Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning announced

[EddieA]

Here's the press release -

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) and 38 Studios, LLC announced Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, the company's first title previously referred to under the codename "Project Mercury". Reckoning  is an epic, open-world role-playing game set in Amalur, a mysterious and magical new fantasy world created by New York Times best-selling author R. A. Salvatore. Brought to life visually through the trademark visceral style of renowned artist and Spawn creator Todd McFarlane, Reckoning brings a new level of intense action combat to the RPG genre. The game is being developed under the leadership of Ken Rolston, lead designer of the critically acclaimed RPGs Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and is scheduled for release in fall 2011..Reckoning is a single-player RPG that sets players on a heroic journey to unlock the mysteries of Amalur..

The game is supposed to be unveiled at Comic-Con on Thursday.

[rshetts2]

you peaked my interest until I saw this....  scheduled for release in fall 2011.     Probably at least 1 1/2 years away.  It does look interesting though,  Ill check back in a year or so 

[rittchard]

Single player only?  Boooo!

[EddieA]

Single player only?  Boooo!

As with Torchlight, they're making a single-player game first, to be followed by an MMO set in the same universe.

[CeeKay]

the main site for this is up.

[CeeKay]

also I just uploaded some screenshots.

[Azhag]

Nice group of people involved. I'll definitely keep watching. Plus, I'm more of a single-player guy anyways.

[Turtle]

While at least there's blue in the screenshots, there's way too much bloom in these shots. Aka, the Next Gen Fantasy Filter.

[CeeKay]

While at least there's blue in the screenshots, there's way too much bloom in these shots. Aka, the Next Gen Fantasy Filter.

Bloom, it's the new brown.

[CeeKay]

a few new screenshots.

[CeeKay]

Eurogamer Preview

VG 24/7 preview

G4TV preview

[Greg Wak]

That was a pretty good preview. The one trailer made combat look really fluid. Didn't know this was so close to release-Fall. Interested now.

[CeeKay]

one more preview from Joystiq.  definitely starting to look forward to this.

[Greg Wak]

Another very positive preview. Fall release is pretty dangerously close to Skyrim. If it slips a little it might slip a lot. What a great time to be an RPG fan. Just tons of good stuff either just out or just around the corner.

[EddieA]

Here's a 20 minute video showing off some early gameplay.

[rshetts2]

 The demo was played on the 360, and looked great.  They describe it as a hard core RPG with action combat.
  From what I could see, this game will be kind of like Diablo with a deeper RPG element.  Theres going to be tons of loot, unique loot and gear sets.  You didnt get much of a look into the inventory screens because they have a system where you can compare and equip right from the loot screen.  Also, if you find loot you dont want to equip or save, they have a junk system as well.  If that sword is worthless too you add it to the junk pile and when you sell, its one click to dump your worthless stuff.
 Combat was very flashy, with lots of action.  The demo was played entirely with a warrior so you didnt get to see much in the way of spell animations but in this world even warriors have access to some magic.
 Im interested to see more of this game but from what I could see, it will definitely scratch that Diablo3 itch until 2013, when they finally release D3

[Qantaga]

it will definitely scratch that Diablo3 itch until 2013, when they finally release D3

   
This is looking pretty good.
    
I didn't realize this was Curt Schilling's 38 Studios' game until I re-read the press release in the OP. From the logo on the trailer, it looks like a game from 38 Studios and Big Huge Games (albeit without Brian Reynolds). I'm way behind on game news, so I'm wondering if it is a collaboration or if 38 bought BHG.
    
They've got a lot pedigree with McFarlane, Salvatore, and the Oblivion designer involved. It will be interesting to see if they can pull together a good game.

[Chaz]

38 bought BHG when BHG was on the verge of going under.  From what I know, BHG is developing this one, while 38 is working on another game, but the two are set in the same universe.

[Qantaga]

38 bought BHG when BHG was on the verge of going under.  From what I know, BHG is developing this one, while 38 is working on another game, but the two are set in the same universe.

   
Chaz, thanks for the info. That's very interesting.
   
I thought I remembered Schilling originally saying that he wanted to make an MMO, so it makes sense that this would mainly be BHG's game and that 38 Studios has another game going.

[naednek]

They are still making a MMO based on this series.  Since BHG was mainly a RTS company, they are doing a Single player RPG first to get down the basics, then a MMO that expands the series.

[Qantaga]

They are still making a MMO based on this series.  Since BHG was mainly a RTS company, they are doing a Single player RPG first to get down the basics, then a MMO that expands the series.

   
Sweet!
   
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the games (especially the MMO) will be good.
   
I'm optimistic because it seems like a labor of love for Schilling.

[Chaz]

The MMO is the game the core 38 studio is working on.

[rshetts2]

While Im interested in the single player game, at this point I have absolutely no interest in another fantasy based MMO.  Seriously, fantasy mmos have been beaten into the ground and theres a bunch more coming out.  Im really surprised that they want to give it a try seeing as how the development expense is so high compared to the success rate.  The problem I see is that fantasy mmos seem to look at WoW and want to put out the safe, generic game, in hopes that it finds a following.  It really hasnt worked for anyone so far. Ill watch and see what they have to bring to the table, but I have my doubts thats its going to be any thing but another fantasy mmo failure.   

[Qantaga]

While Im interested in the single player game, at this point I have absolutely no interest in another fantasy based MMO.  Seriously, fantasy mmos have been beaten into the ground ... 
   
I'll watch and see what they have to bring to the table, but I have my doubts thats its going to be any thing but another fantasy mmo failure.   

   
   
I hear you. However, I'm hoping this might be the perfect storm for a good, new MMO.
   
- Schilling is a competitor. He's already reached the pinnacle of success and I'm hoping that will lead him to be more concerned about putting a good game on the market, rather than rushing something out the door just to recover his investment. (Of course, having EA hanging over their heads makes that more problematic, but I'm hoping).
   
- Schilling is an MMO gamer. He played EQ and EQ2 (and I'm sure a few others) consistently and to high levels. He strikes me as someone who would be more dedicated to the craft of putting out a game that he would like to play. I could obviously be dead wrong, but it seems like a guy like Schilling would be more likely to do everything in his power to make sure the game is good.
   
- McFarlane and Salvatore. I realize their skills may not translate over to the MMO environment. However, just the fact that 38 Studios has enlisted them shows that they feel the artwork and the lore of the game are important. So, they are at least making the effort to put together a team for success.
     
Anyway, I'm sure this is all a lot of wishful thinking, but I'm going to hold onto my naivety until it gets shattered.

[faide]

Also Salvatore is a huge MMO player as well. 

[CeeKay]

visions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbD3MMV_XHU

[CeeKay]

from PAX East 2011:

part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSdQq4T-oyg
part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56bU5FXPADA
part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWU8bc-y4xA
part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWwdNSBmmY8
part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd2iQ-Yi-Jo

[CeeKay]

some new screens.

[CeeKay]

new trailer.

[Warfran]

Looks good, if they can keep the over the top console style graphics with PC functionality I will really enjoy this.

[EddieA]

Here's a 40-minute gameplay video.  The game looks amazing, and it's competing with Skyrim as my most anticipated game.

[kronovan]

Is this the same game that was shown during Microsoft's E3 press conference? I thought that game was just called Reckoning, but it looked like the same game as this.

[skystride]

This is nice surprise, looks pretty good.  I didn't have very high hopes when I first heard about this.

[EddieA]

The release month has been revealed - February 2012.  It's going to be a busy few months for RPGs - Skyrim in November, Final Fantasy XIII-2 in January, Kingdoms of Amalur in February, and Mass Effect 3 in March 

[morlac]

new trailer.

Not wild about the art direction.  I loathe giant 1' wide 8' long swords with a passion, especially when they are so big the clip right through the ground when carrying them(:30).  Animation and action looks good though as does the graphical detail.  I'm almost positive it will be a good game.  It's good some good talent behind it with a group of passionate game players and no corporate bean counters that  I  can tell.  At least none that will stand up to Shcilling.

[Greg Wak]

Release date announced! Feb 7th for NA and Feb 10th for Europe. Not too long to wait.

[EddieA]

IGN has a new 20 minute video showing off one of the subquests in the game.  It does show some story elements of the quest, including a spoiler.  It looks amazing, though.  February 7 cannot come fast enough.

[naednek]

When did these knights become ninjas? 

[rittchard]

IGN has a new 20 minute video showing off one of the subquests in the game.  It does show some story elements of the quest, including a spoiler.  It looks amazing, though.  February 7 cannot come fast enough.

Those devs are cute!  The graphics look sweet as does the combat.  But... a little surprised they are showing "pre-Alpha" and yet the game is set to release in 5 months.  One would have hoped a game like this would be well into beta testing by this point.

[Harkonis]

IGN has a new 20 minute video showing off one of the subquests in the game.  It does show some story elements of the quest, including a spoiler.  It looks amazing, though.  February 7 cannot come fast enough.

Those devs are cute!  The graphics look sweet as does the combat.  But... a little surprised they are showing "pre-Alpha" and yet the game is set to release in 5 months.  One would have hoped a game like this would be well into beta testing by this point.

I really don't think the terms 'pre-alpha, alpha, and beta' mean anything anymore.  They are probably just afraid to say alpha or beta because then people assume they can get in and  play it somehow.  I think nowadays pre-alpha just means it's for them only and not much press demos.