GDC 06: Dreamfall: The Longest Journey Impressions

Dasilva · 03-24-2006, 08:29 AM

GDC 06: Dreamfall: The Longest Journey Impressions

Dreamfall is pretty much done, so lead designer Ragnar Tornquist took off for San Jose to show off his long-awaited adventure game.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--After years of development, Dreamfall: The Longest Journey is pretty much complete at this point, so Funcom creative director Ragnar Tornquist took off for San Jose to show off his long-awaited adventure game for the PC and Xbox. Like you'd expect, Tornquist is eager for Dreamfall to finally reach the masses. This is the sequel to what many consider to be the best adventure game since Myst, and it's packed full of content and variety, and there's a reason for that. "This is my pledge to the players," Tornquist said. "They'll never get bored."

Dreamfall will have you play as three different characters on three different worlds, ranging from a futuristic utopia to a more medieval setting. While Funcom originally struggled with how to classify the game early on, calling it many things such as an action adventure, Tornquist said that they've since become calling it what it is, a "modern adventure game." Dreamfall is all about overcoming obstacles and challenges, and giving you the tools to do so in a variety of ways. There are classic adventure-style puzzles where you have to figure out how to solve problems, but also tons of minigames that are designed to be simple and fun, not excruciatingly difficult, which is a problem with some adventure games. Meanwhile, there's also a light action element to the game, as you can choose to fight it out with your characters if you'd like. The combat controls are inspired by those found in games such as Jade Empire, so it's designed to be accessible to those with slower reflexes. "The combat is not Dead or Alive," he said.

There's approximately 20 to 30 hours of gameplay in Dreamfall, he explained, depending on how much time you spend talking with all the characters. Tornquist said that he also didn't want players doing the same things over and over again, so you'll be constantly traveling to new areas, such as foreboding dungeons or beautiful futuristic cities. The game is also flexible enough to allow you to solve many problems in a multitude of ways. If you're being chased in the dungeon by an angry troll, you can try ducking and hiding in the shadows, or face it down if you feel lucky enough. Then there are the other ways you can solve puzzles, such as the conversational relationship games that you can have with characters to try and make them see your side.

Tornquist is proud of the way the game looks on the Xbox, and that it looks even better on the PC. Put that together with the potentially huge amount of gameplay, and Dreamfall may very well be nirvana for adventure fans. Publisher Aspyr will announce a ship date soon, but expect it to be sometime next month. Meanwhile, Tornquist isn't taking a well-deserved vacation. Instead, he says that he's excited about making games, so he's diving right into his next project. What can we say? The man really loves making games.

Source: www.Gamespot.com

*Dale Baldwin* · 03-24-2006, 08:51 AM

Nothing there really that we didn't already know.

Kolzig · 03-24-2006, 08:51 AM

"Best adventure game since Myst." Wtf?

Wasn't Myst released in 1993?!
I'm quite certain that there have been, krhm few superb adventure games since then.

Or are they possibly meaning Myst V which came out in 2005.

Anyway, Myst isn't an adventure game.

Dasilva · 03-24-2006, 08:59 AM

Myst is puzzle not adventure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale Baldwin

Nothing there really that we didn't already know.

It was news so I thought I'd post it anyway.

***Jackal*** · 03-24-2006, 09:27 AM

The weird thing about the article is that you can't tell the writer even saw the game. I don't even see any "impressions", let alone details.

colpet · 03-24-2006, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Anyway, Myst isn't an adventure game.

Quote:

Myst is puzzle not adventure

(sigh)

Naveed · 03-24-2006, 10:55 AM

EMI was the last great adventure game, or was TLJ released after it, hmm... I am a bit confused

Dasilva · 03-24-2006, 11:13 AM

TLJ was first, then MI4, I think.

*Jake* · 03-24-2006, 11:43 AM

Dreamfall looked so great at GDC though. I'm really excited... I need to (buy and) replay The Longest Journey pronto.

playing_games · 03-24-2006, 12:12 PM

So I'm gonna just go ahead and assume that An AG preview of Dreamfall

r What We Saw at GDC Made Our Jaws Drop is forthcoming in near future (how about like tomorrow?). Or do we have to get a long stick to poke Jack?

insane_cobra · 03-24-2006, 01:46 PM

Here's some tasty new screenies!

I just glanced over the thumbs - don't want to spoil the game too much - but wow!

Dasilva · 03-24-2006, 01:57 PM

Sweet Jesus! Those look amazing.

Spiwak · 03-24-2006, 02:15 PM

Dayuuuuuuuumn.

RaMa · 03-24-2006, 03:03 PM

Those were posted a tiny while ago on Minstrum.net

The new gallery on my site (Black House) is divided into several levels of spoilers. So if you're trying to avoid spoilers but still enjoy at least some of the new screens, you can visit the gallery here.

***Jackal*** · 03-24-2006, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by playing_games

So I'm gonna just go ahead and assume that An AG preview of Dreamfall

r What We Saw at GDC Made Our Jaws Drop is forthcoming in near future (how about like tomorrow?). Or do we have to get a long stick to poke Jack?

Jake just gave it. What, you want more?

I won't make any promises just yet, but I'd say the smart money has us running something before long. If we do, though, it won't be a rush job just to repeat the same stuff everyone knows.

Owskie · 03-24-2006, 03:23 PM

man, my mom loved the longest journey, the action in this second one is going to turn her away..
and i also happen to think its crap, BUT, i will love the game..

Spiwak · 03-24-2006, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Owskie

man, my mom loved the longest journey, the action in this second one is going to turn her away..
and i also happen to think its crap, BUT, i will love the game..

Get over it, man. How long do you think the Adventure genre will stay 2d-point and click? Gaming is constantly evolving, and adventure games have to keep up if we want to see any mainstream ones at all.

EDIT: What I mean is, I'm quite frankly glad that Dreamfall is experimenting some, especially when it's for the sake of the story. I'm also hoping that it is successful and thus prompts other adventure game makers to try new things other than 2D/point and click adventures. I like to see new things. Sorry if I sounded like I jumped on your post. I understand your complaints, but I feel like Dreamfall is the beginning of the future for adventure games.

Dasilva · 03-24-2006, 04:03 PM

I think Dreamfall will be the ideal game, something with story, real action & great visuals. Seems to be the perfect package directed to all gamers, not just the hardcore point and click nuts.

Aj_ · 03-24-2006, 04:40 PM

Hmmm, I predict the action will be unnecessary, anoying, and badly designed. I've seen it hundreds of times. I actually like action, I play more action games than adventures, but I want it to be deep, flowing, and with enough freedom to be unrestrictive and unrepetitive.

Dasilva · 03-24-2006, 04:44 PM

You think Ragnar Tørnquist is going to screw up this game? Have some faith at least. And I'd hate to see a TLJ sequel in the same way as TLJ 1, technology and new ideas move in.

03-24-2006, 08:29 AM	#1
Dasilva Hitch-Hiker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The Mediterranean Sea Posts: 4,364	GDC 06: Dreamfall: The Longest Journey Impressions GDC 06: Dreamfall: The Longest Journey Impressions Dreamfall is pretty much done, so lead designer Ragnar Tornquist took off for San Jose to show off his long-awaited adventure game. SAN JOSE, Calif.--After years of development, Dreamfall: The Longest Journey is pretty much complete at this point, so Funcom creative director Ragnar Tornquist took off for San Jose to show off his long-awaited adventure game for the PC and Xbox. Like you'd expect, Tornquist is eager for Dreamfall to finally reach the masses. This is the sequel to what many consider to be the best adventure game since Myst, and it's packed full of content and variety, and there's a reason for that. "This is my pledge to the players," Tornquist said. "They'll never get bored." Dreamfall will have you play as three different characters on three different worlds, ranging from a futuristic utopia to a more medieval setting. While Funcom originally struggled with how to classify the game early on, calling it many things such as an action adventure, Tornquist said that they've since become calling it what it is, a "modern adventure game." Dreamfall is all about overcoming obstacles and challenges, and giving you the tools to do so in a variety of ways. There are classic adventure-style puzzles where you have to figure out how to solve problems, but also tons of minigames that are designed to be simple and fun, not excruciatingly difficult, which is a problem with some adventure games. Meanwhile, there's also a light action element to the game, as you can choose to fight it out with your characters if you'd like. The combat controls are inspired by those found in games such as Jade Empire, so it's designed to be accessible to those with slower reflexes. "The combat is not Dead or Alive," he said. There's approximately 20 to 30 hours of gameplay in Dreamfall, he explained, depending on how much time you spend talking with all the characters. Tornquist said that he also didn't want players doing the same things over and over again, so you'll be constantly traveling to new areas, such as foreboding dungeons or beautiful futuristic cities. The game is also flexible enough to allow you to solve many problems in a multitude of ways. If you're being chased in the dungeon by an angry troll, you can try ducking and hiding in the shadows, or face it down if you feel lucky enough. Then there are the other ways you can solve puzzles, such as the conversational relationship games that you can have with characters to try and make them see your side. Tornquist is proud of the way the game looks on the Xbox, and that it looks even better on the PC. Put that together with the potentially huge amount of gameplay, and Dreamfall may very well be nirvana for adventure fans. Publisher Aspyr will announce a ship date soon, but expect it to be sometime next month. Meanwhile, Tornquist isn't taking a well-deserved vacation. Instead, he says that he's excited about making games, so he's diving right into his next project. What can we say? The man really loves making games. Source: www.Gamespot.com Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Regards, DaSilva "If you don't get out of the box you've been raised in, you won't understand how much bigger the world is." - Angelina Jolie _ <Susan falls through the floor and gets stuck> <Paco looks at her blankly> "Whats wrong with you?! Lassy would of had a firetruck here by now!" - Susan Mayer, Desperate Housewives

03-24-2006, 08:51 AM	#2
Dale Baldwin Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Southampton, UK Posts: 3,139	Nothing there really that we didn't already know. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Now Playing: Catherine, Sword and Sworcery:EP Recently Completed: The Witcher

03-24-2006, 08:51 AM	#3
Kolzig The Reggienator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Vaasa, Finland Posts: 5,519	"Best adventure game since Myst." Wtf? Wasn't Myst released in 1993?! I'm quite certain that there have been, krhm few superb adventure games since then. Or are they possibly meaning Myst V which came out in 2005. Anyway, Myst isn't an adventure game. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ "The old standby, that never got old in the first place. We come back to them weekly, nightly, for hours at a time--and they always deliver. They are pure, timeless, and often taken for granted." - Nick Breckon - Shacknews My gamesale list updated 26.8.2007 Hey, dear people please buy my games, I need money to conquer Europe! Or do something similar.

03-24-2006, 09:27 AM	#5
*Jackal* Hopeful skeptic Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 7,743	The weird thing about the article is that you can't tell the writer even saw the game. I don't even see any "impressions", let alone details. Share Share this post on Twitter

03-24-2006, 10:55 AM	#7
Naveed Burning Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Karachi, Pakistan Posts: 341	EMI was the last great adventure game, or was TLJ released after it, hmm... I am a bit confused Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Spoiler: Monkey Island 2 : LeChuck's Revenge is the best game of all time.

03-24-2006, 11:13 AM	#8
Dasilva Hitch-Hiker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The Mediterranean Sea Posts: 4,364	TLJ was first, then MI4, I think. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Regards, DaSilva "If you don't get out of the box you've been raised in, you won't understand how much bigger the world is." - Angelina Jolie _ <Susan falls through the floor and gets stuck> <Paco looks at her blankly> "Whats wrong with you?! Lassy would of had a firetruck here by now!" - Susan Mayer, Desperate Housewives

03-24-2006, 11:43 AM	#9
Jake The Dartmaster Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Rafael, California Posts: 3,084	Dreamfall looked so great at GDC though. I'm really excited... I need to (buy and) replay The Longest Journey pronto. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ When on the Internet, visit Idle Thumbs \| Mixnmojo \| Sam & Max.net \| Telltale Games "I was one of the original lovers." - Evan Dickens Last edited by Jake; 03-24-2006 at 01:24 PM.

03-24-2006, 12:12 PM	#10
playing_games Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 443	So I'm gonna just go ahead and assume that An AG preview of Dreamfallr What We Saw at GDC Made Our Jaws Drop is forthcoming in near future (how about like tomorrow?). Or do we have to get a long stick to poke Jack? Share Share this post on Twitter

03-24-2006, 01:46 PM	#11
insane_cobra gin soaked boy Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Virovitica, Croatia Posts: 4,093	Here's some tasty new screenies! I just glanced over the thumbs - don't want to spoil the game too much - but wow! Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ What you piss in is yours for life.

03-24-2006, 01:57 PM	#12
Dasilva Hitch-Hiker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The Mediterranean Sea Posts: 4,364	Sweet Jesus! Those look amazing. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Regards, DaSilva "If you don't get out of the box you've been raised in, you won't understand how much bigger the world is." - Angelina Jolie _ <Susan falls through the floor and gets stuck> <Paco looks at her blankly> "Whats wrong with you?! Lassy would of had a firetruck here by now!" - Susan Mayer, Desperate Housewives

03-24-2006, 02:15 PM	#13
Spiwak is not wierd Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,148	Dayuuuuuuuumn. Share Share this post on Twitter

03-24-2006, 03:03 PM	#14
RaMa Elder Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 474	Those were posted a tiny while ago on Minstrum.net The new gallery on my site (Black House) is divided into several levels of spoilers. So if you're trying to avoid spoilers but still enjoy at least some of the new screens, you can visit the gallery here. Share Share this post on Twitter

03-24-2006, 03:23 PM	#16
Owskie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 305	man, my mom loved the longest journey, the action in this second one is going to turn her away.. and i also happen to think its crap, BUT, i will love the game.. Share Share this post on Twitter

03-24-2006, 04:03 PM	#18
Dasilva Hitch-Hiker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The Mediterranean Sea Posts: 4,364	I think Dreamfall will be the ideal game, something with story, real action & great visuals. Seems to be the perfect package directed to all gamers, not just the hardcore point and click nuts. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Regards, DaSilva "If you don't get out of the box you've been raised in, you won't understand how much bigger the world is." - Angelina Jolie _ <Susan falls through the floor and gets stuck> <Paco looks at her blankly> "Whats wrong with you?! Lassy would of had a firetruck here by now!" - Susan Mayer, Desperate Housewives

03-24-2006, 04:40 PM	#19
Aj_ Beyond Belief Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Blighty Posts: 2,186	Hmmm, I predict the action will be unnecessary, anoying, and badly designed. I've seen it hundreds of times. I actually like action, I play more action games than adventures, but I want it to be deep, flowing, and with enough freedom to be unrestrictive and unrepetitive. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Richard Dawkins :: AAI 07 :: NOVA ID on Trial :: Skeptic's Guide :: Beyond Belief :: Out Campaign :: NeuroLogica :: Skepticality Last edited by Aj_; 03-24-2006 at 04:46 PM.

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03-24-2006, 04:44 PM	#20
Dasilva Hitch-Hiker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The Mediterranean Sea Posts: 4,364	You think Ragnar Tørnquist is going to screw up this game? Have some faith at least. And I'd hate to see a TLJ sequel in the same way as TLJ 1, technology and new ideas move in. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Regards, DaSilva "If you don't get out of the box you've been raised in, you won't understand how much bigger the world is." - Angelina Jolie _ <Susan falls through the floor and gets stuck> <Paco looks at her blankly> "Whats wrong with you?! Lassy would of had a firetruck here by now!" - Susan Mayer, Desperate Housewives