Nate Austin, co-creator of tactical RPG Wildermyth, discusses the origins of the game and its mechanics. They talk about character-focused storytelling, different styles of game writing, and the balance between market appeal and complex mechanics. They also explore the journey of turning a side project into a full-fledged game, the impact of narrative direction on game design, and the mechanics behind hero transformations. The speakers touch on balancing player feedback, character-driven stories, and provide valuable game design advice.
Wilder Myth started as a side project inspired by XCOM, evolving into a character-focused RPG with a unique magic system.
The developers actively engage with the community, refining the game based on player feedback and prioritizing combat clarity and difficulty balancing.
Deep dives
Wilder Myth: A Procedurally Generated Tactical RPG
Wilder Myth is a procedurally generated tactical RPG that follows heroes throughout their entire careers, starting as greenhorns and progressing to legendary adventurers. The game features tactical squad-based combat, similar to XCOM, and incorporates a unique narrative system. The magic system in the game, known as interfusion, allows players to mingle their spirit energy with objects or scenery to create various effects. The game's art style is a mix of light and dark, drawing inspiration from anime to tell serious stories with a colorful and pleasant aesthetic. The developers have actively engaged with the community, refining the game based on player feedback and focusing on combat clarity and difficulty balancing. Wilderness has garnered a dedicated and delighted player base, appreciating the character-driven stories and deep tactical gameplay.
The Journey of Wilder Myth: From Side Project to Full-Time Development
Wilder Myth began as a side project for digital game designer Nate Austin and his wife, who is a 2D artist. They were inspired by their love for XCOM and a desire to create a game where players cared about their characters. The game's setting shifted from sci-fi to fantasy, allowing for a focus on heroic stories with unique iconic heroes. The development process involved learning about writing, refining combat clarity, and listening to player feedback. The game evolved organically through iterations and refinements. After years of hard work and self-funding, Wilderness became a full-time project, surpassing its initial vision and attracting a passionate community. Nate and his team have been dedicated to providing a polished and enjoyable experience, continuously updating and balancing the game based on player input.
Crucial Elements of Wilder Myth: Magic, Quiet Moments, and Gameplay Stories
Wilder Myth features a unique magic system called interfusion, where characters mingle their soul or spirit energy with objects or scenery to create various effects, separating it from traditional spellcasting. The game also emphasizes quiet moments between characters, which develop relationships and create memorable character-driven stories. These moments serve to reinforce the unique iconic heroes and provide players with gameplay stories they can remember and relate to. Balancing gameplay mechanics has been a priority, with a focus on combat clarity and difficulty tuning. The team has actively engaged with the community, tailoring the game to suit different player preferences and refining its mechanics based on feedback.
Supporting Wilder Myth: Community Feedback and Iterative Refinement
Wilder Myth has built a dedicated community of players, and the developers have actively listened to their feedback and engaged in iterative refinement. Combat clarity and difficulty balancing have been key areas of focus, ensuring that players can easily understand and enjoy the game's tactical combat. The game has evolved based on player feedback, incorporating refinement suggestions and amplifying elements that resonate with the community. The developers have prioritized clarity, functionality, and conveying the intended experiences to players. Supporting the community and fostering a player-focused approach have been crucial elements in the success and continued development of Wilder Myth.
Dirk and David are joined by Nate Austin, co-creator of myth-making tactical RPG Wildermyth. In this entry in the series on worldbuilding, Nate describes the origins of Wildermyth, and how he and his partners grew the game into a true success. The trio also discuss how Wildermyth’s mechanics lead to a character focused over plot focused story, as well as how the game approach death and character progression. Other topics include using different styles of game writing, how systems change, and the perceived conflict between market appeal to story players and more complex mechanics.
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