Torchlight

[Morreion]

Runic Games talks Torchlight, the upcoming MMO, Diablo comparisons, more (Massively)

Can't wait for Diablo III? Try Torchlight. The single-player action-RPG, available for just 20 bucks via digital distribution, has got PC gamers talking.

But why should Massively readers care, you ask? Because eventually, in about two years or so, developer Runic Games will make it a full-fleged MMO.

We spoke with Runic Games CEO Max Schaefer, who worked on the Diablo series, and lead designer Travis Baldree about what they plan for the Torchlight MMO, what they learned from their time at Flagship Studios, and if their game will be the World of Diablo we've all been waiting for.

People seem to keep trying to make the WoW killer...

Baldree: Yeah, we're not really interested in that.

Schaefer: Frankly, that's a terrible idea, to try and make a WoW killer. They put well over $100 million into the budget right now, 10 years, and 200 of the best developers in the world. Why would you try to beat that?

Baldree: What we used to say about Mythos is that we wanted it to be the game you would play while waiting for your WoW raid to start. (laughs)

[Regolyth]

Wow, surprisingly, I'm a bit excited for the game. At first glance, I didn't think it would be anything special. I think Matt Schaefer is a pretty good designer. I was a huge fan of the Diablos. Torchlight looks fun, and I think I'll download it.

I really love the idea they had of making the single player game first, then turning that into an MMO. That's ingenious if you ask me. It basically gets a playable version of their game out to the masses, and they can evaluate that and see how they need to change their MMO. On top of that, it funds their MMO, and like Schaefer said, it takes pressure off the design team.

However, one thing I think they will need to change about the MMO, is the click to move. I can't stand clicking to move; especially when PvP is involved. It just slows you down.

[Morreion]

I think I'll download a copy too at that price- I like the look of the game.

Have to agree with you Rego on the click-to-move function- I've never cared for that. Makes me feel like I'm in a free-to-play Asian game!