Here you will find the latest news in the world of Raymond E. Feist. It maybe the title of the next book, a new release or even a new project, but it could also be an update on an existing project. What ever it is though, we hope to present it to you as soon as we are aware of it. If you know something we don't, that relates to Raymond E. Feist, and believe it should be here, then please contact us.
Mon May 10th, 1999
On a Lighter Note...
Adam Manley posted this to the mailing list recently:
I thought some folks might find some sort of sad humour in this . . .
Our local newspaper gives a number of top 10 lists every week . . . Music, movies and paperbacks, I believe.
Well, no surprise, Shards of a Broken Crown has been ranked somewhere in the top 10 for new release paper backs since its release . . .
What really makes me wonder though . . . Let me quote the listing directly:
8. Shards of Broken Glass, Raymond E. Feist
Sometimes one just has to shake their head. Of course, it's a free newspaper . . .
Thu May 6th, 1999
Krondor Series
Many readers, including myself, have been under the impression that the Krondor series was going to be a trilogy. However, Ray said today that 'There will be more than 3. Eventually.'
Mon Apr 26th, 1999
Soundtrack Review
I have posted my review of the Original Soundtrack from Return to Krondor. My conclusion: it is a great CD.
Let me preface this review by stating that I am not a music person. I have never trained on any instrument or learned the intricacies of a musical score. I have not been exposed to any great variety of music, either - certainly nothing along the lines of Chuck Mitchell's score for Return to Krondor. That being said, allow me to present a non-technical perspective on the soundtrack CD.
Releasing an album of music from a computer game is not unprecedented. A few years ago, LucasArt's released a soundtrack CD for The Dig amid considerable hype (the game and CD never lived up to that hype). However, Voice of the Arts' work on Return to Krondor has elevated the concept of music in a PC game to a new level. Chuck Mitchell has proven that music is an intricate, exciting and necessary element in interactive media. I do not remember seeing a single review of Return to Krondor that did not heap praise upon the music and sound effects in the game. They were truly astonishing. Every element of the plot was carried along by the dramatic score. From the haunting opening theme to the fast-paced battle music, the game's beautiful graphics were accompanied by amazing audio.
The most recognizable influence on Chuck Mitchell's score is midieval, although several other musical styles are mixed in, recalling the diversity of the characters and locations in the game. As I listened to the fourteen tracks on the CD, I immediately remembered events from the game. 'Krondor Life' reminded me of the hours exploring the dark alleyways and lighted streets of the capital of the Western Realm. 'Evil Afar' and 'Dark Temple Revolt' hold true to their insidious overtones, inviting chillbumps and hinting of danger lurking around the corner. Some of the tracks are heroic, reminding one of a great epic poem. All told, the CD will take you through many emotions, many experiences, and it is all enjoyable.
My only complaint about the CD would be its length: approximately thirty-five minutes. However, this is easily overshadowed by the album's high quality. The Original Soundtrack from Return to Krondor is available for $14.95 (plus shipping and handling) from Voice of the Arts. See their website or call 1-888-AUDIO45 for ordering details. Chuck Mitchell and Voice of the Arts set a precedent for music in a computer game, and this album is a clear statement of their work. If you enjoyed Return to Krondor and want to further experience one of the elements that made it a great game, I highly encourage you to order the soundtrack CD.
Sun Apr 18th, 1999
Languages
Ever wondered how many publishing deals Ray has? Wonder no more: United States, United Kingdom, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Holland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Hungary, Russia, Japan, Czech Republic, and Denmark. The rights to publish in Korea and Greece have been sold, but there are no contracts.
Sun Apr 18th, 1999
Rumor Mill
Chris Wright posted this to the mailing list:
I heard from a Sierra rep that you and Sinjin got along quite well, and that Sinjin has interest in making another Krondor sequel (although this was nothing more than speculation on her part).
Of course we know all this already, but a Sierra employee actually talking about it is kinda odd, and might have some meaning...
Sun Apr 18th, 1999
Initial Thoughts
Until I can put together a more comprehensive review, let me just say that the Return to Krondor soundtrack is very good. I highly recommend it. More thoughts later...
Thu Apr 15th, 1999
Poll Results
The results of the most recent poll, 'Which Feist game is better?' Are as follows:
75%
Betrayal at Krondor
25%
Return to Krondor
Please vote in the new poll, 'Are you interested in a massively-multiplayer RPG set in Midkemia?' Rumors have been flying around lately, so lets show the bean counters that there is support for such a game.
Thu Apr 15th, 1999
Gamespot UK... Finally!
Tossing aside the notion of timely game reviews, Gamespot UK has posted a positive review of Return to Krondor, giving it an 8.7 out of 10:
Overall, Return To Krondor is a decent game and I've enjoyed playing it a great deal. It may not be quite up there with Baldur's Gate in my affections, but the two are very different in style. As a Feist fan, this was something I'd looked forward to and I was not disappointed a couple of smallish flaws kept it out of the classic zone but it's still a solid, and very enjoyable title.
Sadly, though, the Brits decided to toss in a bit of American bashing:
Krondor is located on the fictional world of Midkemia, so the characters could theoretically have any accent, real or otherwise, and that would be OK. In reality, though, it doesn't quite work that way. Most of the characters sound like Americans trying desperately hard to do regional British accents and failing abysmally. There's the Dick Van Dyke school of Cockney, plus American-Irish, American-Scottish, American-West Country and, most bizarre of all, American-Lancashire. Since some characters do just speak vanilla American, why not all of them? At least American actors can manage their own accents!
Bloody hell!
Tue Apr 13th, 1999
Soundtrack
I received my copy of the Return to Krondor Soundtrack today, so as soon as I can listen through it a few times I'll post some thoughts.
Wed Apr 7th, 1999
Return to Krondor Soundtrack Now Available!
Voice of the Arts has released the Original Soundtrack CD for RtK. It contains 14 tracks by composer Chuck Mitchell, and costs $14.95 plus shipping and handling. See the VotA website for more details, including samples and a track listing. Here's some praise for the game's music:
'I was blown away when I first heard the music for Return To Krondor. Chuck Mitchell and Voice of the Arts has taken game music to a new plateau. It's a soundtrack in the tradition of the great adventure film scores from Captain Blood to Star Wars.' - Raymond E. Feist
Ranked 'Excellent' 'The music is wonderfully done...' - Gamer's Alliance
'...the music and SFX are first rate.' - Antagonist Games Network
'...and the sound and music are perfect.' - Alteredworlds
Sun Apr 4th, 1999
Ray's Next Book
Ray posted that Krondor: The Assassins should be released in August.
Sun Apr 4th, 1999
Kirk Woll's Site Closed
One of the largest and oldest Feist sites has shut its doors, as Kirk Woll's site has closed down. Some of the content may be moved to another site in the future. Also, Roldan's Feist message board has moved to a new location.
Sun Apr 4th, 1999
Interview
This announcement was posted on the mailing list:
I have just uploaded to my site
A Conversation with Raymond Feist about his new book, 'Faerie Tale'
which is a press release from Grafton books in 1989, reproduced with the permission of Harper Collins
Thu Mar 25th, 1999
Better Late Than Never
Wewp! Entertainment has posted a review of Return to Krondor, giving it a 6/10 rating. Here's the skinny:
It's hard to come up with a group I can recommend spending $45 on RtK to. Feist fans will be put off by the interface, the camera angles, and the unimpressive story. BaK fans will be put off by the interface, the camera angles, and the linearity and lack of sidequests. In general, RtK does not seem worthy of Feist's name. If you want a great game based on his world, download Betrayal at Krondor, or pick up the CD in a bargain bin if you can. You'll like it a lot more than you would RtK.
Sun Mar 21st, 1999
Midkemia - Online
Two recent posts by Ray seem to hint at a future online Midkemia project. The first is in regards to a request to start a message-board based RPG:
Sorry to rain on your parade, but for reasons I can not make public at this time, Steve and I can't permit any such undertaking. If you did something like that privately, for example, among you and a few friends, that would be something eles, but a web site where anyone can blunder in?
For the rest of you, infer from the above what you will. There will be an announcement in the coming months.
Obviously Ray seems to want to protect the property in online entertainment forms. This was furthered by the next post, regarding RiftMUSH:
RiftMUSH is still OK with us at this time. The guys who started it, Mark, Josh, and the others, all knew that someday it would come to an end. That day hasn't arrived yet. <g>
So could a massively multiplayer role playing game be in the future? Ray sure seems to be hinting at it, and that would definitely be cool.
