This E3 has probably seen more MMO’s then any other before it, in this industry it’s always a pleasure to see a game return, and such was the case with Ryzom this year. Last year I had the opportunity to see Ryzom’s Outpost episode and hear some of the first news of there exciting new expansion known as The Ring. The Ring is a first for an MMO. It will take players where they have never been able to go before, in to the designer’s seat. The Ring will take the player experience to a whole new level because for the first time they will be able to design their own quests for friends, guildmates or anyone who plays Ryzom if they choose. Many aren’t familiar with Ryzom; the game was launched in 2004 by French developer Nevrax. The game takes place on the planet Atys, a diverse world with five rich ecosystems that allows players to create a character with full customization from one of four races. The game allows players to gain experience in a number of methods, from crafting to combat, there are many ways for players to find a niche where they can fit in. The game has lots of content to offer players, including PvE, PvP and, since the release of Outposts, guild vs. guild combat (GvG). Now as if all these were not enough, what truly separates Ryzom from other MMO games is its ever evolving story line where the players are not only involved, but help to craft, the future.
Now the developers are taking their next step with The Ring. They are going where no developer has dared go before and are putting the tools in to the hands of the players. Now some would wonder what kind of tools these are, do you need to know scripting? Or perhaps know how to perform some complex calculations? Happily I can say no, there is no need for the player to have more then some basic knowledge of the interface and a good imagination to make use of the tools that will be included. Indeed it took Nevrax’s Director Milko Berset less then an hour to show Snapper and I the basics to the point I would be more then comfortable creating my own scenario for Ryzom.
So what do these tools include? Simply put, everything. They include the ability to set paths, patrols, and even script entire events for NPCs with a user friendly GUI. The player has everything they need to create some of the most complex scenarios; these can span multiple maps, areas and involve dozens if not hundreds of NPCs in numerous capacities. Players can control NPCs in several ways. They can set them to patrol, a set path, with just a few clicks of the mouse. Players can also set them to patrol randomly around a set area. Players can also set an NPC as a quest giver, giving them a script to follow from one of dozens of preset quest types that will allow tons of flexibility in what players can do. Last, they will even be able to combine one or all of these options to create even more complex scenarios. Not only will players be able to control NPCs, they can create items, set conditional traps and even make adjustments to the environment by adding objects.
Players will have two modes to control in there scenarios. In GM mode they will be able to teleport, move faster and take direct control of NPCs to help move the scenario along. In the other mode, player mode, they will be able to test the scenario as themselves with out the need of another player to assist them in testing.
Now that we had seen what The Ring was capable of we were shown an example of how easy it was to put in to practice in a short scenario that Milko created. He rapidly choose a map, created a patrol of some guards and a single NPC, then created an item. He created a quest where that NPC would ask players to retrieve a diamond. That done he then created a small area around the diamond that when the players entered would trigger an attack of some beasties that he placed nearby. Now one has to wonder after seeing him create this scenario so rapidly if it would all work. I was amazed to see not only did everything work, it worked nearly flawlessly. We watched as he moved is character amongst the NPCs, accepted the quest to return the diamond, and proceeded to set off the trap.
Now one might ask how these scenarios will be distributed. There will be two possible methods. The first is players will be able to host there own scenarios and, as long as they are logged in to Ryzom, all who know about them will be able to access them. The other method is though a new subscription service known as Outland. For just $5.99 a month a player will be able to upload their scenarios so that they will be available to anyone whether the creator is online or not.
Now one would wonder what this expansion will cost. I am happy to say it won’t cost anything. This is a free expansion for anyone with a Ryzom subscription. Ryzom Ring is a game I recommend to everyone who has ever wanted to try their hand at game design because here is your chance. Ryzom Ring should be released some time next month.
Raised in Massachusetts and made move to south of the Mason/Dixon line to the lovely state of MD. I have been working Desktop support for the last 2 years for Games Workshop. When not working for the Galactic Toy Company I am playing any one of 8 MMOs or Numerous console games.
