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In another interview with the CEO of the Chicago-based studio Seven Lights, Tim Harris, we find out some more interesting details about the upcoming MMORPG, The Continuum.
A rare hybrid within itself, The Continuum boasts of having been able to successfully combine elements from MMORPGs, RTS games, and TCGs. However, it is also unique when it comes to the payment system that the company is planning to implement. According to Harris, instead of "the gym membership-style subscription which is happening in MMORPGs", Seven Lights has opted to allow the players to instead build their armies by purchasing sets of random characters. For TCG players out there, this aspect can be equated to purchasing booster packs for your deck.
However, unlike TCGs where the cards have set rules and abilities printed on it, the characters that one receives can be developed and customized in various ways. Harris also mentions that because the player acquired his characters by choice, and that he can then spend time building up that character, the game developers are hoping that this induces "a feeling of ownership for the players. Instead of purchasing the game, which is free, you're buying stuff in the game, which is stuff you're really going to feel you have ownership of."
Asked if The Continuum can possibly be ported for mobile phones, Harris answers that there are still a lot of carrier issues to get past and that at this point in the US, "mobile phones simply aren't ready for that kind of experience." He has, however, mentioned that there will be a mobile section for the title where players can "facilitate trading, matchmaking guild type decisions in the mobile space." A series of casual games for mobile phones are also planned, where "you can use your characters in these casual games and they will develop."
When it comes to porting the title to consoles, though, Harris seems to be open to the idea but concedes that "it might be a little premature." However, when the time does come for them to create a port, there's still the question of whether to release the game on XBLA or Sony Online. Regarding the latter, he notes:
(It) has really got its work cut out in terms of building a really robust online service around the PS3 that's easy for developers to use, and provides additional revenue opportunities for them from Downloadable Content">downloadable content and episodic games.
Ultimately though, Harris adds that "once these guys have got their online services together it will be the perfect time for something like The Continuum to cross over onto one of those platforms." So, does this mean that in the near future, PC gamers and PS3 or Xbox360 owners could possibly be going on raids together, each on his own machine of choice?
With such grand plans brewing over at the Seven Lights' offices, we can't help but look forward to what they've got to offer once they're done with this ambitious project.
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