Age of Silence: Interview with RPG Developers - Part 1

Contents:

• Inspiration for Age of Silence: The Revival of Classic RPGs
• Current Gaming Trends: The Revival of Genres
• Why Create a Unique Game Universe?

Inspiration for Age of Silence: A Classic RPG Reborn

Age of Silence is an outstanding example of the revival of the party-based RPG genre, inspired by classic series such as Might & Magic and Wizardry. These games not only had a significant impact on video game history but also set high standards for future projects in the genre. Age of Silence successfully combines elements of strategic planning and deep immersion, offering players a unique experience. The gameplay mechanics and storyline are capable of attracting both genre veterans and new players, making the project relevant in the modern gaming landscape. Oleg: Classic games like Might & Magic and Wizardry 8 formed the foundation for our Age of Silence project. These games embody a unique style and inspire us to create a new experience in the first-person role-playing genre with elements of real-time party mechanics. We've long awaited the return of this genre, and our commitment to its revival allows us to create a modern project that will appeal to new generations of players. Age of Silence is not just a tribute to classic games, but also a step forward in the development of role-playing games, which will combine traditions and modern technologies.

Other games that had an impact Our development influences include a number of projects that have inspired our mechanics and visual style. We study various genres to understand how they interact with players and what elements spark interest. The visual references used to create Age of Silence's unique style include the work of renowned artists and designers, as well as elements from classic and modern games. We strive to combine these influences to create an original and memorable visual language that will highlight the atmosphere and concept of our project.

Our team includes talented game designers, each of whom brings their own ideas and inspiration to the project. For example, I am a big fan of Baldur's Gate. Our game's visual style is based on the retro fantasy design of the 70s and 80s, which had a significant influence on RPGs of the late 90s and early 2000s. We use distinctive color schemes and hyperrealistic elements, which allows us to create a unique and memorable atmosphere for players.

Oleg: All The Elder Scrolls games are important reference points for us. We have many devoted Witcher fans, but Age of Silence has no direct modern equivalent. Even if compared to Might & Magic, our game will be unique and only tangentially related. We are creating a project that combines the best elements available in the modern gaming market. I wonder how the audience will perceive our work - will there be comparisons with classic games or modern titles.

Levon, how does your passion for medieval reconstruction influence the game development process? What aspects of historical accuracy are you incorporating into Age of Silence?

Levon: I actively use my knowledge of the Middle Ages during the development process. Our goal isn't to create an exact reconstruction, but every detail must be logical and accurate. For example, our game won't feature excessive armor like in World of Warcraft. I influence the design of armor and weapons, as well as the narrative structure, to ensure it's historically accurate and creates a realistic game environment.

Oleg: We have Levon, a historical accuracy specialist, on our team, who plays a key role in developing games with elements of real culture. Bringing in an expert in this field significantly enriches the project and makes it more appealing to the audience. Levon also has a unique collection of armor and historical items, which we actively use at events and for creating video content. Reconstruction of historical aspects helps us achieve a high degree of authenticity, which is an important factor for the successful presentation of our work in the media segment.

What fantasy direction did you choose for your game? What mythological elements play a key role in its world? It's important to identify which aspects of fantasy aesthetics and mythology influence the story, characters, and gameplay mechanics. For example, using creatures from various mythologies can enrich the game world, adding depth and uniqueness. It's also worth considering cultural symbols and legends, which can shape the atmosphere and logic of gameplay. Your choice of fantasy genre and use of mythological elements will not only determine the visual style but also create an engaging experience for players.

Levon: We take an eclectic approach, not limiting ourselves to a single mythology and drawing inspiration from a variety of cultures. In our fantasy genre, we draw on classic RPG elements, deeply exploring their lore. We create a general fantasy experience in which our target audience immediately recognizes the hallmarks of the genre in the plot, locations, and names. We closely monitor modern trends, offering fresh takes on classic elements, which allows us to remain relevant and appealing to fans of the genre.

Current Gaming Trends: Genre Revival

In recent years, forgotten gaming genres have seen a revival, attracting the attention of many gamers. Metroidvanias, which have been riding a wave of popularity for several years, continue to win the hearts of players. Also worth mentioning are party-based isometric RPGs like Baldur's Gate III and tactical strategies like Desperados 3, which are reviving interest in classic mechanics. A new wave of party-based first-person RPGs is emerging on the horizon, demonstrating the diversity and evolution of gameplay approaches. The reasons for this trend may be related to nostalgia for older games, as well as developers' desire to experiment with new forms of interaction in gameplay.

Oleg: A colleague and I recently discussed the impact of the pandemic on the gaming audience. We concluded that COVID-19 has become a catalyst for many people to seek ways to escape reality. Escapism encompasses fantasy, video games, TV series, and books. Board games are experiencing a real boom during this period. People previously uninterested in fantasy are now actively engaging with the RPG genre. In the near future, we expect to see more projects targeting escapists, including revivals of old genres and multi-stage board games. Interest in such games will only grow, which opens up new opportunities for developers and content creators.

Modern games like Valheim exhibit several key trends. First, the emphasis on cooperative gameplay. Players value the ability to play cooperatively with friends, which significantly increases engagement and extends the time spent playing. Secondly, there's growing interest in open worlds and survival elements, where players can explore, build, and develop their characters in unique environments.

Our team actively monitors these trends and strives to integrate them into our project. We are focused on creating an engaging and multifaceted gaming experience that allows users to not only explore the world but also interact with each other. It is important that our project meets modern player expectations and offers a variety of opportunities for cooperative play and creative expression.

Comparing our game to Valheim is difficult. We recognize that the secret to its success lies in its unique game design solutions. Although the survivalist boom has died down, Valheim continues to attract attention among many similar projects. We are closely monitoring how these solutions contribute to its popularity and are considering the possibility of using similar approaches in our game.

Oleg: We are closely monitoring the development of the Russian gaming market and are eagerly awaiting the release of Pathfinder. This project fits seamlessly into our gaming world. However, keeping up with trends in the gaming industry is a challenging task. When we first started, battle royale games were at the peak of their popularity, but now many people don't even know about them. We recognize the importance of analyzing current trends, but we don't try to blindly follow them, understanding that player preferences can change dramatically over time. Our goal is to study and adapt interesting game mechanics that can enrich our project.

Levon: There are currently no similar competitors on the market, and if our plans are successful, we will set new trends. Our goal is to revive the genre. If a more significant and high-quality product doesn't appear on the market, we will be the first in a long time to offer such a project. This opens up unique opportunities for us to create innovative content and attract an audience.

Oleg: Even if a game with a large scale appears on the market, the release of Age of Silence will still be a significant event, as such games are released very rarely. Reflecting on the release of Cyberpunk 2077, our team completely disconnected from work for a day to immerse themselves in the game. The next day, many people encountered problems: half the game didn't launch, and the rest had weak computers. This is a typical situation for developers. Our team is full of gamers, but there are also those who prefer not to game at all. Some are only passionate about classics like Might & Magic, while others explore modern games, wondering why you can't see hands in first-person shooters. Age of Silence promises to be a unique project that will attract the attention of both those who seek innovation and those who value time-tested traditions.

Why create a unique universe for a game?

The events of the game Age of Silence unfold in a unique universe where darkness and light are in constant conflict. The main plot is that the world is plunging into chaos and destruction due to an ancient evil awakening from its centuries-old shackles. Players assume the role of heroes who must explore mysterious locations, uncover secrets of the past, and battle dark forces. As the game progresses, storylines unfold, allowing for a deeper understanding of the world's history and character motivations. Age of Silence offers a unique experience, combining elements of strategy, adventure, and role-playing games, making it appealing to lovers of intriguing and rich storylines.

In our game, players find themselves in a unique, author-created universe created after a catastrophic event caused by ancient artifacts. These artifacts became the source of destruction, leaving only a small fraction of races alive. Sixty years later, they return to a world that has changed dramatically. The plot focuses on one of the largest kingdoms, where an aging king, without heirs, faces the machinations of religious cults seeking to change the fate of the entire world. Players begin their adventure as ordinary peasants, highlighting the absence of divinely chosen heroes and creating a more realistic and immersive immersion into the game world.

Oleg: The final third of the game will be especially exciting, as the gameplay will undergo significant changes. Near the end, we'll find many surprising discoveries and unexpected twists that will make the gameplay even more engaging.

I chose to create my own universe because I strive to bring something new and unique to the fantasy genre. Adapting established settings can be less risky, but it often limits creative freedom. By creating my own world, I can explore original ideas more deeply, developing unique plots and characters that can resonate with readers. It is important to create an atmosphere and rules that reflect my vision, which allows me to fully immerse myself in the process and offer readers a fresh take on fantasy elements. This decision also avoids comparisons with existing worlds and helps me stand out from the crowd of other works.

We approach every stage of development carefully, recognizing the importance of trust and status in collaborating with the owners of established universes. First, we need to convince them of our ability to create high-quality products that fit their worlds. Our team draws inspiration from classic plots, myths, and histories, allowing us to craft engaging and profound narratives. A confession from our new narrative designer underscores the difficulty of creating something radically new: "There are only twenty-six basic story skeletons, and coming up with something completely original is practically impossible. So it's best to choose one of them." This confirms that during development we rely on time-tested concepts, adapting them to modern requirements and audience expectations.

Promoting a new intellectual property (IP) can indeed be more challenging than working with established brands. Many publishers prefer to collaborate with established names, as this reduces risks and provides greater predictability. However, choosing to create a new IP has its advantages. Developing unique content allows you to stand out in the market, attract audience attention, and build a strong community around an original idea. This opens up new opportunities for creative expression and allows you to build your own brand that can be successful in the long term.

Oleg: We didn't see any clear opportunities to work with existing IP and faced a number of challenges. We needed to build and motivate a team, develop structures, and conduct in-depth research. Over time, we realized we were capable of creating our own unique universe. However, this doesn't preclude our interest in continuing to work on projects like Might & Magic.

Levon: It's important to consider the existing licensing issues for Might & Magic. The copyright holders are seeking to fully purchase the project, which conflicts with our strategic plans.