Tactical Simulations Interactive (TSI), a new independent video games studio with old school RPG sensibilities, has been established by Strategic Simulations Inc. veterans Paul Murray and David Shelley, and company President David Klein.
Drawing on their experience at SSI, the team at TSI aims to provide the next step in meaningful player experiences in the same way that SSI's ‘Gold Box’ titles did during the 1980s and 1990s.
David Shelley takes on the role of Producer/Lead Designer, while Paul Murray serves as Technical Designer at TSI. The team was integral to the international success of Strategic Simulations Inc.’s genre-defining RPGs, such as Curse of the Azure Bonds, Pool of Radiance, and Wizard's Crown.
David Shelley, Producer/Lead Designer, TSI said:
“Tactical Simulations Interactive is a return to providing the player full control of their party, with a focus on creating immersive and unforgettable story experiences, exciting exploration, meaningful social/political choices, and robust tactical combat.”
Burrito of Peace wrote on Aug 9, 2014, 16:01:Axis wrote on Aug 9, 2014, 11:19:
How did you read that as dismissal?
This statement sounded very dismissive to me: "Dungeon master, Eye of the Beholder, Bards Tale, etc but they were "first person" dungeon crawlers and the SSI games were top down tactical."
To me, it came across that you were dismissing the very stellar Eye of the Beholder series by claiming that the only SSI games were top down tactical.
If you didn't mean it that way, then I apologize.
Fletch wrote on Aug 9, 2014, 02:42:
They only published it, but one of my favorites was Dark Legions. Loved that game.
Axis wrote on Aug 9, 2014, 11:19:
How did you read that as dismissal?
harlock wrote on Aug 9, 2014, 11:12:Axis wrote on Aug 9, 2014, 08:37:
I won't be near as excited if they don't use DnD (or at a minimum D20) as the core again.
DnD 5e doesnt really lend itself very well to video games.. 4e practically was a video game in pnp format, but it was also super bloated and just insanely massive, but also goofy and not really dnd at all
d20 (pathfinder) is really the only option
Burrito of Peace wrote on Aug 9, 2014, 08:49:Axis wrote on Aug 9, 2014, 08:37:
I loved them all, but they are not the same type of games. Dungeon master, Eye of the Beholder, Bards Tale, etc but they were "first person" dungeon crawlers and the SSI games were top down tactical.
Eye of the Beholder I, II and III were SSI games. EoB I and II were published by SSI while EoB III was directly developed by SSI.
I don't think it's fair to dismiss them out of hand when they were a very strong part of SSI's total portfolio.
Axis wrote on Aug 9, 2014, 08:37:
I won't be near as excited if they don't use DnD (or at a minimum D20) as the core again.
Axis wrote on Aug 9, 2014, 08:37:
I loved them all, but they are not the same type of games. Dungeon master, Eye of the Beholder, Bards Tale, etc but they were "first person" dungeon crawlers and the SSI games were top down tactical.
Burrito of Peace wrote on Aug 9, 2014, 08:10:
I, too, fondly remember Pool of Radiance (or Poolrad which is what the default directory was called in DOS). However, for me, none of the gold box games hold a candle to the RPG that finally equalled the greatness of Dungeon Master on my old Atari ST. That game was Eye of the Beholder
I'd absolutely love to see a new Eye of the Beholder game. Legends of Grimrock is a great modern day game, and has a lot of the same vibe, but it isn't a Forgotten Realms game.