ArcheAge lead developer Jake Song has answered a round of fan-generated questions at OutpostGamez. The interview starts out with some interesting nuggets on world size and fast travel before moving on to a variety of topics including player content, crafting and the economy, and class balance.
"Those balance issues concern us as well. We will test and balance classes constantly. However, we don't think that all the combinations should be equivalent. There will be a class that is far more difficult than others," Song says.
ArcheAge is also setting the hearts of sandbox fans aflame courtesy of its deep non-combat gameplay, which purportedly includes an extensive crafting and economic system. Song cautions that while XL Games intends for the player economy to take precedence, the devs are not omitting loot drops and their associated mechanics altogether. Instead, XL is limiting the usefulness of mob drops in relation to their player-made counterparts. "Crafted items will be allowed continuous enhancements and improvements whereas such obtainable items wouldn't," Song explains.
Reader Comments (24)
Posted: Apr 18th 2011 12:39PM Dril said
Interesting. This could either mean really tactical PvP (i.e. you have to make an individual choice whether to try and kill those who are vulnerable to you or contribute to the main battle line) or just mean everyone will be ganked by xXLOLASSASSSSINNLOLXx due to grievous imbalance.
Count me cautiously hyped.
Count me cautiously hyped.
Posted: Apr 18th 2011 12:58PM Space Cobra said
Damn! Some interesting comments.
I do like the "balance does not equal equivalent" thing. Very Multi-Player to induce grouping (and I like to solo). Of course, this will mean some classes will be played more than others and their focus will have to change if they want more people to play those classes less played (maybe some perks that no other classes get? Yes, I can hear the cries of "unfairness" already over the forums!).
The player-made loot thing is always nice to hear, but we'll see how that works out in auction house prices and ultimately in player economy in this game.
I do like the "balance does not equal equivalent" thing. Very Multi-Player to induce grouping (and I like to solo). Of course, this will mean some classes will be played more than others and their focus will have to change if they want more people to play those classes less played (maybe some perks that no other classes get? Yes, I can hear the cries of "unfairness" already over the forums!).
The player-made loot thing is always nice to hear, but we'll see how that works out in auction house prices and ultimately in player economy in this game.
Posted: Apr 18th 2011 1:07PM Zuljundwumn said
I thought about lotro when I saw this pic, then I realized this character's armor looks good, so it can't be it.
Posted: Apr 18th 2011 1:10PM LeStryfe79 said
YES
Posted: Apr 18th 2011 1:26PM Germaximus said
Yeah well lets just see if the game lives up to that.
Posted: Apr 18th 2011 1:52PM PaterFrog said
I feel sorry for the horse.
Posted: Apr 18th 2011 2:20PM Vagrant Zero said
@Resurge I know right. It's 2011, you'd think they'd have fixed this clipping nonsense already.
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Posted: Apr 18th 2011 2:30PM EndDream said
Help me Archage online... your my only hope.
Posted: Apr 18th 2011 3:37PM Utnac said
Isn't he just saying that not every single one of their classes (i.e. their entertainer classes) is going to be pvp viable, and that there will be 1/2 of those only that you will be expected to branch into for combat?
Posted: Apr 18th 2011 5:04PM Saker said
"We are working hard to release at the end of the year; however, as always, the release date could be postponed for further polishing. - Grin ;) "
I assume that's the original release, wonder how long beyond that till the "western" version goes up?
I assume that's the original release, wonder how long beyond that till the "western" version goes up?
Posted: Apr 18th 2011 7:46PM Muloktoo said
Yeah. I'm so confused by this game because oddly information on it is extremely scarce. Is the game being released to western markets? Do they have an official website? I was looking for one but google was oddly coming up blank.
Posted: Apr 18th 2011 8:51PM Sharuk said
When I browse forums of the mass market MMOs like WoW and Rift many are asking for changes and more sandbox type game play. ArchAge pretty much nails what people fed up of the current MMO content have been asking for.
Let us see how it does. I really feel people are so used to having their hand held and so used to linear content they will not like sandbox games.
I really hope ArchAge succeeds because it sounds amazing. But I am certain the vast majority of MMO gamers will not like this type of game play. I hope I am wrong.
Let us see how it does. I really feel people are so used to having their hand held and so used to linear content they will not like sandbox games.
I really hope ArchAge succeeds because it sounds amazing. But I am certain the vast majority of MMO gamers will not like this type of game play. I hope I am wrong.
Posted: Apr 18th 2011 11:18PM Kaoss said
"setting the hearts of sandbox fans aflame courtesy of its deep non-combat gameplay" Is this saying there will be no combat in the game? Or just no PvP? Or just more emphasis on PvE?
Posted: Apr 19th 2011 1:40AM Jef Reahard said
@Kaoss
It's saying none of those three things, lol.
Reply
It's saying none of those three things, lol.
Posted: Apr 19th 2011 1:42AM Jef Reahard said
@Kaoss
In al seriousness, I imagine the exciting things about ArcheAge differ depending on who you talk to. What gets me excited is the fact that they've designed whole systems that have nothing to do with combat (crafting, forestry, etc). Of course there will be combat in the game, but unlike most other MMOs, it's not the whole of the game in AA.
There is PvP, and FFA PvP at that (though not everywhere in the game world).
Reply
In al seriousness, I imagine the exciting things about ArcheAge differ depending on who you talk to. What gets me excited is the fact that they've designed whole systems that have nothing to do with combat (crafting, forestry, etc). Of course there will be combat in the game, but unlike most other MMOs, it's not the whole of the game in AA.
There is PvP, and FFA PvP at that (though not everywhere in the game world).
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