Melan on 17/10/2012 at 20:49
If you were born the same year
Wizardry VII: Crusaders of the Dark Savant was released, you would be old enough to vote, drive and drink in most countries. If you were born the same year development started on Grimoire, you wouldn't be able to do most of this, but you would be pretty close. That's because Grimoire is not just an indie game based on the style, ideas and mechanics of Wizardry VII, it is also an indie game that
* has been in development for over 17 years;
* has been designed by someone who owns an actual, operational fallout shelter, and believes we are heading for global thermonuclear war and/or an NWO takeover;
* has been an object of ridicule on RPGCodex so long the vendetta between the author and the community has devoved into a love-hate relationship, which has devolved into a vendetta again. Multiple times. Also, Grimoire
* is apparently one of those immense, complex RPGs which aren't being made anymore. Maybe there is a reason for that. But that doesn't matter for Grimoire.
I first remember reading about Grimoire shortly after the first time I got on the Internet, in an interview with game designer and survivalist Cleve Blakemore. I was absolutely blown away by the idea of a game that would out-Wizardry Wizardry VII. Larger. More complex. More interactive. More crazy.
It is now something like 15 years later, and Grimoire has (
http://www.indiegogo.com/grimoireforever) an active IndieGoGo campaign and a release date.
Oh yeah. And something else.
It has this video pitch, which I think everyone ought to check out for that
special brand of crazy only a shunned RPG developer who has worked on a vanity project for the last two decades out of a fallout shelter can provide. It is, by itself, a work of art. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Grimoire:
[CENTER][video=youtube;xDyXSCd2Lp0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDyXSCd2Lp0&feature=player_embedded[/video][/CENTER]
Yeah. I think I will end up breaking down and buying a copy. Yes, I know it is about as wise as nosediving into a shark tank while holding onto a raw steak. Yes, I understand this thing has blown more deadlines than Duke Nukem Forever. Yes, I understand all your fancy 'risks' and 'challenges'. Yes, I understand the author believes himself to be a highly evolved Neanderthal. Yes, it is fairly possible all the money will go towards the purchase of ammo and canned beans. Still. This is it. This is the game I have always wanted to exist. This shit has got to be real.
I want my dreams, damnit!
Ahris on 18/10/2012 at 10:23
I love the video pitch and the fact that it's 20 minutes of a voice telling you how epic and fantastic it is wile showing off the oldschool graphics. :)
Al_B on 18/10/2012 at 23:18
I love the pitch - clearly he knows it's been an obsession that's been going on far too long but he's determined to bring it to an end. At least he appears happy to make fun of himself and the situation and I'm tempted to pitch in even though I know I will probably never play even half of his game world.
smallfry on 19/10/2012 at 03:48
Man I would've sold my soul for this game 17 years ago. Nowadays I'm not sure I have the time for such an epic adventure but I think I might get it anyway. $250,000 though?? That seems outrageous for new animations and cinematics for such an old-school game.
Chimpy Chompy on 19/10/2012 at 08:35
The idea of a modern Wizardry VII tribute would excite me the way Grimrock did most others here.
But this isn't a modern retro-styled game of course, rather something that's sat in development since the 90s, and looks it. I'm still kinda curious tho.
Melan on 19/10/2012 at 08:51
Quote Posted by smallfry
Man I would've sold my soul for this game 17 years ago. Nowadays I'm not sure I have the time for such an epic adventure but I think I might get it anyway. $250,000 though?? That seems outrageous for new animations and cinematics for such an old-school game.
Yeah, when I saw the first released screenshots, I remember saying to myself, 'This looks so good.' That was some time ago. But really, the number one thing against buying this is not just the risk, but time. Do I have 600 hours to play this, even if it's so good it'll blow my socks off? :p
gozioso on 19/10/2012 at 14:07
This guy is such a jerk, I wouldn't even throw him a rope if he's drowning in quicksand. He's one of the archetypal internet trolls. Right now, he's on the Shaker kickstarter forums bashing the people at LootDrop. Only a lunatic would back Grimoire. Cleve belongs in an asylum...heavily medicated. :weird:
Renault on 20/10/2012 at 00:46
Wow, that video is a...classic? I would like to play the game though, hopefully he's serious about releasing in May.
MSX on 20/10/2012 at 03:27
This interests me. Though I've been on a old rpg kick lately. Mostly because I could never get games like ultima underworld and pool of radiance working properly on my old 286.
Honestly he's going on like crazy about all the monsters and items but when they have like three frames a piece max its not really that impressive. I think he spent too much time trying to build it up in an incorrect manner. I hope the guy's storytelling in game is better than his pitch. If not its hard to see why he wasted his time.
