The Big Mods spill some beans about Gaia at Otakon 2005
Hear ye! Hear ye! I'm reporting back from Otakon 2005. Gaiaonline was featured in one of the many panels during the convention. The line to get in and hear gaia's creators talk about upcoming changes was down the hall and back to the wall. Naturally, not everyone was allowed in, but me and the possy were the last lucky few to get in the room.
First they discussed a couple things that will be happening soon. You'll all be excited to know that at the beginning of the list was gaia guilds. They are going to be updated so that we can finally spend donation money. To buy what you ask? Well, guilds will be allowed subforums finally! And you'll be able to have a guild house. What is a guild house you ask?
Who here is familiar with the concept of gaiatowns? I saw it with my own eyes... Lanzer controlling a ghost avi around a little virtual gaia area, walking and talking with NPCs like Ian and Leo via word bubbles. All around the town were little homes inhabbited by users (or vacant lots depending on whether or not anyone moved in) Yes, the same homes that you've been (or haven't been) modeling for your avi all this time. In gaiatowns, you'll be able to walk around and visit other people's homes. This is where a guild home comes into play. I assume what they mean is that guild owners will be able to create a seperate building just for their guild and its memebers.
During the Q&A I raised my hand and, perhaps thanks to the bright red cocktail dress I was wearing, they called on me. I asked them when exactly this was supposed to be surfacing. To everyone's surprise, the deadline for completion of gaia towns was........ yesterday. But! That means we're close! If glitches are at a minimun, we should see the launch of gaiatowns sometime by the end of this week.
They also formally announced the quest/class system. This will be based on a player vs monster action. Items can be used and aquired to enhance specific skills while fighting the monsters. And the more successful you become at this, the higher class you become. (noob, spammer, poll whore, bumper....j/k) To our excitment, they verfied the rumor that using the quests you'll be able to attain previous donation items...along side with new special items. Like angle wings.
surprised So what did they have to say about the weapons system rumors? It is coming, and should be right along side the questing system. As to when we can expect this...they didn't happen to tell us. Even though it was part of my question.
cry Other things of notice: They're going to be doing more with the casinos for all you spinners out there. The'll be introducing black jack eventually, and even plan to implement poker after that. I assume this means more casino items to win as well! They're also working on making visible in the header, all the users present in a particular thread. Fun! They did not reveal what this month's item will be...c'mon. You can't wait another day or two? And they did not tell us what's going to happen to gambino.
Tavin got beamed in the head by a rolled up T-shirt that Lanzer threw.
That's about it.
This is Serenis reporting back from Otakon 2005. Back to you at the studio.
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