Camelot Unchained, the upcoming spiritual successor to Dark Age of Camelot, finished its Kickstarter campaign back in May 2013. City State Entertainment raised more than 2.2 million dollars from almost 15,000 backers. In the years since, how are people who backed Camelot Unchained feeling about their investment now? Does the game still show promise? Any regrets?
To find out the answers to these questions, I looked to the Internet to find writers, bloggers, and super fans who had helped kickstart Camelot Unchained back in 2013.
Who did I interview?
- Rich, a Dark Age of Camelot super fan and former Mythic Entertainment employee.
- Chris Hughes, writer at MMOGames and blogger at Through Wolfy’s Eyes.
- Eri, a long-time blogger and MMO PvP enthusiast over at Healing the Masses.
Rich, the DAOC Super Fan
Why Camelot Unchained?
There were two main things that I took into consideration when i was backing something. First is the person that’s in charge of the studio. Mark Jacobs has made many a MMO and made by far my favorite MMO in Dark Age of Camelot. Second were the pillars he established before hand. I think this is something that is going to be left out of many other kickstarters and the main reason why so many have ballooning issues with design DESPITE being so over funded.
Adding to those facts was this game was not going to be for everyone. Not like how Wildstar wasn’t for everyone with hardcore raiding and attunements, but there is a single focus to the game, and that is tri-faction PvP. Three distinct factions with races and classes that are different and play as such. With this we leave behind the theme-park and theme-sandbox era of AAA MMOs that need to appeal to everyone. Frankly they are over their head right at the start of the game to enter the time of the niche MMOs that are put out by smaller studios that let them grown into a full fledged product. Much like WoW was and how FFXIV turned around to become.
How much did you spend on the Kickstarter?
I backed Camelot Unchained at about $3,500.
$3,500? That sounds like a lot.
There were some interesting parts of the world to be a part of, and mostly i really wanted this game to be made. It might have been my most closely followed Kickstarter that i have done. Most others I can be hit or miss on, but this is the game I really wanted to see made.
How do you feel about being a backer now? Is it still money well spent? Would you like a do-over?
I would like to throw more money at it to be honest, but PayPal isn’t my cup of tea. I’m still happy I’m a backer. This is probably the only time you will ever really see an MMO being made from the programming and art all the way though. It is rare for a studio to stream concept art and almost unheard of to stream code. Yet they do, and when they do they explain what the are doing with the code and how it is going to work in the system. The art speaks for itself as you see each concept piece come to life or grow further. It is something I wish more studios would do.
Have you kept up with the game’s development? How is it looking to you?
The design and art of the game looks amazing and I would expect it to get better as more systems are put in place. I personally never really think it’s fair to say how something looks before you get the final copy but based on what I see, personally I like it.
What is the one thing you hope Camelot Unchained gets right?
The pace of combat is the biggest thing. There should be times when the combat is quick and the first strike is the decisive and victorious one. However, it’s always interesting to watch those fights that get drawn out as each side is pushed back and forth. With combat comes the need for zergs and anti-zerg. All the PvP games that came out have a zerg but it’s the most fun when that small group organized group and go in and cause havoc to a larger force.
Chris “Wolfy” Hughes, MMOGames Writer
Why did you back Camelot Unchained?
The website of the game itself was the thing that put me over the edge in buying in. Specifically, the design documents regarding crafting. These design ideas and concepts are ideals that speak the most to me in an open sandbox game, since I tend to lean towards more non-combat activities in that style of MMO.
I’ve elaborated on that in a blog post, but in synopsis, the idea that crafting in Camelot Unchained is how people can get the best possible gear is something I’ve wanted out of MMO crafting in a long time. More often than not, crafting in an MMO means you make slightly more useful stuff but are short of the raid tier. In Camelot Unchained, the only way you’re going to become the most badass in the game is to approach a skilled crafter.
Have you followed the game closely at all since the Kickstarter ended?
I snap up every newsletter the game devs issue on a regular basis, as well as look forward to the comments section of Massively Overpowered when they post a story about the game, as Mark Jacobs himself very often engages with those registered to the site. It’s refreshing to be part of that outreach.
Do you think other MMOs would benefit from a more direct outreach to players?
Without question. Especially if they act like Mark Jacobs. There’s a lot made of PR, spin, and the noise out of other open-development MMO heads like Derek Smart, Chris Roberts and John Smedley, so it’s an immensely refreshing thing to see someone engage to the level and professionalism of Mr. Jacobs. And the thing about his engagement is it never really feels forced. He gives you the sense that he’s there of his own volition.
In order to be a big hit, what do you think Camelot Unchained needs to get right the most?
Own up to the design documents they have lined out, first of all. They have done everything else right with regards to PR–even being almost needlessly apologetic when they fell short of a proposed deadline. Now it’s up to them to make good on their designs and create the game they’ve outlined on their website.
Do you think their design documents are realistic? Any in particular that you worry may be a long shot?
The game’s stat system sounds amazing on paper, but I still don’t feel like people won’t find ways to come up with flavor-of-the-month builds or create a meta that will ostracize people who make more personal choices. I’ve also not heard an awful lot of concrete solutions to the problem. Considering, too, that re-specializing your stats is stated as being a difficult proposition, then I’m almost positive players will seek out build guides and demand things of newcomers.
Are you still happy you backed the game? Would you do anything differently?
I am very happy I backed the game. Camelot Unchained is a style of game I have never personally experienced in my MMO life, and the fact that the game’s non-combat activities not only make me feel needed but wanted has me very excited to the point I am even considering raising my tier of pledge. Ultimately, though, that depends on how the game feels when I am allowed in to test. As far as doing something differently? I don’t know…I suppose I could engage in the official channels a lot more. I’m not sure it’s of value since I haven’t been in-game and though wouldn’t really post anything of much worth to the development.
Considering your lack of experience with similar MMOs, do you worry at all that the game may ultimately not be for you?
Considering how most people felt about other RvR games, this may be a non-issue. A lot of people tend to cite other RvR games and it made me curious. Ultimately, though, there is that worry that I’ve bought into a style of game that isn’t for me. I’d found that The Repopulation–my first-ever Kickstarted title–didn’t tick the boxes I was hoping it would, and while that made me feel a bit silly, I took solace in the fact that I helped to fund a game that someone else could like. Ultimately, it’s my money to lose, and I’m looking forward to finding out if I made the right choice. Part of the fun of this for me is the discovery of new things!
Eri, the MMORPG PvP Fanatic
How did Camelot Unchained end up with your money? How much did you spend?
I spent $200, my largest Kickstarter amount by at least double. Straight away once the campaign started I kind of new I wanted to donate. There is just a distinct lack of PvP games, especially PvP games that try to create a proper economic system. It’s funny but I don’t think the developers name meant that much to me, in fact from most it seemed a detriment to the campaign.
What do you mean it was a ‘detriment to the campaign’?
Many people remember the hype from Warhammer Online as well and with Mark Jacobs being the spokesperson for it. Many feel like they were lied to by him about the game and the features and were let down on these.
What is your opinion of the game thus far? Are you still excited?
I haven’t actually jumped in to play at all as I made the decision a while ago not to worry about games in alpha and beta, especially MMOs as you tend to burn out a bit of that interest on a lesser experience. It does seem to be progressing well with the systems being developed and talked about near exactly what I expected and wanted. Glad that communication has been so great throughout development too.
What feature in the final product do you think you will love the most?
I’ve written about this before on Healing the Masses, but to sum that post up:
I think the major appeal is that it is a game designed for and around PvP. This way PvE design isn’t interfering in PvP mechanics and gameplay. The ability to affect the world around by digging in and building upon terrain. And a fully fleshed out crafting and economic system.
Do you think there will still be a place in the genre for a game like Camelot Unchained when it finally does release? Do you think others will be there to join you in playing it?
I think there is definitely a place for MMOs that focus on Realm vs Realm (RvR). I’ve seen a huge community around these styles of play in Guild Wars 2, The Elder Scrolls Online and elsewhere, and while these games do seem to sustain them for some time – it often doesn’t feel like a long term investment of them. They mostly seem to be waiting for “the” MMO. I know many had already talked about Camelot, have put money into the campaign and are eagerly awaiting it.
The problem I think though is that while there is a place for it, I’m not sure if there is enough of a place to support two RvR MMOs. Both Camelot and Crowfall seem to be on a similar development trajectory and will obviously pull players from the same community.
Thanks to all three of my interviewees. You can find more coverage of Camelot Unchained here on MMOGames.com. Visit our Camelot Unchained profile page for more information.
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