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A recent RPG Vault interview with Jeff Vogel of Spiderweb Software reveals the designer's goals for Avernum 4 and the fan's reaction to the game. The successor to the popular Avernum/Exile series offers a large amount of new areas, missions, and items to enjoy as well as the usual legion of enemies to defeat. Although the game has sold extremely well Vogel says some fans were unhappy with the game's emphasis on combat.

Audience Response
Avernum 4 has been an enormous success for us. I'm not sure we've ever had a game that sold so fast. It is very satisfying to me. We worked very hard for a long time, and we have been rewarded. Real life should work that way.

Though sales have been fantastic, there is a part of my fanbase that isn't entirely happy with the game. It has much more emphasis on action and exploration, and less on dialogue and intricate plot. For the people who love my games because of the storyline and writing, Avernum 4 was sort of jarring. The Geneforge games are much more to their speed.

But I like to write all different sorts of games. Sometimes, I like action. Big, elaborate, complex battles are a lot of fun! And now that the carnage is out of my system, our next game, Geneforge 4, will have a much more intricate storyline.

RPG Vault: Avernum 4 Wrap Report

Spiderweb Software (add to watch list)

Avernum 4 (add to watch list)

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