Tag: strategy

  • Looting Game Design Gold from Sid Meier’s Pirates!

    “Good artists copy, great artists steal.” – Pablo Picasso Sid Meier’s Pirates! is arguably the most important game ever made . . . and it also ruined my week.  You see, I’m working on Archmage Rises—and part of my elevator pitch is, “It’s like Pirates! but with mages and permadeath.” “Live the Life” is exactly what this Pirate simulator…

  • Archmage Rises Dev Blog #7: User Interface Magic

    This past week, I focused my development efforts on the user interface (UI) of Archmage Rises.  Proper software development methodology mandates that we should take on the highest priority, highest risk items first.  We should do this to save enough time and energy to deal with the truly dangerous issues: the unknowns.  Archmage Rises is a UI-heavy game, and…

  • What ‘90s SSI Goldbox RPGs Can Teach Us about the Modern RPG (Archmage Origins Part 2 of 2)

    Sometimes a new solution is just an old idea in a new package. Last time, I covered how re-reading the Dragonlance novels got me thinking about a new kind of RPG.  One that is a realistic open world, procedurally-generated, and full of meaningful choices.  The question is: How can I build it? Is it even possible? Shark…

  • Video Test of Combat Effects

    Just messing around with Unity 2D and particle effects today. Now my dream of shooting skeletons with fire can come true. Next step is to add some kind of reaction to the target. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYJTnrTiOVI You can leave comments in the forum: http://defiancegamestudio.com/Forum/yaf_postst18_Short-video-on-some-combat-effects–Skeleton-and-firebolt.aspx

  • Because it isn’t an RPG without the Undead

    I like shooting fireballs at skeletons and watching them burn. So Archmage features skeletons. Click to see larger version.

  • What flavour of Ogre do you like?

    Answer our  Ogre Flavour Poll here!

  • Female Mage Pic

    First piece of artwork revealed! At the start of the game you are 16 and must choose which mentor you will study under. Each has pros and cons and determines how you begin the game.  This is one of your possible mentors:

  • Fancy Monsters

    In this Friday update we talk about fancy pants creatures who can do all types of hurt on your mage. Which brings up this question: What kind of interesting creatures would you like to see in the game? Answer here  

  • Archmage Rises Game Design Document

    In this Friday Update I show some of the depth of the Archmage Rises design document.  And you may learn something about mindmapping too! Read the full post in the forums      

  • Rewriting Combat Engine

    The combat engine was the first thing I wrote when I started what would become Archmage Rises.  Inspired by this card from Hearthstone, I started rewriting combat to handle multiple opponents and multiple waves of opponents. You can read more in the forum post: Rewriting Combat for Multiple Opponents