Story Mode

RPG elements and Vendor Clusters

RPG elements could be integrated into the Quest System through Vendor Cluster locking to inspire players with a sense of direction, focus and motivation based on their choices. Once a player chooses a specific Vendor Cluster, he chooses a specific path for his character to develop. The chosen path’s output reward will depend on the type of Vendor Cluster. The choices made between Vendor Clusters (see example below) lead to deviations in the story arc.

Example:

The player can choose to align with the Hand of Hali (Vendor Cluster 1 - Guerilla Fighters), the Mordhax Order (Vendor Cluster 2 - Mages), or the Silent Thunder (Vendor Cluster 3 - assassins). Any character can choose any cluster (i.e. clusters are not class-bound). The example player identifies with spellcasters, picks his spellcaster Urthnaki, and aligns with Vendor Cluster 2.
Vendor Cluster 2 consists of 3 ‘mage’ Vendor Types. The story arc of Vendor Cluster 2 feels to the player as if he has to prove his worth and become part of the Mordhax Order - he does not know yet what the final reward will be and is triggered to learn more of the immersive storyline, so he continues completing all quests.
After completing the complete Vendor Cluster 2, the player is surprised to see the ending of Vendor Cluster 2: he has to make yet another choice. Three different Vendor Clusters appear, which weren’t available directly from the quest menu. And so his journey continues.