Master Steampunk Computer Games Thread

[AmericanPianist]

For those of you who still play Arcanum, and those of you who would like to, I've found some unofficial patches that fix a lot of the bugs, and greatly increase the resolution options and make the game's graphics stand up better by today's standards, which is pretty impressive.

High Resolution Patch: http://drog.terra-arcanum.com/highres.html
(Thanks to this, I'm running at 1680x1050.  No more stretched super wide people due to my widescreen)

Unofficial Arcanum Patch: http://www.rpgcodex.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=23720

I've just installed them and started playing through again, and so far it works great.  Man, I love this game.  Seeing as I run a company, I might try to convince the team that Steampunk games are the way to go.

[Matthias Gladstone]

Awesome! For the love of all that is good man, make them make Arcanum 2!
-Matt

[AmericanPianist]

I would love to get Arcanum 2 started.  Unfortunately that would mean purchasing the IP rights, which is likely a bit expensive

I was thinking more along the lines of a spiritual successor.  At least, legally.  The names and places have been changed to protect the innocent, type thing *nod*

[Matthias Gladstone]

Do you know who holds the intellectual rights to the arcanum franchise? I know it was troika who made the game, but didn't they fold a few years ago?
Either way, I want more airships (perhaps some with Arcanum-Vendigroth hybrid technology) that you can fly (perhaps almost skies of Arcadia style?)
No pressure at all
Cheers,
-matt

[Duellist]

Do you know who holds the intellectual rights to the arcanum franchise? I know it was troika who made the game, but didn't they fold a few years ago?

As far as I can tell, between Google-Fu and working in the industry anyway, Activision probably own the rights, but are likely to sell them off with all of Sierra's other 'B-list' IP.  Better grab some venture capital and put in a bid soon.

(Troika...  Three great works, translated from the Russian, and then they go and release three great works before folding.  Coincidence or just tempting fate...?)

[AmericanPianist]

I found the same information as Duellist.  Interestingly, Bethesda did just acquire an old IP that they'll either be remaking, or creating a sequel for.  I'm wondering if it isn't the Arcanum IP.  That seems up their alley.

[Lady Aeryn]

Hello to all!  Whilst I do agree that Steampunk PC games are few & far between (and most of what is out there is outright rubbish!), I will take my Steampunk from whence I can & if it has a bit of an Airship theme then all the better....found this little piece of Steampunk heaven....although it may not be quite worthy of worship in the analogues of PC gaming....on Facebook & thought I would share....the name of the game is "Battle Stations"....

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/apps/application.php?sid=5f5dd0032e904a8ce4328ee3da0d06ef&id=18063885304&ref=search

[OswaldBastable]

talking of Arcanum as i dont have my old copy anymore i'm thinking of rebuying it and downloading the new patches etc does anyone know if it works ok on Vista?

[Duellist]

Bethesda doing Arcanum?  I love Bethesda's work, but I cannot see it working in the Gamebryo (Oblivion / Fallout 3) engine really.  In many ways, Arcanum was simply a convergence of ideas and technology at the right time.  The game might never be reproduced.  The mass-market seems to want Damnation for their steampunk hit, while we are a niche for wanting story-based steampunk.

That said; if I could work out how to bring Arcanum to the modern audience, I would have already written the design documents and be down on my knees in my boss' office .

Wait...  That came out wrong...

[dr490nw4rri0r]

Damnation actually doesn't even look that good. the very Gears Of War esque character builds and the overall old west thing are just very unappealing to me.
Still, If I can get the 3.5-4.5 years of education under my belt I can get in with one of the many game companies around here and push my idea, which I'm sure will go over very well, especially with folks who, like myself, want to be able to constantly customize and tinker with everything in a game. There's a certain system I've been thinking of for making things that would require the game to be on PC unless microsoft's project Natal works out well, which I sincerely doubt it will.

[Josh of Vernian Process]

Damnation actually doesn't even look that good. the very Gears Of War esque character builds and the overall old west thing are just very unappealing to me.
Still, If I can get the 3.5-4.5 years of education under my belt I can get in with one of the many game companies around here and push my idea, which I'm sure will go over very well, especially with folks who, like myself, want to be able to constantly customize and tinker with everything in a game. There's a certain system I've been thinking of for making things that would require the game to be on PC unless microsoft's project Natal works out well, which I sincerely doubt it will.

Just be wary that most ideas that are pitched get totally shot down. That is if you even have the opportunity to pitch your idea. I've been sitting on the ultimate Steampunk game design for over 12 years, and I'm nowhere near ever getting it published.

[AmericanPianist]

I think a lot of us have Ultimate Games in our minds

However, I can back VernianProcess up.  We don't say this to dissuade you, but to warn you against the harshness the industry can provide.  Keep at it though, you never know when opportunities beyond those you're preparing for will present themselves.

[dr490nw4rri0r]

OH don't get me wrong. I'm perfectly aware that I might never have the opportunity to make the game I want to. I just want to make games in general. Still, It's an idea that I'd say has at least a 50/50 chance of being accepted by any developer who wants to make money, which I assume is most developers. it involves bits and peices of gameplay that would allow for an extensive community, unprecedented customization(think A.P.B but about ten times the depth), and just a generally enjoyable aesthetic. certain aspects of what I'm thinking of have been done before, but never to the level of customization I'm thinking of. If I can get a pitch for it heard, I can probably get it made. If not, oh well. I might make several games and get some folks together to start another company, or scrap it, or put it on the backburner. It's not something I see the need to realize right here and right now, but I know that it'd be a game I'd be ecstatic to play, and I think a great deal of others would be into it as well.

[Josh of Vernian Process]

OH don't get me wrong. I'm perfectly aware that I might never have the opportunity to make the game I want to. I just want to make games in general. Still, It's an idea that I'd say has at least a 50/50 chance of being accepted by any developer who wants to make money, which I assume is most developers. it involves bits and peices of gameplay that would allow for an extensive community, unprecedented customization(think A.P.B but about ten times the depth), and just a generally enjoyable aesthetic. certain aspects of what I'm thinking of have been done before, but never to the level of customization I'm thinking of. If I can get a pitch for it heard, I can probably get it made. If not, oh well. I might make several games and get some folks together to start another company, or scrap it, or put it on the backburner. It's not something I see the need to realize right here and right now, but I know that it'd be a game I'd be ecstatic to play, and I think a great deal of others would be into it as well.

Right but the whole point is that despite how awesome your game design might be. Just getting someone to even give you a shot at pitching it to the executive team at any studio is so slim, it's good not to get your hopes up.

The game I've been working on is essentially 40% Steampunk Vehicle Sim (planes, airships, submersibles, motorcycles, etc.), 40% 3rd Person Action-Adventure, and 20% Open-World Sandbox. You basically fly everywhere on the world map and get into random aerial combat (think Crimson Skies), and whenever you land your plane, you get out and do a bunch of on foot adventuring and combat. Of course there are various scenarios that throw this out of whack such as being shot down and having to sneak out of enemy territory for a few levels. Getting wrecked alongside a phantom airship where you have to play through a Survival Horror stage to get back to the main story. A level where you are jumping from airship to airship with a glider like backpack. Also many of the levels will trigger automatically as you get to different goals in the storyline.

Lots of weird stuff like that. But it is totally the ultimate Steampunk game to me.

[AmericanPianist]

dr490nw4rri0r:  I have an almost-completed game design document for what I consider the greatest MMORPG concept ever.  I have three other game documents drawn up.  I've started rolling around ideas for a Steampunk game as well.

None of these have a huge chance of getting made, despite how epic they'd be....and I run a game company

Everybody who calls themselves a gamer has their idea of the Ultimate Game.  An awful lot of them try to get their ideas heard.  It has the unfortunate effect of making walls go up in people's minds when they hear "I've got an idea for the ultimate game!".  Those with power may love your idea.  You will have  hard time getting them to hear it without those walls, though.

Nevertheless, I enjoy the creative process of writing up the design documents; and who knows - perhaps someday an opportunity will present itself.  I still have fun with it and will be prepared should something ever happen.

What VernianProcess said about being wary of getting one's hopes up is pretty important; but don't let that deter you from dreaming entirely.  An idea worth considering may well be to start studying programming while you try to get into the school you want, and start making very-very-tiny stripped down concepts of aspects to your game.  Both to pass the time without giving up on this project, and eventually lead toward a running concept you could show someone, should you actually get your chance to pitch the idea.  This will also help tremendously when you start applying for jobs within the industry.  Schooling can get you in, but experience and a portfolio will be very important.

Another idea would be to put together an Indie team willing to work for the potential income a game could make once released.  This is harder said than done, and almost all teams that start out this way fail - but some make it.  It'd be sort of a right-place-right-time scenario, though.

Are we getting too off topic?  My apologies, everyone, if that is the case.  I love Arcanum?  I've seen a few titles pop up in this thread that I'm going to have to track down and try.

[bizarre_chicken]

OH don't get me wrong. I'm perfectly aware that I might never have the opportunity to make the game I want to. I just want to make games in general.

I am in the same boat, in a way.
I would adore to make a game. I've certainly played enough of them, and I know exactly what seperates the good games from the bad. My leanings, however, are toward story-driven strategy, Homeworld-style, or a very cerebral FPS (something like System Shock).

If there are enough people willing (and more importantly, able), perhaps we should pool our skills. Get these things realised.

[dr490nw4rri0r]

I would rather like to see an exclusively steampunk oriented gaming company created.

As for my idea, I'm more of a story person. I'd like to see the opportunity for a great deal of dialogue options, that would affect how certain people or people in general react to your presence, the chance to choose from multiple careers and run with completely different crowds(airship pirates, sea pirates, military, thieves, scientists, explorers, etc) in a significantly large world, your career of choice would determine what social circles your character is able to be accepted in, and could get them jailed or even given a death sentence. There would be certain areas of the game that would be for something of an MMO experience, but I'm not big on MMOs so I'd want much of it to be a singleplayer focused experience with the MMO tacked on as optional.
Beyond that I want cusomization. you build everything, including your clothing and weapons, using parts you buy or find, and you create them using your own design, which means that it's highly unlikely any two players' weapons would be exactly alike.
I want the game to be driven by story and by character customization, primarily, but I also want to see damn good graphics. If you can't pick out the threads on a brocade patterned coat it isn't good enough.

[Duellist]

Generally speaking, the best way into the industry is arguably mods for Half-Life 2.  Source is a very robust and customisable engine with lots of free editors and export scripts from 3DS Max and Maya.

The trick is that any designer has to be an amateur before they are a professional, but most designers have no formal 'designer' training where coders must know C++ or artists must know 3DS Max.  A degree is nice, doubly so if you come from Abertay or Digipen, but it is just a piece of paper; before most people will take your idea seriously, they want to see what other games you have made.  Sad, a major catch 22, but largely true.

As such, the best way to prove yourself is to find a suitable game and make your game as a modification for it.  It will have no great commercial success (unless someone buys your team and all its assets), but it gets you started.  Bethesda taught us that even RPGs can use a FPS engine, so why not start with Source in the knowledge that at least the engine gets periodic updates for free?

edit:
I don't work for Valve, but I do know a little something about indie studios and making games on a shoestring.  If you have a lot of patience, Develop Magazine recommends Torque, which costs about £100 and is durable enough that some professional games use it.  Garage Games are seriously nice blokes for the record, shockingly nice in fact, but the Torque engine is not going to be for everyone...

[dr490nw4rri0r]

^
^
^

I plan on doing a total or partial conversion of fallout 3 into a more steampunk looking universe. That includes gun skins/models, clothing skins/models, building material skins/models, etc. As soon as I can get a hold of a PC that can handle it. my current PC is a POS(nya hah). Fallout 3 is much more fun to play than half life(sorry i've just never been a big fan of valve), and it even has a free modding program that's supposedly quite easy to use.

[Duellist]

I have, to my shame, never played Fallout 3.  I should, I really should, and I have a PC that can handle it with power to spare, but I never got around to it.  My friends keep telling me that it is still filled with bugs and exploits, which puts me off.

But my point was really that you need to prove yourself before anyone will give you the budget and attention necessary to actually make your game.  Look at Counterstrike (but not too long - it is an acquired taste, I am sure) and Team Fortress 2; they were just mods, but the design set them apart and made them something more.  Even Portal started out as a (Digipen, I admit) student project called Narbacular Drop and Left 4 Dead started out as a bunch of developers playing with bot AI.

Of course I only speak from three years in the industry, which is kind of short to have such frequently-shared opinions, so take my opinions with a pinch of salt...

[bizarre_chicken]

I have, to my shame, never played Fallout 3.  I should, I really should, and I have a PC that can handle it with power to spare, but I never got around to it.  My friends keep telling me that it is still filled with bugs and exploits, which puts me off.

Kill those people.

Fallout 3 was the best game I have ever played. It knocked Portal from the top position.
Get it, and get it right now.

[dr490nw4rri0r]

there are still bugs, and some of the DLC seems unfinished.
No exploits though.
DLC "The Pitt" still has an unfinished storyline and dialogue.

[kir]

http://store.steampowered.com/app/26500/

Steampunk-ish puzzle game on Steam for $10. I am rather enamored with it.

The simplest of puzzles, greater complexity awaits.

[bizarre_chicken]

It is rather good.

I've been writing ambient music in the vein of Homeworld's but for airship battallions. They're sounding really good. ^_^

Now, someone help me write battle music.

[AmericanPianist]

Generally speaking, the best way into the industry is arguably mods for Half-Life 2.  Source is a very robust and customisable engine with lots of free editors and export scripts from 3DS Max and Maya.

This is true.  that said however, modding on the Id engine is, in my opinion, much more friendly than Source's..what is it?  Hammer.  Quake Wars is pretty mod-able, and also incredibly cheap.  Unfortunately, the audience is on Source right now, so I agree - that's definitely the way to go.

I would rather like to see an exclusively steampunk oriented gaming company created.

As for my idea, I'm more of a story person....(etc)...

A steampunk oriented gaming company would be absolutely wonderful.  It would also very likely have to be composed entirely of people willing to work for free until the first game sells and profits can be shared, unless someone here on the forums happens to be rich, and chooses to invest  Fun idea though.

As to you being a story person:  That's absolutely great.  However, the best game designers really need to know some amateur programming.  The more you know about other departments, the more you'll know what's feasible for them to accomplish within the time frame, and you'll likely get along better if you understand where they're coming from when they shoot down your 'awesome' ideas for various reasons.

Your idea to mod Fallout 3 sounds like an excellent idea for you and your situation. However, it also sounds like a complete overhaul that you will probably need a team of modders to help you with.  That's an awful lot of work for one person.

I have, to my shame, never played Fallout 3.

Do.  Absolutely, positively, do.  Patch 1.5 is out, and as long as you aren't running any mods, it does a pretty good job (it messes up a lot of mods though -- if you're into mods, go with an earlier patch).

I just picked up Anchorage and The Pitts (I run on PC).  Going to install those tonight or tomorrow

I've played through the game twice already, and have picked-up-put-down at least 3 times since it came out.  I am STILL being surprised by new things, twists, amazing story arcs, etc.

It's almost as if they used TESIV: Oblivion as a warm-up for Fallout 3.  Like Oblivion was just a tech demo to see what they could really do with the engine and team, heh.

Kir - I've been looking at that for awhile now.  Seeing as I now have a personal recommendation, I may be giving it a shot soon!

Now, someone help me write battle music.

Feel free to PM me if you want to talk music, I'm always down for that.  Or we could start a thread for it, there are quite a few musicians here *shrug*