Update: Minecraft Developer Details Release Plan for Scrolls

[kitsuta]

Update: Minecraft Developer Details Release Plan for Scrolls

Mojang wants your feedback for its next game before it's complete.

Mojang has revamped the website for its next game, Scrolls, complete with a launch plan and a new gameplay trailer. In a post following the website's relaunch, Mojang co-founder and Scrolls developer Jakob Porser explains the basic roadmap for the game's development, including some of the planned features for each stage.

The closed alpha for the collectible card game is "rapidly approaching," according to Porser, and will segue into an open beta sold at a discount, then finally open into the full game for the full price. Neither the alpha nor the beta of Scrolls will be feature complete, which Porser explains is Mojang's way to solicit and implement feedback for the game before release.

The alpha will focus on the actual card game, including multiplayer and singleplayer matches and the ability to build your card deck from over 100 available scrolls. For the beta, Mojang will "look to include" a single player world for players to explore and complete battles to earn more scrolls. Porser mentioned several other features planned post-alpha, including an auction house, character customization, and even quests.

The release plan for Scrolls bears a striking, albeit unsurprising, resemblance to the launch of Minecraft, which gradually increased in price as it entered beta, then gold status. [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/106061-Minecraft-Shifting-to-Beta-With-Price-Hike] Charging for an incomplete product is not something developers usually get away with, but if any studio has enough goodwill and track record to pull it off, it's Mojang.

Update: Mojang has announced that the Scrolls alpha has begun [http://scrolls.com/2012/07/ready-set-alpha], and has begun randomly emailing game codes to people who've signed up. Alpha players will be able to build decks and fight matches against AI opponents and other players.

Source: Eurogamer [http://scrolls.com/2012/06/release-plan-of-scrolls]

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[Woodsey]

Well this is just ridiculous, this looks nothing like the previous Elder Scrolls games. Bethesda are such sell-outs. Shoulda stuck with what series fans wanted idiots!!1!

 

[Formica Archonis]

Well this is just ridiculous, this looks nothing like the previous Elder Scrolls games. Bethesda are such sell-outs. Shoulda stuck with what series fans wanted idiots!!1!

You say that, but it's posts like that that the lawyers were using to show confusion. Sarcasm does not come through well on text.

 

[Folji]

All I'm curious about is whether Scrolls will repeat Minecraft by making the final product feel unfinished in a "well it's been long enough, so here's a regular-looking update with a 1.0 mark and a doubled price tag" kind of way.

 

[saintdane05]

I doubt it but time will tell. In any case this video and game is getting a LOT of hate on Youtube. I personally think it looks interesting but I love grid based strategy games.

That's because its Youtube. They either slobber you or accuse you of being a Nazi, one or the other.

 

[Elate]

I doubt it but time will tell. In any case this video and game is getting a LOT of hate on Youtube. I personally think it looks interesting but I love grid based strategy games.

That's because its Youtube. They either slobber you or accuse you of being a Nazi, one or the other.

Thing is though, top comment has a point.

Didn't want to do this, but compared to Minecraft, the quality is really really poor. It looks like a flash game.

 

[Ne1butme]

I hope there is a Horse Armor scroll.

 

[sethisjimmy]

It actually looks pretty interesting. It must be somewhat disappointing to see the dislike ratio on the trailer as a developer though. What exactly did people expect? They can't and probably don't want to keep making Minecraft again and again. It's good they tried something new. And yes it does have that "flash" aesthetic, but plenty of great games do too, including Super Meat Boy, one of the best indie games I've ever played.

 

[brunothepig]

All I'm curious about is whether Scrolls will repeat Minecraft by making the final product feel unfinished in a "well it's been long enough, so here's a regular-looking update with a 1.0 mark and a doubled price tag" kind of way.

That was a little disappointing, I think they started out with great ideas (such as the modding API) but found it was either impossible with the current game (the latest patch drastically changes how SP works on the programming level so that the API will work) or would take a long time to get done. Scrolls probably won't be the same, cause they are planning on rolling out major content with each transition, like the alpha is just the core gameplay, they have single player content to roll out with the beta, a campaign mode and such. Could still happen I guess, if they roll out everything in the beta, but it's much easier for them to avoid it this time. Hell, they could just slowly work on a bunch of new cards throughout development, doubling the amount of cards seems like an ok way to launch.

Thing is though, top comment has a point.

Didn't want to do this, but compared to Minecraft, the quality is really really poor. It looks like a flash game.

It does look kinda cheap, but then what do you mean compared to Minecraft? It's not like Minecraft was pretty. But that's beside the point, you're right about the flash game feel. Two points, that's likely to change quite a bit, this footage would be from pre-alpha build, and there's nothing inherently wrong with that anyway. Sure it might draw some ire, which is a problem for Mojang, but personally I don't really mind as long as the graphics are clear and work well. This isn't the sort of game where you will benefit largely from pretty graphics.

 

[surg3n]

I'm not a fan, and I plan to ignore this game - but when I read that it's available to buy before it's finished, before it's even beta - then Mojang basically want a dry slap, and deserve every bit of critisism they get.

Frankly, we already made that git rich, why does he need more money - just finish the bloody game and release it, stop with the bull - or at least make the pricing fair. I mean, if a 'beta' tester beta tests properly, finds a bug, or helps solve a problem or bug - give them their money back, give them the game for free, because that's what beta testing is all about. I've beta tested a few products, and you know what you usually get? - name in credits plus a free copy. Beta testers shouldn't have to pay for it - there needs to be a distinction between people who just want to be the first people to play it, and those who want to help make it a better game. Mojang doesn't make that distinction, it just wants the cash to somehow fund a game that shouldn't need funding. I wouldn't give them the sweat from my ball sack towards their magic scrolls card game, I bought 4 copies of Minecraft. If they keep this business model going, they'll soon be replaced by more deserving indi developers.


On a side note - anyone who likes Meat Boy, is probably gonna like Binding of Isaac as well - I dragged my heels, I didn't think the game would be up to much, but damn that poor little sod is endearing... Isaac is one helluva addictive game, and at only a few bucks, nobody should pass it by. See, that's what I'd really like Mojang to do - make a game, release on steam, enjoy praise... it's not rocket surgery.

I'm still interested in that 10c game or whatever it's called, but only when it's finished.. these games don't have the same appeal as Minecraft, Notch needs to realise that and close his wallet for a little while.

 

[JediMB]

I've never really been interested in Scrolls, but from the trailer... it looks pretty good. It's certainly not going to be the next Minecraft, but why should it be?

(And besides, this is Jakob Porsér's game, not Notch's.)

 

[Elate]

It does look kinda cheap, but then what do you mean compared to Minecraft? It's not like Minecraft was pretty. But that's beside the point, you're right about the flash game feel. Two points, that's likely to change quite a bit, this footage would be from pre-alpha build, and there's nothing inherently wrong with that anyway. Sure it might draw some ire, which is a problem for Mojang, but personally I don't really mind as long as the graphics are clear and work well. This isn't the sort of game where you will benefit largely from pretty graphics.

I disagree, a game like has no reason not to be pretty because the artwork can be hand drawn, and I mean, quality wise, Minecraft pushed the boat out before it even hit beta. This? This doesn't just LOOK like some flash games, this is almost exactly like some free flash games.

The concept of this really interests me, but it looks like I was done by some dude in his basement, not an indie team that made MILLIONS.

 

[Realitycrash]

I hope there is a Horse Armor scroll.

Oh, there is, but it will cost you an extra 12.5USD.

 

[Realitycrash]

It does look kinda cheap, but then what do you mean compared to Minecraft? It's not like Minecraft was pretty. But that's beside the point, you're right about the flash game feel. Two points, that's likely to change quite a bit, this footage would be from pre-alpha build, and there's nothing inherently wrong with that anyway. Sure it might draw some ire, which is a problem for Mojang, but personally I don't really mind as long as the graphics are clear and work well. This isn't the sort of game where you will benefit largely from pretty graphics.

I disagree, a game like has no reason not to be pretty because the artwork can be hand drawn, and I mean, quality wise, Minecraft pushed the boat out before it even hit beta. This? This doesn't just LOOK like some flash games, this is almost exactly like some free flash games.

The concept of this really interests me, but it looks like I was done by some dude in his basement, not an indie team that made MILLIONS.

As of right now, I agree. It reminds me of some chess-like flashgame I played six years ago, where you had a different set of units, moved them on an isometric playing-field, where some could only attack forward, others only diagonally, etc. It was fun, but pretty primitive.
Then again, why should something be free, just because it is primitive? If they make this game in a similar fashion, but add perhaps a level-up system and spells that each player can cast on its creatures and/or enemies, etc, polish it up a bit, then it may be a very interesting game to play!

And yes, I know that some of you will now respond "PSH! I could make a game like that FOR FREE!". Well, fine, why don't you? Go ahead and make the game and put it up for free, just to screw with Mojang.
If people think the game is too similar to a flash-game, they won't pay for it. If they pay for it, then it's probably good, no matter how it looks.

 

[kitsuta]

I'm not a fan, and I plan to ignore this game - but when I read that it's available to buy before it's finished, before it's even beta - then Mojang basically want a dry slap, and deserve every bit of critisism they get.

The alpha is free - they are only charging from open beta onwards, and, like Minecraft, it will be cheaper if you buy it during beta.