Story Q+A

[Josh F]

Im just wondering if your star maps will accuratly portray the star trek universe in most of its entirety.

We'll be incorporating as much of the canon Trek galaxy as possible into our "game map" (though Excalibur will differ from pretty much every other simulation-type game set in space, due to the way we generate our environments).  I'm sure that anyone from our Tech team can explain that side of it in much greater detail than I.  One thing I can say on that topic is that this game will be far more friendly to player-created content than most releases.  Subsequently, remote parts of the galaxy that we simply don't have the time or resources to flesh out can exist...if the community wants them to.

That said, I'll address the question from a story standpoint, since this is the Story Q+A thread.  Our story is neither fully sandbox, nor fully linear.  In other words, we'll be featuring major locations familiar to any Trek fan...as well as a host of other destinations that you may have heard of in passing, but never really saw in the television shows or films.  In so doing, we'll be striving to flesh out more of the prime Trek universe than ever before, within reason.  Some locations will of course exist and be accessible, but will not necessarily serve as "primary" or critical settings within our single player game experience. 

On the other end of the spectrum (and as much fun as nostalgia can be, we're more excited about this), we'll be taking you places you've never been before.  Excalibur is about more than just regurgitating canon.  We'll be innovating as much as we can to bring a fresh yet familiar experience to the table.  A balance of new ideas and attention to detail, as well as respect for the established universe and all its facets, will make this game a truly unique addition to the tapestry of interactive Star Trek storytelling.

I hope that answers your question, at least in part.   


~Josh F.

[Epsion]

Thank you very much for the fast and informative response!

It sounds like you have everything i ever wanted in the known star trek galaxy... If at all possible i would like to find out how to mod your universe and add as much as possible. I can expect it to be alot more difficult than galaxyforge3 but im always willing to learn and add as much content as possible to enhance the single player even more. Will there be any guides on how to modify the maps? Or maybe a program that is released that makes it alot easier. Just like what was said on the youtube video regarding the deferred lighting adding widgets to make it easier.

I also have another good story related question.

Will the story be voice cast or will it be portrayed by a text based system like star trek online?

IMO most games that are text based i usually just skip right on by due to me being slightly dyslexic. But if theres voice acting ill always sit there and listen to what is said.

I promice i won't bug you guys anymore! i know the more time you guys are answering my question could have been spent making this game even more awesome!

[Josh F]

I'm not the one to talk to regarding the moddable content of the game (I'm sure one of the tech team members can weigh in on that), but I can tell you that we are aiming for a fully-voiced single player game with some text-based content.  More details on that once we're further into the development process.


~Josh F.

[Joseph Davis]

I'm not the one to talk to regarding the moddable content of the game (I'm sure one of the tech team members can weigh in on that), but I can tell you that we are aiming for a fully-voiced single player game with some text-based content.  More details on that once we're further into the development process.


~Josh F.

sounds brilliant, can we volunteer our voices?

[Mark]

At the moment we're saving voice casting for people who have contributed to the project in some way, it's our way of giving a nod to the people who have helped us out. When things get a bit more final we will put a few specific roles that we are left with on offer.

[webxro]

ok , one small request , any spoilers concerning the story to be put in a spoiler tag like the following exemple with a spoiler warning

Code: [Select]

[color=white]Spoiler [/color]
Spoiler below , select to see
 Spoiler Test , i hope you don't see this . Dumbledore dies . 

[MajorD]

At the moment we're saving voice casting for people who have contributed to the project in some way, it's our way of giving a nod to the people who have helped us out. When things get a bit more final we will put a few specific roles that we are left with on offer.

But, that means all the voices will be British. That's just not right, the Federation is Space America with a smattering of stereotypical foreign accents!

[Luiz]

But, that means all the voices will be British. That's just not right, the Federation is Space America with a smattering of stereotypical foreign accents!

Actually, i'm brazillian, Exe is german, Jules is Serbian,  Michael is american and so on...

[John]

Also there are plenty of talented actors out there who can perform various convincing voices

[MajorD]

Actually, i'm brazillian, Exe is german, Jules is Serbian,  Michael is american and so on...

Do stereotypical Brazilian and Serbian accents exist in the US? If not, then I don't think they can exist in Space America.   If Michael can sound like a Texan, then maybe.

Also there are plenty of talented actors out there who can perform various convincing voices

If they can pull off a good impassioned Kirk impression, then I'm happy.

[Josh F]

We are aiming at a fully-voiced single-player game.  Obviously, that means involving VO actors and actresses when we reach that point in the production process.  In development tradition, some members of the team will be lending their voices in supporting roles, and other areas where possible/needed.  If everything goes according to plan, we will be hiring trained actors to breathe life into our main cast of characters.  And no, they won't all have "stereotypical" accents (British, Brazilian, American, or otherwise ).  More on this as we near the voice casting stage.


~Josh F.

[MajorD]

Awwwwwwwwwwww.... space america...

Those Star Trek New Voyages/Phase II episodes were able to get original actors from various movies and series.  If you get pretty much everything done before hand to show the quality of the work, then maybe you can get a few of them, if you actually want them.

http://192.20.225.36/tts/speech/5022daeb3fb4357b5817116ebf6e1dbd.wav

[webxro]

And there is a voice imitation software that could be used to say anything or that's what i heard .

[Mark]

ok , one small request , any spoilers concerning the story to be put in a spoiler tag like the following exemple with a spoiler warning

There shouldn't be any spoilers, we want people to experience the story for themselves.

some members of the team will be lending their voices in supporting roles, and other areas where possible/needed

Not just team members, we have a few people around the world who have helped us out with references and resources who will be invited to voice parts too.