Posted by c_hargrave on January 11, 1998 at 07:52:53
Good morning all,
After a few hours' engagement with Epoche, I thought it might be worthwhile to contribute my initial impressions and open a more structured discussion of the game's themes and architecture. Thank you again to Mr. Williams for providing access.
Thus far, I have explored two scenarios in some depth: the ritual conflict in the woodland enclave (a setting I suspect is loosely based on Iron Age European cultures), and the temple succession dilemma set in a city whose architecture and rites appear to be drawn from a blend of pre-Hellenic and speculative sources. Both are present with a restraint that I find admirable-no gratuitous flair, no overt moral hand-holding. The player is left to infer meaning through consequence.
The game's mechanic of choice-based divergence appears robust, if occasionally opaque. I've not yet had the time to explore alternate outcomes, but it's clear the authors intend for a degree of ambiguity-certainly a design decision rooted more ethnographic simulation than conventional narrative game design. I suspect this is intentional, and quite possibly central to the "point," if such a term can be applied.
On a technical note: I took some time to examine the contents bundled with the distribution. The README.TXT is sparse, although it references a "Wakefield group" which I have been able to find much information about at the time. The accompanying INFO.NFO file is more curious: while it reads like a changelog, it also has mention to research being performed. While this is far from conclusive, it would appear to support Mr. Williams' hypothesis that this is indeed some form of research project, possibly some form of market research, although I cannot begin to guess as to what it might be.
I remain cautious about making grand claims. This is, after all, a game. But I confess I am intrigued by the care with which the authors have modeled social and religious decision-making. More soon, once I've had time to examine further. I am particularly interested to see whether later scenarios maintain this level of anthropological grounding, or if it veers into the fanciful. (Mr. Suthers, please restrain yourself-I said fanciful, not fantastical.)
Yours,
c_hargrave.