Darkfall: How It’s Different

Aventurine, the Greek software company that absorbed the original developer Razorwax, has announced that their upcoming MMORPG,  Darkfall, is now in preparation for beta testing.

Like other MMORPG’s, Darkfall is set on a fantasy world (in this case, Agon), and features the usual cast of playable races – Humans, Dwarves, Elves and Orks. There are two additional races – one of werewolves called the Mahirim, and the other known as the Alfar – pale outcasts who reject all outsiders. Career paths include explorer, hunter, mercenary, ironsmith, magician and fishermen; there is also a “prestige” class system that include Paladin, Assassin, Gladiator and Enchanter.

What makes Darkfall different is its emphasis on PvP combat. According to Associate Producer Tasos Flambouras, old classics such as Ultima Online and Elder Scrolls were enjoyable, but restrictive in their use of classes and levels. “When faced with the decision of allowing players the freedom to take the skills they want and need as their character grows and the game evolves – or not – it was a no-brainer,” Flambouras says.

Darkfall’s system gives players the freedom to experiment with different combinations of skills. If a combination doesn’t work as well as a player would like, s/he can re-invent their character with new skills easily, without penalty. Characters are more adaptable to the game’s evolution.  Flambouras points out that in class systems, one’s “original and often uninformed decisions could haunt your character forever.” He adds that often, penalties are incurred by updates and other events beyond a player’s control.

With at least one thousand different skills to choose from, character potential is endless. Says Flambouras: “Darkfall’s skill system is all about player freedom, endless customization, adaptation and control. It adds great depth to the player characters, and to the process of developing them. Darkfall players will enjoy their unique characters, and will always be able to get the best out of them throughout the life cycle of the game.”

Anyway, you gotta love a game with a creature called a “death pig.”

Aventurine, the Greek software company that absorbed the original developer Razorwax, has announced that their upcoming MMORPG,  Darkfall, is now in preparation for beta testing.

Like other MMORPG’s, Darkfall is set on a fantasy world (in this case, Agon), and features the usual cast of playable races – Humans, Dwarves, Elves and Orks. There are two additional races – one of werewolves called the Mahirim, and the other known as the Alfar – pale outcasts who reject all outsiders. Career paths include explorer, hunter, mercenary, ironsmith, magician and fishermen; there is also a “prestige” class system that include Paladin, Assassin, Gladiator and Enchanter.

What makes Darkfall different is its emphasis on PvP combat. According to Associate Producer Tasos Flambouras, old classics such as Ultima Online and Elder Scrolls were enjoyable, but restrictive in their use of classes and levels. “When faced with the decision of allowing players the freedom to take the skills they want and need as their character grows and the game evolves – or not – it was a no-brainer,” Flambouras says.

Darkfall’s system gives players the freedom to experiment with different combinations of skills. If a combination doesn’t work as well as a player would like, s/he can re-invent their character with new skills easily, without penalty. Characters are more adaptable to the game’s evolution.  Flambouras points out that in class systems, one’s “original and often uninformed decisions could haunt your character forever.” He adds that often, penalties are incurred by updates and other events beyond a player’s control.

With at least one thousand different skills to choose from, character potential is endless. Says Flambouras: “Darkfall’s skill system is all about player freedom, endless customization, adaptation and control. It adds great depth to the player characters, and to the process of developing them. Darkfall players will enjoy their unique characters, and will always be able to get the best out of them throughout the life cycle of the game.”

Anyway, you gotta love a game with a creature called a “death pig.”