In the ever-evolving world of online gaming, Throne and Liberty has managed to hold its ground as one of the most-played games on Steam, even amidst the excitement surrounding a new FF14 patch release and the upcoming Ashes of Creation alpha two. Fresh off its first large-scale Castle Siege event, Tico, the game’s globalization design manager, addresses the community in his latest "Tico Talks" video. Here, he shares feedback from players and outlines the development team’s plans for the remainder of 2024.
Tico begins by expressing gratitude to the community, acknowledging the constructive and supportive feedback they’ve offered. He admits, "While we may not always make decisions that cater to each individual’s preferences, rest assured that our open dialogue is crucial, and every decision is aimed at bettering the game for everyone."
Diving into the details, Tico highlights the Castle Siege feature, which has become a hallmark of Throne and Liberty. The game’s massive PvP battles, with over 3,900 players, make it truly distinctive. He notes that about 45% of castles shifted control during the event, signaling the mode’s impact. The team is now meticulously analyzing these battles to refine and enhance the experience.
One key issue addressed involves a tactic used by attackers to prematurely access inner courtyards. Though it was identified too late to adjust before the event, the team opted to warn defenders instead. Additionally, Tico mentions two server battles where pillage zones incorrectly allocated rewards, assuring players that these errors will be set right in future sieges, and compensations will be provided where due.
Regarding the 30-second PvP immunity timer post-resurrection and teleportation, Tico recognizes that it’s problematic in siege scenarios but necessary in other contexts. While immediate changes are deferred, adjustments are on the horizon. Addressing PvP more broadly, Tico notes that crowd control is disproportionately influential in battles. To address this, two countermeasures are launching in December—an accelerated CC immunity bar for multiple effects and enhancements via the Purification Stone item.
Addressing the imbalance of dominant ‘mega alliances’, Tico announces the removal of hostile guild relations starting in December. He discusses the human dynamics that lead to such formations, highlighting efforts to revise reward allocations for conflict mode bosses to ensure fairness while allowing top performers to benefit appropriately.
In a bid to lower PvP barriers, Amazon Games introduces WarGames on December 5. This feature facilitates the creation of custom lobbies, enabling players to define their gameplay criteria, which can be either private or public, with future enhancements based on user feedback.
Another hot topic is the timing of Conquest battles, which many players feel start too early. While the exact new time hasn’t been decided, they plan to shift the schedule later beginning December 5 to encourage broader participation.
Tico also touches on exploits within the random dungeon queue system. Some players bypass the intended randomness, and there are complaints about being unable to team up with friends without losing efficiency. In response, Amazon introduced the ability to queue with up to four friends as of November 21. In December, penalties will be imposed on those who abandon or fail to join queued dungeons.
For boss battles activated under ‘peace mode’, new portals will offer more players a chance at rewards, mitigating previous access issues. Following up is the launch of Dimensional Trials, PvE challenges rich in rewards, set to debut on December 5.
As the video wraps up, Tico previews several quality-of-life upgrades slated for December. Players can expect new skill and equipment presets, as well as an option to auto-decline party invites from non-guild members. He hints at significant updates to enhance the fluidity and intuitiveness of combat and movement, coming early 2025.
In the meantime, keep an eye on the latest Throne and Liberty codes for potential freebies, or explore another top multiplayer game on PC. Stay updated with the latest in PC gaming news, reviews, and guides by following us on Google News, or snag some deals using our PCGN tracker.
