Avernum 1-3?

[DaVinMan]

The current package seems to be a great deal (Avernum 4-6 for $9.59), but I gotta ask, where's 1-3 and why aren't they available at the same time? I don't really keep up with Spiderweb, so apologies in advance if this is a silly question.

[Tyraa Rane]

Well, there's Escape from the Pit...I thought that was just the first game, although I could be wrong and it combines all three.

I'm wondering about that too, so no worries--not a silly question at all.

[SLowrAM]

I'm also Spiderweb ignorant. I do know Escape from the Pit is Avernum with updated graphics/gaming engine and a few tweaks (also think it's just the 1st one but not certain). I believe these 4-6 are the old engine, confirmation would be great. Also interested if there's a plan on remaking them in new engine as was done with the original in the series.
If you prefer the new engine, and haven't yet, you may want to get Avadon on Steam instead/in addition to. It uses the new engine like Escape from the Pit. It's an enjoyable game as well, but a totally different story and an interesting quest system where there's a hub you keep returning to between missions. The game interface/combat/looting are very similar since they use the same engine.

[Rook]

I suspect Avernum 2 (possibly 3) will be coming out soon on the new engines so maybe they didn't want to appear to be cheating the populace by releasing the dated versions right before the new ones are rolled out?

Whereas Avernum 4-6 would still be aways away from being redone...

Not really sure, but I don't feel like I can play Avernum 4-6 without going back over 2 and 3... I bought the bundle anyway though because I'm a Spidersoft Hammer Legion Member. Now I just have to wait for the 2nd and 3rd...

[SLowrAM]

I've spent the last hour looking through the Spiderwebforums and based on that best I can guess is Avernum 2 and 3 apparently may have issues running on 64-bit systems so they would be more difficult to port to work with steam on new pcs.
Also appears next project (after a while) will be a new Avadon, so I would guess rewrites of 2 and 3 let alone updates to 4-6 using newer engine are a long ways off. On the plus side, to my surprise, I read a few people actually feel Avernum 6 looks better than the remake Escape from the Pit.

[sea-]

Jeff Vogel is apparently intent on remaking Avernum 2 and 3 in addition to the first one, mostly because those games use the older engine and aren't nearly as playable today. You aren't really missing much just going into 4-6, those games are kind of a self-contained trilogy and are pretty playable on their own terms as well.

[CaractacusRex]

Reading from another thread and from the Spiderweb site. Avernum 2 and 3 are likely to be remade as they are now so old that they struggle to run on modern OS's, while 4,5,6 are still good to go.

I loved Avadon, although I barely got into the game, so Avernum and Geneforge are musts for me. However, do I buy now or are there likely to be discounts in later sales. I've never seen Geneforge discounted (Although admittedly it's already a great bundle for five games, I'm just stony broke). I'm the same, I'd like to play them in order, so purchasing 456 before 2 and 3 are remade seems a little bit redundant.But is this the cheapest they are likely to be?

[colorado]

"Avernum: Escape from the Pit" is a remake of Avernum 1 on a new engine. So I'd start with that one if you've never played any of the games before.

Avernum 2 and 3 use an older engine so they probably won't be coming to steam. But as far as I've heard Spiderweb plans on remaking them eventually on the new engine (if all goes well).

At any rate, you don't really need to play any of the previous games to play Avernum 4-6.

[Laveidem]

Avernum 2+3 work fine for me on my 64 bit W7 PC.
It's worth trying the demo of the older games just to see if they run on your PC.

[Madd the Sane]

The Mac versions are PowerPC-only, and thus won't run on Lion. Since his primary platform is the Mac, it makes it kinda hard to play the older games. That and he's improved his game-making since then; he doesn't want to give people something that he deems as inferior.

[KaylaKaze]

The Geneforge pack was on sale for $10 during the xmas sale.

[Silvador]

Perhaps someone can explain this to me, but when I read the little write-up on these games, the first thing that came to mind is Exile.

[galvatron3000]

Exile is the predecessor to Avernum. We already have the remake of Escape from the Pit, while Crystal Souls and Ruined World are to be made in the next 2-3 years.

[galvatron3000]

Im currently looking for this bundle to add to my increasing Spiderweb collection , and im prepared to offer a good deal for it, if anyone is interested, do contact me

[Silvador]

Originally Posted by galvatron3000

Exile is the predecessor to Avernum. We already have the remake of Escape from the Pit, while Crystal Souls and Ruined World are to be made in the next 2-3 years.

So, what you're saying is that Exile is Avernum: Escape from the Pit?