Sword of the New World, winner of the 2006 Grand Award for Best Game in Korea and developed by Hakkyu Kim, the creator of the charming and addictive Ragnarok Online, is the refreshing high-quality 3D MMORPG gamers have been craving for years.

Sword of the New World for the PC Is the Only Fantasy MMORPG To Offer the Ability to Control Multiple Characters Simulataneously. Players can combine their team with the teams of other players to form large parties to plunder dungeons for treasure and conquer epic bosses.

This interview is answered by Grantley Day, Vice President of Product development at K2 Network.


MMOsite.com: Would you care to basically introduce Sword of the New World to our audience? Why did you decide to set the game in the 17th century after Europe s land discovery rush, but not in the Renaissance period?

Grantley Day: Set in an original world with a story modeled after Europe s exploration of America, the developer of the title IMC games looked for a period where there was little exploration and development in the game world, and settled on the 17th century.  Not to mention the access to such great content including architecture that is used in the game.

MMOsite.com: The most distinctive and unique feature for Sword of New World must be its MCC (multi-character control) system. It is the first of its kind that can be found in online games. Can you explain it more to us?

Grantley Day: Multiple character control has been used in other single player titles such as Neverwinter Nights 2 and Dungeon Siege 2, but never before in a Massively Multiplayer Online RPG title. Sword of the New World s Multi-Character Control (MCC) enables players to control up to three characters at once. No longer limited to playing just one character at a time, with MCC players can access their favorite classes immediately and combine them for fast-paced, dynamic action.

MMOsite.com: When the player is not controlling a character, AI will control it. Can you tell us something about the level of AI in this game?

Grantley Day: The AI control is not complex at all. We still want the players to have absolute power over their characters and to make the best decisions regarding what their characters can do. For example, when in the Healing Stance, the scout will single target heal their team mates with their powerful Heal ability, but they would never choose to use the Mass Heal Spell, and the player must choose to activate that ability for them either by mouse click or keyboard shortcut.

MMOsite.com: Compared with traditional online games, apart from MCC system, what are the other features of Sword of the New World that you think will attract players attention?

Grantley Day: The multiple stances per character class that allow for diversity in play styles without the downside of having to create or go through some elaborate process to change you characters skills will also be of huge benefit to players.  Not enough healers for your RAID, simple, move your scouts from Assassin style back into Healing style (when the combat has died down) and proceed.  The level of flexibility will be a refreshing change to players.

MMOsite.com: When a player controls three characters simultaneously, his personal ability will be enhanced. However, some players are concerned that they may gain less enjoyment from social interaction and group and guild game play. What s your comment?

Grantley Day: Sword of the New World still contains many dungeons, bosses, quests and PVP instances where parties are essential; the bonus that players can achieve by forming social groups and fighting for prizes will be of great boon to most.  On the positive side, you want have to spend hours trying to find a healer for your party, since most groups have the ability to have their own!

MMOsite.com: NPC collection system is quite new to the players. Can you tell us more about it? Currently, how many types of NPC are available for collecting?

Grantley Day: NPC isn t actually the correct term for these characters; we prefer to call them PC.  There not really "non-player characters" since you have the ability to incorporate one of these PC s into your group and have them be a member of your barracks.  If you need a Fighter because you didn t make one when you started the game, collect one of the unique fighter PC s in the game, and he or she will join you whenever you require.  Sword of the New World isn t about just leveling one party of three; there are so many characters to level and all with unique and different skills.  We haven t revealed the total number of PC’s that are in the game but more information will be coming soon.

MMOsite.com: A player can control up to three characters simultaneously, which will definitely create more pressure on the server. How will you tackle this problem?

Grantley Day: Actually from a technology point of view, the difference in controlling one player or three players per server is insignificant to resource load.  Sword of the New World can fit as many as 10,000 players into one unique world.

MMOsite.com: Can you update us on the release schedule for the title? And what will be its revenue and price model?

Grantley Day: Q3, pricing is also a closely guarded secret at the moment.

MMOsite.com: Anything more to share with our readers?

Grantley Day: You are going to absolutely love the game...we can t wait for you to play it.