Sandbox Interactive has unveiled some of the
challenges they face with the PvP and GvG (guild vs. guild) features in the
upcoming cross-platform MMORPG game, Albion Online. A player-driven in-game
economy and a heavy focus on territorial PvP are challenging features in their
own right, but add to that the fact that all platforms can experience the same
content at the same time, and you’ve got a real logistical nightmare on your
hands.
When
Albion Online releases players will be able to join other users and form a
guild which can then battle for conquest over a variety of territories in the
PvP aspect of the game. There are no limits to how many areas a guild can
occupy at any one time but the rare resources and prestige that come with each
territory is sure to create regular challenges for any areas your guild may
hold.
This
kind of open approach to reward-based PvP isn’t without its problems but
Sandbox Interactive have displayed their creativity with their solution to
inactive guilds and occupied territories.
Guild leaders must select certain
times during the day at which their occupied zones are open to attack, ensuring
members won’t lose hard earned territories while offline or sleeping. At all
other times the territory in question will be protected by a magical barrier
that only guild members or allies can pass through.
?To
accommodate players from many different time zones, guilds choose a certain
number of times during the day at which their territory will then be ?open? to
attack,? said David Salz, Technical Director for Albion Online, ?Because
building up a power base takes many investments, including time, it?s important
that guilds don?t lose their territories simply because they?re sleeping.?
This
kind of feature would usually just accommodate zerg guilds, those with hundreds
of members and no community. However Sandbox Interactive again show their
awareness of the MMO world with yet more innovative ideas. GvG battles will be
restricted in size so that smaller guilds are still able to attack enemies and
defend their own territories, without sacrificing the quality of members and
spam inviting every random in the nearest quest hub.
Albion
Online is setting up to make a real splash when it releases on PC, iOS and
Android platforms. Will gamers finally have a place to call home while on the
move?