AGON: Ancient Games of Nations
Private Moon Studios, based in Hungary, is the creative force behind
this new game series. AGON, in production for a year before the
release of episode one, is their first project. According to the
developers, AGON was originally conceived as a large group of
culturally driven board games supplemented by a bare hint of plot.
Fortunately for us, AGON evolved far beyond its original scope. What
we have now is far more complex in concept and design.
I
find AGON fascinating on many levels…
Primarily, there is the method of marketing and sales. At present,
AGON is offered as a download game, in a serialized format. This
first episode is not what you would call a full-length game, but
rather an extended level or chapter. There will be a total of 14
such episodes offered for purchase over the next two years. Many
will react to this serialized approach with a big “Why on earth
would someone release a game this way?!” I wondered initially myself
– what was up with this. Well it makes sense when you think about it
from several viewpoints. Private Moon Studios went with the
serialized mode of distribution for a number of reasons.
One,
it allowed them to circumvent the more typical publisher route, so
that the game could be released as it is done – rather than waiting
2 to 3 years for the full version. This method of production also
allows each episode to take advantage of any technical advancements
that arise during the development process and thus keep pace with
current graphic/gaming standards. This is a big advantage for such a
huge game, which all together will have over 60 hours of game time.
How many times have games with lengthy development schedules (due to
their length and detailed story lines) been far behind the
production value curve by the time they come to market? The
technology that exists at the start of the process would surely be
dated by the time of release. The chapter approach is also central
to the logic flow of the complete story, as each adventure takes
place in 12 areas of the world and focuses on 12 different ancient
games. Based upon my own experience of episode one and comments from
the developers, each new chapter will be a self-contained story
within the larger tale of AGON. The exceptions to this are the first
episode, which sets the stage for the entire series, and the final
episode, which is the grand finale to this saga. The last and 14th
episode will be Private Moons gift to gamers and will be available
at no cost. Finally, this mode of delivery allows for intentional
responsiveness to gamers input as the story progresses. This will be
implemented through the AGON online gamers club – which I will get
back to later in this review.
AGON – Episode One
The
first episode of AGON has a wonderful introduction. Any thought that
Private Moon, as an independent developer, is a “garage game group”
is demolished by the intro cut scene to this game. I was immediately
reminded of the intro film bits for PBS Mystery or Masterpiece
Theatre. It is that impressive. Given the varied backgrounds of the
AGON team – it is not surprising that they have a strong talent for
presentation, musical composition and film quality graphics.
The
sweeping open carries you across London streets and down through the
open window of an academia’s office. It is in this small chamber
that we meet our alter ego, Professor Samuel Hunt. Prof. Hunt is a
British historian, employed by the venerable British Museum of
History. Initially, he does not seem like much of a hero-adventurer.
However, we soon learn that our Professor is a man of unique
persistence, a thirst for the truth and a wistful yearning for
adventure. As fate would have it – he quickly finds himself caught
up in a mystery of global proportions. It seems that along with the
ordinary correspondence and papers associated with his position, a
mysterious letter has found its way into his hands. A lesser man
might have noted its contents and moved on. But, he is a bit bored
with the routine existence of his job within the museum and quickly
embraces the mission hinted at by this strange document. I have no
doubt, that his new found enthusiasm for the exotic will be well met
by his future travels and adventures.
Additional characters are introduced in this first chapter. There is
Dr. Thomas Smythe, who is secretary to the Museum Director. Despite
his obligations in that capacity, it is obvious that he holds Prof.
Hunt in high regard. Smythe warms to the task of a behind the scenes
and covert assistant. In this episode, our sole contact with Smythe
is via phone and written communiqués. However in future episodes,
Smythe will make a personal appearance and I look forward to that
encounter. We are also informed of Hunts wife and the director of
the Museum. There are other characters who play a minor role in this
first level and are unique to this environment. There will be
recurrent characters that will make appearances in person or via
correspondence through out the series, as well as a cast of
characters unique to each new chapter and its self contained story
line.
I am
deliberately avoiding discussion of the plot specifics in this
episode, as I would not wish to spoil any part of the discoveries
that await the player. I can say that the plot is detailed and
hints broadly at many possible twists and turns that await the
player in future episodes. At the same time, I felt well settled as
to why the Professor had been captivated by this mystery and what he
had uncovered in this opening scenario.
Challenges and other Game Features
One
of the enjoyable aspects of this first episode was the ability to
roam and interact with a number of items that might not be central
to the mysteries at hand. There are a large variety of printed
materials to look through. I felt compelled to make a special note
of these, as they might be significant for later chapters. Personal
items, pictures along the way, any number of items could be looked
at and subject to comment from Hunt. Much was non-essential to
immediate tasks, but served to build depth to the story line and
environment. These interactions also enriched the personalities of
Hunt and others within the episode, as well as those who were not
active within the chapter itself.
In
future episodes, as mentioned earlier, there will be a board game
introduced or discovered. Each of these games will be culturally
unique to the environment, circumstances and story line of each
chapter. Aside from this individual game, there will be puzzles and
or challenges integrated within the story line of that chapter and
the sub mystery or quests inherent to that plot path. Episode one
had only these challenges as it is the only chapter aside from the
last that will not have an ancient game included. These puzzles were
logical to the story line and were well crafted. There was a bit of
running back and forth for part of this – though it made sense given
the details. It is the one small flaw in an otherwise well conceived
game. I enjoyed my foraging and the wide range of activities I had
to engage in to solve my way through this first episode and look
forward to more of the same in Episode Two.
I
also thought the voice talent was well chosen. It was great to hear
English characters who sounded legitimately British. Rather than the
arch pseudo upper crust English of old movies – this was the gamut
of English accents. This was refreshing and added great credibility
to the characters and gameplay. The dialogue was similarly well
chosen. Hunt had a wide range of private responses to items or
events, but conversations between characters never felt strained or
overblown. It all had such a natural flow.
The
graphics and ambiance of the game was quite exceptional. The musical
overlay had good variety and was beautifully written. I tend to
capture musical pieces I enjoy in games for enjoyment independent of
gameplay. The AGON musical pieces are such quality compositions. Not
that the graphics were slighted by the developers. As with the
opening scene, the care taken with the graphics was evident
throughout this episode. Even in the little touches, the game
impressed. For example, reflective surfaces were used well in the
game to add a note of realism. Not only would you see yourself in
character whenever you passed a closed window, a glass fronted
cabinet and so on. But the perspective shifted as you moved. I was
fascinated by the detail of this and checked it out for consistency
in a variety of places. It is difficult for me to find areas for
improvement in these areas of the game. Well done team AGON!
Series related comments
Interface
AGON is mouse controlled with a point and click interface. The
scenes are explored using a first person view and panoramic views of
the surrounding environment. Characters and interactive objects are
depicted in real time 3D. The puzzles are fully integrated in the
same graphic mode. There is a menu access along the top right corner
of the game screen. Here you have what appear to be typewriter keys.
There is one for the inventory, a documents button, main menu and so
on. You have a smart cursor that indicates with an magnifying glass
when closer interaction is possible with an object. An “X” button
appears on the lower screen in close-up mode. Click on it to exit
that view. If there is an inventory item that can be interacted with
directly, clicking on it will take you to a close up mode. Items
that can be used are taken into hand by clicking on them.
Series Game Play
Each
episode features interaction with other characters, multiple
puzzles, and as a master puzzle, a board game to be played against
one of the characters. Developers took great pains to include
relatively unknown board games that also fit with the cultural
context that the given episode is taking place in. This is
reinforced by soundtracks that are mirrored and grounded in the
related culture of each episode. What adds great value to these
chapters is that you have several layers of gameplay. One you have
the internal chapter mystery and side quests. Two, you have the
added knowledge that involves the larger series wide mystery and
story. Third, you have the ancient game featured in that chapter
that you play against an internal character. Once you have completed
each episode you will play any and all of these accumulated games
online with other gamers. The online AGON server that allows the
downloading, installation and activation of each episode is also set
up to facilitate this online play. The interface online will be the
same as that used in the game. You can also play the games on your
own computer in a stand alone fashion. Last but hardly least, is the
added feature of the AGON online club.
The AGON online Community
Membership in the online AGON community is free with purchase of the
initial episode. All you have to do is register the first episode.
When you do this the same ID and pop code that activates the game
also is the sign in for the club pages. There will be added game
materials on those pages, that will provide insight into the
professor’s quest and events surrounding his journeys. There will be
letters from Prof. Hunt and others as well as additional
supplemental information. What is really exciting is the adaptive
nature of the development process. Input from players at the AGON
club pages is actively sought and will be considered in shaping
future episodes. So this is a pre-designed game, but with a unique
built in responsiveness as the game is developed chapter by chapter.
In a further unusual twist – the last and 14th episode
will be free. The grand finale to the AGON story will serve as a
reward to all who have traveled with the professor and uncovered the
secrets entwined with these Ancient Game of Nations.
Last Thoughts
It
is true, that by making this game available only through a large
download and in chapters, Private Moon has excluded certain groups
of gamers. Those with slower online access will be daunted by the
200+Mb file size. Private Moon has tried to make this process less
cumbersome for these players by also having segmented download
available. Early word of mouth has been positive from the intrepid
dial ups who have purchased the game and used this download method.
I think the quality of this game make it worthwhile to try out the
first two episodes. In fact Episode 2, which is indicative of the
majority of the future AGON episodes and will feature the first of
12 unique ancient games will be available for purchase in a few
weeks. There are others who fear getting attached to the series and
seeing it only partially completed over time. That is a valid point.
But I figured at under 10.00 per episode, the value of the game was
well worth that chance. Now that episode 2 is soon to release, the
first ancient game will be introduced. This has value as a stand
alone game both on your PC and online against others. So, there is
internal replay value exclusive of the larger series mystery. And
each episode has its own internal story that is resolved by
successful completion of that episode. I suppose the bottom line
for me was the attention to every detail that shown brightly in this
first episode. Future episodes and the promise of an entire series
this well crafted will be a joy to experience.
Review Grade: A-
design copyright ©
2004
GameBoomers
Group
