MMOsite: First congratulations, you've successfully launched the first closed beta for Florensia on March 20th, 2008. How is everything going on with the testing? What's the feedback? Does it meet your expectations?
Simone Lackerbauer: Thank you very much! The test was a great success for us. The 700 players we chose out of 20.000 registered users gave us a lot of feedback via our forum. The beta absolutely met our expectations. There were no major bug issues and the positive responses regarding quests, teamplay and graphics quality showed us Florensia can and will be a great success outside Asia as well.
MMOsite: Why did you name the game "Florensia"? Does it have anything related to the storyline of the game? Any story behind it?
Simone Lackerbauer: Before the world of Florensia we know today came into existence, there was only one huge continent called Lux Plena and it was full of magic. Due to corruption and war, Lux Plena almost completely got destroyed and all that's left are the few known islands and the vast sea. But the governors of our world today know there is more to be discovered than only these islands. In the old language, "Florensia" means "travelling and working for your goals, going ahead on the way of life". Everyone in the known world �C may it be the pirates, the brave adventurers or the monsters on the open sea �C is working for their goals, so that "Florensia" becomes the reason for their existence.
MMOsite: It seems a lot of players are eager to play Florensia. And many players feel frustrated that they failed to receive a CB key. In your opinion, why Florensia is so appealing to them?
Simone Lackerbauer: First of all, common facts like the exceptionally appealing graphics and the whole look and feel of the game attract the players. We think our players know that Florensia is more than just a f2p MMOG. They can see we have a growing community which is one of the most important things for a massively multiplayer online game. They also know there is way more behind Florensia than what they have already seen. With the upcoming features, such as the battle pet system and the advanced job classes (and many more we can't name yet), the variety of things you can actually do in Florensia will significantly increase. The well-balanced interdependence of land and sea adventures is also an important aspect.
MMOsite: To tell the truth, I'm fascinated with the graphics of Florensia, which are in cartoon style and not too realistic. Would you care to talk more about the art design of Florensia?
Simone Lackerbauer: We are happy to hear that. The combination of cuteness, individual styles, sophisticated landscapes and dangerous monsters alongside the Japanese art design is really popular in our community. The team behind the graphics and the illustrations is amazing, we already received a lot pictures, for example the illustrations of the Black Dragons Pirate Hideout. One of the creative directors from the game Granado Espada has joined Netts for working on Florensia and we really love the special style of Florensia. For us, the look of a game is really important, because the players have to be able to identify with it.
MMOsite: As we know most navigation online games are based on the real history of the world, but Florensia is an exception. It is a fantasy MMO. What were your considerations?
Simone Lackerbauer: It is not possible to compare Florensia with any other game about seafaring. The naval adventures are closely combined with the adventures in the countryside and even when steering a ship, the personal character is still the decisive aspect. This concept really attracted us and we don't see Florensia as naval strategy game, but as MMOG with exciting features both afloat and ashore.
MMOsite: Compared with other navigation online games, what kinds of innovations and unique features do you have in Florensia?
Simone Lackerbauer: As already mentioned, the seafaring adventures in Florensia are a huge innovation. You can as well reach a higher sea level with your character, so everything is based on the things you yourself do inside the game. When reaching a higher level, it is only logical to extend your journey to the open sea and both parts don't rival. Besides, Florensia is very special regarding the high quality of all the contents that are and will be available. Instead of flooding the players with half-heartedly created contents, every new feature is following a straight concept to support the development of the player's personal character. Another considerable innovation is the introduction of ambitious PvP contents bit by bit. Unfortunately, we can't say more about that, but within a guild or party, teamplay and fighting strategies in sieges will become important in the future.
MMOsite: You emphasize that land adventure is as important as marine adventure in Florensia. So, what exciting experiences can we have on the land in Florensia? Will there be a large number of instances?
Simone Lackerbauer: The world of Florensia has not yet fully been discovered and further islands will be added to the existing maps. Every island and even the ocean inherit a lot of secrets and thus the answer is yes, there will be more dungeons and places for the players to discover. Besides, a big part of the PvP features will as well take place in the countryside.
MMOsite: Currently, there are 4 basic classes in Florensia. Can you basically introduce them to our readers? What sort of unique traits will each of them have? What will the job change system like in Florensia? And what will be the requirements for players to change job?
Simone Lackerbauer: The current basic classes are called Mercenary (a melee warrior type of fighter), Explorer (a swift and agile gunslinger), Noble (a mystic mage and illusionist) and Saint (bringer of light and healing as well as darkness).
Each of the four classes benefits from special buffs and skills for strengthening defense and attack and they all have offensive skills based on melee or ranged combat. Due to the various weapon types, different specializations are possible. Nobles can be played with light swords as well as with the magic energy converter called Kariad, Explorers don't only rely on guns and Mercenaries can choose to wear a shield or not. Thus, many various types and builds of adventurers are available for the players which will hopefully lead to interesting discussions.
As already indicated, the Mercenary is a brave melee warrior who can either tank and withstand enemies or choose the offensive way of combat.
The Explorer is a fleet-fooded master of swiftness with many powerful and lethal attacks for either guns or light melee weapons.
Nobles fight with elemental and spiritual magic power and illusions to trap and kill their enemies in a very effective way.
Saints can either support their friends as healers using the power of light. But they can as well attack with the divine power of light and nature or call upon the shadows of the night.
The first job change in Florensia takes place when the character reaches level 40. Each of the basic job classes can then choose between two advanced classes depending on their preferences. Without foreclosing too much �C the Saint will for example be able to choose the way of divine power or to concentrate on mystic energies and rites all around nature.
MMOsite: There is a rumored class Pirate Class on your official website. Can you reveal some more details about this class to our readers? Do you have any plan to release it in the second closed beta?
Simone Lackerbauer: Yes, there are rumors about a fifth base character class called Pirate who is supposed to be a sneaky melee fighter with sudden attack attributes at short distances. Unfortunately, we don't know yet when and how the Pirate will be introduced.
MMOsite: As a navigation-themed online game, sea battles must play an important role in Florensia. What kind of combat system will be available? And how will the PvP system look like?
Simone Lackerbauer: Unfortunately, we currently can't say more about the sea battles and PvP systems than what has already been described answering the other questions. We are eagerly waiting for the moment to reveal the siege warfare feature and the extension of the PvP battles.
MMOsite: How can players get their ships? So far, how many different kinds of ships are available for the players?
Simone Lackerbauer: Ship pieces can both be found and bought at different locations. In the harbor, the player can build his ship using different parts, such as main mast, ship rear, ship anchor and many more. Currently, there are five different ship types in different sizes:
Ironclads are huge armored ships with strong defensive abilities that won't draw aside when it comes to direct confrontations
Ram Ships are swift offensive ships that cause lethal damage using cannons or shocking horns
Giant Cannon Ships are specialized on long-distance fights and can cause damage to a wide area
Assault Frigates don't have the highest defensive or offensive powers, but due to their high speed, they can swiftly fire at enemies with their torpedoes without getting caught
Logistic Support Ships can repair other ships by means of various repair devices and buffs and furthermore, they can place underwater mines to slow the enemies
The higher the player's naval level, the better the ship. By completing the naval skill tree, a player's ship can use various new abilities. For setting sail, a crew has to be hired at the harbor (anything from sea veterans to lazy scoundrels is available). Furthermore, custom sails can be designed.
MMOsite: Many players are eager to know when you will launch the next closed beta for Florensia. Is there any sort of solid schedule for the second closed beta or open beta?
Simone Lackerbauer: The second CB of Florensia will start on Friday, April 18 and last more than one week. More players will get access to the game and we are really looking forward to see our international community grow and explore Florensia. There will be a third CB before the start of the Open Beta as well. The Open Beta is scheduled for end of May / beginning of June.
Source : mmosite
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