ArcheAge to focus on open world updates and player interaction instead of new instances

ArcheAge Galleon

ArcheAge is to become more focused on open world content in future updates, moving away from instanced dungeon content in order to bring about better interactions and relationships between its players.

That’s according to XL Games’ producer Yi Kwangro and design team manager Ham YongJin, who both appear to want to infuse ArcheAge with the spirit of community and friendship. Aww.

Speaking with PCGamesN, the ArcheAge developers discussed the future of the piratical, ship-captaining MMO. In particular, they addressed the clear shift away from instanced content and towards more open world style updates.

“We believe that becoming more powerful through leveling and item farming is a means, not the end,” said Yi Kwangro. “We don’t want to focus on attaining power only, because we want the players to interact with each other and create relationships and communities that lead to lots of different, creative gameplay experiences.

“To do this, our focus will definitely be on open world contents rather than instanced contents. However, this is not to dismiss instances in any way – instances are one of many vital contents that contribute to the diversity found in the world of ArcheAge.”

Social interactions between players would appear to have landed way up on XL Games’ list of priorities as development of ArcheAge continues. Asked what they considered to be the end-game objectives of ArcheAge in its current form, the developer answered.

“MMORPGs are like another reality; it’s a fantasy world where you can do many things that you can’t in real life, but you also meet people and form relationships with them just as you do in reality. I think that playing MMORPGs is about figuring out what you want your role in this world to be, and achieving that. My personal goal is taking over a territory in Auroria with my group, then eventually establishing our own independent nation.”

Crikey. Oh he means in the game.

Last week, ArcheAge launched its Secrets of Ayanad update, which introduced the Diamond Shores zone, new abilities, weapons and, why not, a multi-dimensional library. There’s a trailer a few inches north of here.