Interviews

Interview with Gordon Currie,
developer of the upcoming Eldoren game

by Alexander Tait

Thanks for your time Gordon. I appreciate you taking time out (not too much, please!) from developing Eldoren.

1. Is this your first game?

Yes, this is the first game I have developed myself. I have participated in creating a number of games while working with various game clients but my game started with a dream that turned in to a series of books. I have worked on it for a number of years.

2. What other games have inspired the development?

I have always read sci-fi and fantasy but as far as game influence, I would have to say the original Myst game go me going. My own game though is a mix of 20 different games I have played. The storyline is unique and can’t be directly compared to a specific game. The concept of exploration and discovering new areas, new treasures, new political plots, and new beginnings is the basic underpinning of my story. I was influenced by the worlds created by Frank Herbert (Dune) and the whole Lord of the Rings trilogy.

3. Tell us about the story line of Eldoren.

Let’s see...where to start without giving away too much? One is first introduced to a world that is a blend of fantasy and sci-fi. A city in the mountains that is old and ancient. You meet some characters and early on discover a mystery that is small and slowly becomes much bigger. It ties to the Royal family and the history behind the city itself. An accident occurs that sheds some important light on the game. Characters who we have introduced start to change as part of their growing into adulthood. You then have choices in how you deal with the information you are presented. You follow a family and its many mysteries dozens of years into the future. As you move through the story, you start to unravel much bigger mysteries. You are challenged along the way to deal with threats, political turmoil, environment changes, and more. You not only have to research, but you have to form theories of your own and then test them.

I really don’t want to give away too much so I am being VERY vague. Visit the website at www.eldorengame.com as I plan to release everything that is public there.

From my website, there is one paragraph that really addresses the storyline:

“We want to leave you with one thought...imagine an event in society so huge and wondrous that it makes us rethink thousands of years of our own history, and answers potentially 95% of the world’s mysteries...while generating literally thousands of new questions about why we are here and what our purpose in life is. Think about the potential impact our world would have if the earth stopped rotating, or if we uncovered the REAL answers behind the great pyramids, Mayan technology, or ancient stone cairns, not unlike the monument we know of as Stonehenge. Those who fall trap to the world of Eldoren will literally awaken and be drawn in”.

This story I have created is unlike anything (I know this sounds like a marketing ploy but it’s sincere) I have ever seen. It’s not a traditional adventure story. It’s so much bigger. Maybe big enough that Ron Howard or Spielberg will want to make it a movie. Wishful thinking? Maybe. Maybe not.

4. Adventure gamers have been resistant to 3D graphics in the past. How would you describe the graphics in Eldoren?

At this point it has not been finalized. Certainly the worlds are large and the buildings unique. The pre-rendered style of games like Myst III: Exile is appealing. I want the focus to be on the worlds and the gameplay/storyline. It’s the sort of game that you could run through and complete but if you take your time, things unfold for those who are adventuresome.

5. Will there be characters in the game or will it be more akin to a Myst-style game?

There will be characters. Early on you meet Andregon (the young prince) and his sister Sanderin (the visionary). Aligor, the House cleric and other family members. You also meet a number of key political figures that are both friend and foe. You will meet Gatekeepers...and the journals they maintain.

The original plan was to allow people to play as a male character or female character from different perspectives. Either way, there are strong male and female characters in the game. In addition, throughout the series of books, many new characters are introduced that have a significant influence on the game.

6. Will there be voice acting?

That is our goal.

7. Will there be any action sequences in the game? Mazes?

There will be action but not fighting or violence per se. The action lies in certain puzzles, certain events that require immediate action, and timed events. Of course there will be underground areas, above ground (high off the ground) sequences, and more. One sees the views of the areas in the games from unique perspectives (imagine being tethered to a large kite, 300 ft above a building and looking down). Or being placed in a small submersible that accesses hundreds of underground lakes only to pop up in a river channel miles from were you started. Some action sequences occur at open air village fairs and markets. Others occur on the side of a mountain and hidden behind a waterfall (have to be careful I don’t give too much away!).

8. Are there subplots that might be discovered in subsequent replays of the game? Does this game have replayability (beyond the fact it is an adventure game and often enjoyed with repeated plays!)?

The original storyline could be played 3-5 different ways and you would end up solving some if not all the “perceived” mysteries. But hidden in the game are areas that one could visit that were NOT documented in the game or that would lead people to the Internet for information. I also planned on including the current trend in “real” exploration with geocaching. So not only could you play the game a few different ways, you could come back, look for and assemble clues (so easy, some incredibly hard) that would lead to a real website or a real physical location.

The excitement for me would be to blend a fantasy/sci-fi game with a real life interest in areas of science like astronomy, earth sciences, old technologies, music, and literature. A rich experience, not just a game.

9. Tell us about your developing team. Who is on it? Where are you based?

My office is based in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, but I work remotely all over BC, California, and on the East Coast occasionally. As far as specific team members, I have key people who at this time are wanting to keep their identity private. This is due in part to other projects they are involved in and the fact that we are waiting to get a commitment from a publisher. All this information will come out soon.

10. Are there any in-jokes in the game, nods to other games?

Certainly I would include a few clues and cryptic messages to people I have worked with in the gaming world. In game jokes…probably not. Nods to other games…yes, there will be certain recognitions. One thing I am doing is including peoples names that have supported my game development (via donation at www.eldorengame.com) in the storyline.

11. What is missing from many of the modern adventure games that you see exists in Eldoren?

What’s missing that I see is some technologies that are more focused on the environment. Rope making, the use of our winds/geothermal heat, environmental factors that associate with technologies in the game. The current of water and its use/redirection can open up some really cool applications. There are some underwater scenes/areas in the game that might remind some people of film footage they have seen while watching a Titanic expedition on the discovery channel or reading an old Jules Verne book. It’s not Victorian in nature, just very different from other games.

12. How difficult is it to make a game of this quality?

It’s not difficult at all in terms of what can be done. The challenge is the funding and being able to deliver a game that will sell, entertain, and provide people with a reason to buy a sequel. My storyline could easily be made into a movie, a RPG game, or series of books (that is how it was originally planned).

13. Do you see that commercial interest in adventure games can be restored? What would it take?

That’s a tough question. What sells and is attractive to the public (in mass numbers) seems to be the sports games, the action games with shooting/killing, the RPG games, and simulations. What I could like to see is more and more people interested in adventure games that expand beyond the computer. When I was younger (and we are going back to the mid 70’s) there was a huge interest in the pyramids, chariots of the gods, temples etc. Then over the years, technology and research started shedding way more light on our rich history. So I would like to create a game that you can play on computer, but also access more information via the Internet, and then maybe make connections with TV shows or research presented from new discoveries.

14. Do free games help or hinder the popularity of commercial games?

The reality today is that any kind of games cost money. Money to sell, money to build and people who need to eat. I have no problem with free games for the PDA or cell phone. But if one expects a product with thousands of hours of work, then its going to cost something.

15. Do you think adventure gamers need to branch out or welcome experimentation in the structure of an adventure game or should they be more proactive to further the cause of traditional adventure gamers?

That’s a tough question. Many new games don’t challenge the reader/game player. They offer up the same look and feel or they rip off worlds they have seen in past adventure games. I think new developers need to come up with new innovative approaches. When I first played Myst, I was spell bound. I was standing on an island not having ANY idea what to do. So, like most people, I started wandering around. And slowly I started finding and discovering things. The cryptic messages and clues had me writing down stuff on paper. The more I found, the more I was addicted to the game. I went to sleep dreaming about it.

So I look at the initial excitement I got and wonder what the perfect game would be for an adventure gamer. So many of us use the web and Internet to support our hobbies. I watch channels like the Discovery Channel, History channel and more. I read dozens of different books and magazines. I study Leonardo DaVinci and other past explorers and scientists. In short, I think adventure gamers need to be resold and be willing to experiment. It’s not about finishing the game in 20 hours. It’s about starting a new chapter in their life.

16. Do you play games yourself?

Yes, I play many different games. I don’t particularly enjoy sports games (call me a nerd). I have always loved racing games but then when I am not working or writing, I drag race a car professionally. It’s a great rush. I am finding more and more I am getting into RPG gaming and that might be what keep me active for a while. My kids and I play games together both on the PC and Xbox.

17. What are the five best adventure games in your opinion?

Hmm…that’s tough. Certainly Riven was a favorite for me (and Myst of course). I loved Myst III: Exile. Amerzone was a big favorite. Let me get back to you on that.

18. Increasingly, I see the influence of adventure games in other genres of gaming, particularly with storyline development and puzzles. What are the five best non-adventure games?

Again, I would have to think about that. It’s not an easy question.

19. Have you got a publisher at this stage?

No, that has been on ongoing struggle. I have spent $40,000 USD so far of my own money. I cannot afford to self publish the game so I am looking at different, innovative methods of getting the game out. It’s a VERY competitive, risky venture. So I want to approach it from a grass roots perspective. Maybe that means it’s not a CD-ROM game that you buy at Best Buy or EB Games. This has been my greatest challenge.

20. When do you anticipate the game will be released?

I don’t want to promise a date at this time. Dates change and people get disappointed.

21. You mentioned that fans can help to support you through the Donation Area on your website. Give us some details about it.

When I started this project, I spent a good chunk of my savings. A year or so ago, it was getting tougher and tougher to make a go of it. The costs that are unseen were in the day to day costs to contact publishers, subcontractors, funds to generate mailings for interested investors, stamps, photocopying, and more. So at Christmas time I created a donation page (using PayPal), This allowed me to bring in some cash to assist with the hidden costs. So far I have received around $400 USD and this has helped tremendously. Is it enough? Probably not, but it’s helped cover expenses I might have had trouble paying. If adventure fans are interesting in helping, please visit the site. But I don’t want anyone spending anything they can’t afford. I will do my best to cover all expenses. Thanks.

22. So, what’s next when this is finished?

Quite honestly, I don’t think this world I have created will be ever finished. It’s a large enough storyline and unique enough characters that it could go on many years.

I’m sure you’ve whetted the appetites of many a JA+ reader. We look forward to seeing Eldoren in the near future. Thanks again for your time, Gordon.

The game development site for Eldoren is found here: www.eldorengame.com. There are wallpapers and other media on the site as well as links to the donation page. Check frequently for updates and possible release dates.