Erika Redmark - BoE Hero

What is BoE?

Blades of Exile is the fantastic sequel to the Exile series. Exile is a single-player RPG shareware, similar to the old Ultima series in design and appearance, and has persisted for years, despite the newer pseudo 3-D creations like Diablo. The Exile series (now being updated to the Avernum series) by Spiderweb Software presents as rich of a story as any commercial RPG in existence. You can become lost for hours at a time in the story as you attempt to win freedom for an oppressed society.

Blades of Exile (BoE) carries the series forward by allowing individuals to create their own custom scenarios in the Exile style. There are now over 130 scenarios available for BoE, and a strong community to support them. The BoE community runs contests several times a year to encourage new development. The BoE editor allows individuals to test their abilities as a game designer, to tell a good story, and to create as opposed to just consuming. It may well be that the creative capabilities of BoE foretell the types of interactive fiction we will experience in the future.

Some amazing ancillary developments that tie into BoE are huge graphic archives that could be using in any RPG setting, rubrics for scenario development and judging, and reviews of existing scenarios. But perhaps the most amazing thing about BoE is the persistence of its users/developers. BoE first appeared in 1997. Unlike many other gaming communities that exist for a year or so then fade away, BoE's community continues to grow and evolve. Check out the BoE Webring for starters.

Despite - or perhaps because of - tremendous advances in 'bells & whistles' aspects of RPGs, the Exile series and Blades of Exile are classic designs that stand the test of time - not because of the technology involved, but because there's something magical about them that permits them to continue to grow and change, to attract new community members, and to carry a humble RPG far past its original limits.

The Purpose of this Board

That's easy! This board exists for members of the BoE community to exchange news, ideas, and all things related to BoE. Have an idea for a scenario? Post it here and receive comments. Having trouble with a chunk of code? Let the experts help you! Need a graphic? Request it here! Even post your own progress, or ask for help in any scenario.

Rules and Regulations

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In Conclusion...

Enjoy this board! Be an active member in the BoE community. We're only as strong as our members!

Sincerely,
The BoE Moderating Staff