Rift Patch 1.3 Interview

ZAM is offering an interview with Rift’s design producer Hal Hanlin, discussing the title’s upcoming content update. Here’s a sampling:

I started our discussion by asking about one of the major technical changes in 1.3: Addon support. Hanlin noted that Addon support currently on the public test shard is (at a very rudimentary level.) Trion Worlds is (working closely with the community, implementing ideas that both sides want. We’re trying to avoid a bot factory,) so for now what is allowable is very stringent.

As time goes on and the team receives more feedback, other Addons will be allowed in the game; but for now they’re (trying not to introduce a ton of features at first.) Trion is promising to police Addon usage very diligently, although I didn’t receive the exact details on how this policing will occur.

Another technical feature added in 1.3 will be free realm transfers. (The transfers are pretty generous. Gameplay on populous servers is more enjoyable, which is great!) Hanlin said. Trion has a (continuing ramp-up of trials and promotions) to entice new players, and the transfers will be sure to allow players the freedom to be with their friends, avoid queues and have a large player base with which to quest.

(We don’t want to limit players who leveled up on PvP servers and decided, ‘oh, I don’t like PvP,’ ) Hanlin said, so transfers will be allowed regardless of realm designation. Currently the restrictions are planned to be one transfer per week.