Alpha-1
Alpha-1 was a testing release of the Ashes of Creation MMORPG.[6]
- World
- The Alpha-1 map (Alpha island) consists of a mainland area and several islands. This was approximately 70 km2 of playable area.[7]
- Alpha-1 takes place in the north west part of the map.[8]
- Character
- Progression to level 15.[9][10]
- The composition of class skills or archetype skills has to tread a fine line between two roads: One we wanted to be representative of skills not just that would traditionally be found 1 through 15 but we're actually introducing some skills that might be found later, because we want to test those particular ideas and how the skill functions.[9] – Steven Sharif
- Character creator (basic).[11][12][13][14]
- Progression to level 15.[9][10]
- Races
- 4 playable races Kaelar, Vaelune, Dünir, Empyrean.[19][12]
- A lot of times people ask well why haven't we seen the other races and stuff? We want to establish the quality bar and process with these races first and then when we move into further content production for the other races we have have those pipelines in place and we have the processes in place and we know how to approach them.[20]
- 4 playable races Kaelar, Vaelune, Dünir, Empyrean.[19][12]
- Combat
- Hybrid action/tab combat.[12]
- Revamped combat systems will be rolled out during and post Alpha-1 testing.[21][22][23]
The weapon attack is an important component of the combat system, so we want to make sure that as we're doing this combat revamp that we are essentially taking into consideration player feedback and sentiment about how they want a reactive and more mobile weapon attack system.[21] – Steven Sharif
- Economy
- The economy present in Alpha-1 is not reflective of the final state of the game.[28]
- Merchant systems and player to player trading.[28][29]
- We have an economy but it's not really going to be reflective of the final how the economy is going to work. It'll work for alpha one and there'll be plenty of things to trade and buy and exchange, but it's not going to be really super representative what the final state is. So keep that in mind as well it's a stubbed-in system. It's not a complete or really finalized system at all.[28] – Jeffrey Bard
- Approximately 10 percent of the artisan system.[10][30]
- The core basics of the artisan gameplay loop is facilitated via the merchant (NPC) system.[10][30][31]
- Gathering, Processing, Crafting is expected to come online in Alpha-2 and the Betas.[30][31]
- Previously this was targeted for Alpha-1.[32][12]
- What's present in Alpha-1 doesn't even really scratch the surface for crafting.[31] – Steven Sharif
- Gear
- Approximately 49 unique gear sets.[10]
- These are unique sets with different stats, but some may be similar in appearance.[10]
- Daggers (Dual weapons).[33]
- PvE
- Approximately 6 or 7 dungeons with one almost raid-level difficulty.[34]
- Two world bosses requiring party-sized groups.[34]
- One true 40 person raid boss.[34]
- Over 200 quests.[10]
- Questing is placeholder until Alpha-2.[35][12]
- Guilds.[36][12]
- Alpha-1 castle sieges and Castles are in a zone accessible via a NPC teleporter.[37][10][36][38][39][40]
- This zone includes three Elder dragon raid bosses.[10][36]
- These bosses also appear in the open world (outside the siege zone) with slightly different mechanics.[10]
- Naval content
- Ships for "island hopping".[41][42]
- Other
- There is no instancing in Alpha-1.[37]
- UI and tutorial systems are placeholders until Alpha-2.[43][35]
Alpha-1 availability
Pre-order pack upgrades are possible for current pack holders for the difference in price.[45][46][47] Upgrades to Kickstarter and Summer crowdfunding packs are also available in the store for the difference in package price.[48]
- August 15, 2018 was the last day for purchases of Alpha-1 through Intrepid pre-order packs (History).[12]
- August 13, 2021 was the last day for purchases of Alpha-1 through the Adventurer pre-order pack (History).[49][50][45][38]
Ashes of Creation
Ashes of Creation is an upcoming MMORPG set in a world of high fantasy where player’s choices will shape and define the world around them.[53]
- Ashes of Creation is a unique take on the MMO experience. Our world structure is dynamic and built to react to the actions of our players. Cities will rise and fall, their populations based on the history of the world as the players create it. Quests will unlock as these populations gather, their needs grow, and secrets are unlocked. As the world’s NPC structure is established in real time, players will have the ability to destroy what they’ve created, paving the way for new development, new populations, and real change. Political strife and intrigue will play a very real role in the structure of your world. Gone are the days of static worlds, change is here to stay.[52]
- The original code-name for Ashes of Creation was The World of Origins.[54]
Alpha-1 playtest schedule
While we will have specific spot tests for certain systems as we develop them post the Alpha one month, it should be expected and understood that after this Alpha one month there will be probably a significant amount of downtime where there won't be spot testing as we break apart a lot of systems, take what we learned from alpha one month and implement and iterate upon those learnings. So there's gonna be several months probably worth of significant downtime where there will not be access to spot testing, where we are going to go in and really rejigger a lot of systems[57] – Steven Sharif
Phase | Release | Estimated/Actual date |
---|---|---|
Alpha-1 | Alpha-1 early preview livestream.[58] | March 27, 2020.[59] |
Alpha-1 limited QA testing (NDA).[60][61] | May 28, 2020.[62][63] | |
Alpha-1 preview pre-test 1 (NDA).[35] | Dec 18 - Dec 21 2020.[35] | |
Alpha-1 preview pre-test 2 (NDA).[35] | Feb 19 - Feb 22 2021.[64][65] | |
Alpha-1 preview intermittent spot testing (NDA).[66][67] | Mar 19 - Jul 9 2021.[66][67] | |
Alpha-1 preview weekend (no NDA).[66] | July 9 - July 11 2021.[68][69][66] | |
Alpha-1 (no NDA).[66] | July 14 - August 15 2021.[70][49] |
The term "alpha" is a tricky one, and it typically has 2 meanings in gaming. The development meaning for alpha is a point in the process where we are ready to test the fundamental systems in their core form, without polish and without much of the content. Then, there is the external or "marketing" term for alpha. This is typically applied to Eastern-ported MMORPGs, when in fact that is a completed game being localized for a region, and not really indicative of a true development alpha. As you may know by now, game development has many stages - from the initial tech demos to the pre-production and pre-alpha states, then on to the alphas and betas and eventually launch.[35] – Steven Sharif
I want to make emphatically clear, our alphas and betas are true development alphas and betas, and some have said I am crazy to allow these phases to be seen without an NDA…maybe I am crazy? lol… But I am trusting the community of gamers out there to get a glimpse into the process, and understand the long road ahead for what will eventually be worth the wait. Given time and talent, amazing things can happen, so make sure you help us in communicating that we are in open development which means people get to see the bare bones before the meat. And look, I know people see our 4K footage and say, "This looks better than most released games!", but trust me when I say, you ain't seen nothin’ yet.[35] – Steven Sharif
Alpha-1 testing zone (Alpha island)
Alpha-1 testing took place in a zone to the north west of the world map.[76] This zone has many islands and a mainland area.[77]
- The Alpha-1 starting area is set in the ruins of an Pyrian divine gateway.[78]
- There are 12 different (sub)zones in the Alpha-1 testing location.[75]
- The Alpha-1 map was approximately 70 km2 of playable area.[7]
- Alpha island (also called Alpha-0 island) was the first open-world testing zone for Alpha-1 participants.[83]
- There are approximately 4 biomes in Alpha-1: Flood plains, Desert (Desert), Snowy mountains, Forest.[84][85]
- Temporary teleportation points will be present in early tests until ships are introduced later in the alpha testing.[41]
Alpha-1 participation
Alpha-1 testing was available to the following participants:
- Anyone who won and claimed an Alpha-1 Key through a giveaway.[50]
- Adventurer pre-order pack and Intrepid pre-order pack owners.[50]
- Braver of worlds, Leader of men, Royalty, Hero of the people, and Avatar of the phoenix Kickstarter and summer campaign backers.[50]
- Official content creators.[50]
There were approximately 9,600 participants in Alpha-1 testing as of August, 2018.[86][87]
- As of May 31, 2021, just under 5k additional participants have been added since Alpha-1 sales resumed. Less refunds and unclaimed codes, leaves a total of slightly over 13k testers.[86]
- The weekend test of May 27, 2021 saw 5,300 unique logins over the 3 day period.[86]
There were roughly 9600 if I recall A1 participants prior to my closing the preorder packs in 2018. Since opening them up again there have been just under 5k additional participants added. And prolly around 300 refunds give or take. Of the roughly 14,000 a1 testers, there are still about 1k unredeemed ks codes which leaves a little over 13k testers? The weekend test saw 5300 unique logins over the 3-day period. And I think discord flags stand around 4k roughly?[86] – Steven Sharif
Alpha-1 servers
Alpha-1 servers were provisioned in the following regions.[88]
Alpha-1 servers will support 1,500 concurrently connected users per server.[90][80][91]
Server wipes
Alpha and Beta servers will be wiped prior to launch.[92]
As a general rule, if the testing phase contains the word Alpha, it is safe to assume there will likely be wipes.[95] – Steven Sharif
Alpha-1 NDA
Alpha-1, Alpha-2, Beta-1, Beta-2 releases are not covered by NDA (non-disclosure agreement).[96]
- Alpha-2 testing prior to the full release of Alpha-2 will be under NDA.[97]
- Alpha-1 testing prior to the full release of Alpha-1 was covered by NDA.[98][61]
- The developers will not necessarily announce when NDA testing starts.[99]
- We may not always announce when the NDA testing is, because we're not definitive how that testing is going to influence the future testing schedule; and we don't want to set the wrong expectation from a broader audience perspective on what they should be expecting with regards to testing.[99] – Steven Sharif
Alpha testing system requirements
Minimum and recommended computer specifications for Alpha-2.[102]
- Minimum Specs - 1080p
- Processor: Intel i5 8400 | AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- Memory: 12GB
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1070 or equivalent
- DirectX: Version 12
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Storage: 100GB SSD Storage
- Windows 10/11
- Recommend Specs - 1440p
- Processor: Intel i7 8700 | AMD Ryzen 5 3600
- Memory: 16GB
- Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 3070 or equivalent
- DirectX: Version 12
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Storage: 100GB SSD Storage
- Windows 10/11
- Please note that these requirements will change throughout our testing phases.[102]
Castle sieges in Alpha-1
Alpha-1 castle sieges are based on Ashes of Creation Apocalypse castle sieges.[36][38]
- Players will be able to join guilds. These guilds can register for the siege events.[104]
- Castle siege events will be 100v100 battles that occur daily and will last for three hours.[104]
- Attackers will start on the opposite end of the map (from the defenders).[104]
- Attackers will be able to use trebuchets to drive to and assault the castle.[104]
- When the attackers have breached the castle they will be able to channel a cast on the relic in the throne room to try to capture the castle from the defenders.[104]
- The victors of castle sieges will receive benefits, such as cloaks, flying mounts for guild leaders and potentially also for guild officers.[104]
- Alpha-1 castle sieges are in a separate zone that is accessible via a NPC teleporter.[37][10][106]
- Currently the siege zone is actually in the open world, but separated by mountains and off in the sea a bit. There is actually no instancing in A1, although the siege zone will only be accessible in A1 through a registration NPC teleporter.[37] – Steven Sharif
- This zone includes the following raid bosses.[36]
- These bosses will also appear in the open-world (outside the siege zone) with slightly different mechanics.[10]
- The opposing team is notified when these raid bosses are being attacked.[36]
- Teams who get the last hit on these bosses will receive buffs that will help them in the siege battle.[36]
Last year, I spoke of attempting to incorporate sieges into the Alpha One experience. This has obviously been a goal of mine because it provides considerable data and a consistent event within the world that players can participate in to help stress test the deployment. Well, I am happy to say that it is appearing more and more likely by the day! Initial implementation of the Apocalypse siege code has been migrated into the Alpha One client, and we should begin internal testing next month. I will caveat this expectation with the fact that we are cutting it a bit close from an internal QA standpoint, but I have some confidence that the system will be online and capable of inclusion for the Alpha One test in the month of June. The siege component will obviously not be representative of what the siege system will be at launch, or even in Alpha Two.[38] – Steven Sharif
- Destructible structures (such as walls and gates) are present in Alpha-1 castle sieges.[107]
- The ability to repair structures (and siege weapons) is a long term design goal that will not be present during Alpha-1.[107]
Alpha-1 player flagging/corruption
Player corruption was implemented in early Alpha-1 tests but was subsequently disabled.[44]
Alpha-1 PvE content
- There are over 200 quests in Alpha-1.[10]
- Approximately 10 percent of the artisan system will be online in Alpha-1.[30][31]
- There are approximately 49 unique gear sets obtainable in Alpha-1.[10]
- These are unique sets with different stats, but some may be similar in appearance.[10]
- There is no instancing in Alpha-1.[37]
- Approximately 6 or 7 dungeons with one almost raid-level difficulty.[34]
- Two world bosses requiring party-sized groups.[34]
- One true 40 person raid boss.[34]
- Alpha-1 castle sieges occur in a zone that is accessible via a NPC teleporter.[37][10][106][38]
- This zone includes three Elder dragon raid bosses.[10][36]
- These bosses will also appear in the open world outside the siege zone with slightly different mechanics.[10]
There's over 200 quests in the game right now. There's a bunch of dungeons. We've retooled all of the boss fights. Those dragons that you see in the siege are also in the world- part of the open-world too. There will be a slightly different- there are some extra mechanics in the siege versions versus the ones that are in the world, but there's plenty of cool things to get on both of them, so make sure you check them out and hunt them down.[10] – Jeffrey Bard
Alpha-1 name reservation
Name reservations were slated to begin during Alpha-1.[12]
Alpha-1 account management
Account management systems revamped for Alpha-1 are expected to be launched on 2018-10-5.[108]
Two-factor authentication
Token-based two-factor authentication (2FA) was expected to be in place for Alpha-1.[109]
Alpha-1 easter eggs
- Creative director Steven Sharif's portrait is present as a painting in-game.[110][112]
- Creative director Steven Sharif's sandals are present as a painting in-game.[110][112]
- The Alpha island map is present as an in-game map prop.[110][111]
- The Alpha island starting area quest giver Sergeant Landry is referred to as an "easter egg throwback to the original".[113]
Alpha-1 videos
- 2018-07-09 Video - Ashes of Creation - Alpha-1 Environment Preview
- 2018-09-27 Livestream
- 2018-10-31 Livestream
- 2018-12-13 Livestream
- 2019-01-11 Livestream
- 2019-07-16 Blog: Creative Director's Letter and Mayoral Caravan System
- 2020-03-23 Ashes of Creation - Alpha One Early Preview
- 2020-03-27 Development Update + Alpha One Early Preview Livestream
- 2020-04-30 Livestream
- 2020-05-29 Livestream
- 2020-05-31 Video - Pre-Alpha Gameplay in 4K
- 2020-06-26 Livestream
- 2020-07-25 Live AMA with Steven Sharif
- 2020-07-31 Livestream
- 2020-08-28 Livestream
- 2020-09-30 Livestream
- 2020-09-30 Video - 4K Footage of Aquatic Mounts
- 2020-10-30 Livestream
- 2020-11-01 Video - Alpha-1 Preview of the Cleric Archetype
- 2020-11-30 Livestream
- 2020-12-22 Livestream
- 2020-12-22 Video - 4K Alpha-1 Preview - Level 10 Boss Fight Footage
- 2020-12-23 Video - Alpha-1 Preview of the Mage Archetype
- 2021-01-29 Livestream
- 2021-02-01 Video - Tropical Biome in 4K - Alpha One Zones Preview
- 2021-02-09 Video - Alpha-1 Preview of the Tank Archetype
- 2021-02-26 Livestream
- 2021-02-26 Video - 4K - Alpha One Gameplay Update
- 2021-03-26 Livestream
- 2021-04-30 Livestream
- 2021-04-30 Video - 4K - Alpha One Raid Boss - April Update
- 2021-05-28 Livestream
- 2021-05-28 Video - Early Siege Gameplay in 4K
- 2021-06-13 Live AMA with Steven Sharif
- 2021-06-24 Livestream
- 2021-07-14 Guide to Alpha-1
- 2021-07-30 Livestream
Alpha-1 screenshots
See also
References
- ↑ Video, July 14, 2021 (0:01).
- ↑ Livestream, October 30, 2020 (15:35).
- ↑
- ↑ Livestream, March 26, 2021 (40:19).
- ↑ Livestream, March 28, 2020 (54:48).
- ↑ Video, April 5, 2018 (1:01:40).
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Interview, January 14, 2022 (3:50).
- ↑
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Livestream, May 28, 2021 (1:13:05).
- ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 10.11 10.12 10.13 10.14 10.15 10.16 10.17 Livestream, April 30, 2021 (41:18).
- ↑
- ↑ Livestream, July 26, 2019 (1:10:44).
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Livestream, September 1, 2018 (1:02:99).
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Interview, October 17, 2020 (53:50).
- ↑ 16.0 16.1
- ↑ Livestream, March 28, 2020 (1:41:11).
- ↑ Interview, October 20, 2018 (12:38).
- ↑ Interview, June 13, 2021 (31:24).
- ↑ Livestream, May 28, 2021 (1:48:14).
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Livestream, May 28, 2021 (1:14:50).
- ↑
- ↑ Video, February 26, 2021 (6:17).
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Livestream, March 26, 2021 (44:30).
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 Livestream, November 30, 2020 (37:16).
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 Livestream, March 26, 2021 (43:55).
- ↑ Interview, August 8, 2018 (19:02).
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 Livestream, March 26, 2021 (42:28).
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 Interview, February 7, 2021 (35:30).
- ↑ Podcast, May 11, 2018 (59:25).
- ↑ Livestream, January 30, 2020 (35:12).
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 34.4 34.5 Livestream, March 26, 2021 (39:08).
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 35.4 35.5 35.6 35.7 Blog: Creative Director's Letter, October 16 2020
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 36.3 36.4 36.5 36.6 36.7 Video, April 30, 2021 (13:02).
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 37.4 37.5
- ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 38.4 38.5 Blog: Creative Director's Letter, April 14 2021
- ↑ Livestream, October 30, 2020 (20:40).
- ↑ Livestream, August 28, 2020 (1:29:17).
- ↑ 41.0 41.1 41.2 Livestream, November 30, 2020 (24:51).
- ↑ Livestream, June 25, 2021 (29:09).
- ↑ 44.0 44.1 Interview, August 8, 2018 (18:55).
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 Livestream, April 30, 2021 (4:02).
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑ 49.0 49.1 49.2
- ↑ 50.0 50.1 50.2 50.3 50.4 50.5 Ashes of Creation Store: May cosmetics.
- ↑ Video, April 30, 2017 (0:00).
- ↑ 52.0 52.1 Ashes of Creation MMO.
- ↑ A reactive world - Nodes.
- ↑ Podcast, April 11, 2021 (46:44).
- ↑ Livestream, October 14, 2022 (37:10).
- ↑ Livestream, May 28, 2021 (1:36:43).
- ↑ Livestream, July 30, 2021 (20:30).
- ↑ March 2020 newsletter.
- ↑ Video, March 23, 2020 (0:01).
- ↑
- ↑ 61.0 61.1
- ↑
- ↑ Creative Director's Letter, 2020-04-1.
- ↑ Livestream, February 26, 2021 (14:58).
- ↑ Blog: Creative Director's Letter, January 2021.
- ↑ 66.0 66.1 66.2 66.3 66.4 Alpha One Schedule Update, May 10 2021.
- ↑ 67.0 67.1 An Update on Alpha One Schedule, March 12 2021
- ↑
- ↑ Ashes of Creation Twitter - Alpha-1 Preview Weekend Begins
- ↑
- ↑ Alpha-1 screenshot.
- ↑
- ↑ Guide to Alpha One.
- ↑ 74.0 74.1 Livestream, November 30, 2020 (12:09).
- ↑ 75.0 75.1 75.2 75.3 75.4 Livestream, November 30, 2020 (22:43).
- ↑ 76.0 76.1 Livestream, November 30, 2020 (9:51).
- ↑ 77.0 77.1
- ↑ Livestream, March 26, 2021 (16:05).
- ↑
- ↑ 80.0 80.1 Interview, July 19, 2020 (1:21:49).
- ↑ Podcast, April 11, 2021 (53:01).
- ↑ Livestream, November 30, 2020 (25:45).
- ↑
- ↑ Livestream, January 29, 2021 (26:38).
- ↑ Livestream, October 16, 2017 (12:08).
- ↑ 86.0 86.1 86.2 86.3
- ↑ Livestream, August 17, 2018 (24:07).
- ↑ 88.00 88.01 88.02 88.03 88.04 88.05 88.06 88.07 88.08 88.09 88.10 88.11 Alpha-1 screenshot.
- ↑ 89.0 89.1 89.2 89.3 89.4 89.5 89.6 Alpha-1 screenshot.
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑ Alpha one test schedule, Mar 12, 2021.
- ↑ Livestream, November 30, 2020 (7:27).
- ↑ 95.0 95.1
- ↑ Livestream, January 18, 2018 (49:26).
- ↑ Livestream, September 29, 2023 (55:34).
- ↑ Livestream, May 29, 2020 (31:37).
- ↑ 99.0 99.1 Interview, July 9, 2023 (26:35).
- ↑
- ↑ Livestream, March 26, 2021 (12:34).
- ↑ 102.0 102.1 What are the minimum and recommend computer specifications for Alpha Two?
- ↑ Video, May 28, 2021 (24:44).
- ↑ 104.0 104.1 104.2 104.3 104.4 104.5 104.6 104.7 104.8 Video, April 30, 2021 (19:25).
- ↑ Video, May 28, 2021 (19:04).
- ↑ 106.0 106.1 Podcast, April 11, 2021 (49:40).
- ↑ 107.0 107.1 Livestream, May 28, 2021 (1:04:29).
- ↑ Livestream, September 1, 2018 (54:06).
- ↑ Interview, August 21, 2018 (40:44).
- ↑ 110.0 110.1 110.2 110.3 Ashes of Creation Twitter, April 4,2021.
- ↑ 111.0 111.1 Video, February 26, 2021 (11:03).
- ↑ 112.0 112.1 Livestream, May 29, 2020 (36:18).
- ↑ Livestream, March 26, 2021 (17:46).