Avadon - Blog #5 - Getting It Done

Dhruin

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Jeff Vogel writes about the last stages of Avadon, as the project heads towards release in late February (well, the Mac version, anyway):
There are always lots of aggravating parts of the job of writing a game that I put off and put off. Now they can't be put off anymore. Every job I hate. Doing the sound effects. And writing the documentation (and hint book). And making the game icon, and the installer. Nothing can be delayed anymore.

A lot of this work is very important, as they determine a player's first impression. Things like the icon and the starting music and art are the first things a player will experience. These details require a lot of attention, so I work on them at a time when I can focus on them as much as possible.

For Avadon, I've put a lot of work into directing the art at the beginning of the game so that they help the player understand a complicated world, with a lot of intricate politics. The early moments of the game can't be wasted. I want to intrigue the player with the story at every possible moment.
More information.
 
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We hope to release it for the Macintosh at the end of February. Then the process of porting it to Windows and the iPad shall commence.

I don't think an iPad port has ever been mentioned before.
 
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I guess I never paid attention to his stuff pre-release before because the Mac getting it first is a surprise to me. I guess the reason is he builds the game on a Mac? It still seems odd.
 
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I wonder for which computer he sells more.
Does anybody knows how long does he take usually to port the games for Windows?
 
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I don't think an iPad port has ever been mentioned before.

He mentioned it previously - but I was surprised at the time.

I guess I never paid attention to his stuff pre-release before because the Mac getting it first is a surprise to me. I guess the reason is he builds the game on a Mac? It still seems odd.

Jeff has always programmed on a Mac - always has, always will. He feels more comfortable working that way

I wonder for which computer he sells more.
Does anybody knows how long does he take usually to port the games for Windows?

It takes around 2 months to port - much of that is beta testing and balancing. Jeff is cautious, even though he has the Mac version behind him. IIRC, the split is about 40 Mac / 60 Windows -- but I'll double-check my memory later.
 
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Well a 2 month delay is nice actually, gives me time to beat Two Worlds 2 and Dragon Age 2.
 
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The guy is incredibly efficient. It was announced in May 2010, stating it was 6 months in development at that point. If it comes out in February, Its just 1 3/4 years in development, and that with a new IP! Maybe his games are samey, but you have to hand it to him, he knows his stuff and works highly professional. I have played only one of his games so far, but I might give Avadon a shot if word at the watch is good - with a new series I'd be more comfortable jumping in then with the old ones with their large backlogs.
 
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I'm mildly excited too. My biggest gripe with all of Jeff's games, is that each in a series is too much alike. That and the pitiful graphics. At least with Avadon, there won't be X or Erika or Soldberg. Of course, looking at screenshots, the graphics have been improved about .04% and every skill looks like it existed in Avernum too. I actually bought Avernum 6 because folks had bragged about the Battle Disciplines and how it was a more robust game. I just didn't see it. It felt like all the other Avernum's to me.

I'll definitely play through the demo. If I can slog through that without getting bored, I'll buy. Jeff always rewards with a great demo.
 
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