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Creating the planets of EVE Online
One of the nice things EVE Online players have to look forward to with the Dominion expansion launch today is the addition of redesigned planets. EVE developer CCP jBot was recently interviewed about the game's new look at MMOZONE and explained how CCP Games generated the planets with their in-house development environment. The work was done in tandem with the company's Shanghai team working on the ground-based DUST 514; the shaders they created allow the devs to manipulate landmasses and oceans, cloud density, city lights, and even regions with vegetation. Textures for 10 different planet types coupled with new planet shaders "should ensure that every planet in EVE is unique," said CCP jBot. The end result is that New Eden will now have procedurally generated gas giants and ice planets, not to mention various terrestrial worlds. CCP's goal is to have the look of a given planet be identical in both EVE Online and DUST 514. CCP jBot told MMOZONE: "We're working hard to make sure when you're in space over your favorite planet in EVE or on the ground of that same planet in DUST 514 that it feels right. Obviously there are different constraints between console and PC that we live under which could mean a slight difference in the look but we're pretty excited about how things are looking on all platforms."
Fallen Earth dev interview with designer Brandes Stoddard
We're keeping our eyes open for information dealing with the post-apocalyptic MMO title Fallen Earth in development at Icarus Studios. Netherlands-based gaming site MMOZONE got a hold of Fallen Earth systems designer Brandes Stoddard, asking questions ranging from the game's PvP system to design decisions as they relate to the title's ESRB rating. Since there will be no classes in Fallen Earth, Stoddard explains what a typical group will look like -- a mix of melee and ranged combatants, he says, with others using their mutations to heal and buff. Stoddard also goes into how gear specialization will impart advantages tempered with drawbacks specific to those items in question. Mounts will also be a key aspect of Fallen Earth's gameplay. Since teleportation of any sort won't exist, characters will actually have to travel to visit other locations in the game's world. Despite the importance of these means of transportation (or perhaps because of it), it looks like it won't be possible to steal them from other players. Mounts, whether vehicles or animals, will be bound to their owners, and will require either energy or food to maintain. Fallen Earth's vehicles, in general, will only be available through player-crafting efforts. If you're interested in hearing what else Fallen Earth's system designer has to say about the game, check out the MMOZONE interview with Brandes Stoddard.
SGW's Sean Dugan chats with MMOZone
Sean Dugan, the content lead and head writer for Stargate Worlds, recently sat down with MMOZone and revealed a Pharaoh's tomb worth of info regarding their upcoming MMO.At launch the level cap will be 50, and the plan is for players to be able to achieve this by running just the main story missions. It should take approximately 200 -250 hours of gameplay to reach. When asked about the endgame, Dugan stated it will be significant and engage the players for a considerable length of time. When asked how much time one could expect to spend on each world Dugan said it will vary because some worlds are huge, while other are "gigantinormous." MMOZone also asked if he could reveal any spoilers. Normally, the pat answer is - "what are you smoking?" This time though Sean actually revealed a few things. Players will apparently get to re-visit forgotten allies, see places only hinted at in the show, explore Ancient cities devastated by the plague, and witness the formation of the Lucian alliance.I so hope this game pans out to be as good as it sounds! For the whole rucksack o' goodies, check out MMOZone's full interview.
