9th August 1999 - Pagan Sign 3 Year Deal with Epic
Pagan Games and Epic Marketing are happy to announce a
long term cooperation. This cooperation means that Epic Marketing will publish all Pagan
Games developed in the next couple of years.
Says Vince Pike of Epic: "This will be a strong
cooperation where both partners can concentrate on what they are doing best: Pagan Games
can concentrate on delivering top quality games and Epic on the Marketing aspect. We look
at this as a very strong partnership which will deliver high quality products to the Amiga
community."
Jason Hayman of Pagan Games, one of the co-founders of the
Pagan Group adds: "Our partnership with Epic allows us a stable and supported base
for future development of all Pagan Games in the next 3 years. We see this as a long term
deal with Epic with a very promising future for us both. We are the largest devleopment
group on the Amiga with over 20 members working on 3 projects - and we are still hiring
more!"
The first product to be released will be the Amiga title
"Dafel:Bloodline", an action based RPG game. "Dafel:Bloodline" has an
isometric 3D POV, similar to the "Chaos Engine" series and comes with a sound
system called Full Sensual Gaming (FSG) which will be responsible for the best possible
atmosphere ever in a computer RPG game. The features of "Dafel:Bloodline" are:
- Extremely fast chunky to player (c2p) graphics engine.
RTG compatible.
The game offers two resolutions to play in, 320x240 and 640x480. Both sizes offer
256 colours on screen with the 640x480 version requiring a graphics card and fast
processor to run. The AGA version runs at 25fps. Both screen resolutions are RTG
compatible working on CyberGFX and Picaso96 systems.
- FSG Audio System (Full Sensual Gaming) & CD
Music/Effects.
We use our own stereo sound handling system in the game. Using either
Paula (or possibly AHI) we split the available channels in half assigning 1 pair to what
we call Sound Objects (SO) and the other pair to Environment Sound Objects (ESO). SO's are
used to create objects that can be tracked by sound alone. Using advanced algorithms, the
volume level of the sound is calculated in real time so the closer you are, the louder the
SO will be heard and the further away you are, the quieter the SO will be heard.
In relation to the SO, the ESO's (Envrionment Sound Objects) are used to add
atmosphere and ambience to a level. In conjunction to background sound effects being
played off the CD, ESO's are used to add an extra dimension to the audio set by trigger
points on the game map.
- Game Engine
We have mixed two gaming elements together, action and adventure, into one
engine. The action elements consist of Dafel attacking level enemies and end of level
monsters. There are 3 ways Dafel can attack using his sword. The first basic way is call a
"low swing". This is where the player simply taps the fire button and Dafel
performs a small swing with little damage but allows a consistent flow of attacks. The
second is a "medium swing" caused by a 2 second hold on the fire button, where
Dafel sweeps the sword around at waist level to attack, this allows more damage but takes
up more time to allow enemies to counter attack. The final is a "full swing"
where Dafel slashes down from over his head, a 3.5 second hold. This inflicts the most
damage but is very time consuming and allows enemies even more time to counter attack.
The adventure and strategic elements arise from the solving of puzzles, the
communication with other characters and the well being of Dafel himself.
Throughout the game there are sub-plots that are relevant to the core plot. Dafel must
find and complete these to progress through the core plot. The game has been designed in a
non-linear fashion allowing the player to revisit areas and solve puzzles in any order.
There are however, key plot stages that need to be completed before progressing to another
sub-plot/task. These key stages are always followed by a cut-scene to develop the plot
further.
Dafel must also live in this world and to do so he must maintain his armour and sword and
also feed and drink himself. Strategic elements arise in this management role of looking
after his equipment and hunting for food. Dafel can also visit blacksmiths to maintain his
armour and sword and also shops to buy provisions. In nearly every village/town that Dafel
visits, there will be a building from where Dafel can undertake non-plot tasks to earn
money and skill.
- Enemy Artificial Intelligence
Enemies that roam Dafel's world can behave in 3 different ways. We have
"roamers" who aimless wonder through the maps attacking at will. We have
"ambushers" who can lay in wait then attack and we also have "group
attackers" who only fight in groups. The 3 Super Classes are then sub-divided into
various attributes such as sight, hearing, smell and intelligence. An enemy with low sight
for example would reply upon smell and haring alone to locate its enemy. We also have
attributes for courage to determine how long an enemy will attack before they flee.
- Manga Style FMV and Cut Scenes
Bloodline begins with a 5 minute FMV sequence based upon the Prologue. It is also
ended by an FMV sequence.
The finished product can be expected at around the time of
the Cologne exhibition. A playable demo will be released in a couple of weeks.
Preorders can already be placed with Epic Marketing UK
(Tel:01793/432176, E-Mail: epicmarketing@dialin.net)
or Epic Marketing Germany (Tel:07071/ 400492, E-Mail: info@epic-marketing.de) for a special preorder
price.
"Dafel:Bloodline" will probably remain the only
product that will still support the Classic 68k based Amiga. The next project
"Scavengers", an action based but still strategic game in complete 3D which will
combine the best of Wing Commander and Command&Conquer into a new game, is scheduled
for release on Amiga MCC and might also be developed for Amiga PPC and 3D graphic boards
if there is enough demand for it.
More on this and other projects that Pagan Games and Epic
Marketing are currently working on can be found at these webpages:
www.pagan-games.com
www.epicmarketing.ltd.net
www.epic-marketing.de