Pier Solar, the new Genesis RPG can now be pre-ordered!

[108Stars]

Hi there!

I am a member of a team dedicated to bringing Genesis- and Sega CD-owners an all new RPG next year. No translation, no hack, no ripped elements.

With Tavern RPG we aim at releasing a game on Genesis that is on the same level as late SNES-RPGs such as FF VI or Chrono Trigger visually. As for the game itself we try to make it as big as possible with and exciting storyline and great soundtrack.
Team leader is Fonzie Voltnov, well know in the MD-developement-scene. I open this thread here in order to answer any questions that arise.

For info on the game, please visit Sega-16 with a lengthy feature about us.

Thanks in advance for your interest!

http://www.sega-16.com/Interview-%20Tavern%20RPG%20Team.php

[sonoranreptile]

As a person who loves the genesis and RPGs this is very exciting! Thanks for letting us know and keep us posted.

[otoko]

What's the price? How many are being produced? =D *AWESOME!*

[108Stars]

Well, we are not sure how many we will produce yet.
Beggar Prince has sold 900 copies until now with a new production run on the way. As a game that has the advantage of being entirely new, we hope to sell the same or even more.

The price will be around the same as BP too; it depends a bit on how much MBit the game will need. We can produce 64 MBit cartridges, but maybe smaller size will do.
The Mega CD-version will be a bit cheaper of course thanks to the low price of CD-ROMs.
We do not intend to earn any money with the game; the price will pretty much be the same as the production cost.

We are still searching for people to join our team. If you think you can do pixel art, you are very welcome. However, you are not gonna get any money. The team members´ only payment is the pride of having taken part in a great product that will hopefully surpass every RPG that the Mega Drive has seen during it´s original lifespan.
If anyone wants to help us, please PM me.;)

[FantasiaWHT]

Very good luck to you! Pixel arts not my forte, but do you need script writers? "I'll go get the herb for you, father" makes me cringe a little bit inside.

[108Stars]

Very good luck to you! Pixel arts not my forte, but do you need script writers? "I'll go get the herb for you, father" makes me cringe a little bit inside.

Hahaha, don´t worry,we are writing the script right now. The text you see is from the first playable demo we had, and only features very basic text. Fortunately, we have 3 people involved in the script already.

[Cinder6]

Pretty cool. Might I ask, why the Genesis? Do you feel that there just aren't enough RPGs for it, or is it easier to program for than the SNES? And since you call it the Mega Drive, I have to ask: will there be a US release? And will the CD version come out at the same time (and be in the tall jewel case, as well)?

You might have answered those questions in the interview. If so, sorry. I don't have time to read them. I did take a look at the screenshots, which are very impressive. Much better than I'd expected. I'll most likely pick this game up (that is, order it) when it comes out. Even if I have to mod a Genesis to do it :)

[vgc]

Very Cool. I want one. Mike : )

[tritium]

Do you think they cut a profit on Beggar Prince?

[VACRMH]

Oooo. Looks fun to me :)

I'm up for a Sega CD version myself, can't wait to play it someday.

[vaportransmitter]

Looks really good, I'll pick it up no doubt. Keep us updated and post when you get a website dedicated to it up!

[DeputyMoniker]

As for the game itself we try to make it as big as possible

Just try to make it as big as is necessary. Don't get caught up in "possibilities." That's when good games go bad. :P

EDIT:Took a look at the screenshots. Looks nice. Real nice! Make sure you get some naked boobies in there. That'll bring back the old "OMG they have it so good in Japan" idea I had back in the early-mid 90's.

[Hawksmoor]

Count me in for one as well as soon as you open preorders. Looks excellent so far!

[108Stars]

Pretty cool. Might I ask, why the Genesis? Do you feel that there just aren't enough RPGs for it, or is it easier to program for than the SNES? And since you call it the Mega Drive, I have to ask: will there be a US release? And will the CD version come out at the same time (and be in the tall jewel case, as well)?

The Mega Drive was the choice because the project was born at Eidolon´s Inn, a MD-developers website, in 2004. Since then a very good engine has been coded and we are now in the process of actual game-developement.

And yes, the team members do have the feeling that the RPG-selection on MD is somewhat weaker than the one one SNES. Most lack that special feeling that many SNES RPGs have...this is not because of the hardware though, and we want to prove that!
And the MD really is easier to develop for afaik too.:)

The game will have no region-lock when it comes out; it would be stupid not to let everyone who would like to play it do so.
We are not sure about the Mega CD-packaging yet; most people until now said they would prefer an average jexel case.

Both versions are scheduled to be released similtaneously; and both will have their advantages, since obviously there are things possible on MCD that are not possible on MD; and the same goes for the other way around too.


Do you think they cut a profit on Beggar Prince?

I can´t say for sure. Super Fighter Team is a real company and it is only natural for them to aim for profit. Brandon Cobb had tp pay several programmers though, and probably he did not get the license from C & E for free either.
Maybe he came out even after the first run; but I suppose the second and third run are in the area of profit.

Thanks for all the interest so far!

[Poofta!]

im so down for this.

for pixel art guy check out www.squidi.net i know the guy has been interested in doing a game for a long time.

[zektor]

I am SO for this. Instant purchase for me when you guys release it. Thanks for the heads up!

[Cinder6]

The game will have no region-lock when it comes out; it would be stupid not to let everyone who would like to play it do so.
We are not sure about the Mega CD-packaging yet; most people until now said they would prefer an average jexel case.

Both versions are scheduled to be released similtaneously; and both will have their advantages, since obviously there are things possible on MCD that are not possible on MD; and the same goes for the other way around too.

Cool, thanks for the info. For some reason, I'd been thinking the different region cartridges were physically different, but I guess only the SNES is like that. Maybe another good reason this is on the Genesis/MD instead of the SNES :)

Personally, I'll probably be interested in the CD version of the game, since I assume that it will have better sound (if not, let me know!). A SCD/MCD-sized case for it (that is, tall and fat) would be great, as it fits in with the rest of the add-on's library. Just food for thought.

Good luck with the project. I look forward to playing.

[Sothy]

I was hoping to pick up beggar prince at CGE.... plenty of fucking cdi frog games but bp was nowhere to be seen.

This interests me as well.

[motley6]

If you release it for the Sega CD I'll buy it for sure.

[DeputyMoniker]

Other than price, what are the differences we can expect to find between the CD/cart? Sound? Graphics? Cut scenes? Any content differences? Maybe a form of "the making of?"

[108Stars]

Other than price, what are the differences we can expect to find between the CD/cart? Sound? Graphics? Cut scenes? Any content differences? Maybe a form of "the making of?"

The sound will be different of course, with the MCD offering superior sound.
The graphics will be a bit different too; there will be more special-effects in the cartridge version because the Mega CD just can´t pull off as much(that is true!) for memory access reasons.
Maybe there will be some content differences like stuff we could not put in the cart because of the limited ROM-size...
There will also be specials on CD, since only 440 MByte can be used for game data on Mega CD. So expect making-ofs, art-galleries etc.

[DeputyMoniker]

The sound will be different of course, with the MCD offering superior sound.
The graphics will be a bit different too; there will be more special-effects in the cartridge version because the Mega CD just can´t pull off as much(that is true!) for memory access reasons.
Maybe there will be some content differences like stuff we could not put in the cart because of the limited ROM-size...
There will also be specials on CD, since only 440 MByte can be used for game data on Mega CD. So expect making-ofs, art-galleries etc.

Awesome! I'm looking forward to the making of.
Oh, may I make a request? Could you make the gameplay entirely FMV based? I hope it isn't too late to do so!

[108Stars]

Awesome! I'm looking forward to the making of.
Oh, may I make a request? Could you make the gameplay entirely FMV based? I hope it isn't too late to do so!

Yes, FMV-games are so awesome! Especially with boobs!^^

[DeputyMoniker]

Yes, FMV-games are so awesome! Especially with boobs!^^

Well, I think I speak for all of us when I say that Night Trap scientifically proves FMV to be the superior gaming experience. That's what's missing from the PS3 lineup. FMV would be the 360 killer. Little known industry fact.

[108Stars]

After all, we´re still a year away from the scheduled release. Much can change in the meantime. Definite answers can only be given once we have come further in developement.

[DeputyMoniker]

After all, we´re still a year away from the scheduled release. Much can change in the meantime. Definite answers can only be given once we have come further in developement.

The gaming community will collectively cross our fingers!!

[Wraith Storm]

I must say that this is incredible news! The Genesis/Sega CD is still one of my favorite systems ever made. When Beggar Prince came out I couldn’t believe it and that payday I hopped on-line and ordered a copy. When this game is released you can certainly expect me to do the same. At first I imagined the CD version would be the same as the cart but with better music. So I figured (minus the load times) the CD version would just be overall better. But It really sounds like each version is going to play its formats strength. So the way things are sounding, I might have to purchase both the cart and the CD version. A piece of advice though; Make sure the spells are REALLY cool. This might sound dumb, but it really makes the RPG better. I remember playing Shining Force I and II and Phantasy Star IV and thought the spells were cool. But then when my brother got a SNES and I played Final Fantasy III and Chrono Trigger I realized how awesome spells could really look. In Final Fantasy III and Chrono Trigger the anticipation of getting a new spell and casting it for the first time evoked a feeling that no Genny RPG ever gave me. So if at all possible make the spells a sight to behold. Because that will drive me to play the game "just a little longer" if not only to see how the next spell will look. Also, I have to say I love early CD games that had Red Book audio. Back in the Sega CD and Turbo Duo days the Red Book audio alone validated my purchase of the game. They just don’t compose good game tracks like that anymore. Seriously, anyone who has a Turbo Duo knows what I am talking about when I mention Y's 1-4, Lords of Thunder, Dungeon Explorer II or Valis 1-4. The Sega CD had the Red Book blessing as well with games like Lunar 1&2, Terminator, Dungeon Explorer, Android Assault, Eternal Champions:CFTDS and, in my opinion, one of the greatest sound tracks ever composed Dark Wizard. The Dark Wizard soundtrack is absolutely unbelievable. While I listened to the sound clips of Tavern RPG that were posted I was impressed at the quality. The quality was every bit as good as I could have hoped. But (this is just my opinion so please don’t hurt me;)) I thought the compositions were very uninspired. The music did absolutely nothing for me. I am aware that you are still working on Tavern RPG and I hope the already VERY promising game continues to get even better. On a final note, I bought Emerald Dragon for the PC engine a while back and even though I can’t read one bit Japanese and the game is like 14 years old it still blew me away with its incredible graphics, emotional cut scenes, and beautiful Red book audio. If you guys can capture even a hint of this you will have a true classic in the making.

[108Stars]

Wow, long post!^^
Well, about the sound: the tracks we presented yet were only 3 or 4 I believe, and we have already well over 25 tracks composed. It is not even sure yet if the tracks you listened to will make it to the final game.
I am not a sound-pro myself (I am a graphics designer for the game), but what I heard so far sounded very good to me. So you´d best wait until there is new stuff to be shown.
BTW, as a German I am a bit jealous of you: The TurboGraFX/Duo was never released here, imports are pretty expensive and in fact I have never ever heard a ingle track of a CD game for the Turbo. I must one day get one of these!^^

I thank you very much for your interest and promise that our team is giving it´s very best to make this game a classic; I was one of the Beggar Prince-customers as well and joined TRPG-team after I played it. I hope that our project will inspire even more people to try and breathe new life into the Genesis. The success of this is up to you fans; if you support a project like our´s I am certain it will not be the last we see of the Genny.

[Jorpho]

I would make the obligatory skeptical post expressing doubt that this project, like so very many others of its kind, will ever be completed. But then, if it's been in the works for three years already, maybe completion is not so unfeasible after all.

My suggestion would be to employ whatever magical ward has been applied to Beggar Prince that makes playable emulator dumps impossible, at least until you firmly believe that you'll never sell another cartridge.

(And we like paragraphs here, Mr. Wraith Storm.)

[108Stars]

I tell you from the bottom of my heart: this project WILL definately be completed. The core-team is so determined Tavern RPG has become like a second life for us. For everyone of us it is a dream come true to make a real Mega Drive-game; and the programming side, the greatest hindrance, already is 99% done.

Important for us is that we can count on the retro-gaming-community to accept our game. A lot of work is in this game, and we would really like this not to be our last project. If you just believe in us and buy the game once it is done nothing stands in the way of even more Genesis-goodnes!

[DeputyMoniker]

If you just believe in us and buy the game once it is done nothing stands in the way of even more Genesis-goodnes!

I'm all about that.
With your heads buried in this game, it's probably too early but I know you dream so...
Would your next project be an RPG as well or are you hoping to tackle another genre? It would be nice to have a few more RPGs squeezed into the Genny but I'd be just as excited to see a good shooter!

[Jorpho]

I tell you from the bottom of my heart: this project WILL definately be completed. The core-team is so determined Tavern RPG has become like a second life for us.

To which I say, that's what everyone else who has attempted such a venture says before releasing a demo and subsequently vanishing forever.


the programming side, the greatest hindrance, already is 99% done.

...But again, this is different. (Then again, I have that sneaking suspicion that the difference between 99% and 100% will prove to be substantially larger than one-ninety-ninth of what has already been done.)

[108Stars]

@DeputyMoniker
Well, we certainly want to do more for the MD; and I think something different than an RPG would be nice to do for a change (and much easier to acomplish). But we have to finish this first.

@Jorpho
Actually I don´t even know of any announced MD-homebrew so far, save a few demos.
And no, the difference between 99% and 100% is more likely to be smaller than one-ninety-ninth of what has already been done. The last elements of the program should be finished within a few days, what comes after that is just a constant tweaking and optimizing of what is already done. We really have the game running save the monster AI afaik.

[50TBRD]

I'm not really a Genesis fan, but I think that homebrew is always good. Beggar Prince seems to be more successful then most other homebrew games that I've ever seen. Keep it up and I just might have to get a Genesis to play this stuff.

[DeputyMoniker]

Where have you been discussing retro gaming over the past few years? I notice you just opened an account here. I'm just curious.

[108Stars]

Hehe, I only got my Internet-access a year ago. Since then my retro-gaming places were Sega-16. and http://www.thelegacy.de/Start/index.php3?start_language=en.

I only used DP´s online rarity guide until now...

And to tell you the truth, I touched my MD again 2 years ago after letting it rot for years.^^

[DeputyMoniker]

I only used DP´s online rarity guide until now...

And to tell you the truth, I touched my MD again 2 years ago after letting it rot for years.^^

Cool. Welcome to DP!

[Family Computer]

While I am not much of a fan of RPGs and will most likely never buy this game, I would like to say that I was impressed with the quality of the screenshots in the interview.

Good Luck!

[77punk]

man.. go sega.. thanks all thats doing this.. hopefully one day they will just remake games for the systems. I wish carts were cheaper than disks..

Please message me if this RPG is ever for sale..

[108Stars]

Thank you all for your support!

I must say I feel comfortable here with so much excitement towards our game. I will keep you all informed anytime!^^

[Single Player Gamer]

I've read the interview and the thread and as a purchaser of Beggar Prince, I look forward to this games release. I'll probably purchase both the cart and cd versions. Keep working on it and thanks for putting in the effort to bring new games to a classic system.

[Dark_Sol]

Holy Jesus!
As the owner of one the biggest RPG videogame communities i can say they i'd gladly help you promote the game. This is plain awesome that such things like Beggar Prince still happen and i am very amazed to see that a COMPLETELY NEW game is in progress. I can't even believe it!

I'll post news on my website ASAP!

[108Stars]

Holy Jesus!
As the owner of one the biggest RPG videogame communities i can say they i'd gladly help you promote the game. This is plain awesome that such things like Beggar Prince still happen and i am very amazed to see that a COMPLETELY NEW game is in progress. I can't even believe it!

I'll post news on my website ASAP!

Wow, that would be great!
Could you tell me what community it is?

[Dark_Sol]

Wthat would be great!
Could you tell me what community it is?
Sure. It's http://www.jrpg.org . The oldest russian jrpg community. Although i have many visitors from all over the world.

[108Stars]

Cool! Although I can´t read it I thank you for your support!
Spreading the word about the game is essential!

[Dark_Sol]

Cool! Although I can´t read it I thank you for your support!
Spreading the word about the game is essential!
Sure! And even more essential if it's a good game!

[108Stars]

Please tell me when you have posted it on your website;
I used Babelfish BTW, and I really like the site!

You could do it bi-lingual!

[108Stars]

sorry, posted accidently and can´t delete this.^^

[Dark_Sol]

Please tell me when you have posted it on your website;
I used Babelfish BTW, and I really like the site!

You could do it bi-lingual!
OK sure!
Oh thanx, but going bi-lingual is very hard when it comes to reviews. All my staff are russians. I wanted to do something for our countries' community. There are sites like rpgfan that cover most things. So better be more unique i guess :)

[Daria]

Oooh. Just when I thought my Genesis collection was done, new RPGs start popping up. (:

The screenshots look great.

[108Stars]

Oooh. Just when I thought my Genesis collection was done, new RPGs start popping up. (:

The screenshots look great.

Thanks!

I wish I would even be close to have my Genesis-collection done!^^

[Iron Draggon]

I've read the interview and the thread and as a purchaser of Beggar Prince, I look forward to this games release. I'll probably purchase both the cart and cd versions. Keep working on it and thanks for putting in the effort to bring new games to a classic system.

I'll prolly buy both versions too... no reason not to, if it turns out at least as good as Beggar Prince... and those screenshots look like it will achieve that...

[108Stars]

Thankya mate! Count on it!

[Dark_Sol]

I was too late to purchase Beggar Prince! hehe... damn.. Now the sell rarely on ebay and higher then at the start.

[108Stars]

I was too late to purchase Beggar Prince! hehe... damn.. Now the sell rarely on ebay and higher then at the start.

No worries! another 300 copies of Beggar Prince will be produced.

[Dark_Sol]

Only 300?? damn so limited.

[108Stars]

Only 300?? damn so limited.

The first run was 600, the second 300 and now another 300. 300 are enough for several months, don´t worry.

[kainemaxwell]

I wish you the best on this!!

[Daria]

Thanks!

I wish I would even be close to have my Genesis-collection done!^^


Mines not so tough. I only collect RPGs. :Þ

[Iron Draggon]

Mines not so tough. I only collect RPGs. :Þ

mine isn't complete, but I have almost everything that I want, which is still almost everything... so it's real nice to see more new games in development...

[Marriott_Guy]

Count me in on getting a copy. I am hoping the game takes it's influence from your screen name here on this forum (Suikoden 1 & 2 - probably the best RPGs I have played to date regardless of system). Great job!

[108Stars]

Count me in on getting a copy. I am hoping the game takes it's influence from your screen name here on this forum (Suikoden 1 & 2 - probably the best RPGs I have played to date regardless of system). Great job!

You have a good taste! Suikoden FTW!

[Policenaut]

Count me in. I hope to enjoy it as much as Beggar Prince.

[108Stars]

Count me in. I hope to enjoy it as much as Beggar Prince.

I hope you will enjoy it even MORE than Beggar Prince!:bigmac:

[108Stars]

So, here it is; on this historical day the Mega Drive turns 19 years old!
I couldn´t imagine a better day to present you all the first...

OFFICIAL TAVERN RPG TEASER!!!

Here you go!

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/usermovies/123421.html

[carlcarlson]

the in-game stuff looks great. I'd like to see more combat.

[Cinder6]

Looks great! I might have said it before, but the graphics for this game are better than what I'd expected out of the Genesis.

Just out of curiosity, is the music in the trailer from the SCD version of the game, or will it sound that way on the cart as well?

[108Stars]

Hi!
Of course the sound from the teaser is from the Sega CD version; the MD alone would need an additional flash-chip in the cart to pull this quality of. We evaluated it and decided against it, because it would be too expensive.

More important: Our official website is online: there you can follow our progress and stay updated!

http://tavernrpg.genny4ever.net/index.html

[Cinder6]

Cool stuff. Looks like I'll be getting the SCD version of the game when it comes out.

[segagamer]

I want to preorder the Genesis/NTSC cartridge version.

[Jorpho]

I find this lack of skepticism peculiar.

[ronclon]

I find this lack of skepticism peculiar.

The game has been in the works for a long while, people aren't skeptical because eidelons inn has followed the progress for a long time. Also 108stars is a regular on the sega 16 boards and there is a sticky thread there on this game as well. I don't think there is much to be skeptical about.

[Iron Draggon]

I find this lack of skepticism peculiar.

you want skepticism? the cover art will surely suck... just wait till they show it... this whole thread will fall apart as soon as they show us the cover art...

[108Stars]

Please, be sceptical about something else! I´ll be the one doing the cover art, so can´t you just be sceptical about, say, the dialogue? I´m not involved in that!:onfire:

[Werewolf]

Sounds cool, I'll definately be getting one of these hopefully ^..^