New Torment game announced

[Sp3ratus]

So, Brian Fargo announced not long ago that a new Torment game is in the works(preproduction, anyway). I won't be set in the Planescape universe, but rather in a very similar universe, called Numenera, made by some of the same people who worked with the Planescape license.

The reason for just calling it a Torment game is, as Fargo himself puts it:

We know it hasn't been done often in the game industry, but we're envisioning Torment as a thematic franchise with certain themes that can expand over different settings and stories. We will focus on the same things that made people appreciate PST so much: overturning RPG tropes; a fantastic, unconventional setting; memorable companions; deep thematic exploration of the human condition; heavy reactivity (i.e., choice and consequences); an intensely personal (rather than epic) story.

Should be very exciting, seeing as some(if not a lot) of the same people who worked on PS:T back in the day is working on this as well. From the sound of it though, Chris Avellone won't be working on it, at least not yet, which is a shame.

Other details include that i'll probably be RTwP, just like PS:T was and that it might be a Kickstarter game.

For the full interview: Source

 

[Murrdox]

Okay this is... pretty astonishing. I didn't get in on Monte Cook's Kickstarter for Numenera, but I was at a panel at Dragon Con this year where Monte made quite a presentation on it. Ever since I've been waiting for the release. My friends and I can't wait to play that game.

Brian Fargo couldn't do much better than partnering with Monte Cook for the game world of the next Torment. Exciting!

 

[BloatedGuppy]

I'm actually really glad to see they won't be returning to Planescape or those characters again. PST was a very contained story that saw a very satisfying conclusion. I like the idea of taking the thematic tone and applying it to a variety of settings and characters. There could be a lot of mileage in that. Rather similar to what we're seeing happen with Bioshock (only with a more appropriate name tying the "franchise" together, since "Bioshock" was meant to alert System Shock fans to a spiritual successor and has gone on to not have any relevance to the series at all).

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Oh god oh god oh god, this is awesome.

 

[dimensional]

Interesting I keep meaning to play Planescape but so far havent got around to it but I will one day. I wonder how much interest in this there will actually be but if its sold at an appropriate price and is a reasonable quality im sure it can do well although the inevitable comparisons and high expectations may not turn out in its favour.

 

[Fat Hippo]

This...could be really good. But we'll see if inXile has what it takes to make awesome RPGs when Wasteland 2 comes out.

 

[Skoldpadda]

I'm... I'm just so... so HAPPY right now!

 

[BrotherRool]

It was the execution of Planescape that made me excited, not the setting, so see how Wasteland 2 turns out, and if it's good then maybe this will be good.

Otherwise this really doesn't mean much. Is it going to be about a dead man waking up in a Morgue with no memories and a note to himself written in his own flesh, traversing the world to find out whats happened to him and what can change the nature of a man? Is the gameplay largely dialogue based exploring and rich and varied world of characters in a brilliantly detailed manner?

I don't know. It might do I guess.

EDIT: Actually Kevin Saunders is big. I've heard Mask of the Betrayer is Planescape good, so that would mean he has multiple credentials. As long as Wasteland 2 doesn't completely flunk, I'd kickstarter it.

 

[Skoldpadda]

Ugh...really? No new original game? Yet ANOTHER sequel.

Why couldn't they just left Tormet as one game? It's great at is own. It doesn't need a freaking awful sequel or trilogy like every single game now these days. But nope, were going to get an action rpg Tormet sequel that will get overhyped as shit but fail to fulfill any kind of unrealistic potential, thus making the sequel look terrible.

Ah who am I kidding? The movie industry is not exactly innovative either. They would probably stick a dagger to my heart and make a Shawkshank Redemption sequel too.

You haven't just not read the link,you haven't read the goddamn OP. It's not a sequel. It's not even set in the same universe. It's a spiritual successor by much of the original team. It's a new story.

 

[Skoldpadda]

Ugh...really? No new original game? Yet ANOTHER sequel.

Why couldn't they just left Tormet as one game? It's great at is own. It doesn't need a freaking awful sequel or trilogy like every single game now these days. But nope, were going to get an action rpg Tormet sequel that will get overhyped as shit but fail to fulfill any kind of unrealistic potential, thus making the sequel look terrible.

Ah who am I kidding? The movie industry is not exactly innovative either. They would probably stick a dagger to my heart and make a Shawkshank Redemption sequel too.

You don't just haven't read the link,you haven't read the goddamn OP. It's not a sequel. It's not even set in the same universe. It's a spiritual successor by much of the original team. It's a new story.

Does it have the "Torment" name on it? Then it is a sequel when it is all said and done. No one is going to think of this as "oh its a whole different game". No, they see the name, it's Torment, must be a sequel.

If it's THAT MUCH different, why not call it something else? WHY TORMENT? Why ruin it's credibility?

I... you... I don't even... What?!

 

[Lunar Shadow]

Ugh...really? No new original game? Yet ANOTHER sequel.

Why couldn't they just left Tormet as one game? It's great at is own. It doesn't need a freaking awful sequel or trilogy like every single game now these days. But nope, were going to get an action rpg Tormet sequel that will get overhyped as shit but fail to fulfill any kind of unrealistic potential, thus making the sequel look terrible.

Ah who am I kidding? The movie industry is not exactly innovative either. They would probably stick a dagger to my heart and make a Shawkshank Redemption sequel too.

You don't just haven't read the link,you haven't read the goddamn OP. It's not a sequel. It's not even set in the same universe. It's a spiritual successor by much of the original team. It's a new story.

Does it have the "Torment" name on it? Then it is a sequel when it is all said and done. No one is going to think of this as "oh its a whole different game". No, they see the name, it's Torment, must be a sequel.

If it's THAT MUCH different, why not call it something else? WHY TORMENT? Why ruin it's credibility?

Cause it give an indication of what the game will be like, IE a character driven story focused on dialogue and exploration by much of the same team that did PS:T.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

You wouldn't call Bioshock a Sequel to System Shock just because they both use the word Shock. Spiritual successor, yes, sequel, no.

Dragon Age Origins is a Baldur's Gate spiritual successor, not a sequel.

 

[lRookiel]

I should really finish Planescape torment xD

 

[Vegosiux]

Well, maybe we could call it "tormentlike" along the lines how some games are called "roguelike". But I would prefer a different name on it, yes.

That said: My attention is piqued and I shall keep an eye on this!

 

[The Madman]

Nice to know it's possible, but it's likely to be so long in development that I wont hold my breath for it especially seeing as he's already working on Wasteland 2.

Look forward to more details in the future however. The surge in popularity for older style PC rpgs has been fantastic and I hope its one that continues.

 

[Smolderin]

Oh god....Would I be one of the only few to say it? Please...just leave some games well enough alone, don't introduce a chance to put a smudge on a great game's reputation. I am not saying it's going to be bad, but due to recent flops, I can't help to be overly cautious when developers decide to resurrect a perfectly good fossil. You can end up with a monstrous T-Rex of a game, or a failed experiment.

 

[Rabid Toilet]

Oh god....Would I be one of the only few to say it? Please...just leave some games well enough alone, don't introduce a chance to put a smudge on a great game's reputation. I am not saying it's going to be bad, but due to recent flops, I can't help to be overly cautious when developers decide to resurrect a perfectly good fossil. You can end up with a monstrous T-Rex of a game, or a failed experiment.

Nobody complained when they wanted to resurrect Wasteland, and these are the same guys that also made the original Torment. I don't see why they wouldn't be able to make another good RPG.

 

[rbstewart7263]

Ugh...really? No new original game? Yet ANOTHER sequel.

Why couldn't they just left Tormet as one game? It's great at is own. It doesn't need a freaking awful sequel or trilogy like every single game now these days. But nope, were going to get an action rpg Tormet sequel that will get overhyped as shit but fail to fulfill any kind of unrealistic potential, thus making the sequel look terrible.

Ah who am I kidding? The movie industry is not exactly innovative either. They would probably stick a dagger to my heart and make a Shawkshank Redemption sequel too.

You don't just haven't read the link,you haven't read the goddamn OP. It's not a sequel. It's not even set in the same universe. It's a spiritual successor by much of the original team. It's a new story.

Does it have the "Torment" name on it? Then it is a sequel when it is all said and done. No one is going to think of this as "oh its a whole different game". No, they see the name, it's Torment, must be a sequel.

If it's THAT MUCH different, why not call it something else? WHY TORMENT? Why ruin it's credibility?

thematic sequel implys the differences between bioshock and bioshock infinite(tho I still wish theyd called it sky shock. Than wed have system,bio, and sky shock)

always wanted to play these games but jesus I got enough on my plate with the steam sale.

 

[Dagda Mor]

I think I might have already donated to this. Obsidian was trying to get funds for Project... Eternity, I think, on Kickstarter, and I donated some money to them, but I guess the name changed? I need to find out where that money went... Is Chris Avellone on this?

 

[Smolderin]

Oh god....Would I be one of the only few to say it? Please...just leave some games well enough alone, don't introduce a chance to put a smudge on a great game's reputation. I am not saying it's going to be bad, but due to recent flops, I can't help to be overly cautious when developers decide to resurrect a perfectly good fossil. You can end up with a monstrous T-Rex of a game, or a failed experiment.

Nobody complained when they wanted to resurrect Wasteland, and these are the same guys that also made the original Torment. I don't see why they wouldn't be able to make another good RPG.

Well that is all fine and good, and who is to say whether it be good or bad, none of us have the supernatural foresight to determine that (though based on their track record one can make a pretty good guess). Despite it's turnout, I would rather them either to just leave out the Torment name entirely, or have them work on a completely new IP. Which goes sort of hand in hand actually, considering the new Torment game will be placed in an entirely new world, which is fantastic...but why add the Torment name? Because of it's something fans will recognize and boost up sales? I guess I can look past that if that be the case cause hey...game companies need to make money to eh?

Though be it a business decision I can accept or not, I still don't like the idea of having a new Torment game, or rather I am not fond of the idea of sticking the Torment label on a game that isn't even going to take place in the same world as the original. If you want, you can call me one THOSE people who think developers should lay off perfectly fine, older titles with a pedigree shows dogs would be jealous of, but it's more about just the concept of leaving perfectly fine games alone and just let them be remembered for how awesome they are. It's more about the concept of leaving alone those certain type of games that really don't need sequels. Those type of games is a dying breed, because apparently the notion of everything needs a sequel has been widely adopted and accepted. Is nothing sacred anymore? Apparently not if the game industry think they can make money off it.

Anyways, I never said it was going to be a bad game, but I still think it is unnecessary to use the title of Torment when it isn't even going to be in Planescape. Now if it did something like how 2k games did with Bioshock, naming it more of a spiritual successor like it was with System Shock, then there wouldn't be any problem with me. Though if others like it to have the Torment title slapped onto it, that is all fine and dandy, though don't ask me to like it, as you can see I have my own opinions on such thing.