Role-playing game developer Spiderweb Software has announced that it will release Blades of Avernum for Macintosh and Windows.
A sequel of sorts to Spiderweb’s earlier game Blades of Exile, Blades of Avernum is an open-ended role-playing game (RPG) that puts players back in a fantasy world where swordplay and spellcasting skills rule the day. A mighty empire rules all known lands, but a rebel force hiding in caverns far underground threaten to shift the balance of power.
Blades of Avernum allows players to play the games included, download new adventures online, or use an editor to craft their own quests. Descriptions of some of the scenarios players can experience have been posted to the Blades of Avernum Web page.
Blades of Avernum uses the same 3D, isometrically-displayed graphics engine that Spiderweb has previously used in the earlier Avernum games. It also incorporates a new scripting engine and a more user-friendly editor that provides users with new capabilities when crafting their own scenarios. Spiderweb founder Jeff Vogel has posted details about what users can expect — and what they shouldn’t expect — from the new editing tools, so if you’re a fan of the series, it’s probably worth a look.
The game is scheduled for an early 2004 release. It will cost US$25 or $32 with a hint book. The editing tools will be included with the game. System requirements have not been posted, but Spiderweb’s titles have historically been pretty gentle on hardware.