enumeration of the artist's virtues is 'inspiration'; I try to be careful with the word as one of my favorite artists, Shaun Tan mostly renounces it

[der_ketzer]

Hey Mr. Chang did the promo Poster for the QfG2 Remake.

On the Art: It depends on the game. I like the clean design of P0rtal a lot mire than the a lot more detailed design of P0rtal 2.
But then again: if you go for 2D you might as well produce amazing art because nothing is really stopping you from that.

[inm8#2]

Lots of varied impressions for this game on the web.

[Jarikith]

The Coles will be hosting a “Ask Me Anything” on Reddit today, October 31st at 3pm PDT/6pm EDT: http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA

A great opportunity to ask away about the Quest for Glory series, Dr. Brain, Mixed up Fairy Tales, their time at Sierra, the School for Heroes site and of course their latest venture on Kickstarter: Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption.

[Vainamoinen]

Even after the Q&A, the kickstarter is not doing so well. It's behind schedule so to speak. However, late surges have occurred REAL often in game kickstarter history, so no need to panic yet.

[RogerXY]

Reached $200 000 today!
A new update with a totally redone project video!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...9?ref=activity

[Vainamoinen]

Reaching it a bit late. I want in via PayPal, guys!

As for the art style - it looks sufficient now. Not more, but absolutely sufficient. As much as I despise every other kickstarter trying to conjure up an "old school" feeling, I think I really WANT a Final Fantasy-style RPG/ dungeon crawler again, with halfway high resolution and these elementary mechanics.

I've played the GameBoy Final Fantasy Legend/Saga games TO DEATH.

Hope the new video gets them the push they need!

[der_ketzer]

Originally Posted by Vainamoinen

Reaching it a bit late. I want in via PayPal, guys!

I think they will not make it. When this whole thing started they would have gotten so much money but it seems the mindset of the kickstarter users changed.

[Vainamoinen]

No need to despair yet. They're at half point with 12 days to go, while most failing kickstarters (97%) never ever reach that stage:

http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/07/kickstarter-stats/

What they need in the next 10 days is not 200,000$.
140,000 is probably enough for the late surge to take them over the top. Yup, backers are that mean.

[oasis789]

I was pretty happy to see the updated pitch video

[RogerXY]

Extensive interview about Hero-U is now up on adventuregamers.com.

http://www.adventuregamers.com/articles/view/23214

[oasis789]

Also liking the new look!

[Vainamoinen]

Yup... but they're crawling at agonizing 6,000 a day. This is not the speed they're looking for.

[Kety]

Although Space Quest 3 was my first adventure game, I picked up a copy of Hero’s Quest later that year. Hero’s Quest was my first experience in RPGs and my definitive experience in fantasy. I will never forget the cover to that game.
I played the Quest for Glory games for several years and it was always my secret indulgence. I had some friends who played D&D, but I was always afraid to play because of my propagandized ignorance of the game. I was in my school library one day in 1994 when I noticed a paperback novel left on a table. The cover caught my attention. The red dragon in the background looked very similar to the cover of Hero’s Quest. I checked out Dragons of Autumn Twilight and the rest is history. I started reading fantasy novels like crazy, my friends noticed my interest in fantasy and invited me to play D&D, and I remain an avid fan of fantasy and RPG to this day. I even DM a 3.5 edition campaign of Dragonlance which you can read about on our wiki!
For me, Quest for Glory was a catalyst for fun, excitement, and socialization far beyond what the series offered in hours of playtime. I owe a lot to the Cole’s for their creative influence throughout the Quest for Glory series. This Kickstarter is my opportunity to repay the enjoyment they have provided me both monetarily and with zealous support!


--------------------
Torchino Motorino


"What good is knowledge and wisdom if you can't use it?" -Erasmus

[richardbaxter]

RE: Darth Marsden / Chyron8472 / Vainamoinen etc - interesting comments.

The way I see it is that a backer either respects the guys who invented QFG (western RPG/adventure hybrid) or is willing to trust them on reputation. Kickstarters generally gain and maintain momentum because of their original fan base. In this case the original fan base has diversified, as QFG adventure elements were integrated into mainstream RPGs - and so is less able to be made aware of the mother cry. Pretty much every guy into RPG I grew up with has heard of and played QFG - they even incorporated characters into their D&D games (which I rarely played). If they could be contacted more easily, then the KS campaign wouldn't be worrying as much about convincing all of you respectable ladies/gents.

This is not just about respect for the fact was QFG good (yes it is worthy to be replicated), but for what they invented in the series - ie their creative capacity to ground break/integrate new genres - to mold in depth of character, atmosphere, social education, comedy, philosophy, custom rpg (notice they avoided D&D discrete leveling in QFG; quantisation that has no representation in the real world)...

Regarding the emphasis on their School, this is actually an example of what Lori Ann and Corey Cole do. They innovate; they teach. Who else is taking RPG gamers out of their chairs, and giving hope to the world? Perhaps that is what makes high fantasy what it is (and not just another form of escapism).

If they had the funding then they could add the graphics (which everyone would like to see), but they are not ever going to sacrifice game play.

Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption +1

[Unleasher]

You know i'm not too worried about the graphics. You guys do have some good points but I am looking forward to innovation, story and the uniqueness of the game.
I loved the graphics of Diablo but since it was kind of repetitive I never really played Diablo 2, even though I read many great things about it.

I really hope they can get to their goal and maybe even before the final deadline!!

Here's a recent blog post about this on 1up.com which has some good points as well -
http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=9115417

[oasis789]

preview art from Eriq:

[Darth Marsden]

Must be awkward to use the computer with all those game boxes in the way.

[Vainamoinen]

This will be hell of a close call. But I do still think they can make it.

In any case, PayPal option won't be up before the kickstarter ends - I do hope they're still taking slacker backers afterwards (yes, they told me on the DF forums that this is the term to be used).

edit: Look at it this way - the Shadowrun Online miracle could still happen.

http://www.kicktraq.com/projects/196...e/#chart-daily