World of Darkness News

As many of you know, we had some images that were brought to our attention via a hot tip from our contacts page. However it was kindly brought to our attention that they were leaked accidentally from an ex-employee of CCP and we heeded the request (not demand) to remove them. However out of fairness to those that felt the rug pulled out from under you I am going to give my analysis of these images to give you an idea of the direction they are heading. I must preface all of this by saying the images we got a hold of are 2 to 3 years old and in software development that is an eon. It is VERY possible what I am discussing has changed or/and improved. But I still think the theme and feel will stay and there is something to be said of that and worthy of discussion.

 

First two images are character creation and what seems to be character selection. As far as character creation not a lot of info can be gained. We see a default female avatar in the foreground leaning against a bar in a club. We also see some NPCs in the background mingling with each other. The GUI simply asks us to choose the gender of our mortal and skin tone (3 shades light, med, dark).  There is a cell to enter a name with a button to generate a random one. Also there are a row of bottoms on the bottom asking to select some kind of, what I will call, “profession” for lack of the proper term. As best as I can read them they are; Investigator, Socialite, Artist, Junkie, Mafioso, Executive, Veteran, Scholar.

 

In the screen shot Investigator is selected and the description reads; “Insatiably curious, unrelentingly persistent and obnoxiously nosy, the investigator has earned a reputation for rooting out the truth in a situation, no matter how convoluted. Some secrets are not meant to be uncovered, however, and the truth has a way of becoming a very dangerous prize.  Starting Traits: Intelligent, Agile”

 

Interesting side note, there is a frames per second meter in the corner which reads 17.81. This in the character creation screen with the default avatar and 7 NPCs. While this may worry some keep in mind this is from a pre-Alpha state before any kind of optimizations most likely. Many of us heard about the rough shape performance wise of Incarna when rolled out in EVE. This is perhaps what they were dealing with a few years ago when this screen was taken, the low FPS. I am confident things are better on the front. But none the less it is worth nothing.

 

On the character selection screen it is pretty strait forward. There is a small menu on the bottom with character names and their clan (or professions if not apparently sired yet) to select and the character in question on display taking up most of the screen. Also we notice a nice cityscape in the background looking very bloodlines-esque in theme. An old cathedral surrounded by gothic themed stonework buildings. Directly behind the PC is an old, twisted leafless tree.  

 

The next 2 images are different angles of the same personal haven. Browns and tans are the color scheme for the most part. It seems to be a one room studio/flat with tan patterned wallpaper and hardwood floor. Some half opened moving boxes scattered about as if the PC just moved in along with a non-descript couch and coffee table, wrought iron framed bed, and desk/office chair work area. Opened file cabinet near the bed, some posters, wall art and a few book cases scattered about. Also a small closet by the doorway with hanging clothes in it. Above the desk is a bulletin board with various wanted posters and newspaper clippings attached to it.

 

The next two images are color maps of what seems to be 2 areas of a city. Each one details an area of about 4 to 5 square blocks. One is labeled as “Phoenix wharf” and has placed names that implied to me it might be Chinatown. Names such as “Golden Orchid Fireworks Factory” and a location of “Dragon Gates”.

 

The other map is labeled “3 Walls” unsure what part of or what city it might be but there is a bridge that is labeled to connect to Phoenix Wharf and has locations such as “Barber Shop”, “Bada Bing” (Soprano’s reference?),“Entry to Crypts” and “Meat packing plant”.

 

All the other images are non-textured interior and exterior goth themed mansions and clubs.

 

In conclusion, overall while these are VERY early images those that are from in-game I am impressed all things considered. I think they are without a doubt on the right track when it comes to theme, mood and ambiance of the game.  And when some official in-game images are released if these are a sampling, we should all be extremely pleased. While I know not seeing these pics is difficult, I hope this written preview and first impressions conveys some sort of consolation.

 

I think we should have a good deal of faith in Chris and his team from what we saw and have confidence they are on the right track.