This is the Official F.A.Q. by Netamin
Sections
General
Specific
Other
Mechanical
What kind of game is Fallen Age?
What is a PSW or an MMORPG?
Will there really be thousands of other people playing with me?
When is Fallen Age going to be released?
When will you be going Beta?
What makes Fallen Age different from the rest?
How are you a Science Fiction and Fantasy hybrid?
What can I do in the game?
What happens when you log off?
What kind of game is Fallen Age?
Fallen Age is a PSW (MMORPG).
PSW (Persistent State World) or MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) are one of the few extremely long acronyms used for games in the genre that Fallen Age falls into. A virtual world where you play side by side with thousands of people simultaneously. In an attempt to not be outdone, since we’re a Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game as well as a Real Time Strategy and Turn Based Simulation Game, we’ve come up with MMORTSSRPG. Chew on that! (Just kidding)
When is Fallen Age going to be released?
This year.
Beginning of April. Yes, you heard right.
What makes Fallen Age different from the rest?
In our constant struggle to make “the game that gamers want,” we feel that we’ve come very close. The game setting is not only a Science Fiction and Fantasy hybrid, but we have also blended several games into one magnificent beast. The colonization system within the actual game provides for a completely new and different element to game play than ever before seen. Our multiple options for consensual PvP (Player versus Player) combat make home for both the PvP fanatic, and those who do not wish to participate. Our equipment system provides for over 10,000 unique items per game world. Our Guild structure (called Nations) has very many unique features such as guild property, national flags, guild wars, guild storage, and more. Overall, we’ve made a game we’re proud of, and hope you’ll like it too.
How are you a Science Fiction and Fantasy hybrid?
While the game takes place in roughly 6415 A.D. and the creatures are of types you’ve probably never encountered before, we stick to a swords and sorcery theme where magic and weaponry play similar to good old fashioned fantasy.
You can do anything you want. Really! Upgrade and make unique equipment and become a one-stop rare and unique item salesman. Group together a party and fight your way to the bottom of a dungeon and find riches… or death. Challenge other players to Deathmatches and gain DM points – climb your way to the top of the Deathmatch ladder! Manage resources and a population, play politics… and maybe become the emperor of your server.
What happens when you log off?
Hopefully you go do something productive and come play again later on. Oh, and AI defends your colony.
How do you advance in Fallen Age?
What’s Juno?What character types will I be able to play?
Will magic users and melee folks be balanced?
Is there a difference between male and female character attributes?
Will I be able to customize my character’s appearance by mix and matching armor, clothing, etc.?
Will characters have unique names?
Is the game level based?
What about if I decide to not spend my experience points on stats?
How does the skill and spell system work?
Will the skill system be use-based?
What is your item system like?
Will there be item decay?
Are their Player Guilds?
Will you have a PK switch? How will PvP work?
What happens when I die?
What’s this colonization you keep talking about?Can you “win” Fallen Age?
How do you advance in Fallen Age?
When you raise a stat, you go up a level. Simple, huh? It costs experience to raise a stat, and the cost will increase exponentially. Experience points can go into raising stats, or buying new skills from your trainer. Buying skills cost experience points, juno, and have different required levels.
Juno is the currency in Fallen Age.
What character types will I be able to play?
You pick from three starting classes, which then have six sub-classes as you progress with game play – and finally, the opportunity to partially multi-class towards the very high levels. The breakdowns of the classes are as follows:
| Fighter | Shaman | Chakra |
|---|---|---|
| Warrior | Cleric | Edel |
| Knight | Druid | Astral |
| Paladin | Priest | Mental |
| Champion | Saint | Causal |
| Grand Champion | Holy Saint | Causal Lord |
Will magic users and melee folks be balanced?
We will do our best – At this time, we see them as balanced. Hopefully, the Beta will prove that to be true – and if not, well, we’ll keep tweaking it ’til we get it right! Our sincere hope is to get balance issues out of the way before Beta is over.
Is there a difference between male and female character attributes?
Nope. There are no differences in the stats or performance of characters based on gender.
Will I be able to customize my character’s appearance by mix and matching armor, clothing, etc.?
Absolutely. Your avatar (as represented in the game world) will look unique as you mix and match different types of armor, clothing, and weapons.
Will characters have unique names?
Of course! This not only makes communication easier, but is also a fundamental need in any multiplayer online game.
Character development is stat, skill, level, age, and usage based. Each time you raise a stat one point, you gain a level. The EXP cost for raising stats increases exponentially. You purchase skills and spells via Trainers, and your ability to use them successfully increases with use. With age comes access to certain skills and spells you normally wouldn’t have access to.
What about if I decide to not spend my experience points on stats?
Your EXP points will simply accumulate and you will not level until you begin to spend points again.
How does the skill and spell system work?
Skills and Spells work on a very similar system to one another (for all classes). You gain them through a variety of ways. Some Skills/Spells can be purchased via NPC Trainers in towns. Some Skills/Spells can only be gained by accomplishing certain quests. Others you get by becoming a certain age in the game.
Will the skill system be use-based?
There are no numbers attached to skills or spells, but with usage (over time), you get better at using certain skills or spells. However, our system is set up in such a way that there isn’t any repetitive process involved with getting better at using a certain skill.
We have a huge variety of items, over 10,000 unique per server. Basic items can be acquired through shops or monster drops, but the real joy in the system kicks in when you begin upgrading equipment. Monsters will drop gems, recipes, and cubes. You find out what combination of gems you need to create greater gems from recipes. Then find, trade, or purchase those needed gems and combine them in the cube with the recipe to create the greater gem. You take the greater gem to NPC blacksmiths who will charge you a fee to upgrade your equipment by socketing them with the greater gems. Each item can hold anywhere from 1 to 6 greater gems (depends on the base item). You can also create items in your factories during colonization. Your factories, laboratories, and what have you, will be able to produce unique and rare items that you can then transfer onto your person.
Yes. In order to support a healthy player economy, since you do not lose items on death, items will decay over time. You will be able to repair them… but only for so long.
Player Guilds are called Nations in Fallen Age. Each Nation will get its own flag, territory, its own warehouse for storage, its own item safe for guild war prizes, and members will need to pay a duty decided by the guild leader. The duty will go to the guild leaders to spend however they wish.
Will you have a PK switch? How will PvP work?
PvP is a sensitive subject in the MMOG world, one that we’re very aware and understanding of. Our system tries to address the flaws in non-consensual PvP, as well as leaving room open for players to enjoy their game the way they want. I ask that you read the entire explanation before making a judgment, and know that if the system does not work, we WILL change it. Players will be open to PvP combat after level 30. There will be safe zones, unsafe zones, as well as zones where there is no death penalty – strictly for PvP activity. To address grief PKing, we’ve added some interesting mechanics into the mix: Players have the option of reporting a player for non-consensual PvP. If a player is reported three times, his name turns red identifying him as a PKer. The next time he dies (by a monster or player), he spends 30 minutes of in-game time in a jail cell where is able to do absolutely nothing, not even communicate. The player must be in-game (and not idle) for the timer to tick. The player who initiates the attack does not have the option of reporting the individual who was able to defend himself. We have Honor Points in the game — The more people you kill, the lower your honor points get. The lower the level (from you) the person you kill is, the more honor points you lose. The lower your honor points, the more prone your colony is to natural disasters (such as earthquakes, floods, fires, etc.), the more it costs to upgrade equipment, and the more it costs to shop and do other activities in the game. People with low honor points also cannot create a guild, or become a King or Emperor. The death penalty rises to 100% for PKs. We’ve tried to remain aware of the problems that plague non-consensual PvP systems, while at the same time, leaving the system open for the players to decide how they want to deal with their world. As I stated at the beginning of this question, if the system is not working, then we will tweak it, or add in a PK-Switch to the worlds, and open PK servers.
Finally, colonization will be about conquering territory, placing soldiers, managing resources, playing politics, and using your mind to best your enemy… your fellow player.
We’ve tried to make death relatively painless. Up to level 30, you lose absolutely nothing on death. After level 30, you randomly lose 0 to 70% of the gold you’re carrying, OR 0 to 25% of the EXP you have not spent. It’s completely random, whether you lose gold or exp, and how much you exactly lose. You can lose just 1% of the gold you’re carrying, or up to 70%. Or 2% of your EXP, or up to 25%. This makes death still a worry, without being something you dread. You also, again randomly, drop one item when you die after level 30. Sometimes you drop one, sometimes you don’t. PKs (those who have been reported 3 times and haven’t died yet), on the other hand, lose 100% EXP and Gold on death, as well as the item. There is no difference between being killed by a monster or a player.
What’s this colonization you keep talking about?
You begin the game with a plot of land which you gain access to after a quest at level 30. Colonization begins turn based where you use your turns to explore the land (and expand it), create houses, factories, schools, and laboratories. You get to build your own bank where you store your money, and your own item warehouse where you store your excess items. You build upon this land until you’re ready to begin production and training of soldiers. Once these soldiers are fit and ready for battle, the system takes a turn into Real Time Strategy where you engage other players in political and strategic warfare; where you make friends and enemies, become a king, or maybe even the Emperor of your server.
Money gained from taxation and other resources are yours to spend however you wish. Also, as the most unique feature in Fallen Age, moving away from the overdone “trade skills” of the past – your factories, farms, schools, and other resources in your colony provide you the ability to produce armor, weapons, and other such equipment. Manage your resources properly, run your factories well, and you might just end up making some amazing unique items no one has ever seen before…
Emperors not only get the satisfaction of knowing that they accomplished a near-impossible task, but are rewarded with an NPC shop where they can sell the wares they find it battle. For the first time, you’re given the opportunity to “win” in an MMOG.
Remember, for every emperor, there’s a hundred people itching to overthrow him…
Will it take me thirty minutes to an hour to travel anywhere?
I won’t be forced to group, will I?
How strict will your naming policy be?
Do I have to constantly eat and drink in the game?
Is there Permanent Death in Fallen Age?
What is your stance on Ebay?
What about exploiting and hacking?
Will you listen to us?
Will you have Game Master run events and quests?
Will it take me thirty minutes to an hour to travel anywhere?
No. Walking around a large world may be fun and exciting the first time, but quickly becomes tedious and a bore. We will do our best to make travel necessary without being a burden.
I won’t be forced to group, will I?
Never. While benefits exist to cooperating with one another and group hunting, we would never try and force you to play in a certain style. Yes – you can absolutely survive solo in Fallen Age.
How strict will your naming policy be?
While we will restrict certain profane and unacceptable names beforehand, we will not have filters in place to monitor new names beyond that. You may be asking yourself, “Why?” Well, the answer is simple; To prohibit certain combinations of letters would deter poor choices in names some might choose, but it’d also take away some of your freedom to make genuine names – We’d rather not punish everyone for the sake of a few.
Also, if someone wishes to name himself “l33t d3wd,” well, that’d be the equivalent of him painting a big red sign on himself that reads, “I’m not someone you want to associate with.” – So who are we to not grant him that right?
Finally, if names are made with the obvious intent to be profane, then we will ban the user. We respect you enough to allow you freedom when choosing your name; we only expect that you return the respect by not abusing that freedom.
Do I have to constantly eat and drink in the game?
No. It’s about suspension of disbelief. It hampers your gaming experience to die of hunger just because you don’t consume your weight in food every few minutes. We want you to eat because you imagine your character wants to.
Is there Permanent Death in Fallen Age?
No. Permanent Death looks good on paper, but hasn’t been proven yet in practice. Maybe in the next game when we figure out, but definitely not in Fallen Age.
It will be against our Terms of Service to buy or sell items for real money. We’ve taken many steps in assuring that our economy is healthy and plentiful enough that there really will be no need for an EBay market.
What about exploiting and hacking?
Players caught exploiting will be subject to a case by case review. Those found to be exploiting minor design flaws, such as mob pathing, will not be punished. While those found exploiting major flaws with the intent of harming the gaming enviroment of others (even if indirectly) will not be tolerated and will be banned.
We will try our best! We can’t promise that every suggestion will make it into the game, or even most – but we can promise that we will listen to everything you have to say. We will answer every email. The phrase “It’s your world now” is not just our slogan, but also a way of thinking here.
Will you have Game Master run events and quests?
Absolutely. Guardians, our version of the Game Master, will run regular events and quests on each server. They will not be your typical “everyone gets killed” events. Each server will have its own unique scheduled and random quests and events, some with prizes, some without. Our Guardians will attempt to enhance the game environment by adding a rich layer of role-play and story with sub-plots within each server.
Will I play with the mouse or keyboard?
What will my point of view options be?
What operating systems does Fallen Age run on?
Will a modem be ok, or do I need cable or DSL?
Can I play this single player at all?
Does the game include an MP3 player?
Will there be separate servers?
Is there a monthly fee?
Is there going to be an external beta test?
What about an alpha test?
Will player names be visible over their heads?
How many characters will you allow per account?
What is the interface like?
Will I play with the mouse or keyboard?
Mostly the mouse, but the keyboard will too be an integral part. Overall, the game play will be smooth because of the simplicity and coherency of the combination of the two.
What will my point of view options be?
Fallen Age takes the classic overhead Isometric 3D approach. There’s only so much hyper glitzy 3D one can take! Colonization is in “god view” 3D.
What operating systems does Fallen Age run on?
Currently Fallen Age will run on Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, and Windows 2000. There are no plans at this time to expand to other platforms.
Will a modem be ok, or do I need cable or DSL?
A modem connection should be able to support the game just fine.
Can I play this single player at all?
No. The world is developed solely for play with others. It’s much more fun that way anyway!
Does the game include an MP3 player?
This is something we’re working on, and hope to include in the client before release.
Will there be separate servers?
Yes, like most current MMO games on the market, Fallen Age will have duplicate game worlds for people to play on. We do have some plans to make servers a bit more interesting and unique though, stay tuned…
Yes. Competitive to what it costs to play other similar games.
Is there going to be an external beta test?
Yes.
Where’ve you been – we’re done with alpha! (Oh, that’s right, we concentrated on the game rather than hype.)
Will player names be visible over their heads?
Only when you mouse over them.
How many characters will you allow per account?
This is something that we will decide over the beta test period by getting input from you, the players. It is currently set for three per server, but that is subject to change.
You’ll need to experience it to enjoy it. We’ve gone for a nice blend of minimal as well as functional. Such as: Chat appears overhead, in an invisible chat box on the top of left of the screen, as well as in a physical chat window you can pop open if you ever so feel like it.