This is a compilation of Frequently Asked Questions and useful info regarding the
Torchlight MMO. If you have other questions that you think should be added here post them in the discussion topic for this post or e-mail me at
webbstre@runicgamesfansite.com 
Contents
[hide][top]Is the MMO an expansion/add-on to the single player game
No. The developers have said they do not want to something as "sloppy" as a
patch to link the two together. Logically, single player characters are unlikely to be uploadable in any form to the MMO because of the possibility of cheating. Additionally, the games will not be identical in gameplay or UI. The tools being used to develop the games are the same, but the end products will be different.
[hide][top]So by MMO you mean they are going to change the game to be like WoW and Everquest
A common misconception these days is that the term MMO represents games with the playing style that WoW uses (slower action, longer battles with fewer enemies, some form of raids, etc). The Torchlight MMO will have the same fast-paced playing style that the single player game has, with the addition of multi-player gameplay, PvP, large shared areas, Guilds, crafting, and the other staples of online RPGS. In other words, think of the Torchlight MMO as a figurative upgrade to the game style already present in the single player game.
[hide][top]How much will the MMO cost
It has been stated (
1 and
2) that the MMO will be
free-to-play with an online micro-transaction store for
items that will not overtly affect balance. When the team was working on
Mythos they had a free game with an online store planned for fun items that would not give anyone an unfair advantage such as asthetic items, houses, pets and other trivial items. One suggestion was also about things which speed up levelling (which in Mythos was similar to
Diablo 2 in speed and not an MMO), and a quote used was that "some players have time and some have money", which meant that while it might take someone a little longer in the end both players won't actually have an advantage over one another.
[hide][top]Really? There won't be any monthly fees
There has been a lot of interest shown in monthly fees shown on the forums, and one developer even speculated that if they could figure out a way to satisfy the people who would prefer a monthly payment system they would manage it. However, it is highly unlikely that Runic will implement a dual-payment system, as attempts to do something similar for
Hellgate: London with
Flagship Studios did not work out well. We shouldn't expect any system to be implemented unless it can be done in a productive way that does not penalize the people who are not paying to play.
[hide][top]How will the Microtransaction Shop work
While full details haven't been decided or announced yet, it is likely that it will work by purchasing a special kind of in-game currency with real world money, either from the
Runic Games/
Perfect World website or within the game itself. This currency can be used to purchase items in the shop. As of this time no finalized details have been announced, but several developers have expressed their opinions that no content (including new
classes, areas, advantaged
weapons or
armor, etc) should be allowed in the shop. Whether or not the currency or items bought with the currency will be trade-able has yet to be announced. It is likely that most of these policies will be decided in cooperation with Runic Games and their publisher, Perfect World.
On January 29, 2010 during the "Pioneers in Interactive Media" Workshop at the University of Washington Bothell; Marsh Lefler, one of the founders of Runic Games and speaker at the Workshop, stated that they have creative control over the
MMO and its Micro-transaction Store; however, they will still listen to
Perfect World Entertainment's experience in regards to the Asian Versions and on things like holiday events.. A sign that Runic Game's opinions on micro-transaction systems will have merit in the long run.
In July of 2010
Travis Baldree, Project Lead for
Torchlight, President and Co-founder of Runic Games, stated in a PCgamer spotlight of Runic Games that he will never buy a microtransaction
item:
"I will never, ever buy a microtransaction item,[...]I am that kind of player. And the game has to be enjoyable for me too. We don't want our monetisation stuff to offer ways to skip the game because the game is boring. We don't want it to feel like an enormous grind, or that you want to get past a bit because it sucks. It should be fun to play and you should want to do it; what you should be paying for is variance - additions that make it more enjoyable. Mounts are a great example. Everybody should be able to get mounts but you should be able to buy super special mounts that look cool or travel a slight bit faster or give you a secondary benefit." Indicating that Travis' Mindset is on building a fun and enjoyable experience above all else.
[hide][top]When will there be Alpha and Beta Testing
The MMO will have a Beta test and may have an Alpha test, but the timeline for both has yet to be announced. The MMO is likely to have at least a working network code to demonstrate in the upcoming press events. Runic Games is scheduled to appear at Gamescom 2010 and PAX Prime 2010. Estimates would put testing phases sometime in Early 2011.
[hide][top]Will I be able to import my characters into the MMO
No, this will not be possible for multiple reasons. The most obvious reason is that it would be too easy to upload a character that has been altered due to
cheat codes or mods. Another reason is that the classes and
skills from the single player game are not expected to be duplicated in the MMO.
[hide][top]Does the game feature a world map or Overworld
Unlike the single player game, the MMO will take place in a wider world with large static shared spaces, or Overworlds. Runic Games believes that the randomization of such areas diminishes the sense of community and place. So they decide to provide a mix of the two.
[hide][top]Will there be changing weather effects in the game
No details on this have been finalized, but it is possible.
Yes, there pets have been more or less confirmed for the MMO. Like the other changes between the Single Player Torchlight and the MMO, there will be more choices and variety for pets.
Yes, mounts are planned for the MMO.
[hide][top]Will players be able to jump
We haven't had any word as of yet for whether or not this will be possible.
[hide][top]What is the storyline for the MMO
This is still being decided by the development team. The ending of the single player game hints that the player's character stayed in the town of Torchlight for a while after the defeat of
Ordrak, and other text in the game hints that Ordrak and/or his power may not be destroyed so long as the corrupted
Ember remains there.
On May 19, 2010, Volbard announced that Torchlight MMO has an "actual real writer."
[hide][top]Will the Destroyer, Alchemist and Vanquisher return
As mentioned above, the character classes are not expected to return as playable classes in the MMO. Whether or not the three specific characters from the single player game will make an appearance in the story is not yet known.
[hide][top]What classes and races will be playable
These have not yet been announced and are likely not yet decided, but it is easy to assume that humans will be among the playable races.
Yes, PvP will be supported at release and likely earlier in the testing phases.
[hide][top]Will Mythos-style achievements return in Torchlight
There has been some interest shown in either
achievements or some kind of
Perks system (which got cut from the single player game), so it is likely we will see a return in some form.
[hide][top]Will the MMO support other camera views
It is possible that the team may implement more advanced camera options for the MMO, much like the ones they were testing out near the end of the Mythos Beta. The downside to implementing this would be that it would require more time to develop areas to look good in all directions, as opposed to focusing on have one viewpoint which can be decorated for maximum time and scenic efficiency.
[hide][top]Will Soulbound items be present
No announcements on this have been made yet, but it is certain that some method of controlling the economy and making item/
gold sinks will be implemented.
[hide][top]Will there be difficulty modes
Again, there has been no word on this yet, and it is probably one of the hardest decisions for the team to make. The
overworld system makes it difficult to implement globally, unless each difficulty is a separate server. Have a Mythos-style Elite mode would restrict people from playing together and keep them from trading (to preserve separate economies). Creating a Diablo-style set of unlocked difficulties could work to some extent, but it has been mentioned that it is a kind of "lazy" way to increase replay-ability.
[hide][top]Will characters be able to retire
No one knows the answer to this yet, but if it is implemented it will likely have some kind of different reward system than the single player game to maintain balance.
[hide][top]Well there be guilds and/or player housing
Guilds are almost certain to be included, while player housing - if included - is likely to be something added on later on in testing or possibly after release.
Crafting, like guilds, is almost certain to appear in some form.
[hide][top]What are Territory Wars
No one knows yet. At the time that was included in the FAQ it was an idea thrown around as a possible feature to include.
[hide][top]What is the Marriage System
Same answer as for Territory Wars: no one knows exactly what this would entail as of yet. It has been said that it may be some form of bond players can make to have a special bonus awarded for playing together. This may be renamed and completely changed to prevent people from feeling restricted, or forcing them to marry their best friend online for a bonus.
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