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Champions Online: One Month Out Q&A

MMORPG.com's Garrett Fuller posed five questions to Champions Online Senior Producer Chris Lena about the state of the game as it moves closer and closer to launch. These questions were submitted prior to the beginning of the open beta.

By Garrett Fuller on August 18, 2009

MMORPG.com:

The game is now in full beta, what type of feedback are you getting from testers?

Chris Lena:

The feedback has been really great. By taking both the feedback from the beta testers and combining it with our data mining we are able to make a lot of tweaks to mission flow and power balance (the kinds of things that having a lot of data makes much easier). For instance, we may see comments that indicate users didn't know where to go after finishing a particular chain of missions. That gives us a starting point where we can begin asking other questions... Is there an unexpected bump in the time it takes to get to the next level? Are the missions giving the expected rewards? Is there some sort of signpost that helps players get to more missions? Answering these types of questions helps us smooth out the play experience.

Another big role feedback plays at this stage is balancing powers. Are characters with a particular group of powers leveling faster or slower than others? Does every winner in PvP have the same specific power or set of powers? This is another area where beta players combined with data analysis is allowing us to make well informed tweaks to various powers.

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MMORPG.com:

Has the game reached all of its development milestones? What is left to polish in these final days?

Chris Lena:

At this point in the process it is just polishing and tweaking. Some of the specifics I mentioned in the first question.


Screenshot

MMORPG.com:

What are your tentative plans for post launch? Do you have your sights set on a first expansion?

Chris Lena:

We have not announced our post-launch plans yet but we definitely have them! As with any MMO, launch day is only the beginning of the adventure.

MMORPG.com:

At this time, if an MMO player has not heard of Champions Online, how would you describe the game to them?

Chris Lena:

Champions Online is a super-powered action MMORPG with an unparalleled level of character customization. Hmm, maybe I should go into marketing.


Screenshot

MMORPG.com:

In all the interviews and demos you have done, what is one element of the game that you did not get enough of a chance to discuss? Tell us about it.

Chris Lena:

I can never talk enough about the Nemesis system. Being able to build your own customized Nemesis and then fighting him and his minions is really great. You not only get to create the costume from scratch but also the types of powers and minions your Nemesis has. The Nemeses really take on a life of their own, even down to them sending their minions to ambush you when you least expect it. Let's just say that I have been embarrassed in front of my own supergroup when Dr. Monkeywrench sent his robot minions to attack me just as we were on the way to take on the Bronze King in Lemuria. I'll get you, Dr. Monkeywrench!

More Champions Online Features:

Champions Online - Speculating on What's Next General Article added on Tuesday December 01
Champions Online - Five Most Needed Additions General Article added on Monday November 16
Champions Online - Bill Roper on Balancing Ranged vs Melee Classes Dev Journal added on Thursday November 12
Champions Online - A Guide to Teaming Guide added on Thursday November 05
Champions Online - Bill Roper on Blood Moon Interview added on Monday October 19

More Interviews:

Jumpgate Evolution - New Lead Producer Interview Interview added on Wednesday December 02
Mythos - Redbana On Resurrecting Mythos Interview added on Tuesday December 01
Fallen Earth - Colin Dwan, Project Manager Interview added on Monday November 30
Darkfall - Conquer the Seas Expansion Q&A Interview added on Friday November 27
Runescape - Lead Designer Mark Ogilvie Interview added on Friday November 27

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Star Wars: The Old Republic - Hands-On Preview Preview added on Thursday December 03
Jon Wood - Rebooting or Re-Imagining the Genre Column added on Thursday December 03
Allods Online - New Exclusive Screenshots Media added on Thursday December 03
Atlantica Online - Money Making Guide - Jackpot and More! Guide added on Thursday December 03
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User Rating: 8.2
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