This week we've got an interesting question about factions, and we hope you will contribute to the thread regarding your thoughts about the answer.
(via Carnun) How will the player choose his/her faction? Will we be birthed to a faction of our choosing (i.e. at character creation) or will the player be able to choose at a later time. Will we be able to go turncoat?
This week we will answer Carnun's question regarding Faction affiliation for new players. It's a very interesting question because unlike other games on the market, choice of affiliation is not forced on the player from the very beginning of the game. Players can change their affiliation from Continoma and Noir at any time as long as it serves their needs and they can live up with the consequences of such betrayal.
When a new player leaves the crystomatic databanks containing his DNA and saved memories and sets his foot on the island of Enterra, he has no affiliation with any faction. Despite being utopian but ultimately corrupted society,( Earthrise Credits) the Continoma-ruled city of Sal Vitas believes that citizenship should be a natural choice for its new citizens. At this point players can make a choice - accept to join Continoma and reap the benefits of its new and bold society - with security and economic opportunities abound - or directly walk away into the wild and risky locations where they can meet with the Noir rebels, either NPCs or Noir characters who might embrace and protect them (unlike Continoma, Noir protection will depend slightly less on NPCs and more on the player's collaborative actions). While such choice will be very risky for newly created characters that have yet to hone their skills, they can do it - and if they pull it off, such actions might even be recognized later on. This allows new players who have yet to taste the world of Enterra make the natural choice of serving Continoma and be allowed to develop with acceptable level of security and support, while experienced players who enjoy challenges can immediately affiliate with Noir early on.
As mentioned above, change of affiliation between Continoma and Noir may happen at any time. Such change won't happen automatically. Every action will count against the reputation towards each faction and players can be seen as zealots or untrustworthy Continomians or Noir supporters. Shift between Continoma and Noir will happen only when the player strictly chooses to. Still players have to prove their interest in the opposite cause before they are accepted among the rival faction. Frequent change of faction affiliation is another factor to count in - players will find it harder to gain trust of their new brethren if they have been turning their coat too many times too often. Finally, turning to the other side in the conflict while the player is in a Party or a Guild will have it's severe repercussions - each Guild has its own affiliation to Continoma and Noir and in a game featuring territorial conquest,( Earthrise Credits) traitors among the lines will rarely be tolerated. Players will have to choose wisely.
Thank you to our devs for taking time out to answer this intriguing question, and to Carnun for such a cool topic. Please feel free to discuss the questions below in this thread, and post any questions you have on our QOTW thread here. We read every question, just so you know.
