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Live Forum Q&A Stephan Frost - Wildstar
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Hi Frost,
Is there any consideration being put into making certain abilities aesthetically customisable (for example, changing the colour of Esper abilities), in the future if not at launch?
Really looking forward to the game and dying a little inside every time I miss out on a beta invite!
Thanks!
(Note: I realise that I could not have made this post any more generic and am honestly quite ashamed to be clicking the submit button. Sorry about that, I feel like you deserve more
)
Yeah, it helps. Thanks. I was wondering about that.
Hi there! Thanks for you question. I'd say that the Path System is far more than mini games added on to quests. They offer a variety of mission types per each type of path, and I'd say that the content is fairly unique to each Path type. It does vary up your gameplay experience and while I level, I always pick different paths with my alts. It's a deep system that not only adds variety, but allows the player to earn different rewards, as it has it's own reward stream, including unique abilities. It's also great while leveling, because you get Path XP for helping out your friends, when you are grouped. Regarding your question to build more into Paths, we are pretty much sticking to what we have for launch. We are trying to get Wildstar as polished as possible, and when you add new systems/tech this late in the development process, it's a recipe for an unpolished experience.
The TLDR: Paths are additional content that will vary up your experience, that cater to playstyles. We like 'em, and we hope you will as well.
Most certainly there will be gear differences between hardcore players and casuals.
If you want the most badass gear in WIldstar, you are going to have to work for it.
When you make an MMO you have to have content for all playstyles. There has to be stuff for the average player who is just leveling up at a moderate pace, and you have to have content for the most elite/hardcore players as well. Casuals don't have to have the most badass gear, because they won't need it. They'll get the gear they need by completing pve content. However if you want to raid, you're going to need some epic gear, and you'll have to play hard and smart to get it. We want the player to feel rewarded when they earn their gear... we aren't just going to hand it out to everyone because they leveled up to cap.
... Is it WildStar, Wildstar, or WIldstar? I could never figure this one out and you're only making this more difficult.
They are all varied in their approaches to healing. I'd suggest watching our livestreams! They answer this question in detail, from the gents that made these classes!
When PvE players get to level cap, they have a few options. Here's a few of 'em:
1.) We have new zones that will come online fairly regularly, so there will be TONS of questing to be had.
2.) There are areas that we internally call Pocket Cap Playspaces (or, PCPs). These areas are cap level content that have public events and quests only available at elder game. These are in the world and in various zones and in instanced areas.
3.) Public Events: Scaling (in difficulty) group quests
Regarding their difficulty, these should be something that the average player should be able to handle if they have the proper gear. There will be some areas though, that may be more difficult with bosses and public events. Also, if you are looking for ridiculous hardcore antics, our dungeons and raids will satiate that desire, methinks.
We have a team of designers dedicated specifically to Paths (one designer per each Path) and they most certainly keep an eye on whether there are imbalances. (Not to say that it will ever be perfect, but we are watching it.) Path Missions are tied fairly closely to the content because of our design philosophy of "Layered Content." We want to make sure players are taking advantage of content in the areas that have quests, because you are there already! Don't be concerned! It's seamless between zones! The only time it isn't is when you go to a new continent... or the moon. Check out some streams on the internets. You'll see that when you go from Deradune, to Auroria, there isn't a loading screen.The Matrix, man. Come on!
Dev Speak warm ups include: Drinking water, sriracha sauce shots, owning Pappy in PvP, and operatic warm ups.
Victor Lazarin's voice is done by Jim Cummings, the same guy that did Darkwing Duck, Winnie the Poo, and a bajillion other voices.
We think Elder Game is important, but we think leveling is important, too. I mean, why would you want to stick around to see the Elder Game if your leveling experience was terrible? :P
We've put a ton of time into the leveling experience to make sure it's not a painful experience. Usually when you play MMOs there is this inverted bell shaped curve. You start out with REALLY high production value, then it goes down in quality once you hit level 20, then it stays boring until the last ten levels. We are aiming to have a varied and entertaining experience in each zone. Whether it's level 1, 27, 42 or 50.
Regarding time estimates, the average person can probably get to level cap in about 150-200 hours. That's not including stuff like Tradeskills, Housing, PvP, Dungeons, Ship Hand Missions, etc.
We've worked extremely (excessively?) hard to make sure that this game has something for everyone, and it's a fun experience throughout the leveling AND elder game.
I can't comment on those games, but I can tell you that with 150-200 hours of PvE content, (NOT INCLUDING: Dungeons, Veteran Dungeons, Adventures, Raids, Battlegrounds, Arenas, Warplots, Housing, Tradeskills, Pocket Cap Playspaces, Ship Hand Missions, Paths, etc.), and content that is only available after level cap, you'll have plenty to occupy your time with.Maaaaaaaaaybe.
More to come on mounts and customization in the coming weeks!
Dungeons will have a veteran mode.
Raids don't have a difficulty setting, as they are EXTREMELY difficult. There isn't going to be an easy version of the raid.
YES! The man is a voice acting legend.
-Azure Prower
http://www.youtube.com/AzurePrower
This made me lol irl. SORRY I MISSED YOUR QUESTION!
Yes! Hear the guy at his finest : https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=PZB08UK0Tyg#t=541
Reporter: What's behind Blizzard success, and how do you make your gamers happy?
Blizzard Boss: Making gamers happy is not my concern, making money.. yes!
And that's a wrap, everyone! We'd like to thank Stephan Frost and everyone at Carbine Studios for doing this awesome AMA with us! Hope everyone had a great time!