On this season of hauntings and tips, we’ve been greeted with a Halloween miracle: an entire new MMO with the launch of Raven2. It’s brutal, darkish, and all-around the right theme for the season. And so as to add some candy treats on prime of that, I interviewed Doo-Hyun Cho, Netmarble’s head of improvement for Raven2. Cho has led and labored on the event of a number of video games during the last decade main as much as at present’s dialogue on Raven2. Let’s dig in!
MassivelyOP: For these within the Western markets that aren’t as acquainted with Raven2 and its predecessor Raven, may you give us an summary of what Raven2 is all about?
Netmarble’s Doo-Hyun Cho: Raven2 is the sequel to The Raven, which was successful title in Korea, and it brings the “darkish fantasy MMORPG” expertise to each cell and PC platforms concurrently. Gamers tackle the position of Particular Corps member, bearers of a Cursed Stigma, who should confront demonic forces and uncover the hidden truths of the world. Powered by Unreal Engine, the sport delivers a visually refined and immersive world, that includes numerous lessons, large-scale battles, and guild-based cooperative and aggressive content material at its core. It’s a title designed for gamers searching for a real MMO-style expertise that goes past the standard cell RPG.
Is Raven2 a direct sequel to Raven or is it an entire new world with new story strains and gameplay.
Raven2 stands as each a continuation of the Raven IP and a brand new starting. Whereas it inherits the spectacular visuals and dynamic motion of the unique, it goes past these limits to return as a blockbuster MMORPG set in an enormous, expansive world. Gamers, as Particular Corps members in Raven2, will expertise a wholly new surroundings, world, and elegance of gameplay.
The world in Raven2 seems to be very grimdark and fairly brutal. The very first boss I fought within the tutorial was completely disgusting. Would you describe all of the monsters as this intense and scary-looking?
Raven2 is constructed upon a darkish fantasy world, deliberately designed to function “brutal and intimidating beings” in each environment and presentation. Nonetheless, relatively than saying “each monster is as intense because the tutorial boss,” it’s extra correct to know it as follows: The very best-tier boss monsters and discipline bosses are crafted with extraordinarily highly effective and ugly designs and cinematics, creating the impression that “this world is to not be taken calmly.” Whereas common monsters could also be much less excessive in look, the general tone—marked by darkness, traces of struggle, and a world in decay—stays constant all through. In essence, the core of the participant expertise isn’t about preventing monsters as mere ornaments, however about feeling the stress of confronting actual threats that exist inside this world. This design philosophy is mirrored throughout all monster visuals and encounters.
To summarize, hanging and memorable monster designs are certainly a key factor of Raven2, created with the intent of letting gamers really feel the hazard of this world whereas discovering the braveness to face it. We hope gamers will really sense each the darkness of this world and their very own presence inside it.
I can’t say I had the possibility to play the unique Raven sport. What made you understand that Raven2 ought to have a worldwide launch?
We felt that the reactions from our earlier regional companies, mixed with our technical developments, made it clear: “it’s time for extra gamers, in a bigger world, to expertise this sport.” First, in a number of Asian areas resembling Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, Raven2 acquired sturdy suggestions and confirmed clear potential for fulfillment. Subsequent, with the technical basis established by Unreal Engine, we had been in a position to make sure easy cross-platform efficiency throughout each cell and PC, giving us the boldness that the sport may ship the standard and expertise wanted to compete globally. Moreover, we consider that options resembling large-scale, guild-based warfare, cross-platform play, and the darkish fantasy setting function main differentiators within the international MMO market.
In the end, our choice wasn’t merely “the sport did properly in Korea, so let’s take it abroad.” Fairly, it was a strategic transfer to ship this expertise correctly to international gamers, made at a time when our expertise, content material, and the market itself had been all prepared.
You’re launching the sport on each cell within the Google Play and Apple apps shops along with PC within the Epic Recreation Retailer. How would you describe the expertise taking part in on cell versus taking part in on a PC? Is it the identical model of the sport? Can gamers play it on PC whereas at dwelling then login on cell to proceed taking part in with the identical heroes?
Raven2 helps cross-play between cell and PC. Gamers can proceed their progress seamlessly throughout each platforms utilizing the identical account and character, as each variations of the sport are equivalent.
Are there any options constructed into the sport to assist encourage cell play? Corresponding to computerized quest instructions and fight help?
Sure, Raven2 helps each auto-quest development and auto-combat, permitting gamers to benefit from the sport comfortably on cell with out inconvenience. The sport additionally contains a number of options designed to maximise searching effectivity:
- Mission Itinerary: Gamers can choose their desired dungeons and discipline searching grounds and arrange steady searching classes for as much as 10 hours. With computerized potion refills, return capabilities, and pre-set schedules, your character will robotically transfer between areas and proceed searching effectively.
- Offline Mode: Even after logging out, your character will hold searching robotically.
- Netmarble Join Distant Characteristic: This enables gamers to remotely entry and play the PC model from their cell system anytime, anyplace.
- Teleport: Throughout quests, gamers can faucet the arrow icon on the proper facet of the hunt tracker to immediately transfer to the goal location.
What kind of avid gamers would you say that Raven2 is tailor-made in direction of? Is it primarily for avid gamers who’re in search of an thrilling and fascinating story to unfold and be taught extra in regards to the world of Raven2? Or is that this the form of sport the place gamers be a part of up in factions to battle in intense PvP battles?
We designed PvE and PvP in Raven2 not as separate choices, however as interconnected pillars of a single expertise. Gamers can benefit from the sport in response to their very own preferences and playstyles, whereas nonetheless feeling that they’re a part of the bigger battle that defines “the struggle of this world.” Every class is balanced to make sure sturdy efficiency not solely in PvE by efficient development routes and environment friendly searching, but additionally in PvP, the place they continue to be extremely aggressive.
PvE-focused gamers can strengthen their characters and tools by dungeons, story missions, and discipline content material, with their progress immediately contributing to guild wars and PvP modes. Likewise, PvP-oriented gamers will discover that their tools and development present significant rewards and achievements in PvE content material as properly. To stop PvP from turning into dependent solely on heavy spending or hardcore development, we launched accessible PvE routes and honest participation necessities for battlefield content material.
In essence, our purpose with Raven2 was to create an ecosystem the place PvE and PvP coexist and complement each other, not two remoted methods. We consider this method permits gamers to benefit from the sport in the way in which they like, whereas nonetheless feeling their place and function throughout the broader world of Raven2.
“Raven2 isn’t just a single-player RPG; it’s an MMORPG designed round huge battlefields the place guilds and groups battle and transfer collectively.”
Is that this the type of MMO that basically thrives on massive scale teamwork and group coordination? Are gamers inspired to affix guilds and work on reaching main battle victories collectively?
Sure, that’s appropriate. Raven2 isn’t just a single-player RPG; it’s an MMORPG designed round huge battlefields the place guilds and groups battle and transfer collectively.
We’ve made large-scale, guild-based warfare the core of the sport, guaranteeing that each cell and PC gamers can expertise seamless cooperation and competitors on the guild stage. Becoming a member of a guild isn’t simply an choice. It’s how gamers really really feel their presence and identification inside this world, as a part of one thing larger. We hope gamers will enterprise into main battles alongside their guildmates, seize victory collectively, and expertise these defining moments of “our guild has conquered this battlefield.” From right here on, we invite you to step onto the battlefield, lead your allies into battle, and write a brand new chapter of historical past collectively.
When it comes to group content material, what’s the scale and measurement of the events in Raven2?
One of many key Guild-vs-Guild (GVG) contents, “Historic Fortress,” options large-scale battles with as much as 300 contributors engaged directly.
What sort of content material is out there for gamers? For small teams I are likely to take pleasure in becoming a member of and taking part in by a dungeon however in fact many avid gamers take pleasure in bigger raid fashion gameplay too.
Sure, Raven2 has been designed with all kinds of content material to accommodate many various playstyles. For small teams or events, gamers can workforce up with 2 to five allies to tackle dungeons, fields, and the Abyss, defeating monsters collectively to earn tools, crafting supplies, and talent books. Alternatively, we’ve additionally ready large-scale content material. Gamers can expertise guild-based cooperation when taking down discipline bosses within the Abyss, in addition to upcoming large-scale modes resembling Historic Fortress and Guild Conquest Battles by future updates. Briefly, Raven2 permits gamers to take pleasure in satisfying small-scale cooperative play, whereas additionally giving them the chance to participate in huge, guild-driven PvP content material loved by many others.
How about for PvP gamers? Are there arenas for gamers to queue and be a part of? If that’s the case, what fashion of gameplay do they provide? Deathmatches allow gamers to easily battle till everyone seems to be knocked out however there are additionally the victory level modes, the place gamers battle over places. Is there any massive scale PvP content material?
Sure, Raven2 treats PvP not as a secondary choice, however as one of many primary pillars of the sport, with large-scale, guild-based battlefields at its core. We invite gamers to look ahead to upcoming large-scale GvG content material resembling Historic Fortress and the Guild Conquest Match, the place guilds will compete for dominance. As well as, the regional PvP content material often known as “Dimensional Rift” will even let gamers expertise the true thrill and depth of PvP fight.
Is there content material constructed for solo gamers too? Something design particularly for gamers who need to full just a few quests while not having to discover a full celebration?
Whereas interplay with different gamers is actually vital in an internet sport, Raven2 may also be totally loved as a single-player expertise. The sport presents quite a lot of quests, together with the primary quests that information gamers by the world and unfold the story, regional sub-quests that observe native occasions, and every day Particular Corps missions, all designed to supply partaking solo gameplay. Excessive-quality cutscenes are additionally included all through to boost immersion and produce the story to life.
Now, specializing in the lessons themselves, what number of lessons are going to be accessible at launch?
On the time of its international launch, Raven2 options eight playable lessons. Every of those lessons has its personal distinctive position and playstyle, permitting gamers to decide on the one that most closely fits their private preferences.
How vital is an efficient workforce composition in Raven2? In some video games your celebration might be made up of any combination of the lessons, however in Raven2 I solely see one therapeutic kind of sophistication.
Raven2 doesn’t at all times require celebration play, however it’s extremely really helpful for content material resembling discipline bosses and GvG battles. Social gathering composition is extraordinarily vital; a well-balanced workforce is much simpler than one made up of a single class.Specifically, the healer class, Divine Caster, performs a vital position. Their therapeutic and defensive abilities might be utilized to designated celebration members, making it important to incorporate no less than one Divine Caster in each group. Moreover, sure Heavenstone Expertise operate as party-wide talents. For instance, the Resistance Defend talent grants highly effective defensive buffs to all celebration members, so having no less than one member be taught this talent is very really helpful. When a celebration is fashioned, gamers also can monitor their teammates’ HP, permitting for extra strategic and coordinated fight.
I see most of the factions are designed round some frequent fantasy themes. What would you say makes your heroes actually distinctive and stand out from among the typical fantasy heroes?
All heroes in Raven2 bear a mark often known as the Cursed Stigma. Inside the world of Raven2, those that carry this mark are seen as ominous beings and face discrimination from others. Nonetheless, it’s exactly as a result of they possess this cursed mark that they’re in a position to withstand corruption and battle to save lots of their world from being consumed by darkness; a trait that units them other than protagonists in conventional fantasy settings.
How would you describe the fight in Raven2? Is it extra centered on quick reflexes and timing your assaults or is it typically extra strategic, the place gamers must handle their cooldowns? What would you describe as a spotlight, or an thrilling half, of your fight?
Since Raven2 is an MMORPG, its fight system isn’t designed to really feel like an motion sport. As a substitute, battles are structured to resemble large-scale warfare involving many gamers relatively than small skirmishes. As such, strategic parts resembling managing talent cooldowns and using Heavenstone Expertise to adapt your fight fashion play a way more important position. Probably the most thrilling and spectacular facet of fight in Raven2 is undoubtedly the huge battles involving tons of of gamers. The sport delivers these large-scale encounters seamlessly, with out lag, permitting gamers to actually expertise the essence of an internet sport, to battle and benefit from the battlefield collectively.
Going again to speak in regards to the group content material a little bit, do gamers select factions in Raven2 or is numerous the workforce work primarily based extra round guilds?
There aren’t any faction decisions in Raven2. As a substitute, gameplay closely revolves round guild-based methods. Inside a guild, cooperation amongst members is crucial. Nonetheless, in relation to relations between guilds, every group can determine whether or not to cooperate or compete. Via the Union System, a number of guilds also can band collectively to type bigger communities, fostering large-scale collaboration and social dynamics throughout the sport world.
Are you able to inform me in regards to the development and participant decisions in Raven2? Do heroes stage up and achieve new abilities by talent bushes or are the lessons designed in one other means? How does gear have an effect on a personality’s construct? In lots of video games, the gear you equip can have an enormous have an effect on on how your character performs. Is that this the identical in Raven2?
Gamers primarily stage up in Raven2 by finishing quests and searching within the discipline, which will increase core stats resembling Assault Energy, Protection, and HP. Expertise are divided into two primary classes: Class Expertise and Heavenstone Expertise.
- Class Expertise might be obtained by quests or bought within the talent store, whereas higher-tier abilities are acquired by defeating uncommon monsters or crafting.
- Heavenstone Expertise, however, are obtained from discipline bosses and permit gamers to customise their setups, creating a definite playstyle that units them other than others.
Most tools, except for weapons, might be freely geared up. Nonetheless, since every class and talent advantages from completely different stat choices, choosing gear that matches your class is essential. For instance, the Vanguard class, a melee fighter who depends on stun-based talents, performs greatest with tools that enhances Melee Assault, Melee Accuracy, Stun Accuracy, and Incapacitation Probability.
One final query earlier than I allow you to all go. What do you anticipate the subsequent huge focus after launch to be for Raven2? New lessons are what at all times will get me essentially the most excited, however I do know different gamers love shiny cosmetics and funky gear. What can we anticipate to return subsequent?
To have a good time the North American launch of Raven2, a brand new class will probably be launched within the upcoming November replace. We had intensive discussions about which class would greatest symbolize the North American service, and in the end determined that the Gunslinger, who wields twin pistols, was the right match. Following the Gunslinger replace, we’re additionally making ready new costumes and classy tools, so we hope our North American gamers look ahead to all of the thrilling new content material coming to Raven2.
