Q: Who is Planewalker Games?

A: Planewalker Games is an independent game design studio focused on the development of computer role playing games (CRPGs.)

Q: What is The Broken Hourglass?

A: The Broken Hourglass is Planewalker Games' debut title, currently under development

Q: Where does The Broken Hourglass take place?

A: TBH's setting is the empire of Tolmira, designed by Jesse Meyers and Raleigh Grigsby and licensed by PWG. Tolmira is a sword-and-sorcery setting depicting a continent-spanning empire cresting the hill into decadence and decline. 

Q: Why doesn't The Broken Hourglass use rules derived from a Very Popular Roleplaying System?

A: Our best interpretation of the terms of the Open Game License is that it does not allow us (or anyone) to use rules published under that license for compiled software. Other, exclusive licenses for such a Very Popular Roleplaying System are already held by other companies.

Q: Is WRPG a class-based system or does it use skill-buy?

A: Either and both. Players may freely allocate points to primary or secondary skills as well as traits as they see fit to their protagonist character, or employ a class template system to speed character creation and advancement. Joinable NPCs are advanced using class templates.

Q:Do you mind running that by me again?

 A: As you play the game, you accumulate experience points. Experience points are used to buy more points in your primary or secondary skills, as well as to buy one-off traits. The player character has the option to freely spend all of his/her points, or to follow a "level path" of the player's choosing--an "archer" path would spend most of its points in agility and bow precision, while a "fire mage" path would spend most of its points in mana and fire magic precision. Paths do not spend 100% of the available points, however, so the player always has some discretion about spending points.

NPCs must always follow paths, because they have their own personalities and preferences. All NPCs will allow multiple paths. Some NPCs will allow you to "unlock" new paths by convincing them to take new interests. 

Q: Is combat real-time or turn-based?

A: Combat is real-time, but manual and automatic pause features may be used to better manage action or better simulate a turn-based environment depending on player preference.

Q: How does magic work?

A: Any character's ability to wield magic (whether as a spell, or a magic item) is determined by his or her mana score. Mana represents magical potential--the total amount of magical energy the individual can command at any given time. Spells which have a one-time effect, such as a bolt of lightning, do not deplete that potential, therefore a character with 10 mana can shoot one 10-point lightning bolt time and time again. Spells which have a lasting effect, such as a healing spell, a protection or deprotection enchantment ("buffs" and "debuffs") as well as equipping magical items reduce the remaining mana potential. Mana given over to enchantments may be recovered by releasing the enchantment. Mana given over to healing spells is recovered by resting. Spells may be dynamically created based on Earth, Fire, Air, Water, and Physical magic—spells do not need to be "memorized" or "learned" in advance.

Q: Does TBH have joinable NPCs?

A: Yes! There are nine unique characters ready and able to join your party. The player creates one character at the outset, dubbed the protagonist, and may assemble a party as he or she sees fit.

Q: Does TBH have a hard limit on party size?

A: No, but it does have a soft limit of five total members (one protagonist plus four joinable NPCs.) Difficulty and experience rewards will scale in an unappealing way for parties greater than five characters in size.

Q: Does the player have full control over joinable NPCs?

A: The player has full control over the actions and inventory of joinable characters. Joinable characters may protest or ultimately turn on the protagonist if they are made to engage in activity they consider unsavory, however.

Q: Will the player be able to join factions? 

A: Not as such, no, but the player will interact with power groups who have various agendas.

Q: How can I buy The Broken Hourglass?

A: TBH is still under development—please watch our website for further details regarding its completion and release. TBH will be available on physical media direct from PWG. Retail and electronic distribution options are under exploration.