Interview 26 – Mark Kalmes, part 1

You can find a transcript of this show here! If you’re interested in backing the Pathfinder Online Kickstarter, you can do so here. * (0:43) The postcards contest is ready for your vote to pick the grand prize winner!  Get your votes in here! * (1:08) Some breaking news on the Pathfinder MMO: Mark tells us about the upcoming “Guild Land Rush”. * (5:26) Introducing Mark Kalmes.  City of Heroes (and Villains), the Mastermind, and the game’s shutdown.  Asheron’s Call and Meridian. * (11:49) Mark’s work in robotics. * (14:12) The relationship between Goblinworks and Paizo. * (15:58) How close will the MMO stick to the Pathfinder tabletop rules?  The nature of a class-less, skill-based system.  How characters advance, how they’re capped, and how new players can enter a world alongside well-established ones. * (32:51) Player-versus-player combat in Pathfinder Online.  The reasoning behind the lack of PVE (or purely consensual PVP) options.  The role of NPC hirelings.  A player-based economy and the importance of inter-player relationships. * (46:37) Breaking into an established world.  Finding a role for your character and a piece of land for your house. * (51:09) The consequences of character death. * (53:36) The relationship between the in-game and real-world economies.  We also talk about active subscriptions versus playing on a lapsed subscription.  The story of Second Life and the IRS. * (58:41) The number and structure of servers, and the number of accounts per server.  Hurdles put in place to keep one guild from dominating the game world. * (1:02:17) How the casual and solo players fit into the order of things. Hosts: Dan, Johann, John, Pat Guests: Mark Kalmes