Interview with Treasures of Aht'Urgan Director Kouichi Ogawa:
Q: What's the general concept behind ToA?
A: The main idea is to increase areas you can play high level jobs in. Not only areas, but also new gameplay ideas like Dynamis and Limbus. For low level people there are a few new jobs prepared
Q: "Treasure" in "ToA" is an item?
A: You'll find out by playing.
Q: Can it be played without Zilart or CoP?
A: It's made to be, but I'd imagine it would be more fun with the others.
Q: Are Geomancer and Sage new jobs?
A: I wonder.. (w)
Q: Do you need ToA to play the new jobs? SMN was playable without Zilart.
A: We're considering it.
Q: How does Blue Mage learn magic?
A: Secret. Just keep in mind that it's a job with MP.
Q: New abilities are acquired in new areas?
A: New abilities are unlocked with merit points.
Q: Can you go to new areas immediately? Even as a low level?
A: There will be requirements to going to new areas. They are geared at high level jobs. Xbox360 users and newbies should have fun with getting the new jobs.
Q: How many new areas will there be?
A: Compared to Zilart and CoP there aren't as many. But that's not to say the amount is exceeded by other expansion discs.
Q: Are the areas outside of conquest influence?
A: Yes.
Q: Will there be gimmicks like the cliff sliding in Uleguerand?
A: CoP had a lot of tricks to hinder the player, but I'm thinking it would be good if we added some to ToA that would actually give some kind of advantage (in using them)
Q: Are there level capped areas such as in CoP?
A: I can't say there aren't. But, we are thinking in the direction of not limiting the player.
Q: Will there be limitations other than level caps?
A: You might see some new ones like the "no subjob" cap in the new Dynamis areas.
Q: There's a new area that looks like Windurst. Is it related?
A: No.
Q: (of captives) Can players also be captured (by pirates)?
A: We plan for the setting to be reflected in the game. Players becoming prisoners sounds interesting, but also kinda scary. (w)
Q: Will there be expediary force missions in ToA?
A: We will be adding a totally new conquest battle system to CoP that will be difference from the current conquest system. A hint is in the currently released public images of ToA.
Q: What's the relationship between the new and the old beastmen?
A: There's a hint in the scenery of what we've currently exposed of ToA.
Q: Is Mamuuja's(sp?) pet cockatrice rideable by players?
A: No.
Q: It seems like there are a lot of enemies that are just old ones with new colors. How many new ones are there?
A: Secret. We will add as many as we can.
Q: No way, "Corsair"?
A: We thought of adding a gambler to ToA, but outside Japan the impression of "gambler" isn't so great so we went with Corsair. Basically it looks like a pirate but is essentially a gambler type.
Q: Its main weapon is a pistol?
A: It's not a weapon that has great fire power like a RNGs, but instead can support the party and give buffs.
Q: Not an attacker?!
A: The main concept is for it to be a party support type.
Q: Will gambling techniques also be party support-ish?
A: Some will. It's a gamble, so maybe people will be like "That Corsair has bad luck!" etc.
Q: Any other new jobs?
A: Hmmmm.. (w)
Q: Will there be new regions aside from the Aht'urgan Empire?
A: Yes.
Q: The "Far East" country at war with Aht'Urgan is in the east?(wtf?)
A: I'll leave that to your imagination.
Q: The Imperial Capital of Al'zabi(sp?) looks huge.
A: It's the Jeuno of Aht'Urgan. There's a AH, rental house, and guards. We'd like to add a chocobo too.
Q: Will monsters invade the city?
A: Enjoy finding out.
Q: Can you ride the ship from the port in the "Commoner District"?
A: That port will become the means of coming and going (to/from Aht'Urgan). As far as where exactly the ship comes from to get there, I will say that you can get here without Zilart or CoP.
Imperial Capital of Al'zabi(sp)
"Imperial District": Place where nobles live. A lot of elvaans. At first will not be accessible by players.
"Commoner District": Various races. Packed with merchants and salesmen.
"Dweller District": Lots of humes. People with no citizenship and the old overthrown emperor dwell here. Menanced by beastmen.
Q: Will there be a huge version up to accompany ToA?
A: For the new items and jobs there will be a mandatory version up for those even without ToA. The changes to be made to the game system will be done on release day.
Q: How's the xbox 360 server doing?
A: There are already lv50s. Most JPs are pre-existing users switching platforms/returning to the game where as NA/EU users are new.
Q: What are you doing with the March NA event?
A: It'll be done for 2 days. We plan on having items available you can't normally get. We're also considering such an event for JPs.
New jobs new jobs new jobs new jobs *bounces around*
I might hafto go XPwhore the job once it's out now, that stuff looks good on my char's hairset XD
