Perhaps even more ambitious than the graphically intense multiplayer action of (what the developers are currently referring to as) Bricks in Space, the Über Text Adventure will have no graphics at all, zero multiplayer support, yet will require a high end Pentium and a lot of RAM. Why? Because that's what the design specs call for.
Uh-huh. Understand what it will have, however: the most intelligent AI ever seen in a computer game.
Of course, right now this is all very big talk, but the goal is something ambitious. We envision a world where free interaction with characters (in English, no less, albeit typed English) determines the plot and pacing of the game, rather than a script. Where autonomous AI agents can be swayed and angered, can change thier minds and develop loyalties. In addition, your inventory will include "the Librarian", your own personal agent to help you sort out clues and personal interactions.
Sound cool? We're currently in the contemplation stages, trying to work out how the knowledge representation is going to work (leaning towards a Prolog-style knowledge base right now, but this is subject to change). Next up, implementing an English laguage parser that will interface with the Knowledge Representation system. Whee!!
We plan to GPL the engine so others can make thier own games with it, too. We think our first title will be a horror story in the vein of H. P. Lovecraft.
Don't expect to see ÜTA available for download for several years.
