Speaking at Tencent Games’ ChinaJoy 2012 media conference, ArcheAge’s producer Mr Kim talked about the changes in the game’s upcoming Closed Beta 5. Other than the core mechanics being optimized, the China-flavored elements will also be added in, although not specifying if the new city is in this test phase.
Also, China gamers who gathered enough activity points through ArcheAge China’s website will be able to enter the Korean Closed Beta 5 on 16th August as well.
New content will include new areas to explore, better trading system, housing system and more details made to the vast seas. As for castle siege, which was so successful that Closed Beta 4 was extended by 2 weeks. Kim said that there will be a new “reinforcement” feature.
He would not detail anything about it, but asked players to try it out themselves instead. In the original castle siege, there were already mechanics such as destroying castle walls and throwing large flaming rocks with various machines.
The diving feature was introduced in Closed Beta 4, where players may gather for materials before seeking a NPC and forge them into diving gears (some items such as lamps can be bought). Not just plain exploration and catching fishes, players may set up their own underwater farm at specific areas.
In Closed Beta 5, the areas available for setting up farms is increased, as well as the ability to build houses on the water surface (on stilts, like a fishing village).
Closed Beta 5 will also see the debut of instanced dungeons, along with improvised questing system, racial costumes, productivity systems and 4 new flying mounts. Although I am Korean-blind, I am looking forward to exploring the massive lands of ArcheAge again soon.
