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Tales of Maj'Eyal

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Tales of Maj'Eyal
Developer(s)Netcore Games
Designer(s)Nicolas Casalini
Artist(s)Raymond Gaustadnes
Assen Kanev
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux
Release2012
Genre(s)Roguelike
Mode(s)Single-player

Tales of Maj'Eyal is an open-source roguelike video game released for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux in 2012. Tales of Maj'Eyal is available as donation-supported[1] freeware (donationware) from the developers;[2] donations grant some exclusive online features as part of a freemium model. The game may also be purchased through the digital distribution outlets Steam[2][3] or GOG.[4] The game's TE4 game engine source code is under a GNU GPLv3 license,[5] while the game's assets are licensed for use "with the Tales of Maj'Eyal game only".[6]

Gameplay

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Tales of Maj'Eyal is a dungeon crawl featuring a customizable graphical interface that integrates classic roguelike keyboard commands with a mouse-driven interface.[7] In a departure from many older roguelike games, Tales of Maj'Eyal has full-color graphics, can be played almost exclusively with the mouse, and despite permadeath the player can earn extra lives through various ways and by leveling up.[8]

Tales of Maj'Eyal emphasizes tactical turn-based combat and flexible player-controlled character development. Gameplay depends heavily on the player's decisions and ability to develop and execute strategy. Play begins with the player selecting one of nine races and one of 25 classes (expandable with add-ons). Not all character choices are available at first; some must be unlocked through in-game progress,[9] or through monetary donation or purchase.[3]

The player explores the lore-filled world of Eyal, which contains numerous dungeons and adversaries. The plot is non-linear, and success depends as much on character planning and storyline choices as it does on the player's skill in defeating enemies in combat.

Online support

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Players may register with an optional online game server, which allows them to view their characters, achievements and high scores.[9] It also collates game statistics including the top killers of players, most common race/class choices, and number of wins. In addition, the game server offers an online chat system, letting players talk to each other.[7][8]

Development

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Tales of Maj'Eyal was developed by Nicolas Casalini ("DarkGod"), with graphics by Assen Kanev ("Rexorcorum") and Raymond Gaustadnes ("Shockbolt"). It is based upon Casalini's earlier game Tales of Middle Earth (ToME)[10] which in turn is based upon his own PernAngband variant,[11] itself based on Zangband,[12] which in turn was based on Angband.[13] Development of ToME 4 started in 2009, and the first formal release occurred in 2012.[14]

The T-Engine game engine is written in C, and offers a development framework for grid-based game modules written in Lua. It supports many OpenGL features such as particle effects and shaders. The T-Engine has been used to create games for the annual Seven Day Roguelike Challenge in 2011[15] and 2012.[16]

Several expansions have been released. Ashes of Urh'Rok was released on 27 October 2014,[17] Embers of Rage on 23 February 2016,[18] and Forbidden Cults on 16 May 2018.[19]

Modifications may also be made to the Tales of Maj'Eyal game module through an add-on system, including graphics, interface, content and gameplay balance alterations and additions.

Reception

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Tales of Maj'Eyal was awarded "ASCII Dreams Roguelike of the Year" for 2010[20] 2011,[21] and 2012,[22] with over 5,000 roguelike players voting in 2012.[22] It has also been accepted into Valve's Steam store[23][24] as well as on the DRM-free outlet gog.com.[4] In 2016, Steamspy reported over 150,000 Steam game owners and around 2,000 active players over the previous two weeks.[25]

Reviews of Tales of Maj'Eyal have been largely positive,[7][9][26][27] with praise for its accessibility, graphics, user interface, backstory[28] and varied gameplay. US Gamer called it "one of the very best roguelikes out there".[2][29] Linux Journal wrote that "all the great games tend to have a horribly steep learning curve, and all the simple games seem to involve crushing candy. Thankfully, there are a few games like Tales of Maj'Eyal that are complex but with a really easy learning curve".[30] The game has a 95% positive rating on Steam, earning the ranking of "Overwhelmingly Positive".[31]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ donate on te4.org
  2. ^ a b c Davison, Pete (17 December 2013). "Infinite Dungeons, Infinite Death: Tales of Maj'Eyal PC Review". US Gamer. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Tales of May'Eyal on Steam". Steam. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Release: Tales of Maj'Eyal and Ashes of Urh'Rok expansion". GOG. 4 November 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  5. ^ COPYING on git.net-core.org/tome (2016)
  6. ^ COPYING-MEDIA on git.net-core.org/tome "All the medias located in all the "/data/gfx" folders are granted to use with the Tales of Maj'Eyal game only. Please contact darkgod@te4.org for more informations". (2016)
  7. ^ a b c Tarason, Dominic (5 January 2012). "Freeware Game Pick – Tales of Maj'Eyal: Age of Ascendancy". DIYGamer. Archived from the original on 11 January 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  8. ^ a b Pearson, Dan (2013-01-30). "Where I'm @: A Brief Look At The Resurgence of Roguelikes". Gameindustry.biz. Retrieved 2014-08-30.
  9. ^ a b c Tarason, Dominic (17 December 2012). "Tales Of Maj'Eyal Is The Best Roguelike You've Never Played, Now Released After Years In Beta". Indie Statik. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  10. ^ "Roguelike Radio:Episode 18: ToME 4". 10 January 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  11. ^ "PernAngband - RogueBasin". roguebasin.roguelikedevelopment.org.
  12. ^ "Zangband - RogueBasin". roguebasin.roguelikedevelopment.org.
  13. ^ "Angband at oook.cz – Variant list". Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  14. ^ Sykes, Tom (18 December 2012). "Tales of Maj'Eyal is released, despite being out for 109 years". PC Gamer. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  15. ^ "2011 Seven Day Roguelike Challenge Evaluation". 8 April 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  16. ^ "2012 Seven Day Roguelike Challenge Evaluation". 9 May 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  17. ^ "Ashes of Urh'Rok released! | Tales of Maj'Eyal and T-Engine4". te4.org.
  18. ^ "Embers of Rage released! | Tales of Maj'Eyal and T-Engine4". te4.org.
  19. ^ "Tales of Maj'Eyal: Forbidden Cults is now released! | Tales of Maj'Eyal and T-Engine4". te4.org.
  20. ^ "Winner of the Ascii Dreams Roguelike of the Year 2010: T.o.M.E. 4". 3 January 2011. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  21. ^ "Winner of the Ascii Dreams Roguelike of the Year 2011: T.o.M.E. 4". 27 December 2011. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  22. ^ a b "Full Results for Ascii Dreams Roguelike of the Year". 31 December 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  23. ^ Polson, John (29 October 2013). "168 devs saved by the grace of Greenlight in October, Steam Halloween sale live". IndieGames.com. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  24. ^ Tales of Maj'Eyal on Greenlight http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=93674769
  25. ^ Tales of Maj'Eyal on Steamspy (2016-07-15)
  26. ^ Smith, Adam (7 January 2013). "TOME Is Where The Heart Is: Happy New Roguelike". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  27. ^ Talley, Michael (10 January 2013). "Tales of Maj'Eyal Review". Gather Your Party. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  28. ^ Spengler, Jon (9 April 2013). "Tales of Maj'Eyal Review". Dorkadia. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  29. ^ Harac, Ian. "Tales of Maj'Eyal 4 Begins a New Chapter in the Roguelike Genre". TechHive. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  30. ^ Powers, Shawn (2018-02-24). "Non-Linux FOSS: Tales of Maj'Eyal". Linux Journal. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  31. ^ "Tales of Maj'Eyal on Steam".
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