Visit at Kheops Studio
 

Yep, spend a good part of the day there, playing Safecracker and talking about adventure games.

What can I say?

Safecracker is really cool, a puzzle feast kinda similar to Darkfall as far as puzzles go (NOT in term of atmosphere), except quite harder, and with (far) more numerous and diverse puzzles.

Otherwise, well, I learned a lot about game making, about the industry, the decisions behind the scenes, the way they feel about what they're doing, the background of the designers, and saw/was told a little of their upcoming projects.

All in all, a fun and enlighening day.

And since they approached me through AG, I guess a "thanks AG" is in order, right after a "thnks Kheops". :)

Nice one ninth. Gotta say, kheops are my favourite developers. I've enjoyed all their games. Just finished echo and egyptian prohecy the other day. I can't wait to get my hands on safecracker. Any dialogue at all in it? Is it officially out now? Seems to be some confusion on various websites showing the new CD cover, but screenshots from the earlier game.

Lucky you! :)

I love their games. They have such great atmosphere and seem so unique to me.

I wonder if you'll get asked to do a little write up for AG? ;)

Dialog, as in two person talking? I don't think so, no. The guy is, as far as I know, alone in the house. He talks to himself a lot, though. :)

Oh, and no, it's not out.

Ah ok, just that I heard ebgames were selling it from august 2nd. But looking at their website, they have screenshots from what looks like the old game. In that case, the only reliable date seems to be monday 7th august which is the pre order date at JA.

Ooh, lucky you! Glad you had a good time.

Did you get any sneak peeks at other games in the works? :D

I saw a little about Treasure Island, which seems to be well under way.

Cool, did you find out if they plan to keep making adventure games after Treasure Island?

They do.

Ok thanks :)

To elaborate:

They will keep on making AGs for a while, that's for sure; they're good at making them, they're fast, and their games make a profit. No reason to stop, I'd say, unless something goes wrong, of course.

And as I said, they're trying to start another line of products, of which the first will be Safecracker.

The only thing I'm afraid of is that if they keep making their games using the same format for too long, the players could get tired and want something more. So we should all probably wish for them to find an editor who will gave the money and freedom they need to make something bigger.

Was there any thoughts about them trying 3rd person games?

Hi Ninth,

Very cool about the Kheops visit. :)

Do you happen to know if the Treasure Island game is in any way related to the Robert Louis Stevenson novel of the same name? Or is it something entirely different?

It is related to it, but I can't say more than that (not that I know that much anyway ;) ).

I don't think so. I asked that question at one point and Benoit didn't seem enthousiastic.

You also have to keep in mind that it's all about doing the best game possible with a limited amount of time and money. I may be wrong in saying so, but I'm guessing that including a protagonist would be raising the budget, and for no real reason other than to please the 3rd person fans (and at the same time alienate the 1st person fans...).