BattleForge, a new fantasy online real-time strategy game. Developed in Ingelheim, Germany, BattleForge is an epic real-time strategy (RTS) fantasy game that combines the elegance of RTS gameplay with the collectability of trading cards in an online environment where friends can play together. BattleForge pioneers strategy gaming with its online multiplayer design and robust community.
With the approach of the BattleForge's Open Beta, MMOsite made an wonderful interview with Kevin O'Leary, Product Marketing Manager on the BattleForge team at Electronic Arts, to learn some more about the novel RTS/trading card hybrid.
MMOsite: BattleForge is a unique game incorporating RTS and CCG elements. How did you come to the idea of developing such an MMO but instead of other types of MMORPG which are more popular?
Kevin O'Leary: The strategy genre hasn't yet experienced the online phenomenon that so drastically changed the RPG space. We want to expand, and unite, strategy players online to create that same sense of community found in current MMOs. Furthermore, we're creating a new style of gameplay using digital cards which allow you to build your own, custom army, giving players exponentially more strategic choices in battle.
MMOsite: Most RTS games are single-player games. How do you incorporate MMO elements into an RTS game? What are your prospects for BattleForge? Will BattleForge turn out to be a success? And why?
Kevin O'Leary: Turning the game into an online portal for players was the first step; this then allowed us to build scenarios for up to 12 players to cooperatively take on some serious challenges in which they'll earn great rewards. There are still plenty of single-player maps for players but the focus is on teaming up with other players online. We hope, that by creating and enabling a large online community, much like World of Warcraft did, players will continuously find value and return to BattleForge. Free map updates and new editions of cards will be there for returning players so the rewards are constant and bountiful!
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MMOsite: Did you achieve the goal you had set for open beta test? Are there any challenges or bottlenecks you've encountered? How did you resolve them? And what is some of the feedback you've received from the testers?
Kevin O'Leary: We've received all kinds of great feedback from those in the limited beta, both internally and externally, on our forums. We are well on our way to reach our goals before we ship on March 24th this year, in fact we just released a major update with thousands of changes including tons of balancing for the units in-game. One thing that our internal testers have shown us is that skill and strategy prevail in BattleForge; giving a new player a very complex, or 'upgraded' deck almost always yields defeat against a skilled player with basic cards
MMOsite: Card system is important in BattleForge. Can you introduce it to our readers? How special will the card system be?
Kevin O'Leary: The cards are the mechanic behind the innovative features in BattleForge. Each card represents a unit, building, or spell that you can play onto the battlefield and contains all the information you need, much like Magic: The Gathering. With 200 cards ready at launch, there are thousands of options for how you construct your own personal army. Furthermore, they empower the players to keep their stacks fresh since we offer a marketplace for players to buy, sell, and trade their cards with other players.
