Posted on 24 November 2007 at 06:00:29

Time for another quick, or not so quick update. Right now, the team is
working hard getting the game ready for the next patch. I think balance has
greatly improved, and a lot of the features that have been implemented are
excellent additions to the game. You will see those on Tuesday and we look
forward to hearing your feedback.

As we move closer to launch, some may think that now would be a good time to
finally relax after months of crunch, but that’s not what making an MMO is
about. So the question “what’s in store for the upper level player?” has
come up, and I thought I would share a sneak peek of some of our plans. Some of
these will come sooner rather than later and as with any development, nothing is
set in stone and our plans could and will invariably change. Still, here are
just a few of the features we are working on:

• Personal Armor Units (PAU’s): When players get to level
  40, they won’t just get a pony! Promotion to Level 40 comes with the
  option to train for certification in the PAU. Each PAU will have bonuses
  such as movement, more firepower, and different abilities per type. Each
  type is unique to the military career the player has selected. When
  visualizing the PAU, visualize the AFS Mech, although each will be very
  different… and may not necessarily be a
  mech.

  
  

  Sneak peek: PAU for the Grenadier: Grendel – The
  surprisingly nimble Grendel, has two machine gun turrets on each arm,
  providing a cone of doom a short distance in front of the Grendel. More
  impressive is the Hornet’s Nest capability of the Grendel, which when
  unleashed uses the remaining power of the user to determine the number of
  rockets unleashed on the opposing forces but does massive damage to
  surrounding units.

  
  

• Command Opportunity: When you climb the ranks to level
  50, you need someone to order around. Command Opportunity is the privilege
  the AFS commander has to control their own subordinate squad of NPCs. Teach
  them, outfit them, and give them commands on the battlefield. The more
  successful you are with your squad, the bigger and better your squad will
  become, granting you Command Points.
  
• Flashpoints: The Neph generals aren’t happy with the
  setbacks in their bid to rid the universe of Eloh manipulation, therefore
  they have begun attacks on various worlds. Each Flashpoint will require
  multiple squads to solve. Certain objectives will need to be done
  simultaneously to fight back the Bane and each objective will require a
  dedicated squad that is at their best. Conquer flashpoints with squads
  formed of all players, or have a few players that have NPC squads at their
  command.
  
• Clan Warfare: Clans will gain their own abilities for
  their members over time, meaning the leader will be able to select a passive
  buff that all members of the clan will have. This buff will grow in strength
  the larger the clan. Clans who go to war can wager these buffs and loot in
  clan wars. Eventually, clans will be able to lay claim to Control Points
  fighting off rival clans, and earning bonuses while they control them. There
  will even be AFS sanctioned Rivalry Zones where players have strategic
  objectives to fight over such as Capture the Flag, and Hold the Location.

These are just a few of the things that the team will start working on after
ship. (Which essentially means we are working on them now.) It is going to be an
exciting next few months as we launch the game and watch how the game grows. As
always your feedback is very welcome and encouraged via our feedback form.

Paul Sage
Lead Developer