The developers of Atlantica Online have provided us with this exclusive developer journal discussing the unique combat system in their upcoming MMORPG. Atlantica breaks with MMORPG tradition to bring players a turn-based combat system that the developers hope will set their game apart from other MMOs.

Unravelling the ancient legend of Atlantis is at the heart of Atlantica Online, a new massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG) developed and published by NDOORS. Atlantica, which will launch its closed beta this July, followed by its commercial launch, takes players on a globe-hopping adventure to save the human race, while providing them a rich, strategic RPG environment combined with classic turn-based gameplay.

Life on Earth is threatened when remnants of the fabled lost civilization begins to poison the world’s population. Humanity needs a hero to find and destroy these artifacts. Players must traverse the globe to uncover the clues that will ultimately lead them to Atlantis. During their journey, which will take them to landmarks such as the Taj Mahal in India and Germany’s Marksburg Castle, players will encounter all manner of monsters taken from the myths and legends of cultures throughout human history. Dragons in China and vampires in Romania are just a few of the enemies players must defeat to reach Atlantis.

Read the whole thing here.

What is with this turn based gameplay and combat?  I mean come on, you can hardly call it MMO with a major feature like that.  Excuse me, but what an absolutely dumb idea.   You have to wonder what these developers were thinking.

Can you imagine trying to pvp in such an environment?  The fights would take forever as the disadvantaged would delay delay delay.  Great tactic if you are trying to get friends there to help you.

They can't really think there will be many people that will play this type game?

I'd be happy if someone would just release a decent new single-player tactical RPG.  Making it an MMO does not make me want to play it more.  If the game is great enough to overcome the fact that it's been forced into a horribly inappropriate genre, I might try it, I guess.

But seriously, turn-based MMO?  Bleh.

Sounds like it would be better as a single player game. Travelling across the world, fighting myths, saving humanity? It'll have the spartacus-syndrome in the first few months...

"I saved humanity!"
"No I saved humanity"
"No youre all wrong, Im best friends with the brother's sister's best friends first cousing who saved humanity!"

lol. And who the hell holds their shield and sword on the same arm?!

Make the game into a single player, and I might give it a try... Turn-based mmo... it only seems to work in Wakfu/dufus and single players...

I have to agree with everyone here.  I couldn't even read the whole article, I started reading it and got disgusted.  I'm kind of getting bored of MMO's, until one comes out that really wow's me I'm may just stick with online poker and single player games.  I see all these awesome single player games that have come out and that are coming out and I think "if only mmo's could be like this", but their not.  Maybe APB, CrimeCraft, or Earthrise will bring some fresh air into the industry, but who knows.

Stradden - get a video for us!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFuY1NprrtU&NR=1

I wonder if there is anything like a "lets look it like a nother korean Grind Fest" Toolbox on market ? Every single one looks similar ? The Fonts the FX ...

or its just me ...

At last, an MMO with a combat system that may be worth playing. There's hope yet for the genre.

 With a Final Fantasy combat system and look ( you know that series of games thats been selling, for over something like 20 years?), you can bet your ass there will be many people playing it. Oh, while its turned bases I'm sure there will be a time limit to issue your attack. Say like 5 seconds then it auto attacks for you. Definition of MMO has nothing to do with its combat system. There are no hard set rules on that. This game will do well. Most likely not going to have 10 mil subs, but it'll make money and should have a following.

Another trite, boring, uncreative Asian MMO where men look like women?

Pass.

Looks interesting. I like old school turn-based stuff like this, so I'll give it try.

another game that allows players to make their own companions...seriously why would someone want to pay

monthly for the opportunity to play alone?

well this finnally looks like a halfway decent game. Its even more awesome cause since you have to actually use strategy that kicks all the pvprs out which will also mean it should have a halfway decent community as well. And i love the ability to make and run my own parties, it gives each player a Huge variety of play options.

Sounds intriguing to me.  Turn based combat is a rarity these days, hopefully they can make it work online.

At the very least, it's nice they are trying something different than all these cookie cutter MMORPGs

Turn Based MMO? BOOOOOOORING! Honestly, If I wanted to play a turn based game, I'd play the other Final Fantasy games that are single player, and not have to pay a dime. I'm sorry, but me personally, I think that a turn based MMO will be FAAAR from immersive. "Look out! Balrog is coming after you! dodge him!" "Can't! I'm friggin stuck to the stupid player phase until I get my next turn!" seriously? come on!

I know players were looking for something different from MMO's nowadays, but a combat system that was built for single player RPG's that is too rigid is not the answer.

Meh...not like any other MMO released has really been innovative. Maybe it will work...maybe not. No way to know until release. I don't get excited for MMOs anymore so I really don't care until open beta rolls around or release occurs.

  If you wanna see how turn based combat works play Myth Online.

Originally posted by suske

another game that allows players to make their own companions...seriously why would someone want to pay

monthly for the opportunity to play alone?

My thoughts exactly, although the game will most likely be F2P.

Sorry guys but this looks like utter crap (talking about combat video).

hmm

actually id love to see a mmo do turnbased combat right biut from watching the youtube video this doesnt seem good to me. for me the real reason to do turn based combat would be to have controll over the position of the players (similar to chess) as in the old snes or fallout  times.

actually turnbased done right (with movement, facing direction, formation) would be a good step back from the holy trinity where the tank taunts monsters to him.

turn based combat could have wizards raising walls of fire, rogues attack and vanish into darkness and a ton of other strategic elements rather then making 2 rows of players waiting till the other guys finished their move.

Originally posted by Ozmodan

Can you imagine trying to pvp in such an environment? 

Why yes i can as a matter of fact.     They're called War Games and when properly implemented they're GREAT FUN.

Massively Multiplayer turn-based PvP is common at gaming conventions, where table top diorama military campaigns and skirmishes are played out.

The key is you must allow complete freedom of movement and action all around a large combat grid so that you can do formations and flanking moves.  The result is FAR more challenging and fun than the typical button-mash / flail-around-like-a-loon crap that passes for combat in pvp mmogs today.

As for this game, it looks kinda sparkly and twinkly and too Final Fantasy-ish, which is Not what i consider to be a real turn based combat system at all. 

Just standing in one place and taking turns != Turn Based Combat imnsho.

Not sure how good this one will turn out. But I'm definately into a MMO that when you enter combat you go into a nice turn based combat model, definately would be something different and if done right could be very tactical and cerebral.

I will laugh at anyone who says you can do pvp with a turn based combat system.  While it works in a single player game, trying to do it in a pvp environment is just beyond ludicrous.  There are so many ways to exploit combat like in a pvp situation that it just makes it ridiculous.

I for one think that this is an awesome and very refreshing idea. I had wish the Final Fantasy MMO would had been like that. (Like it was supposed to be you know... Like the 10 FF before it)

More convenient for a PvE environment for sure, but i really like the idea and will definitely try it providing it's not a bug fest.

Wonder how the crafting system will pan out in such a game though. For me, good crafting and player base economy are a must.

This MMO is a waste of time. The market is just too crowded and this MMO doesn't stand out at all. The theme of it's is also a bit rubbish. The dev team of this game are just wasting their time and effort.