Defiance the game going Free-to-Play tomorrow and Ben was lucky enough to interview Trick Dempsey and Evan Berman to talk about the change! Also discussed: Von Bach’s big comeback, crossover frequency, rich lore, free weekly content, and more ways to immerse into the world of Defiance. Listen after the break.
Listen now:
Trick Questions from Defiance Reporter
- Quick introduction of Trick Dempsey and his role as Creative Lead, as well as Community Manager Eric Berman.
Conversion questions
- What’s it like behind the scenes during a f2p conversion
- We all knew it was coming just by the way the game was designed to facilitate an easy switch, but what finally triggered the conversion to F2P?
- What about this change excites you the most?
- Will this move to F2P change the way we get major content updates?
- With 3 new 2-week crossover events already under our belt this new season, how much crossover content will we see with Season 2 compared to last?
- Can you briefly describe to me the Patron Pass, what it includes, and why I want to subscribe to it.
Future Plans for the Defiance World
- When will we see a significant and permanent update to the main storyline, ripe with missions and cut scenes (and/or does this directly relate to the upcoming area expansion)?
- Speaking of the new area, will it include a host of new challenges like those we currently have all over the bay area? Will they be similar to the timed trials, shooting galleries, and minigun meyhem, or will we be seeing some new types of challenges?
- Will there be new large scale event types added (much like the introduction of sieges and incursions to the already existing arkfalls), or will we have an opportunity to experience something grander in scale than a major arkfall? Something “ground breaking?”
- Will we be seeing challenge events like the dodge racing challenges again, where we participate in a weekend challenge and a special vendor specific to the challenge appears for a limited time, whether or not its sponsored?
- With the return of Season 2 and hopefully the added story of Von Bach, will we get to hear more from or learn more about our current cast of characters Jon Cooper, AraShondu, Eren and Rosa, and even Cass?
- Will we ever be able to drive the Ceberus outside the multiplayer side of the game? (I only ask because I tend to stay out of the matchmaking if I can help it)
- Will the Warmaster ever escape the confines of his cryostasis BEFORE arkhunters release him, causing it to rampage across the bay area? I don’t know if that would be a type of incursion or not, but its just wishful thinking. :)
In-game Store
- Will there be additional content to purchase besides outfits, boosts and lock boxes? And will we see new kinds of vehicles for sale? (still hoping for dirt bikes). I assume with the F2P conversion we will see things like character slots and loadout unlocks for sale?
- How about the addition of new races. Will we be seeing any new races join Defiance Game, either for free or as a purchase in the store? Sensoths maybe?
- Are there plans to introduce gifting in the store.
- With the different forms of “currency” in game like scrip, keys, salvage, cores, etc, and even with the ability to spend some of these currencies just to gain others, do you fear there may be too many different methods of payment? Do you see a lot of confusion from players in this regard?
- Will there be a way to earn or convert in-game currency into real world bits to purchase store items, similar to the system used in Guild Wars 2?
Miscellaneous
- LORE QUESTION I’m fascinated by the Gulanee, mostly because they are the least populous of the votans in either game or show. The only Gulanee we know is Dy’Dekuso and he is no small fry. My question is a two parter. Why is Dy’Dekuso the only gulanee we meet (twice now) in game? And what the heck did he do to Varus that causes such vehemence from the little Liberata?
- And a follow up on the rare sightings of Votans in the Bay Area. Are Sensoths allergic to salt water and sun? TorcMok wanted to hide away from the world and he sure as heck picked the worst place to do it. “Hey have you seen a sensoth out here?” “Yeah, there’s just the one up at the Headlands Transit. “
- In a few interviews and promotional materials for Season 2, there is mention of redeeming codes during episode airings that gave gamers some free items in-game. Will this be something like 2 hour boosts, a cosmetic piece, or an in-game title? What do the viewing gamers have to look forward to?
- In those same interviews, there was also mention of a separate, casual game that will likely be on syfy.com. Does Trion have anything to do with that and will it somehow tie in to OUR frontier? Will I be missing out on vital lore for the game (and show) if I don’t choose to play it?
