Recently, I had a talk with Likeice Han, the product manager of IGG, about their upcoming geme - Voyage Century.

MMOsite.com: Can you basically introduce yourself? Why did IGG choose Voyage Century?

Likeice Han: Voyage Century is based on an all-world map and set in the 16th century Great Navigation Era. The storyline of the game involves Europe, Asia, Africa, America and even Australia and North and South Pole. Fit for both eastern and western players, Voyage Century is really an MMOG for global players. In the 16th century Great Navigation Era, the western world occupied a special historical position, so western players have a profound sentiment for navigation. Many of them are enthusiasts for exploration, history, geography and navigation and we hope through this realistic 3D nautical online game, western players can enjoy such fun.

MMOsite.com: The players have high expectations for Voyage Century. Personally, what is the most attractive feature of Voyage Century?

Likeice Han: Voyage Century has a fresh theme. Apart from sea battle and land battle, foreign trade and exploration are also listed as its major gameplay. The players can fully control resources ranging from collecting to crafting them into ships and cannons. I believe they are fresh and attractive to veteran players. In addition, its lush 3D graphics, simulated sea battle effect, pirate, plundering and rewarding are also attractive to a lot of players. Guild war and siege war even make players blood boil.

MMOsite.com: What s the historical background of Voyage Century? How large is the game world? Currently, how many sea areas and cities have been opened?

Likeice Han: Voyage Century incorporates important historical events and geographical elements in the 15th-18th century, covering a history of 300 years. And that s the current world background of Voyage Century. It is based on real world map. All the sea areas which could be approached in the 16th century have been opened in Voyage Century. Currently, 54 cities have been opened and more are joining.

MMOsite.com: Many excellent MMOGs have a grand and compelling quest system. Can you basically introduce Voyage Century s quest system in? Do you encourage group quests? Is it difficult for solo players to accomplish a quest? Are quest rewards attractive enough?

Likeice Han: Voyage Century has two types of quests available. One is alliance class quest and the other is scenario quest. The alliance class quest is mainly to train players class skill and scenario quest is to help players get more knowedge about the world through narrating inspiring scenarios. There are of course a lot of solo quests, but comparatively speaking, many quests require group cooperation. Apart from group cooperation, some high-level quests even require some special skills and techniques. The quest rewards are far more decent than merely fighting monsters.

MMOsite.com: How many types of skills are available? Is there any limitation for learning skills? How to raise skill level? Can players raise each skill to its maximum level?

Likeice Han: Currently, only 17 skills are available. Players are free to choose any class and they can learn all the skills. Players raise their skill level mainly through improving proficiency. And there is indeed limitation for the number of skills which can reach maximum level.

MMOsite.com: How many types of ships are available in Voyage Century? What are their advantages? What can they equip? How can players obtain and sail a high-level ship?

Likeice Han: Currently, there are three types of ships available, merchant ship with the advantage of large carrying capacity, warship with the advantage of high combat effectiveness and assault ship with the advantage of fast speed. Ships can be equipped with figurehead which can enhance the ship s attributes, cannon, clad ram, torpedo, hook and armor which can enhance the ship s combat effectiveness, and fishing nets and other tools. The players have to improve specific skills in order to sail a ship.

MMOsite.com: Let s talk about sea battle. What are the ways of attack available in sea battle? And what are the main factors determining win and lose?

Likeice Han: Cannon attack, ram attack and throwing weapons mainly reflect players control skill and weapon strength. Throwing hoods and melee fighting mainly reflect character s combating skill level. Torpedoes are mainly used by merchant ships and torpedoes level and player control are the determining factors.

MMOsite.com: How does the economy of the game work?

Likeice Han: The in-game economy is driven by goods trade between the merchants in different cities. The stall and trade system enables circulation of materials, equipment and currency between players. It affects the economy of a particular city and even the whole area.