Drakensang – Official Dev Diary #8

07. 05. 2007: A Different View

I’m starting off today’s dev diary with a well-known, typical Aventurian phrase:

“Die Zwölfe zum Gruße!”

Since last month I work with Fabian and Beril on the game design. To my surprise, I was accepted as an intern at Radon Labs after I have applied on the job advert which Fabian posted in the ANACONDA forum. Obviously, for me as an enthusiastic pen-and-paper player it is an awesome opportunity to attend the genesis of Drakensang.

I’d like to tell you about my first impression of Drakensang from the sight of a TDE player:

The story:
Drakensang certainly has an epic story line which takes place in Kosch and Ferdok, and a couple of other locations of course. Admittedly that’s no news for most of you, but unfortunately I can’t tell you more about the story.

The characters:
The character design team around Marcus Koch is doing a great job. The archetypes, mobs, NPC’s and good old friends you’re going to meet in the game are all modelled with very much attention to detail. I’m looking forward to seeing them filled with life and act in the game.

Fireball explosion (Ignisphaero)

The rules:
Just today I had a first look on the realization of the TDE rule set. I’m very pleased to see how many details have found their way into the game. One will be able to use a wide selection of talents and special abilities, partly expanded with own creations. I have already discovered my favourite spell: A fireball at the right time dispels all your sorrow.

Female goblin & female dwarf

The graphics:
The graphics convey an image of a medieval atmosphere, yet without any sound (which will be implemented soon). Especially the lovely sky, the shaking of the leaves in the wind and the imposing view will catch your eye. Even without any textures the city of Ferdok impressed me very much at this point in time.

But is there any area of concern, one might ask? I’m telling you about the positive things not only because I get paid for my work… and as an intern, you should not turn into Stoerrebrandt. [Merchant & richest person in Aventuria -ed] I can only repeat one point over and over again: Please Radon Labs, don’t cut off too many of the good ideas!

Obviously there are many different opinions on how the world of Aventura should look like. A computer game confronts one with accomplished facts, so certainly some people will say things like: “No, that’s no goblin, that’s only an oversized dwarf”. I’d like comment that with a phrase which circulates among pen and paper players: “Five players – and six ideas of what is happing right now!”

The expectations of the TDE players are on a very high level, but I’m quite sure that the community will be satisfied with the game, if the development will progress as until now. I’m quite sure that in many years Drakensang will have the same standing as the NLT has today.

- Written by Dennis Reichelt, Radon Labs intern & TDE community member -

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