Every month we bring you an exclusive Q&A with a member of the Horizons Development team. This month we spoke with Steve Snow, Producer.

Can you explain exactly what you do as the Producer?
I attempt to organize, solve problems and untie caught up issues. I also handle a lot of the correspondence with the publisher. It’s not that exciting and an overwhelming majority of the role goes completely un-noticed but there are worse jobs to have, like acid washing 500,000-gallon pools. I couldn’t really complain about the pay, but acid can eat through boots and after that it starts to burn.

How did you begin your career in the gaming industry?
I started out at GT Interactive Software doing technical support. Not that bad of a job, you really get to see a lot of the underbelly of the industry. Most of the decisions I make today are heavily influenced by the situations I found myself stuck in while doing technical support.

What's an average day in the life of Steve Snow like?
I don’t get to have average days anymore. It depends on the focus of the week. Right not it involves a lot of review of outstanding issues that need resolution and who they go to. Then sprinkle that out with some general tomfoolery and cussing and that’s about an average day.

What are all the prestige schools currently available in Horizons? Could you give us an up-to date list?
Paladin
Knight of Creation
Reaver
Ranger
Monk
Flame Disciple
Ice Disciple
Spirit Disciple
Storm Disciple
Chaos Warrior
Spearman
Berzerker
Sorcerer
Wizard
Healer
Conjurer
Druid
Shaman
Crossbowman
Elemental Archer
Spiritist
Bloodmage
Guardian

What are the Dragon prestige schools?
This are still being sorted out. Most of what is in the beta right now will have their names changed somewhat along with a few of the abilities. But on the whole I can’t really say anything until we stick a done stamp on them.

Could you give an example of the requirements needed to join a prestige school?
Some of the prestige schools want to see a particular degree of experience within some base school. Others are just interested in an overall rating value of the character.

What's the oddest problem that you have come across during the development or Horizons and how was it rectified?
We had to do a demo in Denver a long time ago. Which meant we had to bring the technology out there because none of it was accessible externally due to the early stage of development. So I rented a big fat white van and drove the servers and the whole setup from Phoenix to Denver. I then returned from Denver, rested for a day and drove the same van and same setup out to LA for E3.

Will adventure schools be harder to master with each successive level as the crafting schools have been noted to?
There are always balancing adjustments being made to the game. We are adjusting the curves in both adventure and trade and will continue to do so until it plays well.

If a player masters a crafting school will it be harder to master the adventure school and vice-versa?
No, nothing like that. We think that a player should be able to do both freely without having to make a choice they might regret a few months later.

Can a single character be proficient in both their adventure and crafting school?
Yes, it just takes twice as long because you are dividing your focus. Like my warrior on Spirit is in the upper reaches of the player ratings because he hasn’t messed around with any tradeskills. I just buy my stuff off of the consigners. Now the Cleric Scholar I use to have was about half the rating of my warrior, but that’s Ok because making spells is just plain cool. I think my next focus will be in alchemy because posting special potions on the consigners seems to be really cool as well.

If you were to play a character in Horizons, which race and schools would you choose and why?
I have a Fiend Warrior, he’s a lot of fun. I’ve had an Elf Cleric Scholar. I think after the next player wipe I’ll create a Saris Alchemist. But then again I’ve been poking around in the techniques and adding a few so there might be some new fun stuff to be had as blacksmith. I’ll defiantly focus in the tradeschool next wipe as opposed to adventure.

How many plots of land can a single player own?
Right now it’s one. We don’t want people monopolizing the terrain just because they know how to earn money on a greater scale than other players.

Can a guild or community collectively own plots of land or must individual players own them?
Not at launch, but something we will look to do down the road.

Will it be possible to define different types of guild points to be distributed within a guild or is there only one base point system?
For launch there will only be one point type. After launch is a different story. We are collating feedback and making sure that we are listening to what people are asking for.

Can you explain what benefits a player might have to soloing instead of grouping with other players?
Time. It’s always easier to organize yourself as opposed to yourself and nine other people. But I personally like the groups more because you have some folks to talk with.

From a gaming standpoint - What is your favorite aspect of Horizons?
The tradeskills. I’ve always read the books where these characters travel into these dangerous locations and stumble across fantastic artifacts and the such. I personally really dig the idea of being the guy that can create those overly fantastic artifacts.

From a technical standpoint - What is your favorite aspect of Horizons?
I really like the effects system. We have a lot of cool spells because of it.

In your opinion, what makes Horizons unique?
Tradeskills and Community Building. In other games you hunt down the big monster and camp the crap out of it for the phat lewt. In Horizons you actually get to be the guy that makes the phat lewt.

What is the one thing that you would have liked to see in Horizons that will not be making it into the launch?
Oddly enough the tattoo artist/hair styling school. It will have to wait until after launch. But I really like the idea of being able to customize a character’s appearance after character creation.

[ Return to Horizons Interview Index ]

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