Gamescom 2014

[david]

Hi folks, things are really hectic as we assemble our stand and get the demo running. But I took a photo of one of the exhibition hall entrances... this place is huge, literally several buildings!



And also a pic of the team (Cyrille, Seith and Stephane) setting up the stand, which should be mostly done by this evening.



Seith will probably make a blog post this evening or tomorrow, with the video trailer... which I think you have already seen

[evilkinggumby]

wow samsung LED tv's.. ya'll went all out. very kool.

hope it goes well. i am so excited for you. Seith has me on his skype list so if he logs into it from the show i may be able to check it out. i guess mostly i'll depend on time zones and when they'll be set up and on the floor.


kick ass guys!

[david]

@EvilKing... Thanks so much! I'll definitely look for you on Skype

The first IndieGoGo backers to visit our booth... really nice guys!



I haven't found any interviews with Seith yet from the conference, but here are some recent GOAT news articles:
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/08 ... of-a-tale/
http://segmentnext.com/2014/08/15/mouse ... y-trailer/
http://www.trueachievements.com/n17917/ ... ox-one.htm
http://www.gameinformer.com/games/ghost ... mouse.aspx
http://www.pixeldynamo.com/news/gaming/ ... y-trailer/
http://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-n ... y-trailer/
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=873572
http://www.mondoxbox.com/en/news/45692/ ... x-one.html

[Lord Mouse]

O MY GOOOOOOOOOD I just saw the new trailer from gamescom and this game looks even more awesome everything is so damn well thought I love the perspective from the mouse point of view everything just seems so huge and deadly (like a simple crab hahaha) I just hope you'll get more coverage from gaming website and the community. I've already seen an article on pcgamer.com and I plan on spreading the words. Everything looks so damn fun and original I just can't wait to see what you'll be doing with the story and gameplay mechanics (the infiltration part was really well done) I looooooooooooooooooove his tiny little armor at the end keep up the good work THIS GAME NEEDS TO BE SEEN BY EVERY SINGLE GAMERS !!!!!

[david]

@LordMouse... terrific to hear from you, and hopefully our game will get more coverage as it comes closer to completion. Thank you for your generous offer to help spread the word!

Here is a link to that nice PCGamer article that you mention:
http://www.pcgamer.com/2014/08/16/ghost ... -the-crab/

...and another recent news article on
http://www.gameinformer.com/games/ghost ... mouse.aspx

[david]

Seith chats with two young gentlemen, one has already started game developing using Unity 3d (he's 11 years old!)

[Fonzman]

Played the demo at your booth. Just couldn't stop until I had played it all through!

Although this was the first time I have heard about the game, I was at once in love with it! Such a great and nice experiance (in a time where most games focus on zombies or mutants)!

Where can I preorder it! I'd do it right away

Keep up the good work! I am looking forward to the release!

[david]

@fonzman... delighted that you joined us! Here on the website home page and forum is the best place to get news about ways you can get to play GOAT as soon as possible

...more general GOAT news:
http://www.trueachievements.com/n17917/ ... ox-one.htm

...and a review of the demo on gamekult.com (though its in French):
http://www.gamekult.com/actu/gamescom-g ... 36939.html

This will give you guys an idea of the size of the event, the first shows the crowds at one of the four entrances to a bunch of connected buildings, some with two (and maybe more) floors ... I am astounded by the scale of Gamescom, it was -literally- 8 times bigger than I expected

[evilkinggumby]

Wow that really is huge. So many people visiting. SO this was not just a press event, anyone who wanted to go could get tickets? How many displays/presenters/booths were scattered around the event? looks like a mad house

[david]

@EvilKing... yes, the press and special ticket holders were on the first day, and the remaining four days were open to the public. Our location was quite busy, though not a total madhouse as the photos would suggest... several (i'm not sure, maybe 10) multi-level buildings spread the vast number of gamers into much more maneagable numbers. It was also a maze of lifts, escalators and connecting corridors. I'm not kidding, a few times, we all got lost together trying to find our way back to where we parked our team car

This mashable.com article puts the GOAT video in its selection of '11 Great Game Trailers That Debuted At Gamescom', standing with immense-budget titles Assassins Creed Unity and Far Cry 4 and notable indie titles

http://mashable.com/2014/08/12/gamescom-new-trailers

[deedlit]

Seems you also got the attention of Tom's Hardware!

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/picturest ... sims4.html

Way to go!

[david]

@Deedlit... great! The photo was taken as Tilo observes a rat patrolling up the staircase....




...and a brief but nice mention on gamebanshee.com... http://www.gamebanshee.com/news/114234- ... e-too.html

[Varethas]

Dear Mr. David, Mr. Lionel Gallat and the Ghost of a Tale Team, a brief (sorry if it's actually tl:dr!) letter of sincere thanks (Grateful with or without reply) after seeing your game at Gamescom

My name is Albert (Varethas). Were this a meeting in person, by now I would be ecstatically and smilingly shaking your hand/s (before re-gaining some modicum of personable composure) I figured I'd write to you before your inbox starts to get flooded with post-Gamescom-and-beyond love and support

There is no tidy way to begin this, so I will simply say that though I am turning 26 this year,
to this day I profoundly hold very near to me my upbringing filled with The Secret of Nimh (I used to flap around my house pretending I was Jeremy the Crow),
Watership Down ('the one that's scarier than The Secret of Nimh'), Disney's Robin Hood, Whinnie The Pooh, The Rescuers, Basil the Mouse Detective, Beatrix Potter, The Dark Crystal,
and even the recent Guardians of Ga'hoole, Armello and Ico - all of which have informed some deep and intrinsic aspect of my being or other.

Sir, your 'Ghost of a Tale' - I just read the lore about the War of the Green Flame, the Council of Asper, and Periclave, my word - very nearly caused me to tear up here at my Government work. You must, *must* always know and keep deep in your heart the fact that you are making possibly hundreds of thousands of people's dreams come true with this creative endeavour.

We're talking those of us who sigh wistfully at the thought of stepping into a Kenneth Grahame book, or into an episode of The Animals of Farthing Wood, a whole generation of Disney-loving,
Medieval fantasy enjoying folk who I can guarantee would give you a big bear hug of thanks if they could (and an extra one for all your work on many films beloved to us!)

This message is not meant to induce any overwhelming feelings of pressure, or anything of the sort. It's simply intended as, perhaps, a message you can think of/look to, even if you don't
notice or reply (out of being busy creating the literally tear-jerkingly beautiful Ghost of a Tale - it's seriously all good if you're doing that buddy!), that's just letting you know that you have
many grateful supporters out here, quietly, warmly, patiently supporting and appreciating your imaginative, technical, creative and artistic efforts with Ghost of a Tale

As you move ahead with writing and production, please consider the following three things - two half-lightly-inquiring/half-totally-serious, and one from truly the deepest part of my being:

1. Please release an Art & Lore book. Preferably leather-bound, with a quill, a candle like Nicodemus' one in The Secret of NimH, and...*almost faints with gratitude*
2. Please release even a 3D printed model of Tilo. He's a hero for the ages, and the bookshelves
3. Please always know that, in all things, 'Love is the Key'

From one of many thousands of grateful friends,

Albert Chessa
Ministerial Officer Ι Ministerial & Parliamentary Support Branch (I know, lame right? :p)
ps: I make Nimh-Thornbush style patterns here: rawartists.org/albertchessa

[david]

@Varethas... wow, thank you for your interest! as you rprobably know, Secret of NIMH is one of the inspirations of GOAT, and I'd say that the tone of the art and (to make up a phrase) the 'adult level' of the story is fairly similar to NIMH, though the story is set in a totally alternate universe lore with its own history but without humans, and the anthropomorphic animals have a -roughly- Roman level of building and instruments level of technology.

If GOAT is really successful, there certainly is a possibility of a lore and art book (even if it is virtual, real would be lovely but perhaps prohibitively expensive unless a lot of people are interested). You'll be happy to hear that Paul, one of the guys on the exhibition team, did a super 3d paper Tilo, and he has promised me the pattern so we can post it in the website. Not being familiar with what a skilled 3d paper artist can do, I wasn't expecting anything special, but it blew my mind when I saw it I'll post some photos as soon as I get them.

Just for fun, here is a quick snap, taken on my hotel desk, of the cards we gave away at Gamescom and of my exhibitors pass.

[Varethas]

That's terrific, David! I'd be the first to pre-order/fund any Ghost of a Tale accompanying content, both digital and physical I'll be tracking it's development closely and vocally, that is to say I'll be spreading the word about it here in Australia! Looking forward to the pics!

[deedlit]

A lot of good and adorable feedback from destructoid.com

http://www.destructoid.com/products_det ... ale&c=news

The cuteness keeps on groing.

[Seith]

Thanks guys, the Gamescom experience was intense but also very positive!

@Varethas: Thank you very much for your message Albert, you made my day. All the references you quoted are of course spot on. As David said we don't have any 3d printed Tilo yet but in the meantime can we interest you in a paper Tilo?

[david]

A close up of tiny 3d paper Tilo made by Paul!



At the booth!



Seith chats with a young gamer!



Paul, Tilo and Seith!



Another photo of the booth!



Tilo is either being hugged or attacked by zombies.!

[evilkinggumby]

holy crap what game were the zombies there for? poor Tilo.. hope he managed to strum a nice song and keep them docile.. hehehe

that papercraft Tilo is amazing! I don't follow papercraft much but WOW is that pretty awesome. seeing Tilo IRL is a trip.

I am so glad to see more fans popping up and showing their appreciation. This seems to have been a massive boost to the project and (hopefully) to Seith's determination.

[david]

[evilkinggumby]

aww video is marked private....

[cosmogonies]

Sorry, this is fixed now, the video is public, have a bite:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-kkCcw6CXI

[deedlit]

Cute! When is the teddy bear coming out?

[evilkinggumby]

Haha awesome. I see why you end the video so quick.. I suspect Tilo whipped out a can of whoopass on the guy who strummed the lute without asking.. lol

weren't there gloves for the outfit? opted to skip them?

Nice to see all the traffic in this and other pics. Gawd I missed out on such an awesome day.

are you guys planning on coming to the US for E3 or one of the many con's we have when it get closer to launch? I can set you up with someone to assist with booth graphics and banners/stuff (including giveaway and sellable swag) if you like. Plus I will have to fly wherever it is and see ya'll if at all possible.

1. Please release an Art & Lore book. Preferably leather-bound, with a quill, a candle like Nicodemus' one in The Secret of NimH, and...*almost faints with gratitude*

We talked about this a bit back in the day when I first got here. You may want to check this old thread and possible chime in with examples or other suggestions!

http://www.ghostofatale.com/forum/viewt ... f=13&t=200

I figure if they do an artbook it will likely be included in a special Collector's edition first and then made available to buy separately after the game's initial release. But I wholly agree, a physical artbook would be amazing. I loved the one I got with The Elder Scrolls Online. Even if it wasn't a large hardback book, but a smaller "traveller's journal" I'd be happy. I'm also curious what other types of 'feelies' you might like to see with it.

[Varethas]

@Seith, a paper Tilo sounds just fine! Rather exquisitely done as well, I'd say! I'm starting to see how Ghost of a Tale is kindred enough to me that I'm going to eventually make a 'supported this story and it's creators as much as I could' collection - maybe have a little 'grove' somewhere on a bookshelf for it's special edition casing, collectibles and what have you - complete with a Badger of Baladhon

Also, I hope it wasn't all too intense Seith - did you guys get the chance to wonder outside of Gamescom and enjoy Cologne's surrounds? Photo opportunities?

[Varethas]

also @evilkinggumby, I'll totally check that thread out! I apologise for not noticing it earlier. I'm holding out for the collectible/limited/any and all editions pre-order announcement (and I don't even have an XBox One! I just wanna support the project ), completely conscious of course of the obvious prevailing priority of making the game in the first place, to the best it can be I'm certain that there would have been a flood of people googling, 'that game in the gamescom montage mouse cute secret of nimh awesome' in order to find and follow Ghost of a Tale's production. I expect this will be reflected in Facebook likes and Twitter tag counts

[Varethas]

@evilkinggumby, @David and @Seith, I've replied to the Boxed Collector's Edition topic:

http://www.ghostofatale.com/forum/viewt ... 1279#p1279

If these were available for pre-order at Gamescom exclusively, I would seriously have flown over O_O

[evilkinggumby]

@evilkinggumby, @David and @Seith, I've replied to the Boxed Collector's Edition topic:

http://www.ghostofatale.com/forum/viewt ... 1279#p1279

If these were available for pre-order at Gamescom exclusively, I would seriously have flown over O_O

If those were available at Gamescon exclusively, I would have cried for weeks.. lol Luckily that was not the case and most likely when a collector's edition IS announced, we'll all have fair chance of pre-ordering it.

[david]

Cosmogonies just skyped this... it's a reaction to the GOAT trailer...

[evilkinggumby]

nice. they seem to truly get into it. Kind of bummer they insta-fergot the title by the end of it.. lol

[david]

@Deedlit... I'd love to see a teddy bear-sized plushie Tilo, hopefully in the fullness of time

@EvilKing... yes there were gloves, but they mysteriously disappeared, which is puzzling because the rest of the outfit was untouched! Though Seith hasn't committed to E3 or another conference, I'm fairly sure that we'll be there. If you can make it, that would be terrific!

@Varethas... We were really busy so we just got out on the first evening, while Seith and Stephane went to a dinner with Microsoft executives and a handful other indies. The rest of the GOAT team (Paul, Cyrille and me) took a look at the center of Cologne, where they have a wonderful cathedral and museums. We had pizza and a walk by the river... this part of Cologne is really nice, and the people we met were friendly and helpful! Cosmogonies (aka Cyrille) took this photo of the cathedral in the dark:

[Varethas]

@David: I could so see Tilo scampering about a haunted old Rat Kingdom Cathedral...
I'm glad to see you enjoyed your stay there - had any of you ever (been) flown out to something like Gamescom before? also, if you know your games, that cathedral totally reminds me of Vagrant Story...

[JeremiahPena]

Though Seith hasn't committed to E3 or another conference, I'm fairly sure that we'll be there. If you can make it, that would be terrific!

If you guys come to a conference here in the U.S. I'll try my hardest to be there. The skype thing didn't work for me, mostly because of the time difference.

[david]

@Varethas... yes, I could easily imagine Tilo scampering around a rat cathedral or temple, with a crypt... lots of cobwebs and dust because it isn't used much... or because it was built by another species before the rats took it over. (I suspect that the GOAT rats don'tt go to church often)

@Jeremiah... it would be terrific to have you with us at a conference next year. This will be much closer to the game launch, and likely to be more crucial to GOAT's success. I don't know Seith's plans at all, but here are the dates of the big events (mostly in the US) in 2015:

PAX South, Penny Arcade Exhibition South, Texas, USA, 23-25 January
GDC, Games Developers Conference, San Francisco, USA, 2-6 March incorporating:
-----IGS, Independent Games Summit, USA, San Francsico, USA, 2-3 March
-----IGF, Independent Games Festival, USA, 4-6 March
PAX East, Penny Arcade Exhibition East, Boston, USA, 6-8 March
E3, Electronic Entertainment Expo, Los Angeles, USA, 16-18 June
Comicon*, San Diego, USA, 8-12 July
Gamescom, Cologne, Germany, 5-9 August
PAX Prime, Seattle(?), August/September(?), USA, dates and location uncertain
TGS, Tokyo Games Show, Tokyo, Japan, 17-20 September(?), dates uncertain
Indiecade, Los Angeles(?), October(?), USA, dates and location uncertain

*Comicon is mainly a celebration of comics of course, but it has games section too so I included it for completeness and because the dates (at a stretch) dovetail with E3

Quite a lot depends on how quickly GOAT's development progresses but I'd say:
-35% probability for E3 in Los Angeles
-70% probability for Gamescom in Cologne (again)
-20% probability for Pax Prime in Seattle (location and dates unconfirmed ?)
-35% probability for Indiecade in Los Angeles (location and dates unconfirmed ?)

I'd guess that Seith will probably do Gamescom in Germany and one event in the US.

[david]

... Seith emailed me a nice mention in IGN yesterday: http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/08/23/ ... -of-a-tale



...and here's a piece on IndieHangover a few days ago: http://www.indiehangover.com/gamescom-t ... -of-a-tale

...as Gamescom comes to an end -late on the final evening- some fans borrow Tilo to take photos (well, his head anyway)



...we pack things up!



...and, with just about everything ready to go, here's a final photo of the lute leaning against Tilo's travelling box