Bard's Tale Pokes Fun at Game Leaks

ZIA writes "In response to the continued trend of games being warezed before release, inXile Entertainment, developers of the forthcoming action role-playing game The Bard's Tale, have sent out an amusing press release that pokes fun at the issue. "The Bard's Tale is a highly original game in the same category as a Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Half-Life 2 and Halo 2 so we feel some sort of leak that sounds similar to what they have experienced may be the next logical step in our launch plans."

I've only seen some ads...

[Wylfing]

and it doesn't necessary look connected, but does anyone know if this is related to the old Bard's Tale game? Is it a remake of the same? Ah, how fondly I remember sitting in front of that Amiga watching "99 Berserkers miss" scroll across the text window.

Not a remake

[jbellis]

It shares nothing with The Bard's Tale from the 80's besides the name. Alas.

Re:Not a remake

[Jerf]

It also shares at least one of the developers [mobygames.com], Brian Fargo [mobygames.com], in a lead role, so it is not completely hopeless that at least some of the spirit will shine through.

Re:Not a remake

[rpdillon]

Wow, that's not quite informative.

The lead devloper and a good part of the team are the originals, all trying to retain the "spirit" of the original game.

There are literally 5 or 6 interviews talking about how the two are related, and how the original developer wanted to do a credible modern-day remake of the old one, retaining a lot of the charm.

So, I guess you could say they're very related in spirit, but due to the vast generational gap between them, not to many specific gameplay mechanics are shared.

Re:I've only seen some ads...

[Starsmore]

....unless I'm on crack, the guy behind the original Bard's Tale is doing this.... Check your facts.

Re:I've only seen some ads...

[Halloran]

The game is more of a top down action sort of title with roleplaying elements splashed in here and there. The title seems to plan to be a humor-laden action game.

Gone are the 3D related dungeon, the party of characters, and the town of Skara Brae.

If you are looking for a game that recreates the classic Bard's Tale feel, try doing a web search for "Devil Whiskey."

Look at us!

[Anonymous Coward]

The press release reads like a cry for attention. It looks as though they're saying "Hey, maybe if we get leaked, we'll get in the news too!"

And with the release date 3 days away, i can't imagine they'd really care. They may even leak it themselves just for the news attention.

Re:Look at us!

[Anonymous Coward]

Uh, that's exactly what they're saying. It's a joke with self-mockery.

[sarcasm]Shocking[/sarcasm]

[Xtifr]

The press release reads like a cry for attention.

Oh no, a press release that tries to draw attention to a company's product(s)?! That's horrible! How dare they!? Next thing you know, they'll be paying to have their product mentioned in national publications, maybe even on television. They might even try to bribe certain unscrupulous, underhanded journalists (called "ree-vyOO-ers") with copies of the game in a blatant attempt to get detailed articles published about their products. When will it end? Aren't there laws against this sort of thing?

Stan: they advertised their own product!
Kyle: YOU BASTARDS!

Re:Look at us!

[nicksthings]

Wait, hold on - are you being sarcastic, too? Because I guess you missed it but uh so were they. That's the entire point of the game.

Dying laughing...

[eviltypeguy]

But the funniest thing has got to be the flash they have up on the Bard's Tale site.

http://www.the-bards-tale.com/uk/

Try mousing over the woman's breast area several times, after the 6th or 7th time it launches a page on sexual harrasment :)

Re:Dying laughing...

[De Bas Meister]

For something even funnier, move the mouse over the bard's nether regions a couple times. Not only will he rebuff you, but eventually the barmaid tells you in a deep man's voice to try the Prancing Pony down the street...

Re:Dying laughing...

[thorndt]

And how is it that we know about this fondling wrist-slap, hmmm? :-)

Obvious...

[pyro jackelope]

The best way to market a product (If it deserves to live) is to let the public have it.