Although the new MMORPG Astellia has just celebrated its launch in Korea, the online role-playing game has already been announced for Europe and North America. We conducted an interview with the developers and asked them what makes Astellia special.
What is Astellia? The gameplay of the new action MMORPG from Studio 8 mainly revolves around the so-called Astell system. Astells are companions that possess various magical abilities and can fill different roles, such as healer or damage dealer.
Players will be able to collect many different Astells, level them up and customize their abilities. You can watch the trailer for the MMORPG here:
In an interview, the developers revealed to us what Astellia is about and why they believe that their MMORPG will be successful in Europe.
“Tailored to Western Players”
MeinMMO: What makes Astellia special and when can we expect the release?
Astellia is set in a world on the brink of chaos because the balance between light and darkness is threatened by the forces of evil. Players assume the role of an “Astellian”. This is someone who has the power to control so-called “Astells”, messengers of good.
The demonic forces of Karza have kidnapped your little sister in the story and are trying to keep you under control. Therefore, you set out into the world to rescue her and restore balance.
Astellia will go online in Europe and North America in 2019.
MeinMMO: Would you consider your MMORPG to be an AAA game? How many people are working on the title and for how many years?
In all our studios, branches, and teams, we have over 200 people dedicated to the success of the game. And we have been working on it for about 6 years now.
MeinMMO: Bless demonstrated that many players are very thirsty for a new MMORPG, yet they did not find what they were looking for. Do you believe that your MMORPG will be able to deliver what the players want?
Every game has that one “thing” that captures the attention of players and draws them in. In Astellia it is a mix of new ideas and classic concepts. Astellia will have the familiar “Holy Trinity” of tanks, DPS, and healers.
However, we are aware that players evolve alongside games. The “Astell system” will allow players to customize gameplay beyond that.
They will be able to play as a tank with healing Astells and be practically unstoppable. Alternatively, they can choose a mix of crowd control and DPS Astells and become an annoying mountain of armor.
We are confident that this type of gameplay will interest both veterans and new MMO players.
MeinMMO: How successful is Astellia in Korea?
Astellia is still very new in Korea, but the game and community response are very promising. In the West, we are closely monitoring progress and feedback in Korea to continue polishing and refining the game for our audience.
MeinMMO: Players in the West are afraid of “Pay-to-Win” models. What can you tell the players about Astellia?
We understand very well that Pay-to-Win has no place in the Western market. To support this view, Astellia will be “Play-to-win”. Items from other regions that would be deemed P2W in the West will instead be made available through in-game mechanics and not sold for real money.
We want players to view Astellia as a long-lasting game. That has been our mindset from the very beginning.
MeinMMO: How will quests work in Astellia? Have you focused on story or is it more important for you that players reach the endgame quickly?
Astellia features a main story that shows players the world and helps them reach the endgame. However, to learn more about the world, obtain important items, and prepare properly for the endgame, players will need to work through the side quests and complete the individual zones fully.
MeinMMO: How big will the difference between the content of the Korean and Western versions be?
At launch, the difference will be at most six months, but we have a plan on how we can minimize this difference as much as possible. There will always be some delay for new content due to localization.
Depending on what new systems or mechanics are implemented in other regions, we will need time to adapt them for the Western market.
MeinMMO: Is there anything about Astellia that you would describe as innovative?
The Astell system exists to allow players to shape their gameplay on a deeper level. Astells have their own classes, abilities, combos, and potential upgrade options.
Players will be able to assemble teams that support different strategies and provide the player with more healing, crowd control, damage, or even tanking.
This allows players to maintain their class identity without being forced into a specific role for the rest of the game.
MeinMMO: What does a typical day in Astellia look like? Do you need to invest a lot of time to progress?
For me, a typical day in endgame consists of a mix of high-end dungeons with friends, gathering resources on the world map, and then ending with some PvP, either in the arena or in Avalon.
Content for PvP and PvE Players
MeinMMO: There are undoubtedly many players in Europe and America who like Asian MMORPGs. Yet, few of these MMORPGs have actually been able to succeed, including TERA, Black Desert and Final Fantasy XIV. What is your formula for success in the West or in other words: What do you think specific Western players will like about your MMORPG?
Adaptation is the most important aspect of the formula when bringing a game from Asia to the West. At Astellia, we are working precisely on this to provide Western players with the best possible experience. The Astell system has several different aspects that will appeal to different types of players. It can
- be the collection of Astells through the “in-game method”
- or leveling Astells with the goal of bringing them to their best form
- or trying out the many possible combinations
There is also the ongoing debate in the community about PvP versus PvE. PvP players generally want open-world PvP and the ability to take down anyone who crosses their path. PvE players either want nothing to do with PvP or the choice to participate or not.
However, most games implement PvP through instanced content such as arenas and battlegrounds, which doesn’t really hit the PvP nerve.
We have recognized the wishes of both sides and responded to them with “Avalon” in Astellia. It is a 300vs300vs300 open-world PvP area. Players must first choose to enter the area (with level cap) and will be able to fulfill various tasks in this massive area (if they want) and engage in PvP.
We believe this is a good solution for both types of players to have fun and experience the game.
MeinMMO: In Germany, we are increasingly noticing that a large part of the players miss MMORPGs with new good PvE content because most games focus on pure PvP. Have you also noticed this, and do you have enough content for this player group?
We have indeed noticed this. Astellia has been designed to be welcoming for both PvE and PvP players. There are:
- Several dungeons that are actually relevant
- Arenas for PvP and PvE
- And of course Avalon, a PvP map for 3 factions
It doesn’t make sense to exclude half or more of the players when we are able to produce content that is fun for both sides. And we will continue to work in this direction.
MeinMMO: There are territorial faction wars in your game. How is that going to work? Is it comparable to Guild Wars 2 or PlanetSide?
Avalon is a permanent area of vast proportions where three different factions compete against each other on a weekly basis. I would most closely compare it to the RvRvR content from Guild Wars 2.
MeinMMO: Astellia has a gender lock. That is definitely a topic that will cause a lot of discussions. Why do you believe that this is the best solution for the game?
We are currently working on making both genders available for the classes. Adapting the game for the Western market is an extremely critical aspect of development. We ourselves are Western gamers and know how unwanted gender-locked classes are seen.
And lastly: What type of gamers would you recommend Astellia for?
Astellia is very balanced and offers content for both PvE and PvP-focused players. And we are specifically working to support both hardcore and casual players so that as many people as possible can enjoy the game.
