Mabinogi Interview - Part 2

Jonric: How much emphasis is there on the economy and crafting? How feasible is it to play and advance a low- or no-combat character?

Joe Wreggelsworth: The game economy is absolutely vital to Mabinogi. Crafting is designed in such a way that the characters' skills will enable them to set themselves apart from others, and to become noted in the gameworld, providing goods and making names for themselves while earning in-game money.

Once the options are set, members can just click on your group window and they become a member of your party. It's extremely easy to recruit members for a group and get into battle.

Knock yourself out. There are a multitude of things for players to do who choose to keep out of harms way. You can even choose to be a healer, or minstrel. I suspect that later some people will just offer cooking and campsite services to wandering adventurers, really the options are limitless.

Duck Soo Choi: However, combat does help in leveling up which is an easier way to earn advancement points.

Jonric: Is it possible to upgrade items? Are there rare or unique ones? What are some examples of cool gear in the game?

Joe Wreggelsworth: Yes, you can improve your equipment through use or by purchasing various upgrades from an NPC. Some may require certain prerequisites to be performed before the NPC is willing to do any work for you.

Duck Soo Choi: There are many kinds of rare or unique items including enchantments and elementals that you can cast on equipment.

Joe Wreggelsworth: There are armor sets designed by other Mabinogi players!

Jonric: Since the game uses the cash shop revenue model, how do the items offered for sale differ from those available through play? What are some interesting examples?

Joe Wreggelsworth: I can't get into all the details on how the cash shop works because it's always subject to change, but the idea is to enhance a player's enjoyment of the game in small but meaningful ways.

Duck Soo Choi: There is an item for sale, dyeing ample, which allows players to choose among five different colors of clothes from a palette window. This isn't a factor that affects gameplay, but it can impact the price of something you sell to other players. Someone one who crafts clothing using dying ample and the latest Mabinogi fashion trend information can earn higher profits than the one who doesn't.

Another example would be convenience for the players. Another item for sale, the Remote BlackSmith Repair Coupon, allows them to fix the durability of weapons and armors anywhere in the world. This can reduce the hassle if, for example, someone player is in the middle of the dungeon getting ready to fight the boss but is holding a 0 durability sword that won't make a dent.

Min Kim: Also, there are four types of premium services that aid the players' gameplay experience. Extra storage expands the bank inventory to twice the original size, allows players to use extended inventory through bags or create a new guild. Nao's support service revives you with the least penalty on the spot for a limited number of times a day and give you presents for your in-game birthday, which comes once every week. The advanced play service gives you a choice of getting a set item on a specific day, or a random one each day.

Jonric: How does the magic system function? What different types or schools are available? How are spells acquired, learned and cast?

Joe Wreggelsworth: Spells are generally gained through study, either through books or from classes offered by NPCs. The current types are lightning, fire, ice, lightning and healing.

Duck Soo Choi: Different element types offer different styles of fighting. As an example, while casting fire bolts, you will see the fire sphere growing in size with each casting. Once you deploy it with your mouse, it will explode and create an explosion around the spot chosen. For ice bolts, each casting will make a small white sphere around you, and you will be able to deploy them separately by clicking on the monsters.

Joe Wreggelsworth: It's a pretty unique system that allows the player to charge five casts of a spell, and deploy them at a click of the mouse. This allows some serious strategy in combat.

Players do have mana. However they are currently not required to have any reagents for casting. There are items such as wands that alter a spell's ability, but that comes a bit later in character progression.

Jonric: How does the quest element work in Mabinogi? Is there anything unusual about it that our readers might like to know?

Joe Wreggelsworth: The quests give players focus, and improve their characters' relationships with the NPCs around them. Plus, they comprise a great way to gain useful items and gold.

Duck Soo Choi: Part-time jobs are also available at certain periods of time from many different NPCs. Doing these multiple times without failing will give you a special title that proves your diligence. Quests within the main storyline are also intriguing. We have a lot of content within in the main storyline, which should help keep the quests fresh.

Jonric: How does short-term grouping function? What's most notable about the implementation in this particular title?

Joe Wreggelsworth: For the party system, a player will start up a group and set options based on how he or she wants it to be set up, and the content the group intends to face. A window appears above the leader's head and an announcement is made that the individual is looking for a party. This is all done based on a UI window, and is very easy to get going.

I think the most unique aspect of this system is the ease of use. Once the options are set, members can just click on your group window and they become a member of your party. It's extremely easy to recruit members for a group and get into battle.