Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures PvP Interview

[GameBanshee News]

GameSpy brings us a four-page interview with Funcom's Gaute Godager, in which they discuss the player vs. player component in Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures exclusively.

GameSpy: What are the barriers for entry into the siege PvP game?

Godager: The entry barriers are numerous. First of all, the number of siege spots available in each server is capped. These are not instanced playfields. There are eight spots throughout the world found in different regions, and basically, you have to compete for them. That's one entry barrier. Secondly, you as a guild -- because [it's] only guilds who can participate in siege PvP -- [are required to have] a tier-three crafting city to participate. I'll tell you about the exceptions to the rule later.

In addition to the tier-three crafting city, you will need to have harvested [enough] resources to set up your own PvP city, or Battle Keep as we call them. Resource gathering is part of the system; it's part of the investment [you have to make] in order to participate in this. Then you need to have the [PvP guild level] as I said. Basically, what we want with the massive siege PvP is [for it to be] guild PvP raid content. I can't really call it anything but that because is it not easy and accessible. It's going to be spectacular, but it will not be something that everyone can [be successful at]. Everyone can participate, but to be able to win, you need to have a good guild -- one of the eight best on the server.

There are some exceptions though; you can be hired as a mercenary [and get invited to] a siege PvP event. That system is very simple. In the same search tab that you find the mini-games, you will also find a filter where you can search for people who want to be hired as mercenaries and see their PvP ratings. So if you get a good PvP rating, you can be hired as a mercenary. But of course, this system [requires that] you agree with the guild [in regards to] what your price is, how much you want. Very often, people are going to do it just because it gives them a kick, but sometimes you will get some people [who want to be paid]. That's why we call it the mercenary system.