At the Wargaming Fan Fest 2018 in Moscow, alongside World of Tanks, the new game Pagan Online was also represented. There was some new information from the developer about this “Diablo-MMO”.
What is Pagan Online? Pagan Online is an unreleased action RPG MMO from Wargaming, the creators of World of Tanks. Pagan Online is themed around Slavic mythology and is primarily aimed at fans of classic action RPGs.
Who is Pagan Online for? The game is clearly aimed at Diablo fans who are frustrated with the current game development. So, it targets players who are not interested in mobile versions like Diablo Immortal and prefer the good old PC as a platform: the classic old-school gamers who really enjoyed Diablo 2 and similar games.
The Six Pillars of Pagan Online
At the press conference in Moscow for Wargaming Fest 2018, Wargaming’s Publishing Director Yaropolk Rash presented further information about Pagan Online.
Pagan Online is made up of the following: He also mentioned six fundamental principles that define a good action RPG.
Loot: Your loot should dictate the game style. However, in the end, skill should count more than pure gear power. There should be “endless” loot to satisfy every collecting instinct.
Challenge: The areas are called “Battle Arenas”, which are instances that should offer different challenges depending on the session. The goal is “strategic sessions of satisfying destruction”. The fights are meant to be dynamic and action-packed, drawing on MOBA and MMORPG elements.
Story: Pagan Online is based on pre-Christian Slavic mythology. The world of the gods of the ancient Slavic peoples has hardly been explored in games in the West and offers plenty of material for exciting and dark stories. For instance, the dark god Czernobog is supposed to play a role as the arch-nemesis.
Progress: In Pagan Online, you should not only level up one hero but build up a whole “family” of characters that you can play depending on the challenge.
Planning: The developers want to create a synergy system where the combination of effects, abilities, and characters will play a bigger role than their individual status values.
They also want to give players the opportunity to test various character combinations in raids and other content. All you need is “a PC and two hands.” A clear jab at Blizzard and their controversial mobile game Diablo Immortal.
Believable World: The developers want to create a living and constantly growing world in which every new battle and every day will be different from the last. They plan to use storytelling and instances with different choice options.
Interview with Wargaming
The basic concepts of Pagan Online sounded good on paper, but we wanted to know more. So we asked Yaropolk in the interview a few more things that were on our minds.
MeinMMO: Pagan Online will not be an open-world game. How is the world then structured?
Yaropolk: We have boundaries for the genre, we see no need for sandbox and open-world action RPGs. However, we have a dual concept of how to keep the world alive and evolving: changes to the environment and the monsters, as well as tactical leveling.
In Pagan Online, you are literally dropped from the sky into the “Battle Arena” (which are instances). In that, you have a task and you must go from A to B. What you experience along the way is different every time you enter the instance – even if it is the same instance.
In one run, you might encounter a goblin around the corner, and in another a big elite monster that one-hits you. It would then make sense to try a different class or gear. The map is the same in every arena, but the contents change.
MeinMMO: Are there quests?
Yaropolk: Yes, there are quests. There is also a main story line that guides you through the game.
MeinMMO: The game is called Pagan Online. How can one imagine the online features?
Yaropolk: Initially, it is a natural extension of your solo experience. You start off alone and are gradually introduced to the multiplayer part. Then there will be 2-player groups, then 3-player groups, and finally 4-player groups, which is the initial maximum.
There will be encounters that require this number of players and specific combinations of skills and classes. Just like in a raid in an MMORPG, where one needs to master DPS and tank rotations to win. There will be bosses and trash mobs.
We actually want to create a good experience for MMORPG players, with everything they know and love from the past. But in a shorter time. You don’t have to invest many hours every time if you have limited time.
Additionally, the combat system will resemble a MOBA with positioning and skill shots.
MeinMMO: How can one imagine the combat system?
Yaropolk: I also like to compare it to the Berserker class in Everquest 2. You pull massive mobs and then smash them with AoE skills.
But the MOBA comparison fits as well, especially as everyone knows how a MOBA plays. We also have skill shots and you have to actively dodge and position yourself.
MeinMMO: What about classes?
Yaropolk: Yes, there are. A lot of them. But special classes, not your typical D&D classes. There will be six classes available at launch, including the classic Berserker and Paladin. But 4 of those classes will blow you away. They will do things quite differently.
You will then be able to further customize the gameplay of the class when you equip it with certain items. This way, you can also change your gameplay significantly. For instance, the Berserker can become a fire-damage or ice-Berserker. Ice would be a control hero, while fire would be more focused on DoT.
Release and Expectations
When is Pagan Online coming out? No exact date was given, but it was mentioned that the game will be released in 2019. However, one can expect playable versions by the first quarter of 2019.
What are the chances of success for Pagan Online? Fundamentally, Pagan Online could resonate well with old-school Diablo fans and friends of hack and slay. With numerous jabs at Blizzard during the presentation, Wargaming clearly has this type of player in mind. However, for this audience, there is already the highly praised Path of Exile.
It remains to be seen whether Wargaming can establish its own niche with its game. We will definitely keep an eye on the game and follow its further development.
