1) Who are you?
I'm a full-time American student living in Hong Kong. I've been using computers since I was four, and been fascinated with them ever since I saw the heart-rate-monitor when I was born. I've been actively involved in online gaming for the past three years, and have participated in beta testing a number of online RPGs.
2) How long have you followed the development of Atriarch?
I really took an interest just before Christmas 2k1, and have been participating in the forums and chat since Jan. 16th.
3) What game(s) did you play before finding out about Atriarch?
The game I was most hooked on (and probably will be, until I get in on an Atriarch beta or it's released) is El Kardian, a hack-n-slash 3d mmorpg currently in open beta. It manages to be a lot of fun without being tiring, and has very active GM support. The community outside of the game is a bit lacking, though.
Gaming Aspects
1) What gaming design aspect are you glad is included in the game?
The fact that terrain is deformable, and that you can play the entire game without a single hack-and-slash killing.
2) What would you like included in/removed from the game?
I'd like to see the gradual technological development in-game, so that a player coming one year after release would find a more advanced and diverse world than in any of the betas.
3) How much/what innovation do you think Atriarch brings to the industry?
Atriarch is amazingly innovative. For the first time ever, you can gain levels/skills without having to kill, kill, kill, and that's amazing. After all the games that are based on quick violence, it's nice to see a game that focuses on construction, not destruction.
Atriarch Community
1) What factors build/destroy the Atriarch community?
The biggest factor is how interested people are, and the interest Atriarch has generated is incredible. There are plenty of topics open for discussion, and there's always something going on in IRC. As long as people are active, the community will get better.
2) How can the schism between longtime and new followers of the game be breached?
This is a tough subject, but I think that the 'levels' system should be abolished or at least toned down. Instead of having to hit a certain XP level and then getting skill points, the more you practice a skill, the better you should be at it. So, if you're digging tunnels online and off, you should be digging quicker and more precisely as time wears on, but your fighting skills would slowly decling until they hit a certain minimum skill level.
3) Should visibility in the community curry special favour in the (pre-)game?
Well, if it means I get in on beta 2... ;). Honestly, visibility means that you've been working hard and contributing, and you're actively participating. That's the only reason anyone's a visible member. And, because of the effort and dedication they've shown, yes, visible members of the community should have a special place in the hearts of all of us, including the people at WorldFusion.
Discussions
1) Where can people find your threads (site/url)?
IGN Atriarch Vault forums
2) What thread was your favourite to start or see thrive (site/url)?
Probably the Umano thread.
3) What do you think should be discussed more amongst the communities?
Actually, on the message boards or on IRC, everything that I can think of and a lot more is being or has been discussed. Probably the finer details of building would be an interesting discussion, but it's not really vital to the community.
Other aspects you think would interest folks?
I have the best idea for a defensible town, and it's mine, so you can't have it. Unless you can give me 200 Atriarch points. :)
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