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What's known so far...

Dermott of LS

UOEC Modder
Stratics Veteran
Stratics Legend
...

I can't claim this one, as it was posted over on the SotA site/forum, but here's a compilation of the various aspects of the game as it's been presented in various interviews and releases:

Now… where to begin?

How about the Single Player and Multiplayer Mode that you will be able to experience SotA in.

SotA is designed to be a single player game with multiplayer elements such as a persistent online world that will expand with new lands, dungeons, towns and more. You can theoretically play with no internet connection (you need to download the game and updates though *winks*). If you create a character in the Single Player Mode, you will NOT be able to transfer that character to the Multiplayer Mode. It might be possible to import your online character to the Single Player Mode, but that will come later. From what has been said, some quests will have different objectives, rewards, and other mysterious things depending on if you’re playing them on the Single or Multiplayer modes so the replayabilty has already increased a bit.

Chris verified that you will be able to play through the game completely online without being forced to monetize meaning there will be no artificial walls to keep you for staying with your friends. He also stated that there will be quite a bit of exploration, with many custom 3-30 minute scenarios with many more updates weekly. Some of these scenarios might only involve specific story driven moments and puzzles with no combat at all, so the typical “go here and kill stuff grind” does not apply in SotA.

Richard Garriott has announced that it will be one character per account (for the Multiplayer mode) and one character for the Single player mode. Also… Companions. It seems that you will be able to use a friend’s character in your travels to assist you. This feature is still in development though.

He also stated that this will not be a level grind style game as most MMOs are now. It’ll hearken back to the UO system of skill based gameplay where using a sword will raise your Swordsmanship, which casting spells raises Magery. There will be a value, but that is just so you know “how good you are” at that skill. Monsters will not be based on levels, so you will just have to explore and take a chance fighting that orc captain over there.

If you purchase a home/shop in a town on the Multiplayer Mode, other players that visit that town will be able to see and visit your home/shop because it is in the Multiplayer Mode. This makes having a home and business that much more valuable and prestigious.

You will be notified when you have friends that are playing and you will be able to join in adventures with them. Friends can be anyone you met in game or through social media, email.

What about PvP on the Multiplayer Mode?
Not much information has been given on this yet BUT it has been confirmed that there will be times when you might receive a quest or item that makes you attackable by other players. This opens up quite a bit of scenarios that will allow hardcore PvPers and casual PvPers to participate in meaningful PvP on a large scale. Nothing has been stated about an arena type system but that’s why we participated in the KS campaign and are working with them here on the forums… we might get one if you want it enough! It is possible it will be Point of Interest based but might include a reputation system because of your behavior in the game.

What about that duo map? Why choose that?
The world map view will allow you to explore the world “quickly” by yourself or with friends, reducing the “filler landscape” that is typically bypassed anyways. It still will be quite large, with the current map only being one of five landmasses to be revealed later in development. This is a persistent world so many things can happen on the fly while you are exploring the world map, such as new Points of Interest appearing with certain purposes.

Even without the silver tongue of RG, Chris was able to explain the reasoning and benefits of having this type of system quite nicely and straight forward I might add.

What will combat be like?
Preparation for your travels is of paramount importance. You will need to decide what skills and spells you wish to use in your adventurers before setting out. It is not known yet if you can change them on the fly or at certain locations, but eventually the details will come.

What about crafting?
Not many specifics have been given about crafting yet, other than Alchemy would be coming at a later date. You would also have to pay for access to certain skills/abilities once more become available. What we do know is that since you won’t be able to bring anything from the Single Player Shard to the Multiplayer Shard, gathering and trading resources will be an important business for many people. Of course, so will crafting weapons and armor but we still don’t have much information on that yet.

What about pets? Will I be able to tame animals/monsters?
It has been confirmed by RG that there will be pets but just not at release.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=8CCXa4WgMHw#t=1974s

Why are the graphics “so bad” on the demo?!
The gameplay that was shown in the videos was a pre-Alpha build to show the concepts of what the game will be like. They will be updated by the time of official release, which is still a ways away.

What is the setting like?
It is a fantasy game foremost with some hints of steampunk technology. There will be magic, swords, shields, catapults and trebuchets, and even devices that create gas and other projectiles at your enemies.

Why use KickStarter?
KickStarter is a great way for the players to be able to decide what kind of game they want to play, instead of having the developers be controlled by a publishing company. This allows for quick and meaningful updates as well as a one of a kind experience where we create worlds *harhar*. There are many different bonus rewards both digital and physical for different pledges, which were recently updated for even more rewards! Check them out at the KickStarter page.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/portalarium/shroud-of-the-avatar-forsaken-virtues-0

Will Iolo or other Companions be participating in SotA?
The Companions as you know, were from the Ultima series and because EA owns the rights, and this isn’t Ultima per se, but a world of Lord British’s creation, other incarnations of the Companions could be seen in the world at some point.

Although he probably won’t be appearing as Iolo, he will be bringing his REAL crossbows and possibly original tunes to be added into SotA!
Iolo playing a little bit of Stones at 17m30s.

Dupre stopped by the offices and swooned everyone, so it’s possible he might have a video up soon.
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