Monomyth Developer Q&A

[RatTower]

Hi,
if you have any questions regarding Monomyth or its development you can post them here.

[Vince ✟]

So, just you on this project? Kudos

[RatTower]

Yep, Monomyth is basically a one-man-show.
I might hire a musician at one point though. I'm not entirely sure yet, since I'm still experimenting with music and where it can be used effectively.

[Duracuir]

Which stage of developpement is the game ? Alpha ? Beta ?

[RatTower]

Pre-alpha would currently describe it best.
A lot of the core functionality is there, but it is still quite a bit of work.

[pboiko]

The game is looking very cool. I would love to contribute some songs if you decide to add some music in the future. If you are interested, you can hear some samples of my work linked below. I could also help out with some sound design.

https://soundcloud.com/peter-boiko/sets/fantasy-rpg

[Mr. Splib]

How "dark" will this game be? Ultima Underworld was pretty dark at times. Player held light source was pretty important.
Arx seemed to have quite a bit more pre-lit areas.
How is this game being designed?
How soon till gameplay video is posted?

Good luck on your work!

[RatTower]

Lighting plays an important role in Monomyth. Some areas are fairly well lit (castles, barracks etc) while others are pitch-black (underground ruins, abandoned mines and similar). Players will be able to carry light sources and cast light spells.

I hope I can show a bit of gameplay soon, though I can't exactly say when it will be ready.

[soulburner[pl]]

1. Are you using a custom engine or Unity, Unreal, ...?
2. Any plans for native Linux support?

[john]

This looks really promising. It kind of reminds me a bit of dark messiah of might and magic in a good way. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2100/Dark_Messiah_of_Might__Magic/

This seems like a huge undertaking for 1 person are you planning on releasing an early access version to help fund hiring some help?

[jplunke1]

Have to say I am amazed by what you have accomplished already, and the wold definitely needs a spiritual successor to Arx Fatalis. Could you expand a little on the skill systems and itemization? Definitely think you should do a Kicstarter campaign

[RatTower]

Originally posted by soulburnerpl:

1. Are you using a custom engine or Unity, Unreal, ...?
2. Any plans for native Linux support?

Monomyth is using Unreal Engine 4. While a Linux version currently isn't a priority, UE4 offers the possibility to deploy on different platforms out of the box. At least that's the theory.
So technically, I can definitely imagine providing a native Linux version eventually (post release). In the end it depends strongly on the actual workload for porting and how well a Linux version can be maintained next to the windows version.

Originally posted by jplunke1:

Have to say I am amazed by what you have accomplished already, and the wold definitely needs a spiritual successor to Arx Fatalis. Could you expand a little on the skill systems and itemization? Definitely think you should do a Kicstarter campaign

Thank you! I'm currently looking into different financing models. Luckily it's not an urgent matter, since the development of Monomyth is a one-man-show and I'm only using tools that are either free (Blender, Gimp, etc) or without subscription costs (Substance, UE, etc).

In other words: Monomyth can be developed without producing debt (besides my personal living expenses ofc, but those are currently paid by my dayjob).

Concerning itemization: There are a couple of different item types. You got regular equipment (armor + trinkets), Main/OffHand items (weapons, shields, lamp), ammunition (arrows) as well as consumables/tools (potions, food, etc - but also lockpicks, fillable flasks and various puzzle items). There is an item combination mode, which basically works like in Arx Fatalis (combining a pickaxe with a vein of ore mines the ore, putting together water and flour produces dough and an empty bottle, etc)

Concerning skills: Currently all character based actions are handled as attribute checks. So there is no lockpicking skill, but an old-fashioned dexterity check when you try to use lockpicks on a door. This is still experimental.

Originally posted by john:

This looks really promising. It kind of reminds me a bit of dark messiah of might and magic in a good way. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2100/Dark_Messiah_of_Might__Magic/

This seems like a huge undertaking for 1 person are you planning on releasing an early access version to help fund hiring some help?

Thanks. In the process of developing Monomyth I actually took a very close look at DMOMM. So even though there is no kicking or conveniently placed spikes in this game, you might still recognize some inspiration ;)

Currently there are no plans on hiring people. However that has more to do with the legal situation around here. At least with regards to actual employment within the project. Concerning freelance work I'm still evaluating what is needed. I will very likely hire someone for music, though I still have to pin down the extent of that work.

[biggus dickus]

Is there any way to support the project financially? patreon/kickstarter/early access, etc.?

About the music:
the music for the trailer was good, that guy seems to be a good choice
if you want; i can try asking around if anyone would be interested in contributing either only in music, or anything else (programming, textures/meshes animations, VA, writing, sound, etc.) i'm sure there are plenty of people who would love to help in any way they can ^^

Here's a list of some excellent musicians i reccomend with example songs:
Tilman Sillescu (Spellforce 1/2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_bolPlG_YM
Andreas Waldetoft (Crusader Kings 2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1BiahgB6t8
Krzysztof Wierzynkiewicz (The Witcher 2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVI-DRMZW_8
Marcin Przybyłowicz (The Witcher 1, 3:WH) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-jnOgVNGDE
Kai Rosenkranz (Gothic 1-3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF0h1tXbecI
Jeremy Soule (Morrowind, Oblivion, Skyrim) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrSnBKAGI1A
Fredrik Jonasson (Skyblivion, Skywind) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3frlvIPfDM8
Tim Ebling (Drakan) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktvPQNlEM2U
Paul Anthony Romero (HOMM4) https://youtu.be/7jSCbUKBqsI
Jeff Van Dyck (Medieval 2 Total War) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2tv1m3ZOVo
Cris Velasco (Dark Messiah) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7d_AJrPZqhk
Michiel van den Bos (Overlord 1,2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG10nSkxQ2g
Matt Uelmen (Diablo 2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIEL3Z049cY

[BigTinz]

Glad to hear you're using UE4 - a proper engine.

Q: Has the release of Underworld: Ascendant, and the poor reviews it has received affected development of Monomyth?

[RatTower]

Originally posted by Hunter:

Glad to hear you're using UE4 - a proper engine.

Q: Has the release of Underworld: Ascendant, and the poor reviews it has received affected development of Monomyth?

No. Actually I was rather surprised how big the fan community around Ultima Underworld still is.

Originally posted by Kaptein KabelSatan:

Is there any way to support the project financially? patreon/kickstarter/early access, etc.?

Not at the moment. I might work something out via patreon at some point, but currently it isn't a priority.

[Mister Macaroni]

Are the assets yours or were they purchased?