I spoke with Mikail about some game modes and you can expect some standard multiplayer modes like Siege which will be based on control points - breach the gate to get to the courtyard, take control of the courtyard and move further into the castle or town while the other team defends. Another mode is something like Royal Standard (name not final) where a standard will randomly spawn on the map and both teams will scramble to find it and carry it back to their base in order to score a point.
An interesting thing to note is the fact that on the one sheets we were handed for the game it states that the initial SKU will be on PC, so it sounds like they’re aiming for other platforms as well over time. Also, there will be no dual wielding at launch, but there could be later on. Perhaps in the form of a new perk in a DLC pack, etc.
It sounds like they’ve got a massively cool game on their hands. Anything that you would expect to be able to do in real life, you can do in the game. If you see a riderless horse, you can jump on it and basically steal it. If you’ve got a shield you’ll be able to learn how to do a shield bash. You’ll be able to store your shield and draw a weapon, etc. All of that combined with the active combat system, as opposed to just point and click, gives the game a far more interesting feel I think. There will be some strategy to the combat as you’ll need to anticipate which direction your enemy will attack from and then parry accordingly. Alternatively you’ll want to vary your strikes as an attacker to keep your enemy off balance in hopes of landing blows. Shields also change the ability of the player. When using a shield you will have less mobility and agility and less reach.
There was no mention of a persistent world that would have factional influence on it as it appears to be a straight multiplayer combat game and not an actual war to win the crown. But I think that would be something really cool that they could build onto the game also, a map of England with monthly or quarterly rounds where the most battles in each area wins the area for a faction and when one side controls all of England they win the crown and perhaps access to some special content or badge for their character. Just my thoughts on how they might expand the gameplay and give more reason to continuously run into the heat of battle.
We’re told that GDC will see actual gameplay which is exciting. No system specs or actual release date outside of 2012 have been announced. If I had to guess, I would say very late 2012. No matter when it releases, it is almost guaranteed to be worth the wait.
In terms of map packs, they�ll be free DLC over time and any new modes will be based on community feedback and feasibility. Meanwhile, as always, updates to the core game will be free. I still would personally really like to see a war map with factional control that works toward total domination and a �winning� of the throne and maybe a certain period of time where they must maintain a particular level of control afterward.
