Runemaster - Development Diary 9 - Items and World Loot

[StephenT]

Wait - you can only equip one ring at a time? But I have ten fingers.
That's always struck me as an odd limitation in games -though usually at least they let you wear two rings, one per hand.

I have to say I'm more interested in unique items that presumably will be hand-designed by the game's developers, than a whole bunch of randomly-generated "feeble swords of carnage" that give an extra +1 to damage or whatever. Especially if some items can change gameplay options depending on what you choose to equip. (This sword can be swung in a circle for area damage versus groups of opponents, that one has a chance of paralysing a single opponent, etc).

 

[shal5]

Wait - you can only equip one ring at a time? But I have ten fingers.

Your fingers are merely an illusion..

On topic:
The item system sounds interesting, but how will the game handle armor?

 

[Mountain Man]

My theory behind the only one or two magic rings at a time mechanic, a common feature in RPGs, is that magic rings in close proximity can interfere with each other, so you can't wear multiple rings on the same hand.

 

[Birken]

My theory behind the only one or two magic rings at a time mechanic, a common feature in RPGs, is that magic rings in close proximity can interfere with each other, so you can't wear multiple rings on the same hand.

I thought you only could equip a ring on your ring finger. The other fingers have different uses. Like indexing (or pointing if you're a Swede), being in the middle, being a sacrifical target or being opposable.

For us it's all about game balance and we only let the player equip one of each type. The item slots are scriptable for each class though, so if you want to mod an extra ring slot or add a new item type or decide that only runemasters get to use runes it's possible to do so.

 

[Ezumiyr]

So the items only give bonus? They don't change de play style? Different armor types should mean different ways to play, and it's the same with swords/axes/pikes...

And that way to name the items is a bit too hacknslash-y to me. Never in the norse myths we find this kind of names... Why can't a steel sword just be named "Steel sword"? In the norse myths we often find different types of materials (they do like red gold) of different origins (forged by dwarves is best quality) - it's a bit like in the Elder Scrolls, but I find this better than "the legendary sword of mass destruction" or "the breakable plate of the eagle".

Also, I'm a bit disappointed with the design of the dark elves. They don't look like norse dark elves - svartalfar. They look loke random elves from a Warhammer/Warcraft like world. Svartalfar were blacksmiths, not fashion victims or long-eared posers.

 

[Thracian]

please tell me this game wont be a loot game such as diablo
i dislike magical item inflation

 

[No idea]

I thought you only could equip a ring on your ring finger. The other fingers have different uses. Like indexing (or pointing if you're a Swede), being in the middle, being a sacrifical target or being opposable.

For us it's all about game balance and we only let the player equip one of each type. The item slots are scriptable for each class though, so if you want to mod an extra ring slot or add a new item type or decide that only runemasters get to use runes it's possible to do so.

You are too quiet about helmets, armours and shields... Arent they in the game or what?

 

[CampyRivaille]

A pyramid of dwarven skulls?! BLASPHEMY. I demand that for every pile of dwarven skulls, there must be at least 3 piles of elven skulls!

So many piles... why can't I hold all these skulls?!

But except for the logistics part of carrying skull-piles around, good point. Mayhaps the 3-1 pile ratio is a little unbalanced, but I totally agree that there should be an equal distribution of skulls. I shall add this to my inspiration list.

 

[Birken]

You are too quiet about helmets, armours and shields... Arent they in the game or what?

No helmets armors or shields.

Our heroes don't wear helmets and all races don't use helmets, the same goes for armor.
Our heroes also doesn't use shields.

 

[Jamey]

No helmets armors or shields.

Our heroes don't wear helmets and all races don't use helmets, the same goes for armor.
Our heroes also doesn't use shields.

But what if I want a spear and magic helmet?

 

[Thracian]

No helmets armors or shields.

Our heroes don't wear helmets and all races don't use helmets, the same goes for armor.
Our heroes also doesn't use shields.

norse heroes are naked!
yay

 

[No idea]

No helmets armors or shields.

Our heroes don't wear helmets and all races don't use helmets, the same goes for armor.
Our heroes also doesn't use shields.

This is the very first time I see this in a fantasy game (or even a non fantasy one. As long as there are swords around there are helmets, or shields, or armor. Most probably all of them)

WHY?

PS. I can imagine a norse warrior with no armor, but it is difficult to imagine him with no helmet and/or shield

 

[GrafKeks]

It'd be pretty neat if there are way more random possibility and if their effects weren't capped at 2. This might lead to extremely strong weapons, but you could tune down the chance to recieve them. The most fun part about RPG's is usually finding an extremely overpowered weapon, which has loads of random modifiers stacked up.

 

[Birken]

This is the very first time I see this in a fantasy game (or even a non fantasy one. As long as there are swords around there are helmets, or shields, or armor. Most probably all of them)

WHY?

PS. I can imagine a norse warrior with no armor, but it is difficult to imagine him with no helmet and/or shield

Not all races use these kind of items. The heroes all carry their standard gear, there just aren't any special helmets, shields and armor in the game.

 

[Rubidium]

norse heroes are naked!
yay

Flashbacks to Fable.

 

[Mauer]

This is the very first time I see this in a fantasy game (or even a non fantasy one. As long as there are swords around there are helmets, or shields, or armor. Most probably all of them)

WHY?

PS. I can imagine a norse warrior with no armor, but it is difficult to imagine him with no helmet and/or shield

I guess It's a design choice, there are many games where armor is not a changeable item, the Fire Emblem series comes to mind, you only get to change your weapon there.

I like tactical games where you have a low amount of items and many skills to give lots of tactical options in battle rather than just wear the strongest stuff and bash into the enemy head first. Contrast with games where the action is realtime, any more than 3 skills and I find myself unable to remember what does what and just spam the strongest spell/attack I got (think Skyrim or even LoL), in these I like the customization of many pieces of armor/weapons to maximize those few skills' effectiveness passively.

 

[magritte2]

I guess It's a design choice, there are many games where armor is not a changeable item, the Fire Emblem series comes to mind, you only get to change your weapon there.

I like tactical games where you have a low amount of items and many skills to give lots of tactical options in battle rather than just wear the strongest stuff and bash into the enemy head first. Contrast with games where the action is realtime, any more than 3 skills and I find myself unable to remember what does what and just spam the strongest spell/attack I got (think Skyrim or even LoL), in these I like the customization of many pieces of armor/weapons to maximize those few skills' effectiveness passively.

I'm with you on this. Too often in RPG's you end up spending half your time sifting through your inventory deciding which of the eighteen different swords you found in this dungeon are worth keeping, and then once in combat deciding which of the five swords I kept will work best on this enemy.

Also, on a more philosophical note, I like the game to focus on the character's abilities rather than on his gear, so he's a hero not just a guy who owns a lot of powerful stuff.

 

[unmerged(805607)]

thank you, I was interested.

 

[Wenla]

I like the game to focus on the character's abilities rather than on his gear, so he's a hero not just a guy who owns a lot of powerful stuff.

+1. Better to develop hero than his/her equipment.

 

[Keanon]

Also, I'm a bit disappointed with the design of the dark elves. They don't look like norse dark elves - svartalfar. They look loke random elves from a Warhammer/Warcraft like world. Svartalfar were blacksmiths, not fashion victims or long-eared posers.

I felt the very same thing, I really hoped this would be truly Norse from tip to toe as promised, but nope. All hail the boring stereotypes of fantasy.

I guess I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up.