You'll find that Chronicles of Elyria is different from other MMORPGs you've played. Designed by gamers, for gamers, our goal is to challenge what is fun, re-imagine what is possible, and re-invent how it is done. Our design pillars are the core of how we make the vision a reality. These five elements will unleash players to play the character they've always dreamed in a world that invites creativity.
The 5 Design Pillars of Chronicles of Elyria
Dynamic and Immersive
If something in the world can change - whether through player interaction or naturally over time - it probably does. Fill your characters' days adventuring, sieging, farming, or even running a town, county, or kingdom. Spend time increasing your family's wealth, power, and prestige. Build up your noble house! This encourages you to think beyond your character to their role in the larger story.
The most dramatic example of this dynamic change is the player characters themselves. Your character begins aging from the moment they're created, growing visibly older over time. Head out into the wilderness and you'll find your hair grows and clothes become dirty. Want a new hairstyle? Head to the nearest barber and see the changes on your character. Plus, in Chronicles of Elyria character customization doesn't end with character creation. Instead, it continues after you enter the world based on how you play your character. As a result, a baker, barkeep, blacksmith, librarian, alchemist, or champion will all look visibly different to reflect their chosen profession.
Heroes Must Be Truly Heroic
In Chronicles of Elyria, the player must take risks, be heroic, and repeatedly put their character's wealth, prestige, and even life on the line to be considered a true hero. You can become the most renowned blacksmith in the world, a feared assassin, travel places where few others dare to travel, or become a sorcerer of legend.
But such rewards always come with substantial effort, and frequently with great risk. The most dangerous of which could grant you the opportunity to change the course of history. But, in such times, failure could cost you everything.
A Blending of Player and Character Skills
It's no longer about getting to level cap and pursuing the best gear. In Chronicles of Elyria a player's skill - their timing, speed, and strategy - makes a difference. The combat system requires you to dodge, parry, and manage your stamina - not just spam buttons.
There is more to becoming a master blacksmith than waiting on a progress bar. Requiring fast reflexes and good hand-eye coordination, skill based mini-games for both non-combat and combat skills means that, for every action the character takes, some degree of player skill is required. If your character effectively swings a sword, it's because you chose the precise moment for them to do so. When your character succeeds, it's because your own nimble fingers made it happen.
Story and Event-Driven
Our story engine is controlled by artificial intelligence and will constantly monitor the state of the world to create opportunities. Actions such as killing another character, amassing too much wealth, and getting lost in the desert brings the A.I. to life, causing it to spin intricate story arcs specific to you. Thus players experience a unique and compelling quest system personalized to their story which follows them wherever they go.
Triggered by surrounding events, players are free to be masters of their own destiny while still enjoying a role in the larger 10-year story. Non-Player Characters (NPCs) and creatures will use the same goal-based A.I. and their own evolving set of needs (food, shelter, safety, etc.) to make decisions that then have effects on players and the world itself.
With other players also working toward their own goals, conflicts will continuously unfold on a local, regional, and national scale, giving birth to opportunities for you to change the course of history. Every time you log in there is something new to do.
Dramatic Realism
In Chronicles of Elyria, mundane tasks typically abstracted away are brought to the forefront as a way to create tension and dramatic situations. In place of mailboxes you'll find player-ran delivery services. Worried about the courier making off with your parcel? You should be – and he's worried about the highwaymen!
Travel in Elyria is dangerous, and those who wander too far from town or too far off the beaten path risk being caught out with no food or water. With only hand-made maps to rely on, a journey into the wasteland could mean it's time to move on to the next character.
But realism is not all bad. From the moment you enter Elyria you'll be greeted and supported by your player-run family. Work as a team to develop your noble house, increase holdings, and improve your collective wealth. Or, when the time is right, set off on your own to adopt the life of an adventurer. Earn your own noble titles and slowly work your way up to running an entire kingdom. Managing your character's health and wealth, helping out your family, being an upstanding citizen in your settlement, and journeying from one place to another will all be activities worthy of your time and attention.