Game Designer Jack Stanley talks about the MMO, Hero Online
By Michael Lafferty

“I could write an entire dissertation as to why Hero Online is a unique and interesting MMORPG that stands out from the rest”

Asian myth and folklore, bound up in martial arts-style combat, is about to enter the massively multiplayer online game space when MGame USA brings Hero Online to the North American market.

The game is more than just a static backdrop; instead the gameplay mechanics will borrow from the legends as well as the excitement of Asian martial arts films to bring what promises to be a visceral and entertainment experience.

But to know more about the game, it was necessary to talk to people in the know. Jack Stanley, the lead game designer, chatted with GameZone.com about the title.

Question: Tell us a little bit about the backstory for Hero Online. What has happened in the world to bring players to this current point in time?

Jack: To get a general understanding of what’s happening in-game, let’s start with what happened 20 years before the present…

Two decades ago, there were Twelve Demons that mercilessly ravaged the land. Such was their strength that many famous martial arts houses and clans fought to stop them, only to encounter defeat. It is only when a mysterious hero arrived that the people began to hope. This mysterious hero defeated the Twelve Demons and restored peace to the land.

Twenty years later, the Hero is murdered and the wife is the prime suspect. Before getting arrested, rumor has it that the wife claimed the Twelve Demons has returned. Once again the security of the people is threatened as rumors of the Twelve Demons begin to spread. The people cry out for a new hero to protect the land.       

Q: What classes are involved in the game? What races? Does the game follow the standard skill progression trees of most MMORPGs?

Jack: As opposed to races, in the beginning of the game, players will have a choice of four playable characters. These characters will each have their own individual stat and weapon proficiencies. Once reaching level 10, the player can then choose one of four classes (warrior, physician, hunter, assassin) that will have three tiers of classification. When it comes to the skills of the game, the progression will be based off of skill books and skill points. Skill books will be attained through NPCs and quests, while points will be gained through a separate skill-exp meter.

Q: Will the game support clans? Are their alliances? What will being part of a clan/guild or alliance provide a player that he or she cannot achieve on their own?

Jack: The game will definitely support clans and alliances, which will help players in many aspects of the game including: PvP, PvE, and various other systems. While it is possible for a player to remain unattached and/or neutral, it will make it slightly more difficult for him to fully enjoy all the aspects of the game.

Q: Does the game have PvP or is it all PvE? If there is PvP, is it zoned?

Jack: The best part of martial arts is watching people use it in action! There will definitely be PvP, and many aspects of it. There will be territorial wars, guild wars, faction wars, Hero Battles, Tournaments, general PvP, and (would you believe it?) much more! Because of the many PvP systems available to the users, there will definitely be a system that matches the preferences of any player!

Q: What are the death penalties? Is there crafting or will players have to acquire new weapons and armor through purchasing from an NPC or through questing?

Jack: There will be several different options for users to choose if their characters die. Depending on their choice, some penalties will be different and some will remain the same. There are some options that will bring you back to town, safe spot, or other (HP/MP will be restored, and EXP will be lost), and some that will revive you on the spot (Players can either use an item that will restore HP/MP and EXP or revive without an item losing EXP and starting with low HP/MP).

Hero Online will have several systems available to customize or create items. There will be a crafting system available where Hunters may mine for materials and create items, as well as an enchanting system where players may combine weapons and armors with stones to increase or add attributes and stats.

Q: What elements will separate this game from other MMOs, and make it unique?

Jack: To be honest, I could write an entire dissertation as to why Hero Online is a unique and interesting MMORPG that stands out from the rest. But to keep it short I will gloss over the more interesting points.

First of all, Hero’s pet system is quite a unique system not implemented in many games. There are two types of pets: attack pets and mount pets. Of the attack pets, the variety ranges from animals on the land to animals in the sky. So players will have the opportunity to have attack pets that including bears, wolves, eagles, and much more. Players with mount pets can both ride the pets and fight while riding them, adding a whole new level of PvE and PvP. While riding the pet, the player character will not take damage until the pet is either dead or unsummoned. There is another category of “pets,” where players have the opportunity to use NPCs to aide them in combat. NPC’s such as assassins or apprentices can be used for both aggressive and passive purposes.

Another thing that makes Hero Online unique is the additional movement skill that players can obtain once they meet certain requirements. Players will the ability to run at incredibly fast speed as well as fly over buildings and stand on water. Much like the skills shown in martial arts movie, heroes in Hero Online will have the mystical powers of martial arts that allow great freedom of movement both on the land and in the air.

Even in the mundane aspects of MMORPGs, such as the grind, skill interface, user menu, etc., Hero Online makes a point of adding new systems where even the ordinary becomes extraordinary. While I could spend countless hours describing every one of them, it would be better (much better) to experience it first hand during our Closed Beta.

Q: What are the particular challenges of translating a game that does well in Korea to fit into the North American culture?

Jack: To the credit of our translation team, there were many aspects of Hero Online that were difficult to translate. But looking at the end result, they did a pretty good job. One of the major challenges of bringing a martial arts-type MMORPG to the American market is the general concepts of the genre. In the same way that many people read fantasy novels involving wizards, dragons, and knights in the States, many people read books, comics, stories, magazines, etc. regarding the fiction of ancient China (particularly martial arts.) There were many general concepts that would be picked up easily by the Asian market that would be difficult to explain or translate in English. But thanks to the efforts of our translation team, not only is Hero Online easy to understand/comprehend, it hasn’t lost its cultural flavor. Very good stuff.

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