The Age of Decadence third beta released

[Brother None]

Iron Tower Studio has released the third version of the public beta of The Age of Decadence, with the biggest change being the addition of alchemy for public testing. It can be downloaded from Atomic Gamer or RapidShare, and a torrent version is available on The Pirate Bay. A full changelog is available on the forums.<blockquote>We proudly present R3 – the third release of the Age of Decadence public beta. This version offers a lot of changes, improvements, and extra content:

What’s inside?

Alchemy – create your own healing salve, berserk potions, acid and liquid fire vials that can be thrown at your enemies, black powder bombs, the "lich" potion, and neurostimulant.

Whereas crafting improves the player's combat stats only, alchemy improves stats, introduces new combat abilities, and provides new quest solutions. Basically, crafting is about focus, alchemy is about versatility.

Quest changes & New content – now you can score bonus loyalty points by selling info to Linos and telling him that Cado's planning to attack the shipment. You can loot Carrinas' body - the most requested "feature". An escape sequence was added after you kill Carrinas. The first Imperial Guards’ quest was tweaked based on the feedback we received. Plus, your grifter, loremaster, and thief will have more opportunities to ply their craft.

System Changes – different blocking mechanics, rebalanced weapons damage ranges and THC (to-hit chance) bonuses, rebalanced fast, power, and aimed attacks, rebalanced armor DR and penalties.

Interface – new dialogue interface and improved font for better readability.

If you want to see the full list of changes, click here.

Why release another version?

The main reason is to test the alchemy system, which is an important aspect of the game and can affect and change every combat encounter. We tested it internally for almost two months and made a number of changes already, but a small internal test can't compete with an open public test. Your help in this matter will be greatly appreciated and your feedback does matter.

The other reason is to test the latest system changes. They reflect the feedback we've received after the last release and make combat more enjoyable (assuming you liked it in the first place). We'll continue improving the character, combat, crafting, and alchemy systems until the game is released, so it is an ongoing process. These systems will serve as the foundation for future titles (should there be future titles) and getting them right is important to us.

We're looking forward to your feedback and hope that you'll enjoy the beta.

PS. Thank you for your patience and interest.</blockquote>

 

[UniversalWolf]

AoD is shaping up to be a superb cRPG, in my opinion. It needs more hype.

 

[Geech]

Unfortunately it just isn't very fun to play. I'll probably give this release another chance, though.

 

[Bengt]

They're doing public betas?

Seems like an odd move if they're trying to make money.

Unfortunately it just isn't very fun to play.

This might be one of them "you must be this tall to ride" type of situations. AoD is definitely not for everyone, judging by the kind of games get sold today.

 

[UniversalWolf]

Actually it's incredibly fun to play.

 

[Geech]

They're doing public betas?

Seems like an odd move if they're trying to make money.

Unfortunately it just isn't very fun to play.

This might be one of them "you must be this tall to ride" type of situations. AoD is definitely not for everyone, judging by the kind of games get sold today.

That's certainly what some posters at the Iron Tower forums believe, but at some point this argument just doesn't work anymore. The reception of the original demo was lukewarm at best, and even Vince has been very public that he was surprised how many people didn't like it.

 

[Goral]

@Geech
Let me guess, too hard for you? There is awesome button for exactly such players.

I've been replaying AoD for days now and each time find something new. Really interesting quests and dialogues (especially the Militiades one, it's hilarious) and enjoyable combat which requires a bit of thinking (you can't just stay in the center waiting to be surrounded). The best cRPG I've played in years.

 

[VDweller]

Unfortunately it just isn't very fun to play.

This might be one of them "you must be this tall to ride" type of situations. AoD is definitely not for everyone, judging by the kind of games get sold today.

That's certainly what some posters at the Iron Tower forums believe, but at some point this argument just doesn't work anymore. The reception of the original demo was lukewarm at best, and even Vince has been very public that he was surprised how many people didn't like it.

I didn't say that. I said something along the lines that it's clear that the game has a very limited appeal, which isn't the same as being surprised that people don't like it. Sure, I wish we had 5,000+ pre-orders instead of 500+, but it's hard to say whether or not such wishes are even remotely realistic (Kickstarter aside).

If someone doesn't like the game because it's turn-based or has too much text or he/she can't get through the first fight, it's not the same as playing the game and deciding that it sucks. Overall, the reaction has been surprisingly positive. Steam Greenlight comments and votes which push us to #12 out of 3,195 games were overwhelmingly (95%) positive.

That's certainly what some posters at the Iron Tower forums believe, but at some point this argument just doesn't work anymore.

And why is that? AoD is not for everyone. That's pretty much a fact that shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who follows games. Turn-based, text-heavy, low magic, no monsters, no filler combat - it's pretty much the opposite of what sells. The original Fallout games weren't for everyone either. They sold a fraction of what the Baldur's Gate games sold, which doesn't mean shit to people who liked them.

Same goes for people who like AoD. They like the game, you don't. Saying that their argument that the game isn't for everyone doesn't work anymore is silly, to say the least.

 

[sydney_roo]

Why is AoD such a chore of game to play? As much as it sounds GREAT (Truly amazing to be frank!) on paper, it's really poorly executed and hard to like. And my favourite games happen to be Arcanum, Fallout, Darklands, Return To Krondor (well, all cRPGS of the Golden Era) which supposedly are one of the AoD's inspirations. I really hope the gold master will turn out better than this.

 

[Geech]

Vince, I suppose I misunderstood this text then. As I reread, I can see how there's room to do so.

We’ve finally released the demo, fully expecting it to be proclaimed the best thing that happened to mankind since Jesus took the bullet for us and died for us sins like a true bro. Instead, much to our surprise, it turned out some people loved it and wanted the full game NOW, whereas other people (we’re making a list) hated it and wanted to kill it with fire. Many other people were left unsure whether they were supposed to like it for what it is and hate it for what it isn't. Decisions, decisions…

While the game was never perfect (or even meant to be perfect), we didn’t realize just how imperfect it was. So, instead of moving on, we have to go back unto the breach once more. Thus, I dedicate this update to issues and changes.

Let me guess, too hard for you?

God damn it, but it was. I completed multiple combat demo releases with different builds, including going through the fight at the inn. However, when I try to kill that one stupid assassin in the merc path, I have met my match. I tried different skill point allocations, different tactics, different builds, but I can hardly manage to kill him. On the rare occasions I do, it feels like luck.

AoD's fans like to emphasize the importance of choices and consequences. The consequence of trying to fight this one assassin is learning that he could have walked through the front door killing everyone in sight, Terminator style, and only climbed in through the window because it felt more l337.

But beyond that, the game just didn't feel all that fun. I can't put my finger on it, but even when I played a peaceful path, like the loremaster -- or whatever they're called -- I wasn't really having fun with it.

I put my buddy onto it. He has similar taste I do, he likes Fallout, Planescape, Arcanum and such, and he arrived at the exact same conclusion I did. I think he said something along the lines of "the fun just wasn't there."

 

[UniversalWolf]

Why is AoD such a chore of game to play?

The real question is, why do people keep saying this when it's not true?

 

[Crni Vuk]

AoD is shaping up to be a superb cRPG, in my opinion. It needs more hype.

if it is finished one day, sure

And why is that? AoD is not for everyone. That's pretty much a fact that shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who follows games. Turn-based, text-heavy, low magic, no monsters, no filler combat - it's pretty much the opposite of what sells. The original Fallout games weren't for everyone either. They sold a fraction of what the Baldur's Gate games sold, which doesn't mean shit to people who liked them. .

Hmm. I suppose. You have a point so much for sure.

Thing is, knowing both games (BG and F) I don't see BG as the inherently better game or Fallout as the better game. Both games in my opinion have great quality but simply satisfy a different expectations and need.

But BG and Fallout aside, I think we have to make a difference here if we talk about the kind of people here.

Are the people the target audience or not? A simple example, of course possibly I don't have to give much on the opinions of people which love shooters to death and what they think about a pure turn based RPG/Strategy game and they might see it as bad.

But if someone or a group of people which are familiar with turn based gameplay and actually like those games have some criticism then it cant hurt to at least read their opinions.

Thats at least what they teach us in marketing which is for a graphic designer very important, because I cant really tell what works for females because I a not the target audience. I am talking about commercials. So its important to keep their opinion in mind.

Now of course I know you do this game with the intention (as far as I know) to develope something which YOU would play and like together with other people which share your vision in the hope that other people might find the same joy. I guess for you it would be no problem if you and your team would be the only people that play the game - again just what I assume if I am wrong then I am sorry.

But another example. I love simulations or at least I did in the past. Most of which have been WW2. I am not playing many PC games today anymore. I was disappointed by Arma 2, compared to other simulations I knew it had very awful controls and interfaces. To complicated, for its own good. And people told me sometimes that all I want is a watered down experience. I say now. I played some games and mods in the past which achieved similar effects like Arma 2 (maybe not of that size, but its about the feeling here) creating a better simulation in the end but with a better easier to understand interface and controls. It doesn't mean those games had less complexity then arma.

 

[rattlenik]

Throw out all screens with death description. Put there some combat hints. In place of one death screen add one quest/npc.
Nothing broken. Nobody hurt. Just more fun.

 

[VDweller]

Thing is, knowing both games (BG and F) I don't see BG as the inherently better game or Fallout as the better game. Both games in my opinion have great quality but simply satisfy a different expectations and need.

They do, but BG is a much simpler game. It was an action-adventure game with adjustable stats whereas Fallout was a true role-playing game.

Are the people the target audience or not?

I dislike the very concept of target audience and believe that nothing good came out of it. I'd rather see developers making games they want to play instead of worrying about who likes what and what the target audience might think about it.

But if someone or a group of people which are familiar with turn based gameplay and actually like those games have some criticism then it cant hurt to at least read their opinions.

That we do, but in reality there are two camps: people who like the game and want to see it improved and people who don't like the game. We're in close and constant contact with the first group and their feedback has been incredibly valuable. As for the other group...

Well, take the posts above, for example. "The game is a chore to play; it's just not fun, etc". Mind you, I don't take such posts personally - after spending 10 years on the Codex you lose your ability to react emotionally to things you read on the internet.

Now clearly (well, hopefully) these people are fans of the first two Fallout games, so it's disappointing that we've lost them, but I don't think we can change anything to make the game fun for them. Even expecting all Fallout fans (or TB fans) to like AoD is not a very reasonable attitude.

AoD is not a Fallout clone and it's not *just* a TB game. First, there is no party, which is the #1 requirement. Second, there is no filler combat, but there is plenty of story-telling and text-adventure elements, so odds are, you spend more time in the dialogue window than battling creatures, which isn't everyone's cup of tea. On top of that, the problem with story-telling is that it will alienate some people by default. That's just how it is. Pick any notable book and you'll find people who love it and people who are indifferent to it or dislike it.

Some people called AoD an urban intrigue simulator. Fair enough, I suppose. It's not all the game is, but that's all that the demo was. I don't consider it a bad thing, but I understand that not everyone wants to play such a game and there isn't a thing you can do about it.

I guess for you it would be no problem if you and your team would be the only people that play the game - again just what I assume if I am wrong then I am sorry.

Not really. I mean, when you make a game, you hope that it will find some audience and that someone somewhere will like it. So, I'm glad to see that a few thousand people enjoy it. A few thousand orders won't be enough to keep us in business, but if that's all we get, I'll be ok with it and won't regret a thing.

 

[UniversalWolf]

Some people called AoD an urban intrigue simulator. Fair enough, I suppose. It's not all the game is, but that's all that the demo was. I don't consider it a bad thing, but I understand that not everyone wants to play such a game and there isn't a thing you can do about it.

I'm hoping to see the combat mechanics in action in a large-scale battle, say 50 participants on a side.