Update from Runic

[travisbaldree]

Hi everybody! I just wanted to make a quick post to let you know what's up with Runic these days, and what's in the pipe.
Our post count has been a bit low lately as we gear up on lots of other tasks, and as we catch up on things after returning from Winter break.

We took a much needed two weeks off this winter, which allowed us to recharge our batteries a bit - however, since we were on skeleton crew during that time, and since that also coincided with winter sales events, we've been digging out of a lot of correspondence since then. You have my apologies for some of the slowness - we're doing our best to get on top of things.

So, here's what's up right now with Torchlight -

* We are in testing for a new patch for Torchlight, for all vendors. This will include several bugfixes and tweaks, and a few small goodies.
* We are endeavoring to get our Mac port toward completion - we ran into some schedule snags and are currently getting them sorted out, and think we are getting this on the right track to finish up.
* We are beginning translations to various languages for international release

Apart from Torchlight itself we are....

* Moving heavily into preproduction on our next game.
* Getting ready to move our offices ( Sublease is up in just 4 months! )

As far as the next project goes, we should have some interesting announcements about that in the next few months I think.

At any rate, we're still actively supporting Torchlight and trying to finish the rest of its release as far as other platforms and languages go, while still addressing some existing issues with the game, while at the same time moving forward on a brand new project.

Thanks all!

Travis

[jamesL]

Apart from Torchlight itself we are....

* Moving heavily into preproduction on our next game.

extremely interesting that you say
"into preproduction on our next game"
instead of
"into preproduction on the mmo"

but maybe I'm just reading too much into that

[Darker123]

Awesome information Travis! Thanks!

I can't wait to see what's in store!

[blue552]

"next game" is the torchlight mmo right? right!?

Seriously I love this game so much, yet without multiplayer the desire to come back wears off

The 40+ hours I put into this game where extremely fun, the mmo is going to be awesome!

[MattS]

Cant wait for more info on the MMO! Hope you guys had a nice break.

[Wildman]

Good news, hope the long break did you folks some good, can't wait to see the new patch and the info on the work for the MMO

[ombra]

...

As far as the next project goes, we should have some interesting announcements about that in the next few months I think.

...

I hoped to hear something about the new game in the next few weeks, but... Keep your time and make it right, thats more important.

[Shagsbeard]

Please devote a good deal of effort on documenting the upcoming patch. I'm personally getting really sick of notes on a game that are intentionally cryptic. "We nudges some skills a bit" doesn't mean anything... it's worse than saying nothing. Documentation is one thing that programers hate to do, and typically do a piss poor job, but it's the main thing we'll experience when patch day arrives.

[prestige]

Thanks for the update; I'll be keeping my eyes open for any future news. I too find it intriguing that the next game is referred to as a "brand new project" and that there will be "interesting" news about it. I suppose that could mean the Torchlight MMO we all expect... or perhaps there will be something surprising about it. Either way, can't wait.

[tonyunreal]

extremely interesting that you say
"into preproduction on our next game"
instead of
"into preproduction on the mmo"

but maybe I'm just reading too much into that

I believe it's Perfect World that is making the mmo, not them.

[jamesL]

I believe it's Perfect World that is making the mmo, not them.

I think PW is helping pay for it, but runic is coding it


Oct 19
http://www.crispygamer.com/news/index.p ... part-ii/2/

Crispy Gamer: Where are you at with the MMO project?

Travis: Peter and some other folks have been building the network infrastructure for that now. They’ve been actively working on the backend and we’ve been doing some design work. The nice thing is once we tie this off (the development of Torchlight), all the assets we’re using can be used in the MMO. It hasn’t been a detour to make the single-player game as much as it has been a step on the road towards the MMO.

Peter is Peter Hu, a runic employee. Previously at Flagship and Blizzard.
http://hellgate.incgamers.com/w/index.php/Peter_Hu

[Pierricbross]

Yeah the MMO is made by Runic, but naturally the cash shop and some other things will be influenced by Perfect World as they are funding it. Perfect World does alright though with its games, and Torchlight is incredibly awesome. Now that i've got my new gaming laptop, I gotta say Torchlight has become really awesome for me (playing it before on my netbook.......... lol)

[userfriendly]

Can't wait for the MMO!
Why apologies for the slowness of responses - we do understand You guys need a break.

[Arkham]

* Getting ready to move our offices ( Sublease is up in just 4 months! )

Really? Are you guys still going to be in Seattle?
I certainly hope so, I'd hate to see you guys leave.

[Gincio]

You guys arnt moving to the bay area are you? Have a position for a forum moderator open? MMO time you will defiantly need one.

[seedo]

Great news Travis! I can't wait for my new system to arrive. I can get back into TL full force!

[PR083]

I just recently caught onto this game from a Facebook ad and am having a blast! Looking forward to the future of Torchlight.

[Volbard]

We'll probably be moving about a block.

¦^)

[Califor]

I just recently caught onto this game from a Facebook ad and am having a blast! Looking forward to the future of Torchlight.

Oddly enough I had not heard of this game until recently also. I was doing some random game searching to see if there was anything that would be a good time killer for me, and presto! Torchlight does the trick nicely. I will surely keep an eye out for anything more from these guys.

[Glaice]

Thanks for the update, we were all wondering what was going up as of late. I also hope you keep your eyes and support on Torchlight even when you are working on the Torchlight MMO..the worst thing to do is to ignore and abandon your previous project (I've seen this with the budget game Land of the Dead: The Road to Fiddler's Green a couple of years ago and boy, I sure was annoyed to see the developers stop caring after a couple of patches and less than 6 months later) as that is a good way to get public wrath.