Untold Legends - QJ Interview (2006-07-17)

[amuront]

http://ps3.qj.net/QJ-Preview-Untold-...g/49/aid/59026
(I stripped out the images, but they are available at the link)

[quote]The first game in the Untold Legends franchise, Brotherhood of the Blade debuted as a PSP launch title and gave gamers their very first taste of action RPG combat on Sony's handheld wonder. Earlier this year, the game was followed by a sequel titled The Warriors Code, which sought to improve on its predecessor in just about every way possible. With new combos, a stronger, more engaging storyline, sharper graphics and a more unique art style, Warriors Code did just that. Now Sony Online Entertainment are bringing the Untold Legends universe to Sony's brand new PlayStation 3, we sat down with Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom Senior Designer John Troy, and designer Amanda Flock to chat about their upcoming PS3 launch title, here's what they had to say.

QJ.net: The game was initially unveiled in the middle of March to a somewhat lukewarm reception and in the span of less than two months you made a complete turnaround, overhauled the graphics, changed the art style, everything, it's downright amazing! So first, I'd like to thank you for actually listening to the fans, not just on Dark Kingdom, but you did the same with Warriors Code as well, it's heartening to know there are developers out there that care. I guess the first question I really have to ask is how on earth did you do it? How did you make such huge changes in such a short span of time and still manage a solid playable build at E3?

SOE: The team know how important it was to make the changes, and together the artists really pulled together and worked a lot of hours to make those changes in that short time. It was amazing.

QJ.net: Were there any other changes made to the game other than the visual ones we can see, and how has the new art style affected the tone of the game?

SOE: The visual ones were the big changes that were made to the game. The majority of the core game systems and planning remained the same. The change in art did affect combat tuning somewhat, since all of the animations had to be updated.

QJ.net: How does Dark Kingdom tie into Brotherhood of the Blade and Warriors Code?

SOE: Like The Warrior's Code before it, Dark Kingdom is an expansion of the Untold Legends universe. While all three games take place in the same world, they each inhabit separate realms and have their own unique antagonists, protagonists, and plight. Dureth, the setting in which Dark Kingdom unfolds, is the third realm to be unveiled in the Untold Legends universe.

While the focus of the story arc is unique to the setting of Dark Kingdom, there are some minor story tie-ins to the previous Untold Legends games that can be found by those who are looking for them.

QJ.net: Action RPG's don't traditionally have very strong stories but we understand legendary Dungeons and Dragons author Keith Baker's involved with setting the stage for Dark Kingdom, (my geek sense is tingling) can you give us a glimpse of what to expect from the story? Also, could you perhaps give us an idea of the scope of the production?

SOE: Keith has done a wonderful job molding our story into something truly unique and entertaining. While I won't go too heavily into details, I can tell you that the story takes place in the dawn of the darkest era to befall Dureth. As members of an ancient and elite squad of mystic knights charged with the protection of Dureth, its people, and its dynasty, the players are faced with an unthinkable choice: to save their kingdom, they must betray their King, for the darkness that has descended upon the land is cast by the royal hand.

As the players progress through the storyline, they will uncover the horrible source of the King's dark power and be faced with some intriguing and often dangerous twists.

[b]QJ.net: We understand that there are three playable characters, a mage, a warrior and a scout, will each character have their own paths through the story? How will this enhance replay va