Dragonica is a new MMORPG soon to be released by Gala Networks. It features the usual manga-style characters and classes, but has some tricks up its sleeve. Read the Interview between FreeMMGamer.com and Max Stolberg, Dragonica Producer with Gala Networks Europe, to find out all about it!

FreeMMOGamer: Could you introduce yourself and explain your role in Dragonica?

Hi there. Thank you very much for the opportunity of an interview with freemmogamer.com. My name is Max and as producer of Dragonica for the European market my job is to plan and coordinate the market entry of Dragonica. This includes the localisation, testing and launch of Dragonica and successively its EU operation. Hosting games on the gPotato.eu gaming portal, we already have quite an expertise in the free to play MMO market as publisher. Even though having only been established in 2006, we already are one of the market leaders in this sector with over 1.5 million registered users in France and Germany. Dragonica will be our first English language title we are publishing followed by the AAA free to play MMORPG Allods in autumn 2009.

FreeMMOGamer: How closely are you working with developers Barunson Interactive for the European release?

Gala Networks Europe’s strategy is to build the best possible relationships with the developers we’re working with. This of course means I’m communicating with Barunson on a daily basis and we discuss matters like localisation, schedule, balance and future game development to mention just a few of the topics. Barunson’s willingness to adjust Dragoncia to EU needs is quite impressive and very promising for the future success and user friendliness of the game. Relationship building also involves flying over to South Korea and meeting the people working in Barunson face to face and getting to know them better as well as inviting them back over to Europe for them to see how we work and what our community expects of a high quality free to play game.

FreeMMOGamer: Why the choice of an unusual side-scrolling perspective for a MMORPG? What are the main advantages?

To answer that question I usually quote our developer Barunson as I’ve asked the same question before: “We tried to make a game that everyone can easily enjoy and thus we chose a side scroll action game” (Barunson). They wanted their game to be different and deviate from the “me-too” approach of other major game developers who just emulate the same concept all over again and again. With the launch of Dragonica, side-scrolling games celebrate a well deserved come back of a brilliant and very fun way of playing games. Introducing a combo based action MMO which you can actually play with a controller like Xbox or SNES pad even, you will quickly realize it’s a must to play. You’ll also find all the features you expect from major MMOs these days including PvP & PvE endgame, guild wars, housing, a couple system, pet system and much more. And it’s absolutely free.

FreeMMOGamer: With its vibrant cartoon style Dragonica could easily be categorized as a MMO aimed at younger gamers. How far is this from the truth?

I agree that Dragonica’s cartoon style is primarily focussing on a “cute factor” which may appeal more to younger gamers. The whole concept of a really fast paced action oriented jump and run arcade game however is appealing to a much broader audience: it is appealing to retro fans, to casual and hardcore players, younger and more mature players as well as all console players looking for a PC alternative. Dragonica is like a mix between “Super Smash Brothers” and the old-school “Golden Axe” and combines all mordern and up to date MMO features with a really enjoyable gameplay. Just try it out yourselves really, I have no doubt you’ll like it.

FreeMMOGamer: Besides language, are there any specific differences between the several versions being developed?

There will be no differences in the setup of the European versions. English, German and French will be running with the same balance put in place and the same levelling curve. There of course will be the option of changing the balance of one language version in particular if we’ll receive reasonable suggestions by our community. Gala Networks Europe has a philosophy or taking our community’s feedback very seriously and fortunately our developer Barunson also believes in the publisher’s ability to determine the best fit for each market.

FreeMMOGamer: Could you introduce the four character classes? Which one is your favourite and why?

Currently, there are four playable classes in the game: the Warrior, Mage, Archer and Thief. All of those can progress in a different profession upon reaching level 20 and then again upon reaching level 40. The warrior currently is my favourite, he’s strong, very resilient and has a good punch; like a rock in the sea basically. The mage is very fragile in contrast but when she decides to attack you, you better go out of her way. Mages are the DPS classes of Dragonica. The Thief is a bit more resilient but still quite fragile having mastered the art of slice and dice attacks to simply shred his enemy in the air. Very cool, honestly. Then the Archer. My first class. It’s this class that is probably played most, simply because you’ll never see an enemy coming close enough to hit you. And even if he hits you, you’ll just moonwalk back and shoot again; a piece of cake.

FreeMMOGamer: How is the combat system different from previous games? Do you see it as more beat’em up than MMO, or a mix of the two? And how do the combos work?

Dragonica is unique in its approach to form a hybrid MMO & action side-scrolling game. You’ll not only find all the normal MMO features including achievement system, housing, customizable characters, marriage system, pet system, guild and group PvP to just name a few. You’ll also be able to experience a unique style 360° depth and turn concept in which you can attack the enemy from all directions, move in most directions but have the feeling of being back in the 90s.

Basically, you move from left to right or backwards if you missed your enemy and you need to hit them exactly. There is no “tabbing around” like in most major MMOs. You just execute your skill and if you aimed it right, you hit the monster. If you practice a bit, you’ll be able to make good use of the unique combo system as well. The longer you’ll be able to hit monsters in a row, the more EXP you’ll get. So if you hit one monster 3 times, you’ll be at 3 combos. If you’ve managed to hit several monsters in one killing spree without stopping, you may reach 150 combos and gain 1.5x the normal EXP. But also combos of 500 and higher are possible. And you may earn your first achievement then…

FreeMMOGamer: What social incentives are there for players to create a party and interact with each other?

Dragonica is very much a party focused game really. First, of course it is much nicer to play together than alone but there are of course also in game mechanics that help :-). First, as you may know there are numerous mission maps in the game and even though you may be able to clear them yourselves, the final bonus in terms of items and experience as well as the rankings and achievements are based on time. So you have to be fast. And you’re faster in a group of course. Second, you’ll be able to form a couple and even marry and will receive certain benefits from that in terms of buffs, free teleports and others too. Finally, you earn Friend Points too and these you can later again exchange against experience or – well maybe something else in the future.

FreeMMOGamer: Besides the main quest, players will be able to fight in a variety of multiplayer modes. What are those modes?

Instances basically have two modes: the normal arcade mode and a hero mode. Only after you’ve managed to stand up against all the different mini bosses of the four arcade levels of a mission map, you’ll be able to enter for the hero mode. And this hero mode you have to do in a group which means you’ll at least have to be two players. Don’t get me wrong though. That by no means implies you can do all the arcade levels by yourself. You’d be well advised not to do try as you’ll get benefits from playing in a group and basically advance faster.

Regarding multiplayer, PvE and mission maps are just one example how to fight with your comrades. The other very prominent multiplayer feature of Dragonica is PvP. Here, you’ll have a variety of options; a 10 player deathmatch or 5vs5 group battles and later on also capture the flag and relic destruction will give you the chance to show real skill. Then, starting with level 20 you’ll be able to engage in 25vs25 guild battles, the so called Emporia Wars. There’s much more waiting for the players though!

FreeMMOGamer: What is the release date?

We plan to open the Dragonica Closed Beta phase across the English, German and French language in the middle of May and if everything goes well, we’ll start Open Beta for the European territory in June already. Even though Open Beta still is a testing phase and by no means can be considered live or without the need for some corrections in gameplay and balance according to our community’s feedback, there won’t be a character wipe after Open Beta started.

FreeMMOGamer: Any other important details about Dragonica you wish to share with our readers?

Having had the opportunity to test Dragonica quite a bit with my team here in Dublin, Ireland and having seen competitions run on Dragonica already while being showcased in Tipperary, Ireland I can tell you one thing: the game really is brilliant! It’s one of the very few really good free-to-play games I know.

FreeMMOGamer: Thank you for your time!