translation of TIG interview 09/05/08

junyo

NCsoft Office Interview – Part3-TIG-09/05/08

TIG> When playing solo, it was hard to even buy level-appropriate skill books. Was there a deliberate reason to make the economic system so tight?

First off, we are thinking of reducing the price of the skill books and make other changes so that living expenses will be reasonable. Compared to other games, there are lots of different activities to do, so there are more opportunities to spend money.

TIG> In CBT2, the most favorable comments came from the easiness of obtaining ‘magic stone’. In CBT3, it became much more difficult to gain ‘magic stone’, and the drop rate seems to have been cut more than half. Because of these changes, there were more opinions that it was difficult to make individual characters more unique.

In the short run, it’s true that achieving distinctiveness became difficult. However in the long run, when the drop rate is extremely high, the possibility of obtaining routine(?) specie’s ‘magic stone’ tree(?) is high. Therefore, in order to prevent such a scenario so that a simple but elegant drop rate can be obtained, we are balancing the efficiency of ‘magic stone’ drop rate.

However, we are planning to maintain the drop rate of ‘magic stone’ from CBT3. Furthermore, it’s important to keep in mind that the number of people who are playing Aion in CBT3 is much less than it will be in retail. Because auction (economy) hasn’t been fully implemented, we wonder if the ‘magic stone’ drop rate seems much lower than it will be (i.e. in retail).

TIG> Because of falling efficiency when compared to Abyss items, many players have expressed their complaints. Are there going to be any changes to crafting?

We’re planning to strengthen the properties of crafted items and reduce the cost of crafting. Individual users (players) can easily learn crafting skills before reaching ‘master’rank.

TIG> What level of skill is required to reach ‘master’ rank?

We are talking about crafting skill level above 399. After 399, master rank will be considered separately. You can consider it as a completely separate content.

One thing we regretted about the basics of crafting was that since crafting was so easy, attention and regard to crafters was completely absent. Therefore, we added master rank so that crafters can be appreciated. However, crafting before reaching master rank will be easily achieved by anyone. We are scheduling the addition of unique items and exclusive siege items.

Out of 6 crafting skills, you can only gain master rank in 2 of them. Master rank can only be achieved by spending vast amount of cash and effort through quests.

TIG> Since the items are dropped from raid bosses, it’s difficult for generic users (normal players) to obtain legendary items. The situation of poor becoming poorer and rich becoming richer can become more pronounced.

We are planning to solve this situation by making regeneration time of raid bosses random.

TIG> Afterwards, are there plans to add housing and things like hideouts/hangouts?

Of course. We are planning to even add contents where you can pillage enemy villages and burn their buildings. Basicly, all objects and buildings of PC and other enemies (NPC) will be destructible. Our goal is to allow our players to realistically experience aerial bombardments.

TIG> If that’s the case, will we be able to create legion villages instead of basic housing?

Yes. It will be possible to fight between legions as well as individuals. After conflict spreads, doesn’t people naturally gather together and build houses? However, whether the housing will be built on a separate field (instance?) or public field has yet to be determined. As a final decision, our goal is to make any object on the field to be destructible and can be crafted by anyone.

 

TIG> Are there any elements of minigames?

We have not taken it into consideration yet.

TIG> While leaving Elysea and Asmodae in place, are there any plans to add races other than humans?

While there have been discussion, nothing has been decided yet.

TIG> Are you keeping the death penalty?

We’re weakening the death penalty. Specifically, the cost of resurrection will be reduced significantly. We’re talking about choosing between restoring the duration of death or most of experience points.

TIG> How are you planning to maintain the ratio between the races?

Once the ratio of one race becomes too dominant, the ability to create a character of that race will be blocked. If ratio still remains unbalanced, special racial trait will activate. A blessing will be placed upon the race that has a disadvantage. In other words, you can say that a special buff on the entire race will be given.

TIG> There’s been talk that compared to animation near the characters long distance motions (?maybe ground texture?) are too prosaic.

It’s already being improved upon. Actually, it’s already been changed somewhat. Texture has also been changed.

TIG> During the German game convention, NCsoft’s foreign branch manager, Sebastian Bidal, has mentioned Aion’s competitors as Warhammer Online, Age of Conan, and Wrath of the Lich King. Who are you considering as domestic competitor?

We are considering any games that come out around the same time as competitors. I guess “my nose is still in a strainer” (?too busy?) that I don’t have time to keep track of any specific games.

 

TIG> What’s the most recent game that you’ve played?

I have been checking out Age of Conan and Pirates of the Burning Sea. However, maybe because I playing through the eyes of a game developer, after playing about half way through I can clearly see the frames and objectives these games.

I can guess what the developing team had in mind while making these games and can sympathize and enjoy various portions of the games.

TIG> Any last words?

Even during the closed beta test, many people had expected a lot from this game. Even though there were several problems, many people hoped for an earlier release, and I can’t thank them enough. After fixing all the problems, we will remake it into a more fun game. Afterwards, of course we will continue to improve. Expect more in the future.

 

thanks to zornhau at aionsource.com for translating this article.