November 23, 2009

THQ*ICE brings Dragonica Online to the North American market
By Michael Lafferty

“I am big fan of the sense of humor in the game”

THQ has tossed its hat into the massively multiplayer online gaming ring under the name of THQ*ICE. First up for the brand is a game imported and localized for the North American market. The game is Dragonica Online and it is a free-to-play title that features inviting graphics and a robust combat system.

Of course there is much more to the tale than merely pulling in a game that was popular in the Asian markets, translating the dialogue and throwing it out there. GameZone wanted to know a bit more about the title and so we got in touch with THQ*ICE with our questions about the title.

THQ*ICE’s Product Manager Chris Lena was kind enough to chat with GZ about the game and bringing it to the North American gaming audience.

Question: A lot of Asian MMOs are released every year, so what drew you to Dragonica Online as a property to use for the THQ*ICE label?

Chris: This is an easy one. The game is fun. The quickness of the combat lets you get in right away and have a good time but there is also a depth to the game that rewards you for spending time and learning. We have a scoring system on our instanced mission maps to challenge the perfectionist player. If you like to see how you stack up to other players we have PvP and also guild vs. guild PvP. If you are more the entrepreneur type, then you can spend a lot of your time buying and selling items on the in-game marketplace. There is much more but I think you get the picture.

What has been the biggest challenge is making this title viable for the North American market?

Chris: Dragonica Online is free-to-play and right now there is a lot of competition out there for that market. We know we have a great game, but the trick is getting everyone to take a look and give it a spin. You have a short time to grab someone’s attention, and it is a challenge to get across all the features the game has to offer.

What do you think are the elements of Dragonica Online that will resonant with North American players and set it apart from the other Asian titles ported to the North American market?

Chris: Dragonica Online is a fully featured, high-quality MMORPG. We are competing against all of the other MMORPGs regardless of where they came from. Like I mentioned before the immediate, quick pacing of the combat will grab people right away. We also want the game to be alive and vibrant for our players. We are always doing in-game events and contests to make sure there is always something going on that the community can participate in.

Tell us a bit about the character customization. How will players be able to give their characters a unique look and feel?

Chris: When first creating your character you can choose from a variety of faces, hairstyles, and hair color. Once you are in the game there are even more options. There is a huge assortment of armor sets, weapons, hair styles, faces, hair colors, and outfits you can get both through normal gameplay and our cash shop. Walking around the towns you will see players decked out in their epic class gear or maybe dressed like a dashing buccaneer.

What do you find compelling about the combat system?

Chris: This is not the simple system of press the button and wait. Right from the beginning, you are able to use key combinations to execute combo attacks that make for a much more engaging combat system. There is real skill that is necessary to use your combat abilities to the fullest. Your ability as a player can be the difference between just hitting a monster and launching it in the air and following it up with a devastating mid-air combo. Don’t get me started about PvP! It doesn’t matter what my level and gear is I get smashed every time, but I guess I should spend more time practicing and less time doing interviews.

Is the game quest driven or is it more of a sandbox feel with quests to help players move along when they look for direction?

Chris: Dragonica Online is a 3D side-scrolling game that tends to guide players through quests and mission maps. Although it is fun to explore the different maps we want you to have goals to accomplish.

How expansive is the world and how does the game make players feel they are part of the game rather than just running from quest to quest in order to level?

Chris: The world itself has plenty of places to explore from the putrid waters of the Smoldering Swamp deep in the continent of Angrakka to the sweltering heat of the Fiery Abyss. You can find all sorts of environments to explore and creatures to fight. From a story perspective Dragonica Online takes place 1,000 years after the Five Heroes defeated the Dark Dragon Elga and imprisoned him. Now there are dark forces spreading corruption across the land and working to try to release Elga again. The world is looking to you to rise up, fight these evil forces, and take your place as a hero of Dragonica history.  We are also supporting this with in-game events such as Call To Arms. During this event players have to turn in weapons and armor to a GM to help with the war effort. At the end of the event the class type with the most donations will receive a reward.

What do you like most about Dragonica?

Chris: I am big fan of the sense of humor in the game.  I am playing to have fun and I really appreciate that the game doesn’t always take itself too seriously. Captain Hookah may have been a tough fight but I am still fighting a pirate shark!

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