The lead designer of the MMORPG Fallen Earth, Lee Hammock, has recently answered some questions posed to him by WarCry and Stratics Central. While the greater part of the interviews focus on the game's MMO mechanics, there are interesting bits of new information to those following the games. Mutations, the faction system, the crafting system, and PvP gameplay are covered among other topics..<blockquote>WarCry: Icarus Studios have been working on Fallen Earth for the almost 6 years as their premier debut in the MMO scene. Can you tell us about the inspiration and driving force for a post-apocalyptic MMO?
Lee Hammock: The post-apocalyptic genre has largely been left out of the MMO market, with the exception of some non-standard MMOs like Auto Assault. The idea of surviving in the world after the collapse of civilization is a powerful one that has gripped people for centuries. It's such a fertile ground for storytelling and conflict that we thought it would make an excellent genre for an MMO. We tap into the same fascination with a ruined world that keeps movies like The Road Warrior so strongly in the cultural zeitgeist even though it's over twenty years old. . . .
WarCry: Now the big Q! The Fans are crying out loud: When is estimated Beta/Release coming up? (Q3, Q4 of 07?)
Lee Hammock: We'll be having closed Beta this year, and ideally open Beta as well. We can't be more specific than that.</blockquote>The Stratics Central interview is longer, and goes more in-depth about certain aspects of Fallen Earth, including the combat system:<blockquote>Stratics: Most first-person shooter games are considered a twitch style, where it requires hand-eye coordination and actual player skill. How much player skill will be required in Fallen Earth?
Lee: Players will have to aim actively in combat, keeping their reticle on the target to hit. The damage of these hits is calculated based on weapon damage, skills of both the attacker and the defender, and other factors. So the actual hit resolution is twitch-based, but your damage is largely determined by a more role-playing game style system. You'll never hit someone and have their skills determine you actually missed, though you may hit someone wearing so much armor you don't hurt them. If you can get them in your crosshairs, you'll hit them.</blockquote>The faction system mentioned in the Stratics Central interview is rather intriguing.
Links:
WarCry interview with Lee Hammock.
Stratics Central interview with Lee Hammock.
Spotted on Blue's News.
Lee Hammock: The post-apocalyptic genre has largely been left out of the MMO market, with the exception of some non-standard MMOs like Auto Assault. The idea of surviving in the world after the collapse of civilization is a powerful one that has gripped people for centuries. It's such a fertile ground for storytelling and conflict that we thought it would make an excellent genre for an MMO. We tap into the same fascination with a ruined world that keeps movies like The Road Warrior so strongly in the cultural zeitgeist even though it's over twenty years old. . . .
WarCry: Now the big Q! The Fans are crying out loud: When is estimated Beta/Release coming up? (Q3, Q4 of 07?)
Lee Hammock: We'll be having closed Beta this year, and ideally open Beta as well. We can't be more specific than that.</blockquote>The Stratics Central interview is longer, and goes more in-depth about certain aspects of Fallen Earth, including the combat system:<blockquote>Stratics: Most first-person shooter games are considered a twitch style, where it requires hand-eye coordination and actual player skill. How much player skill will be required in Fallen Earth?
Lee: Players will have to aim actively in combat, keeping their reticle on the target to hit. The damage of these hits is calculated based on weapon damage, skills of both the attacker and the defender, and other factors. So the actual hit resolution is twitch-based, but your damage is largely determined by a more role-playing game style system. You'll never hit someone and have their skills determine you actually missed, though you may hit someone wearing so much armor you don't hurt them. If you can get them in your crosshairs, you'll hit them.</blockquote>The faction system mentioned in the Stratics Central interview is rather intriguing.
Links:
WarCry interview with Lee Hammock.
Stratics Central interview with Lee Hammock.
Spotted on Blue's News.