Cross of the Dutchman

Cross of the Dutchman
Developer(s)	Triangle Studios
Publisher(s)	Triangle Studios
Designer(s)	Remco de Rooij (project lead) Stefan Kuizenga (lead designer)
Composer(s)	Stefan Kuizenga
Engine	Unity
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Release date(s)	expected to be released mid-2012
Genre(s)	First person action role-playing, Action adventure
Mode(s)	Single player (e.o.)

Cross of the Dutchman or CotD is an upcoming game by the Dutch game developer Triangle Studios. CotD will be an action adventure game^[1] about the Frisian folk hero Pier Gerlofs Donia and is set in sixteenth century Western Europe.^[2][3] The game will run on the Unity game engine.^[4]

Plot

Concept art for the game

The story of CotD will be centered around the figure of Pier Gerlofs Donia, who went by the nickname of Grutte Pier (Big Peter, in the old-Frisian language). Pier loses everything he has to a band of Dutch and German mercenaries and invaders who have been invading and plundering his lands for many years before. In a land torn apart by civil war and horrendous crimes, bloody rebels and pirates, the stories hero vows revenge against those responsible for his personal tragedy. He embarks on an epic adventure to rid the lands of Frisia from foreign invaders and restore his ancient homeland to its old glory, joined in this by Charles, Duke of Guelders and his nephew and right-hand Wijerd Jelckama. Pier becomes a pirate, a rebel, a freedom fighter, a hero to the people and earns his place in history as the Cross of the Dutchman. But at what cost? Follow in the footsteps of a legendary warrior who will become known as the Cross of the Dutchman for his naval exploits and the many brutal battles he fights and wins. On his quest, Pier encounters many challenges of which the outcome should determine how the people could have seen Pier. Will the player cause chaos and destruction on his path, or will he spare the villagers and take out the enemy when the innocent are out of harms' way? The way in which the player plays the game will allow him to see how a person can turn into a legend, or strike fear in the hearts of anyone who would stand against him.

Development

Extensive historical research was done in order to accurately recreate sixteenth century Western-Europe in the game. Development began in early 2009 and, at first, was mainly focused at creating a historically correct storyline and researching the weaponry, clothing, language, ships and culture of that time. The game was officially announced in November 2009.^[5] With a lot of time and effort, Triangle Studios wrote their version of the historical story, created the game world, and built prototypes to prove the game play. All this was done while at the same time, the studio were still working on other games like WINtA, Muddy Monsters, Graffiti Wars, SalePlay and others.

It has been stated by Remco de Rooij, the director of Triangle Studios, that because of the twelve to sixteen age range for the game, it is not intended to be overly violent and is also meant to appear to a international audience.^[6][7] The total budget created for the game is 275,000 euros (369,160 dollars), 80,000 of which was donated by Noardwest Fryslân because of the historical nature of the game.^[8] Because of the international aspirations of the game, it is meant to feature subtitles in numerous languages, including Frisian, Dutch and English.^[9]

Characters

The games characters would mostly be actual historical figures from the era. Others would be made up entirely or from several figures blended into one, in order to keep the story accessible to a broader audience and easier to follow. Five main characters have thus far become known, these would include:^[10]

• Pier Gerlofs Donia as the main character and hero of the story. He is a very large and strong man, born into a noble family but grew up on a farm in Kimswerd.
• Rintsje Piers, his wife, described as "a stubborn, but loving woman". Her original surname was ‘Syrtsema’. Very little is known about her, except for that she died in 1515. Pier loved her, and her death brought him much grief, but even more anger.
• Maarten van Rossum is a Guelderian commander. He forms an alliance with Pier during the story of CotD. Though not the main commander of the Guelderian forces, he was known for his experience and a feared commander.
• Wijerd Jelckama is Pier's nephew and personal friend. After Pier took up arms, Wijerd immediately joined in. Though instead of the Frisian freedom, money and adventure was one of his major interests for joining Pier.
• Charles, Duke of Guelders ruled over Guelders (Gelre), and provided finances and men for Pier’s army, the Arumer Black Heap. He is a cunning and smart man. He seems to be noble and honest, but is no better than all the other selfish lords around the Netherlands.
• Wybe, a war veteran, is the man who started gathering men for the rebellion in the first place, though at his age he isn’t worth what he used to be. He seems to have experienced some dark times and events.

References

1. ^ Timen (September 13, 2011). "Choosing the Genre". Triangle Studios. http://www.crossofthedutchman.com/2011/09/defining-genre/. Retrieved September 30, 2011. 
2. ^ Staff writer (October 3, 2010). "Grutte Pier gameheld". Franeker Courant. http://www.franekercourant.nl/blog/article119765.ece/grutte_pier_gameheld. Retrieved September 30, 2011. 
3. ^ Staff writer (November 23, 2009). "Grutte Pier krijt eigen game". Omrop Fryslân. http://www1.omropfryslan.nl/64408/TV_Berneprogramma_16-08-2011.aspx. Retrieved September 30, 2011. 
4. ^ Remco (September 14, 2011). "Start your Engine!". Triangle Studios. http://www.crossofthedutchman.com/2011/09/start-engine/. Retrieved September 30, 2011. 
5. ^ Remco (September 8, 2011). "An epic two years in the making (and counting)". Triangle Studios. http://www.crossofthedutchman.com/2011/09/an-epic-two-years-in-the-making/. Retrieved September 30, 2011. 
6. ^ "Friese volksheld Grutte Pier op Playstation 3" (in Dutch). de Volkskrant. ANP. November 23, 2009. http://www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/2694/Internet-Media/article/detail/363894/2009/11/23/Friese-volksheld-Grutte-Pier-op-Playstation-3.dhtml. Retrieved September 30, 2011. 
7. ^ Jochem Nauta (November 23, 2009). "Friese volksheld krijgt eigen game op PlayStation 3" (in Dutch). Gamer.nl. http://www.gamer.nl/nieuws/55057/friese-volksheld-krijgt-eigen-game-op-playstation-3. Retrieved September 30, 2011. 
8. ^ Staff writer (September 3, 2010). "Kimswerd: Grutte Pier wordt gameheld". Bolswards Nieuwblad. http://www.bolswardsnieuwsblad.nl/blog/article119701.ece/kimswerd_grutte_pier_wordt_gameheld. Retrieved September 30, 2011. 
9. ^ Magda Dullemond (November 30, 2009). "Grutte Pier op de Playstation". deWeekkrant.nl. http://www.deweekkrant.nl/artikel/2009/november/30/grutte_pier_op_de_playstation/. Retrieved September 30, 2011. 
10. ^ Remco (September 20, 2011). "Introducing the Cast". Triangle Studios. http://www.crossofthedutchman.com/2011/09/introducing-the-cast/. Retrieved September 30, 2011. 

Further reading

• Remco de Rooij (Director) (November 24, 2009) (in Dutch). Hjoed: Grutte Pier krijt eigen game. Omrop Fryslân. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-P3EJv6bp0. Retrieved September 30, 2011. 

External links

• Official website