During the Telethon fundraising event on Friday, June 6, 2018, the developer studio Portalarium officially announced Episode 2 of the MMORPG Shroud of the Avatar (SotA).
Despite all the criticism, poor reviews and massive layoffs, the development team remains committed to completing all five planned episodes of the online game. To clarify this, Portalarium has now announced Episode 2 – but somewhat differently than originally planned.
Episode 2 is coming!
What does Episode 2 offer? Shroud of the Avatar aims to tell a story across five episodes. Chapter 1 “Forsaken Virtues” was released on March 27. Now work begins on Episode 2, which will continue the story. Here’s what’s included:
- Episode 2 features a new landmass
- There are additional areas for you to explore
- You will experience new quests and a continuation of the story
- New features are set to be introduced, including weapons that level up. A sword that, for example, slays many dragons will eventually become “Dragon Slayer +5”
Episode 2 will not be funded through Kickstarter! While the main game SotA was funded through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign in 2013, the team has chosen a different funding method for Episode 2. The revenue generated through in-game purchases by fans will be used to ensure the development of the new chapter. But why did Portalarium decide against Kickstarter? There are several theories within the community:
- The negativity and all the criticism surrounding Shroud of the Avatar could lead to the crowdfunding not being successful
- Disappointed fans could cause trouble in the comments of the Kickstarter campaign and dissuade others from investing money with their criticism
- If another Kickstarter campaign fails, Portalarium would have to admit that SotA is not successful
- A failed Kickstarter campaign might send a wrong signal. Because Portalarium is committed to developing all five episodes and will not be deterred from a failed Kickstarter
A smaller episode than originally planned. When Shroud of the Avatar was announced in 2013, it was said that each subsequent episode would double the landmass. That is no longer the case. Episode 2 will have a small archipelago, currently shaped like a snake. Here you will explore new adventure zones. However, part of the story of Episode 2 will still take place on the old continent, Novia. Why was this drastic change made compared to the original plan?
- The recent layoff of about half of the developers, mainly world designers and quest designers, likely leaves no room for larger areas anymore
- Land in the game was intended to be limited to increase land prices. Anyone who invested in land in SotA does not want its value to drop because the developers make new land available
- Episode 2 is set to be released in less than 12 months, which will be a challenging task given the current personnel strength
The team needs money
The stretch goals are somewhat known. In addition to the regular features of SotA’s Episode 2 such as new areas, new quests, or weapons that can be leveled up, the development team wants to implement additional aspects. However, more money is needed for this. Therefore, a stretch goal store has been set up. This store currently offers the possibility to unlock a riding system for $250,000. Anyone who spends money in this stretch goal store helps ensure this feature can be implemented at some point.
However, the mount system is familiar to many players. It was already announced for Episode 1. Back then, riding was supposed to be unlocked as a stretch goal. However, only about $32,000 was raised. And the stretch goal is currently at about the same amount.
A subscription was introduced. As a small surprise announcement during the telethon, an optional subscription for SotA was introduced. This costs $9 per month and is intended to help finance the further development of the MMORPG. For the $9 you receive:
- 9 Obsidian Gold Crowns every month
- Automatic participation in the monthly livestream stretch goals (counts as a minimum purchase of $5)
- Exclusive title every 3 months
- Choose a dye pack every 6 months
- Choose three of the seven obsidian potions every month. These include:
- Potion of Capacity: Increases carry capacity
- Potion of Conservation: Reduces the chance of reagent consumption
- Potion of Expedience: Fast gathering on all gathering skills
- Potion of Precision: Increases the ability “Meticulous Gathering” for all gathering skills
- Potion of Preservation: Reduces damage to armor and weapons
- Potion of Reclamation: Increases yield and repairs all production skills
- Potion of Stamina: Reduces focus use when sprinting
The telethon was not a success. The telethon on July 6 brought Portalarium “only” revenues of around $53,000. However, this was only because the developers continued to take in money for a while after the live stream ended. By the end of the stream, revenues were around $43,000. The explanation given was summer, when supposedly less money is raised. However, looking at the fact that around $100,000 was generated during the telethon in July 2017, this statement cannot really hold up, at least in relation. Rather, it gives the impression that fans are willing to give less money because they are losing faith in the game.
The developer studio Portalarium is determined to continue developing Shroud of the Avatar. Because despite all the negativity surrounding the game, designer Richard “Lord British” Garriott does not see it as a flop.
