Larian Studios Forums Divinity 2 - Ego Draconis (English) Divinity 2 - Ego Draconis Getting tired of waiting! dev. stopped?

thanks for 2 of the best rpg games i have ever played, Larian! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />
I am Sorry if this post is a rude statement, and I am even more sorry for my english, but I am really wondering what is happening.
First we get a early screenshot, [color:"red"] [/color] some years ago! [color:"white"] [/color] And then, we get 2 new screenshots a year later.

since then, I've been thinking they are probably working their butts off, since there is hardly ever an update on the homepage, only some notes, on some flash/c++ dev. job available..
makes me think " oh yes, they'r are speeding up, maybe we'll get some trailers soon", as I hope for a really good christmas present!

And christmas is finally here, and I get back to the page to see what cool stuff is upon me, and what hits me, is some kind of art, wich is barely game related, and probably some kind of internal humor...thing..
Don't get me wrong, it was a good picture, but I was a bit disappointed!

After years of tweaking and playing with the game engine, I really wished you could give the fans something to get their hopes on. I understand that you want it to be breathtaking and really good when you show anything, but I don't think I'm the only one starting to feel a bit frustrated!

when going to the forum, I don't get any wiser, reading " a year since the 'silence before the storm' post" and the 'wishlist' post started almost two years ago, having 17 pages... Some says 'be patient', and ' it will be done when it's done' and people having tens of thousands posts..I'm thinking, "why am i going back here checking every week? Am i crazy?"

Well, since I played DD, I have finished my masters degree, I have bought my own house, and on the edge of making my own family(scares me sometimes <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> )

and when BD was announced, it was spoken of as being in the divinity universe, and I thought that it would shorten the wait for DD2...now I have replayed both games so many times, and I have even played the BD demo a couple of times, just to hear the voices that was made in the first. That is how much I love these games. And I will probably go around waiting for DD2 until i'm 6 feet under, if there won't be any statement on why I shouldn't! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I think my point here, is that not everyone that played(and loved) DD will probably have time for DD2(or whatsitsname), and if the release should be 7 years after the release of DD, will I be in the target group for this game? I know I probably will be, since I love a good RPG anyways, and I think you MUST have been able to make something right in these past years!

Just had to get rid of some of my frustration here, sorry for if it seemed harsh <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

I'll see you next week, I guess...

I agree with you about the lack of information. Just to contrast - look at Ascaron with Sacred 2. Another small European studio making RPGs. Sacred was released in 2004 and wrapped up around 2005. Now they are close to releasing Sacred 2. It's been pushed back from early spring to next fall, but at least there have been press releases, screenshots, a new website and forums to discuss the game. A fan knows it's on the horizon.

I'm starting to think Divine Divinity 2(or whatever it will be called) is "vaporware". And that's unfortunate. A little information from the developers, good or bad, would be nice.

Imgaerion;
Congratulations on your degree, house, and almost-family. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/party.gif" alt="" />


The current best estimate for the release date, based partly on rumor, is sometime in 2009. If all you want is to get any new information on the next game, checking every month or two should be sufficient, and may be less frustrating. Also, in your 'My Home' options, you could subscribe to the 'Announcements' forum, to get any such posts by email.



Jeffredo;

The problem with releasing a little information is that it produces a great deal of speculation and questions, which the Larians may not be able to answer (if some design element isn't finished, or could still be changed or balanced), may not wish to answer yet (describing a feature pretty much locks it in, as some portion of players will react negatively if it is later changed), or simply may not want to take the time out of development to start answering now.

I'd like more information as well, but ultimately it isn't really going to make a difference to me whether I learn some particular thing now or a couple months before release.

Congratulations! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/kitty.gif" alt="" />


Why think differently? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Because there is no sign of it ? *wink, wink* <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

The Larians have always told us when there's something to tell. I have never seen any reason to doubt they will continue to do so.

If they kept telling us every couple of months "Don't worry, we're still here and hard at work!" people would complain they were just teasing and telling us nothing.

Whatever the Larians do they can't win, so waiting until they really do have something new to tell us is probably the best option.

Yes, but humans often believe by what they see.

That's why some people have difficulties believing in God ... The Bible even had the story with the Golden Cow or how it was called ...

From a purely psychological point of view, the Bible is right there: People tend to believe rather in what they see - in contrast to what they don't see.

That's why books like the Da Vinci Code are so popular nowadays: They play around and with what people do not see ...

Generally, studios that are within a year or two of release a game put out information, even if it's very vague and not definative, to generate interest in the game. I generally know about games that interest me by the buzz in gaming publications and websites. Again, usually several years in advance. There is almost nothing on Larian's next game. That is not typical of a game in development.

Hmmm, take your pick from the 2 replies:

Short reply:
Meh, just give them some time. Even for most indie developers, they're likely busy enough as it is, working on the game.

Long reply:

You're likely comparing big-budget game studios with Hollywood budgets against tiny companies which have very tight and sometimes shoestring budgets. This is because plenty of big-budget projects often have higher visibility as opposed to indie projects, so even if there's very little game information, it's compensated by rumors, gossip, "fake info", press generated by fansites, etc.

For a huge studio with at least 50 to 100 over people, you'd likely have a 10 to 30 man department for PR and a budget of about a few hundred thousand to a few million just for generating excitement in the game.

Then, you'd probably also have tons and tons of game reviewers and sites who're hankering to get game information and tons of industry contacts: some of whom have a vested interest in the game probably 'cos it's got some logos and some "really exciting, mind-blowing technology".

For an indie developer? It's not that they don't care about the fans but more 'cos they likely are understaffed and don't have the personnel to do it: meaning said dude/dudette likely does many things like scripting, alpha-testing, discussion and development of features, etc. apart from working on a PR package that would consist of anything from screenshots, character information, engine information, etc.

And their budget for generating excitement and game information is likely to be rather limited or almost none at all.

^ I think Raito is right. Larian are not a huge studio by any means, and obviously have limited resources - including time!

They, I think, have probably around 20 to 30 people max in terms of paid staff. This figure probably doesn't take into account buddies who pitch in to help in exchange for other services or for free and all the testers who pitch every now and then.

To be realistic, they've other projects too: KetnetKick and also other works they're hired for, so they definitely need to budget their (wo)manpower and finances.

Financing really sucks when you're indie. But at least you don't have a publisher breathing down your neck. Though finding one is another matter.

Not to mention they are working on lesser known projects that fatten the kitty while they continue to work on <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/div.gif" alt="" />²

Yep, that's true... I wouldn't want them to be broke 'cos they committed themselves fully to the next gen game.

Not to be the devil's advocate here (while you guys explain why there hasn't been a peep since October of 06), but how much time and manpower does it take to do a short press release and/or a few screen shots? An hour by one person (just guessing there)? Gaming websites like Gamespy, IGN and Blue's News live and breath to get tidbits like that to post. Not to mention PC Gamer. Again, this isn't typical of any gaming studio, large or small, with a major game (for them) in production.

It wouldn't be wrong to get some updated information about the game.

Well I guess I don't blame Larian for the fact that they have made me overly happy, and proud in Divine Divinity, and Beyond Divinity, I am going to be honest, DD was one of the best games of its time, Best storyline I have ever seen, nominated for best Script (lol), but BD looked like more of an experiment with new physics and stories, though the story was quite getting me into, there were some parts, just not of me, to be honest.

You guys have done your best for us before, and I expect it, as everyone else, that you shall continue, as we hope you do, if you do not wish to reveal information, that is fine, the more professional and complete things you do reveal however, should be making us all proud, and more anxious, as long as your going up the hill, that is fine, you are infact a extremely skilled small European company, I do not blame you for lack of speed and work, your working not us, but remember we are all WAY more then happy to help with ideas, quests w.e..

Its like the government, let the people speak for what they would like best, the least you can do is hear it out.

You need to have Vision; to see things no one else can see. Faith; to believe things no one else believes. Initiative; usually starts with a good idea. And COURAGE, THE GUTS TO SEE IT THROUGH! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mage.gif" alt="" /> Like in the Bible, when Peter, John, and Mary came back to the rest of the disciples and said "He is risen!" Thomas refused to believe until he could put his fingers through the holes made by the nails in Jesus' hands and feet. Then, even though the room was locked and in a secret place, Jesus materialized right there in front of them! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ROFL.gif" alt="" /> Then he told Thomas, "touch me". Thomas replied, "Lord, I believe!" Jesus said: "Yes; you believe because you have seen. Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believe." How's THAT for an illustration? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

In my opinion, discretion is often preferable. Since release is only scheduled for next year, there is plenty of time to set up a marketing campaign. Meanwhile, the company can work on a solid product without being too preoccupied with vast numbers of "fanboyz and trolls" effecting the future popularity of the release.

Exactly what I was saying, people just need to trust that Larian knows what they're doing and be patient.

Okay, then I won't tell you when I'll be here again next time. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />