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Sentinels of Freedom KS is live

132 posts · 4325 views · started 2018-04-02 18:08 UTC
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Powerhound_2000
2018-04-02 18:08 UTC
#1

The Sentinels of Freedom KS is live now https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/underbite/sentinels-of-freedom/description

Pledge levels per KS description:

>

Pledge Levels...

SideKick - $20

Get a reduced cost digital copy of the Sentinels of Freedom game DRM Free for Windows and Mac

INCLUDES: Digital Copy of Sentinels of Freedom

Hero - $30

Along with the Digital Game, stay up to date with early access to the character builder and get more digital content. Kickstarter DLC Pack is free at this tier!

INCLUDES: Digital Copy of Sentinels of Freedom, Early Access to Character Builder, Additional DLC, Custom Hero options, Digital Sound Track, Digital Backgrounds

Dynamic Duo - $50

Get everything in the Hero level plus an additional copy of the game that you can share with a friend!

INCLUDES: 2 Digital Copies of Sentinels of Freedom, Early Access to Character Builder, Additional DLC, Custom Hero options, Digital Sound Track, and Digital Backgrounds.

Legendary - $250

Everything in Sentinel edition plus be forever remembered by having your name on an NPC in Sentinels of Freedom!

INCLUDES: Digital Copy of Sentinels of Freedom,Your Name as an NPC, Early Access to Character Builder, Digital Sound Track, Additional DLC, Custom Hero options, and Digital Backgrounds. 

MasterMind - $1500

Get the Legendary Edition reward and help be a part of designing content for the game!

Work with Underbite and Greater Than Games to help design a custom character theme of your choice.

note: must be approved and fit within the design of the game.

INCLUDES: Digital Copy of Sentinels of Freedom,Help Design a Custom Hero Theme for the game, Early Access to Character Builder, Digital Sound Track, Additional DLC, Custom Hero options, and Digital Backgrounds.

MI
MindWanderer
2018-04-02 18:54 UTC
#2

I gotta say, as interested as I am in the game, this Kickstarter is seriously underwhelming.

First of all, no mention of other platforms, not even as stretch goals.  Nintendo Switch at least is an easy port and in huge demand.

Second, the video quality is really poor.  I know the game is early in development, but it's severely choppy.  If you can't even get it running smoothly in a controlled development environment, it doesn't inspire confidence in the final product.  And it's not exactly high-end graphics.

Third, the dialogue.  It's not only stilted, the grammar is bad.  Comic books always use punctuation, usually with lots of exclamation marks but always with at least periods and never with run-on sentences.  These aren't instant messages.  This is really unprofessional, and if it represents 70% complete story, I'm worried.

Fourth, the music.  The video uses Jean-Marc's fantastic soundtrack for the SotM video game, which won't be used in Sentinels of Freedom (unless I'm missing something).  That's misleading.  I can't even tell who Underbite's composer is, if they even have one.  In fact, there aren't any team names on the whole Underbite webpage.

Fifth, the Kickstarter suggests that only Episode 1 is on the table right now.  No mention at all of what it will take to create additional episodes, what they'll cost, etc.  Episode 1 may be self-contained, but using numbered episodes implies that it's not the full story.  Other episodic video games these days usually charge you once and then release each episode for free as they're completed, and that's what people will assume.

And finally, the price point.  $20 is a "reduced cost" price for one episode of a low-end game by a studio with one nominally successful game under their belts?  Good luck with that.

(Sidenote: I see from the whiteboard the mysterious Perestroika is related to Ermine and Fright Train somehow... unless this is an intentional misdirection.)

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Powerhound_2000
2018-04-02 19:02 UTC
#3

I feel those are valid criticisms.   I’m willing to give it a chance to see where this goes but my confidence level is not great.

JE
Jeysie
2018-04-02 19:18 UTC
#4

It seems fine to me, TBH.

It seems no different to me from the sort of dialogue we see in the Handelabra game's cutscenes, which is… well… TBH… kind of stilted and awkward in places.

It's kind of like how people complained about the art when it looks to me literally like Adam's art turned into 3D designs.

I guess it's the kind of thing where it's like… it's not that these are things you aren't allowed to find awkward, it's that the Sentinels card game and Tactics has the exact same stuff but nobody ever complained before so I assumed people were therefore fine with it.

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Powerhound_2000
2018-04-02 20:07 UTC
#5

At least one person is highly invested and pledged at 1500

BL
Blackfang108
2018-04-02 20:23 UTC
#6

I noticed that.

I may throw $20 at it, myself.

 

BO
bobbertoriley
2018-04-02 20:34 UTC
#7

Put me down as a tepid 'eh?' to this KS. I'll watch how it progresses, and I hope Underbite does well, but without a huge shift in direction (such as being able to pledge for a console version), I'm seeing too many red flags. MindWanderer pretty much summed up my concerns, and putting a Sentinels coat of paint on something I probably wouldn't otherwise buy isn't going to make me throw money down like it would've a couple years back.

PH
Phantom5613
2018-04-02 20:36 UTC
#8

Can't interact with Kickstarter from work, so once I'm home I'll pledge for the hero level probably.

I do admitedly share some of MW's concerns. Especially the part about this being an 'episodic' game. I personally have no problem with that, but if that's the case then I'd like to get confirmation that those who pledge at the appropriate levels will get the full game as part of it. From what I've read there's no word of that.

I could be blind and not have noticed it though, feel free to correct me if I am infact wrong.

JE
Jeysie
2018-04-02 21:20 UTC
#9

I'm still kind of legitimately confused that people are "concerned" about some things that have always existed in Sentinels products and never been a problem before.

Also with their "Episode and Chapters" commentary where they say the "Episode" has 4 "Chapters", it feels more like the episode is a full game and the chapters are analogous to what other games would call "episodes", with one "chapter" already being pre-funded and the rest being funded if the KS succeeds. Which is confusing, but still makes a certain amount of sense, insofar that if you break the $20/30 down by 4 you get close to what other companies like Telltale charge for each "episode" of their games.

If that's not the case, then I admit to also being thoroughly puzzled.

MI
MindWanderer
2018-04-02 21:31 UTC
#10

You mean the dialogue in the SotM video game?  First, that dialogue is very minimal–just one line each from the lead hero and (lead) villain.  Second, the SotM video game isn't story-driven–the dialogue doesn't explain the context of the battles or have any kind of progression from one battle to the next.  Third, it's better!  Some of what's in SotM is really vanilla, but the dialogue from the Kickstarter preview could be delivered by just about any character from anything ever.  Tachyon doesn't even talk fast!  And the grammar is flatly wrong, with run-on sentences and missing punctuation.

It's certainly vague.  Telltale games (which are my main basis for comparison, along with similar games like Life is Strange, Kentucky Route Zero, and Fran Bow) have chapters within each episode, and you get the whole thing for your $20-$30.  You could legitimately say each episode of those is self-contained, with a beginning, middle, and end, but you're clearly meant to play the whole thing to get the full story.  Underbite could definitely be clearer on this point, because as written I'm assuming the worst.

JE
Jeysie
2018-04-02 22:07 UTC
#11

I'm guessing that it's the quantity of similar dialogue that's the sticking point, then?

Weeeeeeeeell… it's more varied, certainly. I'm skirting into not wanting to be discouraging territory, but a lot of the existing dialogue in Sentinels is, shall we say, steeped in Silver Age era styling.

And there's a few characters like Nightmist and Argent Adept who are definitely stilted in what they say.

I always winked at it because the entire game is clearly meant to invoke a Silver Age pastiche feel, and assumed other people equally winked. Now people are saying "egads it's awful" and my mind's like, "But… I don't get the difference between this and what you were fine with before?"

(I do agree the punctuation is off, but I'm used to alpha testing having all sorts of quirks so I don't feel het up yet.)

I'm also confused at the "unproven developer" thing I've seen some folks mention when Handelabra was not exactly big time when they did Sentinels (instead near as I can tell it was Sentinels that  made  them big time).

Well, I admit it would literally make no sense at all to me if they're really going for a Telltale-type episode, on several levels. I backed a Telltale-episode-like game from another company a while back and the cheapest option was $10. I feel like the assumption I made here tracks more logically as a result.

But I also admit I just like assuming things and people are logical. And that granted this is not always the best assumption for me to make.

The one concern I share right now is the bit about the music.

Edit: Well, I said "screw it" and just went ahead and asked about the episode thing straight up. Now I'm curious enough to want this clarified.

JE
Jeysie
2018-04-02 22:48 UTC
#12

Here's the answer I got, FWIW:

Sure, so episode 1 will be a full self contained game. Further episodes will be new stories and additional characters plus the ones you have.

CG
Cult_of_Gloom
2018-04-02 23:14 UTC
#13

I don't think it looks like something that I would enjoy playing, and i want to save money to give all that I can to the roleplaying game, so I think I will opt out.

SP
speedyolrac
2018-04-02 23:23 UTC
#14

When Christopher said FF tactics I am sold. Sadly with the RPG and Spirit island kickstarter later this year I can’t afford it.

I also told my self I will not kick start too many things at once. It takes time form raw concept to finished product I also hate having all my money ties up in KS. I think I will just get it when it releases or on Kickbacker (If they have that option)

JE
Jeysie
2018-04-02 23:26 UTC
#15

Yeah I admit I'm also a teensy bit biased in that I really love squad-based turn-based tactics/tactics RPGs in general, so adding "Sentinels" on top is extremely hard to resist.

TA
TakeWalker
2018-04-03 00:56 UTC
#16

These guys need a proofreader, bad. <.< (My rates are cheap...)

I have to admit, I'm excited, but even without reading the doom and gloom in this thread, I'm hesitant. Granted, I might just go whole-hog if I were in a better place financially, so there's that. I just can't get over the "Episode 1" thing, even from what they said. (Thank you Jeysie for the inside scoop!) $20 might be a worthwhile cost for 4 stages of in-depth, replayable gameplay, it's hard to say right now.

I think I'll track it and see where it goes. Hoping that dialogue is just placeholder, wishing they'd polished things up front a little more. >.> But with more than a month to go, they're nearly half-funded, so I expect it will at least happen.

MI
MindWanderer
2018-04-03 00:59 UTC
#17

Tactics combat games are my favorite as well, so I'm really hoping they nail this.  If it comes out on Switch I'll probably still get it even if the writing is terrible.  I'll always value gameplay over everything else.  But an unprofessional approach to the Kickstarter just doesn't bode well for their ability to make good decisions in general.  I just have very little time to play games at home these days, and when I do I usually choose a good spectator game (my wife likes to watch), which tactics games are not, so it's Switch or bust for me.

They better be cheap; you mean "badly." :slight_smile:

Nearly all their comments on the Kickstarter page are written badly as well.  Just, again, unprofessional.  Every successful Kickstarter I've ever backed has gotten at least that right.  Use Grammarly or something, at least, when you're writing something forward-facing.

Edit: Since I'm not a backer, I asked my questions privately via the FAQ section.  I did learn:

  • Jean-Marc Giffin is in fact doing the music!  It probably won't be the same music as the SotM video game (since Handelabra has the rights to that), but it should be aesthetically consistent, so that's pretty awesome.
  • The dialogue shown in the Kickstarter is in fact placeholder.  (I still disagree that they should have shown it at all, or at least should have had it proofread, but at least it's not final.)
  • They are of course authorized developers for all three current consoles but haven't figured out a way to work that into the Kickstarter.  They're "looking into it."
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Powerhound_2000
2018-04-03 02:06 UTC
#18

Over 50% funded now.  Which gives it good odds from what I’ve seen on prior KS projects that it will at least make funding.  

BO
bolnerap
2018-04-03 02:14 UTC
#19

I have terrible luck with video game KSes, Handelabra being the notable exception, so I should probably stay away to avoid cursing it. :P

The FF Tactics comparison is a very, very dangerous invocation, and one that has baited me before, as it is my favorite video game. I don't see it in this case - it looks a lot more like an XCOM Enemy Unknown type of system, which didn't click with me. I do enjoy Sentinels, and I do enjoy tactical games, but I'm going to have to wait for more information before jumping in on this one.

JE
Jeysie
2018-04-03 09:32 UTC
#20

I guess basically, I apologize if I came off as hostile to MindWanderer in any way.

But my mind has it where if someone makes extraordinary, strongly-toned assessments, I am intrinsically inclined to expect equally extraordinary proof/logic of them. And to me saying it's "unprofessional" or "bad" or similar is an extraordinarily strongly-toned assessment so I was more inclined to scrutinize the arguments with an equal level of depth.

1. Out of the 11 video games I've backed on KS, the vast majority are PC only, PC and Android/iOS, or they only decided to add console support long long after the KS delivered. So saying a KS game isn't coming out on your favorite console is a valid lament, but it's not proof that the company is being in any way unusual or unprofessional.

2. I honestly don't know how to approach the "choppy video" argument because it sincerely looks smooth as glass to me.

3. The claim that the dialogue is "awful" when it seems totally on par to me with existing Sentinels dialogue that people here have never expressed any upset with before now, and complaints that it's lacking punctuation in a way that seems totally on par with how alpha versions of things usually look. And apparently my hunch was right and yes, it's a placeholder, and yes it's alpha-level production.

3. A claim about the content amount of the game being too tiny that seemed to me to be totally at odds with the details they gave about content structure and price point, versus the assumption that they just used the nomenclature differently than the norm. And my hunch turned out to be correct that it was the latter.

4. Complaints about the developer being "untested" when Handelabra was mostly untested when they took on Sentinels. (They had completed games and software, but Jeremy himself has openly admitted they weren't exactly huge financial successes, certainly nowhere close to the level that Sentinels has been for them.)

5. The repeated statements that the KS is "unprofessional" when I honestly don't see anything that isn't on par with the vast majority of video game KSes I've seen. And yes that includes the grammar in the responses. No it doesn't have the polish that the gigantic huge-draw companies-full-of-industry-legends-who-joined-together KSes have, but I hope nobody really expected it to.

The one thing I did think was a criticism with evidence that matched the tone was that even though they promised a soundtrack they made no mention of who their composer was. But that's been cleared up and with an answer I feel nobody's likely to feel upset about, so, *shrugs a bit*

***

Addendum: I do however empathize fully with the people who are just like "this game just isn't my bag" because I recognize I'm really lucky in that this game is exactly my bag and everybody likes different stuff.

P2
Powerhound_2000
2018-04-03 12:44 UTC
#21

Handelabra was a different situation.  They got outside funding and fully built the whole coreset instead of doing a KS to fund part or all of it.  They did a KS for funding Season 2 after having shown they were quite capable.  Even that KS was a bit shaky for a while though being shortly after OblivAeon KS ended probably hurt just as much as it helped.   

Regardless, Christopher and Adam have faith they can get this done (just like they did with Handelabra) and at worst that’s enough for me to give some trust Underbite Games can accomplish it by pledging for it.

PH
Phantom5613
2018-04-03 13:57 UTC
#22

I went with the 'Hero' pledge level, so here's hoping this works out well. The other levels above that are a bit much, and I only want one copy of the game.

I guess I'm gonna try my best to explain my previous statement where I shared my worries. Initially, I have no problem with episodic games. TellTale's Sam & Max games and SBCG4AT(Strong Bad's cool Game for Attractive People(Hooray for gaming acronyms!)) were massivly enjoyable to me. Being Episodic is not the problem.

It's more the fact that when I pledge to a kickstarter, I want to get all of the things included in said project. If I back a video game, I'll get the level that gets me the whole game. Gimme all the things(with an adequate pricepoint so neither the developer nor I are jyped).

BL
Blackfang108
2018-04-03 14:48 UTC
#23


Yeah, Oblivaeon, Season 2 and SoeP all came way too close to each other.

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Powerhound_2000
2018-04-03 14:53 UTC
#24

SoEP was over a year later not within months of OblivAeon.   It still had issues related to OblivAeon because OblivAeon wasn’t finished.  If OblivAeon had been finished it might have done better. 

JE
Jeysie
2018-04-03 14:56 UTC
#25

Yeah, that's fair enough; Underbite was only able to get partial outside funding.

I guess my take on this would be "An issue, just not for me the extreme massive dealbreaking issue it is for MW".

I'm definitely disappointed that it wasn't a big name company or a company who'd made one of my fave games.

On the other hand, I've backed or bought games from first-timers or second-timers without any particular issues, and Underbite has a completed game that doesn't look like it's Big Rigs levels of bad, so I just feel disappointed rather than alarmed.

BL
Blackfang108
2018-04-03 14:59 UTC
#26

 

actually looks at SoEP for the first time in over a year

 

…  Holy crap, you're right… 

 

(I only backed for the M&M PDfs, so I've been off for a long time)

JE
Jeysie
2018-04-03 15:10 UTC
#27

Underbite's said in their first update that they're going to be showing an early build at PAX East and then using that to do a "narrated walkthrough" for the folks at home afterwards, so we can hopefully get some first-hand info about what they've been up to, to work from.

P2
Powerhound_2000
2018-04-03 15:16 UTC
#28

I’m looking forward to seeing that piece.  

BO
bobbertoriley
2018-04-03 16:28 UTC
#29

Only just watched the Kickstarter video this morning, so one comment based on earlier discussion

My take from the video is anything that appears choppy looks more like the game running in Unity/whatever game development studio they're using, rather than running the game from a standalone build. Most of the stuff through the video looked pretty smooth to me. (Only specific example I saw that might be contrary was the Character Builder around the 40 second mark, which could be either-or)

RJ
rjc917
2018-04-03 17:17 UTC
#30

I backed at the Hero level, but I wish there was something that gave a bit more than that without jumping all the way to $250.

I noticed there were several grammar mistakes in the blog updates about the game even before the Kickstarter came out.  Clearly it's not the strongsuit of whoever does Underbite's writing, but as other people have pointed out, there are resources that can help with that.  When you're asking people for money, you should do your best to look professional.

As far as the dialogue goes, I don't think it's inconsistent to say that the dialogue in this game should be better, but be okay with bad dialogue in SotM.  Much of the dialogue from SotM sounds like it's from the Silver Age because it's written to be like it came from the Silver Age!  On the other hand, this game takes place post-Oblivaeon, which means it's from the modern age of comics.  Modern comics are generally much better with dialogue, so the dialogue in this game should better match the modern esthetic.

JE
Jeysie
2018-04-03 17:47 UTC
#31

I just have a real thing against double standards and prefer to not apply them myself.

Plus… even in the relatively short time I've been a fan I've seen the fandom consistently nitpick to little pieces literally everything about every single Sentinels thing that isn't the existing card game. So seeing said double standards doesn't do much to dispel that filter I need to use–that I have to evaluate every complaint through of the lens of the fandom tendency to treat every flaw as being equally the end of the world just because it's in a new product–before I can evaluate any flaw's actual severity.

MI
MindWanderer
2018-04-03 19:57 UTC
#32

Yes, this is exactly my point.  Running a Kickstarter is like writing a resume and going to a job interview.  Everything should be presented to the very best of your ability.  When you go to a job interview, you dress more nicely and groom yourself more carefully than you would for the actual job.  You don't swear or use slang.  You shake hands, smile, and make eye contact even if you're an introvert and these things don't come easily.  You spell-check and grammar-check your resume (heck, resume-writing is Grammarly's main ad campaign).  No one is ever going to argue that these things aren't both expected and necessary.

If you're interviewing someone for a job, and they're dressed like a slob but tell you, "Don't worry, I'll dress more nicely when I'm working with partners or clients," will you believe them?  I would (with hesitation).  But what does it say about them that they think this is OK for a job interview?  It raises concerns about their judgement at best.  What else would they think is acceptable that you'd never even think to ask them about?

Also, these guys are programmers.  Attention to detail is really, really important when it comes to programming.  Small typos can result in huge bugs, and the more complex the game, the more of this sort of thing can sneak by.  If you can't be bothered to hit the Shift or period key when typing something that's part of your big sales pitch to the world, how likely is it you'll substitute an & for an && and never catch it?  One of my favorite bugs like this is Nuclear Maniac Gandhi in an old Civilization game (Civ II IIRC)–he starts off with minimum aggressiveness, so when his aggressiveness gets lowered, it wraps around to the maximum and he tries to blow up the world.  Tiny thing, easily corrected but hard to catch, made it to the final version of the game.

This Kickstarter is possibly the most important thing the folks at Underbite have ever done.  This will be only their second game, but it's the first one tied into a major IP, with lots of publicity, and the first one where they designed the game mechanics themselves (their first game was a board game adaptation).  This will make their careers, much the same way SotM made Handelabra's.  It needs to be as successful as humanly possible.  And if they can't take the time to polish it in obvious, simple ways, I don't think they know how to prioritize and I'm not confident they're taking the whole project seriously enough.

PL
PlatinumWarlock
2018-04-03 20:27 UTC
#33

So much this.  

I've been sitting in on a number of interviews recently at my job–we're filling some additional positions in my department–and I'll readily admit:  I lambasted a candidate recently for her inattention to detail.  In addition to  numerous spelling and grammatical errors–including a sentence fragment, right in the middle of her cover letter–she spelled her email wrong.  As in, she spelled what was obviously the same email address differently in two different places on the same resume document.  There's no room for that.

Similarly, a Kickstarter–especially for a company with only a product or two under their belt–serves as a combination resume, audition tape, and proof of concept.  If you're not willing/able to put your absolute best foot forward in that?  Then maybe you need to question whether you're ready to take your project public.

JE
Jeysie
2018-04-03 20:29 UTC
#34

Sigh.

MindWanderer, it's just...

I don't want to discount your opinion entirely, you know? I literally have done proofreading and copyediting for a living. I feel the pain. I agree that typos jump out at me and can be annoying. It's entirely valid to notice and point out when you see grammar goofs.

But like... you've just sat here spending an entire lengthy essay about how a missed period and a few run-on sentences means they're the most god-awful unprofessional company you've ever met fielding the most disgustingly presented KS ever and of course they're going to screw up all of their code because that also proves they have all the most incompetent programmers ever and doom and gloom and horror and worst company ever. It's a little bit... overdone.

And then there's stuff like "A major IP with tons of publicity!" and like...

OblivAeon is I'm guessing the most successful Sentinels thing ever done, and it had 10,000 backers and made gobs of money. That's pretty awesome. I'm not going to downplay that at all on its own merits.

But some other stuff I've KSed or know of as a comparison:

Harebrained Schemes: 42,000 backers for Battletech, 32,000 for Shadowrun Hong Kong

Pillars of Eternity: 74,000 backers.

The revival of the Tex Murphy series which is probably not known at all outside the adventure gaming community got 7,000 backers.

I mean this probably will make Underbite's careers if they pull it off because Sentinels IS that high level, but if Sentinels was a "major IP" it would be going to a company that was already made. :>

Like... again, you have valid concerns that should be thought about! I don't really want to invalidate that.

But if we could maybe dial it back from "5000 WORD ESSAY ABOUT HOW THE UNIVERSE IS ENDING BECAUSE THERE WAS A PERIOD OUT OF PLACE" levels of things to... "I hope they hire a few proofreaders for the beta" levels of things I think it would maybe be a little easier to digest.

Plus it's also a bit weird seeing random non-video-game-creators on the internet trying to treat a company that already has a completed, profitable game under their belts as if they need to have it explained how to make a video game.

SP
Spiff
2018-04-03 20:48 UTC
#35

Sigh.

I agree with MindWanderer.  I'm not paying you money if you can't be arsed to write like a grown up.  The resume comparison is spot on.

Hopefully it won't end up harming the kickstarter too much in the end, because I think we all want it to succeed even if they're not putting their very best foot forward at the moment.

P2
Powerhound_2000
2018-04-03 20:55 UTC
#36

I see the criticism as certainly valid but being blown out of proportion.  Especially considering the typos in the printed Starter Kit that I feel has gotten way less outrage then this.

TR
Trajector
2018-04-03 20:58 UTC
#37

I do agree about copyediting: there’s a big difference between bad dialogue and poor grammar in dialogue. One is, “The polarizing power of electricity can produce many interesting effects.” The other is, “Nice too meat you Whats you’re name?” which is both wrong from an English language standpoint and also just not how people talk naturally. We’ve seen some of the latter in the early build Sentinels of Freedom screenshots, but not so much on Sentinels of the Multiverse materials.

I am sure that, with Christopher and Adam directing the story, we can count on the story beats to accurately characterize the heroes and villains we love. We also know that Christopher himself delayed the Spirit Island rulebook to do an editing overhaul, so I doubt he’d let dialogue slip through unedited.

Basically, while grammatical errors in a public presentation product are a bit innately off-putting to me, I’m going to try to look past that to the idea of an XCOM-genre PC game set in the Sentinels RPG universe, which is something I would love to support. (Especially since I don’t play tabletop RPGs!) I, too, am looking forward to seeing a narrated walkthrough. Some of this game’s mechanics seem really cool - and I don’t just mean Mr. Fixer!

JE
Jeysie
2018-04-03 20:59 UTC
#38

I feel reasonably sure that a project which is 78% funded in 24 hours hasn't been harmed too much by a few minor typos, so I wouldn't be too concerned on that call.

Yeah, this basically for me. Especially since that's a good point I hadn't thought of with the comparison of the reaction to typos here to the reaction to the typos in the Starter Kit.

RJ
rjc917
2018-04-03 21:14 UTC
#39

I can't speak for everyone, but when I point out flaws in something it's not to say "look how terrible this thing is," but rather to try to make it better, because it's something I like and want it to be the best it can be.  I'm guessing most other people are the same way.

JE
Jeysie
2018-04-03 21:23 UTC
#40

Same for me. I'm not trying to stop people from making constructive criticisms.

It's that MindWanderer specifically literally IS saying "look how terrible this thing is". And in general treating every single perceived flaw as meaning the project is the Worst Thing Ever (as well as sometimes moments of erroneously assuming bad faith) isn't really productive; it's overwhelming. It's hard to find the wolves when everything regardless of species is being treated as a dire wolf.

Still, in the end the numbers show that for the time being this is clearly a tempest in a teapot on all sides including my own. So I just kinda wish that in general the criticisms on this forum could be a little more… base level in tone? We already bit ourselves in the butt with the OVER 9000 CRITICAL CONCERN thing getting ourselves way too overhyped over on the Letters Page episodes.

MI
MindWanderer
2018-04-03 21:28 UTC
#41

did complain about those as well, but there are also only a handful of errors in a hundred pages of text.  Not great, considering the Starter Kit is also a sort of sales pitch for the main product, but an order of magnitude more understandable.

Normally I would agree with you, but Paul said in the State of GTG thread that Christopher helped polish this Kickstarter.

It'll fund, of course, but we have no way of knowing how many pledges they're missing out on for whatever reason…

…because this.  I want the Kickstarter to be better not just because I want to have confidence the final product will be something I want to buy, but because a strong Kickstarter means more support for this thing I want to love.  I want Underbite to make a good game that makes a ton of money and lets them make more content.  If I like the game but it gets slammed in reviews because it just isn't polished when it releases, then that's bad for me because it means those additional episodes and whatnot won't happen.  If it funds 200% vs. 1000%, that makes a big difference.

JE
Jeysie
2018-04-03 23:47 UTC
#42

Well, basically… you've got people here talking about how obviously horrifically unprofessionally written the KS is and that they're so concerned it'll fail hard if they don't fix what is clearly a massive issue everyone's doing to be up in arms about because it's just so massively obviously unprofessional…

And then over at the KS it's funding pretty well and nobody in the comments has actually mentioned the issue.

So it's like, "It's OK guys, I think the patient will live."

SP
speedyolrac
2018-04-04 00:03 UTC
#43

The Starter Kit was not Kickstarted. Most people just bought it after trying a Demo or because of the IP.

I have many words about the Starter Kit. I am making a huge fuss about having the RPG Corebook proofread by other people. I do not want my Core Book with contradicting Ideas and simple rules that were overlooked (and not written down) by the creators. 

 

I think we all said our piece, well all want GTG and people they work with to succeed and just trying our best to ensure that. Can we move on to another topic?

JE
Jeysie
2018-04-04 00:13 UTC
#44

I agree, I'm always up for constructive discussion.

JI
Jimeni
2018-04-04 00:40 UTC
#45

My #1 reason for not backing this game right now … I simply don’t play games on my computer anymore.

But I want this game on the Switch. This feels like a perfect Switch game! I want to play some Sentinels stuff with my own custom hero on the TV? Done! Want to lie down and play? Done! Take it on a trip? Done!

I understand from previous Kickstarters that providing a pledge level for a console version can be nigh impossible (come on, console makers, get with the times and find a way to help crowdfunding videogame makers!), but if Underbite was able to do a Switch level, I’d be there in a heartbeat. And, if it does release on Switch, I’ll buy it day one (provided I know about it).

I’ve already favorited the Kickstarter so I can keep an eye on it, and I may throw in a dollar or so, so I can comment. But don’t think I can justify $20 or so for a version of the game that I likely wouldn’t play.
But I do hope Underbite does well and this game is a success!

LE
LeperKhan
2018-04-04 02:32 UTC
#46

Seems like you both want the same thing, right? Jeysie wants the kickstarter to succeed and is trying not to let criticisms (no matter how valid or invalid) get to people's heads and make them not back. MindWanderer wants the kickstarter to succeed, but is using critiques to conceive a more polished product. Win-win?

I can say that I'm not backing because I'm simply not a computer gamer. Give me the game on Switch and you've got my money, no problem. But to be fair, they'd only be getting my money because it is a Sentinels products and I enjoy the IP. The game itself doesn't wow me (yet).

JE
Jeysie
2018-04-04 03:33 UTC
#47

It's more that I just want criticisms to be talked about in a proportional way, and people making a choice to back or not back based on a proportional weight of an issue.

I haven't argued with, like, people saying this isn't their type of game or they only like playing on a Switch because that's entirely fair and I don't like to argue matters of taste as a rule. If this had turned out to be a platformer like some folks had wondered last year, I'd be in the same boat of it not being my type of game.

But to me, stuff like minor typos are a thing to just bring to the company's attention. Not a sign of how deal-breakingly unprofessional they're being.

And I mean, if someone wrote to me multiple essays about how they took issue with every single major aspect of my creation and several minor ones and how incredibly unprofessional I was being and how I was obviously going to screw up making it and how not ready for prime time I was, I wouldn't take that as nice, friendly advice intended to help me polish my creation, I would take that as a sign to cringe and then throw what I was doing in the trash bin and not bother at all.

As someone who's spent a couple decades in both fandom and office work doing everything from fanfic beta-ing to actual professional proofreading, and who in turn has both done writing and other creative things like singing and gotten taught and critiqued on it, the stuff MW and Warlock wrote is not how you do constructive criticism.

I'm honestly dismayed that multiple people are saying engaging in verbal evisceration is just a nice little friendly way to ensure something succeeds and is more polished, because the style of someone like Ramsay might make for entertaining TV but it's not actually a good way to critique someone.

And also… I just don't enjoy opening a thread about a new product to try to discuss it and instead seeing walls of text condescendingly explaining how every detail of the thing in question is terrible somehow. It happens now and then with OblivAeon, it happened with the Starter Kit, it happened with the Earth Prime KS, and now it's happening again with this KS. I'm almost not looking forward to the SCRPG KS as a result because I'm worried there will be even more of it there too.

I honestly don't see why people are so resistant to the idea of switching from savage verbal eviscerations to something calmer in tone. It's pretty frustrating that the only reason this has gone on so long is because everyone keeps telling me how they just don't want to phrase their criticism in a constructive way. I mean if you really want to keep being unconstructive I'll stop requesting otherwise but it's still pretty disappointing and I wasn't in the wrong for asking.

PL
PlatinumWarlock
2018-04-04 05:09 UTC
#48

I don’t even know where to begin with this mess.

I’ll readily admit, the forum of a secondarily related company is not the appropriate or professional venue in which to offer genuine developmental feedback. Thats why I’m not offering it, nor did I claim to do so earlier. I voiced a concern; nothing more, nothing less. If Underbite wants my services as a professional copy editor or content developer, I’ll gladly provide them my rate sheet and a list of the companies I’ve worked for.

However, I think people–myself included-- have a legitimate concern over a new company’s ability to deliver on a product when that company can’t demonstrate basic grammar in a significant IP-based release. First impressions matter, whether you like that fact or not.

P2
Powerhound_2000
2018-04-04 12:41 UTC
#49

Thats an opinion not a fact.   I’ve had various first impressions that were great but upon more interaction came to dislike it and vice versa.  To be honest I really haven’t seen the typos nor cared enough to find them.   I mostly watched the video and because of the IP decided to back it.   As to whether it becomes a game I thoroughly enjoy or not is up in the air since I’ve had mixed results with Tactic based games like this one appears to be.  People have various and valid concerns about this and if you don’t like what is presented then don’t pledge.

PL
PlatinumWarlock
2018-04-04 14:28 UTC
#50

That's entirely fair.  And, like what I'd assume to be pretty much everyone, I've changed my mind at times, both to the positive and negative.  But the point stands that every one of us form an opinion based upon the information available and in front of us, and sometimes never revisit that opinion.  In Kickstarter terms, that's someone who will watch 10 seconds of a choppily-edited video and then move to a different page, or scan through some stilted dialogue and never read it again.  Unfortunately, that's also backed up by KS data metrics–I think you'd be shocked at how few people actually watch the entirety of a KS video, or how low the amount of time an individual spends on a given page is.

Right now, for me, that opinion is currently, "These guys are going to have a hard time delivering; they're missing some of the basic elements of 'polish' that most modern Kickstarters have and they seem to be in over their heads."   While I'm highly interested in the game and would like to see it succeed, my reservations currently outweigh my interest.  As such, I'll be waiting until it hits retail.

RJ
rjc917
2018-04-04 16:07 UTC
#51

I had no idea this many people were Switch exclusive.  I've always viewed an xbox or playstation as the "necessary" console to have, with Nintendo's consoles being a bonus if you're really into Nintendo games or whatever their latest gimmick is.

JE
Jeysie
2018-04-04 16:12 UTC
#52

The company in question already successfully delivered on a product which was profitable/successful enough for them to fund enough of this project that they only need $30,000 for it.

I didn't register any grammar issues at all in the description itself (does not mean I am stating they don't exist, just that nothing stood out as egregrious enough during informational reading to send my proofreader radar into overdrive) and quirks in the presented screenshots look no different than some I've occasionally seen in pre-alpha build or pre-final-draft previews from GTG or Handelabra.

Likewise, despite some folks' concern about first impressions, the game is almost fully funded with two days, and the comments are full of people asking about things like the DLC, Switch, possibility of a physical CD, and basically as near as I can tell absolutely nothing about the basic grammar you are presenting as a huge flaw.

I don't know how much more clearly I can state that I have no problem with people wondering about typos, it's the whole "well this shows they're going to have buggy code and fail to deliver their project and first impressions that will hurt them" that simply doesn't match up with other evidence and starts feeling over the top.

Likewise, I have no problems with people having reservations, I'd just prefer they be based on something a little more substantial than missing periods and bad faith assumptions.

And the frustrating thing is: It's honestly mostly just you and MindWanderer who do this sort of stuff where you post hyperbolic complaints in ways that make discussion halt and revolve around them. We sometimes get drive-by posters who show up, post similar stuff for a bit, and then vanish, but otherwise the regulars here generally voice their complaints in constructive ways one can actually constructively interact with.

But, I can't constructively interact with "this minor thing means all this major stuff is going to happen", because the best I can concede with any kind of honesty from myself is "I agree with the minor thing but your a priori afterwards is very very flawed" which then leads to exchanges like this.

BO
bobbertoriley
2018-04-04 16:21 UTC
#53

Can't speak for everyone, but I would've agreed with that before the Switch came out.  While not as powerful as its competition, being able to play the exact same thing portably as on your TV really has appeal with people. Also, Nintendo has always dominated the handheld market, and this is the first console of theirs with the power to make high-fidelity portable games plausible. (While the PSP/Vita always had the potential, Sony never really ran with it.)  Nintendo always made a good compliment to a PC/PlayStation/Xbox if you're a fan of Nintendo IP, but the momentum of the Switch has made it a decent enough contender for people to get it solo and be happy with just it.

 

Bringing it back to Sentinels of Freedom, I'd take it on most any console (don't own a gaming PC myself, and not going to invest that kind of money right now to change that), but I already own a Switch and don't want to buy a PS4/XBO either.

(And being perfectly honest, the Switch is probably the best home console platform for it to get any sort of recognition from outside of the Sentinels fanbase at this time)

SP
Spiff
2018-04-04 16:49 UTC
#54

Everytime I see someone promoting the game using this image, I cringe:

![](upload://ap2E1dnDeOW1XJ2gsB59JAmx2Nd.jpeg)

I know this kind of criticism drives some people nuts but it's literally the first thing many people are exposed to regarding the game.  Tachyon's dialogue on this splash screen needs to be written as if she finished high school:

"This is getting interesting [exclamation point, period or even a semi-colon if you're feeling saucy]  Let's finish this quickly [period]"

RJ
rjc917
2018-04-04 17:09 UTC
#55

To play devil's advocate, one could argue that Tachyon talks so fast that none of her pauses are long enough to warrant a period.

On the other hand, we already have an established way to show Tachyon speaking quickly, and this isn't it.

CS
Chilly_Steke
2018-04-04 17:26 UTC
#56

The sentence, "This is getting interesting, let's finish this quickly" should be applied to this discussion.  :grin:

PL
PlatinumWarlock
2018-04-04 17:40 UTC
#57

Thank you.  This is exactly my point.

This is currently the 3rd image down on the Kickstarter, directly below "Highlights", and has been used in a bunch of promotional imaging.  The dialogue here isn't particularly difficult or hard to parse, nor is it difficult to understand the intent.

My entire point is–nothing more and nothing less–that a company managing a relatively major IP (at least within the hobby game sphere), should have the actively work towards presenting their best foot forward before asking for $30,000+.  Not doing that (and not remedying it–as of 1:30 EST on the 4th, it's still up in this format), in my opinion, demonstrates either a lack of care for such things or an unawareness of it as a problem, neither of which are good.  This, coupled with a choppy video with middling sound editing and a more-than-ambitious release date (August 2019, despite having only an early gameplay demo currently and–if I'm reading this correctly–only approximately 1/4 of the coding completed), makes me want to wait and see before committing my money.

If I was coming to this game from a position of not knowing the SotM IP, I'd immediately be turned off.  Heck, Square-Enix is getting blowback for something so minor as a font change for the Steam release of Chrono Trigger.

If that's overreaction, fine.  So be it.  It's my wallet; I'm voting with it.

P2
Powerhound_2000
2018-04-04 17:45 UTC
#58

You do realize GtG people reviewed and signed off on this KS page as well it’s not just on Underbite

PL
PlatinumWarlock
2018-04-04 18:06 UTC
#59

Honestly, I did not know that fact.  If that's the case, then it further worries me as to the level of attention GtG is giving to oversight of this project.

SP
Spiff
2018-04-04 18:18 UTC
#60

Zing!  I'm detecting that you may think spelling/grammar nazi discussions online may not be the best use of anyone's time.  Hard to argue with that. :slight_smile:

P2
Powerhound_2000
2018-04-04 19:04 UTC
#61

Initial funding goal has been reached. 

MI
MindWanderer
2018-04-04 20:03 UTC
#62

Here's a fun fact, though.  Some psychologists had students watch a very short, randomly selected clip of a professor speaking (something like 2 or 3 seconds) and then fill out an evaluation form.  Those evaluations correlated very strongly with the course evaluations filled out by students who actually completed the whole thing.  The content of the course didn't make much of a difference.  People can and do form lasting impressions based on a very small amount of data–functionally irrelevant data, at that–about a person.

PL
PlatinumWarlock
2018-04-04 20:19 UTC
#63

Relevant article:  https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/how-many-seconds-to-a-first-impression

The article itself is a summary of a Princeton study published in Psychological Science in 2006.

MI
MindWanderer
2018-04-04 20:38 UTC
#64

That's a more recent study than the one I was familiar with (which I learned about in the 90's and predated the ability to time things that closely with a computer).  Thanks for the link!

P2
Powerhound_2000
2018-04-05 00:24 UTC
#65

Stretch goals have been updated on the main page.  

TR
Trajector
2018-04-05 02:05 UTC
#66

If something is getting interesting, shouldn’t one want it to take longer?

Like funding stretch goals!

RF
riff.freelance
2018-04-05 02:38 UTC
#67

I'm in for $30, because I can afford to risk it right now... That said Underbite got a chunck of my discretionary funds this month. I bought their Dungeon game, and have played a few hours if that... So far it's functional, fun and their mage has a very cute and fun personality. I'll consider my faith mid to high. Honestly Kickstarter has been a very mixed bag for me... I've backed 4 projects and recieved 2 (Season 2 and the Dresden Files card game, Oblivaeon and Earth Prime are the 2 I'm waiting for) compared to others I've seen I've been fortunate.  

As to the grammar issues: in mock ups and betas I don't mind mistakes in place holder text, but the "title" of update 2 doesn't inspire confidance. Hopefully they will be better with polish. 

It's funded now, so feel free to wait and see what the finished project comes out like. No one is twisting your arm. I hope they do great and exceed my expectations.

DP
dprcooke
2018-04-05 22:39 UTC
#68

Console… "necessary"?  I mean, they're nice to look at in a "I'm totally a geek" sort-of way, and they're decent if you can't get a real gaming machine, but let's be clear: Real gamers play on a computer.  :stuck_out_tongue:

JE
Jeysie
2018-04-05 23:37 UTC
#69

I can totally understand it. I splurged on getting a gaming laptop when I replaced my old laptop last month (in large part because said old lappy was choking and dying on anything newer than three years old), and bobbertoriley's parathetical is correct: It definitely cost a moderately ridiculous amount of money.  And even then it only works because I have an appetite for retraux and indie games; I dunno if it would still be sufficient to hold up if I were an AAA shooter type of gal. Consoles are definitely a saner investment if you wouldn't do much additional computing outside of gaming.

PH
Phantom5613
2018-04-06 05:43 UTC
#70

Looks up from Super Mario Odyssey Hmm? You say something?

In all honesty, I play more games on Switch/3DS then I've ever played on my computer. If it wasn't for Sentinels Digital, I doubt I'd use my computer for gaming that much at all.

BL
Blackfang108
2018-04-06 15:34 UTC
#71

I only use my computer for emulators and the very rare actual computer game.  The vast majority of my gaming is done on my 2DS, tablet and PS3/4

 

Edit: I've also always foud the "real gamers use PC" to be unnecessarily condescending.

TR
Trajector
2018-04-06 15:51 UTC
#72

So…anybody at PAX able to give us a report on what the game looks and plays like? Anybody asked yet for a preview of the story?

This is one of those times when I wish I still lived in Boston. :slight_smile:

DP
dprcooke
2018-04-06 17:33 UTC
#73

Hopefully it was clear that I wasn't being serious, but merely silly in my overly-PC-elitist comment.  (Side note: we really need a good/obvious smiley for that on this forum… the  :stuck_out_tongue:  is a little hard to tell apart from just an open mouth smile).

The truth is I do prefer a computer for gaming, but that's largely because I mostly play RTS's or FPS's… RTS's just don't work on console, and nothing will ever convince me that a dual-stick controller is better than a mouse+keyboard for an FPS.  (For some 3rd-person games I love a controller, so I'm not saying controllers are inherently bad).  I also like consoles, though mostly for split-screen group play where you're all in the same room.  The various portable gaming systems haven't interested me in like 15 years, but that's largely because I drive to work and can't game en route, and given the choice between playing some game on a small screen or my TV/computer, the TV/computer are going to win every time.  (And yes, I'm aware that the Switch can be connected to a TV, which is a fact that has led me to almost purchasing it a few times).

All that to say, I prefer computers, but certainly don't actually fault anyone for liking consoles/portables and in fact like them myself.

MI
MindWanderer
2018-04-06 17:49 UTC
#74

Between hooking up a PC to my TV and the PS4/XBOne offerings being slimmer in my opinion than earlier generations, plus my having less time for gaming in general, I haven't even bothered getting either system.  I don't even use my PS3 for anything except Netflix anymore.  Still play Splatoon 2 on the big screen, though, and played Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey that way.  But otherwise it's mostly squeezing in short periods of mobile gaming for me.

RF
riff.freelance
2018-04-07 21:44 UTC
#75

On the console vs pc "war" I come down on console (ps4) mostly because a strong memory of having to do serious configuration and "work" to play any game with a controller... Mind you this was ages ago, but that distaste leaves me prefering to pick up and play a console and not having to fiddle with anything.

That said, I haven't have a "gamer's" computer since the early 00's and I plan on treating myself to one in a year or two to play heavily modded Bethsda games... eventually.

DP
dprcooke
2018-04-07 23:37 UTC
#76

It's still a bit of pain, but it's gotten a lot better since Steam started really pushing controller-enabled play and pc-on-your-tv.  It also depends if your prefer PS or Xbox controllers… Windows will pretty much automatically recognize Xbox controllers, but a PS4 controller (which I have despite not owning a PS4) might take a spot of configuring.  Works great for the Tomb Raider games though!

TH
TheBazaarClerk
2018-04-10 17:32 UTC
#77

Hmm, I wonder if this will work in a 2-RAM laptop. 

P2
Powerhound_2000
2018-04-11 19:56 UTC
#78

FAQ has been updated which may alleviate some concerns people had especially about the dialogue. 

TH
TheBazaarClerk
2018-04-15 23:10 UTC
#79

![](upload://6MHH8NE5Yd6373dyRzgkIDEdEhG.jpeg)

Quick preview of Absolute-Zero and Young Legacy/Beacon in the game. 

P2
Powerhound_2000
2018-04-16 00:14 UTC
#80

Fixed that for you :grin: .  Paul Parsons becomes Heritage and Paulina takes over the Legacy title at least in the Sentinels RPG timeline that this is based off of.  

TH
TheBazaarClerk
2018-04-16 11:02 UTC
#81

Ah, thank you. All this name changing really confuses me.

TA
TakeWalker
2018-04-16 13:14 UTC
#82

Both of those models look really good! :)

P2
Powerhound_2000
2018-04-16 13:17 UTC
#83

Currently they give an action figure vibe. 

UG
UglyOrangeFish
2018-04-16 13:49 UTC
#84

GtG really wanted to push for a stylized feel.  When everything comes together, I think it will be very unique and cool.  We are also going with "comic book" style VFX that will help pull everything together along with the user interface.

My experience has been that going with a stylized direction allows the mind to let go of "reality" and accept the supernatural easier - and really just have fun :)

PH
Phantom5613
2018-04-16 18:39 UTC
#85

I'd most definitelly want these actionfigures. Especially Bunker, since he'd be one of those bigger figures that cost more yet come with all the cool accesories and swappable limbs and stuff. And he's most likely the one that has real missile firing action.

Edit: Hmm... I just gave myself an idea for a thread. :)

TR
Trajector
2018-04-17 02:45 UTC
#86

Anybody else here play Massive Chalice? It's a tactics game that went for a similarly chunky cartoonish style. It hangs together pretty well, and is massively entertaining.

Oh, man, the words "heritage" and "legacy" are just so…so…fraught in my industry. They both mean "stuff that we used in the past," like a "heritage component" or "legacy code." But depending on who you ask, one of them is "old and deprecated stuff we used in the past" (usually 'legacy') while the other is "dependable, reliable stuff we used in the past" (usually 'heritage'). Sentinels of the Multiverse definitely reclaimed the word Legacy for me, but seeing the two of them together - woah!

Anyway, it's gonna take a while before I think of Paul Parsons as Heritage.

On another note, looking at the latest Kickstarter update for Sentinels of Freedom, I have to hand it to Underbite: they've obviously taken the various concerns and criticisms expressed here to heart and made a solid effort to address them. The new questions and answers speak directly to some of the critiques expressed in this thread. The 2 April update is very well-written, too.

I am feeling optimistic about this game!

TH
TheBazaarClerk
2018-04-25 16:04 UTC
#87

A couple of updates:

-Wraith got her own side-quest, where you must infiltrate a FILTER base filled with overwhelming opposition (using only Wraith, from what I understood) to get some secret files they have on the heroes. This unlocks her Stealth-Suit, which gives her more stealth and agility but has less offensive options. 

-Console-upgrade option, where those who pledged 30$+ can choose to get a copy of the game for PS4 or Xbox instead of PC/Mac.  

 

 

I'm very interested on the Stealth-Suit and how it affects the game. I love the possibility of non-combat focused characters, but I'm afraid they can turn out to be pretty useless if you can only get things done by knocking out dudes. The image of getting Wraith sneaking around the battlefield and flanking enemies/getting to important objectives is really cool, but there's also thig chance of her not getting to do anything significant after getting there (due to lack of firepower). 

But I'm just wondering about things I have little information on. Anyways, I hope the game gets more interesting missions like this, where the objective isn't just knocking out all the dudes (although it will help a lot). 

RA
Rabit
2018-04-25 20:31 UTC
#88

I really want to have support hero options, as cheesy as that might sound. I'd love to play a portal generating character, but I imagine that would be exceptionally complex to work into this format... 

TA
TakeWalker
2018-04-25 22:29 UTC
#89

Ooh, and FILTER has a new acronym! Was that revealed in the FILTER episode...?

TR
Trajector
2018-04-26 03:40 UTC
#90

That Tachyon zipping animation is pretty sweet!

I wouldn’t think so. The grappling hook in XCOM already provided a template for portaling a character around: you would just select the location (given some restrictions) to zap to.

It would be a bit more complex to drop two portals on the map for other characters to pass through, but still, you would just be having one character select two locations, and then trigger a special effect whenever someone comes within range of an entry portal.

I wonder if they’ll allow modding?

RA
Rabit
2018-04-26 10:38 UTC
#91

But a really good portal character could drop a portal between people as someone's about to do a ranged attack, and have them hit themselves in the back, or drop pieces of the environment (like a car) on top of someone. Those might be harder…  :wink:

TR
Trajector
2018-04-26 15:01 UTC
#92

Hmm - the example of dropping a car might not be too hard, because essentially all it is is destroying a destructible bit of the environment and then doing damage to a character, maybe also re-instantiating the bit of the environment if possible, with appropriate animations.

Reacting to a ranged attack seemed trickier to me at first, until I remembered that Underbite is building in a complex set of reaction behaviors beyond the typical overwatch. Maybe there’s just a “reaction: portal redirection” button you hit, and then the first enemy in sight of your guy who launches a ranged attack gets portalified. The actual appearance of portal shenanigans would, again, occur in the animation domain.

Not to say that all this would be SIMPLE to do, but it strikes me that this stuff doesn’t have to be any harder in the SoF engine than building the action and animation set for any other super powered character. I mean, we already know that Bunker has to animate between different appearances with different abilities, Tachyon has a unique movement animation, and there are advanced features for the different effects that can happen in a character (distraction, reaction, getting to cover, etc).

This all leads me to wonder: when we create a character, there’s a lot we can customize about their background and personality. But how does customizing the power set, and the actions available in the game, work? Can I make a spaceship for Trajector, Space Fighter Pilot to warp in and fly? Can Rabit make his portaler? Do we choose a “power archetype” from a limited set (speedster, brawler, etc) and that determines all the in-game actions and animations for our character, or do we build a custom set of actions and choose animations for each action? Are our character’s animations canned, procedurally generated, or do we get access to the rigging in the character creator?

I just ask all these questions because I’m excited. :slight_smile:

TH
TheBazaarClerk
2018-04-26 15:28 UTC
#93

I don't want to ask too much, since I don't know the actual game mechanics/resources/programming, but I wish the game would allow you to:

-Have strong characters/telekinetics throw heavy objects at each other, specially cars. 

-Use Absolute-Zero to alter terrain with ice objects. Nothing too fancy, just making big chunks of ice that can block paths and stop people from shooting you. 

RA
Rabit
2018-04-26 16:18 UTC
#94

Same!  :grin:

MI
MindWanderer
2018-04-26 20:20 UTC
#95

I also like the idea of him having powers that encase an opponent in ice, trapping them and also creating a big ice cube obstacle, or that impale an opponent on a big ice spike from underneath that does the same.  Or ice caltrops that damage anyone who moves through them.  Really, so many options with him.

Environment features that can be moved around is trickier, especially if they have any sort of physics, but it's something that could be done.  The games I'm familiar with usually have specific setpieces that a boss can use, and that's it.

P2
Powerhound_2000
2018-04-27 18:51 UTC
#96

Expat unlocked and preview of her from the RPG which we haven’t seen before https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/underbite/sentinels-of-freedom/posts/2173433

TR
Trajector
2018-04-27 21:06 UTC
#97

Huh - is that a cybernetic arm? And a cybernetic eye, or just her nemesis design on her eye patch?

I dig the orange accents in her hair.

Here’s hoping we get to the Combat Simulator…

PA
padcurtin
2018-04-27 22:05 UTC
#98

One her arm it's just a tattoo I think .

Her stretch just had her nemesis icon on it. If I remember correctly, Expat is unlikely to get a cybernetic eye because having a damaged eye is a reminder of her mother's true nature

TA
TakeWalker
2018-04-27 22:37 UTC
#99

...That an outfit that screams "My eye's up here."

UG
UglyOrangeFish
2018-04-30 19:46 UTC
#100

It is very important to us that the missions are not just "kill all enemies".  While that can be fun for a short time, other objectives are what makes a game great over the long term.  

Also, systems like vigiliance will make stealth characters very important and fun to play.

MI
MindWanderer
2018-05-01 19:17 UTC
#101

New story update!  Not a lot of detail in it.  Wraith and Bunker start out stopping a bank robbery, which turns into an event called Cold War that pits the Sentinels of Freedom (just the former F5, with Felicia as Legacy, plus the PC) against some unknown masterminds.

I'm wondering if this is where we see the Soviet-themed villains that Christopher teased a while back (Proletariat, Iron Curtain, and The Marxman).  I think those names predate the video game pitch, but they might still be central to this plot.

P2
Powerhound_2000
2018-05-03 20:15 UTC
#102

Setback unlocked and his sketch revealed https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/underbite/sentinels-of-freedom/posts/2178510

TR
Trajector
2018-05-03 22:18 UTC
#103

Woah, seems like the Combat Simulator might not be too much of an ask…

TA
TakeWalker
2018-05-03 22:40 UTC
#104

Gotta love that bit of stubble. :D

XM
X-metal
2018-05-04 18:29 UTC
#105

i was this close to ignoring this thread but then it entered the console vs pc debate and honestly, even with the smily, I can't be sure your joking so I'm gonna go out and say it right now: both methods of gaming are great and honestly, I prefer console because I like having a controller in my hand. (Plus I only really play minecraft in the computer and am getting the ps4 version of this game because, again, I like having a comtroller in my hand) (oh, and looking at it from a professional point of view: the only pc exclusive games are the crowdfunded kickstarter games made by companies most people have never heard of. They may be good but, really, pc gaming isn't really very mainstream. This isn't meant to offend anybody. Just my honest opinion. It's also all I have to say so don't argue with me. I'm out of points and I don't like the console vs pc debate.)

DO
Donner
2018-05-04 18:32 UTC
#106

You youngsters!  Back in my day, consoles were used primarily for fighting games and the real business was on the PC!

XM
X-metal
2018-05-04 18:35 UTC
#107

I know your joking and this really shouldn't get on my nerves but… It does. I hate myself for even getting invloved in this. (Also: I could say the same thing about PCs and FPSs right now) (edit: anyway, I didn't mean to reopen that can of worms. Let's stop now)

PH
Phantom5613
2018-05-04 18:49 UTC
#108

We're incredibly close to the Guise unlock! I hope we make it of course, but I want us to shatter that goal in our last few hours and really improve the game...

XM
X-metal
2018-05-04 18:56 UTC
#109

Hey, speaking of guise, specifically things that are not him: any hopes we might see some non-card game characters that have been mentioned before?

PH
Phantom5613
2018-05-04 18:58 UTC
#110

Crisis averted, y'all! I boosted my pledge, and GUISE WILL BE IN THE GAME! :D

XM
X-metal
2018-05-04 19:00 UTC
#111

heck yeah!

 

on an unrleated note: is that thing on wraith's head supposed to be a hood? Hair? I can't tell and it looks like it's attached to her so that really just… I don't know… My opinion of it is not a good one.

P2
Powerhound_2000
2018-05-04 19:05 UTC
#112

The original or stealth suit?

PH
Phantom5613
2018-05-04 19:05 UTC
#113

In her alternate costume, her hair is pulled back in a tiny ponytail, so as not to interfier with the sensors(?) on her mask. Or are you talking about her main costume in game, i.e. her RPG look?

In all honesty I wouldn't be too worried if you don't like any of the new looks. They only seem manditory for the side quests so far, so I don't think you HAVE to play with them if you don't want to.

PH
Phantom5613
2018-05-04 19:19 UTC
#114

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/underbite/sentinels-of-freedom/posts/2179440

They got that update out quick!

Guise is looking pretty rad, and I'm loving the sound of how his abbilities work!

MI
MindWanderer
2018-05-04 19:24 UTC
#115

Somehow I missed seeing Wraith's stealth suit when they announced it.  It's a strange look for her, indeed.  That purple star thing looks like she's being attacked by a facehugger.

There will definitely be characters not in the card game, at least as villains.  They aren't providing details so as to avoid spoilers.

Guise picked up a little bit of color from Wager Master, apparently, and... a mouth?  That'll take getting used to.

P2
Powerhound_2000
2018-05-04 20:02 UTC
#116

Jean Marc officially confirmed as making the music for the game https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/underbite/sentinels-of-freedom/posts/2179491

DO
Donner
2018-05-04 20:14 UTC
#117

In all honesty, I find the PC group and the Console group both think the other side is going out of style.  I prefer PC because I have more control over the system and I am better aim with a mouse and keyboard than a controller, but I used to play a ton of console games.  I think everyone has their preferences and they both allow people to share somethin they love:  games.

MI
MindWanderer
2018-05-04 20:23 UTC
#118

They're both going out of style compared to mobile and portable.  But still plenty healthy.

XM
X-metal
2018-05-04 22:32 UTC
#119

original. I don't mind it in the rpg but in the game it looks awful. If that is a hood they really screwed up there.

XM
X-metal
2018-05-04 22:33 UTC
#120

yay! Now we just need to wait as theres no way we're going to get the rest in just fuve hours (a shame since they all sounded really cool and I would have loved to see them.

PH
Phantom5613
2018-05-04 22:53 UTC
#121

Weeeellllllllllllllll...

Me on  the KS Comments section:

On a more serious note I have a question regarding the Stretch Goals we may not reach. Since this will be an episodic game from what I've been lead to believe, is there a chance we can get certain goals in future episodes if game sales/post-kickstarter pre-ordering goes especially well? The new update brought to life how much certain levels will improve gameplay, and it would be a shame to lose them...

Underbite:

the Kickstarter assures the features will be in the game at launch.(reffering to what goals have been unlocked) Our plan is to continue to expand the game so you will likely see the other features over time after launch.

Edit: Italicized text added by me to add context

PL
PlatinumWarlock
2018-05-04 23:35 UTC
#122

For what it's worth, I did end up changing my mind on this project.  I backed it yesterday.

The later updates have been much more to my liking and the SotM IP was too much of a draw for me to resist.  Don't let me down, Underbite!  :P

P2
Powerhound_2000
2018-05-04 23:37 UTC
#123

Its a hood and attached to the cape.  I’m not sure I like that direction for her outfit but it’s been shown long before this KS.  

PH
Phantom5613
2018-05-04 23:42 UTC
#124

At the 4 hour mark, only $1136 more needed to get to the 75K mark...

PH
Phantom5613
2018-05-05 02:06 UTC
#125

With less than 2 hours to spare, we've broken the 75K mark! Update not yet avaliable, but is incoming.

P2
Powerhound_2000
2018-05-05 02:07 UTC
#126

Update posted as you made this comment https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/underbite/sentinels-of-freedom/posts/2179726

PH
Phantom5613
2018-05-05 03:37 UTC
#127

Last chance to pledge, y'all!

Let's get this KS as high as it can go!

PH
Phantom5613
2018-05-05 03:58 UTC
#128

And it's over!

final total funds raised: $75,681

XM
X-metal
2018-05-05 10:46 UTC
#129

yeah, but it looks fine in the art. It's the game model I don't like.

XM
X-metal
2018-05-05 10:47 UTC
#130

plus side: combat simulator.

 

negative side: no mr. Fixer at launch. Dissapointing.

TA
TakeWalker
2018-05-05 13:06 UTC
#131

Not bad though, that's pretty high over the original ask price for a game that was rather loudly derided when the KS launched. :) Here's to... waiting for stuff again. :B Oh, Kickstarter.

XM
X-metal
2018-06-19 00:00 UTC
#132

Ya know, th games websits is very proud of it being funded in two days despite the fact that it's probably the least funded sentinels project so far. Hopefully the rpg kickstarter will be able to get close to some of the higher funded kickstarters. Not OblivAeon high but maybe vengence high.