Interview

mxmod500 (6:20:50 PM): Hey, how are you?
Nosniv123 (6:20:54 PM): not bad, yourself
sportingfool524 (6:20:58 PM): Welcome, welcome... =)
mxmod500 (6:20:59 PM): doing pretty good
sportingfool524 (6:21:02 PM): Glad you could make it.
Nosniv123 (6:21:10 PM): me too!
mxmod500 (6:21:23 PM): Likewise
sportingfool524 (6:22:28 PM): So, first things first? When should we expect Beta Testing by users to start?
Nosniv123 (6:23:36 PM): Haha, well I definitely can't give you an answer for that. The only thing I can say is it should be soon, we are quickly approaching something we would like to get out to some beta testers.
mxmod500 (6:24:12 PM): I know I signed up to beta test myself, any idea as to just how many testers you're looking at?
mxmod500 (6:25:09 PM): I know many users are very excited to see what the cards they have been earning for so long can do finally
Nosniv123 (6:26:18 PM): I believe for the very first round we will probably keep the group somewhat small, just to make sure things are stable enough.
Nosniv123 (6:26:23 PM): If that is looking good, I imagine we would fairly quickly ramp up the number. Quite a few people have signed up to test.
sportingfool524 (6:26:55 PM): So, I heard from JimGreer the other day that the main way you pick BetaTesters will be according to their level, is this true?
Nosniv123 (6:28:24 PM): I believe that will be true initially. We want people who are familiar with Kongregate, as well as people who have a decent variety of cards to play with.
Nosniv123 (6:28:29 PM): Once testing gets rolling though, I can't say what our method of selecting tests will be.
Nosniv123 (6:28:44 PM): I have to keep splitting these messages up, it is telling me they are too large
sportingfool524 (6:29:03 PM): Oh, I see, haha... No problem, I will cut them down into one paragrpah.
mxmod500 (6:30:08 PM): Now, I know Greg has mentioned this but I'm not sure what the word is for it. There was talk of being able to earn older cards that people have missed. Any news on that?
Nosniv123 (6:31:07 PM): Yes, players who are new to Kongregate will definitely be able to go back and get previously released cards. The 're-released' cards will more than likely be a different edition, meaning they will look slightly different.
sportingfool524 (6:31:34 PM): How exactly will it be formatted? All at once... or will you do 2 cards for a couple weeks, etc.?
mxmod500 (6:31:46 PM): So will there be a 'earned cards' page similar to the badges?
mxmod500 (6:31:52 PM): or yeah :P
Nosniv123 (6:32:38 PM): I don't believe it will be all at once, but I'm not the most informed person on that subject at this point in time
mxmod500 (6:34:06 PM): Alright, well I'm currently looking at the rulesheet (http://www.kongregate.com/pages/kongai-rulesheet) and, about the actual game appearance, what all can we expect from an animation standpoint?
sportingfool524 (6:34:45 PM): Also, how are the new styles meshing with the old, I saw one picture... but what are you personal feelings on changing artists? Can we expect more artists to be added?
Nosniv123 (6:35:13 PM): So the sprites themselves only have a single frame, but there are plenty of animations for all the different attacks, etc. Think Final Fantasy 2 or 3 style animations.
Nosniv123 (6:35:37 PM): The interface has also been completely changed since that screenshot, as well, it is a lot more open.
Nosniv123 (6:36:18 PM): I believe we will be adding more artists, but I really don't have much to do with that decision. From what I've seen of the new art vs the old it seems to blend fairly well once it is in the game itself.
sportingfool524 (6:37:13 PM): Wil there be a ChatBox for you to talk in Kong Chat while playing the game?
Nosniv123 (6:37:38 PM): Yes
sportingfool524 (6:37:50 PM): There has been talk of tournaments that will hosted by kong, on Kongai... Is this true?
sportingfool524 (6:38:01 PM): If so, do you know what the "Prizes" will be?
Nosniv123 (6:38:40 PM): I hope so! One of the goals of Kongai is to have it be a very competitive game that sticks around for a very long time. I wouldn't have any ideas about the prizes, however.
mxmod500 (6:39:10 PM): Is there a single-player mode? Will information about wins, losses, and draws from multiplayer (and single if it exists) be recorded and displayed on user
mxmod500 (6:39:16 PM): 's profiles?
mxmod500 (6:39:20 PM): oops ^_^;;
sportingfool524 (6:39:26 PM): Here are some questions straight from Kong chat...The_Chosen_One: Any plans on upgrading the game? A followup? Continuation. Like for most IRL cardgames they have an expansion pack.
sportingfool524 (6:39:46 PM): Any plans for a Kongai 2? Or will you just update the game?
sportingfool524 (6:39:55 PM): Of course, not to get ahead of ourselves
Nosniv123 (6:40:17 PM): There will be a simple single-player mode which will allow players to become more familiar with the game before jumping into the scary world of multiplayer.
Nosniv123 (6:40:36 PM): As for expansions, I have no idea on that yet of course, but we plan to release plenty more characters and items.
sportingfool524 (6:40:48 PM): That brings up another question. Will single player be a Tutorial, or will there be a Career mode?
Nosniv123 (6:41:11 PM): We will record statistics for the multiplayer games, as well, such as wins losses, etc.
mxmod500 (6:41:20 PM): And is there potential to unlock special cards for completion or achievement in said modes?
Nosniv123 (6:41:50 PM): Currently single player is planned to be more of a tutorial mode for players to get a taste of the game.
Nosniv123 (6:42:21 PM): Of course, it will be hooked into the normal achievement system just like any other game, so those things are all possible.
sportingfool524 (6:44:01 PM): I know you planned to release this game much earlier, in last year. What has taken so long? Unseen bugs? Or just the normal delays that any game will under-go in the attempts to make it perfect?
Nosniv123 (6:46:01 PM): There has basically been a ton of iteration on the game to make sure it is what we wanted it to be. The other large factor is that Kongregate has grown exponentially in the past year, so we had to
Nosniv123 (6:46:21 PM): put a lot of engineering effort toward stabilizing and growing the site
mxmod500 (6:48:13 PM): Have been any new changes to the rules and gameplay system that are not currently reflected on the rule sheet?
mxmod500 (6:48:16 PM): I know you said the interface was completely re-worked so I was wondering if that brought along any actual gameplay changes.
Nosniv123 (6:48:38 PM): The basic gameplay remains the same, however we are constantly making balance changes to the characters and items.
sportingfool524 (6:50:19 PM): So, does this mean that the item cards we have, with the statistics like this one "Ring of Curses; Each time you're hit by an attack, the attacks hit rate is reduced by 5% for 10 turns"
sportingfool524 (6:50:31 PM): Can we expect that stat to chage by the time the game comes out?
Nosniv123 (6:51:01 PM): I wouldn't say you can expect it to change, but it is definitely a possibility for any given item or character.
Nosniv123 (6:51:22 PM): These things will more than likely change throughout the beta as well, that is one of the purposes of testing
mxmod500 (6:52:37 PM): In regards to the different battle modes, i see there is a 3-card, 5-card, and 5-card with items. Any future plans to make larger modes or modes that allow for 2 players to battle 2 other players?
Nosniv123 (6:53:21 PM): Anything is possible in the future, but there are no plans for 2v2 currently. We're focused on finishing what we have already planned
sportingfool524 (6:54:18 PM): Which is what exactly? A tutorial, and 1v1 multiplayer? Or will there be something beyond that?
Nosniv123 (6:55:34 PM): Single player and 1v1 multiplayer are the only game modes currently planned, as far as I know.
sportingfool524 (6:55:52 PM): Another Chat question: Eldavo: How similar will this be to other CCGs? What can we expect to really set this apart?
sportingfool524 (6:56:37 PM): Why would we play this game on the internet, rather than play.. Magic the Gathering with some friends? Cost aside.
Nosniv123 (6:57:16 PM): Well, first of all I just want to point out that David Sirlin did a brilliant design for this game. The thing that really sets it apart, in my opinion, is how easy it is to get started playing, and how difficult it is to master.
Nosniv123 (6:57:18 PM): The whole intercept/switch out mechanic makes for a lot of interesting moments, as well.
Nosniv123 (6:57:42 PM): Well, that's hard to say, why would you do anything on the computer if your friends were waiting for you to go hang out with them?
Nosniv123 (6:58:07 PM): I imagine the same appeal that most Internet games have, it isn't always convenient to meet up with people from across the world and play MTG.
Nosniv123 (6:58:55 PM): Gotta get going here soon guys, any final questions?
mxmod500 (7:00:11 PM): How soon do you expect a public statement to be released when the beta opens up to the first small user group?
mxmod500 (7:00:24 PM): Or will it be done completely by email?
Nosniv123 (7:01:28 PM): I imagine we will send the testers an email and make an announcement on the forums, possibly the main page.
sportingfool524 (7:02:39 PM): Oh that's fine, my final question... What do you think the response will be? Will the game match up to all the expectations set by having the majority of the staff work soley on this game, even while neglecting the site a bit? What I mean is... Is it worth it?
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sportingfool524 (7:02:53 PM): Oh that's fine, my final question... What do you think the response will be? Will the game match up to all the expectations set by having the majority of the staff work soley on this game, even while neglecting the site a bit?
sportingfool524 (7:02:58 PM): What I mean is... Is it worth it?
Nosniv123 (7:05:04 PM): Well, all I can say is that the first time I was able to play the game (in a very early state, near PAX) it was incredibly fun. I was really shocked at how fun it was.
Nosniv123 (7:05:06 PM): We also got a very good response from people at PAX, as well as a few other early testers.
Nosniv123 (7:05:29 PM): In short, I have no doubt in my mind it will be worth it.
Nosniv123 (7:05:39 PM): Also, we had to do SOMETHING with all those cards anyway, right?
sportingfool524 (7:06:00 PM): Thats great, I really appreciate you taking the time to talk to us, maybe again closer in the future?
mxmod500 (7:06:11 PM): Well, I know I'm definitely excited for Kongai's release! It was great getting to meet and talk with you. Thanks for taking the time to answer questions with us.
Nosniv123 (7:07:10 PM): You're welcome, and thanks for all the work you guys do, it is quite appreciated.
sportingfool524 (7:07:47 PM): No problem, we're just here to serve, I know I do it because I've mooched off of plenty of guides in my day! Take care Ben, hope to see you in the future!
Nosniv123 (7:08:23 PM): See you around!