Darkfall Dev Journal #18: Economy, Prestige Classes & More

In today's developer journal, Associate Producer Tasos Flambouras takes us through three big issues he's seen discussed in the community lately: the economy, prestige classes and much more.

Every other Friday, Flambouras presents a developer journal that updates the progress of Darkfall here on WarCry.

On remapable keys: You can absolutely remap everything.

On Invisible hiding: There is no invisibility or stealth skill built into the game. You can be stealthy using actual player skill and using the right equipment and movement, and hide as to not be detected moving in.

On the related issue of having radar: The only radar is one that shows you your own party. No other radar exists in Darkfall. You can add your own map markers and customize your map, and some quest information will add map markers for you.

Read more after the click.

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Nice nice nice.
Surely everyone will enjoy the screenshots.
Thanks for no radar, hopefully we won't be able to make UI addons to change things shown at the radar.
I hope that the Universal banks dont mean Multi-Character-Servers. You can imagine how fun would it be to have different currency for each race and economy/inflation per race ? Maybe someday, 1st lets start the testing ^^

Nice to know! About the prestige classes, I was wondering what they would be like, but still better to release good versions in a patch than half-assed release version, you guys are better than that.

I have one question. Why in all your screenshots are everybody wearing greyish armor? Is that really how the crafting system will work? Everything grey? Or is it just you guys who were quickly trying something and decided to just wear the standard? Would be nice to know so I know what to expect.

Very nice update by Tasos. Good to see that they aren't going to rush out the Prestige Class system. I can't wait to see what they come up with.

We actually got some good answers and insight in this journal. Tasos was pretty frank with us and didn't sugar coat it at all. That speaks volumes for this teams integrity, and brava to them.

Also, all the items are probably grey because it's probably a defaultish color. Since armor dye is in game, they probably expect that to get the "flavor" of the world, rather than programming/coloring the gear by hand.

good update lets hope the unversal banks have a limit on them and it be all good : )

I am starting to like these journals a lot more now that more DarkFall details are finally being revealed for the first time. The thing is, is that a lot of the stuff being said is turning out to be a huge dissapointment. This game does not sound anything like the "Ultima Online" in 3D that was being perpetuated so much by the devs for such a long time now. Instead, this game sounds a lot more like ShadowBane part 2. This game isn't as much about "freedom" and "socializing" like it was in UO-pt but instead, it sounds more about "Killing" and "Warfare" like it is in SB. People like me were willing to sacrifice the average looking graphics in order to play a UO-like game in 3D finally. All in all DarkFall seems poised to give ShadowBane a run for their money, but it is no where near achieving Ultima Online legendary status as so many here hoped and envisioned.

Personally, I was expecting this game to capture the perfect depth and balance of RPG and PvP that existed in UO-pt but make it it's own in DF. This is why I thought the game was in development for so long... I thought the whole purpose of building kingdoms in the first place was so that housing structures would not clutter the land... but according to last week's journal an "above average populated city" contains only 6 houses? o.O I thought sieging and warfare was an added bonus, many of us had no idea it was the front and center entire focus of the game as these last 2 journals have shed light on.

I also thought FPS was just a cute added bonus feature for fluff purposes. I rather have a MUCH more in depth character customization process than FPS or which way a scent is blowing in the wind. That FPS stuff is just going to be a handicap on the game. FPS did not work for Neocron and it just won't work for DF. You've gotta be kidding with the universal servers, lag is a big deal. I thought DF had some "maigc plan" to deal with FPS differently than Neocron, but it seems headed in the same direction. You've already predetermined the entire game for the community, something DarkFall WASN'T supposed to be about. DarkFall was origionally about freedom to do anything and make the game YOUR OWN like in UO, but now you are saying all people are gonna do is war all the time with helmets on and bang the hammer crafting away? No actually, that is NOT what people like me expected, but listening about the lackluster RPG elements and the stingy customization features due to FPS, that's what it seems it will be.

HOW is socializing going to be encouraged in DarkFall? How will you stand out? I just don't see it. I pay a monthly fee so that I can have a hot looking and UNIQUE char to be proud of, not just another clone as seen in the endless screen shots presented here. As an avid RPG/PvPer that is the reason I craft or work hard to buy from a merchant, it's my motivation to make my char powerful, look good and stand out. If I wanted a mostly warfare game, I would stick to a free FPS game like Quake where everyone pretty much looks the same. Who cares if there is full loot if you don't really have the potential to own a piece of personal property like in UO and all the armor pretty much looks dull and the same? What else is there to look forward to in this game if you don't want to run a kingdom or craft? Doensn't seem like much...

I think if DF hadn't origionally spoken so much about UO, I wouldn't have taken all this news so harshly. I might still try out DF to see if it will offer me what ShadowBane couldn't, but UO legendary status this game definately is not. Sadly, my mind and heart is still open for the next TRUE UO-pt-like game, IF one like that will ever be made within my lifetime...

angelic7:
I am starting to like these journals a lot more now that more DarkFall details are finally being revealed for the first time. The thing is, is that a lot of the stuff being said is turning out to be a huge dissapointment. This game does not sound anything like the "Ultima Online" in 3D that was being perpetuated so much by the devs for such a long time now. Instead, this game sounds a lot more like ShadowBane part 2. This game isn't as much about "freedom" and "socializing" like it was in UO-pt but instead, it sounds more about "Killing" and "Warfare" like it is in SB. People like me were willing to sacrifice the average looking graphics in order to play a UO-like game in 3D finally. All in all DarkFall seems poised to give ShadowBane a run for their money, but it is no where near achieving Ultima Online legendary status as so many here hoped and envisioned.

Personally, I was expecting this game to capture the perfect depth and balance of RPG and PvP that existed in UO-pt but make it it's own in DF. This is why I thought the game was in development for so long... I thought the whole purpose of building kingdoms in the first place was so that housing structures would not clutter the land... but according to last week's journal an "above average populated city" contains only 6 houses? o.O I thought sieging and warfare was an added bonus, many of us had no idea it was the front and center entire focus of the game as these last 2 journals have shed light on.

I also thought FPS was just a cute added bonus feature for fluff purposes. I rather have a MUCH more in depth character customization process than FPS or which way a scent is blowing in the wind. That FPS stuff is just going to be a handicap on the game. FPS did not work for Neocron and it just won't work for DF. You've gotta be kidding with the universal servers, lag is a big deal. I thought DF had some "maigc plan" to deal with FPS differently than Neocron, but it seems headed in the same direction. You've already predetermined the entire game for the community, something DarkFall WASN'T supposed to be about. DarkFall was origionally about freedom to do anything and make the game YOUR OWN like in UO, but now you are saying all people are gonna do is war all the time with helmets on and bang the hammer crafting away? No actually, that is NOT what people like me expected, but listening about the lackluster RPG elements and the stingy customization features due to FPS, that's what it seems it will be.

HOW is socializing going to be encouraged in DarkFall? How will you stand out? I just don't see it. I pay a monthly fee so that I can have a hot looking and UNIQUE char to be proud of, not just another clone as seen in the endless screen shots presented here. As an avid RPG/PvPer that is the reason I craft or work hard to buy from a merchant, it's my motivation to make my char powerful, look good and stand out. If I wanted a mostly warfare game, I would stick to a free FPS game like Quake where everyone pretty much looks the same. Who cares if there is full loot if you don't really have the potential to own a piece of personal property like in UO and all the armor pretty much looks dull and the same? What else is there to look forward to in this game if you don't want to run a kingdom or craft? Doensn't seem like much...

I think if DF hadn't origionally spoken so much about UO, I wouldn't have taken all this news so harshly. I might still try out DF to see if it will offer me what ShadowBane couldn't, but UO legendary status this game definately is not. Sadly, my mind and heart is still open for the next TRUE UO-pt-like game, IF one like that will ever be made within my lifetime...

Oh shut up, go get a f'n life its just a game. Ohhh, sorry that you can't live inside the game, gg give me a break. No you won't stand out because you'll get owned and lose everything. Your also basing a huge amount off of very little information, they haven't shown us the entire game and they apparently don't want to. I'd rather be suprised with the game, and be allowed to explore on my own then have everything spoiled up front. "UO legendary status" LOL give me a break, go get a life man. They showcase two of their main important features, that doesn't mean they dont have more, war and crafting are huge highlights for alot of players including myself. Im sure they have more features, and if they don't.....then oh well, don't buy it. I'll move on, and play another game if DF isn't good, not cry on a forum about how it doesn't measure up to some stupid 2D game.

yea relax man there just answer some questions that have been on the forums with out the pvp aspect the econmy just wont work

No Beta yet?

What happened to "We could hold a beta tomorrow if we wanted to" ?

More useless bullshit with nothing to back any of it up except a few screenshots as usual.

Whoever is building this game needs to grow some balls and actually show people what they have already. Why is that so difficult to do??

Until then its 100% Vaporware just like it was 6 years ago. Stop wasting peoples time with your bullshit "words" already and put up or shut up and go home.

look whos talking /ban stupid prick
btw teedle is gay he was in the mens restroom getting screwed in the behind because i said so

double post wtf XD

Darkfall is a huge, obvious lie, run by individuals who have a blatant disregard for people, nothing but a phantom of what people dream about in mmo`s, it will not happen, it IS vaporware, there is no large professional company behind it.. it is a pet project that has strung people along for almost a decade now... In plain American words - Bullshit.

Darkfall has degenerated into nothing more than a big laugh.. The people left believing in it must be the most dense and easily fooled people I have ever seen. Truth, facts, reality, nothing bites on their religious belief in some vaporware company.

LMAO hey Teedle your a lie go tell you employers that you dont exist so you can STFu already no one even listen to you

^ case in point

^case in point

The Wired vaporware awards voting for 2007 has begun. A lot of people who have witnessed the so called "development" of Darkfall will probably be interested in voting. Get your votes in while you have the chance!
http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/20...your-vote.html

Also of interest might be this article, especially check out the section about "Bitboys" to understand the Darkfall business model and how it has been used successfully by Scandinavian start-up companies in the recent past:
http://technabob.com/blog/2006/07/22...ever-released/

Here's to Dakrfall's promised Beta "starting in September, 2003"! yay can't wait.

HAHA YOU FUCKING TARD it is you i shoulda known STAY OFFEN THESE AND MMORPGS BOARD YOUR MAKING YOUR SELF LOOK PRETTY PETHETIC

no actually I just found that post over a the mmorpg.com boards and decided to posted it here...

dont matter is a bullshit post and you need to stop

Juvante:

Oh shut up, go get a f'n life its just a game. Ohhh, sorry that you can't live inside the game, gg give me a break. No you won't stand out because you'll get owned and lose everything. Your also basing a huge amount off of very little information, they haven't shown us the entire game and they apparently don't want to. I'd rather be suprised with the game, and be allowed to explore on my own then have everything spoiled up front. "UO legendary status" LOL give me a break, go get a life man. They showcase two of their main important features, that doesn't mean they dont have more, war and crafting are huge highlights for alot of players including myself. Im sure they have more features, and if they don't.....then oh well, don't buy it. I'll move on, and play another game if DF isn't good, not cry on a forum about how it doesn't measure up to some stupid 2D game.

Look who's talking about "living in a game". This is supposed to be a persistant world is it not? That means that the game should be neutral and up for interpretation, to be played by others how they want. You have every right to voice your opinion as so do I. In fact it has been the lunatic ranting in the forums that has apparently influenced a chunk of how this game is being made.

We've all waited for this game a long time and we were given the promise and vision that it would be similar to UO and we were not expecting SB part 2. They have showcased and talked enough for me to know that it is looking a lot more like SB instead. The fact is that this game was origionally made to attract both RPers and PvPers alike, but there doesn't seem to be anything for RPers at all. Crafting is not enough if there's nothing else to look forward to aside from PvP/PvE/Questing. MMORPGers want to make the game their OWN.

No one needs to stand out, if everyone looks different. I am a hardcore PvPer that loves RP. The only reason I would actually pay a monthly fee for an MMORPG is for the RP/PvP balance. All other mmorpgs have sucked because the PvP was bad and the stupid rules/limitation dilluted the whole game. It will be ironic if the opposite is true in DF where all there is to do is PvP and craft in a huge world while everyone in your race looks like twins except with different colored clothes/armor. If you would pay $15 a month for that then you're the one who needs a life. DF has gotten all this hype mainly from ex UO vets who thought "finally, a game that has it right". But why play a game with average graphics if it does not have the same magic? For that, I'll play one of the many Free FPS haxfest games out there.

I think DF can still be saved and that is why I am here voicing my opinion. I like a lot of what DF has to offer, I really do, but I strongly believe some fundamental aspects need to change if it's going to make it. As of right now I do not like what I've seen nor how they have talked in terms of RPG. FPS is begining to seem like a large handicap on this, not to mention the inevitable hax that always come which eventually cheapens out an FPS game. They are greatly underestimating the potential this game can offer and the demographics they are appealing to which is going to shape Agon and the entire game itself.

thats fine but they havent given us enough info to say how its shaping