Oddworld: SoulStorm

[Vlam]

STM,

1. Is "storytelling" the correct word? In AO, you're against Molluck. In AE, you're against more Glukkons. In MO, you learn more about the societal hierarchy of Glukkons. You see, the story is progressive. In AE, you aren't even aware of the existence of the Big Bro Sligs. You put the cart before the horse by showing Skillya now. It's too soon. They will show the Queens in MO (or ME).

2. The Slig seems "normal" (with his pants) to me. Moreover, if he was persecuted, why would he stay near 3 Sligs? By the way, Wil said that (it could be something new):

But consider that was one pitch 17 years ago. The premise of 'albino Slig fights persecution' has evolved a lot in that time. There's no reason to confine it to existing sets. The only thing that's been set in stone is that the poor chump is sitting there in Alf's bar.

3. Alf's Escape was "simple" to make: it's basically an extra level with no cutscenes. The Sligstorm (DLC) you want seems overly ambitious (keep in mind that we're talking about the OWI of 2016). Furthermore, the way I see it, the reason the game wasn't released (I may be wrong): playing only as a slig isn't interesting/entertaining enough.

I think the crux of vlam's arguement is that unless Sligstorm is going to add something new, in terms of story—which is unlikely, especially if it follows the same trend as Alf's Escape, with little Easter Eggs scattered throughout—or some significant gameplay tweaks, there's not a huge incentive to go ahead with it.

Yes, kjjcarpenter.

[JayDee]

I feel like Vlam looks at Lorne interviews and Oddworld canon the way Westboro Baptists look at the Bible. Sure you're not wrong but where's the fun or relevance in following the exact wording of something from a completely different time to the letter (Biblically speaking, and in the context of the game's industry at the time of AO/AE) . In the nineties I said I was going to be Batman and Spiderman at the same time, but if I tried that nowadays it would just be an inconvenience.

At the end of the day Lorne's going to do what Lorne's going to do, Sligstorm or no.

[Vlam]

I feel like Vlam looks at Lorne interviews and Oddworld canon the way Westboro Baptists look at the Bible. Sure you're not wrong but where's the fun or relevance in following the exact wording of something from a completely different time to the letter (Biblically speaking, and in the context of the game's industry at the time of AO/AE) . In the nineties I said I was going to be Batman and Spiderman at the same time, but if I tried that nowadays it would just be an inconvenience.

At the end of the day Lorne's going to do what Lorne's going to do, Sligstorm or no.

Do you mean the Quran?

[JayDee]

Do you mean the Quran?

Nope.

[Vlam]

You should stop trolling. Thank you.

[OWI_Pete]

...In the nineties I said I was going to be Batman and Spiderman at the same time, but if I tried that nowadays it would just be an inconvenience.

Man, '90s you was a maverick genius. Never give up on your dreams, dude.

[HOMINIX]

I think the crux of vlam's arguement is that unless Sligstorm is going to add something new, in terms of story—which is unlikely, especially if it follows the same trend as Alf's Escape, with little Easter Eggs scattered throughout—or some significant gameplay tweaks, there's not a huge incentive to go ahead with it.

I completely disagree. A story can massively benefit from putting the audience in the shoes of someone on the other side. They would have a chance to show how sligs work within their ranks, and generally add depth to the oddworld universe. I imagine the puzzles would feel noticeably different to adjust for the inability to chant or to compensate for having a gun if they choose to give you one.

I've said this before, but plenty of people would be happy to buy Sligstorm based on the idea alone and the fact that it's now one of the mythologized "lost works" of oddworld - the kind that devoted fans drool over.

The game seems like it would work well in the format of the Abe games, and I don't believe they would ever make it a standalone game, so I think it's plausible for them to develop Sligstorm for DLC

As for "skillya'" in the bar in NNT, I'm sure there are several albino sligs, and even if it is indeed Skillya, I'm sure they would have no problem disregarding that easter egg cameo with a contradictory timeline. Hell, the whole script is being rewritten, so I don't think a good idea would be put on halt because they decided to do a bit of fan service in the form of an Easter egg.

[Manco]

I think the crux of vlam's arguement is that unless Sligstorm is going to add something new, in terms of story—which is unlikely, especially if it follows the same trend as Alf's Escape, with little Easter Eggs scattered throughout—or some significant gameplay tweaks, there's not a huge incentive to go ahead with it.

OK, but then realistically there’s no way to make SligStorm without including something new – if the game was presented without any kind of framing story or explanation people would have no idea what was going on, and everything previously revealed about what SligStorm could be points to a new story. It’s standalone from everything else, so a new story is necessary for it to work at all.

Ali’s Escape didn’t focus on story because it was an add-on to New ‘n’ Tasty – it reused setting, characters and gameplay mechanics. There’s no way they could do the same with SligStorm because it’s too different to any other game.

[Vlam]

Yes, so it's possible to have a DLC (with Abe as a playable character) set during AE or between AE and MO.

[kjjcarpenter]

Just dug this up: https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/commen...tewart/c7jow6y

Lorne seems hesitant about the idea.

[Vlam]

Just dug this up: https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/commen...tewart/c7jow6y

Lorne seems hesitant about the idea.

Great find!

[kjjcarpenter]

No worries.

OK, but then realistically there’s no way to make SligStorm without including something new – if the game was presented without any kind of framing story or explanation people would have no idea what was going on, and everything previously revealed about what SligStorm could be points to a new story. It’s standalone from everything else, so a new story is necessary for it to work at all.

Ali’s Escape didn’t focus on story because it was an add-on to New ‘n’ Tasty – it reused setting, characters and gameplay mechanics. There’s no way they could do the same with SligStorm because it’s too different to any other game.

I absolutely agree with you, though it all depends on the budget, eh?

[JayDee]

Man, '90s you was a maverick genius. Never give up on your dreams, dude.

I used to wear a spiderman costume at the same time as a batman hood and cape, it was magical.

If there's anything I'd like to see in New N Tasty it's a return of the big moving saws from Alf's Escape, maybe in the form of a tunnel borer or something.

[Nate]

Just dug this up: https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/commen...tewart/c7jow6y

Lorne seems hesitant about the idea.

See, that sounds to me like he's excited about the challenge of a difficult problem.

[kjjcarpenter]

See, that sounds to me like he's excited about the challenge of a difficult problem.

Ah, the ambiguity of the written word.

I never considered his tone to be challenging, but now that you mention it, it does seem like a very Lorne-thing to say.

[Vlam]

A big question is... how will people react to a Hero that is a slig. Sligs ain't so pretty, i mean they even make Abe looks handsome. So this is a curious challenge and would like to get feedback into the idea of a Slig as a hero in a game. Well, it's actually an albino slig.

In my opinion, it's a diplomatic way to say "I don't want to make this game".
I mean, he can't ignore this fact: the fans fantasize about Sligstorm.

[STM]

I'm legitimately interested, Vlam; what do you want to see happen next with Oddworld? You've pooh-pooh'd Sligstorm, NnT, the Soulstorm ARG, there really leaves very little scope for what you actually do want to happen. Do you have a sort of puritanical view of the franchise, where everything has to happen according to OWI's plan pre-2001?

[Vlam]

I'm legitimately interested, Vlam; what do you want to see happen next with Oddworld? You've pooh-pooh'd Sligstorm, NnT, the Soulstorm ARG, there really leaves very little scope for what you actually do want to happen. Do you have a sort of puritanical view of the franchise, where everything has to happen according to OWI's plan pre-2001?

Why are you so "aggressive"? You know, OWI has nothing to do with me. To answer your question: Squeek's Oddysee is the game I want to see the most.

[kjjcarpenter]

Why are you so "aggressive"? You know, OWI has nothing to do with me. To answer your question: Squeek's Oddysee is the game I want to see the most.

Vlam, do you think Munch's Oddysee will be reworked into a new game, with the deleted story threads intact, or do you think Oddworld Inc will skip ahead to Squeek? OWI_Pete seems to imply the reworked ending of Soulstorm might segue into something different than we anticipate.

[Varrok]

I hope they remade MO that will be completely different to the original, and better. Just so people will stop complaining

[Vlam]

Vlam, do you think Munch's Oddysee will be reworked into a new game, with the deleted story threads intact, or do you think Oddworld Inc will skip ahead to Squeek? OWI_Pete seems to imply the reworked ending of Soulstorm might segue into something different than we anticipate.

I do not know more than you.

[kjjcarpenter]

I do not know more than you.

Would you like if it was remade, or would you prefer them to skip to Squeek?

Lol, Varrok, I concur.

[Vlam]

Ah, sure, I would prefer them to skip to Squeek but we all know they're going to remade MO.

[Nepsotic]

I hope they remade MO that will be completely different to the original, and better. Just so people will stop complaining

I hope they remake New 'n' Tasty but completely different to the original, and better. Just so Varrok will stop complaining.

[kjjcarpenter]

I see a vicious circle forming.

[Varrok]

I hope they remake New 'n' Tasty but completely different to the original, and better. Just so Varrok will stop complaining.

But NnT *is* different to the original

[Holy Sock]

I honestly would rather a remake of MO or a ME type of game before we get to Squeek. Develop the concepts of Munch/Abe and the Sam/Maggie story before moving forward. If Squeek is supposed to be about Maggie's grandmother then we need to be exposed to Maggie first.

[STM]

I used to think we should just forget and move on from MO but these days I'm inclined to agree with the Papal Foot Garment.

[Nepsotic]

Considering there hasn't been an Oddworld game better than the first one - 18 years ago - how much hope do we have for Soulstorm and the future of the series?

[Crashpunk]

I've got high hopes for Soulstorm because they can know from experience with NnT what worked and what didn't. I don't think it's going to be a whole to different in terms of gameplay, but I do think it's going to be a lot more refined. Also the route they seem to be taking Soulstorm is very appealing to me and many other Oddworld fans.

As for the future. I hope they don't do anymore remakes. It's finally time to make something new. People will want a MO remake. And as much as that game needs a rewrite and a redesign. Again. it's time for something new. Oddworld has already gained enough attention to start making new shit now.

I think the next new game will be Munch's Exoddus. We know Munch so it'll be safer for OWI to have a new game with characters we already know. Other then that, I think we could get a game like Stranger's Wraith down the line. Perhaps The Brutal Ballad of Fangus.