Trials of Ascension Interview
Interviews

Our very own Ryan Delaney had the chance to interview Don Danielson of Shadowpool about their upcoming Perma-Death MMORPG Trials of Ascension. While it remains relatively unknown, what is being promised could easily boost it up into the Major League. But read for yourself and check out their official website which currently gives you the opportunity to design a monster that will be implemented in the game!

MM Hell: The biggest question with most MMORPG's nowadays is how to attract and keep the "casual" players. How will perma-death affect the casual player in Trials of Ascension?

Don: I don't see the casual player being affected by perma-death anymore than the "power gamers". Whether someone is playing ToA casually or are hardcore, they will know perma-death exists within the game so the shock shouldn't be any different.


MM Hell: A question that I have heard often from gamers is about character customization. Besides the usual faces, hair and body types, will you have things like scars, tattoos, maybe even missing limbs to help distinguish your character from others?

Don: The amount of character customization we are aiming for is very broad in scope. This will certainly allow for tattoos and scars, even after you've created your character. As for the missing limbs - that opens a whole can of worms that we're not ready to address quite yet.



MM Hell: You have touched on the subject of grouping mechanics, or the lack there of. Without a "group" or "party" window how will a healer monitor more than one player at a time during combat?

Don: You have to really remove yourself from the box that you're in to understand how healing (especially during combat) will work. "Healers" aren't just walking ambulances that follow a party around and heal them while they wade through unlimited spawns of creatures. It is more of an art where you'll have to diagnose a wound and apply the appropriate measures according to a wide range of variables. Healing is like many things in ToA; you're going to have to get out of the way of thinking that these other games have put you in. :)



MM Hell: Religion in most MMORPG's has really never meant much in the overall scope of the game. What made you decide to make religion such a big part of the game? And will the religion system just affect the cleric types or will it affect any player that has chosen his/her god or goddess?

Don: What good is having religion at all if you don't plan on doing anything with it? I understand the role play reasons but why not take it to the next level and allow it to be a way of life for some players should they choose, full of potential powers and drawbacks?

Everyone will be affected by the religion system. Whether you follow a deity or not your actions will be noticed and you could expect reward or punishment based on those actions.



MM Hell: Another question about both perma-death and religion. Will higher level players who are in really good with their God be able to resurrect players of the same faith and restore a life token?

Don: Some priests will have the ability to resurrect but they will never be able to restore a life counter. That is a power exclusive to the gods for deeds they consider worthy.



MM Hell: The magic in most games has never been hard to learn or master. With what has been said of the system currently in ToA, with the big risks being taken to learn the magics how big are the rewards? I mean as it stands magic is more of a supporting role (be it damage wise or utility wise) in other games. Will mages/wizards in ToA be some of the more powerful players in the game?

Don: A highly skilled mage is probably going to be one of the most powerful characters in the game. Will this cause everyone to run out and try to become a mage? Probably, but they will soon learn that the road to achieve such greatness is a very long and dangerous one. Magic is not something to be taken lightly in ToA. It is extremely volatile and the slightest error can easily cause the mage a life counter.

Mages can settle into a support role if they like, but the ToA magic system is designed in such a way that the mage can tap into powers that cross the spectrum of abilities and powers. Your own agenda and desires will dictate/limit what type of mage you will be, not our design.



MM Hell: I have read in other interviews that the combat in the game will be different than in others. It seems most MMORPGS fall into the click and wait category while a few are twitch FPS types. Where will ToA's system fit between those categories? Will there be more input from players other than "use this skill while fighting" or will you be able to quickly sidestep a blow and counter?

Don: The combat system is my personal favorite feature of ToA! It is a system where your skills as a player will matter just as much as your character's skills. You will have the ability to target specific parts of the body for special damages. Your position in relation to your opponent will be of great importance. You'll be able to move while swinging/shooting. Should I go on?! :)




MM Hell: These next two question are big ones for me and many others who enjoy MMORPGS. The crafting system, you have mentioned before that the 90-95% of all items int he game will be player crafted. Does this mean if I wanted to build a merchant empire I could do nothing but craft items building up my wealth to become a well respected merchant and never have to fight during most of my life or will I have to fight to level and to also obtain what I need to craft and changing the way I would like to enjoy my time in the game? Or could I just go out and chop down trees and plant crops and mine ore to get the raw material?

Don: The idea of requiring a player to kill things to better their skill at basket weaving is insane and should be put out of its misery! Sorry, I have some pretty strong feelings in this area. :) If your interest is in creating items for others, that is what you will do in ToA; not fight rats until "Ding! You may now make baskets!" *sigh*



MM Hell: Last question, You mentioned the weather system being a factor in the game, something that has never really meant much in any other titles i have played. Exactly how will players be affected by the weather? Will it affect just travel or will rivers flood damaging towns? Make ranged combat a little more difficult?

Don: This kind of goes hand in hand with the religion question above. If you're going to implement a feature, make it worth your and the players while to do it. Our weather system is not just for looks. It will affect the players and world of TerVarus tremendously. If a certain area does not receive enough rain, the crops will suffer, showing fewer yields for the farmers. If you're stuck outside in a snowstorm and ill-equipped, you're going to lose a life counter. Wind speed and direction will affect flying creatures, especially the tiny pixies.



MM Hell: I want to thank you for your time I our readers and myself appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to do this interview for us.

Don: You are most certainly welcome and we look forward to the next interview!