Arcanum 2 Total Conversion pt 2 - Project Arcanum

Saturday · **Joined:** Sep 6, 2008 **Posts:** 6

Hi to all !

Pleased to meet you - I'm Saturday, a fan of Steampunk setting and a fellow fan of CRPG's, namely Arcanum and Fallout games.

I took the privilege to start a separate thread for this project of sorts.

Here I set up a separate blog http://projectarcanum.blogspot.com/

The idea behind it is to start working on a fanbase-driven sequel to the first Arcanum game.

And most important - to do it in a sort of orderly way: to keep records of all the steps taken and notes and what-not so that (as it is pretty common with projects like this one) as previous participants tire or (as someone pointed out in the previous thread) gets a life/job/girlfriend etc and work on the project comes to a halt, it wouldn't die, but somebody else at a later date and time could pick up the pieces where they fell and continue without much fuss.

There - I put it into words. For starters we need cannon fodder - willing minds with fingers attatched to help with the draft for a sketch of a game.

The Engine question is still open. There's an open poll on the aforementioned blog. I voted for Source. If you're for it or against it, say so and say why. There was a total conversion mod in the works called Hull Breach - it blew my mind away. It's a pity it got shelved - the progress and detail was - as I already said it - mindblowing.

---

To tell the truth I think we should start from the actual concept of the game - outline the story, work out the mechanics and get some conceptual art on the web for some eye-candy to lure the modding communities.

Now I've been thinking about the storyline for the game. In the other thread it was discussed that we might make a prequel to Arcanum. Pick a legend and act it out.

bearslayer wrote:

The Age of Legends seems like an ideal setting - the Elven Cuncil, Dragons, the Molochean hand, Kree etc. There'd still be technology (that of Vendigroth and the dwarves), just not on the level of trains and planes.

My idea for the main storyline right now is that we'd pick one of the legends:
The PC would team up with a to-be-famous protagonist, but actually all the work and heroics would be acted out by the PC. He would be the hero/anti-hero. In the end the wimp-to-be-famous protagonist betrays the PC and claims the fame/infamy all to himself.

I read the back of a paperback book at a bookstore once. Was it Moorcock ? Can't remember. It was about a guy who traveled back in time and found a cripple and idiot who happened to be Jesus himself. Eventually the guy had to do all the acts the God's Son is famous for today - walk on water, turn water to wine, heal the blind etc. I guess my idea has it's roots in that afternoon I spent at the bookstore.

Cheers,

- Sat

Dark Elf · **Posted:** Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:49 pm **Post subject:**

Good luck with that. You're not the first to try, but if progress is made, keep us updated.

Saturday · **Joined:** Sep 6, 2008 **Posts:** 6

Thank you for the encouragement, Dark Elf :-)

Dark Elf · **Posted:** Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:56 pm **Post subject:**

If I were you, I'd put up a proper site with a forum, a screenshot gallery and regular newsposts. Also, establish a presence at a few choice forums, such as the Codex. That way, you stand a better chance of attracting the talent you need, and hopefully the encouragement to keep going.

We've had quite a few instances of people claiming that the release of their Arcanum 2 mod was just over the bend, but Charlatan's that they were, never backed up their claims with any substance. It would be wise if you didn't fall into the same trap as they.

Saturday · **Joined:** Sep 6, 2008 **Posts:** 6

thanks man, ill keep it in mind

- Sat

GarmGarf · **Posted:** Tue Sep 09, 2008 10:25 pm **Post subject:**

So far, 2/3 of us are Irish. It's your turn to join the project, wayne-scales!

wayne-scales · **Posted:** Tue Sep 09, 2008 10:47 pm **Post subject:**

What? Who's Irish but you and I?

GarmGarf · **Posted:** Tue Sep 09, 2008 11:32 pm **Post subject:**

The dude going to Cork, remember? Ok, his genetics may not be Irish, but it's all about where the base of operations will be situated, ain't it? B)

wayne-scales · **Posted:** Tue Sep 09, 2008 11:32 pm **Post subject:**

GarmGarf wrote:

The dude going to Cork, remember? Ok, his genetics may not be Irish, but it's all about where the base of operations, ain't it? B)

No.

GarmGarf · **Posted:** Tue Sep 09, 2008 11:33 pm **Post subject:**

wayne-scales wrote:

No.

No, as in...?

wayne-scales · **Posted:** Tue Sep 09, 2008 11:34 pm **Post subject:**

GarmGarf wrote:

wayne-scales wrote:

No.

No, as in...?

As in no!

GarmGarf · **Posted:** Tue Sep 09, 2008 11:37 pm **Post subject:**

I mean: do you mean you don't recall his existence, or that I'm incorect about my "base of operations" joke?

wayne-scales · **Posted:** Tue Sep 09, 2008 11:37 pm **Post subject:**

How does visitng Cork make someone Irish?

GarmGarf · **Posted:** Tue Sep 09, 2008 11:38 pm **Post subject:**

Oh, is he just visiting? Lol, I thought he was moving to work there or something.

wayne-scales · **Posted:** Tue Sep 09, 2008 11:39 pm **Post subject:**

GarmGarf wrote:

Oh, is he just visiting? Lol, I thought he was moving to work there or something.

Oh, maybe he is, sorry.

GarmGarf · **Posted:** Wed Sep 10, 2008 8:48 pm **Post subject:**

No, I'm actually not sure; I don't recall him stating either.

The_Bob · **Posted:** Wed Sep 10, 2008 9:15 pm **Post subject:**

GarmGarf, could you please take your thread-derailing ass somewhere else ?

xfewagainstmanyx · **Posted:** Mon Sep 29, 2008 2:15 pm **Post subject:**

Oi lads!
Well, yes indeed Garmgarf I'm in Ireland for a whole year, I've been in Cork for 2 weeks now, it's been somewhat difficult to settle in, not mentionning that I've been drunk every night ever since I was here.
Now, regarding the project, I guess I've got a lot of catching up to do.
But it's so cool here like!

GarmGarf · **Posted:** Sat Oct 04, 2008 11:55 pm **Post subject:**

Lol, yep, that sounds like Ireland!

Say hello to the Blizzard Entertainment office in cork for me; thanks!

Fromage · **Joined:** Oct 14, 2008 **Posts:** 45

I can't say I'm in love with the prequel idea.

I always thought it'd be pretty cool to fast forward a tad, put the next Arcanum in the modern era (mid-20th century, world-war IIish), then really push a magic resurgence plot, one that would allow the player to choose sides (not simply between magick and tech, but between nations as well).

I'm mid-game at the moment and it's been a long time since I've played so I'm not 100% on the nations or the meta-plot yet, but basically you'd have two tech sides battling it out, with the more magickal nations now essentially colonies annexed by one side or the other. At char creation you could choose not only your race but also your hometown, each offering different backgrounds. You could then choose to stay in that town/nation and work toward their goals (or simply try and further your own goals such as becoming rich or powerful) or move on to another nation that better fit your ideals.

This is ridiculously ambitious and I have no idea what is even possible in an Arcanum mod (even a total convert) but hey, if you're gonna wish, wish big, eh?

Dark Elf · **Posted:** Tue Oct 14, 2008 6:31 pm **Post subject:**

Location: France, Caen

*Analyzes choice of avatar*

...

... Herve?

xfewagainstmanyx · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 6:02 pm **Post subject:**

Dark Elf wrote:

Location: France, Caen

*Analyzes choice of avatar*

...

... Herve?

What the fuck are you talking about man?^^

Alright, sorry lads, I'd love to help ya, but for the moment I got so much work and homework like.
But flip, it's savage cabbage here. UCC is great (the standards are kind of high though, compared to France I mean, and I've chosen difficult courses, like "The Modern Irish State", a lecture we're like a hundred students to attend, and we are only 3 overseas students, and I'm like the only French moron who doesn't understand anything because of the strong accent of the teacher; hopefully for the them other two are from the US)
I don't want to sound too patronizing or demagog, or whatever you like, but I'm kind of planning spending the rest of my life here.
Cork really is a great, musical city. Tons of gigs, drunk people even on Sunday nights -well Garmgarf I'm not going to teach you about your own culture- beautiful landscapes, lovely people (hum, hot chicks as well), etc., etc.
Been surfin in Inchodoney, roadtripin to Dingle, playing american football, having my first Canadian thanksgiving dinner. (ok you don't give a shit), but I'm so lucky, thank you Europe, thank you ERASMUS!

Alright, who wants to give me his email address so I can send my teenage artwork, and, hopefully, my future works on the project?

How is the project going by the way?

See you gents

GarmGarf · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 7:08 pm **Post subject:**

Heyo Michael.

The fact is, "Project Arcanum" is failing horribly, just as Dark Elf generally predicted about all projects like it.

Saturday hasn't updated it in ages, and didn't even respond to my story proposal at all.

So, you can waste your art on a project that will probably just continue to burn, or, you can join a real project, which has potential of income.

My e-mail address and MSN address is "cents3@hotmail.com". Send me an e-mail or instant message, and I can talk to you about a real project which I am involved in.

Dark Elf · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 10:30 pm **Post subject:**

Quote:

What the fuck are you talking about man?^^

Herve Caen aka Citizen Caen, the guy who pretty much destroyed Interplay.

Click here!

stylex · **Posted:** Wed Oct 29, 2008 8:34 pm **Post subject:**

I thought this forum was about Arcanum, not some guy and Ireland.

Arcanum 2 Total Conversion pt 2 - Project Arcanum

Who is online