An Interview With Stephen Nichols

MMORPG.com:

Stephen Nichols:

The basic game is free to download and play, and for $4.99/month you get access to members-only features. At present, those features are: access to weapons, armor and magical items above “blue” quality, more powerful stacking potions (take up less inventory space), login queue priority and access to an in-game bank to store loot.

Right now, you can pay for membership with a credit card and very soon, you’ll be able to use an NCsoft game time card. We’re also looking into other ways to pay.

MMORPG.com:

Will there be future expansions, maybe larger dungeons to explore or new towns? Will they cost or be free?

Stephen Nichols:

Dungeon Runners will be continually developed. There’s no plan for charging players to access new content. However, some areas may be very difficult for free players to make progress in without the members-only gear. We will definitely add more dungeons to explore. More towns? Perhaps… just not for a while.

MMORPG.com:

How do you see the game developing? Will there be PvP or special servers for Pvp?

Stephen Nichols:

Our development plan is flexible. We aim to develop the game based on customer feedback. We do have a lot of ideas in mind and PvP is a feature that’s definitely on the way. However, there won’t be any open areas for “ganking” as you often find in many PvP-oriented games. Indeed, PvP will be limited to arranged team arena matches and other mini-games. Beyond PvP, we will continue to add more skills, loot, quests, monsters and other content on a very regular basis.

MMORPG.com:

Stephen Nichols:

Dungeon Runners is a game about running dungeons! So, it’s only natural that it shares some similarities with other dungeon running games. However, players will find that there are several aspects that set us apart from other dungeon crawlers: the game is free, regularly updated and very easy to play for short sessions. As you will see, Dungeon Runners doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s just plain easy fun!

MMORPG.com:

Stephen Nichols:

Storyline isn’t a huge part of Dungeon Runners because at this point it is mostly about bashing monsters and collecting loot. Although, there are definitely story elements that unfold in the quest lines that you complete as you play. But, it’s not something that we’re clubbing players on the head with.

MMORPG.com:

Stephen Nichols:

We’re moving toward a classless system if compared to traditional RPG standards. Our March/April update will contain this change. Essentially, you’ll be able to create your own class through the skills that you equip and the items that you use. We want players to be able to change their play style without having to re-roll a character from scratch.

MMORPG.com:

Stephen Nichols:

Yes, a guild system is in the works, although it won’t be available for several months.

MMORPG.com:

Stephen Nichols:

Here’s a short “wish list” of features we would like to add: integrated voice chat, improved LFG systems, item linking in chat, cross-server grouping and teleporting, a guild system, player housing and item customization systems.

MMORPG.com:

Stephen Nichols:

In-game events aren’t going to be a focus for Dungeon Runners unless the customers call for them. We’ll have to see how things unfold.

MMORPG.com:

Stephen Nichols:

We will definitely provide a way for players to have multiple characters on a single account in the near future. As for a bulk pricing solution…we’ll have to see if there’s demand for that.