Julie Howe Interviewed on HomeLanFed

HomeLanFed recently had a fantastic interview with product manager Julia Howe.

[i]HomeLAN - What other unique elements does Rubies of Eventide have?

Julia Howe - Rubies, contrary to a lot of mmorpgs, is very complex. In the beginning it may be a little overwhelming with all the skills and options available, but we feel its a good direction considering too many games these days have really dumbened down the interface and gameplay to achieve mass-market appeal. Rubies is really aiming for players who would like a more cognitively challenging game rather than mindnumbing cybercrack. Along those lines (no pun), the game is fun but not disgustingly addictive that it will ruin your social life and be a self-alienating experience IRL.

Our semi-turnbased combat is worth mentioning. Combat actions take a certain number of 'ticks'. So although combat is real-time, there is also a turn-based aspect to it. You can set your own combat speed (lengthens the 'ticks') for a more turn-based feel or keep it at the default speed which closely simulates action combat. This system allows for some flexibility later since we'd like to take advantage of some group strategies, so people have a little more time to plan ahead before using their turn. When players aggro or get pulled into combat, the combat is closed off to outsiders, so this nicely eliminates loot-griefing.

In Rubies, female avatars are represented in modest form. (IE: If you play this game with your daughter, they aren't going to come into the game looking like some sort of swimsuit bimbo) I'm sorry if you were hoping for more sexy fantasy babes.. you won't see them here. However, if its any consolation, our male to female ratio is a strong 3:1 ratio so there is a higher likelihood (than in your 'vice city'-variety of games), that you are talking to real women. So "choose wisely".. heh heh heh.

Anyone that likes a more detailed system with lots of checks and balances, the freedom of full character customization, skills-based advancement, less noob-bashing grief, and just a good community of players who are a cut above the average gamer will really enjoy "Rubies of Eventide".

[/i]You can read the interiew in its entirety here.

And, if you find you want some information about the game, you can always come back and check out our own RoEWarcry.