RIFT: Year Two State of the Game (part Two of Two)

[Daglar]

Greetings, Ascended!

It’s been a long road since an intrepid band of developers introduced the world to RIFT in 2010 by opening the original Alpha shard. Being able to share the game with external testers for the first time was a transformative experience. RIFT was no longer just a product, RIFT became a service, a living breathing game world. That idea was central to the team early on, but it really came to fruition the moment we threw the switch and let people in.

How can we make the game better for our players? This is the same question we've continued to ask ourselves and the community since that first day of Alpha. Every week of pre-release we added new content, new features, updated balance and pressed onward. That same spirit guides the RIFT team today. We strive to provide meaningful game updates and push the game forward just like we've done since that fateful day in August of 2010. We push to provide hotfixes every week that address issues brought to our attention.

As Rift approaches its second anniversary this March it could be all too easy rest on our laurels and focus on the past – but that’s not what the RIFT team is about. We’re about looking forward and finding ways to improve upon what we have built. The team is busy actively working on our next two major game updates, 2.2 and 2.3 – and the game updates beyond those are starting to solidify more with each day.

With 2.2 the Carnival of the Ascended – a celebration of the first appearance of the Ascended - will return to Telara. Along with it, new carnival games as well as some old favorites will be available, a slew of new Zone Events will appear in the Storm Legion zones, the Planar Attunement system will expand to tier 3, and we hope to add our first activated Hard Mode encounters to Endless Eclipse and Frozen Tempest. Of course, you can also expect more bug fixes, and updates to classes as we always provide. There are also some updates to PvP that have been sneaking out to the live servers before 2.2 hits.

What secrets are hidden behind the walls surrounding the Dendrome? As we approach game update 2.3 we’ll start to peel back the layers of mystery – but that is a story for another day, Ascended.

We look forward to sharing those secrets, and the continuing saga of RIFT as we boldly step into 2013.

Bill "Daglar" Fisher
Lead Game Designer: RIFT

[Solaxys]

Onward then!

Still 100% behind this game and I am sure you'll do a great job Daglar .
Best of luck!

[CJE]

That's it? Not much of the state of the game. What about addressing the massive concerns of the playerbase over the direction of the game with the loss of Hartsman. What about addressing f2p? What about addressing the game population?

All this tells us is that there will be a 2.2 and a 2.3 and that the world event will return, all of which were expected? Isn't the state of the game supposed to be a communication with the playerbase on the future direction of the product, and maybe even contain some new announcements?

sigh.

[Jaedor]

Sounds great, thanks for the update!

[Asaomar]

So 2.3 for the Dendrome. glad to finally know which patch to expect it in. I am certainly excited to see what is behind that force field blocking me from exploring!

[simpa1988]

thanks for the letter
2.2 and 2.3 seems very promising content patches and cant wait to hit live servers

[Riane]

Thanks Daglar! Looking forward to many more years with Rift!

[simpa1988]

That's it? Not much of the state of the game. What about addressing the massive concerns of the playerbase over the direction of the game with the loss of Hartsman. What about addressing f2p? What about addressing the game population?

All this tells us is that there will be a 2.2 and a 2.3 and that the world event will return, all of which were expected? Isn't the state of the game supposed to be a communication with the playerbase on the future direction of the product, and maybe even contain some new announcements?

sigh.

with what he said you assume game is going f2p? dont think so...

[shp]

Was expecting more tbh.

[Vulkax]

Considering Dendrome should have been release months ago. We bought that content with SL right? BIG time let down for a "STATE OF THE GAME" letter.

[Solaxys]

That's it? Not much of the state of the game. What about addressing the massive concerns of the playerbase over the direction of the game with the loss of Hartsman. What about addressing f2p? What about addressing the game population?

This game isn't going F2P anytime in the near future. The population will sort itself; there will always be ebb and flow for an MMO.

All this tells us is that there will be a 2.2 and a 2.3 and that the world event will return, all of which were expected? Isn't the state of the game supposed to be a communication with the playerbase on the future direction of the product, and maybe even contain some new announcements?

sigh.

Future direction: continual release of new content, in addition to bug fixes and class changes

New announcements: Game isn't going anywhere; Daglar is the new lead; and we are to expect a continued effort from the existing Trion team to make this game better, and grander.

[Antiproton]

That's it? Not much of the state of the game. What about addressing the massive concerns of the playerbase over the direction of the game with the loss of Hartsman. What about addressing f2p? What about addressing the game population?

All this tells us is that there will be a 2.2 and a 2.3 and that the world event will return, all of which were expected? Isn't the state of the game supposed to be a communication with the playerbase on the future direction of the product, and maybe even contain some new announcements?

sigh.

"We anticipate no changes to the state of the game even though Hartsman is leaving. We don't discuss internal policy further than that."

"We have no information to provide on the Free-to-Play paradigm at this time. RIFT will stay on the subscription model for the foreseeable future."

"Population numbers are trade secret, we do not discuss them."

Happy?

[Rythandil]

I'm diggity down. RIFT has been my favorite mmo, hands down. It's dismaying reading the forums (and mind you, that has an impact on new blood coming in, so if you're concerned about the state of the game and whether it's sustainable, maybe you should turn those frowns upside down and tell people about the GOOD things about RIFT) but I have full faith that Daglar will carry the spirit of the game on. Rift's only gotten better and better as the months have gone by, and I know it will continue to be the case.

Can't wait for the Carnival again this year

[Meaghanne]

Thanks for the update. It is very refreshing to know Trion cares deeply about our gameplay and seeks to keep it smooth. The weekly updates are much appreciated!

I'm eager to see what is in store for us!

Keep up the good work Trion, thanks for all you guys do

[simpa1988]

I'm diggity down. RIFT has been my favorite mmo, hands down. It's dismaying reading the forums (and mind you, that has an impact on new blood coming in, so if you're concerned about the state of the game and whether it's sustainable, maybe you should turn those frowns upside down and tell people about the GOOD things about RIFT) but I have full faith that Daglar will carry the spirit of the game on. Rift's only gotten better and better as the months have gone by, and I know it will continue to be the case.

Can't wait for the Carnival again this year

yeah carnival was awesome last year
and im really happy that there is no f2p announcement as many was assuming wrong