During a recent visit to Big Huge Studios in Baltimore, MMORPG.com Managing Editor Jon Wood had the opportunity to find out more about Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, the RPG predecessor to the "Copernicus" MMO in development at 38Studios. See what Jon found out about how Reckoning will influence the MMO in his comprehensive report. Leave us a comment or two when finished!

At the beginning of the project, R.A. Salvatore created a history for the world, detailing the events of the land’s evolution over a 10,000 year period. The hope is that having a firm history to start from will give the game a greater scope and continuity, leading to a more intense player attachment not only with the individual game that they are playing at any given time, but with the world as a whole. These guys don’t want their world to be a disposable experience.

Read more of Jon Wood's Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning - Informing the MMO.

I have been following this and i will pick up the single player RPG 

Well if the company can make games as well as Curt Schilling pitched then it is a no brainer it will be full of win.

Yes, please, and thanks for not making me press the spacebar to pause in the middle of combat

I want !!!

Ive grown reading R.A. Salvatore's books, enjoying Todd McFarlane's artwork and seeing Curt Schilling throwing fireballs on screen. I could tell they were all passionate about what they were doing and I know they will bring it in this project.

This is something this industry that has been taken over by marketers and cold buisnesman desesperatly need. Feels like the repressed artist who made games in the 90s could find a niche at Big Huge Studios lol.

Looking forward to the next adventure these guys will bring to us.

Originally posted by Tymora

Yes, please, and thanks for not making me press the spacebar to pause in the middle of combat

 

Oh I so agree. I have DA 2 already preloaded for tomorrow but I'm so worried that I'll be disappointed by it compared to Origins. Now that Bioware has seemingly rather sold out to the "action RPG" market, someone has to step in and take up the slack and bring a full-featured single player RPG to the table that has a STORY.

The demo for DA 2 had me scratching my head and wondering where the exploration and -thinking- went in the game. *sighs*

R.A. Salvatore and Curt Shilling are aces. I have never cared for Todd McFarlanes artwork (only some of his character designs) ....so it's good to me that he is not heavily involved in the actual artwork other than insight and input. Plus...he always struck me as an arrogant douche. I could be wrong. Looking forward to the game overall.

Thank you for this article Jon,i admit i was clueless about both this studio and the work in progress..just watched the trailer,sure seems promising :)

Originally posted by SBFord

The demo for DA 2 had me scratching my head and wondering where the exploration and -thinking- went in the game. *sighs*

 

Ummm, exploration and thinking in Dragon Age? Overworld travel consists of clicking on a location and your character autmoatically travelling there and getting into one instanced fight in between.

When you get to that location travel consists of following clear-cut paths that you cannot stray off of. There is nothing to think about except for which buttons to press in battle. And very little exploration to be had.

Anyways, I'm excited for this game as well. It's an all-star team full of fire and passion. It'll be good to see Salvatore behind something gaming related that isnt regulated by Wizards of the Coast.

Great people and talent developing these games and definitely worth keeping an eye on...

...Although just one thing, over sized weapons, hate 'em!  Not game breaking, but sure puts a damper on immersion, imo.

You forgot to Mention Ken Rolston (The Lead designer from Oblivion and Morrowind) it truly is an epic team. 

Lead designer of Morrowind and Oblivion

Creator of Spawn 

Best selling Fantasy Author 

I'm anxious!

Though I am likely setting my self up to be dissapointed though, this many big names and this much talent on board and expectations become pretty high, sadly probably to high. 

Is this an open world RPG?

Originally posted by SBFord

Originally posted by Tymora

Yes, please, and thanks for not making me press the spacebar to pause in the middle of combat

 

Oh I so agree. I have DA 2 already preloaded for tomorrow but I'm so worried that I'll be disappointed by it compared to Origins. Now that Bioware has seemingly rather sold out to the "action RPG" market, someone has to step in and take up the slack and bring a full-featured single player RPG to the table that has a STORY.

The demo for DA 2 had me scratching my head and wondering where the exploration and -thinking- went in the game. *sighs*

 

My heart feels the same way :(

Been watching this closely as well. I am pretty excited and anxious about this title and the MMORPG tied to it. 

Thank you for the info on this game.

I've been anxiously awaiting this game and the MMO - looks like it might be a good pair.

"Oh I so agree. I have DA 2 already preloaded for tomorrow but I'm so worried that I'll be disappointed by it compared to Origins. Now that Bioware has seemingly rather sold out to the "action RPG" market, someone has to step in and take up the slack and bring a full-featured single player RPG to the table that has a STORY.

The demo for DA 2 had me scratching my head and wondering where the exploration and -thinking- went in the game. *sighs*"

I hear you 100% on this, the sellout to the more actiony rpg and the heavier inclusion of DLC hooks directly integrated into the games making you feel like you are missing out on something directly in game if you dont buy it are two very disappointing trends from what was once my favorite developer (followed them since they first announced they had the D&D license via interplay and were makin BG).

I think bringing out a single player RPG to introduce a new IP MMORPG is a smart move. I'm glad that there was reporting on it here.

I've been hyped over this RPG and the MMO for a while.. R.A Salvatore would be the main reason haha.. Looks like this game is gonna actually have some lore to it :)

The head programmer was in charge of making morrorind+oblivion ...Along with R.A.Salvatore the game can only be a success. I expect nothing less than a good old time rpg that we miss so much if not better..at least equal to oblivion...