Character evolution (Progression System)
Last updated
Last updated
Instead of the conventional number based leveling system, we have created a structure that let players make their decisions, providing more freedom in development. Characters have to go through a lot of experience but they have the freedom of choice what and how to achieve. First they have to reach Milestones, via completing quests, defeating enemies and completing previously set tasks. One step higher there are Ranks to be acquire, by reaching each Milestone within the Rank. Also there is an independent point system called Faction tree that lets characters learn a couple different Skills and Abilities on top of the basic ones.
Completing a Milestone is like a complex mission: certain conditions have to be met and a couple of activities have to be done in order to earn the improvement of a character's attribute or ability, or even to acquire a new skill. The conditions for completion are also theme-related to the Milestone; for example, if the completion improves the character's health, the conditions will also be related to it, such as losing a certain amount of health, surviving for a given amount of time locked up with an enemy without attacking, and drinking a certain number of Health Potions.
The novelty is that players can complete the Milestones in any order they choose, so they can improve their character's combat properties as they like. However, only one Milestone can be completed at a time.
Some Milestones are the same for everyone, while others vary depending on race, class, or faction. Attributes and abilities that can be improved by everyone are tied to the completion of the same Milestone, while, for example, the Faction Milestones are different for everyone.
By completing Milestones, players not only improve their character’s combat attributes, but they also fulfill the conditions for Ranks. To reach each Rank, the player must complete all the Milestones associated with it. When this happens, the player becomes significantly stronger as all their combat properties increase at once.
Before a player reaches a Rank, they can already start completing the Milestones for the next Rank, so they are not limited in that regard either. However, in order to receive the upgrades that come with a Rank, all the previous Ranks must be completed first.
The importance of ranks also lies in the fact that in the game, the use of certain things will be tied to ranks. These may include entering certain areas, dungeons, the use of a couple item types such as vehicles, pets, etc.
When a player chooses the race and class of their character, it essentially determines the combat style. However, to make the game more diverse, it is possible to specialize within a class in different directions, known as factions. In the traditional open-world game, as the character develops, they earn faction points (FP) which can be spent on developments found in the Faction tree. These developments include both active and passive abilities, as well as items that improve one of the character's basic attributes (such as health, speed, tactical damage). To develop a specific Faction skill, certain conditions must be met, such as achieving a certain rank or milestone, or learning a given skill from another Faction. The abilities that can be learned in the Faction tree are relatively thematically organized, meaning that if someone for example wants to develop a tank character, the properties and abilities that assist with this are located close together and may build on each other at some places. Faction development, however, is also en essential part of the PVP modes as well: when entering an Arena, characters start with a completely undeveloped character, that they can customize while the match, by earning and using Faciton points.
