Wow! How deep the rabbit hole does go...
Some really great insight into URU going on here! I wish I could participate a little more in your direct discussion but it's clealry for you guys...I'm just going to learn from all your direct experiences & I definitely appreciate everything shared here.

So I'll just jump back to craig's response...

Craig you mentioned:

"I suspect, that like me, some of what you actually were dissapointed in was a lack of artistic care and flaws in some of the decisions, not just 2d vs 3d. If the emotion, the humanity gets expressed, the story drives/responds to your actions, then I think ultimately even if one prefers the 2d gameplay one can forgive the style and enjoy the story."

You suspect correctly. But sincerely...when it comes to MYST... I truly feel that 2-D vs. 3-D is currently a deciding factor in and of itself. With other games I don't hold this impact to be as strong an issue for many reasons I've mentioned already.

I enjoyed your Princess Mononoke comparison and you make a very clear point here....which will allow me perhaps to clarify my own view. I am also a Princess Mononoke fan...or maybe I should say... a Hayao Miyazaki fan.

When you said:

"Realism isn't necessary for immersion and satifaction for me. I loved Princess Mononoke even though american actors were dubbing over characters animated for japanese and the animation was never confused for reality. But the animation of the characters and the scenery were infused with artistry and emotion and an essentially great story came to life."

If you feel so...then cool...no worries! I respect your view and experience. Just as long as it "works" then great. I'd say everything you mentioned are undoubtedly essential elements of bringing a story to life. I would also say though from my experience of the film...that the art itself was steeped in "realism" and the way the movie/story flowed (even if it was "childish" on a number of levels)...allowed for the immersion. I would define the "realism" experienced in Princess Mononoke (for me) through the incredible use of NATURE in this film.... as then fantasy, characters, music and story take its "vital" place within... to also provide the immersion or "bringing the story to life." Said another way... for me...the natural art was "realistic" - (also the attention to detailed "realism" - details like a splash and reflection in the water let's say) and so became the "artistic fantasy" within it.... if that makes any sense!

Anyhow...the different dubbed voices didn't effect me either...nor has it for other Japanese Anime...because after all IT IS ANIME. But as a side note (or opinion) when it comes to a film like "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" let's say...I prefer watching it in Mandarin (it's original language) with english sub-titles. This is how I first saw Crouching Tiger. So then... when I attempted to watch it again on DVD with the English dubbing...FORGET IT! The dubbing instantly began to ruin what an incredibly immersive film it is. This is how my mind works I guess! But we need to ALWAYS keep the "genre" in mind when utilizing examples for comparison.

I COMPLETELY laughed out loud...REALLY loud upon hearing:

"Contrast that with the Yeesha avatar in Uru who carried all of the emotion of a slam dunk in an ea sports game."

Thanks for the laugh...

You bring up a truly powerful element to gaming and all types of film when you mention emotion. It's really worth discussing "emotion" in full...but I need to get going for the time being. Perhaps later...

Thanks for the response craig!

Someone just sent me a link to an article on EA...the only reason I'm placing the link here is because you mentioned EA and towards the bottom of the article (3rd paragraph to the end) a very good statement is made/asked in regards to emotion and video games:

"Can a videogame make you cry?" he asks. "If we can get there, we'll broaden the market dramatically."

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.08/ea.html

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quote:

"Can a videogame make you cry?" he asks. "If we can get there, we'll broaden the market dramatically."

Well, the cancellation of Uru Live genuinely did bring many fans to tears.

The pros/cons of Uru have been so exhaustively discussed that I won't add to the clamor. What I will say is that someday I hope we can get a glimpse from Cyan of what Uru would have been like had Live actually taken off. Remember, the Riven that we all love was created by these same minds, and I'm sure that the overall scheme for Uru was nothing short of staggering. Judging Uru by what we eventually saw is a mistake. I'll never get to sit down over coffee with Rand Miller and have a one-on-one, off-the-record chat about what they originally envisioned for Uru. But at least it would be nice if, now that Uru Live is officially dead, someone at Cyan would produce a tell-all book or video making plain their entire master vision for Uru. I got the idea that Uru was compromised and eventually canned mainly due to schedule and cost overruns. I'd just like to know what it would have been like if everything had worked. Having a good idea of the overall vision, and understanding why it didn't happen, would probably silence much of the criticism.

for my dissenting opinion, i love 3D, but as long as the storyline is deep and well-exectuted, i could care less how they present it to me.

V***V

I loved every minute of it-lag and all If there had been no lag, it would have been over in 10 minutes anyway. Lets hope that it will all come back someday-real live MMOG with audio and CAM. I'd even stop some of my nastier habits to pay for it.

Hey Mowog!

I think a sit down with Rand would definitely be cool where and whenever! Personally...I'm not sure how much I would discuss URU but to each their own...

I certainly wouldn't mind a tell-all video...but you know something...just from the feedback coming through some of the latest threads in this forum (in regards to URU)...I'm not sure those insights would even make it in the "tell-all" video!

On a somewhat similar note...I purchased the LE of MYST V yesterday for a few reasons... one being that they are offering a:

"22-minute video, made by GameTap,(which) offers a retrospective look at the making of the entire franchise."

Nevermind the intriguing artwork and soundtrack!

For now...that'll have to do....and I definitely look forward to it!

TO Vesselle:

Well I wouldn't call your opinion "dissenting" here! But I guess that could also be an opinion as well!

Well I know there is a lot of "Buzz" going on right now with MYST V just around the corner... but I wanted to follow up on the topic of "emotion(s)" experienced in video games briefly mentioned a few threads ago.

From my experience thus far...when it comes to a type of "simulated" emotional experience...movies tend to have more of an overall impact on me than video games...however a video game's ability to be dramatic and convey its drama/story also can prove to be effective. With this said...I'll try and apply emotion to the MYST series...or at very least try by using a few examples from one of the games. The best way is probably looking at it TWO ways. 1) From the player's experience 2) From actual emotional "elements" taking place within the game...

1st thing to do I think would be to categorize emotions...and then depending on who or if anyone participates... can apply their own experiences and insights when it comes MYST.

The "standard" or typcially categorized emotions are LOVE, JOY, ANGER, SADNESS & FEAR.

After finishing a game... or during game-play for that matter... have you ever said something like "I absolutely LOVE this game!" I know I have several times...particularly with RIVEN.

There is no doubt that I love RIVEN for reasons I could go on and on about. But can we see the emotion of love within the game? I would say yes... The love between Atrus and Catherine namely. Maybe the love or "caring" of Catherine by the "D'ni" or vice versa. Arguably, I also think we can clearly see Atrus still attempting to "love" or "care for" his father towards the end of the game (if you decide to summon him before rescuing Catherine & ensnaring Gehn)...upon which Atrus is rejected with a statement - something to the effect of "...you are no longer my son" and is then shot. I think this is probably one of the "saddest" moments inside RIVEN. This example can also show Gehn's "anger."

Another "sad" moment could maybe be seen if you capture Gehn but do not free Catherine? For me, as a player, the true sadness is now steeped in "nostalgia" for RIVEN and of course at the time having such a wonderful game come to an end. Even now with the entire MYST series coming to an end...I don't think it's a "joyful" experience. No matter how much or little we "enjoy" MYST V.

As far as "fear" goes....well I think because RIVEN had such an eeriness to it... whether it be seeing people get shot, experiencing "other-worldly" creatures/art/worlds & secret passageways...as well as you yourself getting shot...waking up in stranges places...and ALWAYS surrounded by seemingly "repressed" & most definitely haunting music....I would say the emotion of fear is played upon quite well in this regard.

As far as "joy" within RIVEN goes....on the whole I wouldn't say it has a lot of "cheer" and "joy" found within it. Sure at the end...Atrus, Catherine and the D'ni are saved...but I'm just not sure how much "joy" was actually IN the game? Now outside of the game (from the player's perspective)...there is NO doubt that I have NEVER "enjoyed" playing ANY other game as much...

So...I figured I'd just share some of those experiences and see if anyone else has anything to offer on this subject. It's a good one and seems to bleed into itself in many ways just as emotions truly can do!

Thanks for listening...

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I like what was done in both Riven and Myst 3. But since you hit many points in Riven, i will talk about Myst3:Excile.

Not many liked Excile, some felt it moved away from the past games when it came to the puzzles and the meaning of the game. But from what was all there i saw alot of emotion, mystery and drama to make me keep going back many times.

Excile had other features that made it more fun to explore also, as in the 360 degree view and lots of great sceenery. But what moved the game for me was looking at a game threw the eyes of a mad man. A man that had his world torn from him (his family, his home). In his madness he wanted revenge for what Atrus's sons did, and wanted to hurt Atrus for what the 2 sons did, and for Atrus to feel the pain of great loss.

Excile for me was more emotional for me than Riven, and even better than Myst 4.

Great emotion in games is good and tells a good story, but is hard to make sometimes. Lets just hope Cyan found the emotional tie-ins we have grown to love from the past Myst games for Myst 5.

Hey Naquiel...

Sorry it has taken me a couple days to respond...I've been away from Internet access.

I enjoyed your "emotional" evalutation of EXILE and I agree with everything you shared.

I also felt EXILE to have strong not only emotional & dramatic elements to it but the "mystery" you mention was definitely there as well. I still "enjoy" or "love" going back to EXILE!

You touched on the perfect "emotional" aspects of Saveedro...there is certainly anger/rage seen in his revenge (also when he's ready to knock your head off with his stone hammer at the end of the game!). There is definitely despair/pain seen in his screaming at the top of his lungs...pleeing with you to not leave him stranded at the end (to name one). It's also interesting to note in a diffferent way that if you don't perfectly trap him and force him to face "EXILE" for the rest of his life (for all he knows") he doesn't hesitate to come running up after you (AT FULL SPEED!) with that hammer either! His madness can be seen here for sure but also through the extremely well developed concept of forcing Atrus/you to re-learn or learn in a new way the fundamental principles of the ages you are dealing with....& that should also be mastered. You mentioned this well when you stated looking at the game through the eyes of a madman.

In many ways this is what RIVEN is all about....seeing the game or the AGE through the eyes of a madman. The entire AGE of RIVEN as well as Gehn's "personal office-space" if you will...is Gehn's! Everywhere you turn...you're basically forced into the mind of Gehn and his desire for being a "God." Also I think it's an intriguing aspect that whatever age he writes... that the age will never survive. His inability to write "correct" ages is the cause...but that inability is certainly rooted in his madness!

ANyhow, I would have to say that Saveedro's story/experience is certainly a tragic one...yet can also be seen at the very least as happier in the end. I enjoyed being given the ability to leave him trapped. This was great because it touched on my own want for revenge. That is...after being clunked on the head by him a couple times...and/or having him back-stab you upon giving him the book of Releeshan...whereby he drops it into an abyss never to be found and takes off...I definitely felt like he deserved being stranded there! Ultimately though...once you come around and fully understand that he is a victim of Atrus' sons and definitely after he screams his brains out...compassion should be the ultimate choice and Saveedro actually shows gratitude.

I'll save MYST IV for another discussion...but for now I'll just say that I agree that I don't think emotionally (as hard as it may have tried) that it impacted me as much as EXILE or RIVEN did from the way the story was experienced. It impacted me emotionally in other ways. But I'll leave that out for now...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: neo...1,

I know this actually doesn't have anything to do with the topic at hand but I had to add an interesting link. Not sure if anyone else read or heard about this article about the 28 year old Korean man who died after playing 50 hours of video games ...there may need to be a more serious disclaimer on games now! EVERYONE BE CAREFUL with MYST V! Stay nourished and get sleep...if that doesn't help... get psychological treatment...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6448213/did/8888579/

I've loved all the Myst series of games, and pre-ordered them when I could. And yes I have favourite moments in all of them (I don't have a single favourite game in the series though). I was in the Beta of Uru, so perhaps I got a better feel for how it should have been, but it was the life that everyone brought to it that complimented the 3D aspects - it made the single-player version/expansions so much more heart-wrenching in their solitude. That being said, I enjoyed the sense of 'alone amidst beauty and story' that accompanied the other games.. double standards? maybe.

That said, and having read through the whole thread in one sitting, I feel I ought to put my hap'orth in. I feel it's a bit like people going on holiday to certain places in the world. Some go there with pre-conceptions (the beggars, the dirty roads, the... etc), and often, because they arrive with such a mind-set, they can never escape it. Everything they see is coloured by their pre-conceptions. Others (and I include myself in this category), go there with an open mind. Yes, there are there are those aspects, but there is also so much more. I enjoy the experience, I see the good as well as the bad... I see the wood as well as the trees so to speak.

Now, I admit, there is one pre-conception I'll be hard pressed not to have. I'll probably enter Myst V with the pre-conception that there will be beautiful views, fun and challenging puzzles, and a wonderful storyline. Sadly I'll have to live with that, but I can't see myself being disappointed.


Elkestra


P.S. following on from a few of the posts 3-4 pages back (turning this thread into book/film/etc)... I'm considering converting the thread into a computer game. Not sure wether to make it pre-rendered, or realtime-3D....

Any opinions?


PPS. Any way to change the forum-post nickname from the default forum account name? (I'd rather have it showing my preferred nick (used everywhere else forum-wise) - Elkestra.

Bravo, Elkestra, well said. I especially like this statement of yours:

"Now, I admit, there is one pre-conception I'll be hard pressed not to have. I'll probably enter Myst V with the pre-conception that there will be beautiful views, fun and challenging puzzles, and a wonderful storyline. Sadly I'll have to live with that, but I can't see myself being disappointed."

Oh, and welcome to the forum.

Hello Aratcliffe99 or should I say Elkestra?

Thank you for spending some serious time and reading over everything from start to finish. I truly appreciate your hap’orth! & I will spend a good time responding to you.

I believe it was Mowog a few threads back who used a story of his trip to Alaska to illustrate a point that could also be tied in with the perspective you offer. Yes...I think there are certainly those who travel with preconceived notions...and yes I would also say that there are those who don’t. This could go either way as a positive or a negative. Meaning...let's say I think my trip to Alaska is going to be AWESOME...but it turns out I hate the experience...then that would be a positive "pre-conceived notion" turned negative. Let's say I don't want to go to Alaska because of my "preconceived notions" but my wife drags me there and I wind up loving it...then this is obviously a negative turned to a positive. I think there are plenty of people who don't have any "preconceived notions" either way and simply wait for the experience to let it speak for itself (-Believe it or not I do try to practice this last perspective). Similarly, I also think that there are different types of people who enjoy and appreciate different experiences more than others. As Mowog also mentioned dining to illustrate this point... my response was that some people simply enjoy eating at different restaurants. That’s really what this all boils down to. Corona also said it well (which still gives me a chuckle)...when he said this forum should be called "opinions."

On the one hand "we" try for the absolute by stating/expressing what it is that everyone appreciates or enjoys...as you mentioned:

"beautiful views, fun and challenging puzzles, and a wonderful storyline"

These no doubt are critical and I certainly don’t feel that expecting these 3 elements is a negative...the only negative would be if one of them were missing! In this regard what you describe as a pre-conception (that could be negative)...I would describe as a positive expectation or even a standard that should be included in the game. Maybe the same? Maybe not?

Is it possible though...to know what a particular experience will be like before you experience it? Well I would say YES IT IS! Certainly not in all cases. But let's say I know ahead of time that I'll be visiting Tiajuana Mexico...that I'll be staying in a trailer & the only food at my disposal will be beans & rice, with the possibility of encountering black widows, tarantulas, rattlesnakes, lizards...with no internet, no tv or movie theatre, no computer or playstation....basically camped out in the middle of no-man's land. I think it is possible to assume or "preconceive" that the trailer is going to smell from my gas (forgive my crudeness- or I better make sure I pack some GAS-X)...that maybe I should bring a few books...and be careful of my surroundings before I even get there. CVS, the local mall or the Holiday Inn are not anywhere near a possibility. Or let's say...I know I'll be travelling with a woman who lives at the nail salon, hair salon and is into driving around in fancy cars, changing her clean & perfectly ironed clothes at least twice daily and surfing the net for the better part of 4 hours a day...while the experience in Tiajuana might be just what this person needs...it might be a VERY good idea to leave this person behind if I don't want to be doing some SERIOUS babysitting or pampering!

Anyhow...there are always exceptions to the rules...but I also think it is possible to put together sound ""notions" before actually experiencing something.

Now to build upon this...there is also a difference between what an actual experience offers...positive/negative. This is where it starts to get a little hairy because what some people would view or experience as a negative is another person’s positive and vice versa obviously.

I think the main point to consider or what I would argue (& have been arguing) in regards to "pre-conception" is that...it is possible to know ahead of time (FOR ME) if a game is rendered in 2-D with Live-Action sequences (real people) vs. 3-D and animated characters WITHIN THE MYST SERIES...how the game will effect me to a considerable degree. It is from direct experiences that I can say beyond the shadow of a doubt (AGAIN from my perspective/preference/opinion) that I know what the experience will be like...regardless of how good the story, beautiful views & challenging puzzles. In MYST V's case...to stay positive...it will be better than URU.

Call this a preconceived notion if you will...but well based with reality or an educated guess. I don't think it's negative to do this either. I think it is realistic. BELIEVE ME I will be the first to admit if I was wrong in my "notion" and how wrong I was...but I very simply know better. So I will continue to throw it out there because of how sure I can be based on not only the little I've seen but have experienced and what is currently possible! CLEALRY not everyone agrees nor do I "expect" them to!

Thanks for the time!

To rw:

Thank you for your appreciation and welcome. I've been around in the Uru and Myst IV forums for a long time, but haven't been particularly active recently (that interfering delusion called 'real-life(tm)' has been getting in the way). Not sure why the system thinks I only newly registered (perhaps since I'm starting from scratch again, I ought to just re-register with the Elkestra login). And yes, reading it again, that statement did come out rather well maybe I'll put it in my sig

To Neo:

Hi. Thank you for your reply. You covered several aspects of pre-conceived notions very well - the Positive->negative and vice versa. However, perhaps because I didn't state it well enough, I was more concerned about the 'Negative begats negative' aspect (as covered in my description of someone not enjoying the holiday because they already expected not to).

To put it into context, in already deciding that the game has 'lost something' because it is realtime-3D rather than pre-rendered, is there not the real risk that - even if the game looks stunning in realtime-3D - the perception will be permanently coloured (discoloured?) by thinking 'but its not pre-rendered'. I admit that in terms of a series like Myst's, it's easier to envision changes that could personally affect judgement/enjoyment, and it seems this is the case here. However it's important, I feel, to try to put these aside. Otherwise the perception could be detrimentally coloured by the pre-conception, which reinforces the pre-conception, and so on - a vicious circle. Of course, this can also work in reverse - positive pre-conception colouring perception. This is why reviewers sometimes have a hard time being objective about a game series/genre they love/hate.

Will I be able to stop myself being influenced by pre-conceptions (positive or negative)? Probably not, but knowing that they are pre-conceptions and keeping an open mind is the first step.


Elkestra

Well, that answers that question. Seems I have two logins for Ubi.com (and the other one hadn't used the forums before, hence the lack of correct nickname, and 'newly registered' status).

I'll stick with this one from now on.


Elkestra

Hi Elkestra! I see the change worked out for you...congrats!

You re-stated your points well...and yes I completely understand/understood where you are coming from with pre-conceived notions. In other words...you did just fine the first time. Again...(to also re-state)...my point plain and simple is that I think you can surmise an experience before hand based on particular "ingredients" if you will...I don't think it is a negative to do so either...(it can be yes...but it's not an absolute) I feel that it is simply being realsitic. There are a number of people out there who know where I'm coming from on this and some may agree and plenty do not.

That said...I think enjoying the game is certainly possible...but to repeat... there are those who are of the opinion/preference of an experience that 2-D with specific implementation of real-people/live action offers over 3-D and animated characters. After reading over all the threads you probably know a point I mention a few times is that this is particularly true for me when it comes to the MYST series because of how dominant 2-D and live-action has been in the series....I believe it has shaped the "rendering" experience of MYST....and that is also why there are opinions to be sure on both sides... as well as either or. Not sure if you saw the poll "MYST V CLASSIC GRAPHICS vs. 3-D? I think even if it is based on a small number of people from this site...it still offers important stats (SO go cast your vote if you haven't already!):
http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5811098262...33/showpollresults/Y

So on the whole as I said before...I'll take what I can get...enjoy it as much as I can....and I also know where it will fall short for me already. Sad but true. In addition to playing MYST V...what I'm really looking forward to is the "making of" video, soundtrack and artwork that's coming along with the LE edition.

Thanks for your time!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: neo...1,

I had the preconceived notion that URU wouldn't work because it was taking a genre that is usually done single-player and put it into an online environment. Far from pioneering anything, it seems to have ensured that adventure games won't see an online model, because if the people who gave us the best selling adventure game of all time can't get an online adventure game going online, who can? Unfortunately, I was right, but that never stopped me from enjoying URU.

I love the URU game, despite its MANY flaws. Since I play many a current day game (Half-Life 2, No One Lives Forever 2, Splinter Cell Chaos Theory, and Doom 3), I find that URU's graphics hold up reasonably well. I didn't find Yeesha's animations to be too terrible when compared to other games I've played, and therefore I never judged it too harshly. I never compared it to the pre-rendered Myst offerings because it wasn't meant to stand alongside those.

I never liked the change in actress for Catherine. I like the original Catherine from Riven, and I thought the actresses chosen for Myst III and IV were a bit to flowery by comparison, especially when considering how strong and resilient she is portrayed in Riven and in the books, but I never had any control over the change.

So, like you said, I take what I can get in regards to the series, but I don't feel like we're scraping the bottom of the barrel in doing so.

I only hope that Cyan can continue to produce games in what seems to be a dead gaming genre (Which is not to say I don't like adventure games. I just appear to be among the few remaining who do.)

I don't know if this discussion is long gone, but I too agree that this end should be just like the beginning and like the heart of this series, to hear that there are no live actors, and that it is real-time 3-D upsets me. realMyst and Uru, are break-offs, the finale should be just like the opening and everything in the middle, the fact that there were real actors in Myst, made me love it more, it made me connected to the characters, and that made Myst unique, and it put me in awe. I am heartbroken it is no longer so.

Hello Jnathus...I like your profile image!

Thank you for sharing your feedback and experience with a "preconceived" notion! That basically speaks for itself.

I think you illustrate a good point in naming the few games you did in comparison to URU...in that light I would agree that Yeesha's animation may not be too terrible. Unfortunately it is hard for me to not compare URU along-side the other MYST games because ultimately...it stems from the original story. Clearly there is a different experience that URU offers vs. that of the pre-rendered group...and it is because of this that there is so much division yet also unity if that makes any sense! I won't expand further because there are so many other threads in this regard on the other pages. But most recently...just above...Leehrat21 summs up my feelings perfectly on the matter.

Anyhow, I'm really glad you brought up the Catherine acting change! I definitely like/liked the original actress for Catherine in RIVEN best. She was great...and I don't want to offend the new Catherine...but...her voice really irritated me...and she also is no where as good-looking!

Lastly, I would honor and agree that we're certainly not scraping the bottom either and hopefully I'm not coming across like that. When I say...falls short...it primarily has to do with a realistic immersion and "connection" that I've mentioned several times before.

I also share the same hope as you for CYAN and this genre...and my hope also lies in those who seek to create a game (or games) as radical as the original MYST and definitely RIVEN was/is...
Maybe CYAN will open their doors to new people with exciting new ideas...if not... I think we can at the very least anticipate people who share this hope...to bring this hope into the field through their motivation/inspiration & ultimately do something FANTASTIC with it! In my "humble" opinion (if you will)...it is going to have to be something totally new and completely original. Right now...too many games (particularly in this genre) attempt to emulate the MYST series. I also mentioned several threads ago...about a return to a "Rivenesque" style. This doesn't mean be EXACTLY like RIVEN per say...but rather be like RIVEN (in sum) by taking into consideration its inherent originality...its incredible patience (or thoughtfulness) in the development process and use of live-action...its story and amazing artwork.

Thanks for your time!

TO Leehrat21:

You came to the right place...that's what this forum is ALL ABOUT! Thanks for sharing! The discussion is not and cannot ever be long gone because there are many of us that share the very same feelings you so perfectly express(ed)...and many who don't! I couldn't agree with you more or express what you said better.

Thank you!

Regarding the "New Catherine,"

I have a theory that kind of covers for the change in actress...I'm just assuming she aged pretty quickly after Riven and by a great amount after Exile, and that she dies shortly after Revelation.

Strange that we are asked to ressurrect D'ni when Releeshan had been Atrus's latest work since Exile. He abandoned D'ni. Yeesha didn't.

What happenned to Releeshan that forced Yeesha to concentrate on D'ni again?

I think what Cyan is concentrating on his time around is heavy replay value.

I think that each choice will hold larger repercussions. I'm talking like...deciding to wait or acting right away. I have a feeling there will be a strong AI in this game.

Cyan wants this game to last a long time.