Dark and Light E3 Interview

I had the chance to sit down and talk to the Dark and Light team while at E3. The team had the release version of DnL as it stands now and we got a good look at a game that is far more refined than SoG. I am personally excited about the launch and the Farlan team is very confident in their game. Dark and Light has had many ups and downs but at last the game is ready to come out in to the MMO world, and maybe change a few minds about how things are done.

Ara(Warcry)- Settlers of Ganareth caused quite a stir in the community, to start things off would you care to comment?

Stéphane(DnL)- I think we made a mistake with SoG but we needed it because we had to fall to really stand.

Ara(Warcry)- What are we going to see for features when Dark and Light launches?

Stéphane(DnL)- There was no gameplay in SoG, it was the server technology that would become Dark and light. We know that we made a mistake with SoG. Dark and Light is going to have the gameplay the players have been waiting for. Currently Dark and Light will have 60-70% of its features and we feel it is enough for the players as they have waited for a long time and want to play now. We will be adding the remaining feature onto the live server with time and we feel this is not a problem.

Ara(Warcry)- What will you be working on over the next few weeks?

Stéphane(DnL)- Much of the work is done, over the next few weeks we will need to get icons done for spells and abilities.

Ara(Warcry)- Is there line of sight in Dark and Light?

Stéphane(DnL)- You cant attack through walls, but if you can see it you can select it.

Ara(Warcry)- The world is truly the largest I have ever seen, what are the thoughts behind this?

Stéphane(DnL)- As you know everyone will play in one world, and if we designed a smaller world it could happen that we would run out of space. It's been said the world will be too large, but we can control how much of the world is accessible and open more as the player populations grow. We will also give the players tools to see population density so if the want to be with other players they will know where to go. The mercenary system will let player be invited into instant action should they wish to join the fight. Also with a world of this size when you want to be alone you can really be alone.

Ara(Warcry)- How much of the land will be available at release?

Stéphane(DnL)- 40% of all the kingdoms. Dark Kingdom, light kingdom, kingdom 1, and kingdom 2.

Ara(Warcry)- What are your plans for the 10th kingdom, When will that open?

Stéphane(DnL)- You will not play in that kingdom the way you play in the others, it is the kingdom of the gods and we have special plans for players who can get there.

Ara(Warcry)- What have you added for new armors and weapons?

Stéphane(DnL)- There are many new armors and weapons, before you didn't have cloth and robes and now you do. New weapon types have been added along with new graphics.

Ara(Warcry)- Many are excited about crafting what can you tell us about the system?

Stéphane(DnL)- We are very excited about crafting, we have seven crafting schools but at launch we will only release five. The other two will come later; Alchemist for making potions and Engineer to make siege weapons. Not to worry these items can be bought in-game. Some of the items for crafting you will need to buy and some of them you will have to find. The number of the recipes you can memorize will be limited so you will have to choose wisely. Not every crafter will be able to make every item so an economy will be easily created. Crafters can also upgrade items for players but there is always the risk that the item will be rendered unupgradable.

Ara(Warcry)- Constellations were to affect crafting, were you able to achieve this

Stéphane(DnL)- Yes the constellations move and they are tided to gods, every player is also tided to a god. As you hunt and adventure in the world your standings with the gods will change. In order to achieve the best chance of success at crafting you will need to be in Baronies that are tided to gods you are friendly with. You can not use Baronies that are of a different alignment so if your normal crafting town is taken by the other side you will need to find a friendly barony keyed to a god you are in good graces with in order to craft successfully. Add to this that some rare ingredients will only spawn in certain areas. Sometimes crafters will need to have fighters take a barony so that the better items can be made.

Ara(Warcry)- What can you tell me about Taming?

Stéphane(DnL)- Taming is part of exploration which will not be in at launch but will be its own experience tree. We want to give something really strong to the players when we release it and it is just not ready yet.

Ara(Warcry)- Can you confirm that Fairies will be in on launch?

Stéphane(DnL)- Yes Fairies are ready for release.

Ara(Warcry)- You have said that player housing will not be in at release, is it still planned for Dark and Light?

Stéphane(DnL)- We feel that housing is very important to role play, and we are still working towards it as a goal.

Ara(Warcry)- What is your long term goal for Dark and Light?

Stéphane(DnL)- We want to give the players a sandbox in which to create a real world, this has always been our goal but two years ago the technology was just not there to build what we wanted to build and it is now.

Ara(Warcry)- I wanted to thank you for your time, I know things are busy back on Reunion Island.

Stéphane(DnL)- You are welcome and we will see you in Dark and Light.