What do you read, ACE Team? Options

[Hungry Clock]

So, I was kind of curious what books have influenced you. ACE Team talks a lot about visual design, but not so much about narrative design. One of you mentioned Lovecraft somewhere, but what else? Was Zeno Clash's story or characters influenced by any author in particular?

[Edmundo Bordeu]

Aldous Huxley is my favourite author, I don't know how much that influenced the writing of Zeno Clash though. Alejandro Jodorowsky's "El Incal" (Graphic novel where he worked with Moebius) and his book "Las ansias carnívoras de la nada" might be closer influences.

[Edmundo Bordeu]

Oh, and of course, The Crown of the Kings adventure books from Steve Jackson.

[Hungry Clock]

Kill Wolfhead, an anthromorphic wolf mercenary in Tanatah's employ. He holds a grudge against Difool because the latter pierced his ear with a gun.
pierced his ear with a gun
with a gun

Okay, any graphic novel with impromptu ballistic body modification and a villain called the Metabaron is definitely worth looking into. I haven't read any Huxley (yet!) but I'll be interested to see if I can tease out some Zeno Clashisms that you might have forgot.

I was also kind of curious as what the writing process was like for Zeno Clash. I know you had a lot of material (setting, characters) to work with from your earlier project. How did the specific narrative for Zeno Clash emerge, and when in the design process?

Did you know from your first prototype that you wanted to differentiate Golem's method of conflict resolution from Metamoq's skull trick, and that Golem's display of violence's reciprocity might be an effective conclusion? Did you see what the implications of the gameplay were and design the narrative accordingly? Or did it flow together more organically?

Thanks for the quick replies, Edmundo. I know you must be very busy with your next projects.

[DoomRater]

Did you know from your first prototype that you wanted to differentiate Golem's method of conflict resolution from Metamoq's skull trick, and that Golem's display of violence's reciprocity might be an effective conclusion?

....so THAT'S what Metamoq meant by "You didn't do it right"!

[Hungry Clock]

No, not really. Metamoq says "You didn't do it right. You are still alive." That's pretty self-explanatory. If Ghat had done it properly, he would be dead.

I was asking a question about the creative process and the level of critical understanding that occurred actively while Zeno Clash was being developed. Looks like Edmundo's a little busy though.

[DoomRater]

What I had wondered was why he wanted Ghat to take his OWN life. And now that you mention it, I'm STILL not sure.

However, you've noticed a lot more detail than I did in the story... And I hope Ed gets back to you.

[Carlos Bordeu]

Looks like Edmundo's a little busy though.

Yeah... sorry guys... we're in the final couple of weeks of development for ZC:UE, so we're all very busy here. Edmundo doesn't check the forums that much, and with all the work we have here, it is sort of less probable he'll answer for now.

[Hungry Clock]

It's cool, whenever he has the time. Good luck finishing up!