A decade and a half later after first setting foot on the island of Vvardenfell, gamers will have a chance to revisit the iconic setting
NEARLY 15 years ago, the role-playing game (RPG) genre was changed forever with the release of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind on PC.
Developed by Bethesda Softworks, the 2002 fantasy-setting game was unlike anything anyone had seen before.
It was followed up in 2006 with the extraordinarily popular Elder Scolls IV: Oblivion, which was itself eclipsed by the phenomenon that was Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim in 2011 — a game still in the best-selling charts today and recently given a High Definition remake.
A decade and a half later after first setting foot on the island of Vvardenfell, gamers will have a chance to revisit the iconic setting on June 6 as part of the newest chapter of The Elder Scrolls Online, an open-world online role-playing game developed by Zenimax Online and published by Bethesda for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Game designer Matt Firor said the newest expansion was set 700 years before events of T he Elder Scrolls III, giving Elder Scrolls veterans a chance to discover more of a beloved location while providing an ideal opportunity for newcomers a chance to dive into the game’s expansive world.
“I describe it as an online RPG,” he said.
“I don’t __like to use the term MMO (massively multiplayer online) because it brings up connotations of games it’s not like.
“It’s Elder Scrolls with friends.”
The series, set on the fictional continent of Tamriel, has become one of the most iconic RPG franchises, with Mr Firor saying Morrowind defined the RPG genre on console for many years.
Originally launched with a traditional subscription model, The Elder Scrolls Online went to free to play with optional subscriptions and in-game purchases in 2015. It now has more than 8.5 million players globally
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was one of the more popular games in the franchiseSource:Supplied
With a number of significant changes made to The Elder Scrolls Online since launch — including the change to an optional subscription model — Mr Firor said Morrowind was an ideal entry point for new players, particularly as the physical copies also included the base Elder Scrolls Online game as well.
He said Morrowind was considered a new chapter rather than an expansion; explaining the difference was expansions traditionally tended to be aimed and high-level players who had reached the level cap in an RPG and were looking for an increased level cap, new high-level items and additional cosmetic or companion creature features; while a new chapter was broader in scope and accessible to all players regardless of level — although it still offered new items and companions as well.
The Morrowind chapter launches on June 6 and will be available for purchase as both a physical or digital upgrade copy, either as the complete Elder Scrolls Online game for new players or an upgrade for existing players. Collector’s editions with bonus content are also available as both physical or digital copies too.
As well as the new and exotic setting, Morrowind also introduces a new character class, the warden. The warden class has a nature magic focus, being able to heal allies or provide defensive shields, and can also summon a bear as a spirit animal companion.
Additionally, there are three new Player vs. Player (PvP) battlegrounds, areas where balanced teams of four players can fight each other for experience points and other rewards.
PvP designer Brian Wheeler said one of the advantages of the new battlegrounds is players could knock off a session in them in roughly five to 15 minutes.
“It’s much more doable; it’s __like ‘I’m on my lunch break, I need to do a PvP, do it, I got my PvP points, I’m good’,” he said.
The Elder Scrolls Online- Morrowind - Trailer (2017)3:57
GameTrailerZone is the #1 destination for all gaming fans to catch the latest trailers, gameplay and clips from your most anticipated games.
- March 24th 2017
- 2 days ago
- /video/video.news.com.au/Technology/
He said the combat system in the battlegrounds was designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of skill level.
“It’s (like) schoolyard games you can play in finite detail — for example how much healing do I need per second to stay alive — or just pick up the flag and run like a maniac,” he said.
Mr Wheeler said the battle system had been designed to ensure everyone could play with everyone, meaning low-level players weren’t locked out of experiencing things just because all their friends had higher level characters.
“The best thing is it gives a huge variety and a critical mass of players,” he said.
Like the original game, Morrowind takes place on the island of Vardenfell, home to dark elves, nomads and a clan of political assassins keeping the machinations of the major factions in line.
The land is ruled a by a tribunal of mortal gods and the Mr Firor said the main story involved the player’s efforts to heal tribunal member Vivec, who is losing his strength — with the direst consequences for Morrowind if he dies.
The setting also has a different look to what people might expect in a sword-and-sorcery fantasy setting, with alien-like plants, exotic landscapes and plenty of choices to make.
“It’s not like Lord of The Rings where it’s good vs. evil,” he said.
“No faction in Elder Scrolls Online is all good or evil, except possibly the (assassin’s guild) Dark Brotherhood.”
Given the beloved nature of the Morrowind setting, Mr Firor said it was an idea choice for an Elder Scrolls Online chapter, reintroducing fans of the series to the iconic setting while giving newcomers an engaging and interesting setting to explore.
“This is a great place to jump in,” he said.
“It was designed so new players could jump right in.
“You are entering Morrowind at the same time as everyone else, and you get the original game so when you’re done, you can go and explore that — and you can play with friends.”
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét