Choosing the Best Tool for the Job
At Obsidian, we have always tried to choose the engine and toolset most suited to the game we are making. When making a sequel to an existing game, we use the engine from the original game so that we don’t waste time recreating the inner workings and gameplay behavior in a new engine before we can even start developing new content. When creating a new game from scratch, we evaluate the options available to us and choose the one we think fits best. In the case of Project Eternity, we feel the best fit is Unity.
Unity enables small teams to be very productive. Unity has an amazing development environment that makes it very easy for programmers, artists and designers to work together to build great games. In a very short time we have already made great progress prototyping some of the core functionality for Project Eternity.
We do intend to use some of our in-house tools in conjunction with Unity where it makes sense, such as in the case of creating conversations and editing some of the RPG-specific game data. Unity makes it very easy to extend not only the game engine but the development tools as well, and we feel integrating some of the tools that have already proven effective on previous Obsidian games will get us off to a great start on the development of Project Eternity.
Unity also supports a wide range of target platforms. We knew that a likely request from the community was going to be support for Mac and Linux versions of the game, and we wanted to make sure we were in the best position to do that. While we could have ported Onyx, our internal engine technology, to those platforms, the time and effort required to do so would reduce the budget we have to make the game and result in less of the awesome gameplay and content our fans desire. Mac and Linux will still require time and effort from us to test, maintain and support but Unity gets us most of the way there. In fact, our experience with Unity so far has made us confident enough that we have decided to remove Linux support from the stretch goals and just commit to providing a Linux version right here and now! Of course, we can’t take something away from our stretch goals without putting something else in its place, so what is that going to be?
The $2.2 million stretch goal will still include a new Region, a new Faction, a new Companion and all the hours of additional gameplay, quests, NPCs and items that go along with those things. But we’ve also got something new coming to this stretch goal, and it’s big enough that it’s deserving of its own update to talk about it! So tune in this coming Monday, September 24th where we will reveal our new stretch goals, unveil a fun new tracker for them, and announce our schedule of guest stars for the week!
Thank you for supporting Obsidian and Project Eternity!
Chris Jones
CTO, Obsidian
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Sep 14, 2012 -
Oct 16, 2012
- First created · 45 backed
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- Website: eternity.obsidian.net
Pledge $5 or more
317 backers
Thank you for your pledge! Everyone at Obsidian loves you! Every backer for this level or more will receive a KICKSTARTER BACKER BADGE on the PROJECT ETERNITY forums. We want to invite you to our forums where you get a place to speculate about the game, offer suggestions, and interact with the development team.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $20 or more
25000 backers All gone!
For early backers only! DIGITAL DOWNLOADABLE COPY OF PROJECT ETERNITY. This limited price point is only available for the first backers of PROJECT ETERNITY. All Kickstarter backers will receive a special Kickstarter only in-game achievement and item. (The item will not affect the game's balance). Includes Cooking with Tim – An RPG-themed e-Cookbook, and Making of Project Eternity Documentary (streaming).
Estimated delivery: Apr 2014Pledge $25 or more
20921 backers
DIGITAL DOWNLOADABLE COPY OF PROJECT ETERNITY. This price is only available for those who help fund before the game is released! All Kickstarter backers will receive a special Kickstarter only in-game achievement and item. (The item will not affect the game's balance). Includes Cooking with Tim – An RPG-themed e-Cookbook, and Making of Project Eternity Documentary (streaming).
Estimated delivery: Apr 2014Pledge $35 or more
8394 backers
Previous reward tier + DIGITAL DOWNLOADABLE SOUNDTRACK + DIGITAL COLLECTOR'S BOOK IN PDF FORMAT. The digital book will include concept art, player's handbook, monster manual, exclusive information about the campaign setting and characters, and the Making of Project Eternity Documentary (download option).
Estimated delivery: Apr 2014Pledge $50 or more
5727 backers
DIGITAL ONLY TIER - All previous digital rewards + NEW NOVELLA BY CHRIS AVELLONE (PDF) + DIGITAL CAMPAIGN ALMANAC + EXCLUSIVE IN-GAME PET + DIGITAL HIGH RESOLUTION GAME MAP + DIGITAL HIGH RESOLUTION CONCEPT ART PIECES + WALLPAPERS FOR MULTIPLE MONITORS + RINGTONES . You will get a new, original novella written by Chris Avellone and multiple high resolution downloads of concept art and wallpaper (single through triple monitor resolutions). We've also added in a super high resolution PDF of the game map. Our great audio guys are also going to pick out some of the best sound effects and music for you to have a little of Project Eternity on your phone.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2014Pledge $65 or more
3818 backers
Previous reward tier + BOX VERSION OF PROJECT ETERNITY. The boxed copy will include a DVD version of the game and a printed manual. This is in addition to the digital version of the game (so 2 copies total!). Please add $15 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2014Pledge $80 or more
769 backers
DIGITAL ONLY TIER - All previous digital rewards + DIGITAL STRATEGY GUIDE PDF + ANOTHER DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF THE GAME. We are going to be working in conjunction with a great strategy guide company and at this reward level you will get a PDF of the guide. You will also get a second key to enjoy Project Eternity on another computer, platform, or as a gift to a friend.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2014Pledge $100 or more
1041 backers
Previous reward tier + a PROJECT ETERNITY T-SHIRT + SPECIAL THANKS IN GAME CREDITS + THANK YOU POSTCARD FROM THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM + VIP FORUM BADGE. We really appreciate your contribution, and by showing our appreciation we will add your name to the game's credits and send you a thank you note in the mail. This tier will also unlock a special VIP badge in the PROJECT ETERNITY forums. Please add $20 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2014Pledge $110 or more
792 backers
COLLECTORS DIGITAL ONLY TIER - All rewards from the previous digital tiers + SPECIAL THANKS IN GAME CREDITS + THANK YOU POSTCARD FROM THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM (sent physically) + VIP FORUM BADGE + EARLY ACCESS BETA KEY + all the other digital rewards of the $140 tier available now and added during the Kickstarter campaign. If you are looking for all the rewards of the Collector's Edition, but you don't need the physical goods, then this is a great reward tier for you.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2014Pledge $140 or more
3496 backers
Previous reward tier + we will upgrade your box to a COLLECTOR'S EDITION BOX. You will find a CLOTH MAP OF THE GAME WORLD and the PROJECT ETERNITY CLOTH PATCH inside the box + EARLY BETA ACCESS + PROJECT ETERNITY MOUSE PAD. The collector's edition box will include a cloth map just like the old RPGs that we love. You will also get early access to the game with a BETA KEY. Includes Making of Project Eternity Documentary (DVD/Blu-ray). The game patch is an embroidered high quality non-iron on patch. Game patches are a tradition at Obsidian, and we want to share that tradition with you! Please add $20 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2014Pledge $165 or more
972 backers
FIRST EXPANSION/WASTELAND2 DIGITAL ONLY TIER - All rewards from the previous digital tiers + PROJECT ETERNITY'S FIRST EXPANSION + DRM free digital download copy of WASTELAND 2 + all the other digital rewards of the $250 tier available now and added during the Kickstarter campaign. If you don't need the physical goods, then this is a great reward tier for you.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2014Pledge $250 or more
1746 backers
Previous reward tier + you get your COLLECTOR'S EDITION BOX signed by CHRIS AVELLONE, TIM CAIN, JOSH SAWYER, and the rest of the development team + full color printed PROJECT ETERNITY COLLECTOR'S BOOK + an elite version of the PROJECT ETERNITY CLOTH PATCH. The book will be a full color book that includes concept art, player's handbook, monster manual, exclusive information about the campaign setting and characters, and a special behind the scenes look at making the game. Please add $30 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2014Pledge $350 or more
30 backers All gone!
Obsidian-AMD Loot Bag (US. ONLY). The Loot Bag contains an AMD Processor donated by our incredible friends over at AMD, a signed Obsidian game (not Project Eternity), and a random assortment of Obsidian loot such as pens, coasters, t-shirts, game patches, doodles, etc. The AMD Processor is an A10, does not have a heat sink attached, and will be shipped OEM style. The Loot Bag includes everything in the $250 tier level too. Since we are shipping computer parts, we can't ship outside the USA with this one.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2014Pledge $500 or more
367 backers
The Complete Kickstarter Obsidian Pack: signed COLLECTOR'S EDITION BOX (cloth map, elite cloth patch, and printed manual included) + your name and a personalized message on a MEMORIAL STONE IN-GAME + full color PROJECT ETERNITY *HARD COVER* COLLECTOR'S BOOK SIGNED by the development team + A GOLD PLEDGE SPECIAL THANKS in the credits + T-SHIRT + DIGITAL DOWNLOADABLE COPY OF PROJECT ETERNITY + DIGITAL DOWNLOADABLE SOUNDTRACK + A GOLD PLEDGE VIP FORUM BADGE. Your name will also go on our top pledger plaque in our office, so we can always remember your special contribution.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2014Pledge $750 or more
29 backers Limited (1 of 30 left)
Chris Avellone draws you a CUSTOM TROLL PORTRAIT. Chris Avellone has graciously volunteered to draw a custom troll portrait for you to help raise additional funding towards our last stretch goal target of $3.5m for Big City #2. Chris will number and sign the portrait, write a humorous message to you, and a print will be physically and digitally sent to you. This is a limited run of 30 at a $750 tier (includes all the goods in the $500 tier), so get in quickly. If you are above the $750 tier and would like a custom troll by Chris Avellone please contact Obsidian and we will work with you.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2014Pledge $1,000 or more
114 backers Limited (86 of 200 left)
NAME AND DESIGN AN NPC (Non-Player Character). Help us design PROJECT ETERNITY! We will send you a PROJECT ETERNITY NPC character sheet for you to fill out for our design team. We will turn your personalized character design, with your name, class, and race into an NPC in the shipped game (within reason of course). You will also receive The Complete Kickstarter Obsidian Pack ($500 reward tier) + 5 EXTRA DIGITAL DOWNLOADABLE COPIES OF PROJECT ETERNITY to gift your friends and family.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2014Pledge $1,000 or more
49 backers Limited (1 of 50 left)
HELP DESIGN AN EPIC HIGH LEVEL WEAPON, ARMOR OR ARTIFACT. Help us design PROJECT ETERNITY! Your personalized item will be used by thousands of players and will be one of the best in the game. You can provide the lore, look, and type of the item (within reason), and we will put it in the shipped game. You will also receive The Complete Kickstarter Obsidian Pack ($500 reward tier) + 5 EXTRA DIGITAL DOWNLOADABLE COPIES OF PROJECT ETERNITY to gift your friends and family.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2014Pledge $3,000 or more
7 backers Limited (13 of 20 left)
BECOME A CUSTOM PORTRAIT IN THE GAME + GET A SIGNED ART PRINT OF YOUR PORTRAIT. Help us design PROJECT ETERNITY! Your personalized portrait will be seen and used thousands of players. With a supplied photograph and some additional input from you, a talented Obsidian artist will make a custom portrait to be used in the shipped game. The artist will sign a print of the portrait that will be sent to you. You will also receive The Complete Kickstarter Obsidian Pack ($500 reward tier) + 5 EXTRA DIGITAL DOWNLOADABLE COPIES OF PROJECT ETERNITY to gift your friends and family.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2014Pledge $5,000 or more
3 backers Limited (3 of 6 left)
NAME AND HELP DESIGN AN ENEMY ADVENTURING COMPANY. What beats the classic RPG challenge of squaring off against a diverse enemy party with skills, abilities, and equipment to match your own? Nothing, that's what! Now you can design a crew of knuckle-cracking skull-crushers to ambush players at the worst possible moment. Ha, HA! You are the devil himself! We will send you six PROJECT ETERNITY NPC character sheets for you to fill out for our design team. We will turn your personalized party design into a lethal wrecking crew to oppose the player in the shipped game (within reason of course). You will also receive The Complete Kickstarter Obsidian Pack ($500 reward tier) + 15 EXTRA DIGITAL DOWNLOADABLE COPIES OF PROJECT ETERNITY to gift your friends and family. You also get the top tier WATCHER FORUM BADGE.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2014Pledge $5,000 or more
5 backers All gone!
NAME AND HELP DESIGN AN INN OR TAVERN. Help us design PROJECT ETERNITY! Your personalized area will be prominently seen in the shipped game. You can name it (within reason), and with your input, the design team at Obsidian will create an inn or tavern in your honor. You will also receive The Complete Kickstarter Obsidian Pack ($500 reward tier) + 10 EXTRA DIGITAL DOWNLOADABLE COPIES OF PROJECT ETERNITY to gift your friends and family + DESIGN AND NAME AN NPC + DESIGN AN EPIC WEAPON. You also get the top tier WATCHER FORUM BADGE.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2014Pledge $10,000 or more
5 backers
The Ultimate Pledge Pack. We really want to thank you for your generous pledge in person. You will receive an INVITE TO THE OBSIDIAN PROJECT ETERNITY DEVELOPER LAUNCH PARTY + AN INVITE TO COME PLAY A GAME AT OBSIDIAN. You and a buddy get to party with the game developers at Obsidian and get a behind the scenes tour of the Obsidian office. You get to have a once in a lifetime opportunity to play a board or pen and paper game of your choice with Chris Avellone, Tim Cain, Josh Sawyer, and Feargus Urquhart! You must be able to pay for travel and accommodations to the Obsidian office in Irvine, California for the party and game day. You will receive everything else: The Complete Kickstarter Obsidian Pack ($500 reward tier) + 10 EXTRA DIGITAL DOWNLOADABLE COPIES OF PROJECT ETERNITY to gift your friends and family + DESIGN AND NAME AN NPC + DESIGN AN EPIC WEAPON + CUSTOM PORTRAIT. You also get the top tier WATCHER FORUM BADGE.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2014
Comments
Creator Marceror on October 4, 2012
So what is her class? Based on the recent picture of 5 adventurers fighting undead, I'm thinking probably a priest? Edair was announced as being a fighter, but I haven't seen confirmation regarding Cad's class. Not set in stone yet, mayhap?
Creator reynum on September 26, 2012
Maybe you can have a look on Ogre3D.
http://www.ogre3d.org/about
It is completly free, open source and multi os.
Regards.
Creator September Abraxas on September 25, 2012
Whoops. Triple post. :(
Creator September Abraxas on September 25, 2012
What will be some likely minimum user system specs?
Creator George Sedov on September 25, 2012
Linux version is a go! I'm in.
Creator Ryan Kelln on September 25, 2012
Linux version hurrah!
Creator unknown78 on September 24, 2012
That was the comment , which made my day :) Thanx and pledged.
Creator Paul Nemeth on September 24, 2012
Probably a good choice overall, but is the game going to be moddable at all? Those asset bundles are a tough nut to crack. Maybe adding mod support would be a good option for a stretch goal...
Creator Viktor Stärn on September 24, 2012
Pre-rendered backgrounds! You're doing everything right!!
Creator Georg Grabler on September 24, 2012
Amazing, a Linux version :). I just have to say I love you guys.
Creator Matthew (C4RB1N3) Toledo on September 24, 2012
With the budget you will have I think you could have done much better than Unity. Even with Unity though, I am very confidant that Obsidian Entertainment will make the game amazing
Creator Ami37 on September 24, 2012
I pledged exactly because of Linux support, my household using exclusively Linux.
Thanks guys, and by the way you are the first kickstarter prokect I support!
Creator Jason VandenBerghe on September 23, 2012
Amazing. I continue to be impressed by this dev team. Three thumbs up!
Creator Kymus on September 23, 2012
SO glad I upped my pledge. Thank you, Obsidian, for not leaving out us Linux gamers!!
Creator Daniel Grinton on September 23, 2012
Unity, as with any engine properly set up, will allow for modding if the developers choose to implement it.
Creator João Bertoncini on September 23, 2012
Does Unity allow modding? Because one of the most amazing things, if not THE MOST AMAZING THING about the Baldur's Gate games was the ability of creating the "UNFINISHED BUSINESS" mods.
There is ALWAYS some content that have to be cut so the game can make it to release, and being allowed to modify and complete such files was such a cool feature, adding re-playability to game.
That was so nice in BG2, when former game programmers made it, that even fans started to do such with BG1.
Creator James Tiberius Kirk on September 23, 2012
As someone that's used Unity in a game jam, that thing rocks! Definitely the way to go for this kind of game.
Creator Duong Nguyen on September 22, 2012
Unity is a competent engine, in the hands of Obsidian a AAA team they will make it sing.
Creator OddBall on September 22, 2012
This game is on Unity and it doesn't look too cartoony Check it out http://www.rimelands.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/pc-and-mac-screenshots/splash_screen2.png
Creator dulBIRAKAN on September 22, 2012
I have been holding out for the Linux stretch goal. Now there is no reason for me to hold back anymore!
Creator Fredrik Lundgren on September 22, 2012
Oh on the wacky side. The way it was handled in New Vegas was a good way I say. Something optional. (Low key pop references in general I do not mind. But the thing is they should be well hidden and low key. That what fun about them.)
Creator September Abraxas on September 22, 2012
I'm concerned I won't be able to play this game once it's released. Do you have a guess at minimum system specs?
Creator Parmenides on September 22, 2012
I know many games these days look like they try to hard to look "dark". But I hope there is plenty of room for some dark too. Doesn't sound like they will go too far on the wacky humor part, I hope. Maybe South Park will get it out of their system. ;) Still New Vegas was done well, though that genre requires a little extra on the wacky side. But also you can't have interesting characters without at least some quirks. Super excited about this all nevertheless.
Creator Kimuji on September 22, 2012
So pre-rendered backgrounds and real time characters... Does that mean tons of polygons and details for the characters since the CPU/GPU won't have to render backgrounds? :D
Creator João Varandas on September 22, 2012
Following these updates is so much fun! I'm already getting my money's worth!
Creator Obsidian Entertainment on September 22, 2012
@Shatterbrain - And characters will be real-time 3D.
Creator Obsidian Entertainment on September 22, 2012
@Shatterbrain - We are going to pre-render, but we are pre-rendering at 1920x1200/1080 at the least.
Creator armisael on September 22, 2012
@Shatterbrain - If they're using high-res renders to begin with, it's a non-issue. But there's little sense in using renders for characters nowadays.
Creator Shatterbrain on September 22, 2012
God, I hope Obsidian doesn't listen to these dunces begging for prerendered graphics. I don't want the final game looking like a stretched-out piece of crap in different screen resolutions.
Creator Kenny Debacq on September 22, 2012
@Filipiak You can have better performance and higher level of detail at the same time with prerendered graphics.
Creator Michał Filipiak on September 22, 2012
Georgi, you do realize the 2D you laud is actually a render made from a detailed 3D model? Why use a render, if the source model can be used directly?
Creator armisael on September 22, 2012
Some people seem a little confused about what sort of graphics the old Infinity games had. The art was generally pre-rendered, with the backgrounds (in Planescape: Torment and Icewind Dale at least) touched up manually by the artists. If I understand correctly, Eternity will use the same sort of pre-rendered backgrounds with 3D character models. Think of Troika's Temple of Elemental Evil if you played it. It's a good art style that doesn't quickly date.
Creator Georgiy Kovshov on September 22, 2012
I realy hope that the game will have 2D backgrounds. Baldurs Gate 2 and Planescape still look great, 'cause they were made in 2D, when 2D was perfected. Right now artists have no limits in terms of this tecnology, except of the skill of the artist himself. With 2D obsidian can make another game which will be timelessly beautiful. Anyway with such budget they сouldn't create realy good-looking 3D, skyrim had great funding and still it was average on the eye... so obsidian have two options: create game in beatiful 2D, or crappy 3D. I hope they choose wisely.
Creator Yuri on September 22, 2012
Guys, thank you, guys. Thank you very much.
//Linux user
Creator Zigmar on September 22, 2012
@Anton Like many retro-games in this genere they will probably use 2D background with 3D characters, which is technically very good combination. Check out how it looks for another in-works Kickstarter game Shadowrun Returns: http://harebrained-schemes.com/post/post-pax-post-our-first-in-game-assets-revealed/
Creator Lars Westergren on September 22, 2012
@Anton
Handdrawn 2d backgrounds, 3d generated characters, and an isometric perspective. It will likely look just like the infinity engines, only better.
@Elevenbit
Unity is more than capable enough. How the game will look will only be limited by the artists, not the engine.
Creator Elevenbit on September 22, 2012
Unity is ugly. Please forger about it. Use Unreal Engine instead.
Creator ph on September 22, 2012
I'd love to see the base game, instead of more and mroe stretch goals.
Creator Anton on September 22, 2012
The game graphics will be in 3D? I thought it will be in 2D, like all classic RPGs such as Baldur's Gate, Planescape Torment and Icewind Dale.
Creator Liana Lixandru on September 22, 2012
Yay for Linux! Great news.
Creator Björn Fallqvist on September 22, 2012
Tenebrael, agreed. If they make an update where they announce that they will also release it for consoles, I will remove my pledge altogether.
Creator Lars Westergren on September 22, 2012
@Andrew Cathie
I think you are underestimating the time and money that goes into a port.
Porting to a TV would have major implications for UI layout, for instance, this is a very text heavy game and they would have to adjust font sizes to fit on a screen. Also, Nintendo probably have many design guidelines that you have to comply to in order to be allowed to publish a game for the WiiU. Third, they may object to mature themes in the game which might necessitate a big rewrite of major plot elements. Forth, they might take big fee for certifying patches like Microsoft (and to a lesser extent Sony) does, which could hold back patches on the PC too so the versions don't get out of sync. Fifth: If modding support comes as a stretch goal (which I suspect it will) these portions would have to be rewritten for the WiiU too.
In essence: Just because the Unity engine supports consoles and tables doesn't mean porting a game to these platforms is trivial.
Creator Vervain: Obsidian Order Warlord Prince on September 22, 2012
You could port it to WiiU without losing anything, just add a virtual keyboard onto the gamepad screen and voila!
Creator Evgueni Baldin on September 22, 2012
Good decision about Linux support.
Creator Tenebrael on September 22, 2012
I'm totally against releasing the game on consoles, or even thinking of it. It could end like with Witcher 2, where we theoretically have the PC-oriented game, but with many things made to fit to consoles (circular menu for the witcher signs, 16:9 proportions as a default, list-oriented inventory etc).
I don't hate consoles, but PE should be PC and ONLY PC game, so to be sure that nothing is cut-out or re-made to fit the consol style of gameplay.
Creator MaddogZenon on September 22, 2012
Unity3D does support both PS3 and Xbox360.
But it's really upto the developers.
Creator Luke Woods on September 22, 2012
I am thrilled that Linux is now supported! I am upping my Pledge! Thank you!
Creator Miroslaw on September 22, 2012
So project is going to be more platform independent.
Maybe you will release it on xbox and playstation ;).
After it comes out of course.
Hmm, I Hope that unity technology will help also to better cooperate with backpackers who went to design npc, items, enemy team and tavern/inn.
Creator Kyle Alexander Thompson on September 21, 2012
As a Linux user I greatly appreciate this. Thank you for supporting our platform!
Creator Vince Vazquez on September 21, 2012
Cool! I love Unity! I learned Unreal and Source in college, kind of hated Unreal, and was only meh on Source. But Unity, I checked out independently and found it awesome. So well organized, so flexible - it's so easy to get anything working in it. I mean, I hate programming and even I could do this: http://thisisvinsanity.com/OriginalsPieces/Roman/Assets/Web%20Player%20Index.html. And it's so easy to optimize it for different settings and platforms. Good pick Obsidian!