A computer game based on BW (again)

[trial]

I have started to read the BW and I want to ask if you think that the BW is suitable for a computer game or will there be some modifications and inventing new things to do so.
When I talk about a computer game I talk about a computer game like Baldurs gate or ultima7, which is quite the opposite from an abstarct game.
What do you think?

[Drozdal]

I see Bw as a game in the vein of Ultima Underworld or Morrowind, I like games that allows players to explore the game world alone. But that's just me.

[trial]

Ok, ultima underworld could also be an example. However, the different from a computer game such as ultima underworld to BW as far as I read it, is that ultima is more "physic" based, and BW is more abstract concept base.
In ultima you are trying to create a world with its own physical law simulation, you are experiencing the world in a more physical way, with continues time flow. You cant just say "ok I am going to travel to the village of farshire" and then roll traveling, navigation and other related abilities like in BW. That can be done in a computer game theoretically, but in a game like ultima underworld, if you want to travel somewhere you need to control the character and do the actual walking without rolling any tests.
The battle in a computer game like baldurs gate combines some abstraction with physical law. You point where you actually want to walk, but determine whether your attack is successful or not is based on rolling a dice, so the attack is a sort of abstraction. You dont directly control the swing of the sword.

[Mickeroo]

The problem I've always had with video games is that the program is just that: a program. It's not a human that allow for what the player wants. Also, it takes away from imagination. You now are forced to see what is happening instad of picturing for yourself (One of the reasons people growing up in the recent decades have less imagination then kids who could play with sticks and tires all day) Not to mention that, without spending A LOT of money, there wouldn't be an endless choice of adventures waiting for you, at least not good ones.

The advantages would be that there were no discrepencies between what you thought was happening and what was, and that you could play alone, for any amount of time, at any time. But I still think that the disadvantages outwiegh these. It worked for things more hack and slash, not as much for roleplaying.

[trial]

In never winter nights, you got have a multiplayer game with human players connected and with one or more GM connected. The GM could really make on the spot all kind of changes of the setting and can ask the players roll dice for checking an attempt of a task he just made up on the spot.
Of course its still have its limitations.
I think a lot more can be done in a computer game in the field of RPG, a lot more options of interactivity and flexibility of the gae, but they seem to put more of their effort in the graphics rather then other elements of the game such as the options of the player and the AI of the NPCs, the possiblities of the story to develope etc.
One advantage I can see in a computer game is that it can "invent" quickly new dungeons to play in, like in diablo.

[Kublai]

Mechanically, tis a cinch to make BW into a CRPG. However, BITs would really be problematic as they are so personal. You'd have to play with a pre-gen with a reward system for playing those beliefs. I suppose you could sort of do the Ultima II thing where you are given a multiple choice test before your character is made, which would then decide which pre-programmed BITs would suit you. This would allow for some re-playability, I suppose!

[Drozdal]

Ok, ultima underworld could also be an example. However, the different from a computer game such as ultima underworld to BW as far as I read it, is that ultima is more "physic" based, and BW is more abstract concept base.
Ok A note about UW. This game is very different original Ultima Series, because you're controlling one character in closed enviroment (dead volcano in part one, and vast Labirynth in second), enviroment that really makes sense (so it's like BW with a bit of color added to the mix). I know about abstracted "setting" of the burning wheel, but I thought that you were asking about games that during play can invoke "BW" feelings. UW had a great abstract magic system, where you used runes to create spells on the fly (just like the abstractions), and gave you a great opportunites to interact with the enviroment and NPC's (for the game that came out in 91 it's still quite impressive), also had a great combat model, that allowed you to plan a strike before delivering it.


The battle in a computer game like baldurs gate combines some abstraction with physical law. You point where you actually want to walk, but determine whether your attack is successful or not is based on rolling a dice, so the attack is a sort of abstraction. You dont directly control the swing of the sword.

In UW you do. You're actually there with a creature in front of you (FPP), trying to outwit it in deadly conflict. I really dislike BG apporach towards combat, it's just too dehumanized, you're just pointing and clicking, and while I was playing it, I had this strange feeling that the whole combat was a different (strategy) game withinn a cRoleplaying game.