Recently, Staff Writer Joe Iuliani had the opportunity to sit down and ask ten questions of the guys down at Wardog Studios, the company that's making the Mech-based MMORPG, Force of Arms. Patrick Hamilton and Jeff Newcomb take the time to provide the answers.

MMORPG.com:

What level of cooperative play will there be in FOA?

Jeff “Tex-Mechs” Newcomb:

Phase I of Force of Arms is being developed mostly as a PvP system, and as with most PvP, even if a game isn’t explicitly designed for cooperative play, we recognized early on that players will normally band together to defeat the other side.  We don’t plan to shackle players together (like in WoW or FotR, to name a few).  Instead, we’ll give them some fairly powerful tools to implement the most effective strategy for themselves.  There should be target links, playcards, command overview, satellite recon, and few more that we’d like to talk about, but then we’d have to lock you in a trunk until we release…

Read the whole interview here.

I like the attitude of these folks. It seems to me they're going to be more responsive to players without forsaking their common sense. I can't wait to try the game myself.

I just want a mech based MMO.  I loved BattleTech growing up and had a blast with Mw2 straight on through to Mw4: Mercs.  I loved the MechCommanders as well.  I was pretty disappointed when EA canceled Kesmai's MPBT: 3025.

With Mw5 canceled Battleech's outlook on the PC is pretty bleak.  While FOA isn't BattleTech per se it seems to be very close and a match in spirit.  It's either this or Mechwarrior: Living Legends.  Ain't no other options.

It's very exciting to hear the possibility of user generated content in an mmorpg. I've felt for years now that that is definitely a huge step up in terms of immersion. I can't wait to design a mech model. :)

I've never heard of the Hero System to be honest. However, with 20 years of continued use it sounds as though it will be a well balanced, and reliable skill based advancement system.

The only mmorpg I know of that offers terraforming to date is WURM, and maybe Second Life, but I don't think you can terraform in that. So that is another feather in FoA's cap imo.

A strong PvP focus with extensive clan/guild features sounds awesome. I'm definitely looking forward to this title now. :)

Patrick and Jeff are very enthusiastic about thier game, make sure you tell all your friends and build some hype on this game. They have tasked themselves with makeing something truly great, and I for one can't wait until they finish thier game.

Sounds great--certainly one to watch.

Beautiful replies by these guys. I sincerely hope that they pull this one off!

Good luck and can't wait to see this game growing :)

I've been excited about FoA as well, but since it's going to be heavy PvP early, I'll unfortunately be passing on this one.  

I'll be following it's developement though.

Cant wait to see more about this game I just have one negative Comment.

:( Why Multiverse Platform  There are so many good ones out there why oh why :(.

That said I'd play it anyways atleast during the 30 day trial Long ways to go.

AWESOME article!!! this is why I love this site. Thank you for putting a spotlight on this title. I used to check them out all the time but lately forgot! I really love Hamilton's (wardog studios) blogs he puts up here.

I will now get back on track with this game. I admit i am not crazy bout Mechs but I havew heard of HERO system before. what a great idea, all their ideas are very good. btw I thought u had to pay for HERO system if anyone from wardog can anwser.

I'll make sure I follow these guys more cloesly. great interview

Originally posted by Merxion

Cant wait to see more about this game I just have one negative Comment.

 

:( Why Multiverse Platform  There are so many good ones out there why oh why :(.

 

That said I'd play it anyways atleast during the 30 day trial Long ways to go.

well u dont have to pay upfront to use Multiverse system is one advantage but it depoends on their arrangement with them

I would like to thank all of the above posters;  Ladyattis, Lkavadas,  Antioche, 0over0, Ponico, and Vajuras for your comments.

They do help with providing us confidence and moral to know where going on the right track.

@ Ragemore, thanks for the comments and if you're up for another podcast, we're ready.

@ Kimo, yeah sorry about that.  Not much PvE to be expected in the early stages, but give time PvE will be implemented.  I'm glad you will be keeping tabs on us and hopefully when the PvE element has been added, it will be to your liking for you to join in.

@ Merxion, Why the Multiverse Platform?

Well, there are a number of reasons, some of which I'll explain in my Blog, here at MMORPG.Com.  Actually the next thread I will provide information about researching MMO platforms and engines.  I would have to say it is due to four primary reasons:
- The Multiverse System can provide the capabilities that we would like in our title, as mentioned in the interview.
- Receiving support by the company for our title and even been in some Press Releases, as well as being involved with conventions.
- Good management and advisory board, with solid long term plans.
- You can't beat the licensing.

You guys are welcome on the show anytime, I'll jump on your forums and  we can plan another grand appearance of Wardog Studios on the Wife Aggro Show.

Seth still gushes about you guys giving us a real insiders look at Indy developement, and those episodes are fan favorites.

Wonderful.

I had gotten my hopes up with a Mech game, then they are dashed with the knowledge that its gona be a PvP game.

Thanks alot.

And no, im not comforted with the knowledge that you will be adding PvE "soon".

With PvP being the first part being introduced, that will most likely remain the primary focus of the game.

No thanks.

And another game destroyed by Devs that wrongly think PvP players are the predominant playerbase in MMORPGs.

/sigh.

@ Ragemore; Look forward to it.

@ Silverstable; let me add this, there cannot be an RPG element without a PvE element. So to support a RPG, we'll need a PvE system in place.

I know the Phased Approach Method is an unorthodox way of doing things, but that is the goal.

I agree, those wanting PvE will be disappointed with Phase 1 as it is primary for PvP, conquest and arena bouts.  They should wait it out until Phase 2 is released.

Phase 2 is the RPG environment, thus having PvE. 

Then there is Phase 3 and Phase 4, but that will be provided later.  Maybe in a podcast.

And a side note: I have taken note from the FOA forums to never use the word, "soon".

Originally posted by Silversaber

Wonderful.

I had gotten my hopes up with a Mech game, then they are dashed with the knowledge that its gona be a PvP game.

Thanks alot.

And no, im not comforted with the knowledge that you will be adding PvE "soon".

With PvP being the first part being introduced, that will most likely remain the primary focus of the game.

No thanks.

And another game destroyed by Devs that wrongly think PvP players are the predominant playerbase in MMORPGs.

/sigh.

 

"a karma system combined with non-lossless death that should have quite an effect on the motivations of players"

At first I thought that this game looked awesome, but then I read this.

Originally posted by Silversaber

Wonderful.

I had gotten my hopes up with a Mech game, then they are dashed with the knowledge that its gona be a PvP game.

Thanks alot.

And no, im not comforted with the knowledge that you will be adding PvE "soon".

With PvP being the first part being introduced, that will most likely remain the primary focus of the game.

No thanks.

And another game destroyed by Devs that wrongly think PvP players are the predominant playerbase in MMORPGs.

/sigh.

 

EVE focused on PVP and still going strong. I dont think you'll be missed but rather you'll miss out on history in the making

also look at planetside, 100% PVP still going strong. I dont think PVE'ers are necessary. better to dedicate 100% server load to the huge wars we will be waging haha   

Hey, I'm TexMechs, and I wanted to weigh in here on some of the PvE vs PvP concerns.  Sorry it's a little long winded, but we like to give our future customers as much information as possible so they can make an informed choice with their hard earned gaming dollars.

As Hamilton mentioned earlier, developing a game as an Indie represents certain challenges.  If you don't have millions of $$ to make the game you want to make, you make the game you can make, in phases.  For Wardog Studios, we wanted to make sure that combat was solid as we rolled into the RPG game for one specific reason:  If you can perfect combat and balance a game for PvP first, it is very easy to balance the PvE later, which most of our research indicates as the primary desire of PvE players.  Make no mistake, no AI monster will ever try to exploit your system, and you will never learn the boundaries of your system without letting real people put it to the test.  First.  :-)  Doing it later only forces you to constantly nerf and buff people until they get mad.

I'm the Crafter Advocate on our team, btw.  In SWG, I was an architect/armorsmith with 507 harvesters and billions of credits at retirement.  That was unbalanced.  In WoW, I was an herbalist/enchanter with an alt miner/engineer.  I didn't make billions of gold, because the system was very limited, I.E., nothing was really worth making because most green loot had better stats.  And in WoW, you cannot possibly imbalance the classes more than they currently are, unless you raise the level cap to 80...  *cough*

As for PvP:

You can tell when the developers are getting fat and lazy when they stop making content and start pushing PvP.  What better way to say "Screw You" than with the gift of an arena, when all anyone wanted was a new 10 man dungeon or two to explore with their friends?  How do you keep a guild active and immersed, running the same instances over and over again, and then have the developer come along and introduce solo content that draws down the player base, forcing canceled raids, broken guilds, and dissatisfied players who don't feel they're getting their $$ worth anymore?

Much better to start off with an arena, perfect it, then continuously add satisfying content that drives the story line, immerses the players, and gives them a bigger, better universe to play in.  That goes for crafters, collectors, turtlers, soldiers, producers, and pilots....

So far it sounds like a nice change of pace. My question is will you only be able to play as a Mech? Much like Eve or the now defunct Auto Assault?

Or will you actually be a toon independant of your Mech, with the ability to fight outside of it regardless of your inneficiency or lack of firepower? The ability to "park" your Mech and enter a seedy bar some place.

I wanted mostly to weigh in on the PvP comments. ( but then mostly talked about guilds vs soloing issues---edit) doh!

The things that ruin MMO's for me to the greater degree are (A. PvE in mmo's is mind numbingly repetitive (B. soloers are either non viable or punished.

I know alot of people's first game was\is World of warcraft and they have not gotten tired of grinding npc bots, but for us that have become increasingly sick going from game to game choking on wandering baddies PvP is the only thing that gets your juices flowing and has varying and often exciting results!

In the case of warcraft i wish they would release a cheaper battleground version where all you ever saw was the battlegrounds and got a wide variety of weapons and armor to choose from with points earned. Then blizzard would again see a few dollars from my wallet.

As to soloers...Guilds should not get rewarded with power but rather with perks, letting soloers compete on equal footing but maybe with less attractive options. Sign in any of the 12 MMO's ive tried including Warcraft  that have viable soloing of some kind and you'll see 95% of everyone playing soloing. That should tell someone somthing. 

Clearly people can socialize in MMO's without being forced to group regularly in order to be able to compete. Some people love to socialize endlessly but the idea of that decribing gamers in general seems ludicrous.There are people that would guild even if it offered no strategical benefits and I wish those were the people developers accomidated without punishing the rest of us.

So... :) I like what these guys said alot. Oh and I also agree that complaining about a game being PvP when so few are seems odd. Its been a long time since Ive seen a mainstream game not have a decent accomidation for NoN PvP'ers and PvP'ers alike anyways.

Personally for me, offline games handle PvE sooo much better then MMO's I cannot understand why PvE is usually the biggest part of such a huge percentage of MMO's. Actually it seems for some odd reason the developers across the globe think most gamers are chatty carebears with a desperate need for an online family. That would'nt have been my guess. 

Originally posted by daadamo

So far it sounds like a nice change of pace. My question is will you only be able to play as a Mech? Much like Eve or the now defunct Auto Assault?

Or will you actually be a toon independant of your Mech, with the ability to fight outside of it regardless of your inneficiency or lack of firepower? The ability to "park" your Mech and enter a seedy bar some place.

As was said above, there are apparently plans to incorporate crafting later on. It would feel and look kind of hokey and unimmersive if I'm sitting in my mech cranking out blaster cannons.

Also, the absolute removal of any viable activity ( other than walking around to shop in limited areas) outside of your vehicle is definitely one of the biggest reasons for AA's demise, as well as a contributing factor to EvE's niche status.

People need to identify with their charcter on some level when it comes to RPG games. Being confined to a Mech (or any other vehicle) at all times makes that pretty much impossible to accomplish.

So, any comment from the devs on this would definitely help alot of people decide if there would be any reason to play this game at all.

As Zorvan suggests, it would be extremely great to be able to hangar your Mech and go grab a beer at the local bar, or gather some intel on x,,y,z objectives (PvE). I'm currently playing EVE and that is truely the only downside about the game. I like an environment where you can leave your ship, explore the city on foot (or such) . Just like the Animé Cowboy Bebop (and others).

Yes, plans are to have Human Character Avatars to be part of the game, with the ability to get outside of the Mech, vehicle or aircraft in the environment.  There will be some restricted areas, such as domed cities, which will not allow Mechs to go rampaging around.  That does not mean that all settlements will have the same enforcement policies.  There will be places or actions that can only be done as a human, such as going into a ruined under ground facility. 

Originally character avatars were to not be part of the initial phase.  We realized that we were falling into the trap of becoming a Mech centric game, and so we're going to be having character avatars made available; but in a limited capacity at first.  Phase is likely to be considered Mech Centric, but the second phase will become Character Centric. 

To help show that we are to have characters as the avatar, we're going to be using virtual cockpits (camera is on the character's eyes and not the Mech's head) in the first phase.

I hope that explains things (in brief).  And keep asking the questions or bring up the concerns and we'll answer them.

Sounds great, thanks :)