Carpe Diem’s Beta is just around the corner, and gamers are getting excited by the developer’s innovative ideas within this game. To give them a taste of more to come, we’re sitting down with Jon Latham from Persistant Worlds, the developer of this exotic MMO.

Stratics: We can’t wait to get into beta! When should the first beta-testers be receiving their keys?

Jon: The first batch of closed beta keys went out last week and we are getting our first real feedback from hardened MMORPG gamers. It’s really exciting seeing your baby coming to life. Not perfect yet but that is expected in closed and we are removing any bugs now ready for commercial.

Stratics: What makes Carpe Diem stand out from other MMO’s that are also in beta?

Jon: There are many stand out features. We have regiments that march into mounted battle. There is a possession system that allows two of the characters to play as one. There is a story line and a real objective for the gamers to re unite four weapons of legend that have been hidden. However the real stand out feature is the is the human intervention which is forever marshalling the evil Uzziels forces against the gamers. This makes the game innovative and like nothing else on the market.

Stratics: Your site states that a person will be playing the arch-nemesis of the game, Uzziel, the Dark Summoner. Will this be a player or a member of Persistent Worlds?

Jon: Members of the Persistent Worlds team to start with play Uzziel and his henchmen. However as the game develops we expect many of the gamers to transfer their allegiance to Uzziel and take the parts of henchmen.

Stratics: One of the interesting aspects of your game is that players can work together to destroy Uzziel. What will be the antagonistic force in the game once he is dead?

Jon: We are currently working on a potential scenario that Uzziel is defeated and killed however that is under wraps at this stage.

Stratics: What kinds of rewards are you planning for players in the honour system for PvP?

Jon: There are three things that happen to players who get high honour in the game. Firstly, everyone in the game has a military rank. This is to represent the battlefield command that happens through the Regiments. Your rank depends on both your level and your honour stats. So, for example, two players could both be level 27, one might be an ordinary cavalryman, and one might be a sergeant because of his much higher honour. Secondly, there are items in the game, chairs for example, that belong to the players. The higher your honour the more elaborate the equipment you get. Finally, it is important when it comes to leadership of the Regiments. Players can be promoted from Regimental Captain up to a Major or a Colonel, where they command many Regiments. The highest honoured players will get the best choice of Regiments to command.

Stratics: How long do you think that it will take players to defeat the Dark Summoner?

Jon: We do not know the answer to that question. However it will not be easy as powerful forces protect him.

Stratics: Many players yearn for more than combat. What non-combat elements will Persistent Worlds offer to its players?

Jon: There is an intensive crafting system in the game which allows the players to make many articles and artefacts. They can also enchant their weapons to make them more powerful. But if I may say so, I feel that a lot of players also yearn for more than pointless combat. Too many MMO’s are just about killing other players, with no cause or moral justification. RF Online, for example, is just about picking a side and then running around killing each other. In Carpe Diem, it is the story of an evil horde of monsters invading a peaceful kingdom. Players can choose to join the evil side if that is what appeals to them. However there is a strong sense of right and wrong in the game. It is your homeland and you must defend it from the aggressors. That give a very emotional motivation to play the game.

Stratics: Is Carpe Diem based on level or skill? How do players become strong enough to try to obtain the Weapons of Legend needed to defeat Uzziel?

Jon: The gamer goes through some stages before he or she is strong enough to challenge Uzziel. At levels 0-9 they build up their skills and experience through killing mobs and undertaking quests. At level 10 they acquire their mount (horse, armoured bear, minotaur). This they need to train and feed, as it is an important part of their support. Their mounts have their own stats and fighting styles. At level 20 the gamer joins a regiment. At this stage battle plans can be drawn up for taking on Uzziel. They will need to build up their skills and strength before taking on one of the dungeons. Capture of the dungeons bestows many advantages including an affiliation to the dungeon master. But this is where the fun really begins as the regiments will have to defend the dungeon against other regiments and full-scale battles take place.

Stratics: How will the Possession system work with the Fey race? Also, how long does possession last, and how can one become … unpossessed?

Jon: In the possession system the knight and the fey can join together as one. The knight transports both characters around the game world whilst the fey casts her magic spells and potions. You can become unpossessed at the touch of a button.

Stratics: > Previously, Persistent Worlds had stated the game should be to open market in early fall based on a late summer beta testing. Do you still feel you will make that goal?

Jon: We are currently in closed beta and expect to go open in about two weeks. Commercial is expected at the beginning to mid November.

Stratics: When you look for an MMO to play, what aspects of game play do you look for? Do you believe that your game will hold true to those standards?

Jon: Good question. I look for something that is different than the normal monster grind. I want a game that is involving and evolving with innovation. Above all I look for a game that has been designed from a gamers perspective. Surprise Surprise I think Carpe Diem has all of this. If you want to know more about the game further details can be found at http://www.direct2drive.com/927/product/Buy-Carpe-Diem-Download.

Written by: Tiveria, Stratics Exclusives Team