Telepath Tactics Interview
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Rampant Coyote: What lessons have you learned in your previous games that you are applying to this one?
There are so many; perhaps the biggest has been the importance of modularity. A modular approach to developing the game's systems has made it very easy for me to create new content, craft a brutal enemy AI that plays by the same rules as the player, and of course modularity has allowed me to offer mod support.
I've also learned the importance of focus. I'm just one guy; I can only do quality work if I can avoid spreading myself too thin. To that end, I'm contracting out most of the work of asset creation and concentrating on providing a high quality, linear experience. Attempting a nonlinear wRPG at the same time as I break ground on a brand new, complex tactics engine is just asking for problems. Luckily, thanks to that whole modularity thing, I'll be able to keep extending the Telepath Tactics engine going forward, allowing me to branch out in interesting and ever-more-ambitious directions.
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Rampant Coyote: So how about a teaser about the storyline? What's the core story about? And how will the story be presented in this game?
Craig: The story is presented mostly through cut scenes and character dialog, with occasional exposition. (This stuff is also available to modders, by the way. Script your own cut scenes ftw!)
Without wading too far into spoiler territory, let's just say that Telepath Tactics features a story of political backstabbing and high intrigue. Here's a snippet of background:
Shadowlings, disembodied creatures from the nether reaches of the earth, were the first to discover the secrets of vibra mining. The secret to powering steam tech, vibra turned out to be big business and no place had it in greater concentrations than the Dundar Archipelago.
So when Lon Schmendrick ran for a seat in the Dundar imperial senate, the Vibra Mining Company was more than happy to foot the cost of his campaign. He won, he served his term, and he retired to govern several islands as magistrate. He was set; when the Vibra Mining Company came calling, all he had to do was give them their mining grant. It's what a smarter man would have done. But then, Lon was never the brightest candle in the candelabrum.
