We got the chance to do a little “digital interview” with one of the designers of the new Neriak and Darklight Wood, Nathan McCall, and to talk with him about his thoughts on all the great new content we received in Norrath. Here’s what he had to say:
1. How long had you been working on Neriak before it went live?
I started working on projects related to Live Update 35 (Neriak) back in February, but there had been other designers working on it even before then!
2. We’re told a lot of the art was done by the Eastern SOE studio. Did they do art and then San Diego took over on the quests and mechanics of the new zones?
That is correct. Both Darklight Wood and Neriak have been a joint product of the SOGA and SOE San Diego studios. They created the zone art, which is not to be confused with particle effects and other environmental art aspects. Those were done here. Designers here in San Diego were the ones implementing all of the quests and mechanics, etc.
3. Tell us about your favorite part of the new add-on
My favorite part of these two new zones would have to be the many little scripted events that you can find within Neriak.
4. Did you help out with designing the new player experience?
I wouldn’t say that I did, as the new player experience really happens in Darklight Wood. That is the hub for any character being created with Neriak alignment. Instead I was implementing the writs, flavor quests, the betrayal bounty and repeatable betrayal faction quests for Neriak. And although I feel these are all part of the experience, I really feel that it was shaped by Ellery Jones and Steven Kramer’s wonderful direction with Darklight Wood. They have a very solid new player experience there!
5. Is the hope that this new add-on will bring completely new players to EQ2? or more for people who might want to start a new Evil Alt?
All of the above! There’s something new to spark those of us with alt-addiction and something that can catch those that have never ventured into Norrath, and those that have not played in a long time.
6. Any cool secrets you’d like to share with us about Neriak?
Well, then they wouldn’t be secrets! Actually, I find the coolest things aren’t secrets. The coolest things are the NPC scripted events and interaction that is occurring within the city. Liz Sigmound and Adam Stevens did some great stuff there! Check out the elements class being conducted out in front of the Library of K’lorn, and the scroll debate happening on the top floor. The necromancer class in the palace side yard is another good example!
7. Where will players find the toughest encounter in Darklight Woods?
The Tower of Bone. It’s what is left of a mighty necromancer’s tower in Darklight.
8. Are there NPCs in both zones that higher level players may interact with on higher level quests?
At this time, no. Neriak of course has writs for citizens of all levels to raise their faction with the City of Hate, (your choice of DoF, KoS, of EoF expansion ones, I might add), but that is all I know of for higher level players, right now.
9. Was Neriak originally planned as part of EOF? An Adventure Pack?
Nope. I never heard it associated with anything other then a live update. But even if it had been, this certainly does not lessen the worth of these new zones being released in updates. I think it is great that SOE would allow us the time and fun of implementing zones without them being a part of an expansion or adventure pack!
10. Who designs the overall/overarching Lore associated with the two zones? Is that more in the lore overseer realm or per quest realm?
There’s overarching lore? Seriously, it’s a bit of both. We have our resident gurus for all EQ lore (Tony Garcia and Jeremy Gess) who guide us with details and history (especially with events between EQ Live and EQ2), sometimes they even provide vague outlines if they want a specific story told. Then those of us writing quests use that as our foundation.
Thanks Nathan! We can’t wait to see what you guys are bringing us next!
http://www.eq2daily.com/podcasts/show42.mp3
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