RIP Piranha Bytes

[KalaGene]

It seems like that Piranha Bytes is about to be closed.
its not looking good.

https://twistedvoxel.com/elex-3-canceled-developer-piranha-bytes-closed-down/

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

Początkowo opublikowane przez chakkman:

I think the departure of Mike Hoge was a pretty big blow for them.

Doubtful. A single guy leaving isn't much of a problem. They have lost other developers unexpectedly due to sudden death e.g.

What's more of a problem is that one cannot clone Gothic 1 and/or Gothic 2 forever. After the innovative true seamless open world in Gothic 3, Risen 1 was a joke with its tiny island and snail like movement. It couldn't bring back gameplay atmosphere of the first two Gothic games and failed to implement a large world as in Gothic 3. As such, Risen 3 offers the most for players. And only ELEX succeeded in merging essential concepts from the old games into a true seamless open world as large as Gothic 3.

Początkowo opublikowane przez chakkman:

Also, what many often neglect, Kai Rosenkranz. He did some great soundtracks, which helped a lot with the atmosphere of the games.

Fanboyism. Not all his soundtracks are great. And ARPG players don't rush to making a purchase because of a game's soundtrack. Furthermore, he has not left the company as to work as a composer or sfx artist elsewhere but to run & fail with an own company. Which is why he has returned to composing - and working on the Gothic Remake soundtrack, which will recycle his old compositions.

Początkowo opublikowane przez chakkman:

Especially the soundtrack of ELEX was absolutely weak.

I disagree. Ray's Theme (at 31:15 onwards) and several others match the setting perfectly. Some semi-classical orchestral pieces would not have work as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnvnZVBEVuM&t=1875s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vppIgxhJwmw

The game also features a high variety of the tracks for different situations, such as which area you're in.

What else? I highly recommend a playback of ELEX with music volume set to 0%, because there are lots of ambient sounds and sfx that add to the atmosphere a lot.

[chakkman]

Początkowo opublikowane przez D'amarr from Darshiva:

Początkowo opublikowane przez chakkman:

Especially the soundtrack of ELEX was absolutely weak.

I disagree.

Then you simply have no idea what you're talking about. Sorry.

I'd also appreciate if you wouldn't accuse people of "fanboyism" when they don't meet your opinion. Otherwise you make a complete fool of yourself (which you just did).

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

Początkowo opublikowane przez chakkman:

Then you simply have no idea what you're talking about. Sorry.

Is that so? If you may call a soundtrack "absolutely weak", I'm free to disagree.

Here's an example of a weak soundtrack from Kai Rosenkranz:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiWrN5EjDYI

ELEX's post-apocalyptic sci-fi setting asks for a different sound theme than all three Gothic games. As a matter of fact, I do like some of the Gothic 3 tracks, but the OST quality of either of the three Gothic games doesn't decide much about whether each of the games has been a success.

Początkowo opublikowane przez chakkman:

I'd also appreciate if you wouldn't accuse people of "fanboyism" when they don't meet your opinion. Otherwise you make a complete fool of yourself (which you just did).

Throwing in the name of a single developer and music composer, who you appreciate so much, is a sign of either fanboyism or a personality cult.

[doru]

people, ffs, I like my music when the combat system is enjoyable and fun. But all these games (except on some degree Risen3) have the most atrocious combat system I've seen that is hard coded to make go crazy.

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

Początkowo opublikowane przez doru:

except on some degree Risen3

Seriously? Risen 3 double-tap rolling is fubared. You can literally roll on the same spot and avoid being hit. Such as staying close to a wall, then rolling into the wall.

Else, Demon Hunter melee combat in Risen 3 can be fun, but melee combat in ELEX is much better nevertheless.

[doru]

I mean they are all bad. just saying that I've had a bit more luck with Risen 2 and 3. Not enjoyable but enough to let me discover the world.

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

Początkowo opublikowane przez doru:

I mean they are all bad.

That's not enough input for discussion.

I could describe how to have fun in ELEX with either a full melee "build" or also a jack of all trades former Alb commander Jax. Afterall, particularly the melee combat rules are based on a straight-forward easy to learn system. It isn't rocket science and doesn't take much practice to understand the stamina restrictions, the normal/power/special attack rules and the enemies' beavior patterns.

And since Gothic 3, ELEX features a true seamless open world again, so exploration is a major feature since you can choose to go anywhere at level 1 already.

[doru]

bro, please see the light of reason, the combat system is bad and killed these games and even got them bankrupt.

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

Początkowo opublikowane przez doru:

bro, please see the light of reason, the combat system is bad and killed these games and even got them bankrupt.

If the combat system were bad, ELEX would not be rated at 72% mostly positive. ELEX II is at 75% even - yet the DX12 patch mess could have been avoided. Berserkers' Fire Rain is amazing, almost as good as in Gothic 3. The Morkons' as a self-supporting faction, who can fuel their special abilities with self-afflicted wounds while regenerating health. Another good option for gameplay entertainment value.

Trouble within the THQ family of companies (possibly also because of trouble with Embracer Group) have been a nail into the coffin for small Piranha Bytes struggling to complete a massive project like ELEX II with not enough contributions from THQ as publisher.

[Dios]

Genuine amusing how everyone else gets banned while the guy with the most illiteral takes stays here spreading his nonsense based on made up presumptions.

[Dios]

Elex II was actually big step up technically. I don't care about jank, not playing AAA Bethesda game (kek) for 80 USD.

[UNITED STATES OF SMASH]

PB was dead for much longer just in vegetation state

[chakkman]

Początkowo opublikowane przez doru:

people, ffs, I like my music when the combat system is enjoyable and fun. But all these games (except on some degree Risen3) have the most atrocious combat system I've seen that is hard coded to make go crazy.

Actually, the combat system of Risen 1 and the first two Gothics are pretty decent. The one in Risen 3 is absolutely horrible though. ELEX isn't much better.

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

While I'm not fond of the double-tap rolling implementation in Risen 3, the Demon Hunters offer some nice abilities that blend melee combat and magic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs5Myy73hVc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap3FBNd6d90
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANcNKy-uuTE

[regina_ragna]

Nice ones