Survey - Looking at a future of (Tactical) Adventures!

not much about graphics/appearance but i don't care how crappy or low resolution the graphics are just focus on RAW 5e rule set, more things to explore [maps, dungeons], longer story/plot, more character levels, multiclass 

5e rules or I'm out. I wish you the best of luck; however, it is the 5e aspact of your game that I enjoy.

There's gameplay mechanics in Solasta, such as flight, which have been argued for years to be impossible to add to isometric RPGs such as this one.

Even if you were to go to Baldur's Gate III forums today, or Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous forums, both Developers and Players would probably agree that wall climbing spells and flight are somehow either literally impossible to add to an isometric RPG, or it would somehow permanently ruin the entire experience by bringing more things from the original tabletop game, and so on and so forth with the excuses.

I've even seen forum posts on Baldur's Gate III spiders not being able to climb walls. Not exactly the pinnacle of innovation.

It'll be nothing short of a tragedy if Tactical Adventures stops making Isometric RPGs, you've clearly got real talent in your team. Just please promote your innovations more prominently in your promotional material, in Solasta they seem like "hidden features", while I would argue that things like these make Solasta mechanically superior to any other isometric RPG on the market right now.

I like those other RPGs, they're just disappointing when I compare their gameplay to that of Solasta.

I've completed survey some time ago so can't remember all the options for future projects but if my memory serves there wasn't any optin for super-hero genre. With current rise of comic book related things' popularity and Solasta's game mechanics you can perfectly handle a turn based super-hero game.

Tho' those Marvel (now Disney) vultures will rush to sue you as they did to City of Heroes back in the day. 

You guys have done an outstanding job bringing the 5e ruleset to life. I feel you should do whatever it takes to get licensing from WotC and continue. It would be a crime if they don't give you licensing rights, as you have done a better job with their system than any other developer!

Why haven't you listed GoG as an outlet for purchase as well?

Sure steam is the biggest one, but GoG is an excellent outlet especially for the end-user!

You guys have done an outstanding job bringing the 5e ruleset to life. I feel you should do whatever it takes to get licensing from WotC and continue. It would be a crime if they don't give you licensing rights, as you have done a better job with their system than any other developer!

while i would enjoy a pure RAW 5e game more than what TA has made [and TA has made the best 5e game by a long shot] if the WotC licence costs a lot i would suggest TA keep doing its own thing and not waste resources on bowing down to corporations.  if all goes well then in the future maybe WotC will pay TA to use the full rule-set/options  

Become the next Fantasy grounds.

Upgrade your engine to allow DMs to host a full license version of 5e in the same way that Fantasy grounds does. The DM buys the license and hosts the game. Focus on making tools that will make it easy for DMs to host campaigns. 

OK so then market your new "virtual Tabletop",on steroids of course, as a separate product.

Do it well, and put Fantasy Grounds and Roll20 down for the count. As you build a user base, then Wizards of the coast will take notice and release the same Adventure Bundles that they have done for both of these platforms. https://www.fantasygrounds.com/store/productbundle.php?bundleid=WOTC5EADVENTURES. The appeal is that the DM can make a full 3D dungeon, with live action fused into the campaign. As the players make choices, the DM builds the next step of a custom adventure.

As your user base grows, you stand poised to put Larian studios to shame; creating authentic,fully voiced, D&D campaigns of your own, from the Realm of Faerun, the Fey Wild, and the Planes.

Option B...go strait to the part where your next big project is an authentic full license D&D campaign from Faerun.

Baldur's Gate was not even the biggest campaign from that realm. Hell, The Curse of Strahd would be my choice.

After seeing what you did with vampires in Solasta, I have no doubt you could remaster this story into something that would put all other Official D&D PC titles to shame. Do your homework first though. The D&D online version of the story is amazing! Get Wizards of the Coast to make some level appropriate characters for the story and give you full access. I especially loved the little journals that you get in the online campaign.They give you insight into the characters that were key to the making of Strahd and his curse...they are voiced by the long dead character themselves in the first person.

Make Cinematics that tell the audience the backstory of Strahd (To hype the release), and then let the players come in to make the experience personal. They will experience real emotion, when they meet the ghosts of the long dead victims if you do it right. What twists could be added to your story? Can the some of these characters be resurrected to aid in the beyond epic battles that you create for the endgame?

I would also suggest a closed beta testing and deliver a fully polished product upon delivery. Look at the pre-sales that Larian got after their cinimatics, use those to help you finish. Your cinimatics would be more based in dramatic story telling, of course. We will wait eagerly for the next one to be released, so that we can hear your moving interpretation, told through the lips of those who were there first hand.

As it turns out...dead men and women DO tell tales...key chilling score *Thunderclap*.

OK...so here is group creating exactly what I was imagining...a 3D tabletop engine.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1543590/Wildshape__Map_Editor_free_demo/

They are miles behind, but ahead in vision.

In the case of stepping up into the "Big Leagues" and trying to capture a bigger fan base, then you may have to polish the engine, expand the scope of your story telling, and make a bigger sandbox. The aspects I will mention could also be added to your current adventure as a DLC to help re-play value of the main campaign.

By "polishing the engine", I refer to the character graphics and customization. The ability to customize and identify with the character is very important to many people and many mods are dedicated to appearance and clothing in other games. I was content in finding four faces that went with Male and Female voices 1 and 2 for a two male two female party. For male one I made him look like Ragnar from the vikings, with a long beard (auburn in color..looks the most passable), and male two was a face and hair that made him look like he was in his upper 30s and that fit the voice.The females were definitely harder to make presentable, but playing with the colors helped make the hair textures look a little less plastic.

Honestly, I don't know what is the most cost effective way to improve this aspect. Sliders perhaps or more face choices. Something to create the illusion of higher resolution hair (especially around the face...the backs look OK). and two-tone options maybe? More armor color customization. Accessories like tabards, that include the ability to choose a custom logo and a way to easily drop customized logos into a "logos folder" (no modding necessary...the choices are immediately recognized).

Far objects look amazing in your game during close ups, you can see the trees blowing in the night sky for example :). Star trek online is a older title that has dated graphics, yet you can still make a "space Barbie" ...or Ken (implied, although men are always easier)...that look awesome. The clothing customization makes it easy to make a unique look. Free download if you want to check it out. I don't hear any of your current customers complaining, but to make bigger titles you will need to draw more people in. I noticed this a minor immersion problem, as I prepare for a second play-through (just purchased call of the wild). It feels like I am just playing the same party in different classes.

This leads me to the last two points, which go hand in hand: Opening up the sandbox and creating more non-linear story telling.

*Pause* I feel so bad for Larian. They had a great idea and screwed themselves over by F***ing it up...like, completely! Their vision of origin characters, that are fully voiced, with thousands upon thousands of lines of dialog was a home-run idea! Ooooops! The characters are crap!

Gale is the best character by far (story-wise), but is a meme for the corpse you drag around. This, because ranged characters (that you want to keep away from the front lines) have NO range (Wiskey, Tango, Foxtrot!). That and he is a Xorn that wants to eat all of my magical items...erm, so he wont be in my party.

Wyll is my best companion, tactically, and the second best personality...coming in at passable.

Astarian is decent in combat, but is the tag along companion we get to dig the latrine at night...gone at the first chance.

Lae'zel is the poster child for this story and is very good tactically. Her personality is grating, but in character with race and backstory...she is in, 

Shadowhart: Crap and uhm really crap!

The Tiefling female that they have planed to be an option...rude crude and nasty.

The shame is all the wasted hours of time and money to get it wrong.

Your characters were likeable...ie polite, in character with the medieval theme, but not overly dramatic. They were caring, but not excessively emotional...like the bard tiefling in BG3 who is supposed to move me but just fails...can't completely put my finger on why either...go figure...Larian messed her up too.

The point is, its a big investment to open up dialogue options, so I would get some kind of feedback on character selection before committing to new ones.

If you were to consider doing a fully licensed story, either your own in the Faerun realm, or a classic story, then you will need to invest more time in the story and options. You have proven engine, and implementing the official rules would be cake. Again I have confidence in your team based on the story you did. 

I would go with something that includes at classic familiar elements. Strahd, Elminster, Drizzt, and others are Iconic and will definitely draw a crowd, however their are many areas, such as the Moonshae Isles, that have untapped potential for an Iconic story, especially if you set your story farther back in history.

https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Moonshae_Isles

There are unique race of elves called Eladrin and human race called the Ffolk and of course all the classics.. Moon wells that lead to the Feywild...great if you want to set up an adventure that succeeds in great sequel potential. The Feywild is a great place to challenge high level 5e characters, and has many mythical races and beasts...the stuff that "fairy tales" are made of in places like Balder's Gate and Waterdeep.

Go Big, but Do your homework!

Become the next Fantasy grounds.

Upgrade your engine to allow DMs to host a full license version of 5e in the same way that Fantasy grounds does. The DM buys the license and hosts the game. Focus on making tools that will make it easy for DMs to host campaigns. 

OK so then market your new "virtual Tabletop",on steroids of course, as a separate product.

Do it well, and put Fantasy Grounds and Roll20 down for the count. As you build a user base, then Wizards of the coast will take notice and release the same Adventure Bundles that they have done for both of these platforms. https://www.fantasygrounds.com/store/productbundle.php?bundleid=WOTC5EADVENTURES. The appeal is that the DM can make a full 3D dungeon, with live action fused into the campaign. As the players make choices, the DM builds the next step of a custom adventure.

As your user base grows, you stand poised to put Larian studios to shame; creating authentic,fully voiced, D&D campaigns of your own, from the Realm of Faerun, the Fey Wild, and the Planes.

Option B...go strait to the part where your next big project is an authentic full license D&D campaign from Faerun.

Baldur's Gate was not even the biggest campaign from that realm. Hell, The Curse of Strahd would be my choice.

After seeing what you did with vampires in Solasta, I have no doubt you could remaster this story into something that would put all other Official D&D PC titles to shame. Do your homework first though. The D&D online version of the story is amazing! Get Wizards of the Coast to make some level appropriate characters for the story and give you full access. I especially loved the little journals that you get in the online campaign.They give you insight into the characters that were key to the making of Strahd and his curse...they are voiced by the long dead character themselves in the first person.

Make Cinematics that tell the audience the backstory of Strahd (To hype the release), and then let the players come in to make the experience personal. They will experience real emotion, when they meet the ghosts of the long dead victims if you do it right. What twists could be added to your story? Can the some of these characters be resurrected to aid in the beyond epic battles that you create for the endgame?

I would also suggest a closed beta testing and deliver a fully polished product upon delivery. Look at the pre-sales that Larian got after their cinimatics, use those to help you finish. Your cinimatics would be more based in dramatic story telling, of course. We will wait eagerly for the next one to be released, so that we can hear your moving interpretation, told through the lips of those who were there first hand.

As it turns out...dead men and women DO tell tales...key chilling score *Thunderclap*.

Please go down the path this player mentioned here.  I didn't add to it since they said everything so damned well.  Doing this would create huge growth for you company and put you in front a new area.  

Checking back.

So I am reading that the company wants to stay small, but I am not seeing feedback from the developers on where their head is at.

I would seriously stay on the 5e path and improve upon it. 

Beyond multiplayer, the NUMBER ONE improvement should be character customization. This is holding you back big time. Not having options kills replay-ability and discourages a new fan base.

The hair and faces are just horrid. I found the right combination my first play-through, that minimized the plastic hair look, but have not been able to one up myself once since then...huge problem!

Moders should have been all over this by now, This tells me that you need to give them tools, then sit back and let the community do the work for you.

What is holding you back from doing a Faerun realm story?

I first posted with "Go Big", but that realm is already big. Adding even a modest story in this realm makes it huge.

Perhaps take a look back at what the "Gold Box" games did. If cost is an issue for better licensing, then get Wizards of the Coast to acknowledge the progress you have made, because your success IS their success. Time for them to anti up!

You are the single best company to capture the game play of table-top hands down. Larian is the top contributor for aesthetics, but is getting roasted for not committing to the RAW. They are drawing the crowd. Remember how they started...they flopped with DOS, then remade it into a success.

Focus on cosmetics (modestly, but a priority) and the License (Priority).

Make your next adventure in the iconic realm. Get feedback and suggestions from the fans, for a setting within Faerun. You can be small, just build on your success and don't start from scratch again.

What is holding you back from doing a Faerun realm story?

Make your next adventure in the iconic realm. Get feedback and suggestions from the fans, for a setting within Faerun. You can be small, just build on your success and don't start from scratch again.

faerun and other iconic realms are normally copy righted so they would need big bucks to be able to use them which is contrary to being small.  so unless they are gifted something most likely they will need to stay original but since they have already done a lot of the heavy lifting of creating their own world that should free their time to fill it in with fun details.  who knows, maybe in 5, 10, 20 years various little startup companies will have people complaining on their forums and asking why they don't base their games in solasta's realm

I'm probably late to the party since I just discovered Solasta about a week ago.  But I agree this is the best 5E game around.  So much so that our D&D group is moving from a Roll20 virtual pen & paper game to Solasta starting this week.  We will see how the multiplayer goes.  But from what I've seen so far, I am very encouraged.

I also agree with a full 5E license.  Having a faithful implementation (even partial) of the 5E ruleset - spells, subclasses, etc is highly desirable.  While the SRD is a great start, this feels like a pretty cool homebrew implementation, not the full 5E.  That probably still appeals to a nice market, but you would expand your playerbase if you had a full 5E implementation.  Or at this point, perhaps keep going here and negotiate with WotC for a 5.5/6E license (new version out in 2024?).

I wanted to write on this post to give you some ideas for your next adventure that I think you could improve upon.  I will first start off with what I think was great in the original and the DLC:

1) The combat and mechanics of the game are truly amazing.  This is so close to the 5E ruleset.  Would be great if you could get a full license.

2) The dungeon maker is such a fantastic tool.  This gives the game endless replay ability through all the great people making custom dungeons for us to explore.  Just keep adding onto this.  Again as people have mentioned before if you made this as a dungeon master tool like fantasy grounds you could probably sell this as a separate package but it is fantastic you include it in the game.

3) The factions and backgrounds were great ideas and it was cool that you provided quests for these but the story lines and quests were lackluster at best.

Here are the things I hope you could improve upon in the upcoming games:

1) Improve the character models, outfits and weapons.  The graphics in the game are pretty good but when creating your character the models, weapons and some of the armor sets could us some improvement.

2) Not sure if this would be possible but making kill move graphics for when they land the finishing blow.  You have cut scenes that do a close up sometimes but this would be cool if it was during the final blow.  A lot of dungeon masters I have played with ask the character how they want to finish the monster when they deal the killing blow.  So this would be a cool idea to have an animation spawn on the killing blow to show off a cool killing move.

3) Story, Faction, Background quest line improvements.  I feel that this is where the game lacked the most.  The story was just not that intriguing to me and some of the faction and background quests were not that good.  Some thoughts here would be have a back story that fits the background.  Maybe a player that selects a folk hero background for example returns to his home town and is greeted by people there and has a story line trigger when he goes home.  Or a lowlife background grew up with the thieves faction and they come looking for him and his family for leaving the guild.  If you could hire someone for this I would look at hiring the Dungeon Dudes - they are experts at making back stories, faction quests, etc.  Watch there Dungeons of Drakenheim Series on YouTube and you will see what I am talking about.  Shoot maybe you can pay them to make their Dungeons of Drakenheim story.

4) Increase the difficulty at end game.  Even on the harder difficulties once your characters get to level 10 and above it gets to be pretty easy.  Improve upon the enemy AI and the AI in general.  I don't know how many times my summoned monsters would leave the monster they were right next to to go attack someone else triggering attacks of opportunity.

5) Improve upon the bugs - the Lost Valley DLC has way too many bugs.  Especially with the faction quests getting locked up, losing faction reputation without being warned, etc.  I know sometimes you are on time constraints to get these projects out but it also causes a negative effect when some of the bugs are just unplayable.  

Those are some of my thoughts on improving for your next project.  I love the game and have over 300 hours in it and I am only writing because I think you made something very good but you have the chance to have something truly special if these improvements could be made.  Thanks for your time.