Hi all,
some time ago I was watching my wife playing a game called 'Bayonetta' on PS3 (nicely done, but otherwise pretty silly japanese game btw)... And some things I saw got me thinking about Kult (would you believe it

In some chapters of 'Bayonetta', the protagonist finds herself on a 'spiritual plane' (well, something of that sort anyway) which kind of overlaps with the real world, in which all normal people dwell. As a result, she can see them (and even interact, to some extent) - but they can't see her, or they can only see a faint shadow of a woman. That leads to all kinds of funny, or dangerous situations (some monsters are only visible on the 'spiritual plane' too, although they can harm 'normal' people).

That actually gave me a kultesque idea... Especially in MMO games context. As you probably know, in general in MMOs all that is actually happening (e.g. colisions between player characters/objects, loss/gain of HP, changes in your inventory etc. etc.) - happens on the game server, so your interactions with the game world can be 'real', and won't reset/disappear once you reboot your computer. However, all that you actually see before you - is mainly decided by your local game client, i.e. a piece of software that sits on your hard drive. For example, the server sends a few bytes of info to confirm that you've lost your Magical Sword of Frog Smiting - but then it's up to your game client to remodel & redraw your character without the sword.

In other words, it's a 'real world' (on the server) projected through an 'Illusion' (game client). Isn't it?

I would say: a perfect foundation for a game of Kult! What (really) happens, happens. But what you are seeing may be a slightly different thing. For example: you may see a perfectly normal (or maybe just slighlty odd looking) fellow, who in fact is a Lictor. Only doesn't look like one (to you). Same with the background, e.g. Metrpolis setting. A normal urban landscape, or something much more horrid?

That may also work very well with player characters sporting different Mental Balance levels. Depending on the latter, you may be able to see/comprehend more (or less) of what's REALLY happening before you. Say for example, deVolf (MB +10), !mpact (MB -100) and Torb (MB +400) are all in the same place, slightly confused by what's really unfolding before them.

!mpact: 'Look out deVolf! These are some weird looking millipedes at your feet!'
deVolf: 'What millipedes? You mad or what? I can't see a freakin' thing!'
Torb: 'Millipedes?! Run you idiots, these are feckin' monsters, can't you SEE?!'

...and this is actually very much doable, using the standard server/client model that all MMOs use these days. Although this particular feature (players in the same location seeing different things, based on their statistics, levels etc.) was never used, as far as I know. I personally think that Kult would fit perfectly in there!

What do you guys think?? Oh, and I claim copyright in case someone would like to run with that idea On the other hand, I personally wouldn't mind at all working on a 'real' Kult computer game, or even better MMORPG... Pity it probably won't ever happen.

Nice observation. Reality server and client illusion.
I'm seeing your vision in my mind deVolf and it's intriguing.
Client for the game could be called actually Illusion