Alex “Apollonius”: Hello Brian it’s nice seeing you! A lot has happened since we met last year; congratulations on your recently announced cooperation with Daum Communications, we definitely welcome that decision, seeing how well your relationship with them is progressing in regard to the Korean release of Black Desert Online. It’s also a pleasure to meet you in person, Park Yoo Jin. How are both of you finding things at Gamescom?
Brian Oh: Hi Alex, it’s good to see you too. As you probably know, we’ve been spending the past year working hard on improving and polishing Black Desert Online. We’ve also had a pleasant surprise a few days ago back in Korea, when your colleague Alex “Ike” visited us in our office.
Park Yoo Jin: Hello Alex, it’s nice meeting you, too! We’ve heard a lot of positives about black-desert.com and we want to thank you for your overwhelming support.
Alex “Apollonius”: Let me begin with a question, our community is dying for to know; you’ve mentioned before, that while there’s Factions in Black Desert Online the Player-interaction (PvP) will revolve around Guild-warfare. In regard to this, do you have Plans on further expanding the Player experience in connection to Guilds via Guild-quests? If yes, can you tell us a bit about it?
Brian Oh: Yes we do have Plans for Quests specifically aimed towards Guilds, Black Desert Online is all about Player-Interaction and we feel that content promoting this kind of behavior will be of benefit to both the Community, but also the Game itself.
Alex “Apollonius”: Do the notorious “guild skills” fall under this category?
Brian Oh: Yes, Guild Skills will play an important role around the Guild Systems; they will enable Guilds to advance on essential aspects according to their role (fighting/crafting).
Alex “Apollonius”: Is there any possibility we’ll see an “Alliance System”?
Brian Oh: No, at least not at the beginning. The very notion of Guilds vs. Guilds is intrigue. We feel, that this allow for in-depth player interaction, as they won’t be bound by a system limiting them, so solidarity and betrayal will be sitting next to each other. Of course, depending on future feedback, we’ll might reevaluate our concept.
Alex “Apollonius”: While being on the PvP aspect of Black Desert Online, we’ve known for long, that there will be Siege Warfare implemented to the Game. Have you made thoughts about friendly fire during such an event?
Brian Oh: Since it’d be very difficult for Players to maintain their focus during a Castle-Siege, we think that friendly fire wouldn’t be a good idea, as such it won’t be present in the game.
Alex “Apollonius”: Siege-Warfare is going to be a central aspect of the Game and so far we know that there will be 3 Castles; do you plan expanding on the aspect of Castles & Siege warfare in general?
Park Yoo Jin: You’re correct, there’s 3 Castles currently in Black Desert Online, but around the area in which these Castles are being located, Players will be able to fight for various smaller Command Centers, which control a specific area within their range. More to the point, these Command Centers will be able to be built and then later on be taken over by Players. Controlling these Command Centers will be an essential part towards preparing for a Castle Siege.
Alex “Apollonius”: Can you describe to our community the main incentives for fighting over a Castle?
Park Yoo Jin: The main point to take a Castle is the ability to accumulate tax money, but we’re also thinking including other types of resources.
Alex “Apollonius”: Is there any plans on revising the PK (Player Killing) system for the 3rd Closed Beta?
Park Yoo Jin: The PK System that was present in the 2nd Closed Beta was more or less working smoothly, so it won’t be that different during the 3rd Closed Beta Test. We’d rather shift our attention toward the balancing of the different Classes.
Alex “Apollonius”: Naval Combat seems to be becoming a trend and there’s just recently been information, that Black Desert Online will feature naval transportation and combat.
Park Yoo Jin: Yes naval transportation & combat will be present in Black Desert Online. Players will be able to control boats and ships and depending on the kind of naval unit, there will be the possibility to board it with more than one person.