Dark Age Of Camelot: New Server Grab Bag, Among Other Things

Take a WILD GUESS what the most popular questions were this week.

Q: What are the names of the new servers?

A: We'll announce them next week.

Q: How will you test the new server type?

A: We're going to put up a test version of the server (separate from Pendragon) and if one tenth of the people talking about playing there come help us test the new concept before launch, we'll be in really good shape.

Ow, ow, ow, I dropped that hint on my foot.

Q: Will Catacombs and Catacombs classes be available on the new server?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you need to have Catacombs in order to play on the new server?

A: No - though as with all expansions, you won't have access to Catacombs content or classes without having it.

Q: Do I need to own TOA in order to activate Catacombs on the new server?

A: On the new server, you do not need to own the TOA expansion.

Q: Will the new server be on a separate patch process, or will it be patched just like the current servers?

A: We'll handle it the way we handle it now - we'll patch all servers at the same time, and some notes will only be for the specialty servers.

At first, of course, there will probably be a flurry of server-only fixes. Afterwards, we'll continue to try and keep in mind the server's special needs, though future expansions and patches will be primarily designed for the more typical servers.

Q: Will you be making changes to specific realms or classes on the new server?

A: Not right away. Right now we're looking at the big picture - how types and categories of spells will affect gameplay on a server with the new buff system. With the more specific details, it's more important to see it in action.

Q: Am I right in thinking the new servers are US only?

A: Correct. We can't and don't dictate server types to our partners, so the decision to set up a new type is up to them and the needs of their players.

Q: Is this new server going to be Mythic's answer to 'fixing' ToA? In other words, are you going to stop making adjustments to TOA on the main servers?

A: No! This is not any kind of "solution" to issues that still remain on the main servers. In the words of the executive producer for Camelot, Jeff Hickman, "It is simply an alternative ruleset, just like our PvP or Cooperative servers, designed to meet the gameplay desires of our players. The planning, balancing and updating of the regular servers will of course go on."

To be honest, as I told the TLs, this new server type is meant for people who would otherwise not play DAOC at this time. I don't expect that most people currently playing are going to do much more than roll on the new server out of pure curiosity. I DO expect that the people with active accounts who try the new toy will eventually go back to their "home" servers. And I hope that people who are reactivating just for this ruleset decide to stay.

This server is just an attempt to meet the needs of a niche group of players. What the heck, right? What do we have to lose by trying it out? It doesn't cost us anything to try, and some people might really like it. Maybe it'll end up being a small and dedicated group like Mordred or Gaheris. Maybe it'll be hugely popular. Maybe it'll be popular at first and then droop like a basset hound. We just don't know until we give it a shot. Better to take risks and work at something than to wait until afterwards and claim to have known all along. Really, I don't see why the industry as a whole doesn't just try off-the-beaten-path stuff more often. This isn't brain surgery or experimental atom splitting. No one dies if we guess wrong. But, I'm going to stop now; I'm digressing from the grab bag into cranky ol' Sanya land.

Q: Are you taking into account changes that have been made since ToA to balance the game?

A: Yes, and as Jeff told me, "We will definitely be watching this server for odd imbalances, and make any changes that might be necessary."

Q: When will the next patch be going live and will it have the durability fix for artifacts in it?

A: Next week (as always, assuming PIPES DON'T BURST and WE HAVE POWER IN THE BUILDING) and yes.

Q: I was running around the Green Glades and there is a location where there are usually three named gorgons (Suralle, Kasora, and Karisse). Recently, one of them (Suralle) has now disappeared. Was that a "fix" or has this fine looking purple nasty gone away forever?

A: It was a mistake, sayeth our sweet content queen, and it'll be fixed in 1.76.

Q: Since the patch on June 13, 2005 I have had problems logging onto the game using both the Catacombs and ToA clients. It says "Connecting to service" like normal, then says "retrying" three times, then goes to "No Service Available, Hit Escape to exit." Is there a problem with the game?

A: Our wonderful tech support team overlord responded: "This is almost always caused by a firewall on the customer's end that needs to be reconfigured.

"We get calls like this every patch (even small ones) where firewall users have to reconfigure their software (usually in the form of resetting it and having it auto-detect our program then 'allowing' the program to launch properly when it asks)."

Please feel free to ask our tech support team for help in situations like this. The free-to-use web form is right here: http://support.darkageofcamelot.com/help/

Q: How does a guild "complete" missions - must it be a group composed of only members from a guild, or does the guild get credit whenever any of its players complete a mission? Thanks!

A: Code Ed tells me that the design is as thus:"The kill enemy and kill guard parts are completed when any member of the guild finishes a personal mission of the appropriate type. The capture keep and capture tower are completed if any members of the guild are in range to have been considered as 'taking part' in taking the keep/tower."

Q: The dues system note says "- When activated, 2% of all looted coin will be automatically deducted and directly deposited into the cashbank of the guild." Will this apply to cash I take from my personal house? In other words, if I sell something for 100plat, will my guild take 2% when I take the money?

A: Nope. Sales and trades are not considered looting. Looting is the function by which you kill something and then pick up the money it drops.

***

Don't forget that the Ohio Roundtable Roadtrip in Hilliard, Ohio is right around the bend. June 30 will be here before you know it.

Oh, and this is kind of random, but if you're between the ages of twelve and eighteen, and you live in Fairfax County, Virginia, you can attend a public library workshop I'll be doing about making MMORPG games. It's part of the county library teen workshop series. I'll be at Reston Regional on June 28, and repeating the program at George Mason Regional on August 1. Pre-registration is required, and it's a free event. I won't be taking questions like "Why haven't you nerfed X," but if you're interested in a behind the scenes peek at Mythic and making games for a living (*gleeful cackle*), come on out!

Have a terrific weekend, everyone.