ArcheAge : CBT5 Features Interview (Translated by MMOCulture.com)

Korean news website Inven.kr posted an ArcheAge interview, which was picked up and translated by MMOCulture.com earlier today.

We asked for permission to repost it and you can read a portion of it below. Enjoy!

Full credit for the translated interview below goes to Cinderboy, admin of MMOCulture.com

 

ArcheAge CBT5 Interview

 

Q: What is the main objective of Closed Beta 5?

A: The main objective is still to make sure the game client is stable and running properly.

 

Q: Despite the game being in the Korean language, China players are invited to join in. Will there be a separate server for them?

A: No, all players will be in the same servers. About 500 China players are invited to join Closed Beta 5. Actually, there was quite a number of China and overseas players in ArcheAge since Closed Beta 4. We also placed an announcement, urging players from these regions to experience ArcheAge together during their timezones.

Through observation, we do acknowledge there were some communication problems during Closed Beta 4 for the foreign players, but most of them are very patient in seeking out guidance and even joining the Korean gamers on expeditions and other activities. We do not foresee this as a problem in Closed Beta 5.

 

Q: Has Open Beta been confirmed?

A: Open Beta has been scheduled within this year.

 

Q: What is the game mastering(GM involvement) procedure like in Closed Beta 5?

A: Like in previous phases, we will not be involved with any player disputes. Players were questioning why are we silently in the dark, but this will be the philosophy we will be sticking to. It certainly is controversial if we should be directly take an active role, but we do not want to strip players of their rights of how they want to play their game. We will remain low profile, and this will be of the best interest for everyone.

 

Q: After ArcheAge was rated as 19+, will there be any new elements which will reflect this rating?

A: After opening the game client this time, there will be a guide about this rating (violence, sexual content, drug info). 1 of the reasons ArcheAge was given this rating is due to the in-game ability to steal from other players’ bag-pack. This act of stealing from others is listed as a 19+ feature. There was also a feature which gives players buff after drinking beer, which is drug-related. There aren’t actually any adult content showing off nudity in ArcheAge. In the original novel, there is a place call “City of Dreams”, a gorgeous city with various adult entertainment spots. We did not go into context, just giving a brief introduction and have no plans to expand into full details in the game.

 

Q: Will the new instanced dungeons be dropping exclusive equipment?

A: Yes, they will. In terms of equipment, there will now be level restrictions allocated. The new equipment dropped from dungeons will be better than the ones obtained from quests (same for crafted equipment, stronger than quest ones). We encourage players to try challenge the more difficult dungeons, instead of running the same easy ones 50 or 100 times. If players choose to do so, repeating the dungeon in a continuous fashion will increase drop rating.

 

Q: About the equipment level restriction, does it mean all equipment in the game will have the same feature?

A: All equipment will have level restrictions, but we are looking to lower or do away with this restriction beyond level 40. In our internal testings, we found out that our staff are more used to this level restriction placed on equipment. Before this, they were not able to differentiate if what they have in the bag pack or the ones equipped are better. We believe this will provide players with a clearer view of choice as well.

 

Q: Will castle siege be available in Closed Beta 5?

A: Given that Closed Beta 5 is planned only for 2 weeks, it is not possible to hold a castle siege. Castle siege requires many players to level up, conquer a territory, gather materials and build the castle. Adding in siege will just confuse and stress players out. That is not our main focus point either, hence it will not be in. We will still allow players to build castles. Closed Beta 5 is also the final preparation before Open Beta.

 

Q: Following the increase of materials needed to build houses and ships, the time to craft is also extended by a significant amount. Are any adjustments done?

A: Actually, there isn’t much change in this aspect, the amount of material required remains the same. It is just the raw ingredients needed to craft these material which will see some changes. For example, it will take 300 raw wood to craft 1 bundled wood, which was 100 raw wood before. We also fixed the situation where newly planted trees are available for chopping right after the server reboots. Even though the duration of tree growth is extended, players will now be able to obtain 8-10 raw wood, with wild roadside trees giving 6-7 as well.

 

Q: Is it true teleportation is adjusted, with new aqua content added as well?

A: In Closed Beta 4, players may use teleport portals an unlimited amount of time. Now, players will have to obtain a rare stone item before able to activate any portals. We did not add in much new aqua content as it is not the time to do so yet. We did add in a new trade system, and we expect the number of sea transportation trips to increase.

 

Q: Talking about the new trade system, how will player earn a profit from it?

A: We added in a new craft-able item category call “specialties”. These items can be sold to various trading NPCs (not between players) to earn a “handsome profit”. To earn more, players will have to carry these specialties and proceed to further places to sell them. The sale price will be even higher if players travel to further regions using ships (traveling to same destination on land will yield lesser). In Closed Beta 4, players were questioning how high level monsters are dropping too many good items and too much gold. Hence, this specialties system will be another way for players to earn some keep. However, note that players will only receive special “trade currency” (not soft currency), which can then be used to buy items such as housing and ship blueprints.

 

Q: Do introduce to us the new instanced dungeons.

A: There will be 3 new instances. The first dungeon will be for players around level 20 and located in the Eastern region. The other 2 will be for players around level 30. There aren’t many changes to these 3 new instances, and similar to the current ones, will be hard to solo. These new instances will introduce an interactive environment, such as activating switches to open doors, using a pail of water to put out fire cause by mobs etc.

 

Q: In the latest trailer, interactions with various home furniture were shown. What do these actions really do?

A: Players now can rest by either sitting on chairs or lying on bed. There will be couches supporting 3 players, cabinet drawers can be opened and fireplaces can be lit up. The basic features of housing are also very important. If players want to craft, a craft point must be placed in the house, for farming a piece of empty land, and even an alchemy desk to craft buff potions. A new family title system is also introduced, where players can name who are brothers, sisters etc.

 

Q: Is there any major new content in Closed Beta 5?

A: We added a new location call “Horizon Isle”, which exists as an instanced area. Players will see both eastern and western designed buildings on the island, with many ships docked at the harbor and various new mounts for sale. Players can think of this place as a giant shopping mall, if they see a house they like, they can immediately buy it or even test-drive a pre-made ship before buying. Of course, there are the mentioned specialties and trade systems, and also a new player court system.

 

Q: How does the player court system works?

A: When a player’s PK rating hits 50, a bounty will be automatically be issued to capture him. Once killed, he will be sent to jail (means he will be free until being killed by someone else). However, he may also seek for a trial and be judged by a court. If found to be innocent (what?!), he will be released without being jailed. Players will form the jury panel, with those who are level 30 and above will be eligible. Whenever a jury panel is needed, a mail will be sent to all these players. The first 5 to accept will form the panel, with the ability to affect the sentence duration as well. For now, there are no rewards for being a jury, which may change in the future. The development team is looking to a bribing system as well for the jury panel.

A player who becomes a pirate and is killed in PvP will be sent to the gallows unconditionally.

 
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