Update Interview

MMORPG.com:

Can you give us some insight into how the game's development is going? What stage are you at now?

Timo Krahl:

Most of the game mechanics are finished - now it's mostly about polishing, balancing, and thinking about improvements. That's what the first closed beta test is for. We are very pleased, though, about the overall progress right now, especially since we had several obstacles along the way in the past, like the bankruptcy of our previous mother company, which slowed down the game's development.

MMORPG.com:

As developers, what is your favorite part about space combat games?

Timo Krahl:

I guess the combat itself - that´s why we are making such a combat-heavy game right now. But it depends on the sub-genre I think - some people prefer the exploration aspect, but a game like that has to offer a lot in order to stay interesting. But if the combat in your space game is crappy, the other features won´t help.

MMORPG.com:

Are there any lessons you have learned in the closed beta testing you are doing?

Timo Krahl:

Well, it's not the first MMOG we've made, so we basically know what to expect. It's also still too early to come to any conclusions.

MMORPG.com:

Talk about the ships players will have access too. What type of customization will be available?

Timo Krahl:

Nearly everything. Cockpits, shields, engines, wings, the amount and type of weapons, optional missile launchers with different missile types, etc. You will also be able to customize the colors of the ship and we are thinking about enabling putting your clan logo on your ship. The player is free to decide what type of ship he wants to have with all these single parts - like having a big gunship or a fast fighter ship. Also the level of the ship's parts is shown on the ship - so it will look bigger or more mean as you level up. All ship parts can also be customized with MODs that alter the values of the part.

MMORPG.com:

Do you think there is still more room for more complexity in the sci-fi genre of MMOGs?

Timo Krahl:

Absolutely - just look at the fantasy-based games. The variety is nearly endless with a special game for every interest. The sci-fi genre as we know it is varied (cyberpunk, post-apocalyptic, space opera, classic sci-fi) but there are just not that many games to choose from. So I think that there is still plenty of room. It´s pretty risky to make a big budget game in a smaller special-interest niche so we won´t see that many in the near future.

MMORPG.com:

For someone who has not seen the game, tell us a little about the back history of the lore.

Timo Krahl:

Black Prophecy is set in the distant future where humans are somewhat "outdated" because the two superhuman species hold all relevant positions. These are the Tyi and the Genides - one is technologically enhanced and the other one genetically. The two are mired in a permanent conflict and fight for resources and inhabitable planets. There is also a human terrorist group called the Jadd Baran which is constantly fighting everything that is "non-human" or superhuman. The player starts out as a normal human on a new planet that is about to be settled - a perfect planet - too good to be true. On this planet, the Sapiens, Tyi and Genides will face an ancient power that changes everything. The player will live through these events and then has to decide if he wants to become a Tyi or a Genide in this new universe.

MMORPG.com:

From a development perspective, what was your biggest challenge with the game?

Timo Krahl:

There are many challenges and it's not over yet :) - I think the biggest ones were to design a game that has never been done before in this form and adapt the things everyone would expect from a single-player space combat game into an MMOG. The other big challenge is the whole technical and network side since there is a lot more going on in a real-time action game than in your average semi-turn-based MMOG.

MMORPG.com:

Give players an overall glimpse into Black Prophecy. What can we expect?

Timo Krahl:

You can expect the first ever real-time space combat MMOG that is free-to-play and very accessible with a lot of things veterans of the genre will be glad to see and plenty of new ideas to keep things fresh and exciting.