Development Update with Guide to Alpha Two and Lionhold Preview - 11AM PT Friday, September 27, 2024 | Ashes of Creation Dev Tracker

Transcript (by Youtube)

2s	[Music]
16s	hello everyone and Welcome to our
19s	September ashes of creation development
21s	update we hope everyone has had a
24s	amazing month and has been staying safe
26s	especially with hurricanes and Madness
31s	hurricane has been crazy outside pray
34s	that our internet stays up um but I
37s	think we should be fine it's just a
38s	little bit just a little rain we'll be
41s	okay um obviously uh I am here with
45s	Stephen Sharie our creative director and
46s	I am Margaret cron our the director of
48s	communications here at Intrepid Studios
50s	but we have a new phase that everybody
52s	has been waiting for for a really long
54s	time I know the community has asked when
57s	is Bill gonna join us um and here he is
60s	uh but so before we get into everything
62s	we're going to do like a little intro
63s	for Bill give him a little
65s	Spotlight he's people been asking people
68s	been asking where where you've been and
70s	here you're finally here yeah I'm not
73s	that
74s	interesting find I disagree I have some
76s	questions for you we'll see um but first
79s	uh one of them is kind of can you talk a
81s	little bit about what a director of
82s	design does here at Intrepid Studios
85s	yeah sure of course um you know my main
87s	job here besides I I leaded the design
90s	team so I hire designers I Mentor
92s	designers I you know try to guide their
94s	career as best I can uh you know within
96s	Intrepid here um but really my main job
99s	is to is and this took a while for me to
102s	fully comprehend because Steph's vision
104s	is so vast and and uh you know I I'm I'm
109s	supposed to be the ultimate you know uh
111s	Champion for that vision and making sure
113s	that we're communicating that uh
114s	internally you know to to our team so
116s	that everybody understands the vision
118s	everybody uh understands
120s	how we interpret that to deliver the
122s	best player experience that we can um
126s	and you know it's a big complicated game
128s	uh and it's it's it's critical that
130s	we're all kind of rowing in the same
131s	direction and so that's that's really my
133s	job Stephen can't be everywhere um so I
135s	need to uh figure out how to distill
138s	what Steph wants into things that
140s	everybody can have in their pocket so
142s	that they know how to make decisions
143s	that Steven would make and let me tell
145s	you Bill boy oh boy it is a night and
149s	day difference from what from what from
152s	what it was prior to you joining the
154s	team and to what it is today I would be
156s	dead if not for you right now I
159s	appreciate that I know that feeling
161s	because when I first started too I was
163s	like okay I have to really like well I
165s	put on my Steph cap is always what I say
168s	is like my because my job's like similar
170s	to yours but mine is like on the other
172s	side of things it's the communication
173s	The Branding the marketing side um which
175s	is it's no easy feat Stephen has dreams
179s	big ones
180s	but I think like we're all very
182s	passionate and care a lot about it too
184s	because Bill and I both come from like
186s	huge MMO backgrounds which we're going
187s	to find a little bit about um I know
190s	lots of folk folks have been excited for
191s	you to join us and they would love to
193s	know a little bit more about the history
195s	of your work because you you do have
196s	quite a little MMO background there yeah
199s	yeah most most of my professional
201s	background is in MMOs you know I've been
203s	uh I've been making games for as long as
205s	I can remember you know I'm an old
206s	school you know pen and paper DM is is
209s	you yeah as as a kid all of us here are
212s	I know in six in sixth grade so you know
216s	uh and professionally though I got I got
219s	started in 96 I was a co-creator of the
221s	original EverQuest you know uh um most
223s	of my work there uh was on the World
226s	building and level design and uh Lower
230s	Side you know uh I I basically you know
234s	uh a lot of a lot of nor at the world of
236s	EverQuest is you know comes from comes
238s	from that uh you know sixth grade and D
240s	campaign um and uh you know I'm working
243s	with some folks who actually played in
244s	that campaign and also worked with me on
246s	EverQuest now Tony Garcia is you know
248s	Everest one of my players in that
250s	campaign campaign some of the Everquest
251s	expansions were like campaigns that you
253s	guys ran too right and some characters
256s	that we are in the world it's pretty
257s	cool and so you know uh I had a I had a
260s	long career there at Sony about a decade
262s	there at Sony doing uh you know
264s	EverQuest and expansions and Everquest 2
266s	and um some other smaller games and some
269s	MMOs that unfortunately never saw the
270s	light of day which you know I at least
273s	one or two of them I still you know it's
275s	Bill had to take down some art that was
276s	behind still painful to think
278s	about um and uh uh yeah but you know uh
283s	so most of my career has been in in MMOs
286s	uh I dabbled for a little bit in in in
288s	Mobile development that was that was
290s	interesting and had some success there
291s	too with a little startup that that I
294s	had and uh uh did a did a app called
297s	kond which was a big seller early early
299s	days of uh early days of the iPhone um
303s	how many cats scratched iPhone iPhone
306s	screens with that yeah exactly right um
309s	and uh you know then I worked on uh an M
312s	called Defiance which was a big
314s	challenging project that was you know
316s	multi multiplatform it was so that was
318s	that was a and and and we also were the
321s	the other thing that's that's I've been
323s	very fortunate in my careers like I've
324s	always worked on uh original IPS which
326s	is something that I really enjoy and so
328s	that was an opportunity to like dive
329s	into into a Sci-Fi IP that we you know
331s	we created and had a television
335s	show yeah so so it was it was really
338s	cool you know and the show the show ran
339s	for a couple seasons and so it was fun
342s	it was it was that was an interesting
343s	experience and most recently I'm you
345s	know I came I came into Intrepid from
347s	from working at Amazon for for six years
349s	I was part of a group that started the
351s	studio in San Diego for Amazon and uh
354s	and uh I I contributed to to New World
357s	um and then uh you know and then I got
360s	the opportunity to to to come and and
362s	join the folks that folks that are
364s	Intrepid here yeah kind of like that's a
366s	great segue to kind of my next question
368s	which is like why why did you decide
370s	that ashes of creation is where you
372s	wanted to to go as your next
375s	adventure yeah well you know I I've
377s	known Stephen for a while um we actually
380s	met through Kevin mcferson who's another
381s	kind of OG Everest friend of mine I know
385s	you know uh we uh you know we played
388s	board games together I think it was
389s	actually uh
391s	X-Wing um the the miniature game um and
395s	uh and so you know we we knew each other
398s	through uh that way and uh I've been
400s	keeping you know keeping tabs on I was a
402s	Kickstarter uh for for uh for ashes and
405s	and uh you know just keep been keeping
407s	tabs on it and so when the opportunity
409s	arose like I had seen you know how far
411s	Steven and the team had come you know uh
414s	the team he had built uh and and you
416s	know if I'm you guys can feel it through
419s	the screen every time he speaks you know
421s	Steven's passion for this game is super
423s	infectious um so you know it was just it
427s	was just a awesome opportunity um I
430s	still think you know a lot of the things
431s	that we're trying to do are 100% crazy
434s	um but that's also what you know that's
436s	also What attracted me to it because
437s	that's the fun part for me like trying
439s	to creatively solve crazy problems is is
442s	what game design is all about like uh
445s	open development it is definitely it is
448s	definitely a crazy experience for those
450s	of us like Bill and I who have like
452s	mostly done where we're developing and
454s	then we don't promote the product until
456s	like it's pretty much ready to go right
458s	it's such a different experience for an
459s	alpha and beta for those products than
461s	it is for like what we're trying to do
463s	here at Intrepid so obviously we're
465s	going to drive that home today because
467s	today's uh main topic is more about uh
470s	you know Alpha 2 that's coming up but
472s	before we wrap up the introduction I one
474s	more question for you which is more of
476s	like curiosity for the community and a
478s	little bit more fun but like what is
480s	your favorite MMO memory or maybe maybe
483s	you don't have one you have it's hard
485s	yeah I mean I I I have a ton you know
486s	both as a player and as a as a developer
489s	um you know truth be told I'm I am a I'm
492s	a filthy casual MMO player though um and
496s	whenever I hear this question I've
497s	gotten this question the complete
498s	opposite I'm like I say I'm total
501s	opposite yeah Stephen and I are like
503s	that's better I know I know but that's
505s	good we fill each other's gaps right
507s	exactly um the you know the first memory
510s	that comes into my head whenever I hear
511s	this question is is was is back early
514s	days of EQ and you know funny enough is
516s	also with Kevin mcferson it was it was
518s	me and him and we were playing and we
519s	were testing some early population in EQ
522s	and it was just a simple encounter and
525s	you know we're we're we we pulled we're
528s	playing our dwarves you know we always
529s	played as these stupid dwarves um and
533s	uh dwars are not stupid yeah dwarfs
536s	aren't stupid you didn't know our
538s	dwarfs okay our dwars were definitely
541s	stupid um uh because we you know we we
544s	pulled too many bears from this
546s	encounter and ran around like idiots for
548s	a while and and thought we had lost them
551s	and uh you know back back then like you
553s	know our pathf finding was questionable
555s	let's just say um so we thought for sure
557s	we were safe and uh and every question
560s	you know you could go into first person
562s	camera view too so I was sitting in in
564s	first person looking like right at his
566s	character and and then I from the in the
568s	fog I see the Bears come and and and and
571s	and start to you know they're they're
572s	coming right as from behind and he's
574s	looking at me and I'm trying to this is
576s	before everybody you know before you
578s	used voice chat right it was all it was
579s	all using text and so I'm frantically
582s	trying to type out a warning to him and
585s	uh and and we just you know we just got
587s	wiped out by these bears and I and I
588s	just thought it was it was it this was
590s	this was early on it was it was so
593s	hysterical and like the range of
595s	emotions that I went through and those
596s	like you know 45 seconds um um I had
600s	never really felt in a game before and
603s	and and I just like I immediately like
605s	got up from my desk and ran to his
607s	office and we sat there and we talked
609s	about it you know for a good you know 10
611s	minutes and I was just like at the end
612s	of that I was like oh man you know yeah
615s	I think I think this is gonna be
616s	something like like I've never the magic
621s	yeah um yeah it was it was it was
625s	definitely uh because again even even as
627s	I think about it now like I was there
631s	like it's not a memory of me playing a
632s	game like it's it's it's a memory in my
634s	head of me being there and looking at
636s	Kevin and this happening to us yes and
639s	so it's like it it was just something
643s	switched and it I was like holy crap
645s	it's we're building we're building
647s	something different here it's that
649s	suspension of reality really which is
652s	you know when when you when you have
654s	those types of I've had those moments
656s	Margaret's had we all had those moments
657s	who's probably watching right where
659s	we're in the where we're a game and we
660s	just get so immersed we get so into
663s	what's happening there you forget
665s	actually it's not that it's a game
667s	almost right that it's like and those
670s	are the moments those are definitely the
672s	moments that we want to recreate feel
674s	like the big ones for me too are the
676s	trials and tribulations right like where
678s	where you have like the biggest Feats
680s	that you're trying to overcome like
682s	wiping on a boss multiple times until
683s	you finally figure it out like that oh
685s	yeah those like cuz once you do it
687s	you're like yeah we finished it and we
689s	figured it out out and like then you
690s	start mastering it and you just like you
692s	know clean it up every week I think like
694s	those are like the cool moments with
696s	with like the interaction between the
698s	other players that you're you're
699s	creating and those are some of the
701s	things that I always I always harp on
702s	especially with with Junior designers I
704s	I you know I'm like hey you know we're
707s	building we're building things and it's
709s	cool you know we're we're getting to
710s	express ourselves and build things but
712s	leave room for the player to because the
714s	it's those stories that they can tell
716s	afterwards absolutely um that are where
718s	the real magic is so it's like we can we
722s	you know we can design the player
723s	completely out of experiences if we
725s	wanted to and that's so and and and and
727s	for junior designers sometimes that's
729s	that's the you know that's what they
732s	think the job is right and and uh and so
737s	yeah it's it's it's it's it's always
739s	making sure that both you know in in our
741s	in our game systems and in our lore that
742s	we're leaving room for players to
744s	contribute and to be part of it and
747s	that's another thing that attracted me
748s	to to step whole philosophy with how
750s	we're how we're running ashes mhm yeah
754s	100% um and of course with that we're
756s	going to kind of transition we could
758s	probably sit here and chat with Bill all
759s	day about games um but we do have to do
762s	the show before I have a baby I'm like
765s	just so everyone gets their bingo my
767s	goodness oh my God
770s	Margaret I am massive that baby is ready
773s	to go I am definitely hoarding a
776s	watermelon at this moment you probably
778s	can't tell what I'm just like
781s	this my stomach is huge um I smokes
786s	anytime so we will we'll see hopefully
789s	we make it through I think I saw some
790s	people in the chat who were like I'm
792s	worried she's going to have her baby on
793s	stream uh we're we're joking around
796s	about it when we were recording I think
798s	we'll be okay um so for those of you who
802s	can't see below we usually have a kind
803s	of a run of show down below so you can
805s	kind of know what's coming up but we
807s	have our guide to Alpha 2 which will
808s	incorporate a bunch of stuff uh we just
811s	want to make sure that everyone has an
812s	understanding of what is coming
814s	especially like what is going to be the
816s	features that will be at launch um as
818s	well as we will have an article that
820s	will go out with that as well um later
822s	in the week um we will do a little a
825s	studio update a little art update and
827s	then we'll answer some of your questions
829s	this will be the last preg grabbed Q&A
834s	um in the future we're going to kind of
835s	transfer those into live Q&A so we'll be
837s	pulling questions live um we we always
840s	pull questions live but we're going to
841s	try to just like do more of those versus
843s	like the pregenerated ones so you're
846s	just going to see the live streams
847s	change quite a bit as we move into Alpha
849s	2 and we'll be doing more gameplay with
851s	our players and things like that so
853s	you're just going to see big changes
855s	with the with the format of the live
856s	streams and this is the start it's going
858s	to be a significant it's going to be a
860s	significant transition but we feel that
862s	this is an appropriate transition given
864s	the stage that the product will be
866s	moving into with Alpha 2 um and what we
868s	want our Focus is to be with these
871s	Community updates right with with how
873s	we're engaging with our audience um and
875s	it'll complement that road that path
877s	that we've set forth with regards to how
879s	we're going to be updating Alpha 2 how
881s	we're going to be iterating on Alpha 2
883s	bug fixing all of the things that go
884s	into increasing the quality of the
887s	product expanding the quality of the
888s	product the the live stream will be now
891s	serviced to continue that and in a
894s	different Paradigm yeah it'll kind of be
896s	like you'll see little Pat like maybe
898s	some preformatted videosos that are more
899s	like patch note style uh you're going to
901s	kind of see something like that here
903s	with the guide Alva 2 um and then we'll
905s	still do some gameplay oriented things
907s	as well it just kind of depends on what
909s	features are coming up um especially for
911s	our big updates versus the smaller ones
913s	the bigger updates you'll probably see
915s	those as more of kind of like the
916s	previews that we've done in the past um
918s	but yeah you're just going to be some
919s	seeing some changes you know keep that
923s	in your minds as expectations as we move
925s	forward um but let's go on to our quick
928s	reminders of course we do have our
930s	YouTube subscriber comment Spotlight
932s	this one's a little long so I'm probably
934s	going to ask each what like they asked
936s	multiple questions Stephen so I'll just
938s	do it in sections instead of reading it
940s	all at once because it's a lot um but if
942s	you if you would like to be spotlighted
944s	um in the future just make sure that
946s	you're subscribed to us subscribed to us
948s	over on our YouTube channel you have to
950s	make sure that you're subscribed
951s	publicly because otherwise we can't tell
952s	that you're subscribed it's very strange
955s	um and then leave your comment on the on
957s	the on the development update video not
960s	the preview video um but I will transfer
963s	over to this so the first thing here is
966s	they're oh my God this thing is huge
969s	this is from V I mean we pick randomly
971s	visar 31 wants to know I'm curious to
974s	know if the intended mechanics of design
976s	for relics have changed during
978s	development when stevenh picked up the
980s	Relic was it automatically put into the
982s	nodes Relic query or is this something
986s	the player does when they return to the
988s	node we'll start
990s	there okay they're talking about picked
993s	up the Rel they're talking about the uh
994s	Firebrand egg is that what they're
997s	referencing okay yeah so so The Relic
1000s	system is still having some outstanding
1002s	outstanding Feature work that's
1004s	necessary um and there are different
1007s	types of relics um that can be acquired
1011s	uh generally the way that relics will be
1013s	serviced is through our cargo system um
1016s	which means that you will be required to
1018s	either have a mule or a caravan or later
1022s	down the road depending on the size of
1023s	the Relic perhaps a merchant ship that
1026s	can facilitate the uh dimensions of the
1029s	Relic um and it does conform to the
1032s	spatial grid confinements of the cargo
1034s	space in the Caravan or uh any other uh
1037s	cargo hold um that you will then have to
1040s	bring back to the node uh you can be
1043s	interrupted through PvP with that
1046s	transition if you want to um there might
1048s	also be some
1049s	uh upon completion of the quest or
1052s	completion of the task that just
1054s	automatically get granted to the node it
1056s	kind of depends on what the purpose of
1058s	the Relic is right there's a lot of
1060s	common relics out there and there's a
1062s	lot of exclusive relics that need to be
1063s	fought over or potentially stolen or you
1066s	know pursued if a node acquires it okay
1070s	now moving to the next thing which is it
1073s	would be interesting if another raid
1074s	arrived kind of like what you basically
1075s	saying Stephen from a different node and
1077s	was able to steal the Relic if they
1079s	killed the player carrying it whether
1081s	they knew that uh there was one there or
1084s	not while most of the majority of the
1086s	relics will benefit all citizens of a
1088s	node and their vassel nodes will there
1090s	be relics that only benefit Patron
1092s	Guilds of a node and its vassel
1095s	nodes um there aren't any planned right
1098s	now that excuse me that just focus on
1101s	benefiting those groups however there is
1103s	flexibility in The Relic system where
1105s	you can assign different types of
1107s	benefits to different typ of groups um
1111s	that is that is functionality that we
1112s	want to preserve uh for relics right the
1114s	the types of Buffs that they Grant
1116s	whether it be zone of influence wide or
1118s	down to just individual groups I think
1121s	is is pretty expansive um and again just
1125s	to talk a little bit about like that
1126s	concept of another group coming and
1128s	trying to take the Relic as you're
1129s	bringing it back those are the types of
1131s	like player experiences that we want to
1133s	provide tools for we don't exactly want
1135s	to curate what that's going to end up
1137s	looking like but we provide the
1139s	environment in which should other
1141s	players want to do those things whether
1144s	it be through subu Espionage you know
1147s	the spies that they might have like
1149s	that's the type of player dynamicism
1151s	that we want to see in this Sand Park
1153s	that they have an opportunity to create
1155s	those then player driven
1157s	experiences right and the last part here
1161s	lastly if a found Relic is not
1163s	automatically send to the reliquary are
1165s	there any benefits provided to the
1167s	carrier while it is in their possession
1169s	possibly tempting them to keep
1172s	it um not right now not not that that's
1175s	planned um no you The Relic isn't meant
1178s	to be kept or hoarded by an individual
1180s	right it is it is it's a yeah it's it's
1183s	a it's a hot potato right you want to
1185s	get that thing back um to a safe space
1188s	and until you do that you're in Jeopardy
1191s	if you are interested in something like
1192s	that maybe the artifact system is more
1195s	something that you sure yeah yeah
1197s	absolutely you yeah so there there is a
1199s	system that is kind of like that for
1201s	those and that is like one individual
1203s	gets that item for a period of time
1205s	which is pretty exciting yeah but that's
1206s	not that just to be clear that's not
1207s	relics no that is yeah those are those
1210s	are artifact level um uh Rarity items
1213s	that can drop within the world y um and
1216s	then the last reminder here is that we
1218s	do have a our next Dev discussion is up
1221s	we are going to be wrapping it up here
1222s	shortly um it is in regards to um AOE
1227s	Form and Function so we would love to
1229s	know we have a bunch of different
1231s	prompts there for you so definitely go
1232s	check it out we there's quite a few so
1234s	I'm not going to list out all the
1235s	questions that the development has but
1237s	go over there tell us your thoughts make
1238s	sure that you you pop those over there
1241s	um our next one is going to be about
1242s	crowd control so I know yall have
1245s	opinions about that so definitely
1247s	definitely uh keep an eye out for that
1249s	we post those things on social we make
1250s	sure that we plastered it everywhere so
1253s	uh definitely tell us your thoughts and
1255s	feedback on that front and with that we
1257s	are going to swap over to our next topic
1262s	here which is our Alpha 2 guide um the
1265s	first thing that we have on our list is
1268s	actually um we have a little little hype
1271s	video to get people excited oh did we
1275s	nice okay obviously again the launch
1278s	date is October 25th 2024 we're we're
1283s	almost there we have one month on our
1285s	end we're prepping for it I don't know
1286s	if you two want to talk a little bit
1288s	about how we're prepping for that before
1290s	we kind of show this video
1293s	um prepping for yeah just right now I
1296s	mean we are starting a three-day NDA
1299s	test this weekend um with over 9,000 I
1303s	know it's you know the uh over 9,000
1308s	alpha 1 testers have been invited for
1310s	this weekend's test um you know we have
1312s	a test every weekend moving forward uh
1315s	that we have planned um you know
1317s	obviously the team is working around the
1319s	clock uh it is a very very um tense
1323s	exciting passionate uh you know scary uh
1327s	and an exciting time all of the above
1330s	all the emotions you can think of here
1331s	at the studio um but yeah I don't know
1335s	Bill if you want to talk a little bit
1336s	about about prep and experience on the
1339s	team right now for Alpha yeah it's just
1340s	you know it's it's you know we're trying
1343s	to get as much in as we can and and and
1345s	see see how it goes and react and uh be
1348s	as Nimble as we can to to both you know
1351s	continue to put in new content and new
1354s	features but uh but react as well and
1357s	and fine-tune things so so that we're
1359s	you know trying to make the game better
1360s	every day yeah and just to give you guys
1362s	like context we completed our Milestone
1365s	10 um uh I believe it was on Monday was
1369s	it on Monday was this is this Monday no
1371s	no no no it was yeah it was Monday or
1373s	Tuesday Tuesday sorry um and we began
1376s	our our Milestone 11n right we began our
1379s	Milestone 11 um which you know our Focus
1382s	from a from a um you know project
1385s	management perspective now has been
1386s	moved the teams to can ban um as we kind
1389s	of test and react right and and every
1391s	week you know we're getting in um every
1394s	day we're getting in we're testing Alpha
1396s	2 we're finding the bugs that are most
1398s	problematic we're prioritizing them
1400s	we're triaging them um we have the teams
1402s	that begin to work on them we have you
1403s	know our C offs and deadlines for build
1405s	processes as we uh take those builds to
1408s	external testers and we have our QA
1410s	teams in Europe and we have our QA teams
1412s	here internally in the states um you
1414s	know a lot of things are starting to
1416s	move in transition and then obviously
1418s	from a team perspective as we now move
1421s	from more of this kind of devops to kind
1424s	of split between live Ops and devops at
1426s	the same time um that transition can
1428s	always be difficult but it's one that
1430s	the team is is undergoing my team for
1432s	sure is going to be changing up their
1433s	schedule quite a bit uh because we want
1435s	to be able to support those weekends and
1437s	have 24/7 covered from a community
1439s	perspective um but there are people who
1441s	because obviously we're speaking Dev
1442s	speak I know there are some people who
1444s	have used these processes before in
1446s	other um Industries but there are people
1449s	who are wondering what is can ban versus
1451s	uh you know you didn't say what we were
1453s	using before but we were doing agile
1454s	before I don't know if you can kind of
1456s	talk a little bit about yeah yeah just
1457s	to just to give you guys a little bit of
1459s	a understanding on the difference there
1460s	is like you know obviously you have
1461s	these backlog boards you have these can
1463s	band boards where you know based on
1465s	priority things will shift and move on
1467s	that board at any given moment and
1469s	a particular yeah a particular developer
1472s	is going to go to that board and find
1473s	the highest PRI task and grab that next
1476s	as opposed to when you have these more
1478s	agile methodologies such as Sprint
1480s	planning you know you have these
1481s	velocities that the team can accomplish
1483s	within a any given Sprint time frame and
1486s	then you pre-plan out all of the you
1488s	know intended shippable uh completed
1490s	items within that Sprint um for that
1492s	Sprint so it's just kind of like a it's
1494s	a it's a more test and react happy
1497s	friendly space to be with can ban um and
1500s	it kind of services our needs that we
1502s	have for the studio and the product
1503s	right now over the course of next
1505s	month hopefully that gives you a little
1507s	bit but um before we get into things
1510s	we'll just uh play this little video and
1512s	kind of take a look back at some of the
1514s	content that we've been working on in
1516s	the past and you know building us up to
1519s	this Alpha 2 and some of the amazing
1521s	content creators who have been uh
1523s	watching the content that we've been
1525s	creating
1531s	every single month since September I've
1534s	said the exact same thing and that is
1536s	this is the best live stream of the year
1539s	uh this is the best live stream of the
1540s	year
1542s	I'm I'm just gonna say it it was 10
1551s	me it's like dang like in is cooking and
1555s	the reason that we're having this
1557s	cooking feeling is because they have the
1560s	great developers and the great team that
1563s	[Music]
1568s	want guys I'm trying not to be such a
1572s	fan girl
1576s	right I
1581s	can't I probably speak for a lot of
1584s	people when so ex excited it's going to
1588s	be
1589s	like take first step hello we're back
1594s	there's definitely something weird going
1595s	on with that video I don't know why it's
1597s	it's not a laggy video I promise you uh
1600s	I think something's going on with not
1602s	dropping frames but uh
1608s	maybe making
1611s	sure yeah I wonder what it is we'll try
1614s	to we'll try to play it one more time
1616s	sorry
1624s	every single month since September I've
1626s	said the exact same thing and that is
1628s	this is the best live stream of the year
1631s	uh this is the best live stream of the
1632s	year I'm going to come out and I'm just
1634s	going to say it it was a 10 for
1636s	me cuz it's like dang like Intrepid is
1639s	cooking and the reason that we're having
1641s	this cooking feeling is because they
1643s	have the great developers and the great
1644s	team that they have on right now
1649s	guys I'm trying not to be such a fan
1651s	girl right now but I'm going to lose my
1653s	I can't I oh my God I can probably speak
1657s	for a lot of people whenever I say I am
1659s	so excited to see what it's going to be
1661s	like take the first steps into it then
1664s	really have that
1668s	[Music]
1677s	experience yeah yeah so pretty exciting
1680s	sorry about the initial I don't know
1682s	what happened really all I did was like
1684s	reput it in the scene so I really don't
1686s	know and I don't have any dro frames so
1688s	I'm I dig that hype video that was cool
1690s	I like that we grabbed a lot of the
1692s	content creators in the community and
1693s	and included them in that that was
1694s	awesome did that uh Mike uh Kyle uh Gman
1698s	put that together and Mike made like the
1700s	little graphic part at the end that's
1703s	awesome yeah who are all those youngl
1704s	looking developers I know right I think
1708s	that's a from our previous like December
1709s	little thing that we did when we did
1711s	kind of bunch of Q&A with a bunch of
1713s	developers which was really
1715s	fun um that's cool yeah uh kind to get
1720s	people excited so to kick things off
1722s	obviously the first things first first
1724s	is dates um you saw there that Alpha 2
1727s	starts October 25th and this is for
1728s	players who attained Alpha 2 access via
1731s	a giveaway so if you got any of the
1732s	giveaways if you notice we did do a
1734s	little giveaway a couple a day or two
1737s	maybe yesterday um we will be doing more
1739s	of those so stay tuned for those type of
1741s	things um they will come in little
1743s	patches here and there um so if you got
1746s	it through a givea away if you purchased
1747s	a Kickstarter pack that has Alpha 2 or a
1750s	Kickstarter add-on that has Alpha 2 or
1752s	pre-or pack or pre-or or pack add-on
1755s	that has Alpha 2 that will give you
1757s	access at on October 25th if you
1761s	purchased the first wave bundle you will
1763s	start on November 8th 2024 and if you
1767s	purchased on uh purchased a second wave
1769s	bundle that will be December 20th and
1772s	then um if you purchased a third wave
1774s	bundle you'll be joining us in May 1st
1776s	2025 so just kind of keeping in mind
1778s	those dates we will have an article that
1780s	goes over kind of basically everything
1781s	that we're going to go over today um and
1784s	that will be coming out probably next
1786s	week with some more details um but yeah
1789s	that is the first bit just to make sure
1791s	everyone gots the dates right knows when
1793s	those are but if you have any questions
1795s	feel free to ask us we are always uh
1796s	willing to answer those um as we move
1799s	forward the next thing is kind of just
1802s	talking a little bit about Alpha 2 and
1807s	um what people can expect and I think
1810s	before we do that we're going to play a
1811s	little guide to Alpha 2 video and
1814s	hopefully this one doesn't lag when I
1817s	play so uh we will play through that and
1820s	then we'll come back and we'll be
1821s	talking a little bit more about the
1822s	features showing off the map as well as
1825s	some of the archetype abilities and
1827s	things of that sort so we'll see you all
1829s	in a short
1845s	bit hello Adventurer welcome to ashes of
1848s	creation Alpha 2 where the world of Vera
1850s	is yours to explore and shape ashes of
1853s	creation Alpha 2 is an important early
1855s	testing phase which we'll be continually
1857s	updating as a participant your journey
1860s	will help shape the game's future
1861s	through providing feedback and hunting
1863s	down bugs to help us refine the world of
1866s	Vera when you first step through the
1868s	portal you'll begin your journey across
1870s	various
1871s	regions one of these is the city of Li
1874s	hold a Kar military
1877s	Outpost it's the launch point for their
1879s	efforts to reclaim their ancestral home
1882s	here you'll meet the locals and embark
1884s	on countless quests and
1886s	Adventures as you continue your your
1888s	journey through Vera you'll discover the
1890s	Citadel of the steel bloom once the
1892s	proud headquarters of the order of the
1894s	steel Bloom now it's abandoned and
1896s	overrun by mercenary
1901s	Bandits Treasures dangers and untold
1905s	stories
1907s	await you may be wondering how will I
1910s	travel to all of these places don't
1912s	worry Adventurer there are so many ways
1915s	to explore Vera including a variety of
1917s	mounts to carry you across vast
1919s	Landscapes through the dense forest and
1922s	over rugged mountains to reach your
1927s	destinations nodes are a major part of
1929s	our journey offering you choices that
1931s	will shape the world will you join the
1933s	node of Winstead or Ali with the city of
1936s	Mirth each decision shapes the world and
1939s	the node you choose will grow Thrive and
1941s	evolve based on your
1946s	contributions what are the contributions
1949s	you ask you can help expand your node by
1951s	trading crafting and helping it grow
1953s	into a prosperous City you can fight
1956s	creatures complete quests participate in
1958s	events commissions and mayoral
1960s	commissions node Wars and of course
1964s	[Music]
1966s	Gathering throughout your journey you'll
1968s	find valuable resources in the wild from
1970s	ores to herbs to
1974s	Lumber each resource plays a vital role
1977s	in the development of both both your
1978s	node and your
1983s	character Caravans are another way to
1985s	Aid your node transporting vital Goods
1987s	is essential for your new home's
1991s	development but be wary other players
1994s	May seek to claim your cargo for
2003s	themselves Caravans aren't the only
2005s	place where you'll face off against
2007s	other players Dawn your equipment and
2009s	prepare for node Wars where skills
2011s	strategy powerful gear and teamwork will
2014s	determine Victory or
2019s	defeat travel to Oaken Bane to challenge
2022s	the formidable beasts lurking
2024s	within not all threats are ordinary deep
2027s	in the wild two mock the oneeyed Cyclops
2031s	awaits beware he doesn't take kindly to
2034s	Intruders
2038s	[Music]
2039s	the world of Vera is alive and Ever
2041s	Changing shaped by your choices so
2044s	prepare yourself Adventurer ala 2 is
2047s	just the
2048s	beginning the journey awaits will you
2051s	rise to the
2057s	[Music]
2063s	challenge well it seems like people
2065s	liked the video thanks thanks for nice
2068s	nice uh comments about my narration I
2071s	was digging the narration that was great
2074s	yeah Kyle wrote the script and put the
2075s	video together and obviously we took
2077s	some of our footage for them over the
2079s	time frame as well so thank you to I
2081s	believe you know I think most of those
2082s	were like our PI folks who joined us so
2084s	uh appreciate you guys helping us
2086s	capture some of that footage um but yeah
2089s	we've been we've been working towards
2091s	this this is everything that you've been
2092s	seeing is this content that you're going
2094s	to be playing so I think some people are
2096s	like hey we've seen some of this stuff
2097s	before it's like yeah cuz that's what
2101s	we've been building and now you get to
2102s	experience it and obviously our ND
2105s	testers have been already experiencing a
2106s	lot of that helping us work out the bugs
2108s	a lot of what we're working out on that
2110s	front is more this stability side of
2112s	things so it is Q the queuing system
2115s	which is not the most fun stuff to test
2117s	the stress testing of the Realms and the
2119s	server workers and things like that um
2121s	and obviously once we go into October
2123s	25th the main key thing that we're
2126s	trying to test then is going to be that
2128s	content that we have there and finding
2130s	all those bugs and we know it's buggy
2132s	that's the whole point of this so we
2133s	just want to make it clear that Alpha is
2135s	not a game it is a testing phase and
2138s	there are going to be bugs there are
2139s	going to be a lot of bugs and we would
2141s	love for you to help us hunt those down
2143s	we're going to have a system in game
2144s	that you can slash buug and and and Bug
2146s	those things for us we will also have
2148s	feedback forums we'll have surveys that
2150s	will be going out to users and all kinds
2152s	of ways that we can iterate on feedback
2154s	um we've been doing focus groups as well
2156s	so you may see some of those things come
2157s	up and you may be personally invited to
2159s	those uh based on your gameplay because
2161s	we will be looking at like specific
2163s	people's accounts that make sense for
2165s	the type of feedback we're looking for
2167s	so it's going to be a very interesting
2168s	process something that you maybe haven't
2170s	experienced from other games before
2172s	where you're really like sitting with
2173s	the developers and giving us thoughts
2175s	your thoughts and we're consuming that
2178s	yeah we we had some great focus groups
2180s	actually that you're talking about um
2182s	Margaret with some of the NDA testers
2184s	over the course of the last few weeks
2186s	that the community team put together
2188s	which the developers obviously got to
2189s	sit in and kind of hear directly from
2191s	players as they were playing particular
2192s	systems or classes or um you know
2194s	whatever and we Contin we are planning
2197s	to continue doing those as Alpha 2
2201s	progresses as new systems come online as
2203s	new features and content gets introduced
2205s	right this is the type of Rapport that
2207s	we want to build with the community from
2209s	a development perspective um so that we
2211s	can most accurately articulate what
2214s	players are looking for the experiences
2216s	that they enjoy the EXP expences that
2218s	they didn't enjoy and I think a lot of
2220s	times um when you get into those types
2223s	of conversations you can start moving
2225s	into the realm of like solution crafting
2227s	from a player perspective and I will say
2230s	that when we talk about the types of
2232s	feedback that are most beneficial for us
2235s	as a development team really what we're
2237s	looking to hear from players is your
2239s	experience not so much the types of
2241s	solutions that you or others might think
2244s	can apply to the situation but rather
2248s	what was it about a particular system or
2250s	piece of content that you enjoyed why
2252s	did you enjoy it why did you not enjoy
2254s	it right kind of elaborate on the player
2257s	experience aspect and then we take that
2259s	puzzle and we start you know
2262s	incorporating either the complexities
2264s	and how it relates to many other systems
2266s	and how we can address those experiences
2268s	or expand upon them um those are the
2271s	best ways to kind of you know elicit I
2274s	think proper feedback uh from the
2276s	community and I think that the the
2278s	community has been doing a great job
2280s	with that thus far right we have
2281s	collected a lot of really actionable
2284s	good pieces of feedback over the course
2287s	of our normal monthly developer updates
2289s	and how we kind of interact with the
2290s	community now that's going to get a
2292s	little bit more up close and personal as
2294s	we move into Alpha 2 yeah and um the
2296s	community team actually has been working
2297s	I believe vacar has been working on a
2300s	like how to guide for better feedback
2302s	reports we've obviously done bug
2304s	reporting in the past and had a template
2306s	for that but we'll have a feedback
2307s	template as well
2308s	and that will kind of help guide
2309s	people's when you make your own threads
2312s	please try to use that that would be
2313s	very helpful for us because then we'll
2315s	be able to get more valuable feedback
2316s	really you know the goal for us is to
2319s	figure out what those trouble points
2320s	that you guys are having and let let us
2322s	figure out the solutions you know um I
2324s	think that's the big thing you can
2325s	provide some but like that's that's
2327s	that's really where um things get better
2330s	for us is to make sure that we know
2332s	where the trouble points are and a lot
2333s	of times we're like oh yeah we already
2335s	knew that we're we're already having a
2337s	process for for that so we we normally
2339s	are on the same page as you guys
2341s	especially with the reporting that we've
2342s	had so far um it's nothing has come to
2345s	us come to us as a major surprise um I
2347s	think that we get that question
2348s	sometimes in our Q&A which is like has
2350s	there been any surprises and obviously
2352s	there are surprises when it comes to
2354s	development findes that we find where
2356s	like we have a trouble points in like
2358s	the engine or whatever it might be or
2360s	some kind of system but it is usually
2362s	not in regards to like the features that
2366s	we're creating we we normally are like
2368s	yeah we knew that that was going to be a
2369s	problem because we're not quite finished
2371s	with that yet and as we get further
2372s	along in these phases you'll see those
2374s	things become more polished and
2375s	completed first things first is that
2378s	obviously we've talked about this before
2379s	but Alpha 2 we're planning to on October
2382s	25th release the NDA so we're hoping
2385s	that we can release the NDA and allow
2387s	people to stream capture footage make
2389s	your articles do whatever it is that
2390s	you'd like but just keeping in mind that
2392s	there is a lot of there are going to be
2394s	a lot of bugs again this is not a
2395s	polished finished game this is an a true
2398s	Alpha of our project so it is more you
2401s	know a prototype of like the world yeah
2405s	everything active development active
2408s	development yeah and I think I think
2409s	we're experiencing a lot of kind of the
2412s	community conversation that we saw back
2415s	during alpha 1 right prior to Alpha 1
2418s	and even prior to Alpha
2420s	zero um you know there are obviously um
2424s	uh you know expectations that are set
2427s	perhaps that that are not um in line
2430s	with what Alpha 2 is intending to
2431s	deliver and what the purpose of Alpha 2
2434s	is Right which is to refine these core
2438s	gameplay Loops which is to implement the
2440s	additional content uh Loops that we're
2442s	looking for to stabilize uh the product
2446s	the game client as well as our backend
2449s	infrastructures um you know this is
2452s	especially in phase one and two as we
2454s	move into phase three that's when a lot
2457s	of those stability and performance um
2460s	efforts in Phase 1 and two will have now
2463s	been kind of addressed and phase three
2466s	you will see a lot more systems and
2468s	features get uh fleshed out um where the
2472s	core gameplay Loops are going to be a
2474s	bit broader um so you know just keeping
2476s	in mind that you know as part of our
2478s	community who tune in to these monthly
2481s	updates you are also The Advocates who
2484s	we can rely upon to spread the message
2486s	and the purpose of alud to the broader
2488s	audiences that are less engaged when
2491s	people say wait a minute you know this
2493s	isn't a finished game you know our
2495s	responses it's not intending to be this
2497s	is Alpha 2 where we are testing the core
2500s	pillars of the game the core systems of
2503s	the game and the functionality of it
2505s	yeah these are the these this is the
2506s	time where we're looking for you all to
2508s	help us figure out what are the things
2510s	we should lean into what are the things
2511s	we should back away from um you know or
2515s	and not and and even and even the things
2517s	that we that that that you that you know
2519s	when I say back away from that doesn't
2520s	mean that doesn't mean
2523s	forget right um but yeah it's you know
2526s	it's it's it's really an opportunity for
2528s	for you to help help us make decisions
2531s	uh to Define what that play experience
2533s	is going to be um both you know
2536s	initially and longterm because you know
2538s	all ideas are are valid and we want to
2541s	hear your ideas it's just a matter of
2543s	you know uh when and how mhm yeah yeah
2548s	and so talking about some of the
2550s	features that you will experience in
2552s	Alpha 2 um and I don't know if Bill and
2554s	Stephen you want to go into more detail
2556s	about these but um I don't know if you
2558s	want me to kind of list it and then you
2560s	talk a little bit about it or how which
2563s	would you like but the first one is
2564s	obviously nodes nodes is a key part of
2567s	the world and building the world in uh
2570s	ashes of creation and there will be two
2572s	that you guys are have been aware of but
2574s	there will be some additional ones as
2576s	well and I'll kind of show the map which
2578s	might um assist with that while you want
2580s	to take that away Stephen yeah sure
2583s	absolutely I mean I mean as as those of
2585s	you who've been following the project
2586s	nodes are are kind of the Apex of you
2589s	know content Confluence right where
2592s	where you know we turn the dials of a
2595s	dynamic world around how nodes progress
2598s	um these are also where players begin to
2601s	expand the services that they have
2603s	access to whether that's through
2605s	artisanship whether that's through the
2607s	narrative structures that lead out into
2609s	the points of interest around those
2610s	nodes um the spawn tables that change
2612s	throughout the world um these nodes
2614s	within the riverlands these five nodes
2617s	will be the kind of starting phase one
2619s	nodes um that players are going to be
2621s	helping to build up so so this map that
2624s	you're seeing here you know obviously um
2626s	you know this represents portions of the
2629s	Lawless uh zones as well in the sand
2631s	Sall desert as well as the um turquoise
2634s	sea Tropics um those are spaces where we
2637s	have included a kind of temporary
2639s	mechanic um that that don't have nodes
2642s	within them however they do have node
2645s	caravaner so part of what nodes provide
2648s	also is the ability to trade to to gain
2651s	wealth uh to turn in you know the the
2655s	the achievements that you've acquired
2657s	through hunting through progression um
2660s	uh through glint essentially into these
2662s	tradable resources these Commodities
2665s	that can move throughout the world and
2666s	where they move two is node destinations
2669s	except for these Lawless zones where
2671s	there are carav aneres that can also be
2673s	turned into without node so just a key
2675s	distinction
2677s	Point anything else you want to add to
2679s	that bill or has you feel covered
2681s	everything well no so I think Stephen's
2683s	covered it you know no nodes we we often
2686s	say you know internally nodes are the
2687s	game right it's it's they are you know
2691s	they are the so many features attached
2693s	to it too in systems so they are they
2696s	are the core internal structure sure
2697s	that everything else hangs off of right
2700s	and speaking of those things that hang
2702s	off of it um obviously we will have open
2704s	world PVP uh Stephen talked about a
2706s	couple of the Lawless zone areas um I
2709s	don't know if you want to go into any
2710s	more detail about open world PVP I feel
2711s	like it's pretty straightforward but it
2714s	is straightforward but but I give it you
2715s	know given that we're we're kind of
2717s	conis as much as we can into kind of
2719s	this guide concept with this particular
2721s	uh live stream I'll I'll kind of cover
2723s	those points a little bit more um you
2725s	know when the game launches we have
2727s	these concepts of of Open Seas um and
2730s	right now the Lawless territories are
2732s	kind of serving that purpose where you
2734s	know you have certain drop rates for
2736s	particular types of materials that are
2738s	going to be kind of um uh focused more
2741s	around later game progression uh that
2744s	players will VI for in those locations
2747s	now obviously given that players can
2749s	drop resources on death specifically es
2752s	and especially during PVP while you're
2755s	within these Lawless territories you're
2756s	going to be emul a in that kind of um
2759s	Game launch feature which is the Open
2760s	Seas that these are open spaces for PVP
2763s	so you're entering this territory
2764s	knowing that PVP is possible at any
2767s	given time without repercussion this is
2769s	an optin uh by the player um and so when
2772s	you enter those zones you're going to be
2773s	flagged for PVP immediately but there's
2775s	going to be high-end monsters there to
2777s	fight there's going to be high-end
2778s	resources there to gather um and there's
2780s	going to be high-end uh Turnin
2782s	destination um that's available for
2784s	those Caravans that I was talking about
2786s	as well um now as we progress Beyond
2789s	phasee one into phase two and into phase
2791s	three those Lawless territories will be
2794s	settled and by settled what I mean is
2796s	that content will expand to include them
2798s	and the Lawless territories will change
2801s	uh to be then the next territories that
2804s	we are planning to update and bring in
2806s	content within right so it's going to
2808s	kind of fan out as Alpha 2 progresses
2811s	correct yes pushing pushing the border
2814s	of the frontier right it's
2818s	yeah I love that the pushing the board
2820s	of the frontier is a Perfect Analogy
2822s	because essentially essentially that's
2824s	that's what it is right you can you can
2826s	view Alpha as almost a live development
2831s	settling of the world of Vera right as
2834s	as the content pushes the boundaries as
2836s	that as that progression occurs um you
2839s	know these territories are getting
2841s	unlocked and reminder again how those
2843s	updates will be happening every 3 weeks
2846s	we'll have like our smaller updates and
2848s	then every 6 weeks we'll like
2850s	alternating them uh we'll have our
2852s	bigger updates which we'll have bigger
2854s	features so keeping that in mind um as
2856s	we move forward obviously PVP is there
2859s	for folks who love PVP but not
2861s	everybody's a PVP fan obviously we are a
2863s	pvx game so if you don't like PVP like
2868s	that is a part of our our product so
2869s	you're going to need friends if that's
2871s	not your thing but we do have a lot of
2873s	PVE content including questing Dungeons
2876s	and raids
2877s	um obviously we'll have less raids to
2880s	start with but as we expand we'll have
2882s	more of those and those are kind of like
2883s	World bosses at the current moment but
2885s	they may change to be have some raid
2887s	bosses in those Dungeons and things like
2889s	that as we expand but to start with
2891s	there will be those um and I don't know
2893s	if you guys want to talk a little bit
2894s	about the PVE content that is going to
2896s	be available obviously some of that is
2897s	listed here on the map as well for
2900s	folks yeah I can't really see that map
2902s	it's very small but I mean we can go
2904s	through you know obviously from a from a
2906s	hunting grounds perspective right in the
2907s	riverlands proper in the non- Lawless
2910s	territories um those PVE players are
2912s	then governed by our flagging system
2914s	which does contain um obviously uh uh
2918s	incentives excuse me it does con uh
2920s	contain deterrence uh for players to
2922s	openly flag and or kill non-f flag
2925s	players so that should be an experience
2927s	that is relatively mitigated through the
2929s	flagging system if it's not we'll do
2931s	some tuning work there in order to
2933s	adjust it as is necessary right this is
2935s	something that during Alpha 1 we had to
2938s	kind of interject and and and I think uh
2941s	play with it because of the test setting
2943s	scenario where people felt like there
2946s	was nothing to lose if they lost their
2948s	character or brick their character uh
2950s	through the flagging system so we'll
2951s	have some tuning that we might do that's
2953s	temporary for Alpha 2 in order to
2955s	achieve that goal um but generally when
2957s	you talk about the PVE encounters you
2959s	know obviously there's pocket dungeons
2961s	that we've talked about there's a grand
2962s	dungeon in Carin um where groups are
2964s	going to be experiencing kind of killing
2966s	monsters in order to either acquire loot
2969s	or to progress their character um
2971s	there's also a lot of artisanship
2973s	systems that are going to be in place
2974s	including many professions that have
2976s	resources to interact with recipes to
2979s	attain um so that you can supply the
2981s	player-driven economy uh that's very
2983s	important um and build the components
2985s	for those Caravans um as well uh World
2989s	bosses as Margaret talked about those
2990s	are kind of raid based content where
2992s	you're going to have to bring a lot of
2994s	friends with you in order to either
2995s	overcome you know the clops that is
2998s	tumach or Firebrand or uh the Scorpion
3001s	in the in the um in the Lawless uh sand
3004s	squal desert right and as more raid
3006s	bosses and raid encounters come online
3008s	uh those are going to be scenarios where
3011s	you're going to need some PVE expertise
3012s	in order to accomplish the the goals
3016s	there um and obviously the big thing or
3019s	the next thing here is a lots of points
3021s	of interest we have smaller points of
3023s	interest bigger ones um we've laid them
3025s	out on the map quite an quite a in quite
3027s	a different variety of spaces so
3030s	definitely go check those places out uh
3032s	some of those are things that Stephen
3033s	has already like mentioned because they
3035s	have other things going on in them as
3036s	well um we do have mounts there will be
3039s	a variety of mounts um we are there will
3042s	be quest lines for you guys to complete
3044s	to try to uh get those mounts so
3046s	definitely go get yourself a mount
3048s	because walking takes time you will be
3050s	walking for a long time if you don't get
3052s	a mount um but uh the world is quite big
3055s	already and obviously this this is only
3057s	the beginning we are only in alpha alpha
3059s	2 we still have so much more of the
3061s	world to build for you guys uh which
3064s	like we've talked about before kind of
3066s	we'll be you'll be progressing
3068s	progressively seeing that stuff
3069s	throughout the months um and and I think
3071s	that that's a that's a good point about
3073s	Alpha 2 as well as as far as the
3075s	information that we're trying to get out
3076s	of this is like we need to
3078s	know again like what to lean into and
3081s	what to not so we need to know what
3082s	parts of of this are working before we
3085s	build more right
3087s	yeah absolutely yeah we need to validate
3091s	duplicatable yeah we need to validate
3093s	that direction right um and and I think
3096s	you know that obviously is the most
3098s	unique nature of how we're doing this
3100s	differently than other projects you know
3103s	um is essentially that we're relying on
3106s	the players to have this early access
3108s	and in an open and transparent manner
3111s	right with bugs and everything and
3112s	unfinished content and everything so
3114s	that we can make sure that what we are
3117s	intending to continue doing is on the
3120s	right path of what players want um and
3123s	and that's why you guys are so in
3124s	integral to that process yes and people
3127s	are asking if there's an RP walk yes
3129s	right now that is linked to the period
3130s	button just hit that and you can you'll
3132s	see us using it actually in the we've
3134s	used it in many videos um for for
3137s	walking through areas uh the next thing
3140s	here is I'm going to kind of group these
3142s	up together Gathering processing and
3143s	crafting uh there will be artisanship
3146s	stuff that you can do all of those
3147s	things are available you can hop in you
3149s	can play through them they are in their
3152s	first phase right so it's a little bit
3154s	more simplified crafting um but I
3157s	wouldn't I say it's simplified but still
3158s	a lot of steps and processes to get
3161s	through things um but there will be more
3163s	interactive I guess is the better word
3165s	for it uh processes as we move forward
3168s	but in the initials phases all of those
3170s	all of the artisanship is all there
3173s	right I don't think there's any that we
3174s	miss all of the base professions are
3176s	present
3178s	at the start yeah all all the all the uh
3180s	yeah that's correct um but all of the
3182s	base professions are there the the tools
3184s	to acquire uh all the Gathering
3186s	resources are present I think there's
3188s	some 700 item recipes that are in the
3191s	game currently um I will say that right
3194s	now the the current balance of like item
3197s	creation and artisanship progression is
3199s	a very difficult path to walk um which
3202s	some people might really like because
3204s	then when you achieve that thing you
3206s	know it's going to be really difficult
3208s	for others to achieve it so you can kind
3209s	of corner that market play the Maestro
3211s	you know game kind of thing um but uh
3214s	obviously that's also an aspect that
3216s	we're looking to get feedback on as well
3219s	yeah I think our Focus actually this
3221s	this weekend's test is econ related and
3224s	uh Artisan related so uh hopefully we
3226s	will have some iterations before you
3228s	guys even get in on October 25th um but
3231s	those will all be there I don't know if
3233s	there's anything else you want to add on
3234s	to that bill in regards to Gathering
3235s	processing and crafting
3237s	yeah I mean it's you know it's it's a
3240s	it's a it's one of the core Loops of the
3241s	game you know it's it's another thing
3243s	that's foundational and and leads into
3246s	into you know uh how nodes develop how
3249s	how your character progresses um you
3251s	know what they what the gear is that you
3254s	that you have to do your adventuring so
3256s	it's it's it's a critical part of the
3257s	game and uh that that Loop is there and
3260s	like Stephen says you know it's it or or
3262s	like in like you suggested like I I
3264s	wouldn't call it simple like it's right
3267s	simple and then I regretted that
3268s	immediately CU I was like it is simple
3270s	in the concept of what you're doing it's
3272s	simple in the sense of what it will
3274s	become but for what it's at now it's
3277s	still comparatively to the other games
3279s	we probably experienced not simple yeah
3281s	yeah it's a yeah it that you know
3284s	there's a lot there to get lost in yeah
3287s	all right and kind of the last feature
3289s	that we want to make sure that we
3290s	mention to you all is Caravans so that
3292s	is going to be the next big feature that
3294s	you're going to be seeing in Alpha 2 um
3298s	and I don't know how much detail we want
3299s	to go into that but obviously you saw
3302s	some footage from previous game from our
3304s	previous live streams where we featured
3306s	Caravans uh but they will play a big
3309s	role in how you uh you know work with
3311s	your node as well yeah I mean Caravans
3314s	are one of the primary methods of
3317s	ensuring that nodes have the supplies
3320s	they need to build the buildings they
3321s	need to build so that they can
3322s	specialize they're also the primary
3325s	method by which players can and multiply
3328s	their wealth because wealth in our game
3330s	is acquired through glint um which gets
3334s	traded in for Commodities that can then
3336s	be either sold directly to the vendor at
3338s	the node you're at or can be transported
3341s	through the Caravan system to other
3343s	nodes for a multiple return um and you
3347s	know that that I think is going to
3348s	separate the mice from Men In the game
3350s	with regards to the economic gameplay
3352s	those who can successfully trade those
3354s	Caravans across long distances are going
3357s	to see obviously a significant amount of
3359s	wealth uh more so than their
3361s	counterparts and be able to control
3362s	certain markets that's something that's
3364s	I think is very interesting um but
3366s	Caravans have some unique componentized
3369s	uh aspects to them that allow for
3371s	players to be a little sneaky with them
3373s	so you don't always need a massive raid
3374s	to transport a caravan correctly right
3376s	you can do these things at any given
3379s	time as well and you can take unique and
3381s	bespoke routes so that other players
3382s	can't see them um these are things that
3385s	I think create a very kind of anxiety
3389s	filled gameplay Loop which can be a lot
3391s	of fun for people you don't want to
3393s	always experience that all the time but
3395s	the moments you do are going to be
3397s	really tense moments that create those
3399s	feelings that bill was talking about
3401s	earlier with him and mCP or you know
3403s	that Margaret and I have experienced in
3405s	the in the raids that we've run right
3406s	these are the interesting fun and and
3411s	and dynamic um gameplay experiences yeah
3414s	this is the you know this is the pvx
3416s	right right it's it's you know it's it's
3419s	the it's it's the highest risk versus
3422s	reward right you're saying yes you you
3424s	can be wealthy but you better be smart
3426s	and you better have your friends uh
3428s	because you know uh You're vulnerable
3430s	too um and uh yeah this is this this is
3434s	you know this whole uh large scale
3438s	mertile uh game Loop is is I think you
3441s	know something that's uh I'm personally
3443s	super excited about and is interesting
3445s	and I want to see how how how it plays
3447s	out and you know how we can make it
3449s	better obviously the next big thing is
3452s	going to be our archetypes uh there will
3455s	be many many archetypes for you all to
3458s	experience
3460s	um the Rogue and Summoner will be coming
3463s	in future updates but we will have the
3465s	Bard cleric uh fighter Mage Ranger and
3469s	tank archetypes for you at least the
3470s	primary archetypes and as we've noted
3473s	that the secondary augments and
3475s	secondary archetypes will start coming
3477s	online more in phase three um but we
3480s	will have a little cheat sheet here with
3482s	some abilities the skill trees are
3484s	pretty crazy for each of these so you'll
3486s	definitely want to kind of check them
3489s	out maybe play different archetypes see
3491s	which one really place to the style that
3494s	you want you can build your character
3495s	out in a variety of different ways which
3497s	is really exciting um so we hope that
3500s	you guys have fun with it and give us
3501s	lots of feedback yeah yeah this is this
3503s	is a very important aspect obviously
3506s	combat is the most momentto moment
3509s	interacted system within the game right
3512s	um this is something that uh obviously
3514s	there's a lot of room for us to iterate
3516s	upon uh particularly as it relates to
3519s	the ways that we've constructed these
3520s	archetypes it's not just about the
3522s	individual abilities and what those
3523s	abilities do it's also about like when
3525s	do those abilities come online how many
3527s	skill points does it cost to access
3528s	those abilities what's the you know
3530s	proposition cost between activating this
3532s	ability or taking this passive with the
3534s	points that I have distributed like
3536s	there's a lot that goes into uh and then
3539s	and then obviously the the rock paper
3541s	scissors component of each of the
3542s	classes and how they live with each
3543s	other the group composition component of
3545s	that the encounter design for that you
3547s	know all of this stuff systemically
3549s	combat right systemically combat is the
3553s	most tactile momentto moment system in
3556s	the game and you know these types of of
3559s	of um uh boards that you've made here
3562s	Margaret I by the way this first time
3564s	seeing them they look great
3567s	on them yeah I love these These are
3569s	these are a great I think wanted to make
3571s	little cheat sheets for people yeah
3573s	these these will be up at an article
3574s	that will come out later next week for
3576s	you guys absolutely you can snag them I
3579s	think these are a great instrument for
3580s	players to have access to right now
3582s	obviously something monolithic like
3585s	these are going to change over time so
3587s	we're going to have to make sure that
3588s	you know
3589s	players this is the two guide it will
3591s	change over time exactly um uh but yeah
3595s	these these archetypes have had a lot of
3597s	love and and uh they think I I think
3599s	that they capture a very good
3601s	foundational perspective of what class
3604s	fantasy should look like for these
3605s	particular archetypes they fill their
3607s	roles uh well and the feedback we've
3609s	gotten so far is that the direction is
3611s	good let's expand on some of these these
3614s	points that you've included in these
3616s	archetypes yeah and I wanted to bring a
3618s	question from lashing and Sonic
3620s	explosion from the forarms which they
3622s	were wondering what percentage of the
3623s	skill tree will a max level character
3625s	have allocated
3627s	and will there be powerful skills or
3629s	passives in a tree that require multiple
3631s	skill
3632s	points that's a good question um I'm not
3636s	sure what that value is right now I know
3640s	that in the past we've talked about
3642s	allowing roughly 30% onethird of the
3646s	available kind of passives and active
3648s	skills uh to be specked into at Max
3651s	skill point usage um so that provides I
3654s	think three major swim Lanes within any
3657s	particular archetype at any given time
3659s	that players can spec towards right um I
3662s	think that I think that we'll probably
3664s	stay around that Target goal for the
3666s	arch type skill point acquisition and
3668s	distribution design um yeah so hopefully
3671s	that answers your question ohol cool and
3673s	then for specifically for Alpha 2 um
3676s	people I know are going to want to know
3678s	like what is the max level that they can
3680s	get to and can they attain all of these
3682s	abilities or will they only be able to
3683s	use some of them um versus uh
3686s	depending on how they
3688s	spec um right now that you can reach
3690s	level 25 um and I'm I'm not sure because
3694s	I think you know it's actively changing
3696s	um what amount you can spec with those
3698s	skill points are yet but I they just did
3701s	a bunch of focus groups so they might
3702s	update I know they might have changed I
3704s	think they're literally in the process
3705s	last week I think the level 25 bit is is
3707s	is good enough for folks anyway um but
3710s	yeah we'll definitely have these up for
3711s	you guys to go over so don't need to you
3713s	know worry too much about them and like
3715s	Stephen said these things change and
3717s	they might even change between now and
3719s	then and then but we'll update it if the
3720s	article changes before Alpha 2 because
3722s	we do want this article to be like your
3724s	guide for Alpha 2 at least for the
3726s	launch of it um and as we progress we'll
3729s	have updates and patch notes and things
3731s	like that um the next thing that we
3732s	wanted to talk to you guys a little bit
3734s	about is just kind of which weapons will
3736s	have skill trees um and if you guys have
3739s	seen these skill trees they are pretty
3740s	immense and pretty expansive so
3742s	expansive that we were thinking about
3744s	how we would put them on a board kind of
3745s	like the ities and it was just too much
3748s	too much content to put on a board for
3750s	you guys um but we do want to let you
3752s	know that mace uh short short bow
3754s	Longbow one-handed sword two-handed
3756s	sword and wand and book will all have
3758s	full skill trees for you guys to play
3760s	around with which are pretty awesome at
3762s	start at the start at the start of phase
3763s	one and then we will add more as we go
3765s	forward but um for those of you who are
3767s	looking at what we had talked about
3769s	would be in Phase One these are the the
3770s	ones that will be at the start of phase
3772s	one yeah and then there will be more
3774s	that will come up there's a lot of
3775s	weapons that are current Curr ly like
3777s	half baked right now Beyond this um that
3779s	will be pretty quickly joining in uh in
3782s	phase two yeah I need my broken spear
3786s	back I know your broken spear oh my
3789s	gosh that was
3791s	crazy we uh well that's actually a funny
3795s	little story about this yeah we just
3797s	yeah we we yeah just in recent round of
3799s	testing we had a a spear prematurely in
3801s	the game that was uh devastating it it
3805s	was inac accurately balanced to a
3807s	previous kind of uh yes yeah yes you
3811s	could you you could basically you know
3813s	scoop up you know dozens of monsters and
3817s	uh melee them to death in seconds it was
3819s	it was fun but while it lasted and the
3823s	spear will be back don't worry guys uh
3825s	we will have we will have a variety of
3827s	abilities I know people are asking about
3828s	staff and all these other ones like we
3830s	said the the other weapon skill trees
3832s	will come online later the the skill the
3835s	trees are some of the weapons you will
3837s	find in the world but they may not just
3839s	they may just not have skill trees or
3841s	they may be sharing skill trees and
3842s	things like that so just keep that in
3844s	mind as you're moving forward um and we
3846s	will let you know when those skill trees
3847s	are up and uh they'll be part of patch
3849s	notes they'll be part of our preview
3850s	that we do whenever we go over what the
3852s	upcoming content is as well um and with
3855s	that we do have a little um tour that uh
3859s	Stephen and Bill and I did I'm I'm a
3862s	little ashamed because I had a little no
3867s	don't prace the jumping puzzle let them
3869s	just let them let it let it shower over
3872s	them as they watch you fail the jumping
3874s	pzzle over no I'm I'm the one I'm the
3877s	one who's embarrassed about the jumping
3878s	I'm very embarrassed so good um so good
3881s	we do have one more video for you we
3883s	wanted to kind of give you a guide
3885s	through the portal as well as Lin hold
3887s	we haven't actually like showed you guys
3889s	kind of like that first experience that
3890s	you have as a player so um we'll we'll
3894s	show you that and then we'll be right
3895s	back yeah and just to just a prefis
3898s	obviously what we're showing here is um
3900s	giving you guys some insight into the
3902s	starting area into um Lion hold which is
3906s	kind of the forward operating base of
3907s	the klar uh Empire as they've moved into
3910s	Vera um this is this is a
3915s	large city this is the alen capital uh
3919s	in Vera and um obviously not all of it
3921s	is completed yet uh there's a lot of
3923s	plans for us to expand the cryp and
3926s	dungeons underneath the alen capital
3928s	city so that players can return to those
3931s	as nodes progress and those areas become
3933s	unlocked and become opened up again um
3935s	but we thought we've never shown you
3937s	guys this and a lot of players are
3939s	experiencing this right now a lot of
3940s	testers are experiencing this right now
3941s	in our Alpha 2 uh NDA testing um so
3945s	we're going to give you a little walk
3946s	through and and give you an idea of what
3948s	it what it's going to feel like on day
3949s	one to log into to Vera all right see
3953s	you on the flip side
3958s	[Music]
3972s	hello everybody and welcome to another
3975s	day in Vera and we have an exciting
3978s	showcase for you today I am joined by
3982s	two glorious people here at Intrepid
3983s	Studios first and foremost our director
3986s	of communication Margaret cron Margaret
3988s	how are you
3990s	doing I'm uh hopefully not going to have
3992s	a baby on the stream but otherwise I'm
3994s	doing good wait you what if you do have
3996s	the baby on what if you're having the
3998s	baby right now on stream while we're
3999s	playing this that would be crazy oh my
4002s	be wild don't ban us
4004s	Twi uh and then of course we have our
4007s	our glorious uh director of design Bill
4009s	tro bill for the first time how are you
4012s	doing buddy I'm doing great this is you
4016s	know this is awesome you know uh get to
4018s	check out uh the AA ruins here excited
4021s	yes I know the first time Bill's been on
4023s	the stream I know it's very exciting and
4026s	and right before our the start of phase
4029s	one for Alpha 2 which as many of you
4031s	know starts at the end of next month the
4032s	end of
4034s	October and as Bill said we are for the
4037s	first time taking a look at the alen
4040s	ruins and this is if you could not tell
4044s	by the level one super basic appearance
4048s	that we are we are in the starting
4050s	portal area this is actually where
4053s	testers for the first time will be
4055s	loading into the riverlands into Vera um
4058s	this is a massive space uh and obviously
4061s	for those of you who are aware of the
4063s	kind of origin stories of Vera and and
4065s	why players are returning here this is
4067s	the the home of our ancestors and we are
4070s	returning as settlers to repopulate Vera
4074s	um and as part of this testing process
4076s	there is a lot of space here to cover
4078s	and um we're going to talk a little bit
4080s	about the alen ruins the lion hold
4083s	starting area uh that's just off of the
4085s	uh trotten path of alen ruins uh along
4088s	with some additional features that we
4089s	have implemented um such as some
4092s	voiceover work that we're going to take
4094s	a look at here in a little bit and talk
4096s	about our fouille systems and you know
4098s	kind of what's expected about out of our
4100s	testers come this phase one of Alpha 2
4103s	um but let's talk about this space what
4106s	what what are what are players doing
4107s	when they return to the space build talk
4109s	to me about this kind of scene here it's
4111s	beautiful it looks great sure you know
4114s	uh you know players are coming back back
4116s	home to Vera from from Sanctus uh you
4119s	know after many many many many many
4122s	years uh you know we're the latest wave
4124s	of folks coming through not the first
4126s	and you can see there's some folks who
4128s	have preceded us uh about this area and
4131s	you know talking to them you can get a
4132s	little bit of insight into their story
4134s	and uh you know sometimes what maybe
4137s	what brought them here or you know what
4138s	their what their plans are now that
4140s	they're here on Vera that's cool yeah
4142s	there's a lot of families that have made
4144s	it through um some drama between them as
4147s	well which is exciting but the area is
4149s	so pretty and you know thinking about
4151s	this being once a palace
4154s	where the yeah this used to be is crazy
4158s	yeah this used to be like a seed of
4160s	power and and Alo was a a capital of of
4164s	the the the alen Empire yeah I see K
4169s	Empire right yeah alen Empire yeah
4171s	absolutely yeah I see that there's a the
4174s	you know obviously this this set is you
4176s	know these large structures um I think
4179s	Brianna worked on this set for the alen
4182s	ruins and people will see this as you
4184s	said you know the alen empire was a
4185s	large vast territory that incorporated a
4188s	big portion of the riverlands and and
4190s	you're going to see part of these ruin
4192s	like structures throughout the
4193s	riverlands as a whole um but
4196s	but I see there's a gate Watcher here
4198s	Pritcher and I see that we have kind of
4200s	this icon that lives at top the um uh
4204s	the name plate here I right yeah that's
4208s	how we're indicating you know somebody
4210s	who has a quest for you or uh is by that
4213s	little icon and the the Shimmer on their
4215s	name Shimmer yeah I like that okay let's
4218s	take it let's let's chat with this
4219s	person see what we hear thank the gods
4221s	you've arrived safely oh okay I'm
4225s	digging it this is not too bad let's see
4227s	disorientation upon arrival to the world
4229s	of Vera is natural you're feeling the
4232s	flow of I like this so okay so those of
4235s	you out there who you know in the past
4236s	you've asked about is Intrepid taking a
4239s	look at different AI solutions for uh
4241s	some systems in the game and this is one
4244s	of those systems voice over where we
4246s	have begun implementation obviously this
4249s	is not uh fully polished it doesn't have
4252s	the right inflections in different
4254s	spaces and some of the pauses that it
4255s	needs but it is a very capable system
4258s	that will be delivering us some really
4259s	good polished vo and we are sourcing
4262s	those voices inhouse inter internally
4264s	with our development team um which I
4266s	think is a a a really cool thing to do
4268s	obviously it gives us a a personal space
4270s	where uh people who who've worked to
4272s	build this game get to actually exist in
4274s	the game too I think it's super cool and
4275s	it sounds not too bad so far for the
4277s	initial
4279s	implementation Essence is the very
4281s	energy of creation when I back away I
4284s	kind of like the attenuation
4288s	she's kind of she's still talking as I
4289s	run
4301s	around so this Essence that players are
4303s	experiencing that's the kind of source
4306s	of how they are able to manifest these
4309s	you know these these these more
4311s	Fantastical abilities including the
4313s	magic so
4316s	what is she doing
4318s	here she's talking to me about the
4321s	essence and that they're having a goblin
4323s	problem in this in the
4325s	city we haven't seen any goblins quite
4329s	yet so she gives me a medallion let me
4331s	take a look okay all right very cool so
4333s	we just adopted this Quest this is the
4335s	introductory Quest she gave me a
4337s	medallion Bill do you want to talk to us
4339s	a little bit about this fouille
4340s	system sure you know we're uh you know
4343s	we're building what we like to call you
4345s	know a a uh uh Sand Park here uh in uh
4350s	in ashes and uh that uh fouille system
4353s	is part of that uh it's a lot of it is
4355s	triggered off of firsttime events so
4358s	rather than like a really uh guided uh
4361s	tutorial it's it's more based off what
4363s	you're doing in the world and the first
4364s	time you encounter something so this is
4366s	the first time that you've got an item
4367s	into your inventory so it's it's
4369s	prompting you you know hey you should
4371s	check out your inventory here's how you
4372s	open your inventory um and we're we're
4374s	going to do a lot of things like that to
4377s	to to onboard new players let them know
4379s	how to play but but not uh put you on
4383s	Rails yeah absolutely and I see here the
4386s	the inventory item it gave me was this
4387s	Gateway Medallion which has an
4389s	interesting little uh piece of lore
4391s	there commemorates the reopening of the
4393s	Divine gateways and the members of the
4395s	light pact who blazed the trail from
4397s	Sanctus back to Vera a proof of lawful
4400s	entry into Vera and without diving into
4403s	what unlawful entry into Vera sound
4405s	sounds like this is a great first item
4408s	because obviously it's it's kind of like
4410s	your passport in Vera as a citizen of
4413s	this world um and each of the cultures
4415s	or races will have their own unique
4417s	identifying you know uh uh piece of
4421s	inventory space item that you carry with
4425s	you it's cool I like
4428s	it all right well let's take a let's
4430s	take a look outside
4433s	here we move out o a weapon here on our
4436s	way out oh did you oh yeah that's right
4438s	let me go grab weapon hold on are there
4440s	just there's just weapons around here
4442s	right that we can yeah yeah there's some
4443s	there's some spare weapons laying around
4446s	you can pick up let me see here oh I got
4449s	a splintered Longbow
4452s	okay I Rusty
4456s	scepter yep I got myself a rusty long
4458s	sword all right very
4461s	nice oo what is that
4467s	oh my gosh that thing is huge the dead
4472s	Heartwood that is the dead Heartwood I
4474s	don't think players have seen the
4476s	Heartwood
4477s	before can we talk a little bit about it
4480s	sure uh you know the the Heartwood trees
4483s	are uh tap into the the the very essence
4487s	and form a network of essence with
4489s	within Vera um this one's obviously uh
4493s	not not doing so well uh probably you
4496s	know precipitated uh the fall here of of
4500s	a you know but uh you'll see these
4503s	through throughout the world and there
4504s	you know they they'll see them
4505s	especially in in nodes um and as nodes
4508s	progress as they as they begin to
4510s	prosper uh the tree itself will uh
4513s	reflect that that's awesome that looks
4516s	great rumor has it they were a gift from
4519s	the goddess of creation ooh the goddess
4521s	of creation herself yeah I can see her
4523s	handiwork there in the center
4525s	very cool very nice you know this this
4529s	space the alen ruins the the ancient
4531s	capital of the alen Empire it is rather
4534s	large I mean obviously we can we can see
4536s	some some perspective of that from this
4539s	this venue but I bet if we go actually
4542s	back inside here we might be able to get
4545s	uh get on top of the ceiling I saw there
4547s	were some entrances over there and some
4548s	staircases to the side let me see if
4552s	there is some perspective yeah get
4554s	better perspective of the city cuz it is
4556s	a massive
4557s	space look out I think I did see some
4559s	goblins prowling around up there earlier
4562s	ooh I think you're right I see a goblin
4566s	Digger let's take a look at this
4569s	guy okay there we
4571s	go I like the Adaptive battle
4575s	music very cool this is some of Enon Z's
4580s	work oh look at this beautiful lighting
4583s	too this looks great the little pile Oh
4586s	there's a pile there oh what is in
4591s	here Shard of Shard of
4595s	glass that's awesome there's some more
4598s	over
4599s	here a goblin taking random stuff an
4603s	ancient
4607s	bone let's kill these
4611s	guys gosh just looking outside this
4613s	place is huge
4616s	uhoh there's a there's a breakage in the
4619s	bridge yeah I'm not good at those things
4622s	oh do we have a little jumping puzzle
4624s	here we got to get
4626s	past oh no all right Margaret you're
4629s	first you're PR you're preggers you
4631s	should be F oh no the bane of every
4634s	Adventurer oh no good luck there you go
4640s	gosh okay all right all right here I
4642s	can't fail here if I make this I'm I'm
4644s	King of the stair
4647s	oh I made it oh I'm a literal Golden
4652s	God those those stairs oh it's so good
4657s	oo this looks beautiful up here look at
4659s	that Rose window
4661s	treatment let me see I'll watch you guys
4663s	from this
4664s	perspective oh you can take them on the
4667s	tour oh my God oh my God don't fall I
4670s	almost fell oh
4673s	no there we go
4675s	okay I'm watching you I'll catch up I'll
4678s	catch up what you're G to go behind a
4680s	corner and and GM cheat your way up here
4683s	who would ever do that who would do
4688s	that oh my
4692s	gosh oh my gosh Margaret I saw you fall
4696s	that was terrible your name plate just
4699s	went like down a little hole it was so
4703s	sad let's let's just all watch and take
4707s	take soless in the in
4710s	the I'm just watching this non-stop good
4713s	luck good luck this time and oh
4716s	and what
4718s	happened I don't
4720s	know gosh I've made it up there before
4723s	so I don't know where's
4725s	bill I think Bill's cheating I don't
4727s	know where Bill
4729s	is watch who shows up behind
4731s	you he found an alternate path okay all
4734s	right here might have no don't watch
4738s	just go hold on hold on wait wait wait
4740s	don't do don't don't jump yet hold on
4742s	hold on let me there we go okay we're
4747s	ready I'm scared now all right come on
4750s	you guys you can do this I believe in
4752s	you you just to you just got to jump at
4754s	the right
4757s	oh oh God come on Margaret marget oh my
4763s	gosh guys
4766s	one more time one more time I know I can
4768s	do it I know I can do it do I need to do
4771s	the like um the like uh what is that
4778s	theme like slow
4781s	motion oh my God that was so
4785s	close oh my gosh guys now you're just
4788s	making me look good just now guys just
4791s	making me look good well you know we
4794s	know who signs the checks true that's
4797s	right if you guys want to if you want to
4799s	GM command it you guys can GM command it
4802s	it's all
4804s	good never I made it up there multiple
4807s	times okay oh come on that look like you
4811s	made it the server literally threw you
4813s	on the ground it actually didn't let you
4815s	fall like normal physics wise the server
4817s	threw you on the
4819s	ground okay you guys you guys do that
4821s	I'm going to go look up here a little
4823s	bit while you guys are trying to make
4825s	your way yeah go go
4828s	explore oh my gosh look at this oh okay
4831s	actually you got to be a little careful
4832s	up here there's a some areas you can
4834s	fall
4834s	down but look at this
4838s	space this is a massive City and I know
4841s	we have a lot planned when it comes
4844s	to um oh I made it oh you did good job I
4849s	know we have a lot planned when it comes
4850s	to continuing to build this city out as
4853s	a place that players actually can return
4855s	turn to and explore and delve deeper
4859s	into some of the Crips and dungeons that
4861s	lay beneath the alen
4865s	capital oo
4868s	yeah there are some pretty cool areas
4870s	around here and some events that spawn
4872s	as
4873s	well oh yeah it's looking great I'm
4875s	looking at I think I'm looking at one of
4876s	the events actually over here yeah these
4879s	guys are like chucking at the ground the
4882s	Goblins are throwing down rocks and
4883s	whatnot at the S I think down
4886s	here that's cool that's super cool I
4890s	love the waterfalls too off of the
4892s	floating Vistas let me see if I can get
4896s	up at the very top oh my God look at
4901s	this
4902s	view beautiful this is unbelievable I
4905s	love it super
4908s	cool very cool so okay Bill did you ever
4912s	make it up the I still have not made it
4914s	up the stairs
4915s	he's still
4917s	trying what has it he's still trying oh
4919s	my God you're killing me years later you
4921s	are killing
4922s	me oh that's so good here we'll come
4925s	back down to you on we're coming we're
4929s	going to com back we do have a quest to
4931s	kind of get rid of some of these sickly
4934s	goblins apparently have a
4937s	disease hasn't been affecting anybody
4939s	else but few of the folks down here are
4944s	a little concerned yeah I see that I see
4946s	we have an optional objective it says
4947s	the Gateway Sentry has asked me to slay
4950s	some sickly goblins and I think we saw
4952s	some actually out here to the
4953s	right let's see if we can actually slay
4957s	them yeah there's some guards out here
4960s	fighting the good fight defending it
4962s	against all these uh sick goblins oh
4965s	there we go
4967s	okay very nice now
4971s	obviously players when they first enter
4973s	into um Vera right they're going to be
4978s	um looking to make their way out of the
4981s	portal ruins and down into the lion hold
4986s	base camp and this isn't the only route
4989s	out through um this starting area
4991s	there's actually another path that is
4993s	still uh pending some development but
4996s	it's called samia's hope and that is the
4999s	lion hold equivalent but on the veon um
5002s	side
5006s	yeah so so players will have a choice as
5008s	to kind of which way they want to go
5009s	right off the
5012s	bat let me see here we
5023s	go all
5030s	right is this Goblin
5035s	this Goblin is having some
5037s	trouble did you kill enough goblins you
5041s	know I'm trying to kill these
5044s	goblins oh here we go here we
5048s	go okay we've done
5051s	it killed some of those goblins there
5054s	I've killed
5055s	plenty plenty of goblins there's a lot
5058s	of goblins here
5061s	actually all right what do we have down
5063s	here
5069s	oh this is looking great this is
5073s	beautiful lions holding up a bridge
5075s	should we go down the trotton path or
5077s	kind of here lion hold lion hold should
5081s	we go kind of this direction lion guard
5083s	Monmouth says we should hurry on to Lion
5086s	hold where is
5089s	um I'm kind of I'm kind of looking
5091s	around over
5092s	here oh here we go there's a dude zor
5096s	there's a little path here oh yeah you
5098s	guys are further ahead than I am let's
5099s	talk to
5102s	him
5104s	okay I am no lowly
5107s	farmer so if I give him a gold he'll
5110s	give me a treasure
5112s	map do I even have a gold to give
5115s	him I know he gave me a treasure map so
5118s	I must have had a gold
5122s	okay oh the court of cloaks very very
5125s	nice so they introduce you to one of the
5128s	social organizations by giving you a
5130s	treasure map that's
5135s	cool very nice okay let's go down here I
5138s	think Lion's hold is just down here
5140s	right mhm oo another person a scout mer
5145s	Mor Goblin Goblin
5148s	Slayer I am the goblin Slayer
5154s	I did kill one of the I did kill one of
5157s	the one of the Goblins I showed no
5161s	fear and I I do have the makings of a
5164s	hero should I give him the
5167s	uh The
5169s	Medallion you trust him what if he h he
5172s	looks he looks reputable well met
5174s	stranger here take my
5176s	Medallion the one thing that is giving
5179s	me oh he gave it back and he gave it as
5182s	a uh as a rare Medallion now take a
5185s	look oh very cool okay shiny he shined
5189s	my Medallion that's nice thank you thank
5192s	you Scout moric for for polishing The
5195s	Medallion
5197s	appreciate very
5200s	appreciated
5202s	beautiful this is a pretty Vista right
5204s	here is it oh I see we're coming
5208s	across it looks like the
5212s	entrance ah ah we've done
5217s	it we've made it to the Gateway we made
5220s	it to Lion
5222s	hold this is
5225s	beautiful I'm digging this but there are
5228s	two lions holding yeah why isn't it
5231s	Lion's
5233s	hold so now obviously uh lion hold is
5238s	kind of a base of operations for players
5240s	within Alpha 2 um and this is going to
5244s	introduce a lot of people to different
5246s	systems build you want to talk to us a
5247s	little bit about you know those
5249s	introductory systems and and kind of how
5252s	long players are expected to remain in
5255s	lold sure you know you'll you'll get
5258s	your first you know several Levels by uh
5260s	doing the various things that you can uh
5263s	discover here in Lion hold again like uh
5266s	said it's you know it's a sand Park so
5268s	it's it's kind of you know there's no
5270s	specific order you need to do things but
5272s	there's uh quests to teach how to craft
5275s	how to harvest uh you know it will
5278s	expose you to uh what we're calling uh
5281s	the the commission system um there's uh
5286s	there's a stor a guy who will Who can uh
5289s	teach you about storage and how to make
5290s	use of that uh there's a lot of things
5292s	to discover here in
5294s	lold it's awesome I'm just kind of
5296s	walking
5297s	around taking a look taking it all
5301s	in um I assume that that that as part of
5305s	kind of you know players expectations
5307s	not just with the systems introduction
5308s	in line hold but also kind of the um
5312s	ability to interact with artisanship um
5315s	there's some looks like novice uh stone
5318s	masonry bench here I see we got a f as
5323s	well some of the crafting
5326s	systems the other thing I noticed is um
5329s	is
5331s	that you know obviously we want to
5333s	introduce players to the pois within the
5336s	riverlands this is going to be kind of
5338s	the jumping off point for a lot of those
5340s	quests and commissions that take you out
5342s	into the Riverland space totally uh
5346s	Captain udia here is the is kind of the
5349s	head honcho of uh lion hold and will uh
5352s	uh facilitate a lot of those uh quests
5355s	and
5356s	Adventures she's the lieutenant of the
5358s	seventh
5360s	Lance which is an element of the Kor
5364s	Empire
5365s	it says I should find A Kar
5368s	official where is a Kar
5371s	official there's El over here right
5375s	here I think there's another one and
5378s	there's tahad up here yeah I think I'll
5381s	go talk to tahad this one you're a new
5384s	face around here welcome excellent let
5389s	it be known that even as we struggle to
5393s	fo I got a novice Health cell Empire and
5397s	some doint for intrep
5400s	adventur oh it's Intrepid adventurers
5403s	that was awesome yeah if you can talk to
5406s	him more he'll tell you a little bit
5407s	more about learning to trade about the
5410s	Goblins that we were fighting and uh
5412s	about the commission board as well now
5414s	obviously because we're in Alpha 2 or
5416s	we're entering Alpha 2 there's going to
5419s	be a lot of bugs a lot of still things
5421s	that need to be polished and content
5422s	that's going to be implemented but
5423s	obviously that's why Alpha 2 has been
5425s	broken up into phases phase one phase 2
5426s	phase three we've gone over kind of what
5428s	is expected within those um you're a
5431s	newcomer eh there's no better way find
5433s	your feet than a commiss the haral heral
5435s	the haral heral all jobs the town folk
5438s	Around The Outpost need doing they bring
5440s	them to me and I post them on the board
5442s	used to do them me when I was a spry
5445s	young
5446s	Soldier did you grab some stuff off the
5448s	commission board I didn't I just wanted
5449s	to walk away from him and have him keep
5453s	talking okay let's take a look at the
5454s	commissions how Rudee really to that
5457s	commission board I know I got my
5459s	eyesight my eyesight's
5462s	terrible in there so these are
5464s	commissions commissions obviously that
5465s	we've talked about in the past right
5467s	these are the kind of short
5469s	digestible yep content they these go
5473s	ahead yep oh no yeah these are these are
5475s	simple simple things to do you know make
5477s	your uh a short play session more
5480s	interesting and uh more rewarding by uh
5483s	you know
5485s	catch picking up the various types of
5487s	commissions that you can get and then
5488s	going out in the wilderness and uh and
5491s	finishing them uh you you can actually
5493s	complete them in the field and get the
5494s	rewards so it's a very very low friction
5498s	uh play style I wonder how many people
5500s	we're going to see fall from that
5503s	bridge like I see the holes in it yeah
5507s	it's pretty
5508s	awesome awesome you can go up on that
5510s	bridge too like I mean it's I mean it's
5513s	it's quite adventure to get up there but
5516s	I I see there there's also a vendor here
5519s	that has some basic items and rations
5521s	and
5523s	whatnot so there's also there's also
5526s	kind of a checkpoint for players to come
5527s	back and sell things that they acquire
5529s	out in the world this is obviously
5530s	important because you know you never
5533s	know when a node is going to be
5534s	available or how close that node is so
5536s	having some basic you know vendor
5538s	interaction here I think is good um yeah
5541s	so we we we got some glint for it by
5543s	completing that Quest and uh this vendor
5546s	will actually convert your glint into
5547s	gold if you if you sell it to him oh
5549s	yeah do that well copper excuse me I I
5554s	over spoke oh my gosh it's only two
5557s	copper worth
5560s	yeah all right I don't have enough money
5564s	need to farm stuff and this is obviously
5567s	it gives you some basic access to um
5570s	cargo and material storage here as well
5571s	at the warehouse
5572s	clerk yep
5576s	yeah you'll notice as you go out
5577s	harvesting uh you know your your packs
5579s	fill up pretty quickly so you'll you you
5582s	you'll come back into town to to store
5584s	some some things before you uh you know
5587s	gather enough that you want to start
5589s	your processing section or uh you know
5593s	get get fully dive into the crafting
5595s	Loops you can also get bigger bags too
5597s	so that helps that is true and there's
5600s	the mail system all right we got the
5603s	mail system working so so when we have
5605s	to
5606s	uh send out some system messages or mail
5610s	between players that's a working let's
5612s	see if we have a trades manager to work
5615s	TR but have you the brains for it that's
5618s	what we like here the moment won't yeah
5621s	these trade the trade managers are who
5622s	you who you'll learn uh the initial uh
5625s	Artisan
5627s	ship I see the the oh so those are going
5630s	to be the initial artisanship uh
5632s	profession um
5634s	NPCs mhm and they'll send you out to a
5637s	few different POI camps that are kind of
5638s	nearby this this this thing's Flo
5640s	they'll teach they'll teach you how to
5642s	craft some uh craft some tools how to
5644s	how to harvest how to process you know
5647s	the materials that you gather uh and
5649s	eventually craft them into you know gear
5652s	and things that other players will want
5655s	somebody's Bewitched the uh commission
5657s	board for artisen ship it's
5661s	floating it was me D should I slash bug
5664s	this
5666s	this oh it's so good I'm pretty sure
5670s	they're aware I think it's fixed on
5672s	another
5673s	build this is cool I'm digging the
5676s	interior's
5680s	places all right very
5682s	cool um do we want to talk a little bit
5685s	about
5687s	um you know what we expect of our
5690s	testers entering into phase one um I
5692s	know we talked a little bit about
5693s	obviously these bugs that you're going
5694s	to see the Polish and whatnot Margaret
5696s	talk to us a little bit about you know
5697s	one how test is tests have been going I
5699s	think we have upcoming of 9,000 testers
5703s	that have been invited into the next A2
5706s	uh spot test um yeah we've been doing
5710s	we've been doing some extensive testing
5711s	some of them have been short quick kind
5714s	of grabbing people to help us HP into
5716s	the game and either doing queuing
5718s	testing or stress testing things um
5721s	which are not the most fun ones but the
5723s	fun ones we've definitely had some like
5725s	three-day weekend ones where we've had
5727s	people kind of really trying to level up
5729s	nodes or um like we have upcoming one
5731s	that's about econ which is mostly like
5733s	hey we really want you to go through do
5735s	as much crafting and processing and
5738s	harvesting and all of that stuff as much
5739s	as possible so um we're definitely
5742s	trying to get uh you know focus on
5744s	different pieces um and we've even done
5746s	some combat oriented ones where we've
5748s	done a little bit of focus grouping um
5751s	but really what we do with these is we
5753s	have feedback threads surveys things
5755s	like that where we're Gathering feedback
5756s	regarding specifics that the development
5758s	team needs for those specific tests um
5761s	we also have bug reporting um obviously
5764s	we have bug reporting in game now uh
5767s	prior to that we were doing some more
5768s	Forum oriented stuff which the QA team
5770s	was amazing and going through and
5771s	cleaning that up and getting those all
5774s	into our system so that we can ensure
5776s	that they get fixed um and really just
5778s	making sure that Loop goes well so as we
5781s	move into Alpha 2 you will continue to
5783s	kind of see that as a more public facing
5785s	thing where you'll see Alpha 2 forums um
5788s	we'll be sending out surveys to the
5790s	players who are playing through that and
5793s	just trying to make sure that we're
5794s	Gathering as much feedback for the
5795s	development team and ensuring that our
5798s	reports um help them get all the goodies
5802s	we team doing a badass job uh going
5805s	through all the bugs cuz it's a lot
5807s	absolutely and we've been getting a lot
5808s	of great um of uh a great uh
5812s	testing feed back and Bug reporting from
5816s	the uh from the testing groups and we we
5818s	actually did some focus groups around um
5820s	some of the archetype classes and some
5822s	of the mayorship systems we did some
5823s	with Mayors yep yeah super cool um it's
5826s	it's been it's been great to see um you
5830s	know obviously as we expand outward uh
5833s	the Alpha 2 uh pretesting to all the
5836s	alpha 1 users over the course of the
5838s	next probably I would say uh next two to
5840s	three weeks right um we should be
5843s	expanding that to all all alpha 1
5844s	testers I think over the next two weeks
5846s	or so um yep that's going to be
5850s	obviously exciting um to kind of see our
5852s	our CCU testing to see the scalability
5856s	um uh and performance testing that we're
5858s	working on hard here in the studio and
5860s	everybody um you know this last
5862s	Milestone our M10 um we have had a lot
5866s	of outstanding um polish and Bug fixing
5869s	but ml M M11 our Milestone 11 is going
5873s	to be very test and react um we had a
5875s	great Town Hall today actually at the
5876s	studio um where we talked about the
5878s	upcoming testing that we have planned
5880s	prior to our October 25th uh Alpha 2
5882s	start date um and uh we are we're
5886s	burning the midnight oil we are
5887s	definitely getting a lot of stuff done
5889s	at the studio and very very appreciative
5891s	of all the participation for the testers
5893s	um so we and our Focus really is Polish
5895s	we're really trying to just make sure
5897s	that we're polishing some of the the
5899s	pieces that you guys are going to see
5900s	for Alpha 2 obviously like Stephen said
5903s	uh you know this is isn't a game quite
5904s	yet alpha alpha 2 is definitely going to
5907s	be where you're going to find bugs in
5909s	The Kinks and our goal is really just
5911s	iteration and feedback and continually
5914s	updating and you're going to see updates
5915s	every 3 weeks the three ones you know we
5919s	have small updates and then the larger
5921s	ones and you'll continue to see progress
5923s	as we move forward but it's going to be
5925s	really exciting for us to see everybody
5926s	in game and actually get to play with
5929s	everybody absolutely uh and you know
5931s	thank you I think yeah go ahead you're
5933s	good no you're good bill go for it I was
5935s	just going to say I think you'll really
5936s	you'll really see that in this area
5938s	especially uh you know this is the this
5940s	is the introduction uh to to the game
5942s	and the introduction to A2 um so this
5945s	area is going to see a lot of iteration
5948s	uh as as new systems come online as
5950s	systems get refined and features you
5952s	know change based off feedback obviously
5955s	all of that introductory uh stuff has to
5957s	change with it uh so that we you know so
5960s	that we're keeping up to date with how
5961s	the game is actually playing and uh you
5963s	know in addition to you know those kind
5966s	of updates to just keep keep things up
5968s	to date there'll be more and more quests
5971s	and and story lines going into these
5973s	areas and as well as uh you know the the
5976s	taking advantage of the dynamic nature
5978s	of our game too so that you'll see
5980s	things that you know that are transient
5982s	that that that are here uh you know
5984s	maybe only at night or only during
5986s	certain times of the year uh so it's
5988s	going to be really exciting to see how
5990s	how these uh how these areas and areas
5992s	like Lion hold uh progress and develop
5995s	not only in the course over the course
5996s	of A2 but over the life of the game you
5998s	know uh cuz that's you know that's what
6001s	makes that's really gets me excited
6003s	about ashes is Is our commitment to to
6006s	building a truly Dynamic World
6007s	absolutely absolutely well guys we we
6011s	we've walked you through a little bit of
6012s	the alen ruins give you a little bit of
6013s	backstory on the uh starting location in
6016s	the portal um we've taken you through
6018s	lion hold and talk to you a little bit
6019s	about what to expect as a player
6021s	starting within the riverlands for Alpha
6023s	2's phase one won next month um we're
6025s	excited obviously to have players
6027s	joining uh we're excited to see every
6029s	weekend right now um testers in the game
6031s	and the game continuing to improve us
6034s	squashing the bugs and getting more
6035s	content in um and we cannot wait to see
6039s	you guys in Vera and we will see each of
6042s	you back on stream bye guys bye bye
6060s	hello we are back uh hopefully you all
6063s	enjoyed that I'm just like cringing over
6065s	the jumping
6068s	like Kyle no I'm just kidding I cannot
6071s	believe why you cut it I cannot believe
6074s	that there were so many comments in chat
6076s	about how I can't believe Stephen made
6079s	the jump and they didn't how did Steven
6081s	make the let me tell you something okay
6084s	let me tell you something when I want to
6087s	focus on playing the game well I can
6089s	most of the time I'm thinking about what
6091s	I have to say next what topic I have to
6093s	talk about the camera position all those
6095s	types of things but look that jumping
6097s	puzzle boom just like that just like
6100s	that the first time I think people saw
6101s	Stephen not use GM cheats in a
6104s	video oh no I think it might be the only
6107s	one you didn't use the GMG okay so I'm
6109s	going to tell you a really funny story
6111s	actually we recorded so we had started
6114s	the recording previous for this video
6117s	and unfortunately Bill's machine had a
6119s	crash and we decided ah we're just going
6120s	to start it over again and and in the
6122s	previous ones bill and I both made it
6125s	Bill and Margaret both made it and I was
6128s	failing and failing and failing and
6130s	failing and finally I GM cheated it and
6133s	so this time when they kept failing I
6136s	was like God who would GM cheat this
6138s	that's so crazy yeah it was so good it
6142s	was so good I was like Ste Steven has a
6144s	Dr Evil like button under his Des that
6147s	causes my machine to
6148s	crash it was so great I loved it I loved
6152s	it it's too fun but a lot of people in
6154s	the chat were like this is the most
6155s	realistic development
6157s	update or or uh Dev showcas fun I also
6162s	try to not make edits as much as
6164s	possible if you haven't noticed this
6166s	isn't scripted really at all I mean we
6167s	we the way that we kind of do our Dev
6169s	updates and you guys know this if you've
6170s	been watching us for a while is you know
6172s	we have our general systems we have some
6174s	points that we want to hit on you know
6175s	topic-wise but this is just us playing
6177s	the game this is us as uh fellow human
6179s	beings fellow Gamers who are loving what
6182s	we're making and want to share it with
6183s	the world right um I noticed there was a
6185s	lot of commentary about AI of the AI
6188s	voiceover and so this is a super super
6191s	early implementation of the voiceover um
6195s	just to give you guys context the
6196s	solution that we are using is our
6199s	inhouse sourced internally so it's our
6202s	Dev team who want to participate in the
6204s	AI voiceovers doing recordings we're
6207s	using their voices then to construct
6208s	different voices for NPCs within the
6210s	world um obviously there's a lot of more
6213s	granular Fidelity that needs to come out
6216s	of this system that we're still working
6217s	on right now such as like pausing voice
6220s	inflections all those types of things
6222s	but you know we feel it really adds to
6225s	the immersive nature of the world um and
6228s	it was nice to see a positive reception
6230s	from the community I always you know we
6232s	we thought that this was going to be
6233s	something that you guys would enjoy um
6236s	and as that gets better refined and the
6238s	Fidelity of it gets better uh I think
6240s	it's going to be a very welcome addition
6243s	yeah and there were a couple questions
6244s	in regards to the AI which is what is
6247s	our approach to voice over and
6249s	previously we had said that AI voice
6251s	acting wasn't something that we wanted
6252s	to do like why the change now and then
6255s	was AI used to build some of the game in
6257s	other
6258s	ways yeah yeah I mean you know as as AI
6262s	continues to develop right this is a
6265s	very very emergent field of Technology
6269s	um and its application across a game
6272s	engine like unreal obviously is going to
6274s	move much faster than other either
6276s	proprietary engines or different engines
6278s	on the market so we do have at our
6281s	disposal the ability to like constantly
6283s	be evaluating hey what are the types of
6285s	tools that we can leverage um not just
6288s	perhaps within the narrative system such
6290s	as voiceovers but in other ways as well
6294s	um that's something that we keep an eyee
6295s	on right um and so as we as we decide to
6298s	take the plunge into some of these
6299s	systems we'll let you guys know what
6301s	they are and why we're doing it and give
6303s	you this update and AI voiceover is one
6305s	of those things where it just made sense
6307s	for us and it was a really cool way to
6309s	incorporate the dev team as part of the
6310s	game as well and like Stephen said
6313s	obviously you guys are pointing out all
6314s	of the the issues with it we're going to
6317s	work out those Kinks uh for that um the
6321s	other questions here that people wanted
6323s	to ask ask are in some of the recent
6325s	streams we've seen loot drops as items
6327s	in gear will that Trend continue and if
6330s	so how do we feel it might affect the
6332s	crafting
6333s	profession absolutely I mean loot drops
6337s	from Monster kills from boss kills are
6339s	one of the primary methods by which gear
6342s	gets introduced into the economy in
6344s	addition obviously to completed gear
6346s	items you have material components and
6348s	or recipes that can drop which allow for
6351s	um a greater customization
6354s	options when it comes to certain types
6356s	of crafts that you want to make making
6357s	them more bespoke to build types as well
6360s	um so how do we feel that that will uh
6362s	affect the economy I think that it's a
6364s	very important resource for players who
6366s	might not be Crafters to also have a
6369s	method by which they get to uh touch the
6372s	economy the player-driven economy um and
6374s	that's through these drop systems I
6375s	think this is pretty normal I think you
6377s	know we've talked a lot about this in
6378s	the past as one of the primary conduits
6380s	of GE introduction in the game yeah
6383s	we're we're definitely like an all of
6385s	the above like answer to this right and
6388s	it's you know it's always going to be a
6389s	dial you know you you you want Crafters
6391s	to feel valued and you want them to have
6393s	a market for their for what they craft
6394s	so um you know but that that that
6396s	doesn't mean that uh the dial for
6399s	complete drops need to be turned down to
6402s	zero um and then people want to know can
6404s	someone level up doing mostly
6405s	exclusively Artisan commissions and
6408s	Artisan system
6410s	stuff um technically somebody could um
6414s	however that would be a path of most
6417s	resistance uh the the path of least
6419s	resistance and the fastest way to level
6421s	is going to be kind of doing a little
6422s	bit of everything right um and that's
6425s	how we're kind of gearing uh progression
6427s	for the character and then are we
6429s	incentivizing people to do the main
6431s	story Quest or is it intended that any
6434s	path to level is equally
6437s	viable um I think that there are a lot
6440s	of different paths to level that all
6442s	have some equity within them um however
6445s	the main story path is something that
6448s	players are encouraged to participate in
6451s	um it definitely Roots kind of you know
6453s	your perspective from a player in the
6455s	world and what you're doing here it
6457s	gives you that context but then also
6459s	that that narrative system is built to
6462s	be dynamic and react to World State
6464s	conditions and predicates and player
6466s	activities so it doesn't feel like it's
6469s	just this canned progression throughout
6471s	the world each server is going to
6472s	interact with that storyline differently
6475s	based on how players
6477s	develop and then the last one here that
6481s	well I have two more two more uh can we
6483s	kill any NPC whenever we
6486s	want not any um let's see hold on can
6490s	you kill any NPC technically you could
6492s	kill you can kill the guards I think you
6494s	can um You Can't Kill questgivers You
6496s	Can't Kill vendors uh within towns and
6499s	whatnot so um there are some there are
6502s	some alignments uh that are relevant to
6506s	who is a valid Target to you and then
6509s	the last one is in regards to
6512s	aiv um what is our solution for other
6516s	languages as we localize
6518s	it I believe that the AI solution is
6521s	meant to be adaptive with uh translation
6524s	efforts as well um so it's something
6527s	that uh will provide us I think an easy
6530s	path or not easy I don't want to say
6532s	easy but an easier path um in order than
6536s	what has been traditional for voiceover
6538s	uh with this system that we're
6540s	using all right and then that's that's
6545s	our Alpha 2 guide so um we hope that you
6547s	guys have like a good insight into what
6550s	kind of content you'll be able to
6551s	experience in Alpha 2 as we head towards
6553s	it um it's very or soon the next month
6557s	our next live stream we'll be hanging
6559s	out with you guys in Alpha 2 um which
6561s	will be very very exciting and of course
6564s	um if there's other questions feel free
6565s	to ask us but we will have an article
6567s	that goes up um later next week that has
6570s	all of the details with the screenshots
6572s	of all of the things we may add some
6574s	additional stuff as we see fit um but
6577s	hopefully that will give you guys some
6579s	great insight into things and you have a
6582s	good precedent of what to expect as we
6584s	go into Alpha 2 and again as a reminder
6586s	this is a testing phase our main goal
6588s	here is to gather feedback to um hunt on
6592s	these bugs and to iterate on our project
6594s	as we move forward and continue to
6597s	implement more of our
6599s	phases and with that let's talk about
6602s	our studio Stephen how's the studio
6605s	doing let's do a little Studio update
6607s	it's been a while we just did a town
6610s	hall with everybody I know we just had a
6613s	town hall we have we hired I think over
6616s	20 people over the course of this last
6619s	Milestone over the course of the last uh
6621s	um
6623s	12 weeks or 10 weeks or whatever that is
6625s	um and uh things are going well I mean
6629s	we definitely it is a it is a bundle of
6631s	emotions for everybody here on the team
6633s	right a lot of hard work is being put
6635s	into the project to get ready towards uh
6637s	Alpha 2 there's a lot of anxiety there's
6639s	a lot of uh excitedness there's a lot of
6642s	everything um happening right now um but
6646s	um the team is definitely rising to the
6648s	occasion um there's a lot of good work
6651s	that's being done a lot of bugs that are
6652s	being squashed um we're refining a lot
6655s	of our processes to kind of do that
6656s	transition into the more live Ops games
6658s	as a service kind of perspective with
6660s	Alpha 2 um and it's Illuminating holes
6664s	and areas where we need to improve upon
6666s	and I'd like to say that you know just
6668s	over I mean week after week the
6669s	Improvement that I see across our
6671s	processes and issues as we deal with
6673s	them is is tremendous um so big kudos to
6677s	the to the team hearts and chat for
6680s	intps uh here they're doing an awesome
6682s	job job um when it comes to prepping for
6685s	Alpha
6686s	2 yeah it's definitely been a long
6690s	journey I know my team has been
6691s	preparing for all of the things on the
6693s	Alpha 2 front for those of you who for
6695s	those content creators who we reached
6697s	out to about that video a long long time
6699s	ago You' be like man they've been
6700s	prepping that video for a while we've
6702s	definitely known that you know Alpha 2's
6704s	coming so we've been preparing as much
6706s	as we can on on the community and
6708s	customer service side we actually hired
6710s	on a couple new folks if you probably
6712s	seen some new faces around um and I know
6715s	that we're we're just excited we're
6717s	doing all the things we got some fun
6719s	things planned as we move towards Alpha
6721s	2 and post Alpha 2 so we hope that you
6723s	guys will join us for a lot of fun
6725s	community events and um obviously a lot
6728s	of feedback loops that we're going to be
6730s	working with the development team
6732s	on Bill I don't know if you want want to
6734s	add anything additional yeah no it's you
6737s	know it's it's awesome you know we
6739s	continue to grow the team and uh you
6741s	know and that's that's going to continue
6743s	to happen throughout Alpha 2 and uh it's
6747s	just uh you know more more talented
6749s	folks to help deliver for the players
6752s	that's that's the goal yeah we've seen a
6755s	lot of layoffs that are happening so if
6757s	you you know some of those people who
6758s	have been affected please send them our
6759s	way we still have a plethora of ability
6762s	or abilities disciplines uh available
6765s	and roles and positions up so definitely
6767s	send them our way especially if they fit
6769s	one of the criterias if even if they
6771s	don't there's also a role on there
6773s	that's like just apply um for General
6776s	and you know we may pick up some of
6777s	those people even though we're not even
6778s	apply like looking actively for those
6780s	roles if they're a talent that we really
6782s	really want so please please send them
6784s	our way we would love to you know have
6787s	more Talent on our team we're always
6789s	looking for some good
6790s	people with that I think we'll switch to
6792s	the art update unless you have anything
6794s	else you want to make sure folks are
6795s	aware of on the studio front no I just
6798s	wanted to comment I saw a few questions
6799s	during the video um one on on player
6802s	char excuse me not player character um
6804s	NPC appearances uh you guys probably
6806s	noticed obviously there's a bug yeah
6808s	with the the blue hair and the
6810s	randomized uh NPC appearances that is
6813s	something that's actively being worked
6815s	on right now by our Tech art and
6816s	graphical engineerings team um to
6818s	address some of the bugs with that
6820s	system you guys heard for the first time
6822s	I think um the music in game the
6825s	Adaptive battle music some of the
6827s	soundtracks there uh what you did hear
6829s	was work by enan Zur who's one of our
6831s	composers along with be mccre
6833s	um they're doing great work en On's work
6836s	is phenomenal there's a lot of different
6837s	soundtracks that are currently within
6838s	the riverlands um in Alpha 2 and as
6841s	obviously Alpha 2 progresses you're
6843s	going to hear some of those additional
6844s	soundtracks come online and then last I
6846s	saw um some questions about Q's whether
6849s	there be Q's in Alpha 2 uh there is a q
6852s	system in place we do want to make sure
6854s	that servers do get healthy populations
6856s	for Alpha 2 um and as such we will be
6859s	utilizing a q system um when Alpha 2
6862s	does begin on October 25th yeah we'll be
6864s	keeping an eye on the Realms too like if
6866s	we think that we need to expand and add
6868s	more Realms we will but we also just
6869s	don't want to like have too many Realms
6872s	and then not have population in those in
6874s	those Realms so like this it's a
6875s	balancing act bear with us while we're
6877s	doing that um but we'll try to make sure
6879s	that the experience isn't too bad for
6881s	you all uh the wonderful ND testers who
6883s	have been working with us um over the
6885s	last few weeks or months I should say um
6889s	have experienced the bugs with the Q
6891s	system so I think the last one that we
6893s	just did which is uh Thursday we did
6897s	couple days ago um went really really
6899s	well so the new queing system that we
6901s	just implemented and updated has been
6903s	going really well so we'll put that to
6904s	the big test this weekend and see how
6906s	that goes but um for sure we will we
6910s	will work we'll try our best to work out
6911s	the Kinks but there may still be some at
6913s	the launch um on October
6916s	25th all right moving on to some art
6921s	updates not not a ton here here today uh
6923s	we got uh cuffs of the Seeker from Dany
6926s	which look
6928s	awesome I could see this being look
6930s	really cool love them yeah I think that
6932s	I could see these being done in
6933s	different styles too instead of like
6936s	this brass look it could be like a
6937s	silver for sure there's also a lot of
6940s	lot of space on That Metal for uh some
6942s	type of decal or stencil work yeah
6944s	absolutely see that
6947s	sure next up we have the shaman Goblin
6951s	mask that
6953s	made super cool very very cool didn't
6958s	you get a goblin mask too yeah this is
6961s	this is another this is another one
6962s	where's your mask oh oh yeah it's a
6964s	different one but this one's a different
6965s	one but a player made one which is
6968s	amazing yeah it looks really cool I
6970s	don't know where it is um and then uh
6974s	but basically players were asking for it
6976s	as like a character thing so we're we're
6978s	making some some stuff that you guys can
6980s	use for your character which is exciting
6983s	um steel Bloom light armor and this was
6985s	made by jincy you've been stealing
6987s	you've been start you've been slowly
6988s	stealing all the steel Bloom armor but
6991s	these are all attainable in game oh
6993s	there it is there it
6994s	is that's awesome so cool it's so good
6998s	it's so good I I just I love how much
7001s	fan art like if you guys aren't aware we
7002s	share fan art every Friday on our social
7004s	platforms and I am
7007s	just and it's amazing we I mean like
7010s	we're not a launched product yet and we
7012s	get so much wonderful fan art from you
7015s	guys from like literal physical things
7018s	and then that box behind stevenh is also
7020s	from from fans like this is from lore
7022s	forged and this is from Pockets yeah so
7026s	it's just we we love how much uh you
7029s	guys love us we appreciate it greatly uh
7032s	that you have been following us and that
7034s	you you're so inspired by what we're
7036s	working on that you create art yourself
7038s	which is pretty amazing yeah the l l
7040s	forged gu sent over these cool I I
7043s	haven't even opened I didn't open the
7044s	boxes CU I don't know what's in them
7045s	some of them have perishables so
7048s	whoops that's why I told you guys to
7050s	open the box but if I open
7052s	these open the box because there's
7055s	perishables in there well hopefully it's
7058s	nothing that can smell
7060s	funny Stephen's office starts smelling
7063s	weird you guys know why oh no l Forge
7065s	leaving bombs um with that I think we
7068s	can swap over to our Q&A I'll just play
7071s	uh the video and the background on Loop
7074s	o it is a weird size we'll fix
7079s	that um but we'll try to get through the
7082s	questions from the forums lur Forge just
7085s	said in chat you might want to open
7087s	those oh no hopefully it's not like a
7089s	live hamster no I'm just
7091s	kidding that's someone said God that was
7094s	so dark I know I was joking they would
7097s	have told me if it was like something
7098s	alive uh he wants to know about know
7101s	Wars if two node nodes are friendly
7104s	towards each other but a new mayor wants
7106s	to unilaterally start a war how many
7109s	mayoral Cycles would it take for the new
7112s	mayor to degrade node relations to the
7115s	point that a war commission would become
7118s	available that's a very very good
7120s	question um so that includes a system
7125s	that hasn't yet fully been implemented
7128s	which is our essentially mandate power
7131s	system right um and mandates are
7134s	essentially powers that um the mayor
7136s	will have available to them in order to
7138s	enact certain policies and some policies
7141s	might make it possible for the mayor to
7144s	degrade node relationships faster than
7147s	would normally be available but cost him
7149s	more mandate power in order to enact
7151s	those policies um now this requires some
7154s	level of buyin from the citizenship
7156s	right not just the fact that he got
7158s	elected but these policies that get
7161s	enabled will require some opt-in
7164s	participation from the broader
7166s	citizenship um and if then he is granted
7170s	um some of those emergency power acts
7172s	that the policies provide he could skip
7175s	the the the um the standard degradation
7179s	period or time in order to enact uh
7182s	either a war
7184s	event or some other type of adverse
7187s	relationship type action uh with the
7191s	node chat is cing me up maybe at the end
7194s	we'll have Stephen open the box to see
7196s	what's oh should I open the box the end
7198s	we'll wait till the end uh viral wants
7201s	to know about node atrophy what are the
7203s	systems for node atrophy and will
7205s	materials be required for
7209s	upkeep um node atrophy again is another
7212s	system that we quite haven't yet uh
7214s	implemented however um what's intended
7217s	for that system is as players
7219s	participate in doing things that build
7220s	up a node whether that be you know
7223s	participating in experience gain or
7225s	fights around the city uh acquiring
7228s	resources you know interacting with the
7230s	services of the city whatever it is if
7232s	players do less and less of that over
7235s	time the um the experience of the node
7238s	will start to degrade services within
7240s	the node may start to become inactive
7243s	you may start to get um uh certain
7246s	buildings uh that become inaccessible as
7249s	a result of that atrophy type system
7252s	which again will just continue to
7254s	perpetuate the already existing problem
7257s	which is player traffic and activity
7258s	within the node making it weaker and
7260s	more susceptible to potential Siege
7263s	which is the way by which we remove
7264s	nodes from the
7267s	world and then odor or otter wants to
7270s	know about monetization if people will
7273s	if people want battle passes would we
7276s	make
7277s	them if people want battle passes would
7281s	we make battle passes I feel like it
7283s	doesn't really make sense with the way
7284s	that we're monetizing but yeah I don't I
7287s	don't think it does either um I think
7289s	that you know obviously when we talk
7291s	about the um the transactions that we
7295s	are open to it's obviously only cosmetic
7299s	um and I think that they are going to be
7301s	you know um limited time Cosmetics that
7304s	are available within the
7305s	microtransaction market place uh no pay
7308s	to win whatsoever no pay to convenience
7310s	no buying expanded you know inventory
7314s	slots or additional character slots like
7316s	those types of things either um battle
7319s	pass is not something that I think we
7321s	want to introduce um we would we would
7324s	just keep it focused on what's already
7325s	existing which is uh basically outfits
7328s	um and potential Mount skins and stuff
7330s	like for those who don't know if you're
7332s	new here and you've never this is the
7334s	first time you're seeing one of our game
7335s	updates we are not going to have a box
7338s	cost nothing of that sort we are just
7339s	going to be a monthly subscription game
7341s	so if you want to play our
7342s	it will just be a monly subcription if
7345s	you want to support us in other ways to
7346s	help our development you will also be a
7349s	to uh pay for cosmetics and those will
7351s	only be Cosmetics no other way like it
7355s	will not be every anything else Beyond
7357s	Cosmetics yes and the items in the game
7361s	to be able to and the item has to have a
7363s	cosmetic slot to put the thing on so
7365s	it's not like you just get the Cosmetic
7367s	and you immediately can put it on you
7368s	still have to attain things in game and
7370s	then put it on the Cosmetic slot that is
7372s	aail for that thing and and we've talked
7374s	about this a lot in the past right for
7375s	those of you who might be newcomers or
7377s	you know watching the stream for the
7378s	first time like we we have a very strong
7381s	commitment as a team as a company as
7383s	fellow Gamers of MMOs um where we
7385s	believe so many pay to win games yeah we
7388s	believe that achievements within the
7390s	game that relate to your character power
7392s	and progression um is is is a is a
7397s	Paramount thing to keep protected um and
7401s	not allow for people to subvert those
7404s	achievements uh in a method of acquiring
7407s	through swiping their credit card or
7408s	whatever right um yeah yeah and I see
7411s	some other comments about merch there is
7412s	we will have a merch shop as well uh
7414s	more details to come on that we're
7416s	really working towards uh right now um I
7418s	think I've given this update before but
7420s	really we're just in manufacturing at
7422s	this point some stuff we have a couple
7424s	items that are in warehouse now but we
7426s	are mostly in manufacturing I think
7428s	there's one there's a couple boxes that
7430s	are still in design design development
7433s	but those will be easy once we get those
7434s	done the prints just happen and then we
7436s	move forward um and I think we have a
7438s	couple shirts that are being sent to us
7439s	in samples and then we're going to be
7441s	moving forward with manufacturing for
7442s	those so we are getting very close to
7445s	launching a merchandise shop we know
7447s	that people really want that that is a
7449s	different team than the development team
7451s	so don't don't worry it doesn't affect
7452s	development of of Ashes of creation it's
7454s	me working with me lford working with uh
7458s	you know our merchandise team so it's a
7460s	different team um but we are working
7462s	towards that we know that that's what
7463s	people want and we will be adding more
7465s	things to that and more cool items as as
7468s	we move forward so the initial will be
7470s	smaller shop and then it'll grow as we
7472s	go over time and I just want to expand a
7473s	little bit further on what we've talked
7475s	about with regards to microtransactions
7477s	and cosmetic purchases that are
7479s	available um these are the intent and I
7483s	think we've just demonstrated this uh
7486s	actively over the course of the last
7487s	several years um is that what you can
7490s	buy for Cosmetics are different they're
7492s	not better right it's not that you need
7495s	to purchase a Cosmetic in order to look
7497s	good in the game visual progression
7499s	within the game is on par with the
7501s	Cosmetics that we would sell right that
7504s	the we are not preserving the best
7506s	looking Cosmetics for our shop Cosmetics
7509s	um they are just going to be different
7511s	right and that is something that I think
7512s	is also very important to make sure that
7514s	people understand yeah I think that
7515s	that's fair yeah um we've even had
7519s	people go why like oh this doesn't look
7521s	that cool compared to like this thing in
7524s	game it's like yeah because we've told
7525s	you that like the goal isn't necessarily
7527s	it's just to give you variety right
7529s	options yeah and in fact if I yeah
7533s	yeah but moving on to the next one who
7536s	knew odor or otter that your question
7538s	would spark so much conversation uh the
7540s	next one is from leonero which is about
7542s	gear degreg is it possible for a player
7545s	to get stuck with broken gear if there
7547s	are no repair materials or Artisans
7550s	available nearby we repair pairs always
7553s	be a quick and easy trip to town or is
7555s	it something we need to prepare for
7558s	sorry I'm laughing st's using the mask
7560s	I'm just looking at how good the mask is
7562s	um know they did a really good job yeah
7564s	if you don't repair your gear you're so
7567s	like it's that's a problem um there are
7570s	going to be repair options that you can
7572s	acquire that might be consumables for
7574s	you to have out in the field um and then
7577s	there are going to be vendors that you
7578s	can utilize to repair and or Crafters
7581s	that you can utilize to repair as well
7583s	all right and then loot rules from Torin
7587s	ramart and they want to know how will
7589s	glint a bound currency be distributed if
7592s	the loot type for the group is set to
7595s	master looter will the master looter be
7598s	the only one that receives glint sorry
7602s	got a little someone kicked me so
7605s	he's he's like let me out I'm ready stay
7609s	in there no wait old no um uh right now
7615s	yes if if it is uh I believe if it is
7617s	set to um uh master looter that the that
7621s	the glint is acquired by uh the master
7623s	looter I believe I think is that is that
7626s	still the case or did we change that um
7629s	that's a good question let me follow up
7631s	because we might have actually made some
7632s	changes about that over the last two
7633s	weeks someone DM me one of the devs is
7635s	they watching
7636s	[Laughter]
7638s	good if
7640s	we R somebody
7642s	shoot us a DM or Alex uh casty wants to
7647s	know I'll I'll uncheck that one and um
7650s	have Cody I'm just I'm checking to see
7652s	DMS come cast I wants to know dungeon
7655s	navigation will dungeons have their own
7657s	Maps if so will they have the same fog
7660s	of War mechanic like the Overworld or
7663s	will dungeon Maps require some sort of
7666s	item skill
7667s	Etc I don't believe that we have a plan
7670s	right now to have BP
7672s	dungeon Maps I know that we have fog of
7674s	War that's planned um I'm not sure bill
7676s	is that planned more granularly for
7679s	dungeons or is you know how do we intend
7681s	for that to work I mean yeah I ideally
7686s	we would it will work in dungeons as
7687s	well um you know one of the things that
7690s	that that we talk about when we talk
7691s	about fog of war in general is you know
7693s	it's meant to represent you know your
7695s	current knowledge of the world so it's
7697s	you know it's revealed as you explore
7698s	but again we're a dynamic world so
7700s	there's the there's a chance that
7702s	areas that you've explored will become
7703s	ref fogged as the situation changes and
7706s	you are you know you have to go go in
7709s	and and discover what those changes are
7711s	on your own yeah um yeah so the you know
7714s	the the intent is for that to to happen
7716s	in in dungeons as well as the over world
7718s	yeah and again that you know that that
7720s	fog mechanic is is really to complement
7723s	this idea of dynamicism right is that is
7726s	that the place you've gone to before may
7728s	not be the same there might be a new
7731s	path that's opened up as a result of
7732s	that or a new uh choke point that's
7735s	become a a result of that right and so
7737s	um having to kind of ReDiscover how that
7740s	space has changed as a result of other
7742s	world predicates is complemented by the
7745s	fog of War system yeah and it it really
7747s	you know a system like that is for for
7750s	for the type of game we're building a
7751s	sand Park like it's a you know it's a
7754s	it's a it's it will drive your play
7756s	session in lots of ways you know uh
7759s	you'll you'll you'll you'll we'll want
7762s	to uncover those things as you as they
7764s	as they re as they uh become off you
7767s	skated again right it's a they're they
7770s	they're little mini uh uh little mini
7774s	quests that you set for yourself right
7777s	which again you know comes back to uh
7779s	making sure that we're empowering
7780s	players and leaving room in our design
7782s	for players to make their own decisions
7783s	about how they want to spend their time
7786s	awesome and I do have an answer on uh
7788s	Torin ramh heart's uh thing um basic Al
7792s	glint is a systematically round robin
7793s	only item so ah perfect okay good so it
7796s	will be an outlier to the system it used
7799s	to be that you could make that and now
7801s	we finally implemented the change where
7803s	it's forced around roben so good there
7805s	you go uh the next one here
7808s	is from mooji and it is treasure maps
7812s	can you talk more about treasure maps
7814s	and how they are executed compared to
7816s	other games bill you want to take this
7819s	one I think that right I think that's
7822s	still a feature that's largely under
7824s	development um you know we uh again like
7827s	talking about uh the map as being a you
7831s	know the the the the the Overworld map
7832s	as being a a way that can guide your
7835s	your individual play session um you know
7839s	uh I want to when we get into the
7842s	specific mechanics of how treasure maps
7843s	work we want to make sure that we're
7844s	leveraging the systems that we're
7846s	building there as well um right now it's
7848s	in in like a simplified way right yeah
7851s	yeah I would I would call the way that
7853s	the way that we have it in now is is
7855s	more of a kind of it's not even a proof
7857s	of concept it's it's a it's just a it's
7859s	just a a temporary way for us to to to
7862s	put this type of content into the game
7865s	but there are treasure maps in game yeah
7867s	the treasure just to give you an idea I
7869s	think of the like you know the the loop
7871s	that the treasure map currently and its
7872s	current iteration provides is you
7874s	acquire these treasure maps they have
7876s	points within the world that you need to
7878s	uh find there might be multiple points
7880s	and the treasure might exist one of
7882s	those multiple points you might be timed
7884s	for depending on the Rarity of the
7886s	treasure map in order to accurately find
7889s	that location and you'll be required to
7892s	have
7893s	consumable um uh items within your
7895s	inventory in order to dig the treasure
7897s	up and then when you do dig that
7899s	treasure up you're going to roll on a
7901s	loot table and sometimes there might be
7902s	a Eureka moment of a lottery hit and
7904s	that's super cool uh depending on the
7906s	quality of the treasure map that you
7907s	receive and treasure maps are tradable
7909s	um so so that's kind of the barebone
7912s	implementation of it and we have a lot
7913s	of plans for it you know going
7916s	forward all right and then Ron sconi I
7919s	always love his name wants to know about
7920s	Gathering how many Gathering professions
7923s	will most dungeons attract 1 to two four
7926s	to five or will it
7928s	vary how many Gathering professions will
7931s	dungeons attract
7934s	yeah I think that probably all
7937s	professions will have some rooted
7939s	relevancy in the poi Andor dungeons that
7943s	players have access to and I think that
7945s	the Dungeons and pois that those
7948s	relevant professions exist within will
7950s	be distributed um so and and that
7953s	distribution may change based on world
7955s	predicates and World States as well so
7957s	that the player movement and traffic
7959s	changes as
7960s	well all right and our last question
7964s	which is kind of long so uh bear with me
7968s	this one's from Talent um and it's
7970s	regarding content development it's a
7972s	little spicy too I think uh how do you
7974s	you got to end on something spicy I love
7976s	spicy how do you plan to feasibly
7979s	deliver the other biomes before launch
7981s	we first saw the river lands in May 2022
7984s	and when Alpha 2 starts in October it
7986s	will be the only biome properly in the
7988s	game as desert and Tropics do not have
7990s	any nodes planned for phase one you have
7993s	said in the past that it gets quicker to
7995s	create biomes as you go on but even the
7998s	phase three slide only had five uh of of
8001s	the 20 planned zones so kind of walk us
8004s	through maybe the process for them yeah
8007s	I think um you know I think when we talk
8010s	about development and we talk about what
8012s	pre-production and production means
8015s	right as you kind of prepare the tools
8017s	and Define the needs and the and what
8020s	goes into creating a biome the
8022s	riverlands is is very much the Alpha 2
8025s	kind of test bed of what it took to
8028s	stand up our node tool our pop tool all
8030s	the services associated with those
8032s	things that developers become familiar
8035s	with as they're generating content to
8037s	put into the game and as as that thing
8040s	starts to expand and become extensible
8042s	and we start proving that model out and
8044s	moving forward with that we've defined
8046s	what each of these biome needs and takes
8049s	and how much time it generally takes to
8050s	stand up a particular point of Interest
8052s	or a particular NPC type to curate the
8055s	encounter design all of those things are
8057s	something that becomes now rooted as a
8059s	production path for us to follow we can
8062s	also then start to refine our Outsource
8065s	potential as a studio as well because
8067s	obviously we have the ability to
8069s	leverage our internal teams but as we're
8071s	talking about content creation whether
8073s	that be asset production VFX
8075s	requirements animations you know all the
8077s	things that go into expanding the
8079s	content of the game become now um
8082s	pipelines that we can extense out to
8085s	Outsource Studios as well as we move
8087s	forward in the games production bill I
8089s	don't know if you want to add anything
8090s	further um to that to that question as
8092s	well yeah no I it's it's it's a great
8095s	question I think you know I think your
8097s	answer largely covered it you know we
8099s	just we you know before before we before
8102s	we build you know the the these worlds
8104s	are the plays spaces that need to
8106s	support the game play that we that we
8109s	have right and the systems that we have
8111s	so we really want to make sure that the
8113s	that the systems are solid that that
8114s	that we're designing the spaces
8116s	appropriately to support them um and
8119s	then once once we have all of those
8120s	questions answered which is you know a
8123s	big a big goal within within A2 that's
8126s	that's really the point where then it's
8128s	just a matter of people and Stephen's
8133s	money to get the rest of it right right
8137s	that is right and your guys' support
8139s	through the bundles and stuff like that
8142s	um also goes a long way so um that
8145s	Stephen doesn't have to always pay for
8146s	it all but yes and I think that wraps up
8149s	our Q&A for today we made it to the end
8152s	you
8153s	guys it was a little bit longer still of
8156s	a stream but um not one of our longest
8158s	ones I don't think um but of course we
8161s	want to remind you head on over to our
8162s	forums forums. ashesofcreation
8180s	thatcombines are thinking about and of
8182s	course thank you so much to all of you
8184s	for joining us today I didn't have the
8186s	baby on the stream so that's good um and
8190s	yeah you want to open that up Stephen
8191s	you want to see guess what it is first
8193s	sh I'm I'm afraid that there's like a
8195s	dead hamster inside something now that
8197s	you said that I'm like oh my God they
8200s	would not have done that smelling it see
8202s	if it smells like rancid or something
8204s	does it smell smells probably a good
8206s	aged cheese that will be just fine
8208s	should guess what it is first oh I
8210s	should guess what it is okay
8212s	yeah were you good at that as a kid like
8215s	with presents no not really I didn't get
8220s	presents as a child oh I'm
8224s	just this one's actually tied pretty
8226s	tightly here hold on let's see okay well
8229s	we'll just get a little bit open this
8232s	the packaging is actually really nicely
8234s	done
8235s	honestly this is pretty this is very Lor
8239s	I feel immersed in the packaging
8244s	okay I love it it's like um it's a
8248s	box and then there's another box there's
8251s	another
8253s	box he's being very meticulous about
8255s	opening this you guys I know I'm
8260s	sorry
8262s	okay well now st's unboxing career is
8265s	starting right now live on this streen
8266s	yeah right how do I how do I uh dude
8269s	there's some people who all they do is
8271s	is unbox things and they make so much
8273s	money off of it it's wild to me like
8275s	little figurines and stuff dude I will
8278s	watch like old beta packs from Magic get
8281s	open just to see I definitely I'll do
8283s	those I'll watch those c those are fun
8286s	oh no I broke it oh
8289s	well oh all right now he's getting
8292s	desperate he's just ripping it open oh
8294s	this isn't a perishable but it is
8296s	awesome oh my gosh look at
8299s	that oh we're doing we're doing a merch
8301s	plug for L Forge this is pretty
8305s	cool I got a I got a l forged uh uh uh
8310s	mug there you go nice nice there you go
8314s	should I open the other one is it is is
8315s	there more perishables I don't know I
8318s	know that there was candy in there was a
8319s	bunch of candies in there and stuff
8322s	there's coffee I see there's ground
8325s	coffee probably for your
8328s	mug I'm guessing this one might be
8330s	another one too
8331s	yeah
8334s	for I think this is another I think this
8336s	is another this is super cool though
8339s	speaking of L forged and maybe a little
8341s	teaser for you guys um we do have some
8345s	leading up to Alpha 2 Stephen will be
8347s	doing some fun things with some of the
8349s	content creators we'll be doing some
8351s	more announcement posts regarding the
8352s	timelines of these but he'll be joining
8355s	quite a few different uh content
8356s	creators as as in the upcoming weekends
8360s	so stay tuned for those
8361s	those content
8363s	pieces I'm digging it super
8366s	cool all right I'm GNA use these you
8369s	double double fist your coffee I'm gonna
8372s	double fist my my coffee and
8375s	tea all right well thank you guys so
8377s	much for being here we really appreciate
8378s	it we appreciate you following our
8380s	journey through creating ashes of
8382s	creation and for those of you who are
8383s	new and you're just starting to watch
8385s	our journey um Good Luck no I'm just
8387s	kidding uh hang tight with us of course
8390s	like we always say this isn't for
8391s	everybody so if you're not interested in
8393s	following a development Journey you want
8394s	a full product and a full game completed
8397s	come back to us when we launch we'll
8399s	we'll be here and we'll be just as
8400s	excited and we'll probably be even more
8402s	excited because we spent all the time
8403s	creating this baby this is the longest
8406s	baby being created compared to mine um
8409s	so I think that uh from our end we just
8411s	really appreciate you guys being here
8412s	supporting us uh following along our
8414s	journey uh we are really excited for all
8416s	the feedback and the bug reporting that
8417s	you guys are going to help us do and uh
8419s	we hope that you enjoy the it of the
8421s	project as we move forward it's going to
8423s	start moving very fast here uh you're
8425s	going to see it all coming into monthly
8427s	updates as we move forward um of course
8430s	Bill thank you for joining us it's your
8431s	first time here I know you're a little
8433s	nervous but hope fun hopefully you had
8435s	fun enjoyed it um be kind everybody good
8439s	uh whenever we have new faces I always
8440s	say that and of course Stephen your time
8442s	is always precious everything was fun
8444s	except that jumping puzzle jumping
8446s	puzzle was great I felt so didn't ever
8449s	make it up
8451s	I loved it yeah yeah just wait till the
8454s	next uh portal ruins meeting I I'll have
8457s	some things to say oh no be like this
8460s	needs to be closer good um we hope that
8463s	you guys stay safe and healthy as the
8465s	month goes on and of course we will have
8468s	we already have uh one of the vods will
8470s	be up right after the stream so
8471s	definitely go check that out in 4k
8473s	that's our our playthrough through the
8475s	line hold preview um we'll also have
8477s	this full development update tomorrow so
8479s	you can come you can watch it over there
8480s	and make sure that if you subscribe
8483s	publicly subscribe and leave a comment
8484s	you could be the one who spotlighted for
8486s	our next uh comment we like I said we
8488s	pull those out randomly so you could be
8490s	the one who's randomly selected and of
8492s	course follow us on all the social PL
8493s	social channels we have been doing
8495s	giveaways on our social channels uh so
8497s	if you're paying attention you might be
8499s	getting Alpha 2 access so uh make sure
8501s	that you follow us on all of those
8503s	places we also post almost daily uh kind
8506s	of awesome little clips and updates over
8508s	there so lots of goodies for you guys to
8511s	consume if you want to get your VIN fix
8514s	and I guess with that oh and one more
8517s	thing we will have an article that goes
8518s	up for Alpha 2 I believe it's scheduled
8520s	for Monday but don't hold me to it um
8523s	but that will be the guide TFA 2 with
8524s	all of the images and stuff like that so
8526s	you can kind of dig into the abilities
8528s	and the map and stuff like that and get
8530s	yourself acquainted with what Alpha 2
8532s	will have for you um and with that we
8536s	will wrap up our September game
8539s	development update we hope that you all
8542s	have a wonderful month bye bye guys see
8546s	you on October
8548s	[Music]

Development Update with Guide to Alpha Two and Lionhold Preview - 11AM PT Friday, September 27, 2024

Transcript (by Youtube)

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