Ask Paradox (almost) Anything Thread (no support/tech or code questions)

[Shams]

Graphics.

I think a member of the dev team can give a more in depth answer for what the improvement of graphics for the internal games has meant for the, - considering that the graphic improvements are growing by leaps and bounds nowadays thanks to a concerted effort.

But for us generally - it's just a means to an end.

/s

 

[Shams]

This is for the producers, publishing team, and Fredrik:

How do you handle relations with a hypothetical external developer who appeared to have a great concept or prototype when you began your relationship, but who makes a fundamental, foundational mistake along the way? I'm not talking wanting a character renamed, but a truly game-destroying problem. Assume that the developer is unwilling to change the problem for whatever reason, or does not even agree that it is a problem.

Let's start off by saying that it almost never gets that far. But in the cases where it does we try to steer them back on the right track - first with kind words and then with stronger. Ultimately we're the ones deciding if the game gets released or not so we have the final say. There's a lot of compromising that needs to be done at times, but that's just part of the game. Often it's not the "game destroying" that's the problem - it's more about when problems arise that make our marketing or sales work incredibly hard. Like missing deadlines or not delivering on what was promised. Thats a bigger problem than having a broken economy in a game for instance.

There are at least a dozen steps between "first sign of trouble" and "we can't release this".

/s

 

[artfox]

Honestly: how important is the appearance of the game to each individual PI staff?

It's a tricky question. I think most of us care the most about their specific part of the game. For me, the lack of crashes and showstoppers is much more important than appearance of the game. So if I look at graphics through my "developer glasses", appearance is not that important (as long as it's not buggy).

On the other hand, I feel very strongly about Paradox as a company. I REALLY want us to continue delivering great games and constantly improving. I am sure that graphics matter a lot when it comes to selling many copies. So when i look through my "Paradox as a company glasses", I think appearance is very important.

Finally, when I play computer games during my spare time, I am not the kind of player that cares that much about appearance of any game. Gameplay, AI and challenge is much more important for me.

 

[Kallocain]

Honestly: how important is the appearance of the game to each individual PI staff?

For me personally, graphics is more important than I'd really like to admit. I try to play some really old games that are supposed to be good, but sometimes I just feel the graphics gets in the way. Embarrassing example: Grim Fandango, couldn't play it.
In our internal titles, I think it is important too. It is good to feel we are making progress in all areas for each new game, and graphics is a part of that. The older titles look really outdated by now, and I would not want it any other way.

 

[podcat]

Embarrassing example: Grim Fandango, couldn't play it.

so sad, they really need to re-release a high-res version. I tried playing Final Fantasy 7 the other day, but the old 3d was so terrible and immersion breaking I had to stop

Personally I think graphics are very important both in games I play in my free time, and our internal titles. Gameplay always comes first, but a great look adds a lot to the experience. For example, compare Divine Wind to older Eu3, it looks and feels so much nicer.

 

[Johan]

Actually that gets to the root of what I was curious about - there were huge improvements made in the appearace of games after HoI3 and I wondered was this just part of the natural developments cycle of if a decision had been made to pout a lot more into graphics.

We hired a few more people after hoi3 was released.. People like Tegus and Birken who have experience doing graphics programming for AAA games started about them.

 

[SolSara]

Honestly: how important is the appearance of the game to each individual PI staff?

I have trouble playing older games because of their graphics, when I tried Fallout 1 I gave up almost immediately. The graphics were so bad I couldn't see the rat attacking and eventually killing me. The only reason I know it was a rat is because I heard it squeaking.

If the graphics is as good (or as bad, I'd rather say) as Elder Scrolls: Morrowind, then I can play the game but even then I need a couple of minutes adjusting to the graphics to be able to see details and differences between a monster and the background, for example.

I find that if you have played the game when it came out or a year or two later, then you will be able to enjoy it again. That's the thing with me and Grim Fandango or Little Big Adventure 2, I can play those games and enjoy them despite the graphics because I remember how it felt when I first played them.

 

[Shams]

Hi. I hope what I'm going to ask for is relevant to this thread. It's game-related; however, as this is a publisher issue, I hope it's right to post it here.

Ok, here it goes: Please, Paradox, can you make SotS 2 truly DRM-free?

I've read that the justification is making patch distribution easier. Ok, let's say it's true. Is really that big the cost of a few, slightly different distributions? Anyway, DRM-free is a feature I would glady pay more for. In fact, one of the reasons I buy your in-house games (besides liking the genre, of course) is the honest DRM free thing.

I regret preordering SotS2 now. If you think I'm joking, I was decided to purchase Magicka when it was released... until I learnt it was DRM-ed. To date, I still haven't bought the game (nor all the DLCs, of course) for the exact same reason. That's some lost revenue :unsure:

So, to sum up: any form of DRM = no money from me. I hope you reckon this is an important issue for your user base (just take a look at the forums here and Kerberos) and change your mind (or convince Kerberos, whatever) on this SotS 2 issue!

Thank you!

Hi,

As it currently stands SOTS 2 will only have one version - the steam version. And for practical reasons there won't be an alternative.

We always try to have a non-steam version as well, but we had to make an exception to the rule this time. Hope you enjoy SOTS2 even though it's on Steam.

/s

 

[Darkrenown]

If you can play it without Steam once it's installed, it's DRM free. Only being availible through one portal =! DRM. It's not even a Steam exclusive, you can buy it elsewhere, it just gets delivered via Steam.

 

[Doomdark]

For PI: What person in gaming history do you look up to the most, and why?

I admire many of the early pioneers. It's hard to pick one, but I'd probably have to say Richard Garriott, creator of the Ultima series. His unique, philosophical brand of RPG was a true landmark in computer game history. Shame it didn't last. Other huge influences include Sid Meier, Mike Singleton (The Lords of Midnight), David Braben & Ian Bell (Elite) and Steven Fawkner (Warlords).

 

[Kallocain]

I admire many of the early pioneers. It's hard to pick one, but I'd probably have to say Richard Garriott, creator of the Ultima series. His unique, philosophical brand of RPG was a true landmark in computer game history. Shame it didn't last.

Plus, he's been in space!

 

[Castellon]

And once again I remind everyone that this is not the love steam vs hate steam thread, there are plenty of those out there.
This thread is for questions to Paradox staff, that cannot be placed in a more apropriate sub forum.

 

[Shams]

Names. Jeez c'mon

/s

 

[Captain Gars]

Names. Jeez c'mon

/s

Well I call you by your forum name...

 

[Kallocain]

When talking to each other (during and/or after work), do you address each other by you names, or by your forum nicks? Perhaps differently for different devs?

Regular names only. Of course, for some that is the same thing.

Would it be possible to get a subscription to your games?
Like for 150 (or whatever) dollars/euro a year you get every game once it's released?
Basically an improved (but more expensive) version of the steam winter and summer sales.

There is no such thing right now, but it is a neat idea.

 

[Shams]

JESUS - get off the whole Steam/DRM thing - now.

Unless you've got a sentence that's directed at Paradox and ends with a "?" I don't want to see a single post here about Steam.

Svip: you know better!

/s

 

[Shams]

Paradox does not have any financial woes, don't you worry.

Kerberos is the developer of SOTS2 so they are the "producers" of the game. Paradox is the publisher - we market, sell and have producers that manage the project on our end - this is also called "producing" - so it's a semantic misconception.

They produce as in make SOTS2.

We produce as in manage SOTS2.

/s

 

[Darkrenown]

Regular names only. Of course, for some that is the same thing.

Unless it's an intern, then we just throw something at them to get their attention (currently looking for people!).

 

[podcat]

I know a lot of people called 'hey, you!'. But aren't interns required to speak Swedish? I only speak the correct Scandinavian language.

Sami?

 

[artfox]

We require our interns to be able to communicate with the world. It's nice with Swedish, but all of the bug reports are written in English anyway... So you only have to speak English.

Curse you, podcat! I have no clever retort to that! I can merely understand Swedish, just not speak it. Well, most Swedish. Including your odd way of saying 55.

Also! During the sign up for the V2:AHD beta, I inadvertently thought by bug reports you meant related to Paradox games, but I foolishly realised after submission that perhaps bug reports to other pieces of software might be interesting too. As a developer myself, I understand the importance of a thorough bug report (steps to reproduce, system settings and so on). Is there any way to fix this error or is it only going to hurt my chances by some sort of public plea as this is? And is a meta-statement like the previous one truly a form of relevant comedy?

Believe me, I can see properly reported bugs for all pieces of software It's always nice with bug reports on our own forums, but it's always better to link to some other software reports than nothing at all.