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| Thursday, January 31, 2002 |
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| Arx Multiplayer Cancelled - Elenkis - 8:58:05 AM EST |
RPGDot received the following news regarding the cancellation of the multiplayer mode in Arx, direct from Fishtank.
The originally planned multiplayer mode was already deleted some time ago. As it would have constituted a completely new game, it would have been very difficult to meet the schedule. A version with fewer features was out of the question for quality reasons. There are considerations however to offer the multiplayer version as a game of its own. In any case, we have been able to fully concentrate on the single player mode, which now offers between 80 and 100 hours of gaming fun.
While a multiplayer mode would have been nice, I am glad they made the decision to concentrate on a quality single player experience. But that's me - got your own thoughts on the subject? Then why not share them with us on the forums?
The play length is quite exciting news: We knew the game was going to lengthy, but this is the first time we've seen numbers thrown around. Between 80 and 100 hours? Wow, that's what I like to see! If the game is as good as we all know it's going to be, then we're sure to be immersed in the world of Arx for a good long time :)
The update also notes that the trilingual official site is up at www.arxfatalis-online.de and confirms again the previously reported 25th April release date for Germany.
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| Arx Release Date - Elenkis - 1:27:23 PM EST |
Fishtank Interactive have sent out word that the official Arx release date is slated for April 25th in Germany. No word on a date for the US or rest of Europe, so don't mark your calenders just yet.
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| New Arx Previews and Interview - Elenkis - 1:14:46 PM EST |
As Arx release draws ever closer the previews keep on coming in.
To The Game were lucky enough to test the beta for a few hours for their preview; they came away labeling the game as "what Ultima Underworld would have been if it were made today". Now that's what we like to hear! Seems they also enjoyed it enough to add it to their Most Wanted list, where it takes the 10th place!
All in all this is a great game that can be recommended to anyone that enjoys RPG and computer based action adventures. I know I’ll be hard pushed to wait for the release.
Next up is a rather short preview over at The Armchair Empire. Not a hands-on preview, so there is little we haven't seen in every other preview - Still, it's great to see Arx finally get some of the exposure it deserves! :)
If you're looking for a spiritual successor to Ultima Underworlds, this may just do the trick.
Last but not least is an interview with Julien Roby and Marco Mele over at RPGfrance.net. Unfortunately, yes it is in French. I'll do a translation and post it here as soon as I get the time (unless someone out there with better French is willing to try?), in the meantime you may dare to try the dreaded Babelfish (which will probably do a better job than me actually :-p)
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| GameSpy & Arx Fatalis - Dan - 10:30:59 AM EST |
Gamespy has posted up a chatroom-esque interview with Raf from Arkane, about Arx (of course!). This is a link to it:
Click me.
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| Arx Demo Next Month! - Elenkis - 10:37:59 PM EST |
Arx Fatalis publishers Fishtank Interactive have told the guys over at RPGDot that we can expect the demo to come out in mid February. The full game is still scheduled for a March release in Europe.
Woohoo! Not much longer to wait!
| Thursday, January 24, 2002 |
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| A Bit of Oz News - Dan - 8:06:47 PM EST |
I've been keeping my eye out for any news of American McGee's unofficial sequel to Alice, Oz. There's been bits and pieces, like this set of concept images, but finally we have some real news:
"Oz," the company's first title, will once again offer McGee's slightly twisted take on a bedtime classic. A developer and publisher (which McGee declined to name) have been lined up to help create and distribute the game. A comic book version is also being worked on, as is a model toy line. And Dimension Films has rights of first refusal for a film based on the game's theme. (Should they pass, McGee said several other studios have expressed interest.)
Whereas "Alice" was a sequel to Lewis Carroll's classics, "Oz" will be a prequel.
"We're showing the creation and formation of Oz before the history you know," said McGee.
Among the questions to be answered: Why are the scarecrow and tin man there? And why are some witches good and some evil? You'll play a "semi-reluctant hero" called upon to save Oz in its pre-Dorothy days. The game is tentatively set for release in Christmas 2003.
The article that is from is actually about games being made into movies (as Alice is), and if you want to read the whole thing, then feel free to - just don't expect much more Oz info then you just read. :) The whole story is here.
I'm a bit disappointed. I was hoping it would be called, and about, Dorothy ... but I suppose with the 60 or so books in the Oz series (yes) McGee thought it better to go back in time, rather then have to cope with continuity of those dozens of sequels. But then, he still does, since I am sure those dozens of sequels deal just as much with what happened before The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as they do with what happens after it. Besides, only about 10 or so of the Oz books feature Dorothy anyway.
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| Arx Element of the Week 22 - Elenkis - 12:00:17 PM EST |
Arx Element number 22 is up over at RPGDot. This week the feature takes a detailed look at the process involved in creating potions from plants and herbs found in the world of Arx. Each step of the process is accompanied by tasty looking screenshots (12 in total).
According to his level in "object knowledge" and the plants he founds, the player will be able to make different type of potion (life potion, mana restorer, poisons, invisibility potion.....).
| Saturday, January 19, 2002 |
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| Arx Website: A Treat For Your Eyes & Ears - Dan - 1:48:40 PM EST |
The Fishtank / Arkane Official Website for Arx Fatalis has gone online. The site is beautiful. I am humbled by it. I keep the website open just so I can keep listening to the music. The main menu is very pretty. It's such a sweet site! The LGS webmasters would be proud. :)
This takes you to the portal, where you can choose your language. Or, Skip to the English version here. (There are links to US and UK versions, but they both go to the same place.)
Enjoy. :) And when you are done, visit the Official Arx Fatalis Forums.
| Tuesday, January 08, 2002 |
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| New Arx Previews - Elenkis - 9:40:48 PM EST |
Two new Arx previews to satisfy your drooling for a short while :-)
The first preview can be found over at GamesDomain. It's a somewhat brief preview and while it contains nothing that's really new in terms of information, it does contain no less than 14 new screenshots. The previewer found the game compelling so far but doesn't come across as too excited. Oddly enough he criticises the graphics in the current build and labels them as mediocre and uninspired (?!). Is it just me or is he playing at 640x480 res in those screenshots?
On the contrary, the preview at ActionTrip is altogether very positive and praises the "great graphic design" and "fantastic atmosphere". I could tell from reading this preview that he enjoyed what he saw and found himself immersed. While it doesn't contain much new I did find it a more enlightening read as it had a more "hands on" quality.
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| Arx Element of the Week 21 - Elenkis - 6:39:41 AM EST |
The latest Arx Element over at RPGDot moves away from the game world and on to the game's interface. It includes a nice full size screenshot of the interface with working mouse overs to explain each facet of it. This shows in detail the Character Sheet, Spellbook, Automap and Journal. This is the first time we've really had a chance to get a good, in depth look at them and so it is quite an exciting update for me: I like what I see. The interface looks simple to navigate, is uncluttered, yet contains all the necessary info and fits in well with the game's atmosphere - all signs of a solid interface.
Not only this but the feature also includes shots of the title screen, main menu and credits background.
Nice stuff, thanks guys!
| Tuesday, January 01, 2002 |
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| Arx Element of the Week 20 - Elenkis - 12:14:21 AM EST |
We're up to the 20th week of RPGDot's Arx Element feature. This week shows off the undead infested Tomb with seven great screenshots.
A lot of sarcophagus with defensive systems, undead warriors and a attacking mummy keep this dirt smelling necropolis alive. Beside all fights the player will approach to a big statue which should not simply passed and also find a mini maze with different traps. At the end of the level is a spike pit which is too long to jump over… maybe a special spell will help.
Thanks guys!
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