| Arena Conference | |
|---|---|
| (link) | |
| Medium/Format | Online Forum |
| Date | March, 1994 |
| Interviewee(s) | Vijay Lakshman, Julian Lefay |
| Hosted By | CompuServe |
Rick: OK, what level/staff piece is everyone on? My dark elf spellsword is level 14 & I've almost got piece #3....
- Bethesda Softworks: I got all 8 pieces and solved the game about a month ago...
mama: Hi VJ! Ready to start the con?
Bethesda Softworks - VJ and JULIAN here...
EVERYONE...
- Charles: Before we start, I would like to formally welcome VJ and Julian... and ask if they have any opening statements... are we ready VJ?
- Bethesda Softworks: Yup... Hi everyone and welcome to this conference thing. I hope everyone is still having fun. We will upload patch 4 tomorrow.
Wendy: VJ, Julian, first I wanted to say...thanks for a game with more _atmosphere_ than anything I've seen... in a very long time...my question, I think (what, only one? :)... is: how do you expect the presumed sequel... to differ in feel from the current game... which is a very openended hack&slash...; with some neat stuff along the way?
- Bethesda Softworks: Wendy, we expect Mournhold to much deeper than Arena. Arena established the world, now each subsequent sequel will...continue to 'flesh out' the provinces. The first province we want to pay attention to is Morrowind, (yeah dark elves...!)... If we get a chance we will try and make each sequel a very interactive story with cool NPC's and such. We want however to... maintain the openendedness...
- Wendy: VJ, how much depth do you expect...to be able to give to the conversations and quests...while still keeping openendedness...are we looking at Ultima IV? Ultima VII? inconversation depth?
- Bethesda Softworks: We want to have a system in which... you can get into the personal biases and wants...of the NPC's who populate the area... Without a doubt it will be VERY interactive, more so than... anything I've seen up to date. The reason behind... this is that our star chief programmer and I are currently... working on a scripting system that has not been used before...by anyone else but will allow me to make some very... and I mean VERY detailed adventures... (like reading a book) Hope you guys like it...
- Wendy: VJ, how much depth do you expect...to be able to give to the conversations and quests...while still keeping openendedness...are we looking at Ultima IV? Ultima VII? inconversation depth?
Baki: First, as you already have heard, GREAT GAME...my first question is mainly concerning char classses & balance...Why give the longsword-wielding classes such an advantage... as having almost all the magic weapons be longswords that are FOUND... and why are all magic armours PLATE... doesn't this give certain classes a HUGE advantage... especially considering the artifacts?
- Bethesda Softworks: Baki, let me address your concerns one at a time...As far as longswords being the predominant weapon...it really wasn't meant that way. The treasure generator should be... generating totally random weapon pieces based upon your level or the level of the dungeon...As far as plate armor being the only type that's enchantable...it was the easiest way in which to ensure that Warriors, Knights... and Rangers were not soon outstripped of power and couldn't...complete the game. I think if you ask around you'll find... while there is an advantage to playing a spellcaster early on, the...classes even out near the end, when its important...
- As far as artifacts...I went in today to Julian and asked to make artifacts... usable by ANY class. (I know, exactly what you want...) but to do so would mean rewriting... a large portion of code that was written by a programmer... who no longer works at Bethesda... Very dangerous grounds to be on....
- Charles: (Sidenote to Baki: it may be that we only *think* all the enchanted weapons are longswords because we dont bother to pick up other weapons. I know I don't bother picking up daggers.) Sorcerors rule!
Rick: Ok, thanks! First off, thanks for a great RPG experience... I guess I have more of a comment than a question....The way I understand the game, the artifact flag is tripped when you... buy a rumor (map piece) to an artifact...For the sequel... please consider setting this flag later. Let us be able to buy...rumors about all the artifacts & then decide which one we like best!... You could have a flag set so that once we actually pick up an... artifact out of a dungeon, all the other artifact dungeons would be...empty, or something like that...I guess I'm just upset because my spellsword bought a rumor about...the lord's mail, only to later find out he can't use it)... Now I've got to find it & drop it before I can get another artifact...
- Bethesda Softworks: Rick, let me start by saying...that the way artifacts are now handled is not how we intended... The artifact quests were supposed to tie into your... charclass so that you wouldn't get... rumors for artifacts that you couldn't use... Needless to say that isn't working... The only thing I can tell you for sure... is that there is NO way Mournhold will... follow the same format...This time we'll have Julian program the whole...shebang and hopefully this will eliminate...much of the problems we've been experiencing...I hope that answers your question, and I'm sorry about your Spellsword. (Sorcerors rule anyway...)
- Rick: Okay, followup...I'm glad to hear that there will be more NPC interaction... in Mournhold, so please extend this interaction to... the DUNGEONS as well as the cities....One of the nicest things about Ultima Underworld 1&2 is...that you could actually talk to most of the baddies...before you killed them...
- Raen: LOL
- mama: bloodthirsty thing you are
- Rick: For instance, when I go into Selene's Web, I actually want to... MEET Selene...
- Bethesda Softworks: We wholeheartedly agree... In Mournhold it will be ONE system, ie you can look into a tower... from the outside, then climb in through a window... The system is much more flexible than this one... Don't worry, we'll be listening to your comments...even though I prefer to kill first, then ask questions... :)
- Rick: For instance, when I go into Selene's Web, I actually want to... MEET Selene...
- mama: bloodthirsty thing you are
- Raen: LOL
- Rick: Okay, followup...I'm glad to hear that there will be more NPC interaction... in Mournhold, so please extend this interaction to... the DUNGEONS as well as the cities....One of the nicest things about Ultima Underworld 1&2 is...that you could actually talk to most of the baddies...before you killed them...
Charles: Is it *really* possible to walk from one town to another? I've tried it with some towns that are two days travel apart. After the first day I hit areas where the wilderness map just repeats over and over again.
- Bethesda Softworks: Actually the way we've set up the wilderness, very highly improbable that you could ever walk from one place to another. The world is just too big... For all intents and purposes my answer would...have to be that there is NO way to walk from... one to another. I've never done it... I have however bought a really nice bow and stalked... citizens in town until I killed everyone in my vicinity... Very fun indeed... :)
- Charles: Well, it *does* imply in the manual that you can (p. 55)...
- Bethesda Softworks: Go ahead and try it, if you have the patience... I'd be really interested to hear that someone...has actually bothered enough to try... :)
- Charles: Well, it *does* imply in the manual that you can (p. 55)...
Charles: Walking around outside at night I've noticed all sorts of cool...planets, moons, and stars...do these follow any pattern (can you navigate by them) or are they just purty window dressing?
- Bethesda Softworks: Yes, Julian actually created a full orbital pattern for... the solar system that this planet is on... You could navigate by the stars... (pretty cool, huh?)
Bandit: Any chance of taking my current character into the sequel?
- Bethesda Softworks: Without a doubt our top concern is to make this sequel... relate to Arena. I'm not giving up my Sorc... I don't want to... The only thing we're concerned about right now... is gender... We want to make the game very interactive... but two genders could end up being... two different stories... Don't worry, we won't piss you off Wendy!!! :)
- Ondine: oooohhh
- Bandit: Nice. I will be able to save my char at end of this one and IMPORT then?
- Bethesda Softworks: Most likely... We still aren't sure exactly how we'll let you transfer over. It depends upon the story and design, neither of which is... done yet. (Done? did I say started...?)
- Bandit: Nice. I will be able to save my char at end of this one and IMPORT then?
- Ondine: oooohhh
Raen: VJ, first, thanks for a lovely game...close to paper and pencil RPG... which I mean as high praise...have you given any thought to Wynter's suggestion of interlocking Arena and Mournhold so that we can have both the "bigness" of Arena and the "littleness" of Mournhold?
- Bethesda Softworks: Well, actually we've talked about a... 'seamless' interface...The problem arises in that Mournhold's engine...is running in protected mode... while Arena isn't... Any suggestions from... of you would be welcome.... So far we can't think of a way to make it truly... seamless, aka Xeen...
- Raen: My compliments to the compuser too.
Keir: When you set out to develop the game, what areas were you intending to contrate on that you felt other CRPG developers had missed out on?
- Bethesda Softworks: Well, geez, where'd you come up with this one?... I don't know, to tell the truth. Julian and I... were talking about doing a game based upon the... movie, Blood of Heroes, with Rutger Hauer... Needless to say Arena didn't exactly turn... out like that but all we thought... about was doing the things we really liked... when we sat down to play D&D; or other RPG's... We didn't specifically target anything or... anyone out there in particular... Except for the... stupid eating thing... :)
- mama: Looks more like Ladyhawk to me...
Khopesh: I'd like to know anything you can offer about the 'Arena online' concept that has been floating around the forum, and by the way, THIEVES RULE... :)
- Bethesda Softworks: Arena - Online... Man o' man would that be cool or what?!!!...
- Bethesda Softworks: All we need here is enough demand for it...and more info on pricing and such... and so that when I go to the Prez...and tell him this is a good idea...he doesn't look at me in that strange... way he does when I tell him we should...all hold ranks like in Star Trek TNG... at work.... :)
Ondine: oh goody ok, first is there anyway that I can sell magic items? SA bracelets (also battlemages are definitely the BEST!!!!)
- Bethesda Softworks: Yes, patch 4, which will be uploaded first thing tomorrow (well...maybe by lunch :) will let you sell items in the Blacksmith...stores for a reduced amount...
- Ondine: oh great!
- Ondine: ok, I'm going after the mail of regeneration, will I be able to wear it if I'm a Battlemage (the BEST!!!)
- Bethesda Softworks: Not in a million years.... Sorry....
- Ondine: wahhhh!!!
- mama: heheheheheheheheh
- Ondine: so I'll sell it :)
- Bethesda Softworks: I think you mean the Lord's Mail? which is... made for Knights, Warriors, Rangers,... and other such rabble...
- Ondine: money makes the world go round....
- Bethesda Softworks: Get the Ebony Blade... Then kill a lot...:)
- Ondine: money makes the world go round....
- Bethesda Softworks: I think you mean the Lord's Mail? which is... made for Knights, Warriors, Rangers,... and other such rabble...
- Ondine: so I'll sell it :)
- mama: heheheheheheheheh
- Ondine: wahhhh!!!
- Bethesda Softworks: Not in a million years.... Sorry....
- Ondine: ok, I'm going after the mail of regeneration, will I be able to wear it if I'm a Battlemage (the BEST!!!)
- Ondine: oh great!
herc: I'm just starting the game. Honest. I am a level 1 Spellword...My question is are there secret walls, and if so, what's the method of finding them? Other than trying bumping into every wall?
- Bethesda Softworks: You're a level *1* 'Spellword'....
- mama: don't pick on herc
- Bethesda Softworks: Wow! I'm glad...hear there are some ...
- Bethesda Softworks: mama I'm not picking on him...
- Bethesda Softworks: new players out there that are getting into this conference. To find secret walls you need to keep an eye on your automap... ALL DOORS are marked as RED squares, secret or not...
- Bethesda Softworks: mama I'm not picking on him...
- Bethesda Softworks: Wow! I'm glad...hear there are some ...
- mama: don't pick on herc
John: I am interested in whether you have...any plans to create a more 3-D sequel...
- Bethesda Softworks: we do...
- John: I appreciate texture mapping...but I like a mixture of complex polygonals....with overlayed texture maps.
- Bethesda Softworks: Mournhold will be a fully manipulatable environment... similiar to DOOM in speed and complexity...
- Bethesda Softworks: We mean the engine when we...say complex.. (Sorry)
- John: I have yet to see a RPG in which the player or baddie...do something more than stand toe to toe...never moving..rock solid in their fighting stance..I suggest a much more dramatic fight choreography..where people and monsters get knocked down..get back up....limp...lose limbs..etc
- Bethesda Softworks: Absolutely, already planned, (such as salutes, finishing...moves and different death flicks based upon the attack type...
- John: I have yet to see a RPG in which the player or baddie...do something more than stand toe to toe...never moving..rock solid in their fighting stance..I suggest a much more dramatic fight choreography..where people and monsters get knocked down..get back up....limp...lose limbs..etc
- Bethesda Softworks: We mean the engine when we...say complex.. (Sorry)
- Bethesda Softworks: Mournhold will be a fully manipulatable environment... similiar to DOOM in speed and complexity...
- John: I appreciate texture mapping...but I like a mixture of complex polygonals....with overlayed texture maps.
Eric: Hi. Again (this is getting redundant) Great game!!!... First comment, Combat is awfully quiet...Will a sequel or update change this...
- Bethesda Softworks: thanks, we didn't get a compliment for a while and got sad :(
- Eric: Second question concerns balance...You state in the manual...that more powerful characters were offset... by raising in levels slower...However, after 10th level...you set the multiplier...so that a thief will always be just one...level higher than say a Battlemage (ewww)...This hardly makes up for the enormous...power differential. Comments please, GA
- Bethesda Softworks: Well Eric,..first about sounds...Mournhold will incorporate multichannel, ambient and other neat sound fxs so that the atmosphere is enhanced by the music and sound. We are still limited by the sound cards however
- Bethesda Softworks: As far as the multiplier... From what I can tell if you mulitply an amount by a preset value, as the amount changes you'll get larger and larger values. For instance... If I have a thief with 100,000 exp and a Spellsword with 100,000 exp... their...levels will be different (ie the thief will be higher in level) Hold on a second guys...I know that the mulitplier is constant, but...the other number is different for each... class, henceforth creating an exponential growth curve for a different starting base for each character class...thereby generating a different curve equation for each char...!!! (Whew...) Anyway, simply put, a thief is going to be higher in level with the same amount of exp than a battle mage. And...since the multiplier is constant he will always be higher in level with the same exp Wow, I'm drained... hope this helps...
- Bethesda Softworks: Well Eric,..first about sounds...Mournhold will incorporate multichannel, ambient and other neat sound fxs so that the atmosphere is enhanced by the music and sound. We are still limited by the sound cards however
- Eric: Second question concerns balance...You state in the manual...that more powerful characters were offset... by raising in levels slower...However, after 10th level...you set the multiplier...so that a thief will always be just one...level higher than say a Battlemage (ewww)...This hardly makes up for the enormous...power differential. Comments please, GA
Gimlee: OK, I'll try not to insult you VJ. This is my husband's question. Where are the rings tomake light?
- Bethesda Softworks: To tell you the truth, I have NO idea amongst the thousands of magical things in the game, where we put that ring of light... :) More info?
- Gimlee: Are they random generated? or Artifacts
- Bethesda Softworks: All magical items are randomly generated based upon the different lists the item accesses which in turn is based upon where you are (4th level of a dungeon, wilderness, monster's lair, etc...)
- Gimlee: Are they random generated? or Artifacts
Phil: Any feel for what is the lowest effective AC? Am I wasting inventory carrying all this ebony for an AC of -29? GA
- Bethesda Softworks: Definitely not, Phil. I know it seems that monster's get tougher as you go along, but to tell you the truth the only thing we do is to cap the lowest chance to hit you at 10% - 15%. I know that it would make more sense to just throw more monsters at you, but because of the engine I was limited to 6 - 8 monsters of one type at any one time I therefore had to give these poor little critters a fighting chance against you mean 17th+ level 'heroes'... :)
- mama: thus...the rats from hell
- Phil: With all the great stuff planned for Mournhold will it be out this century or will I just sit back and watch HAL play it for me?
- Bethesda Softworks: Good question Phil. According to Julian, who's sitting next to me his head in denial of any promises we are going to try and hit this Christmas. We've learned a lot from making Arena... and hope to put that knowledge to use this year... (we hope... :))
- Phil: With all the great stuff planned for Mournhold will it be out this century or will I just sit back and watch HAL play it for me?
- mama: thus...the rats from hell
Khopesh: So when's this miracle game Mournhold gonna show it's a face :), and are some future upgrades going to incorporate new features in addition to bug fixes?
- Khopesh: Also... is there a level cap, and can the game still be played after it has been solved? Thx...
- Bethesda Softworks: First, since Mournhold is being written in protected mode, trying to upgrade Arena to its capabilities is sort of tough... Still, anything we can do in Arena we... will so don't worry. As far as level limits...NONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have fun.... :) Khopesh, it can be played and played and played.....
herc: If someone prints out the automap and uses it to write a walkthru solution and uploads it here to our library... Would you folks object?
- Bethesda Softworks: Heck no! Have a ball and do it right. We are however, releasing a cluebook, that should give all of you the answers to the riddles, dungeon maps, etc...etc...character class vs race... etc... :)
- herc: Yeah...a more down to earth one...I have a PAS 16 and I'm not sure if there's any digitized speech in the game. Is there any?
- Bethesda Softworks: Nope, sorry... 'cept for 'Stop, thief!!!! or 'Halt!!!...
- herc: Yeah...a more down to earth one...I have a PAS 16 and I'm not sure if there's any digitized speech in the game. Is there any?
Rick: Thanks...VJ, with all of the cool stuff that you have planned Mournhold, I was just wondering what level of PC you were targeting it for. The same as Arena (386/486 with 4 megs RAM) or something higher? With all that you want to do, CD-ROM seems like a good format to use. (And us people with CD-ROM drives would love) you for it but I guess the people without one might not be so happ)...
- Bethesda Softworks: Rick, same target (but we know how fast those speedy little 386's are heh heh heh Anyway, the engine will be a lot faster so it should make up for the slower end machines As far as CD ROM Mournhold may well end up as a CD ROM only game it will depend upon how much the minimum amount of graphics are necessary to carry the story We'll know that later on this year.
Barry: How does armor effect "incoming" spells - i.e. does it affect ALL spell effects, or only physical damage ones? Or is "willpower only" used for things like paralyze. (and when will ClueBook ship?). GA
- Bethesda Softworks: Willpower will affect all damage spells Armor has no effect on your chance of getting affected by a damage spell. The cluebook should be shipping sometime within the next month. You know how our shipping is... :)
- Barry: Armor should count for SOMETHING with stuff like fireballs, etc..
mama: Well...I can't remember a better con than this
- herc: Fickle Mama.
- mama: Except for the con that herc ran on all of us
- mama: VJ and Julian...thank you for everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Bethesda Softworks: Thanx everyone for listening to us rave and rant... :) :)
- herc: Better than Dave and Dan.
- mama: Do you have some closing remarks?
- Bethesda Softworks: Julian, julian who???
- mama: smack
- mama: cut that out VJ...I see him there
- Bethesda Softworks: Thanks again for putting up with the bugs and helping us make this a better game...
- mama: cut that out VJ...I see him there
- mama: smack
- Bethesda Softworks: Julian, julian who???
- mama: Do you have some closing remarks?
- herc: Better than Dave and Dan.
- Bethesda Softworks: Thanx everyone for listening to us rave and rant... :) :)
- mama: VJ and Julian...thank you for everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- mama: Except for the con that herc ran on all of us