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Anarchy Online: Legacy of Xan Booster Interview
MMORPG.com's Jon Wood asked some questions of Anarchy Online's Game Director Colin Cragg about the just-announced Legacy of Xan booster for the seven year old title.
| MMORPG.com: | Can you give us a quick overview of what Legacy of The Xan is all about and what it adds to the existing game? |
| Colin Cragg: | Legacy of the Xan is a content focused experience for our higher level players that adds significant end game challenges to explore and defeat, both solo and in organized teams. So, in terms of what players will actually get to experience - the booster starts from a central hub area, the newly discovered ruins of an ancient Xan civilization deep in the unterraformed Outzone of Rubi-Ka. As players explore the ancient architecture carved from the rocky chasms that have hidden the ruins for centuries it branches off into two large adventure areas. Those areas take the players through two distinct story driven quest arcs. There have been many questions posed by the storyline we have developed down the years, and this booster was an opportunity to answer some of those questions, and of course pose a few more! Following the story through to its conclusion will take the players through confrontations with both the Dust Brigade and the Alien invaders, and allow players to discover more about the origins of both factions. How exactly does the ancient Xan civilization still influence events on Rubi-Ka to this day, and what is the significance of this newly unearthed area? With a wealth of new quests and encounters, these outdoor areas combine the storytelling that we have always built upon and some great new opponents and encounters to create a really compelling and coherent experience. The player will know why they are there, and what they are trying to achieve as they battle through both story-lines seeking at least a glimpse of the ultimate truth behind the ancient Xan. There are also a number of side-quests and other tasks that further flesh out the areas and provide additional story elements and activities if the players wish to do them. Playing through the outdoor experiences and completing the various quest lines will eventually lead players to two new challenging team instances and then ultimately one final twelve-man raid encounter with the dark presence that has risen from the ancient Xan. These instances follow on from the type of game-play experiences we have been adding to the game over the last few years, with a real focus on dynamic, interesting encounters that keep the players on their toes! We are very proud of how the team here has been able to create these wonderful challenging events and encounters and those added will hopefully keep up that tradition and be encounters that the players remember and enjoy playing. I think the whole experience will be one our players really enjoy as it plays on all the major factors that make Anarchy Online such a unique experience in the first place. |
| MMORPG.com: | What is the difference between an expansion and a booster? |
| Colin Cragg: | This is of course subject to opinion...but mine would be that the difference between and expansion and a booster is a question of scale and scope. Expansions often offer new game mechanics, levels to achieve or enormous land mass to explore. In the case of Shadowlands, an area significantly larger than the original game was added along with twenty new levels and significant new player actions and mechanics. Legacy of the Xan, while containing large areas and rafts of new content, is not on this scale and is meant to be supplementary to the game as an alternate path through the Anarchy Online end game experience. This is an end game experience designed for our veteran players and as a booster it is priced as such. Long standing members of our community will find this priced down to as little as 9.99 /$ when supplemented with paid points awarded free with their subscriptions. We feel this is excellent value for the fun this adds to the game. |
| MMORPG.com: | How many different expansions and boosters have been added to the game in the last seven years? |
| Colin Cragg: | Notum Wars, Shadowlands, Alien Invasion and Lost Eden have been enormous additions to the Anarchy Online world over the past seven years. This time has also seen numerous free content updates for our subscribers on a regular basis. The Anarchy Online world is constantly growing...and I like to think improving all the time. New players can start the game with an "All-in-One" pack that includes all Anarchy Online expansions and boosters, including the new Legacy of the Xan booster for only $19.99 |
| MMORPG.com: | It says in your press release that the expansion can be paid for using combined points and currency. Can you tell us about this please? |
| Colin Cragg: | Legacy of the Xan is available for three different price options. (Not including relevant taxes.)
Players receive paid points as a reward for long term subscriptions to Anarchy Online. Paid points are also distributed to the players on special occasions such as our 7th anniversary this summer where all paying subscribers received 700 free paid points as a part of the celebrations. Players are also able to purchase "Paid Points" in Anarchy Online through their account pages at any time. We feel a reduced price for the booster is an excellent way of rewarding our long-term and loyal community. |
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| MMORPG.com: | It sounds, from reading your promotional material that this booster focuses almost entirely upon existing users and end-game content. Is there anything here that is meant to draw in new players to the game? |
| Colin Cragg: | There is nothing specifically included in the booster's paid content aimed at new Anarchy Online players. This is content that all new players can eventually look forward to as the progress to the high levels of the game. That being said, in the same update there has been significant adjustment to the new player experience at the ICC Shuttleport based on community feedback. We are constantly working to improve the overall game experience in all areas and the starting area of AO can expect a more significant overhaul in the coming year with the release of the new render engine upgrade. Adding to the end game experience and improving the product in general is always good for attracting new players. |
| MMORPG.com: | Given the game’s age, how many people are currently working on Anarchy Online? |
| Colin Cragg: | Despite its age Anarchy Online is still doing remarkably well. There are numerous MMO's that have never enjoyed the stable customer base that keeps Anarchy Online stable and profitable. Nobody would have imagined seven years ago we would be operating at this level today. The game is currently developed by a dedicated team of eleven (Not including dedicated QA and customer service personnel). We find the smaller team size allows us more flexibility, creativity and speed in the development process and I could not be happier with their achievements, even when compared to much larger project groups I have worked with in the past. A close relationship with the player community also helps to keep the content additions fresh and the direction the game moves in true. I'm already looking forward to the free content updates in production for this year with this exceptional team. |
| MMORPG.com: | What happened to the new Anarchy Online engine that we were told about a while back? Is there an ETA on that, or has it been put on hold? |
| Colin Cragg: | The new engine is still currently in development and has not been put on hold in any way. Releasing the video when we did was definitely premature given the sheer amount of unanticipated work that was discovered later. I'm sure the entire community can imagine the deep dark mysteries held by the AO codebase. At the time we were so excited to see the future of the game that we wanted to share it with the community. Work is continuing well on the engine upgrade and as much as I'd like to give specific dates for testing and release the best I can do at this point is "When it’s ready.” The video preview gave me goose bumps when I first saw it, and the release will definitely do the same! |
;)
Below, please find the announcement press release:
Durham, USA – February 13th, 2009 – Funcom is proud to unveil `Legacy of the Xan' – the new booster pack for the massively multiplayer online game `Anarchy Online'. The new booster pack features end-game content tailored specifically for seasoned `Anarchy Online' veterans, opening up new areas of the world, introducing new items and bringing hundreds of new missions to challenge players. This content upgrade is the latest in a series of expansions and booster packs that have been released for the classic sci-fi MMO that launched 7 years ago.
"The `Legacy of the Xan' booster pack introduces new content for those who have reached the `Anarchy Online' end-game, by introducing areas, items, enemies and missions relating to the mysterious civilization of the Xan and their history on planet Rubi-ka," says game director Colin Cragg. "We are thrilled by the fact that `Anarchy Online' continues to capture the imagination of gamers even after seven years of operation, and we greatly look forward to be bringing players even more challenges, content and improvements to the game in the time ahead!"
The booster pack will be available on February 19th, but pre-order has already started. The booster is available for 19.99 US dollars or for a combined purchase using paid points and currency. Included in the purchase is an in-game virtual item known as The Phasefront Hoverchair – a unique, time-limited launch offering that allows you to cruise around on Rubi-ka in style! For those new to `Anarchy Online' it is also possible to purchase a complete package that contains the core game as well as all expansions and boosters previously released. `Legacy of the Xan' pre-order and the Phasefront Hoverchair is included in this complete package.
Let me get this stright... So rather bring in the new engine there making another pointless exp :(
As I understand, 3 of those 11 members of the Development team are working on the Engine exclusively. I rather suspect that adding more people to the project won't significantly speed up the process.
Well at least this is some good news for AO players, while Funcom has been dancing around with their AoC line, we see that they still are doing something with AO.
I loved the game when I played it and will definetly comeback, I just dont know when at this point. AO to me was my 1st Sci-Fi mmorpg before SWG and had some really good times in it during it days.
I started AO back in 2002, I can't believe its been this long already.
It seems that I already have the, " legacy of Xan" as a registered expantion pack with the pre order item as well,....WOOT!
Can't wait
Umm those screen shots actually look good.
Just a fair warning to all players that want to try AO.
This game looks like Ass. I don't know how they got those screenies to look so good but the rest of the game does not compare.
Wait until the graphic revamp if you never try the game.
Edit: Im not a Troll, Im actually a fan of the game. But i refuse to lie, AO is extremely dated and those screenies are basically false advertising.
They did the same with Notum Wars, Shadowlands, Alien invasion, and Lost Eden. Most of their "screens" for advertising are renders.
What I find funny is Colin using Shadowlands as an example of the difference between an expansion and a booster. SL is the only "expansion" that fits his definition. Perhaps he should be recommending some refunds for the people who bought the Lost eden "expansion", which by his own definition was a pissy little booster.
In its heyday AO looked awesome, but heh it was built at a time when a p3 600mhz and a geforce 2 could run it full tilt. By todays dx10 standards sure it looks dated, but hey its a dx7'sh game.
Game play and content is what people should be wondering about and this game has both in bulk. The skill based/level system, Implants, guns, nanos, land control, pvp, lore, rp...its a good game.
There is no reason new people should not try this game to see themselves because .......
ITS FREE ! Thats right its free for the basic game...just download it and try it out. No need to worry about expansions until later just go Froob Account to check it out, because all the original content is free.
Yes i agree 100%. Those screenshots are not real, there is no way. I have played AO on and off for about 5 years and the game looks like crap. It is a fun game however, thats what draws me into it. By the time we actually get the new engine the game will be dead, no offense funcom :P.
I recently made a new paid account just for old times sakes. I will not be buying the booster though... Seems more like a gimmick than anything. Funcom if you want to make us pay for some new content, at least give us something worthy enough to call an expansion... like shadowlands.
I more or less started with Anarchy Online ...
I was acustomed to some practices, like groupin with some people for hours and hours, talking to these people and having fun. To me this was normal. ... Then... I played other MMO's and was shocking to me ... all other games are not that good. More MMO's need to be like Anarchy Online. ... Sadly enough I can't play the game because I am spoiled by newer games graphics. .. I totally recomend AO to these people that never played a good MMO.
gameplay wise AO is extremely depth both in content, and in how u customize your character. but ill admit myself i am indeed spoiled by new graphics so i like to have my cake and eat it too lol. lets hope this new fangdangled engine upgrade gives us some yummy eye porn . lol.
God has it been that long, I still remember beta testing this game before it went live in 2002 and many of the testers were pleading with the derv team not to bring it out as it was unfinished and they didn't listen and it flopped early on it had a terible release. I plodded on for about six months but lost patients and dropped the game totally.
I tried to return about a year or so later and when I tried to re-activate my account there had been a take over or some other issue and I was unable to get my details back so refused to buy the game again based on this, however I then played the free trail and due to the dead end graphics I never managed to get very far as it depressed me and I pulled the plug on the game for good.
The sad thing is after Funny.com brought out AoC again the derv teams didn't listen to beta testers and I again wrote my concerns and didn't even get a reply from the derv team in AoC at least I did from AO team and they said it was out of their hands. Sadly I have given both games a real chance to draw me into their games but due to the way they have allowed them selves to be maniplulated I will never return or buy another funcom game again unless six months down the line after reading peoples feed-back.
It's a shame too because they obviously have some tallented people working for them but they do not allow them selves enough time to complete any projects, I fully understand why this is but that's down to bad managment and they need to resolve this if they plan on trying to make any further MMO's.
If I am ever to return to Funcom it would have to be a really good game without the problems they have had in the past and I would not be fooled into buying any game from them until it had run at least six months if I even botherd then...
Bandit.
I have played this game non stop for the last 6 years.
Things have changed alot from the time it was released, those that quite cause of the problems at release, over the years the Dev team has fixed those issues and given us great content.
To those that say the screens for the new expansion is false advertising, maybe you should learn how to use the graphics controls in game to better the look of it on your Computer. My game play looks excactly like what that video showed.
Cant wait for the new engie to come out, and its nice to see some advertising for this game with release of the booster. Hopefully it will bring some much needed new blood to the game.
I would have to agree with this. They must not have something correct in their settings or are using drivers with an ATI card that are not rendering DX7 based stuff properly. www.google.com/search
I'm on a 2.0ghz core 2 duo notebook with 2GB RAM & a 256MB Geforce 7900GS. My graphics in game look identical to those screenshots.
I thought AO was free.
The base game "Anarchy online" is free (incl Notum Wars booster). If you upgade to an expansion then it has either a $5 or $15 monthly fee.
I'll go back to AO when the new engine goes live.
The backgrounds have looked great for a while -- the character models have the problems.
With the coming engine upgrade comes the hope and wish for better looking characters as well as a better charcter creation interface.
I'd consider coming back if they lowered their subscription prices, the game for EU customers is 14.95€ +VAT a month, that's 17,20€ ($21.30) for a 1 month subscription if you live in EU... that's almost 5€ more than any modern MMO which are 12.99€/month.
1) It's a lot cheaper than WoW, paid by the month.
2) You can lower the price even more by paying by the year ($95/yr).
3) You can play for free altogether or get the $5/mo Shadowlands subscription.
Not true. He said EU pricing, not U.S.
Funcom has always charged the same numerical value to both markets, resulting in EU always paying more in both exchange rate + VAT.
Its not worth playing it.
Its laggy as hell. The serve are very old. They cant handle anything. Even when theres no one around, yous till lag jusst by walking. If you ever played a game, lets say WoW, and then try this, you wont make pass 5 minutes, Because newer games, have good server, and dont have bad lag like this piece of junk. The lag is all from server side, not your PC, so nothing you can do.
But, the game has the best skill/twink system ive seen, even tho the game is a relic. Ive played it for years, would NOT recommend it, because the game is basically empty. The only people playing are hardcore fans, that own 3 paid accounts. There seriously isnt any one left. There are only TWO us servers, and they are usually empty. Its a dead game.
I think Anatchy Online II shoudl come out, With new server, better engine, but keep the smake skill system.
Conclusion:
DO NOT TRY THIS GAME. IT DEAD.
I'm back playing it again, and I still love it. It was my first MMO and It has the "first love" feel to it. The graphics are severely dated true, and most people will be turned away from the game because of it also true. However when and if the engine comes out, they should relaunch the game. It still has the "First Sci-Fi" title and it does have the most complex and 'coolest' skill system in any game still to date. No other game has the true "Twink" feel this game has, running around for 2-3hours to just get 1 piece of armor on... I mean come on it sucks, but it's awesome at the same time... Gives you a sense of accomplishment.
This is one of those rare games where u rly enjoy playing with other players and dont care how bad the game is . (except the graphics is a very good game if u get over the first few hours).
An opinon made by somone who hasnt played the game or logged on for 5 minutes and quit.
Yes there is lag, all MMOs have lag. TBH, this game plays better on older computers. This isnt the kind of game that having the best computer makes a differance, its the oppisite. That wont change till the new engine upgrade.
You contradicte your self all over the place in your post. FC wouldnt spend money on a game thats dead, we dont need a big player base to make the company money. They make enough money of in game advertising to fund AO.
As for there being no population again you have no clue. The game has a small community yes, 10k tops. The game is far from empty, like every game you just have to know were everyone hangs out. The play fields in this game are huge, so of course people are going to be spread out over both rubi-ka, Shadowlands and the Alien areas.
As for servers, there has only ever been 3 servers ever since the game went live in '02. So you fail there also.
So please get your facts straight before you make an idiot out of yourself. You either like the game or you dont, but dont make bogus claims that you cant back up.
I just quit lvl 80 gankfest online (aka WoW) and i now have my 3 accounts running in ao, graphics might not be the hottest but the game is fun, and well in case you haven't noticed wow nowdays is rather buggy, i have never seen so many mobs spawning inside items stuck and not killable, or hell i have even seen mobs go inte evade mode right in the middle of a fight, and i was standing still tanking them when they go evade evade evade and run back to spawn point, really frustrating since i don't heal up and end up fighting the mob again :(
oh man!!!! a hoverchair?!!!!!!!!! you mean i can sit in a chair in my virtual world and do everything while i sit in a chair in real life?
horray for laziness!
It's bloody buggy though. Got a bsod at my first try, found the settings got deleted at my second try, and I deleted the whole thing at my third
Game is old, and it's shows in every thinkable way.
AO is dated but it still a great game at its core. I was there for AO launch that was a bad time, but now the game is fairly good, I think with the gfx update.. which I hope has all redone models and textures, at least for npcs and player chars. they should try to re-release it.