Forge of Legends

My latest soon-to-be-half-finished project will also be my first attempt at a commercial game. I am developing for the PC and Android market, and have been working on it just short of a year. An optimistic date for completion would be some time in 2013.

As the project progresses, I'll find more interesting content to throw up here. For now, those interested can spend a few minutes looking at the videos posted, and some thoughts I have on gameplay, game features, etc.

If you might be someone interested in becoming a beta-tester, or if you would like to be notified of updates, please use the contact page of my site (under "The Forge" on the left) and leave me your email address.

Screenshots

Not much available in the way of screenshots yet. Such as there is can be viewed by clicking a thumbnail. The video developer journal down the page a bit is more informative.

Video developer journal

Rather than scrounge around for half-baked screenshots and short unplayable demos, I've opted to post videos. In addition to allowing someone to jump straight to see the game in action, this also lets me show how I'm progressing by stages. It is also humiliating to hear my own voice, which I'm sure serves some kind of greater purpose.
And here are the videos:

• Video: Embryo of a game (3.45 mins)
• Video: A running engine (2.1 mins)
• Video: Updating UI components (3 mins)
• Video: MONSTERS! (3.16 mins)
• Coming soon: A view of the map editor
• Coming soon: Combat breaks out

NOTE: I've moved these videos to YouTube hosting, which drastically improved download times. Also had to sacrifice some video quality, sadly.

About the game

The game is heavily inspired by the Wizardry and Bard's Tale series of games, and games like it. There are also elements that Dungeons and Dragons players would find familiar. Or rather, there *will* be. I've still got quite a bit of progress to make to be able to demonstrate that.

The game will be a classic party-based dungeon crawl, which is fairly evident from most of the videos I've posted. The goal of the player will be to assemble an "adventuring group" -- I'm still looking for a better term than "party" -- and advance that adventuring group up the ranks of prowess and reputation. Once on top, the player will then be in a position to take on the final challenge of the game.

In addition to the standard hack-and-slash of dungeon crawling, there will be quests, exploration, and opportunities to compete against other adventuring groups for various rewards.

And finally, in the name of random information, here's my informal class list followed by class description blurbs for some of them:

• Soldier
• Paladin
• Reaver
• Archer
• Rogue
• Wizard
• Sorcerer
• Priest (Light)
• Priest (Wild)
• Malefactor
• Aether Mage

A few class descriptions:

(Soldier) Skilled in the ways of arms and armor, this adventurer is always on the front lines in any fight. A Soldier has access to all weapon and armor skills, and advances in level quicker than more specialized classes like Paladin and Reaver. Though some would call them simple, soldiers can be the backbone of any group of adventurers.

(Paladin) In addition to being a master of arms and armor, a Paladin follows a code of honor. He fights for good and justice, defending the innocent and punishing evil. A Paladin's skills grow more slowly than an average soldier, but he is also able to manifest certain gifts of the light as he gains level. These gifts tend to be protective and restorative, with a few exceptions.

(Aether Mage) Aether Mages are individuals who have never felt truly connected to the material world. As their lives and minds move them ever further along unseen paths, they become aware of an innate ability to briefly leave the material plane. As their skill at these short journeys increases, they are able to draw forces, objects, and even living entities from this other plane of existence  -  the Aether. Aether Mages have a unique collection of abilities, allowing them to manifest powerful Aether energies, manipulate matter, travel in ways that violate principles of physics, and call other-wordly allies. Each use of one of these abilities requires a portion of the Aether Mage's concentration. As such, players should watch the concentration stat carefully with these characters, and take steps to maximize it. Aether Mages can only wear cloth armor and carry the lightest of burderns.

(Sorcerer) Sorcerers are born with a natural ability to channel magical energy. The source of this ability is often a mystery to the sorcerer. As his understanding grows, a sorcerer will be able to manifest more and more powerful magic. Each manifestation requires some energy from the sorcerer, which slowly recovers after being spent. A sorcerer tends to have a few strong abilities rather than a wide variety of spells like a wizard would, but it is easier for a sorcerer to recover his energy. Sorcerers also tend to be more able to train themselves physically, and have a few weapon options.

(Reaver) A Reaver is a warrior with a lust for battle and blood. His training focuses more on how to inflict wounds and is less concerned with defense. A Reaver believes that the shortest route to safety is by slaying your enemy! As such, Reavers tend to favor skills like critical strike or two-weapon fighting. A Reaver full of bloodlust can be intimidating to friend and foe alike!

(Archer) An Archer has honed his skill with ranged weaponry above all else. Although some have a basic ability with light blades, all excel with bows, crossbows, and sometimes other ranged weapons like slings. Their specialties require that they remain more flexible and limber, and as such can use only lighter forms of armor. Their ability to cause harm from a distance more than makes up for this, of course!