One Month Out Q&A

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.

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.

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.

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!