With ArcheAge Korea going into the 3rd Closed Beta phase soon, various Korean mdeia outlets had a chance to talk to the creator of the game and founder of XL Games, Jake Song. According to reports, the development of the game is currently around US 28mil dollars. Closed Beta 3 will also be introducing the new warfare system, where players can experience the new castle siege feature. Below are some of the questions asked.
ArcheAge is a MMORPG which is returning to the genre’s original roots, but it is different from your normal MMORPG as well. Players will not be going through passive content which was developed for them, but create their own different ways of playing as well. In the past when I developed games, I was restrained by the lack of modern technology, finances and hence could not really make a game which is really my own.
With ArcheAge, the previous restrictions are gone. ArcheAge is the title which will truly display my skills and talent as a developer. My previous games were said to be released at the time where MMORPGs were lacking, hence the popularity. 10 years on, I lifted my courage and once again stand in the same position to be judged by players again.
To develop ArcheAge, I received much financial investments, hence there will sure be pressure. But the real pressure comes from the expectations of the players. 15 years ago when less than 10 people developed games like Lineage, there were many bugs in the initial phases, but players were receptive and understanding. But now, there are many MMORPGs in the market, it is very important to make a good first impression or you lose them forever.
I used to joke with them, saying that I helped them gain their wealth, so where is my cut? But I realized that even though they are rich, the things they buy are still the same as what I normally get. I recently met Nexon’s CEO, and he told me that the ramen nowadays is expensive!
Even as billionaires, they still eat the same thing as normal people do.They do not have space shuttles or private jets. Sometimes, being wealthy brings different problems and headaches as well. I am glad I am still able to involve myself directly with the development of games. Lastly, I hope NCsoft will help me by not releasing Blade & Soul during the same period as ArcheAge! *laughs*
