The MMORPG Shards Online aims to bring back the past days of Ultima Online while allowing players to decide how hardcore they want the game to be.
Every player can open their own so-called shard in Shards Online. A game world that they can design themselves and whose rules they can determine. This includes whether there is open PvP or if the world focuses more on story and PvE. Of course, the arrangement of the death system also plays a role. And this is exactly what the developers talked about in a roundtable event.
Permadeath – Executions lead to permanent death
For over an hour, the developers showcase the latest version of the MMO and explain the death system. Because this will also be customizable. There is also the option to enable permadeath. However, they are cautious about this. The developers do not want players to “accidentally” die and lose their heroes. Therefore, there will be executions. If you are defeated in the game and your hitpoints drop to 0, you will be unconscious first. Then the opponent decides whether they want to execute you. Only then are you permanently dead.
Guards and most monsters – with the exception of some boss enemies – will never execute you. This permadeath system, combined with full loot, may result in players being able to lose everything in the game. Therefore, this mode is suitable only for those who want a real challenge.
Diablo controls are too convenient
Additionally, the developers explained that they overhauled the targeting system. Previously, a click-to-move system like in Diablo was active. Players would click on a spot with the mouse and then move directly there. This option will still be available, but the regular method is now different. When you click on something, it will be selected, but you must manually walk there. This also reduces the visible names on the screen, as only the names of the currently selected individuals are shown. The click-to-move system is considered too convenient by the developers, but they want to continue offering it as an option.
There will also be some adjustments to the UI, which is now scalable. The MMORPG Shards Online is currently in an “Alpha Preview” phase, which will lead to a real alpha next year.
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