Throne And Liberty Producer Talks About Technical Testing, Pvp Changes, And More
- Posted on November 7, 2023
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- By Скотина
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In an interview with Merv Lee Kwai, the producer of Throne and Liberty from Amazon Games, significant changes in the game were discussed, including player feedback, alterations in PvP, and restrictions on autoplay. The development team aims to enhance the quality of the gaming experience and continues to test the game with consideration of player feedback and the results of technical trials.
The Spanish portal "3DJuegos" (3D Games) interviewed the producer of the global version of Throne and Liberty, Merv Lee Kwai from Amazon Games. The interview raised important questions about the reasons for the changes made to PvP and the rejection of autoplay. We translate the full interview; you can read it below.
Q. Since our last meeting (Summer Game Fest), Throne and Liberty has undergone significant changes, with the removal of autoplay features and PvP characteristics. These decisions were made in consideration of player feedback. How do you manage to balance between considering feedback and the game's original creative direction?
A. That's a great question. I believe we genuinely rely on user feedback to identify issues, or we interpret what players are saying. In my experience, players often express their concerns, right? They say, "I like this or I don't like that." However, we need to analyze which specific components they like or dislike and make changes based on that. So, I would say that it's not necessarily a direct translation of players wanting immediate changes to the game. There's an intermediate step where we precisely understand the core issues, verify with data that many players face the same challenges, and then implement the necessary changes. These changes are often incremental. We make slight adjustments, put it back in front of the players, and see how it improves.
Q. In addition, not all feedback is the same. There are people who use the official channels where you post information, while others simply critique videos they have seen on YouTube...
A. It's a challenging task, no doubt. Because, you know, everyone has their own opinions. And sometimes these opinions contradict each other. For example, when it comes to PvP in Throne & Liberty, some people may have strong opinions, while others may not. What lies in between these two perspectives is crucial. I believe it's important to listen to everyone's point of view. However, ultimately, it's a collaboration between Amazon and NCSoft. We make decisions collectively as a team, and then we present it to the players again to gather more feedback.
Q. You mentioned PvP, which has transitioned from being constant to events that are much more influenced by your team. Why such significant changes?
A. Yes, I think PvP will continue to evolve because we are still in the development phase. So when we provide the version to customers for technical testing, it will differ from the previous one. Then we'll have data to compare how it was received compared to the previous version, providing a way to evaluate PvP. At Liberty, we've always prioritized both PvP and PvE, but finding the right balance has been an ongoing challenge. During the development process, it's important for us to explore different approaches and determine which one resonates with the broadest group of players.
Q. There has been a lot of discussion about the reduction of autoplay in the new version of the game. During my initial testing, the issue for me was that the title was too intriguing at the gameplay level not to give it a try. What prompted this change?
A. We received a lot of feedback regarding autoplay features. When I refer to autoplay, I'm talking about auto-combat, auto-movement, and more. It encompasses more than just automatic movement; it's more than offline play. There are multiple components involved. We understand how the game functions with these components, but we haven't experienced it without them. Many player feedback comments were related to players becoming immersed in the game and feeling comfortable with their abilities. However, when they activated autoplay, it disrupted their immersive experience. So, our goal now is to test the version with these systems removed. As I mentioned earlier, we aim to collect feedback and determine if there's a middle ground. I can't confirm any specifics at this stage since we are in active development.
Q. Regarding the storyline, what are your expectations for Throne & Liberty?
A. Currently, the game's narrative is divided into compartmentalized stories. Each area has its own storyline, and as players progress, they encounter more of these short stories. In leader zones, you'll find details about events from previous zones, but it's essential to note that each zone tells its unique story, focusing on the heroes or lore of that area. However, players are ultimately fighting against the Ark and the Legion. As the storyline advances, more connections emerge. The story currently guides players through leveling up, but that doesn't mean we won't expand on the lore further. In fact, we encourage players to craft their own stories, providing a platform for these experiences. The narratives created by players within TL are also a powerful aspect of the storytelling. The main story mission is designed to guide players to the core content, and we'll consider adding more based on player feedback.
Q. I'd like to inquire about release dates. The game is currently in a technical beta phase. What timeline are you considering for the final release?
A. It's challenging for me to discuss specific release dates at this time. Our primary focus is on enhancing the game's quality until we are thoroughly satisfied with it. We are willing to take the time required to achieve that level of satisfaction. However, we are at a stage where we are approaching another round of public feedback. This will be the technical test phase, which is on the horizon. While I can't provide exact dates today, it's coming soon. The subsequent steps will be determined based on the results of these tests. The technical tests will not only involve combat but will also mark the first time that consumers will play Throne & Liberty, including on Playstation and Xbox with Cross-Play enabled. This testing will encompass various aspects of our infrastructure. Therefore, we need to evaluate how the game performs. Several other metrics are also being assessed, which is why we refer to it as a technical test. This is the next phase for us.
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