Anyone got info on the lext Larian title?

[Dray]

Hi all,

Has anyone got any news on the next title coming out of larian studios - you know the guys that developed Divine Divinity, etc? I've been checking their homepage - http://www.larian.com - now and then but they have been awfully quiet.

I liked that Divinity. It had an Ultima VII-esque feel to it in some ways so I'm interested in what they will release into the gaming wilderness next.

Cheers

[nameless hero]

Larian Studious is not only a game dev company, but I believe they also make software systems, like client-server tracking systems. Although I could be wrong.

Ive read some rumours that they are working on some new NextGen Game Engine, But I cant remember where I read that news from.

[Cormac]

They are working on DD2. Probable date of release would be end of 2007. There was a recent news item at rpgdot:
http://www.rpgdot.com/index.php?hsaction=10077&newsid=50702

[Dhruin]

We have a very good relationship with Larian - as soon as they can tell us more, we'll post it. :)

[txa1265]

They said that it was the 'quiet before the storm' - there is definitely something 'Divine' in the works, it seems ...

[Corwin]

It should be one of the best games of 2007 if everything goes according to plan. Perhaps only Dragon Age will be better!!

[Danicek]

Yes, DD2, I'm surely looking forward to this title.

[ShadowMoses]

There were these screenshots for it:

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/9836/279923122005oh8.th.jpg (http://img207.imageshack.us/my.php?image=279923122005oh8.jpg)http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/2765/1xo9.th.jpg (http://img292.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1xo9.jpg)
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/4093/2xk0.th.jpg (http://img292.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2xk0.jpg)http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/9478/3qs9.th.jpg (http://img292.imageshack.us/my.php?image=3qs9.jpg)

I prefer the first to the others, they're a bit wishy washy but looking forward to the game.

[ToddMcF2002]

I admit I never finished Divine Divinity but it sure was fun hacking and slashing my way though hordes of orcs. The excessive hack and slash eventually did me in though - even if it was a non linear story. If they can put that experience into a 3rd person game though - I'll play it!

[txa1265]

Nice looking screens, but it is the great story and characters I look forward to (and hopefully more fantastic music!)

[mogwins]

Yeah, I too started Divine Divinity, and though it promised much at the start, it quickly descended into pure hack'n'slash (though somewhat directed by a narrative, it still involved a mindless clickfest) and I lost interest. I hope they can do something more with the true sequel.

[Alrik Fassbauer]

Larian Studious is not only a game dev company, but I believe they also make software systems, like client-server tracking systems. Although I could be wrong.

I don't know about this kind of software, but they developed casino games and Ketnetkick, a game with connections to a Belgian TV Broadcast station.

By the way, you can find a scan of an newer PC Gamer article here. (http://www.larian.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=Rift_general&Number=303748&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1)

And as a last note, what I liked most in Divinity was the exploration (I'm an "Explorer"-style player), and the dialogues.

[GothicGothicness]

I am sure I know more than any of you :D Because I was there for a couple of months. Kirill does great music IMHO, he's my friend too. This is the part I'll look forward to the most in their next game, even if I've already heard some of it.

Aside from that, I think divinity had potential but they screwed it... like so many other companies... unfinished balancing problems.. bugs.... unfinishes story... party members not implemented. The first part of the game was nice... but it didn't last all the way.. the later parts felt just like a filler.

As for the future *ZIP* my mouth is shut :D

[mogwins]

I think divinity had potential but they screwed it... like so many other companies... unfinished balancing problems.. bugs.... unfinishes story... party members not implemented. The first part of the game was nice... but it didn't last all the way.. the later parts felt just like a filler.


Yeah, it didn't have the drop off of Lionheart, but it was the same kind of problem.

As for the future *ZIP* my mouth is shut :D

Tease!

[Dray]

Yeah, I too started Divine Divinity, and though it promised much at the start, it quickly descended into pure hack'n'slash (though somewhat directed by a narrative, it still involved a mindless clickfest) and I lost interest. I hope they can do something more with the true sequel.

Before it came out I recall reading an interview with one of the developers. He said that he was inspired by the playstyle of Ultima VII. As this is my all time fav RPG I was eagly awaiting to experience the interactivity in the DD world. It wasn't too bad, but I agree that the hack and slash was a mundane after awhile, and that there was no party was a major blow for me.

[Corwin]

Guess I'll have to get back to visiting their forums regularly. They have a really good community there. Perhaps it will be third time lucky and they'll get everything right this time!! :)

[Sei Daneic]

I hope that it will be better than beyond Divinity, I don't know what it was, but I just never could finish it. It might have been because of the game-breaking bugs, but that wasn't the only thing that made me stop playing it after having gotten half-through for the n'th time.

I did love Divinie Divinity though so I do have hope still.

[Alrik Fassbauer]

Brand-new screenshot : http://www.larian.com/nextgen.php

[magerette]

That's a nice screenshot, and looks a lot more "advanced" than DD--I couldn't tell from the post if this is supposed to be for PC or if the Next Gen RPG refers to something multi-platformed.

I enjoyed Divine Divinity tho I never finished it. Had to give up on Beyond D. after a few hours--the voice of the Death Knight was just ...wrong. I tried turning the sound off, but that just made me feel like I had gone deaf.;)

[Dhruin]

I'm pretty confident it's for PC (or at least multiplatform including PC). I think the "nextgen" refers to the new technology they have licensed, such as SpeedTree and a physics engine (I forget its name). Time will tell.

[Moriendor]

More news regarding the new game: Larian Studios has teamed up with ISM, the leading business management company for independent video game studios... http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=21557

[magerette]

Well, that seems to indicate a multi-platform stance. If it can help them make great games, I guess that's a good thing.
btw, is this Megon physics engine they've licensed mainly a first-person engine-what with the Duke Nukem credits and all? If so that would definitely change the look and feel of Divinity.

[txa1265]

Megon was bought by Ageia, who makes the Physx card and physics middleware ... as for that meaning FPS, don't worry - Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends uses it ...

[magerette]

Megon was bought by Ageia, who makes the Physx card and physics middleware ... as for that meaning FPS, don't worry - Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends uses it ...

Is that a strategy title? Heard of it but not come across it.

[txa1265]

Is that a strategy title? Heard of it but not come across it.

Yep - you can check it out here (http://www.microsoft.com/games/riseofnations/).

[magerette]

Thanks txa1265-- pc strategy is one of my alternate addictions and I am mightily intrigued by this talk of being able to do rts mode or turn-based. There are a lot of elements of rts I enjoy, but turn-based suits the way I play a lot better.

Will definitely have to put this on the list of 'games to check out when I finish Wiz8'

Back on topic: It still seems a very different kind of engine for Divinity, tho.