Torment: Tides of Numenera - Interview at Dagon's Lair
 

There's a short interview on InXile's sequel to PST at Dagon's Lair.
More information.

Been googling the work of the artists they have listed. Interesting stuff… nice, but pretty exotic. More cthulhu-esque(?) than classic fantasy.

just about the news itself…

Dagon, is not a Dragon, as RPGWatch is not PGWatch ;-)

Ah, the article is on Dagon's and not Dragon's lair… How on earth did you notice the extra letter in the title… Nick… Um… Well…

Edited the name.

Dagon's Lair is so much better.

… I'm sure Dagon is french for Dragon.

;>

Bah, sorry, I don't know how I misread that.

Pretty sure Dragon is Dragon in french.

Why is Tides of Numenera being referred to as a "sequel" to PS:T?

Because that's how they are selling it, example.

Hmm.. I doubt the devs chose the headline of that article.

‘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 Planescape: Torment 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.’

Pretty much the same thing but a little more wordy.

Um no. Not once did I read the word "sequel" in that little blurb. It's a spiritual and thematic successor, not a sequel. There's a difference. Wishful thinking on the count of overly enthuasiastic websites and fans doesn't make it so.
Thus, let's try to be critical and aware of that fact please. :)

It really isn't a sequel, woges. inXile has never called it a sequel and never will because they're not going to false claim it is an actual, direct sequel. Thematic or spiritual successor or whatever, sure, but sequel just implies something it's not. Press may occasionally refer to it that way but that's just inaccurate shorthand, it really is better not to. Way inXile prefers it, if nothing else.

Worthy names to have on board for any game. Myself, I'm awaiting the inclusion of Zeb Cook - come on Fargo, you can do it!

If Fall Out 3 was a sequel anything is possible.

Brother None,

I know what you mean (i.e not a full blown sequel) but spiritual successor is also called a spiritual sequel.

If InXile don't want it seen that way they should stop mentioning PST in interviews and hiring Planescape people to work on the game, oh, and calling it Torment.

A spiritual successor is a 'sequel of sorts' or subcategory of sequel so they are not wrong just less precise in terms of definition. There is no wrong in calling it either unless it's for legal terms.

"I know what you mean (i.e not a full blown sequel) but spiritual successor is also called a spiritual sequel."

100%

Furthermore, since when do sequels have to be related in terms of narrative? Look at, say, the Final Fantasy games. None of the mainline games are connected at all. In video games, a sequel often refers to a continuation of gaming mechanics/style/approach rather than a narrative sequel. I'm not sure why this couldn't apply here. It's true that I can't think of any notable exceptions in Western-style PC RPGs, but it still happens, even in narrative-heavy Eastern-style console RPGs.

I'm one of the few who isn't a fan of torment or mask of the betrayer. I will still check it out when it gets further along but i'm guessing this won't be something that would interest me.

First of all, thanks for skipping my post, pal. :P
Second, what you write here is pure semantics. Deliberately misinterpreting or misplacing the intent of InXile is actually misleading to readers no?

Sorry, but no. It's up to the individual to not deliberately misread and misinterpret what is actually intended. Obviously gaming media plays a role also to ensure myths don't get perpetuated. However, I've read nothing so far to infer InXile are making an actual sequel. It's both presumptuous and reaching at best to make this conclusion.

I don't think most people would call FF games sequels except in the case of things like FFX-2.

From the Oxford dictionary: a published, broadcast, or recorded work that continues the story or develops the theme of an earlier one.

So, yes a sequel can be thematically linked but in the case of this title the themes are so high level (life/rebirth) that it would be reaching a bit to call it a sequel. I.e. It would be like calling Magician a sequel to Lord of the rings, or star wars a sequel to star trek.

Spiritual successor is the right word in my opinion.

The Final Fantasy games may not be direct sequels in terms of plot, but they are connected in a lot of ways. Many of the same items, monsters, weapons & armors, music, etc., are consistent throughout the series.

I don't buy that just having similar mechanics or style is enough to consider something a sequel. For example, I don't consider Bioshock to be a sequel to System Shock, and I don't think many people would.

It's a spiritual successor, and I think it's important to make that distinction.

Yes. And inXile agrees. Just important to communicate clearly so people don't expect it to be something it's not.

I can't stop you calling it a sequel if you want to, woges. It's just a correction, and it is more accurate not to call it a sequel, especially if you don't use "spiritual". Not much to debate there.

Its all greek anyways.

Torment 2.

I'm pretty psyched for this as the Numenera setting looks like it will be fascinating to play in.

Check out some of the great preview art they've been showing on the official Numenera (tabletop RPG) site lately:
http://www.numenera.com/numenera-art/

This setting will be non-traditional fantasy for sure, more of a science fantasy / sci-fi hybrid.

The stuff of bad dreams. I'm intrigued. This has become more interesting to me now that they've switched to a new setting. Looking forward to seeing what they come out with.