MMORPG: The death system is a critical part of any survival MMO, how will you be handling this mechanic?
JB: By default, when you did you will need to recover your gear from your rotting corpse. But there are multiple configurable server options ranging from being able to keep all gear on death, to keeping equipped gear only. But this will be completely up to the server admins to configure.
MMORPG: How will magic factor into the game? Howard's world did have sorcery, but it was always at a cost.
JB: I don’t want to talk too much about sorcery yet, as we are planning to make a larger system between Early Access launch and release. However, there are definitely sorcerous objects in the world, from lotus blossoms to Stygian tomb dust. How you will combine them and to what effect? You’ll have to wait and find out!
MMORPG: You mentioned players being able to build up their own cities, but also the ability to destroy them, how will this work in the game?
JB: We have a freeform building system that will allow you craft any building that your imagination will allow (as long as it is made of stone, steel and wood). In addition we have several large workbenches and facilities that will require their own spaces. We’ve also created mechanics that require you to do a little bit of civic planning. You can’t build an altar to Mitra right next to a temple of Set, for example, and these mechanics facilitate creating larger spaces like villages and towns.
Tearing them down is really as simple as attacking them! We have created a system that allows players and NPCs to destroy buildings – but we have also created some ways for you to counter these attacks. This includes a system for recruiting NPC Archers and Guard to watch over your town when you aren’t online.
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MMORPG: Ok, we have to confess that sacrificing your enemies on an altar is pretty awesome, what in game benefits will this type of event have?
JB: Altars allow you to craft some very specific items that are tied to the god that you worship. An example would be that people who worship Set will be able to craft snake arrows (as seen in the Schwarzenegger movie). But to keep the favour of the gods involves completing the various doctrines of the gods regularly. It might be as simple as bringing a steady stream of sacrifices to the altar or as complicated as not using edged weapons for a period of time in combat. The gods are fickle, but if you please them, you might draw the attention of one of their avatars. And who knows what might be possible then?
MMORPG: Can you give us an idea of the interface? Will it be first person or third like other survival style games?
JB: The game can be played in either first person or third person, but it is primarily intended to be played in first person. You will almost always be able to switch between them at will, but occasionally we force you into 3rd person – for example when performing emotes. We’ve tried to keep the interface in line with what is expected of the genre – inventory, crafting and character screens.
Though I think our Character Creation interface is something pretty special for the genre and I am looking forward to showing that off fairly soon!
