109 réponses à ce sujet

[Bondari the Reloader]

It appears to have been confirmed at the Edmonton Expo that we will be able to choose from a number of non-playable backgrounds during character creation. These backgrounds are allegedly going to have an impact on our characters' interactions throughout the game.

I'm curious to know what exactly people feel is a significant impact. We know they won't be playable like Origins, which makes me sad but that's out of our hands now. Will simply being addressed differently in dialog suffice (as in being called soldier or my lord/lady)? Should it have an impact on the main quest, or should it only influence side quests (or both!)? Would you rather see one big isolated chunk of the game devoted to it, or would you rather have it spread out in little snippets throughout the whole game? Should certain aspects of the game be closed off/opened up based on background, or is this too limiting? How many different backgrounds would you like to see?

These were just some questions I thought of when I heard the news. I'm not trying to get everyone on the same page; I'm actually much more interested in how many different pages there are. I have absolutely no idea if Bioware has already answered any or all of these questions for themselves, but this entire forum seems to be about speculation, so let's speculate away!

Note: I've seen a lot of comparisons to Mass Effect and other games thrown around here. Since not all of us have played the same games (excepting DA:O and/or DA:II, I think...), if you reference other games, could you please give a brief description of the features in question? I know I've previously referenced the class strongholds in Baldur's Gate II without explaining them, and I don't want to unnecessarily confuse people.

[ImperatorMortis]

Interesting side quests. People bringing it up at an acceptable amount(not too much, not to little.).

And.. I guess that's it?

[Iron_JG]

I'd like backgrounds to have a sustained influence in the game, even if not a large one. Early in the game, I'd also like it to open up new quest options (whether in main or side quests.) At the same time, the further you get into the game, the more actual playtime becomes your "background." If characters aren't primarily judging the PC by in-game choices, it means we're not playing the most important (to date) part of the PC's life. That would take the air out of the story.

Until I know more about the PC and the story, I can't be more specific with what backgrounds I'd like. An idea I would like to suggest, however, is having some gameplay mechanics influenced by your background -- kinda like NWN and other games have done. This could be a bonus to social or thieving or combat skills or more or less starting gold, whatever.
Past that, I'd also suggest that party members initial friendship/rivalry score (or analogue) be adjusted depending on your background. Putting some numbers behind backgrounds can provide carrots/sticks to encourage different backgrounds. Again, in-game choices should greatly outweigh these quantifiable parts of backgrounds, but it would spice up the early game.

Modifié par Iron_JG, 24 octobre 2012 - 08:21 .

[Dhiro]

I hope we get to do an interpretative dancing showdown depending of our background.

I think they're neat.

[saintjimmy43]

Hell, it worked for Mass Effect. They maybe referenced the background events specifically twenty, thirty times across the series, and there were a few sidequests. They also changed how fast you could gain paragon/renegade points; there's not that sort of morality mechanic in DA, but each one of three backgrounds (assuming there are three) might be Angelic, Witty, or Ruthless.

[darrylzero]

Iron_JG wrote...

I'd like backgrounds to have a sustained influence in the game, even if not a large one. Early in the game, I'd also like it to open up new quest options (whether in main or side quests.) At the same time, the further you get into the game, the more actual playtime becomes your "background." If characters aren't primarily judging the PC by in-game choices, it means we're not playing the most important (to date) part of the PC's life. That would take the air out of the story.

Co-sign.  

I'd also like some opportunity at the beginning to role-play my background a bit.  It might be tricky to pull off, since the lack of playable origins by definition means that all backgrounds will have the same starting point, but I think it's important.  If start out as some ne'er do well (and I hope to), I'd like some time to pursue a very selfish, survival-driven agenda before the events of the game convince me to take on greater responsibility.  Just having a sordid background doesn't quite do it for me, but neither does pursuing personal wealth once the full gravity of the situation has presented itself and it's clear how many lives are at stake.  Ideally, I'd like to be running around, up to no good, until the game convinces me I should be doing otherwise.  

But it absolutely depends on what the backgrounds are.  If none of them really floats my boat, obviously I'd rather be able to ignore them.  Until we know more, it's hard to say for sure.  I'm hopeful though.

[Allan Schumacher]

I'd also like some opportunity at the beginning to role-play my background a bit.

Why just the beginning?

[Gandalf-the-Fabulous]

Personally I feel that the PC in a CRPG should be defined by the actions and decisions he/she makes throughout the game rather than be defined by a backstory the player never experiences, leave the backstory as vague as possible keeping only what is relevant to the plot at hand.

I really dont get why people get so caught up with the backstory of their character when the most important part has yet to be told.

[Palipride47]

I would like my class, background (and my specialization! - we have those too!) to impact how NPCs view me:

I liked how they approached it in Awakening, where being an Orlesian made Fereldans respond to you with more hostility in-game (and colored their opinions of your decision to save Amaranthine vs. Vigil's Keep). You did not get to play your Orlesian Warden's background story, but people responded to you anyway, as an Orlesian, a mage, etc....

I would like your companions to respond to your background and/ or specialization:

I liked when Wynne told the Templars you were using blood magic. I liked how Anders in Awakening mentioned you were a Circle mage (with a "I remember you!" line, prob shouldn't have for an Orlesian, but whatever)

I would like some plot divergence:

A minor quest to open up/ close/ change based on your background. No DA3 style "mage underground" will ask a notoriously brutal Templar for assistance, and are more apt to attack you on sight.


I DO NOT WANT:

Your player to change, meaning I don't want a more "angry" PC for a "crappier" childhood. I still want to choose how I respond to my own background, and how I "use my background" to complete my goals. 

Goody Bag (little baubles that are unlikely, but would be fun):

1. Pick of nationality - i.e. Orlesian vs. Rivaini 

(I think the Orlesian Warden background from DAA could be a template for how it is implemented, but the game won't be out for another year and some change, so we'll see)

Modifié par Palipride47, 23 octobre 2012 - 07:11 .

[Sir JK]

I'm a big fan of backgrounds marrying into the main/side narrative. While there is such a thing as "too much", I generally think the more the better (yeah I know... bit vague. The line is pretty arbitrary). I want to see my character be a part of the story, have a place in the universe, rather than just have a few jotted lines and is forcefully inserted into the role of the protagonist.
I want to see doors open and close based on how I deal with my past. I want people to reference my background. I want to hear slurs and praises. Expectations and reputation. Let my choice of background hit me, and hit me hard.

[AppealToReason]

Chat options
Related sidequests - if you picked like a merc background then your merc contacts go all "hey wants some moolah?"
Related codexes/run-ins
Goodies but just basic beginner ones

It would be neat to finally also get some class specific happenings. I always found it weird how in ME even with Shep being the best biotic ever he was always derpy with biotics in cut scenes or conversations. Same how in DA2 you rarely could be "hey I'm a mage and I'm dope!" when everyone is all "Bullocks to the mages! Not a neato one exists!"

It'd also be neat if your background wasn't just what you pick at the start but have a little bit of a dynamic story, not too much as that would probably cause a lot of headaches now and going forward, where you won't get an option for A or B and only C because you did X on quest 9 and then have that reflected.

[ElitePinecone]

Allan Schumacher wrote...

I'd also like some opportunity at the beginning to role-play my background a bit.

Why just the beginning?

I suppose because, in general, it'd be nice to see a snippet of the character's worldview and life before they become the Inquisitor. 

Plunging us into the boots (or cloak?) of a significant character in the gameworld with only text (cinematic?) backgrounds for reference strikes me as an odd way to start the game, especially if characters then start reacting to us as our background when we don't really know what that is.

(I probably use this example too often, but the Human Noble origin in DAO handled this well, when the issue of Highever's line of succession or the territorial ambitions of the Howes came up in conversations, it made sense because we'd played through it - I don't know if that same sense of identification with the character can be imparted with text or static cutsenes.)

[Wolfspawn]

I JUST HAD AN EPIPHANY!
What if they did it like Diablo III when it comes to backstory?
Allow me to explain.
You choose a background. The description merely tells you WHO YOU ARE. Not how you came to be an Inquisitor. Then, a cinematic comes in the beginning, and tells your story differently, depending on your background. It tells you how you came to be what you are.

[Darth Krytie]

AppealToReason wrote...

Chat options
Related sidequests - if you picked like a merc background then your merc contacts go all "hey wants some moolah?"
Related codexes/run-ins
Goodies but just basic beginner ones

It would be neat to finally also get some class specific happenings. I always found it weird how in ME even with Shep being the best biotic ever he was always derpy with biotics in cut scenes or conversations. Same how in DA2 you rarely could be "hey I'm a mage and I'm dope!" when everyone is all "Bullocks to the mages! Not a neato one exists!"

It'd also be neat if your background wasn't just what you pick at the start but have a little bit of a dynamic story, not too much as that would probably cause a lot of headaches now and going forward, where you won't get an option for A or B and only C because you did X on quest 9 and then have that reflected.

I agree with this. It's weird to ask about blood magic when you're a mage. I think it'd be cool to have some things offered to you/barred to you depending on your background. Like at the landsmeet. When you could only marry Alistair/Rule the country if you're a human noble.

[ianvillan]

Allan Schumacher wrote...

I'd also like some opportunity at the beginning to role-play my background a bit.

Why just the beginning?

So you dont get the same problems DA2 had where you are told Hawke is running from the blight with his family, but it would of been better if we got to play Hawke in Lothering to see get to know and care about our family, to see what our home was like before it was distroyed.

All we had in DA2 was people we were meant to care about but who were strangers to us, I cared more about Wesleys death in the tutorial then I did my family members.

[Direwolf0294]

NPCs bring your background up in conversations throughout the entire game. Having unqiue options of answering conversations depending on your background. Having unique ways to complete quests depending on your background (for example, you need to get into an enemies keep. If you have a military background you can recruit old army buddies to help you attack the keep. If you have an assassin background you can team up with an old assassin friend to sneak into the keep). Quest chains unique to your background that you come up throughout the whole game rather than just the start or end.

Depending on how many backgrounds there are, possibly a unique companion for each background to accompany you for the whole game. This would only work if there are only going to be about three background choices though. If there's going to be a lot more it'd just be too much work for BioWare to do.

[Reznore57]

I was thinking if we are able to play a human Tal Vashoth (from Rivain for example ) it would be really cool...

Mostly I supposed the background will be about what the pc was doing before the inquisition...
Stuff like ex templar , ex first enchanter , ex grey warden etc could work .

Each background could unlock a specialization , a special quest ( where you could betray or help your ex order /friends/whatever ) , different options during quests ,different interactions with pnj , and how your companions react to you at first.

[AllThatJazz]

 I would definitely enjoy background specific content - about the same amount as, or a bit more than we got in Origins, but spread out throughout the game. A game-spanning arc of quests, that eventually forms a little story of its own would be great fun

Also:

Alternative ways of solving quests, when appropriate - a conflict can be resolved peacefully because the PC can empathise with the antagonist. or hell, the opposite. A conflict that could otherwise be resolved peacefully instead end in violence because the antagonist knows of your background and despises you for it.

Definitely dialogue references sprinkled throughout. And reactions - a 'known apostate' gets a more hostile reaction from most civilians than a former Circle mage; a 'Chantry raised' character gets mocked for their sheltered upbringing, and a 'Refugee' suffers discrimination.

Little touches and non-imbalancing gameplay effects- a noble can persuade another noble to stop mistreating a servant (or encourage them to continue); a thieves guild member, upon discovering a break-in in progress, can let her fellow thief escape for a small share of the loot; an Orlesian commoner is well-known by local folk and finds it much easier to get hold of information, or can talk down an angry mob (or whip them into a frenzy).

Background perks. Nobles start out with a bit more money and slightly nicer armour, Chantry-raised start out with a blessing that gives them a slight boost in combat for the early portion of the game; thieves guild members have better access to fences/sellers of poisons etc in the early stages; or just better rates with merchants generally; army veteran starts off with the best sword; former circle mages start out with decent robes and staff and maybe +1 to willpower; an Apostate gets basic gear but a +2 to magic.

I do also feel that 'no background' or 'stranger' should be an option for those who would like their character to be as much of a blank slate as possible. Obviously, anyone choosing this would not have access to any of the background-related content.

I guess that's what 'significant impact' means to me.

Modifié par AllThatJazz, 23 octobre 2012 - 10:19 .

[UrgentArchengel]

Should be like in Mass Effect, but less "he is yada yada...The guy was here when you", and more past is catching up with you.

[azerSheppard]

If it's anything like mass effect, we get a crappy sidequest, maybe a couple of them, and every now and then someone will say "ohh, that guy from herp derp, you were awesome back then"

What would be legitimately awesome would be ORIGINS. Actually playable origins.... Who cares about a refference or two?

IF you have played ME you will remember the quest with your mom, i guess it was an attempt to have player role play, but all it did was bore me, there was no emotional connection. As opposed to DA:O, where the payoff was great because you were involved with the "background" of your character.

[NUM13ER]

FemaleMageFan wrote...
Bear in mind that we might have three ways in which characterize our character. Specialization, Social Status and Origin Story.

I would like to see a players class influence their interactions more. A mage Inquistor (if that's what the PC is) could influence all sorts of story elements.

Plus it'd be nice to hear the odd comment about favouring a bow or a greatsword,

[wright1978]

I want the background stuff to be a jumping off point for the character so to speak but not get too defined into the detailed history of the character’s past.

[NRieh]

All we had in DA2 was people we were meant to care about but who were strangers to us, I cared more about Wesleys death in the tutorial then I did my family members.

This has little to do with lack of "origins", imo.

I could hardly feel all the tragedy of Cousland, for example. Yes, I had few dialogues before big bad things happened, but it was not enough for real immersion and feelings (compare - Leandra). And some probably did not care much even about Duncan, no matter how detailed the battle was shown. Newbie Warden did not have time to know and love him as well, and can only feel some kind of compassion later during the game, via Alister's memories.

On the other hand - ME1, where you pick your non-playable backgrounds. And first thing you see is Anderson-Udina discussing you personally, respecting your background, and your char gazing stars. So - you just "dive" into your own specified custom character asap.

What I am trying to say here - playable custom origin does not equal good immersion. Same as lack of it does not mean poor storytelling.