MMOsite: Mortal Online uses the well-known Unreal 3 engine, so there's no doubt that the graphics of the game will be gorgeous. But what I'm concerned is that maybe the game might not work smoothly on my computer.
Henrik Nystrom: If you look at our teaser, you'll see we do have a bit higher default setting than most of today's mmorpgs when it comes to graphics, and of course Mortal Online will run best on a high end computer. However, Unreal Engine 3 is a very powerful engine and we think there is no other engine that will provide such level on the graphics and at the same time be able to run it on less powerful machines. As a comparison, the teaser is actually running in real-time with highest settings on a DualCore 6600 with a GeForce 8800 (512 MB) and 2 GB RAM. We see the next-gen graphics in Mortal Online as a big bonus, but in the end it's really the game play features that are most important to us.
MMOsite: Mortal Online seems to be more oriented to hardcore gamers. Are there any good ways for causal players to enjoy the game as well?
Henrik Nystrom: Yes, as I mentioned before we want new players to get into the game fast. In many other mmorpgs you need to be level xx to play with your friends, and that won't happen in Mortal Online. You can go anywhere and there's always something you can do to contribute in a group. Also, there are many ways to play Mortal Online and even though we don't have the regular quest- and levels-ladder it's a big world with many features to explore, by yourself or together with your friends..
MMOsite: We know the game is scheduled for release during summer 2009. How solid is your plan? Is there any rough schedule for closed beta and open beta?
Henrik Nystrom: Our plan is still to release Mortal Online summer 2009. We will soon announce when it's time for the beta on our website.
MMOsite: Mortal Online will require a monthly fee. How much it might be? Why not use the f2p + item shop model. You know, it is becoming increasingly popular among MMO players.
Henrik Nystrom: Mortal Online is developed on the monthly fee model. We don't want for our players to feel that their experience of the game is limited or increased by real money. We focus on a high quality gaming experience where we simply can't see the item shop model to fit our world. Although I can't deny it would be fun to see the consequences of our full-loot game and a real-money item shop ;)
MMOsite: Which territory/territories are you targeting? Any plan to bring it into the U.S. and Asian market?
Henrik Nystrom: As it look today we will launch our first server in Europe, then we will release servers in USA and in Asia.
MMOsite: Anything else you'd like to share with our readers?
Henrik Nystrom: Thank you MMOsite for the interview, and thank YOU reader for reading this. Mortal Online will undoubtedly be a different kind of MMO experience, but we are sure many players are ready for a completely new take on this genre. If you believe you are one of them, we look forward to meeting you on our forums where we often read and discuss with our soon-to-be players!
