[Game website] In the crowd of reporters from major gaming websites armed to the teeth with professional cameras, video recorders, microphones and more, I definitely stood out with my old, bulky laptop and using only an iPhone 4S to take pictures.
Still, I am confident of having more knowledge about the Ragnarok franchise than them, ever since I started playing first title at the age of 13. And I even sold zeny for extra cash at one point =X Without further a due, the interview.
Q: How are you guys feeling now that Ragnarok Online 2 has finally gone overseas?
A: We are really excited since it is the first overseas server, and we are hoping the game will prosper.
Q: When did development for Ragnarok Online 2 really started?
A: For Legend of the Second, development started back in December 2009.
Q: What went wrong with the first version, The Gate of the World?
A: There was a big pressure to develop the sequel, and we wanted to put in too many features into the game. There wasn’t enough time as well.
Q: Were there any worries that players from Ragnarok Online will not get used to the full 3D graphics? Or was Ragnarok Online 2 developed for a different crowd?
A: We worried a little. However, with 3D, we can display the world of Ragnarok Online in a way the 2D version couldn’t. We can see the full models now, not just the back and front.
Q: What happened to the Merchant class? How will players set up stalls to sell items now?
A: In Ragnarok Online 2, everyone will be able to trade. Having the trade skills exclusive to Merchant class will bring about imbalance to the game, which is something we wanted to solve. There are the life professions now, chef, Artisan, Alchemist and Blacksmith, each with different functions.
Q: In Ragnarok Online, there were many new classes added over time, including class advancements. Will this be the same plan for Ragnarok Online 2?
A: The job system will be slightly different from Ragnarok Online’s in terms of classes. There will be 2 more new classes coming in Korea at the end of this month.
Q: So that will be together with the Noel race update (developers looked surprised I knew). So what are the 2 classes?
A: *Smiles and waves hand* We can’t tell yet.
Q: Will these 2 classes be available for Noel only?
A: Yes.
Q: Gamers who tried The Gate of the World are missing the Ellr and Dimago races. Is there any chance of them making a return in the future?
A: They will not be returning as they were previously.
Q: So the new Noel race is the mixture of both Ellr and Dimago?
A: *Smiles* Yes.
Q: The card system is back, now equipped on players instead of equipment. How many cards can be equipped on each character?
A: 5 cards on each character is the maximum. (Note: 5 different normal cards can be merged into a special one)
Q: Will all monsters drop cards, even bosses? How many cards are there currently?
A: Yes, the bosses will drop their cards as well. There are about 200 cards currently. (I am guessing for the Korean server)
Q: 1 of the most memorable experience I had in Ragnarok Online was War of Emperium. Any hints if it will appear in this sequel?
A: *Smiles widely* Yes, War of Emperium will be back in Ragnarok Online 2. The Korean server will be getting this content update in April 2013. (I don’t think the Korean media has this info yet…)
Q: Are there PvE monsters on the WOE map?
A: Yes, there will be.
Q: Will there be open world PK or just mutual PvP?
A: There will not be open world PK, it has to be mutual PvP.
Q: What other PvP features will there be?
A: There are 3 PvP features now, the standard 1 on 1 PvP, together with PvP Coliseum and Battlefield.
Q: Seeing how difficult it was getting Ragnarok Online 2 out for launch, will the team be afraid to start on another sequel in the future?
A: We are not afraid to do so, and we are looking forward for Gravity Games to be developing it as well. We will see what players want. Of course, Ragnarok Online 2 just started, this is where we are focusing now.
Q: What will happen to Ragnarok Online now that its sequel is out? Are there still new classes and content planned?
A: Yes, new content for Ragnarok Online will still be developed. These 2 games will run parallel to each other and cater to different gamers.
Ragnarok Online 2’s first English server is published by Asiasoft, based in Southeast Asia. The game is currently in Closed Beta now, with everyone able to play without any keys needed. The game website is at http://ro2.playpark.net/. Due to first day issues and heavy traffic load, the website might be down for some.
