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WithinGames has released a new interview with Thomas Riegsecker of Basilisk Games which offers information about the company and its upcoming first project, an RPG titled Eschalon: Book 1. The interview covers a range of topics including the definition of "old school" RPGs, the role of combat in Eschalon, and the possibility of offering a toolset.

"Eschalon: Book 1" will be a so-called old school RPG. But what exactly does that mean? Can you give us an overview about the gameplay?

Old school to us means pretty much any RPG that is pre-Diablo. Diablo (which I do admit I enjoyed) really ushered in the modern action-RPG and power gaming era. For example, compare Ultima`s open game model, where you are dropped onto a continent and can go in any direction from the very start of the game, to Dungeon Siege which has essentially a railroad, linear map design. Compare Wizardy`s attribute and skill system with most contemporary RPGs, which (for the most part) have significantly reduced the usefulness of character stats and skills. It is assumed that the casual gamer today doesn`t want to micromanage their character, and perhaps they don’t, but back in the day you had to if you wanted to be successful. That was playing a RPG...

Do you plan to release your toolset to the community at some time, so that they can build modifications and their own games with your engine?

Not for Book I or Book II. But if all our plans come together like we hope, we`d love to release a "Book III Deluxe Edition" that includes all the games plus the tools we used to make them. Of course this won`t happen for a few years probably.

WithinGames: Eschalon Book 1 Interview

Basilisk Games (add to watch list)

Eschalon: Book I (add to watch list)

Buy Eschalon: Book I

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