MMO Developer Interview: Challenge and Cohesion in MMOs
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- čas přidán 2. 07. 2024
- I was lucky enough to be joined by the Ember's Adrift MMO team to jump into the Indie MMO that's big on PVE, challenge, and group content and experience some parts of the game I hadn't even come close to: the new zones.
It was a fun experience where I got to talk to the developer team about everything from the game's core philosophies to what to expect in the future. We even talked specifically about magic in the game and the world.
You can find more about Ember's adrift here: www.embersadrift.com/
You can find their CZcams at @EmbersAdrift
Alchemy tutorial from @SparohsPerch • NEW Embers Adrift Alch...
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Thank you so much Redbeardflynn for creating this video and joining us, exploring the Dryfoot Fortress. it was indeed very fun and always a pleasure to play with you!
Good video. Glad you did the video for the game. It definitely needs more people to see it.
I really enjoy the game- as you stated “game is designed for groups”. Unfortunately, the game needs more people because solo is all I can do when I log on.
We do have a Summer event planned to gather players (returning and new) uppon those weekend. It is the 12-14 of july and 16-18 of August. This may be your best time to come back to the game if you so wanted :)
@@ElloaWendyThanks for the info and great to hear. This has been done a few times before and it does bring people back but unfortunately they don’t stay. Game still needs some serious adjustments to solo content to keep people busy while they wait for groups. Solo content is extremely boring and slow. Also needs more GFX to make combat a bit more interesting.
Heck yeah this game deserves so much more attention than it gets - thanks so much for covering it! I've been in love with Embers since launch
I subbed the first month of release. Low fantasy and no magic killed it for me. Combat was stiff, like playing a warrior in EQ. The second zone got me; the only difference felt like bigger-sized mobs with bigger hit pools and more brutal hits. Updates keep piquing my interest; it might be time for another chance soon. Awesome video so far. Thank you.
I prefer a lower middle fantasy setting and most games go way too overboard for my tastes so having an MMO go the opposite direction is at least a nice change of pace. Hopefully you'll be convinced to give it another try soon.
We know that it has been a turn off for many players. We created our own universe with our own lore, that would slowly unravell to players as they progress. So, it is more fantasy than it first meet the eyes, but it is certainly not "traditional" fantasy. In anycase, if you wanted to try the game, we are organising a Summer event planned to gather players (returning and new) uppon those weekend. It is the 12-14 of july and 16-18 of August.
@@ElloaWendy sounds fun, I’ll be there.
@@CoreChamber
Great video! I am an EQ vet from back in 1999 (Rallos Zek server) and can honestly say this game give me the most EQ feels than any game since. Evercrack is now my Embercrack. Sure, its not for everybody but thats ok. Its great to know a game like this still exists out there for people missing that first experience of wandering out of the safety of the guards and exploring.. by not holding your hand along the way and making you earn it. Players clamoring over Pantheon and Monsters and Memories should give this game a chance, especially if they have either never played or haven't played since launch. Tons of improvements and quality of life enhancements have been added making this more polished than ever. It certainly needs more players so let's get that momentum going... bring your friends it's a fun world out there to explore!
This game looks awesome. I really appreciate the realistic graphics and lighting. I look forward to playing
I meant to do a follow up video to the one I did years ago on this game. I really enjoy it even with it flaws.
Do it!! :D (Thank you!!)
I played it and enjoyed it for a while but found the solo xp way too slow. If they bumped up the solo xp I would definitely play it again.
That depend when you firstly played, but the solo XP (and XP in general) has been increased. It is still slow paced in comparison to modern MMORPG though. We also added a lot of activity that are made for solo players. Bulletin Board with task that give XP uppon completion, solo Ember Vein loop, more solo mob camps, etc... if you want to check us out again, we are organising a Summer event planned the 12-14 of july and 16-18 of August. This may be your best time to come back to the game if you so wanted :)
I solo alot and with the new bulletin boards and solo loops, as well as single chevron mobs xp increased, its never been easier to solo. The game does shine though in the classic 5-6 man dungeon crawl.
One of the biggest issues I had with the game was the lack of animations/particle effects. Everything you did felt very lack luster. Especially when you'd use your biggest attack/ability and it would look the same as a regular attack. Also made it a difficult not having that sort of visual queue/info when timing certain attacks with a group. I will continue following this game though because the team is great and the group play was very fun!! They just need to polish it out some more and really market it.
That's actually something we do have added in our latest update. It is still discrete, but it does add a bit of impact as you are playing your attacks. you can check out our latest Patch Trailer for more information :)
Nice video, captured the grouping experience well.
Here is a short list of the main features added to the game since release, as it seems to be a common question.
Doesn't include new quests regularly added etc, just the big stuff.
Not bad for a small team.
Feb 23: Dueling, Merchant Buybacks, Grimstone Canyon Zone
Mar 23: GEL system, First person camera, Forgotten Depths Dungeon
Apr 23: Faction Banners, Forgotten Depths 2, Grimstone Canyon 2
May 23: Performance Updates, Tutorial Log, New Ember Veins, Weapon Changes
Jun 23: Highland Hills Zone, Buy to Play changes
Jul 23: Well travelled roads, Emergency bag recovery
Aug 23: Hunting Log, Armour weight changes, Ember Vein Visuals
Sep 23: Monolith to Ember Ring Teleports
Oct 23: Cosmetic Slot, Alchemy System
Nov 23: Grizzle Peaks Zone
Dec 23: Shrieks Ember Vein
Jan 24: First Ember Vein Solo Loops, Bulletin Boards for solo play
Feb 24: More Ember Vein Solo Loops, Item Categorisation, Free Trial
Mar 24: Even More Ember Vein Solo Loops, Inspect Others
Apr 24: Mail system, Map Improvements, Travel Essence
May 24: Osric's Rest zone, Dryfoot Fortress Zone, Raid Frames
Jun 24: Port Direct to the City, VFX Upgrades, Health Regen Upgrade, Gathering Updates, Major update in Unity Engine version
Great video. The play style. Is something I definitely miss in MMOs. But these days. I do my gaming on PS5 or else I’d try it.
Baru/Dougan/Potlach/Brimskul in game. hit me up if you wanna group or need any help or want a guild
lack of magic seems to be biggest issue. they tried to add a form of magic, but they'll be a niche game if it stays as is. snail paced exp doesn't help either. it's good for a month and then it's a grind.
If they would bump the Fantasy aspect from low to Mid, I think they'd see interest pick up a bit more. This game should technically check a lot of boxes for Old School MMO fans but, they shoot themselves in the foot with the lack of character creation and single race. I also feel the classes should be pushed further with a higher fantasy aesthetic in mind, when I watch game play everyone looks the same with little uniqueness. JUST LET ME MAKE A DARK ELF!
The alchemy system really bumps up the fantasy aspect. A 5-6 man group in an ember vein which keeps you ember stone full will allow lots of magic enhanced skills to be used. This particular video did not display a ton of alchemy usage.
I'm convinced this game is going to attract EQ players too. Difficult and rewarding games is what it boils down to. I wonder how much more will be done in combat and movement?
@DarkForest61 Its not linear at all as someone whos played with several max lvl characters. As you level your options really open up. I still think EQ is the best games of all time but this offers a FRESH take on the genre.. I just cant keep revisiting Norrath like so many others..
@DarkForest61 No crushbone orcs or thistle snakes..
@DarkForest61 or everything LOL. Maybe try playing it before passing judgement. You do you.. I'm enjoying so don't really care.
@DarkForest61 You seem to care for a game you do not like... I just dont care if you like it or not. I just like to call out trolls who obviously don't have any leg to stand on when criticizing the game. I can't make you enjoy it and don't expect to win a debate on the internet, but truth be told Embers is a really good game. Give it a shot. And if we're going by numbers go play Roblox or listen to Taylor Swift, ya know because they got more fans than anyone = excellence. Give me a break.
@DarkForest61 What lvl was your character and when was the last time you played the game?
👍✌
i thought it was a fun game but there was no one at earlier levels to play with.
Where embers adrift fails is its strict following of "core philosophy" rather than making fun for the players #1 priority. I really want to love this game but they should listen to the players.
We do listen to our players. Many features have been added, modified, accomodated after players feedback. Including many features that we originally did not planed to have in our game. We organise regular meetings with our players (originally twice a week, now monthly) where discussions happen and decisions are made.
We obviously have not added everything the players wanted, but every feedback is listen to, considered and discussed in the team :)
@@ElloaWendy I do not agree and you may consider feedback but then ignore it. I can't tell as a player who was paying much more attention that a casual person and never took part in these "regular meetings with players". I'm not talking about your 20 players who are your friends and streamers, I am talking the 100,000 mmo players looking for a decent game you ignore because of some "Core principles" Also Elloa you are the worst community manager I have seen for a videogame. You respond to alot of messages but just comes off as argumentative and pushing the company narrative. This is not a constructive conversation and your comments dont even sound like you are addressing me but instead posting an advertisement for others who read comments. Congrats on the 10 people you convinced to play your game with your over controlling posts while you ignore the thousands who were on the fence and dont show to your secret club meetings. I stopped paying attention to this game because I saw nothing moving in a direction I thought was fun while hearing the community manager butt in to every conversation to control the narrative.
@@pipz420 They do listen to the players. The players asked for faster combat, they reduced execution timers. More solo options, they added solo loops and bulleting boards. Faster travel, they added fast travel roads and porting to ember fires. Flashier combat, they added gfx to normal skills. Monolith in the city, they just added that too. Players complained about +health regen.. also updated. Players wanted to wear full armor sets.. they lowered weight to allow this. I can go on and on.. just because they dont listen to every player doesnt mean they do not listen.. they do listen to the players who's ideas stick with the core vision of the game and stay true to their concepts. They have not given in to mini-maps, mounts, a compass, and fast xp where you blow through the game in a month. Kudos to the team for not selling out.. there are other games out there for you if you do not like this one. All of the ideas above are good ideas and really pushed by the players.. any amount of players be it 20 or 1000 would agree those are good changes. Elloa is a great community manage who organizes groups during the week and is willing to help players at all levels get into the game. Troll elsewhere..
Honestly the team on this game just shuns any type of feedback that players try to express and come back with it’s not their vision and how they want the game to go when the players are literally telling them what they need to do. Anywho , hopefully one day they wake up and open their eyes. I get it’s a small team non the less but regardless it seems their “vision” is not working considering last I played only 50 players online. Lol days are long gone where people want to sit and grind many many many hrs to reach max and again the team will say it’s apart of the journey. Ok, the journey only lasts so long before gameplay becomes stale and boring .
My 2 cents.
Unless they add a caster class at level 1 I'm not interested. And that's okay.
Yeah, that's fine. This is very unlikely to ever happen :)
I really liked amber adrift, but I had to leave because of their stance on boxing. At some point, boxing is the only way to play, and since this is a grp based mmo, when boxing is not prohibited, it becomes the meta. Ppl that train their grps to box, doesnt want to grp with others because they put work into their boxing setup. The boxing grps, will also have the best camps and will form faster, to the point where finding normal grps (what the game is suppose to be) become obsolete. I would have kept playing if it wasnt plagued by this. Its easy for streamers to show real grps when they have a community behind them, but the truth is that wont be the reality for the comon player. The game is grp focused, until lvl 35-40, where boxing will become a problem and very unfortunate. Ban boxing, and I will be back (as many other ppl, im sure)
Heya! That's absolutely not our policy on boxing. We tolerate it, but we discourage it. I will quote our policy for more clarity
'We don’t mind boxing except in cases where it prevents others from joining a group. If you are boxing in a group and another player wishes to join please remove one of the boxed characters from the group so that everyone can enjoy the game and its community focused design'
If anyone encounter players that are not respecting that statement, they can report them.
I walked away from this game with the game itself being made mostly from engine store assets and made to look attractive to classic mmorpg players for fundraising purposes. At least at launch. The performance was atrocious when they launched the game. With very little in the way of hand-made assets and next to no quests. It was a world slapped together to sell and make money quickly. The fact they avoided steam was also a huge red flag. As steam now uses software to scan for asset flip games and earmark them as scams and de-list them. Which is why I imagine they avoided steam. Since that's almost entirely what the game comprised of (at least at launch).
I'm honestly surprised they've continued to develop the game and have created their own assets and such. If they can keep this up. They'll be an exception to the precedent set by so many other kickstarter scams and cash-grabs. I still won't touch the game. But I'll keep an eye out for content such as this that shows it has continued to grow. Maybe one day, it'll be developed to a point where I feel it isn't a scam or a waste of time and effort to invest into.
When was the last time you played Embers? Its so much improved since launch with tons of content and QoL updates.
@@chrismj4676 I stopped playing it when the first patch introducing quests into the game occurred. I can see the game has been worked on since then. But that doesn't change the fact they launched as an asset flip that required a purchase and monthly sub. Delivered an extremely half-baked product. And only AFTER taking in money, did they finally develop a game. All because the original executive producer ran with their kickstarter money. As the game was originally something else (i don't remember). And they abandoned the project and fled with the money. And the tiny team that worked to put the fundraising trailers together. Decided to try and run with it under a different name and divest themselves of the kickstarter scandal.
That's not how you launch a game in good faith. And no matter how far the game comes. It won't change the fact they initially sold an asset flip to people.
There’s something here but not much unfortunately. The game is missing something that makes MMOs special. They need a bigger team and better ideas because frankly the games pretty boring, looks boring and rewards are boring. This is someone who’s played till lvl 42. It’s a game that’s not supposed to exist after Saga of Lucemia which was its soul, ripped out like a mortal combat fatality. On top of this the whole game is full of reused assets that make the experience dull. The one thing they do amazingly though I will say is group combat flow BUT as you put some hrs in you realize that’s just not enough. Gl with the game guys it’s just not ready.
Embers is just a bland time sync with little reward for the effort you out in. Basic classes with no customization. Everyone looks the same. I'm honestly surprised they're still going. How they keep funding coming in fathoms me. The devs must be pulling from their pockets because they literally have less than 150 subs coming in per month...Can't run an MMO in $1,500 a month.
Game is dead or 1 foot in the grave..😢.. its really 2bad. Not sure why the game is.losing ground, i guess it just has not caught on.. unless your a streamer, or personally a friend of the developers, groups are non existent. The game graphic wise to ME, is what i want and love. I care less if they use store assests. Its just very painful to play cuz of the lack of players..i do totally disagree tho, that what u call magic, is NOt magic. I have a 33 brig, and a 13 zerker, so i am not talking as a player whos never played.
doesn't help that early game is like pulling teeth.
@@evolgenius1150 Arent most old school MMOs? Everquest for example. Thats what make the progression and having to work for something more rewarding as opposed to being handed to you with Quest icons over npcs and maps marking objectives.
Looks like they need to hire a real animator those characters look awful in the video
Have you seen the animations in Pantheon? Great graphics a great game do not make. Hell EQ looks horrible and its still IMO the best game of all time.
@@Regna I love how you call out a key flaw in the look and feel of the game and somebody immediately tries to defend it. If you want players to engage, give us smooth animations with some kind of flow. Give us character and realism in our static postures. Give us idle animations and environment interaction.
@@stonefeathers The animations are not bad at all, not the best but very suitable. This game just has a certain charm to it.
garbage for pve girlyman and femalboys
Stunning and well thought review.. sounds like you put a lot of effort into it..