Dauntless, the “Monster Hunter”-like Free2Play MMO, has received its first major content update. There is now a new tutorial and players can embark on a spooky Halloween event. Phoenix Labs has also decided to abolish the random loot box system.
In Dauntless, players go on the hunt for dangerous creatures, the Behemoths, similar to Monster Hunter, and engage in monster fights that consist of various phases and can take some time.
Dauntless is free to play on PC and is currently in closed beta. Phoenix Labs has now released the first major content update for the action RPG: Forge your Legend.
Phoenix Labs does not want to be known for taking players’ money
The developers are particularly passionate about this planned change: Loot boxes with random items will be abolished in Dauntless.
Phoenix Labs wants to implement a system that moves towards “Player First”. They want to respect the wishes and budgets of the community. Lead designer Chris Cleroux made a statement regarding this decision:
“We felt that our loot box-based monetization provided one of the worst experiences. We will depart from this model as our main source of revenue and introduce a model that works more like Warframe or Path of Exile. There, you are able to choose and purchase the items you want directly […] We believe that such a model goes much more in the direction of “Player First” and aligns more with the interests of the community.”
Previously, Dauntless had “Chroma-Cores”, through which players could purchase new cosmetics. The cores contained a random assortment of banners, emotes, and seals that have varying rarity. This model was introduced by Phoenix Labs some time ago and they hadn’t thought about it since.
According to the developers, Dauntless will soon receive an update in which the Chroma-Cores will disappear and players can directly buy the cosmetics they want.
This is what Dauntless’ major content update: Forge your Legend includes
With the update, Dauntless receives content optimizations and a Halloween event:
- The tutorial has been completely revised: Dauntless may seem simple at first glance, but it is quite complex. Players need to learn how to effectively hunt Behemoths, how the weapons work, and how to forge them. Randomly hitting the monsters will not work in the long run. Phoenix Labs wanted to create a better introduction to the action RPG and accomplished this with Forge your Legend. Players will now receive more support during their first steps in Dauntless.
- Cosmetics have been expanded: Players still see a major weakness in Dauntless’ character creator. Phoenix Labs wants to address this shortcoming now. With the update, there are new hairstyles and makeup options. The goal is for players to one day showcase an individual style.
- The Halloween event “The Dark Harvest” runs from October 31 to November 7: A mysterious and deadly darkness is spreading across the island, attracting Behemoths. They will flock to the city in large numbers, and players will have to drive them away with skill and teamwork. Unique rewards await the hunters.
Phoenix Labs also teased that the combat system will be massively revised by December 2017. There will be two new Behemoths and a new weapon type. Players will be able to upgrade their equipment in a new way, which should add even more depth to Dauntless.
By the way, Dauntless does not see Monster Hunter World as a competition: Dauntless looks forward to Monster Hunter World
