MMORPG.com: Conquer Online has had a long run of ten years. Congratulations! Can you tell us what it’s like to see the game survive such a long time?
Peter Pan: It is indeed a great achievement. We owe a huge thanks to our players from all over the world. They give us the support and confidence that keep Conquer Online thriving.
MMORPG.com: What are some of the most valuable lessons you have learned over the years of being in the game business?
Peter Pan: When CO was launched as a free-to-play game, we wanted it to be a game for the public, but we also faced pressure to turn a profit. Well, after 10 years of exploration and hard work, we found the golden rule – ‘Make your players happy!’ It’s important to achieve this kind of long-term success.
MMORPG.com: Do you have any advice for new players just getting into the game for the first time?
Peter Pan: CO has plenty of attractive features and stories, so it’s better to join a big guild as you start to explore the game. Don’t just sit around and expect to have everything handed to you. You have to ask the veterans for advice and help. You know, they make good things happen for you!
MMORPG.com: What can veteran players expect over the next few months?
Peter Pan: So many great things! First, a grand cross-server PK challenge, the “World War”, is in the works. People in each server can elect their own emperor, and that emperor leads their server’s soldiers against other servers! If you’re not the top player, you can still take part in the action by driving a Guild Chariot. Basically, every player will be able to join in the struggle for dominance!
Besides, we’re planning on making higher-level promotions and rebirths available for all classes, so players can learn more powerful skills and really open up the ability of their class.
MMORPG.com: You have a lot of levels in your game. Are there mechanics in place to make players advance more quickly?
Peter Pan: You know, if your time is limited, why not spend it on the more interesting things? That’s what we have been thinking about, recently. You’ve got to let the game systems do the repetitive work of hunting, and give our players more time to spend on the more involved content, like guild events, PK battles, and such.
MMORPG.com: What are some of the key factors that have made Conquer Online such a lasting title?
Peter Pan: CO has distinctive features, like the unique PVP system, oriental fantasy and easy gameplay, which hold players immersed in the game. We sincerely try to follow the players’ minds and produce what they want. On the other hand, we also stick to the nature of our game – “make the fun simple”. There were setbacks, but we never gave up on this concept.
MMORPG.com: Where do you see the game going in the next ten years?
Peter Pan: I have a good feeling that CO will maintain its prosperity in the next decade. The most important thing is for us to keep improving our game and make sure it keeps pace with the times.
Some of our players have been with us for years. As they grow up, their needs change, and so must CO. That means we have to stay open to new ideas. For example, asynchronous gameplay has emerged as a new way for players to be involved with each other in the game world. It doesn’t require you and your friends to be online at the same time. We are looking at what we can learn from this style.
No matter how the game will change, providing fun is always the core of our design. We will focus on improving how we make our future events, so players participate because it’s fun, not just because of rewards.
As for the mobile market, we will also increase our efforts to let more people learn about Conquer Online. We have launched the iPad version one and half years ago, and it will also be available on the iPhone, very soon!
And we will also keep our promise to all CO fans around the world to release a highly expected brand new CO game. It is more like prequel.
Finally, again, we would like to express our thanks to all our fans who love or loved CO. You make CO a fantastic game!