Ask the Torchlight developers questions, win fabulous prizes!

[Ravenlock]

Through charm and guile (I am assured mostly charm), Immortal Machines Podcast producer Voodoo has secured us the opportunity to talk to the fine people at Runic Games about their upcoming action RPG Torchlight in anticipation of the game's release (just announced to be on Steam (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=12865)!) on October 27th.

If you haven't followed Torchlight or Runic Games, it is a story that begins with the downloadable "casual" action RPG Fate, released by WildTangent back in 2005, and continues on to Mythos, the tragically now-defunct MMO action RPG that was in beta at Flagship Studios before they were laid low by the unsuccessful release of Hellgate: London. Torchlight is the product of all of this, helmed by not only Travis Baldree (lead designer of Fate and Mythos) but also Max and Erich Schaefer, who worked on two little titles you might remember called Diablo and Diablo II. It will be released as a single-player-only downloadable title, at the very reasonable price of $20. Further information about the game may be found on the official Torchlight website (http://www.torchlightgame.com/).

It is confirmed at this point that Travis Baldree will be participating in the interview, and we may also have access to Torchlight's Art Director Jason Beck, as well as a couple others as yet unnamed. So we want to know what you want to know! Give us questions, that we might sate your thirst for delicious information!

As an incentive, should any be necessary, Voodoo and I will be giving away two copies of Torchlight, after its release, to people whose questions get asked during the interview. Since Torchlight is a randomized dungeon crawl, obviously the only correct way to determine the winner is through chance, so your names will be written on ping pong balls, which will be fed into a hopper and drawn at random by a beautiful assistant who may or may not be named MagGnome.

You have the next 7 days, until Wednesday, October 21st, to ask your questions. Winners will be announced after the interview is recorded.

Proceed!

A couple of notes of formality re: the contest -

(1) In the event that a question is asked multiple times, the first person to ask it will be the contest entry. Similarity of questions will be at our discretion.

(2) While you are encouraged to ask multiple questions, that does not equate to multiple contest entries.

[LordDon]

In this particular thread or is there an address we should send them to?

[Voodoo]

Post them in this thread. Thanks. :)

[Shieldmaiden]

I'll have a go at this:

Why did you decide to release a single-player game in a genre particularly known for online and LAN multiplayer?

Not the most exciting question in the world, but I'm interested in hearing why they took this route.

[Troggles]

How do your character classes deviate from the archetypal roles, if they do at all?

Basically, I want to know if the classes are more than just a melee guy, a marksmen, and a caster.

[mightbe]

Are there any plans for pre-order deals or bonuses?

I want a special fish that when I feed it to my dog, it turns into Wonder, the Runic Games PR Lady.

[Ravenlock]

I fear that by the time we record and release the interview, mightbe, it will be too late for the answer to matter (since the game releases on the 27th and we won't be talking to them until the 23rd). But it's an excellent question anyhow and I'll probably ask it whether it matters or not. ;)

[mightbe]

Oh well. There's always room for easter eggs in patches! (ok, not really)

LOLSRSQUESTION: Since Runic seems to be dedicated to make ridiculously fun stuff at a great price, have they considered making a little fishing game for a mobile platform where I can transfer the results to my desktop copy of Torchlight that I may experience Torchlight awesomeness on the go?

[cppcrusader]

Are there any plans for DLC of some kind post-release?

[Voodoo]

Good questions here. Keep them coming. :)

[jpublic]

How does a player save progress and continue games? Are we looking at save points like many console games, the spawn point of many of your predecessors in this genre, or a save-anywhere option?

[MagGnome]

Since Torchlight is a randomized dungeon crawl, obviously the only correct way to determine the winner is through chance, so your names will be written on ping pong balls, which will be fed into a hopper and drawn at random by a beautiful assistant who may or may not be named MagGnome.

Wait, does this mean I'm not eligible to enter the contest? :p


Seriously though, if I'm not eligible I would be more than happy to generate the random numbers and pick the winner. Good questions so far guys!

[Straximus]

Oblig: What is it like to be so awesome?

[Scull]

So a follow on question to the single-player only question: Are there plans for expansions or DLC that will allow for multi-player games?

Question 2: With the pedigree of the developers working on this title I expect great things, but fear that it will be too much of a Diablo clone. What are some of the biggest differentiators between Torchlight and Diablo II.

Question 3: With Diablo III in the works, have you seen an increased interest in Torchlight? I'm curious to know how much a huge name in the genre drives the smaller indie developers popularity. I knew little about Torchlight prior to the announcement of Diablo III, but since then Torchlight has become more publicized and it feels as though the general internet populace is really getting behind the game now, and I wonder how much of that is driven by people getting re-energized for the genre in anticipation of Diablo III.

[muddi900]

How awesome is your game?

Is there any plans for multiplayer(not MMO) in the future?

[Ravenlock]

A couple of notes of formality re: the contest -

(1) In the event that a question is asked multiple times (I can see that "will there ever be multiplayer?" is going to be popular...), the first person to ask it will be the contest entry. Similarity of questions will be at our discretion.

(2) While you are encouraged to ask multiple questions, that does not equate to multiple contest entries.

Okay, carry on! Good stuff. :)

[ElektroDragon]

Will Torchlight be ported to a console or handheld if successful?

[Widgetcraft]

As technology improves, what advances do you feel will benefit the rogue-like/action-RPG genre the most, and in what ways? How has the development of Torchlight benefited from advances in technology compared to the development of Fate?

[LordDon]

How on earth did they make a game this polished in just over a year?

[Hawkzombie]

(I'll ask two, since I'm not 100% sure of the future of Mythos. I'd prefer the first question, but if either question get asked, I'm happy :p)

1. Since Mythos has become somewhat defunct, and was slated to be something of a multi-player sequel to Torchlight, will the possible popularity and sales of Torchlight cause that project to be kicked into high gear? Or something similar?

2. Why the decision to include such a robust level editor to the game?

[Ravenlock]

Since Mythos as an IP is no longer owned by anybody at Runic (after Flagship Studios went under it was picked up by Hanbitsoft), they probably don't have any input on its future no matter how well Torchlight does, unfortunately.

From the Wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mythos_%28computer_game%29):

The intellectual property and game assets of Mythos moved into the ownership of South Korean MMO publisher HanbitSoft. In May 2009, Hanbitsoft released a statement on its Korean-language website stating that parent company T3 Entertainment and T3's subsidiary Redbana are continuing development of Mythos. Included on the site is a message from a designer identified as "Alboos" who states that they are restructuring Mythos to make it "more suited as an online game." In August 2009, Redbana/T3 launched an English-language Mythos website with a closed beta registration form.

So the likely answer is that yes, Mythos may eventually see an American release, but Travis and the folks at Runic won't have any connection to it.

They have, however, announced that they will be working on an MMO after Torchlight that will be somehow connected to it for future release, it just won't be Mythos. You can bet we'll try to get as much information about that as they're able to give us. :)

[Bad Buddha]

How will death be handled? Will there be gold and experience penalties and/or will you need to make a corpse run to retrieve all your good stuff?

[SilentScreams]

Will the MMO be the first multiplayer element we can expect, or would you consider patching in something like LAN play in the meantime?

[Troggles]

Another question: (understand I don't get an entry, but I'd like to know the answer)

Will modders be able to incorporate multiplayer into their games?

[MelbaToast]

Was it always your intention to leave out multiplayer entirely or was it a decision later on due to time constraints?

[Hemalin]

Having worked on Fate and Mythos and seen the community reaction to both of them, has there been any gameplay or other technical changes to Torchlight that have been influenced by the success/failure of your previous two games?

[Deadend]

Since there is no MP, did that make having the game balance against the player easier?

How did you go about having random levels that still feel designed properly?

What is the coolest move/spell in the game?

Any particular item I should look out for?

How big of shoulder pads can I get?

[Suave Peanut]

Have you at all investigated the possibility of putting a game like this on Xbox Live Arcade or the PlayStation Network? There doesn't seem to be too many games of this style on those platforms, so a particularly well-mode one could potentially perform quite well.

EDIT
For clarification, I'm referring to more like a pared-down Torchlight spin-off rather than a console port. I could imagine the modding tools would not work so well for consoles, but I could see a single-player (or preferably cooperative) campaign-driven "Torch Lite" if you will.

[J Arcane]

Given this game's chief interest to me is the addition of modding tools to the Diablo formula, my question concerns the accessibility of modding. Games like Ryzom and Spore have used "visual scripting" methods to make the process of designing events in levels easily understandable for non-coders, while the community around NWN have produced script generators that allow a non-coder to generate most common scripted events without any programming know how of their own.

What, if any, concessions have you made towards making your modding tools accessible to non-programmers? How does the event scripting in Torchlight really work?

[PathMaster]

With the Brick & Mortar release of the game coming later on, what goodies are currently planned to come along with that?

Blizzard games have always had excellent manuals including great artwork and detailed backstory, will Torchlight have the same?

What are your long term goals for Torchlight and its MMO sibling?

[boratika]

I don't remember seeing anything on this...so:

Is there currently any plans for any expantions/DLC for the single player game?

Especially given the brief development time, it seems likely that there's probably good ideas that just didn't make the final cut.


Also I think Wasson asked his question in a different thread:

Why does the non-magic guy have to be so stupid looking?

But seriously, don't ask them that.

[Antipode]

What, if any, concessions have you made towards making your modding tools accessible to non-programmers? How does the event scripting in Torchlight really work? There is a 3-part video series on the official site (part 1 (http://www.torchlightgame.com/developerblogs/2009/08/28/preditor-scripting-101-part-1-of-3/), part 2 (http://www.torchlightgame.com/developerblogs/2009/09/04/preditor-scripting-101-part-2-of-3/), part 3 (http://www.torchlightgame.com/developerblogs/2009/09/25/preditor-scripting-101-part-3-of-3/)) that shows off some of what the editor can do, including the scripting. It looks almost like simple logic circuits.

[MagGnome]

Thanks for posting the links to those videos!

[Ravenlock]

Hear hear, that's great stuff. Thanks, Antipode! :)

[Telefrog]

My question:

What lessons learned from Diablo/Mythos/Fate did you bring over to Torchlight? Were there any things that you conciously did not want to carry over due to your experiences? Why?

[OrangePulp]

Will there be any sort of gear sharing between characters?

Is game modding limited to things like levels, classes, skills, that sort of thing, or would we be able to see something like an integrated version of TQVault (a third party utility for titan quest that allowed for unlimited storage space and easy item organization)?

[MagGnome]

I watched all three of those videos earlier, and they were great! I'm even more excited to get the game now, and I may even fool around with the modding tools, which is something I haven't done with a game in ages.

[Voodoo]

You've got to love Runic's sense of humor. :)

G2SNjfah3as

[Bad Buddha]

You've got to love Runic's sense of humor. :)

Now if that last scene had shown the guy getting splashed with BBQ sauce it might have been a bit more intriguing! :p

[mightbe]

The one in the awesomebra is Wonder, btw. :D

[MagGnome]

That's a hilarious ad!

[Ravenlock]

<Stick up my ass> I really wish they had shown even a little bit of gameplay in that ad. I mean, if you didn't already know what Torchlight is, you'd have absolutely no idea after watching that. You wouldn't even necessarily know it was a game, and not some new website / streaming video thing on the laptop. It seems to be an ad pretty much exclusively for people who are already waiting for the game. I'd think with such a pretty game, they'd want to show it off. </Stick up my ass>

Since I am one of the people already waiting for the game, though, it was a pretty funny concept, and fits perfectly with their image, so on that front, well done. ;)

[MagGnome]

They should do another version where the two guys are pillow-fighting and the girls are playing the game. ;)

[Ravenlock]

Yes, that would definitely be the correct next step. In fact, I will go email them that right now. :D

[MagGnome]

Yes, that would definitely be the correct next step. In fact, I will go email them that right now. :D

Awesome! If they actually make an ad like that I will buy Torchlight day 1.

Who am I kidding? I'm getting the game on day 1 regardless. :D

[Widgetcraft]

Will there be any sort of gear sharing between characters?

I think there is some shared vault for your characters, but I'm not positive.

[Voodoo]

FYI - Torchlight is available for Pre-Purchase on Steam (http://store.steampowered.com/app/41500) for $17.99. I know it's tempting but remember also that Ravenlock and I will be giving away two free copies to two people in this thread. :)

[Ravenlock]

Oblig: What is it like to be so awesome?

They decided to answer this one early, I guess - it's a lot like this (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=12959).

Bravo, Runic. A+.

[Callador]

Are there any plans for DLC or an expansion? If so, might it include any additional classes?

[cppcrusader]

Will the Mac version be available at launch or will it come later? If later will it be by Dec 12th?

A rather specific date I know. That's my brother's bday, he recently became Mac guy and does nothing but bitch about how the game pickings for Mac are slim.

[Midrael]

I actually don't want to win the prize of this contest because I'd rather pay the $20 to help support these folks.

Please tell them that they're awesome for being so attentive to the needs of the community, as demonstrated in the aforementioned thread (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=12959).

[Ravenlock]

Please everyone feel free to ask questions even if you do not wish to win the prize - we'll be happy to pass along questions without entering folks, if they ask. ;) I certainly will pass along your compliments about their community attentiveness.

[Midrael]

I suppose if I did pose something out of that as a question, I'd be curious to know how difficult it is to split time between working on the game and listening to the community that closely. Also, how do they make decisions on which community suggestions are worth following up on?

[MagGnome]

Where is the male version of that pillow fight? That's my question. ;)

All kidding aside, I'm going to pre-purchase the game today. I've never done that with any game on Steam, but this one is just too good to pass up! I actually feel a little guilty about buying it at a discount. I hope Runic gets a big chunk of that $18.

[Suave Peanut]

FYI - Torchlight is available for Pre-Purchase on Steam (http://store.steampowered.com/app/41500) for $17.99. I know it's tempting but remember also that Ravenlock and I will be giving away two free copies to two people in this thread. :)
Ehh! I want to add to their preorder numbers, but it's hard to spare the money right now, especially when I have a chance at a free copy! I'll wait and see what happens here.

[Alkanos]

Will there be any sort of gear sharing between characters?I found this on their official site while looking for something else:
Q: Is there a place for me to store items besides my backpack?

A: Your character has a private stash which can store excess items. All of your characters also share an additional stash which you can use to transfer items between them. In addition, your pet has its own pack that you can use to store items while exploring the mines. So yes, there is a shared stash!

I have a different question. Will there be a way to buy the game directly from them rather through Steam? I'm guessing that Steam is taking a nice chunk of the sale, and I'd rather Runic got the money. :p

[MagGnome]

Yes, you can buy the game directly from Runic's website.

[H.Bogard]

Will the Steam version support achievements? What kind of post-release content are they planning, IF any?

[Wasson_]

Also I think Wasson asked his question in a different thread:


But seriously, don't ask them that.

I still think it's a viable question. Look at the other 2 characters...then look at him. It really begs the question, "why so stupid looking?"

[Hafnium]

Will you add good single player user mods to the MMO version, if you think they will be enjoyable to play with more than one person? (in a suitable form)

(feel free to fix my broken english :o )

[Widgetcraft]

I still think it's a viable question. Look at the other 2 characters...then look at him. It really begs the question, "why so stupid looking?"

Out of the three, he has my favorite design.

[Shieldmaiden]

I still think it's a viable question. Look at the other 2 characters...then look at him. It really begs the question, "why so stupid looking?"

I realised that I had no idea what they looked like, so I checked it out and I think he looks fine. Much more characterful than most warrior guy designs you see.

[Ursu]

Is there a possible Update that includes a LAN Modus or even Connect over IP? If not, is there a possibility to mod such mode?! e.g. with Raknet :-)

[mightbe]

Is there a possible Update that includes a LAN Modus or even Connect over IP? If not, is there a possibility to mod such mode?! e.g. with Raknet :-)

Probably not, according to the developers we spoke with at PAX.

[Ravenlock]

I wouldn't hold out much hope for there being any multiplayer capabilities in Torchlight at all - it sounds like they simply haven't designed the game to have more than one player character running around.

Obviously if that's a dealbreaker for you, you should keep your eyes open for their upcoming MMO. ;) Given the large number of people in the thread asking about potential future multiplayer options, though, I promise we'll bring it up and see what they say.

[MagGnome]

I can answer half the questions in this thread myself:

The game has no multiplayer, and the developers have already stated that they will be making some sort of MMO with the tech/assets/world sometime in the future.

Edit - I guess Raven beat me to it, by nearly 13 hours, and was much more eloquent as well. Damn you!

[Wasson_]

Much more characterful than most warrior guy designs you see.

Yeah...real "characterful"...A big muscle bound bald guy who is a melee fighter. that is just so "characterful". Oh wait...it's the Barbarian from Diablo II. Only now he looks like Mr. Incredible and the Solder from TF2's love child.

It's not even the fact that he looks so huge and stupid in-game, it's that his gameplay trailer is so fucking dull. I mean, seriously watch it in comparison to the other two classes. I mean, honestly is that the best that they can showcase? A...dash move and A radial AOE stomp attack. Wow, that is so "characterful"! :D

edit, Oh, and he has a dog familiar too. Yeah, that's way cooler than fucking clockwork men with freakin laser beams on their freakin heads.

[Ghostbear]

They all have the dog cupcake.

[Wasson_]

well, I guess he sucks a little bit more now.

[Ravenlock]

Yeah, that's way cooler than fucking clockwork men with freakin laser beams on their freakin heads.

Alright, so I want to make sure I have this phrased right before I ask them - the question is "Why didn't you use the design that was in Wasson's head when you were making the Destroyer? It was going to be totally awesome and way cooler than yours, just ask Wasson." That about right? ;)

I kid, I kid. :p

[Ravenlock]

Okay, folks, this thread is closed for new questions - though I won't actually lock it until we can post the contest results (which we'll probably put in a new thread as well as in here).

Unfortunately, due to the rigors of "crunch time", Runic isn't going to be able to get to our interview until next Wednesday - the good news is, that means if you were the first person to ask a question, you're eligible for the prize whether we end up using your question or not! The drawing will be held this weekend, and winners announced before the game comes out next week. If you win, your copy can come from Steam or directly from Runic - your choice.

Stay tuned!

[Ravenlock]

The winners have been chosen (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=13160)!