• Focus on World Conflict •

5 December 2008

Many players have noticed that with the most recent patch, a lot of features of the game have been changed or temporarily disabled "in preparation for World Conflict". The question that many of you are asking yourselves is what *is* World Conflict?

World Conflict is an expansion pack very similar to what you might get in other games. The difference with SAGA is that this expansion will be totally free to the players. The title 'World Conflict' refers to the fact that we want to expand SAGA's PvP options and the way that players interact. Currently, PvP content is limited to Raids on one of a player's territories and specific PvP matches. World Conflict will add at least two new PvP systems (depending on how you want to count them). For today, though, we'll concentrate on the first new PvP system and a few of the upgraded features.

Based on input from the players in the forum, we've been working towards the introduction of new kinds of PvP matches. The first to be introduced are theme matches. The new quest scripting system that was implemented a few months back will now also function to add a new level of interactivity to these battles.

What kind of matches can you expect to see? We can't reveal too many specifics just yet, but development is currently underway on a Tower Defense style game (as well as adding some new towers to the game), and something called 'Dragon Pong'. Our designers are also starting to look at our charioteers in a 'Ben Hur' sort of way.

And of course, what would PvP be without rewards and bragging rights? Keep an eye out for new items and brand new ways to prove yourself in combat.

World Conflict will also see the addition of a few new and upgraded systems. The market is going to get a much-needed facelift. We'll be adding weapons and armor to the main market interface, changing the way the filters and searches work, and tweaking a few other aspects. Other interfaces are being improved and upgraded, such as the systems for guilds, the university, and enchanting. The University, in particular, is getting a lot of exciting new upgrades.

The new University will incorporate more usable and practical upgrades that affect battles and quests. At present, most of the upgrades in the university are economic, and some take a long time to pay for themselves. With the upgraded system, players will be able to choose specific areas to specialize in, using a skill tree system similar to other games. Players can choose from trees that will give them economic upgrades, building upgrades, battle improvements, better spell effects, and even some new cards to play with.

Among the upgrades are ideas from players. A few of our favorite suggestions that will be included are:

Upgraded peasant housing (more peasants per house)

Being able to build more resource buildings

Reducing Garisson cooldown time

New buildings that can only be built if you research them

Receiving an exclusive new unit

These new and improved features will be released in a series of patches leading up to the introduction of the new PvP systems. The first changes that players will see are improvements to existing interfaces and features. Following that, focus will shift full time to the addition of new features.

Check back next week for a preview of the new Hero class units being added to the game. More updates and sneak peeks will be released each week as we detail the upgraded features and discuss the second new PvP system. It will occupy your time, your thoughts, and your neighbor's territories.

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