Settlements and fortresses are the core of the new MMO New World. They can be conquered, defended, and expanded. New details have now been published in a blog post.
Why are settlements and fortresses so important? In New World, there are three player factions and a hostile NPC faction, the Corrupted. They are all fighting for the dominance over the island of Aeternum.
While fortresses represent the military aspect and can be attacked and conquered, settlements are places for trade, crafting, and housing. Each settlement can develop differently and have various levels of expansion.
In the long run, New World is about conquering fortresses, controlling settlements, and then expanding them accordingly. The focus in New World is on guilds, referred to as Companies in the game. They are responsible for the development and tax revenue of a settlement.
This is how settlements work
How can one claim a settlement? A settlement belongs to the faction that controls the respective area and the fortresses within it.
When an area is controlled, a member of the corresponding faction can pay a fee in the fortress to “buy” the settlement. Afterwards, it is under the control of a Company.
How does one expand a settlement? The Company can start to expand the settlement. There are many so-called city projects for which gold and experience points are needed:
- The settlement receives gold and experience points through certain missions that can be completed by players.
- Additional gold comes from the taxes that the Company charges in the settlement for houses, crafting, and purchases.
Players are encouraged to collaborate with the Company to complete the large city projects. This allows higher crafting tiers and new content for the settlement to be unlocked, benefiting both sides.
What advantages does a settlement have? To become a “member” of the settlement, you must build a house in it. You have to pay taxes on this house. In return, you receive the benefits of the settlement.
This allows you to utilize all expanded content and receive so-called “lifestyle bonuses.” These are permanent enhancements for crafting or combat, depending on the settlement’s level of expansion.
A well-developed settlement also offers the associated fortresses special bonuses in the event of a war.
Settlements can lose levels of expansion and be conquered
Can a settlement lose levels of expansion? Yes, a settlement can be downgraded. Settlements must pay dues to the respective faction. If these dues are not paid or are only partially paid, a settlement loses levels of expansion.
Also, in the event of a PvE invasion by the Corrupted, which is not successfully repelled, the settlement can lose levels.
What happens when a settlement is conquered? If a hostile faction takes control of the area, the settlement also switches sides. However, nothing changes for you initially.
You can continue to reside there and trade. However, there may be tax disadvantages if the new Company decides to make significant changes.
Companies are owners and managers of settlements
What are Companies? Companies are the guilds in New World. They control fortresses and settlements and manage their expansion. They are also responsible for ensuring that the fortresses cannot be conquered by hostile Companies.
Companies always belong to a faction, just like the players within a Company.
A Company can only be attacked by another if they do not belong to the same faction. Accordingly, a settlement can only be lost to a hostile faction.
How are Companies structured? A Company always has a leader who has all the rights. They can also appoint Consuls, who can take care of things like expansion or taxes.
Additionally, there are members in a Company who have no rights regarding the expansion and management of settlements and fortresses.
What do you think about the system? Could the battles for fortresses and the expansion of settlements motivate you in the long run?
