Work on a total-conversion modification for Gothic 2 called “Janus” has been announced on the World of Gothic forum. Or rather, not announced, but revealed, as the author has been working on the project for 12 years. Surprisingly, he shared gameplay shots and story with players.
Why might this project be of interest to you? Because of the similarities to the modification of Insignia (ger. Das Wappen), the prologue of which we could play for 10 years now. But before I point out these parallels, let me introduce you to what “Janus” is.
Why “Janus”?
For this is the name of the Roman god of beginnings and endings and all unclosed passages. And these passages in the modification will be many. And it is expected to provide up to 100 hours of gameplay.
The author of the project, who has done a titanic amount of work over the years, is Buzz Killington. As we read on the modification site, his name is Jan – and this is also where I find the source of the venture’s name.
Historical background
The ancient empire of Montargis under Emperor Eonath II. Its capital, Tessach, known as the “Golden City”, older than the empire itself, struck courage and confidence into the hearts of its people to carry its light to the farthest corners of the world. The empire’s troops were unstoppable, from the icy deserts of Torgestau to the wildernesses of Lovia, establishing one kingdom and city-state after another with the provinces of Montargis.
This only changed in the Al-Safra desert – near Ke Ardad, where the enemy managed to almost completely destroy General Thobal’s army. The pearl of the south, Eos, remained unreachable by the light of Tessach. How could this have happened? Another blow to the empire was the over-hasty decision of Emperor Eonath II. Contemptuously referred to by his enemies as the “bastard emperor”, the ruler gave too much freedom into the hands of private trade guilds.
A merchant from Nerak took the opportunity to open up trade routes south of the Lovia Passage. To protect the caravans, this merchant, Emmanuel Rosenthal, assembled private mercenary armies without the emperor’s permission. Moreover, shortly after the defeat at Ke Ardad, the outposts of the Imperial Colonial Office fell victim to fires, most likely arson; and open warfare breaks out on the trade routes between the mercenaries of Rosenthal’s “Rose Cartel” (the merchant’s name in English means “Valley of the Roses” – ed. note) and units of the Imperial garrison. At the same time, the armies of the Al-Safra republics and their Elyrian allies advance unhindered on Talgarten.
The battles spread like wildfires themselves; even powerful battle magic was used. Once it was used, everything happened very quickly: a powerful magical discharge, later known as the “big bang”, ended the de facto existence of this great empire, which had been growing for more than a millennium. But what had brought courage and confidence to the hearts of the inhabitants of the “Golden City”, and what now sowed the jealousy and hatred that led to the most devastating war the continent had ever seen?
Many questions remained, much sadness and much hatred – above all for the mages who were responsible for this evil. And Tessach? The Golden City had fallen into oblivion, as if what had once made it great was no longer part of this world. The Empire was destroyed and the continent plunged into a time of barbarism and darkness.
On this journey, you take on the role of goldsmith Karl Wollseif, who owns a shop in the city of Nerak. Karl lives in troubled times, the kingdom of Montargis is on the brink of civil war – the Empire’s troops are fighting the mercenaries of the Rose Cartel and the army of the Al-Safra Republics. As the fighting intensifies and the area around Nerak is already filled with the roar of approaching battlefields, Karl feels compelled to close his shop and flee. Together with Jakob and Florian, his two journeymen, he sets off for Kalthafen. At night, all three steal a boat and set sail – their destination is the Falmas Archipelago, which is about a week away.
After several days on the open sea, a small boat with half-drowned passengers reaches the small island of Aurora, but soon after mooring Karl is suddenly left alone. Searching for his companions, soon after arriving on the island he is confronted with something incredible: 200 years have passed since Karl and his travelling companions left Kalthafen.
What do you have to do now? You are not an adventurer, you are not a mercenary with combat experience – you are a simple goldsmith and, of course, no one believes your story. Your search for an uncertain future will take you on a long journey, through the island world of the calm sea and into the ruins of the old heartland. What will you find there? This journey tells a story of despair and hatred, but also of friendship and hope. Hope for better times and a better world, free of prejudice and ignorance, hope in humanity; because what came with the old empire was not peace and unity, but only a semblance of them. And appearances can be deceptive.1
What “Janus” contains
- completely new game world with a unique story in a familiar fantasy / (late) medieval setting with (very) subtle sci-fi influences
- extensive, complex story background; vast universe
- up to 100 hours of gameplay, depending on playing style
- various climate zones and cultures
- guild system: depending on which factions you choose during the game, the story can end very differently. The distinct non-linearity of the story is planned and implemented in the early stages. Although the plot of the mod remains the same, belonging to a particular group can have a significant impact on the outcome of the story.
- vivid characters, without “fillers”
- firearms as a new type of weapon
- new animations
- new textures
- countless new items
- new talents (e.g. crafting, spell scroll writing, cooking, goldsmithing and many more)
- new multi-page books with a huge amount of information about the game world and its history (from Gottfried).
Screenshots
As proof that work of this scale is underway, you can classically see screenshots. Here are another one of them:
And where are the parallels?
- the modification is created by one author
- work has been going on for many years: Das Wappen has been in development for 16 years and Janus for 12 years
- these are total-conversion modifications with locations created from scratch
But the most important similarity is related to the eternal question of Gothic fans: “When is the release?”.
When is the release?
The release of the full version is due in a couple of years, but we will be able to play the prologue already in the first half of next year! It is being developed in German, so will require translation.
You can keep your hand on the pulse at:
- the modification’s site
- World of Gothic
- or by looking at Gothic Up 😉
PS. I would like to thank the author Buzz Killington for permission to use all the material he has published so far on the modification page and on World of Gothic. As well as for the work done on the modification so far.
- The “Historical background” section is a freely translation of the “Abriss der Geschichte” (pl. “Outline of the plot”) section from the project website. [Access at: 06.10.2024] ↩︎
