Work-in-Progress Spotlight
April 1st, 2009 by Scud

Special Edition: Sabato Lives

By Berserker Jerker

Due to the website being nationalised, we have been told to increase output at lower levels of cost (some how), so this is the reason behind this mid-week Spotlight. Also I was told to use a catchy title to generate more internet traffic, thus more people click on advertisments meaning our site gets more money to claw its way out of debt. Plus, we couldn’t afford the coders to use that fancy side-align feature so we had to use a standard issue banner. Regardless, the show must go on and what you read is true – I really did manage to get hold of our most wonderful design guru Berserker Jerker and take a look at his mythical project. That is right lords, ladies and gentlemen (and civil servants of the Federal Resevre), Sabato Lives is coming to a Blacksmith near you soon! But how soon you all cry, and the answer is very – as we speak our new Federal counterparts are processing a short teaser to be released at the Blacksmith shortly (I say shortly, but here at AoKH we are know drowning under red-tape). So after many years of waiting the time is near at last. I have played the current unfinished version, and even in this rough build all I can say is that it lives up to all our expectations and more. There is no denying it, this would most likely be the best project to ever grace this feature, so everybody – just give up now and go home.

So, where can I start with such a great project like Sabato Lives? I should mention that Beserker Jerker, with great risk to his personal freedom, has torn down the hard-coded limits of the AoK engine to make his scenario truly unique. I mean, this is dedication, this is a designer who is breaking the law to give us absolute design perfection. I mean seriously, did I mention the 3D grahpics yet – the full scaled units and buldings complete with proper water effects? It’s all in there! Such length Beserker has taken seperates him from those pretenders who call themselves ‘modders’ who just switch around a few sprites and slap some new names on units (KOR!), this man has created a whole new game for us to play (look at the amazing screenshots in the interview for example)! I apologize for the over-use of exclamation marks, but they are truly called for when talking about such a subject with this gravitas. Besker Jerker has raised the bar so high that there is no point even us trying to design anymore, and we all know deep down that this is true.

I have not spoken much about the plot yet, but again, it is so vast and indepth one does not know where to begin on discussing it. The cut-scenes alone take up four whole hours of gameplay, and they are worth it to the second (that said, this is an early version, expect more delightful cut-scenes in the full version). Plus the written quality is unlike anything seen before; yes I often attack your fantasy stories in RPGs but did I tell that the script for this scenario has been shortlisted for next years Booker Prize? I do not wish to ruin the story but I can say is that you expect a total freeform story, every decision you make impacts the ending, yes, everything. Combined with such game-breaking modding and a unqiue and fresh storyline this sets up to be the best project yet!

I managed to have a quick word with Berserker Jerker when he was not busy working on his master-piece:

Could this really be the best thing since sliced bread? Early reports suggest that Sabato Lives contains more nutrients than a three course meal, could your scenario single handily defend famine in Sub-Sahara Africa?

Berserker Jerker: It’s better than sliced bread, it is actually “FBB”? (Forage Bush Bread). The player, feeling a bit peckish, will be able to reach into the screen and grab a snack as they play. The break through came when I realized forage bushes in AoK are actually edible. So with a few fancy triggers, some simple map copy techniques and an once of Plutonium, FBB was born, and hence I can use FBB to feed the world! Here’s a screenie of Sabato having a snack on FBB. Notice the use of very detailed eye candy to enhance the shot.

Does it bother you that other people keeping releasing scenarios in the Blacksmith? We all know Sabato are the best scenarios ever, so why do you think people even bothering making scenarios, shouldn’t they just give up?

Berserker Jerker: Absolutely! The whole point of the Blacksmith is for me to post scenarios. But you know what it’s like, the world is full of wannabe Jerk’s who think they can use my Blacksmith to post there pathetic attempts at scenario design! I’ve done something about this now, I have sacked Tanneur99 and installed a puppet to run the new Blacksmith. Here’s what it will look like.

You are worshiped as a God in the design community – how soon until your religion gains official status?

Berserker Jerker: What do you mean, it’s already official. I can tell this because if I enter a room I always hear people say “Oh god it’s him”?. However, to check my god status, I have dispatched a Monk on a pilgrimage around the world to evaluate the impact my scenarios have had and to reinforce my God status at the north and south poles. He’s not reported back in though…

In response to the last question – how do you feel about people who follow the false idol that is Ingo van Theil?

Berserker Jerker: I don’t mind this at all, for you see… *Drum roll with long dramatic pause* Ingo and I are one and the same person! So you see all the Ingo worshipers are actually Jerk worshipers!