So far, the skeletal structure of competent AI behavior has been completed as well as complex PvP and PvE combat. Right now all that remains is implementing a whole lot of what are known as techniques, which play a vital role in gameplay. We hope to have at least half of these done before we start testing sessions with real players.
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But just what IS Fantasie?
Being the humble man I am, I am reluctant to say you've probably heard the word "Fantasie" or the game itself floating around BYOND chat servers or anime games. Some of our more overzealous developers have been less than reluctant to talk about Fantasie, but never explain what it is. So, here it is:
Fantasie is an open-world RPG project which will emphasize freedom of choice without GM intervention. You could call it sandbox gameplay. Imagine a time where you played any kind of online RPG. Remember that level 2,000 jerkwad running around killing every babyface newbie who had just spawned, fresh from newb island? That will not only not be against the rules, it will be in a way encouraged. However, instead of a game official intervening and slapping the said jerkwad's hand, AI-controlled characters and pre-programmed procedures will attempt to punish the player.
Rules in this game will hopefully be enforced by NPCs, and rely little on any GM's input. This will allow for a more friendly environment and laid-back social interaction. GMs will be there to liven up the game, make sure the players are having fun, and have fun themselves. I don't see why GMs should be punished by having to resolve player disputes.
Fantasie's combat will be the main dish of the game. Each player can choose one of eight main classes. Each class has a score of different abilities, which are, technically speaking, sub-classes. These abilities, when chosen, allow access to a variety of different skills, or techniques, specific to that class and ability. Each person would have a very specific role in any organized combat event, and there will be a lot of diversity.
Imagine combat where you have front-line soldiers doing all of the dirty work and soaking up incoming attack. Behind these front-line soldiers would be supporters who aren't meant for the front lines but can deal decent damage. Further back you go, the offensiveness decreases but the defensiveness and protection value increases greatly. This sounds very generic, I know. However, the techniques each player is equipped with will allow for battle that is more than just damage and numbers. Techniques will be very unique, and most will focus on environmental effects. This can include casting a tornado attack that will suck up every poor soul in its path and spit them out a great distance after greatly damaging them. This would mean players have to be constantly moving instead of standing there and trying to out-damage your opponents, like in traditional ORPGs.
In short, the combat is very fast-paced. PvP will be a sight to behold, and will require strategic use of manpower as well as level vs level.
Players won't be up against only other player foes though. A lot of the combat will revolve around AI combatants, which have been dubbed "Meos". Meos are monsters of the Fantasie world, who can be very bizarre-looking horrors from the dark or cute but deadly hug-buddies. The focus of the AI in Fantasie is to provide a fun opponent for players when they're not off fighting eachother. They will behave differently and, in due time, structure themselves strategically as well as players do. This AI structure and communication is something already in the works. Meos will do more than fight, run, and heal. Meos will, depending on the species, rely on their buddies to help them win battles. These guys will move around, dodge attacks, and try to flank enemies much like players do.
If you've managed to read all of that, congratulations! While you're here, visit our forums hosted by the amazing Terulia service (ps these guys are amazing, check them out). There's some stuff in there I didn't go over in this post. Nothing new with Space Colonies, but like I said, that's not my main project. Nobody's really shown much interest in it anyway.