Development Blog

In Annor we are moving things away from the traditional levelling systems used in MMO’s and NWN2 itself. Of course our main problem is that because the game is built in NWN2 the levelling system is still present. As it is there and players will have spent quite some time using it we have no intention to eliminate it completely.

If Annor were to become a stand-alone game, levelling in the normal sense would be eliminated. The systems we are introducing (and more) would become much more refined. But, at the moment it is just us working on a game for the NWN2 engine so we will make do with some of the things that come with it.

We have stripped out most of the benefits to levelling up the normal way in NWN2. Spells etc are completely removed or extremely limited. The remaining benefits are to stats and hitpoints. Both of those things are very important in Annor. Alot more important than they are in any other game! So there are huge advantages to levelling up despite the removal of many of the games spells and abilities.

So the question remains: How do I level up my character?

The answer is pretty simple. Role Play. The game runs on social interaction. Social interaction in-character is something many players find difficult to begin with and many don’t want to do it. It is true to say that if Annor were to become a fully fledged game, the in-character role play requirement would be limited to one server. Unlike other MMO’s, we would do our best to enforce it on that server. The benefits would be that players on that server would have regular direct DM (dungeon master) interaction, much like they will on Annor as it will be when we finish.

So how do I go about getting RP experience? Well, the DM’s on Annor are responsible for quite a few things. But a major duty they have is to monitor player interactions and reward them as necessary. Those who try the hardest will receive the best rewards, one being experience points towards a level in NWN2.

DM’s will also be responsible for events. Events occur regularly but require players to interact with each or the environment over an incident. This could be as simple as rescuing a player from something terrible or a natural disaster. Usually the players are not aware of a DM’s presence unless it is a large event.

Everyone who interacts with the event will be added to a list in our database. During the course of the event (which could last between 20 minutes and 24 hours) the DM will rate your RP performance. At the end of the event the DM will enter this information into the database and decide how much experience points to give each player. The DM may take their time with this and experience points are only released to the characters when the DM has finalised the amount of experience the wish to give out. If you are online at the time then it will be added right away. If not, then it will be applied the next time you log in.

What’s the catch?

There is a catch of course. DM events are always risky. There is usually a chance of DEATH. Death is permanent. If a DM is going to start an event which is potentially fatal, they will flag it when they set it up. The game will then open a window notifying you that you are involved in an event which has potentially fatal consequences. If you agree to continue then you will accept the risk and carry on. BE WARNED! If you agree you must be aware that no matter how great your character, sometimes people die and there is bugger all they can do about it. Once you agree, there is no going back after you die. Your life is in the hands of the DM.

Players who opt out of the event will be involved for a short while but the DM will phase them out before things get too dangerous. Those who risk death in potentially fatal events will gain alot. So it is worth the risk. The DM is not out to kill your characters but dice rolls play a part in the game and sometimes you get unlucky.

If the events wern’t risky they wouldn’t be so much fun.