Once Human Interview – Seasonal System, Future Content, PvE and PvP Balance, and More

Once Human is a post-apocalyptic survival game set in an open world, created by the studio behind the multiplayer title Starry Studio. The developers generously responded to some of our queries, particularly those concerning future content for the game and even touched upon unconventional topics such as cross-platform multiplayer for the mobile version of the game. These questions were addressed by Woody Wu, Lead Game Designer for Once Human.

How substantial a leap forward did the seasonal labeling process undergo for Once Human, considering both development time and planning aspects?

As a game enthusiast, let me shed some light on the distinction between the usual season system in games and our innovative “scenario system”. Unlike traditional seasons where every player must reach set targets within a defined time frame, with everything starting anew once the season ends, our scenario system offers a more dynamic experience.

Prior to diving headfirst into the scenario system, our development team undertook extensive research, carried out several test phases, and consulted with players to reach a well-informed decision.

Instead, the game Once Human presents several distinct stories with various themes for players to select. Upon finishing a storyline, each player’s accumulated resources are saved on Eternaland, allowing them to utilize these resources according to the resource transfer guidelines when embarking on a new story.

Prior to diving headfirst into implementing the scenario system, our development crew undertook extensive research, repeated testing phases, and engaged actively with players to reach a well-informed decision. The main factors guiding this choice were:

“Unrestricted Gaming Experience”: We found that many survival games tend to focus exclusively on either PvP or PvE, leaving some survival game enthusiasts’ needs unmet. A parallel scenario system provides a richer range of choices.
“Fairer Gaming Environment”: In both PvE and PvP, as players’ stats inflate over time, the gap between new and veteran players can widen, potentially disrupting the server’s balance. By offering scenarios of different lengths, certain stat-based progressions are renewed after a scenario is completed, while accumulated resources are retained—allowing new players or friends to start the next adventure on a more level playing field.
“Easier Return Experience”: Our research showed that players who return after a hiatus often feel overwhelmed by the volume of updates and the growing stat disparities, which can discourage them. Our scenario design lets returning players start fresh, reducing the anxiety of trying to catch up.

What can you tell us about plans for future seasonal content?

During our yearly streaming gathering in December, we revealed our 2025 development blueprint. This roadmap encompasses the scheduled release of the Visional Wheel S1 model in April, accompanied by three more Visional Wheel motifs towards the end of the year.

Code: Purification: One of the major PVE scenarios for 2025. In this scenario, the pollution ravages Nalcott, Metas must work to decontaminate the wilderness and eliminate Original Entities to restore balance to the world.
Code: Broken: A PVP-focused scenario where players will experience higher-intensity player-versus-player combat.
Code: Deviation: Another major PVE scenario for 2025. In this one, players take on the role of experts in deviations, capturing and researching them, as well as fusing them in their territory to create stronger deviations.

In different situations, the way you play a game will vary based on the unique experience each scenario is designed to offer.

As a dedicated fan, I’m wondering if the introduction of seasonal content will significantly alter the usual gameplay dynamics for Once Human.

Generally speaking, it’s not feasible because “Once Human” was initially conceived as a game featuring a scenario system. This means that the gameplay encompasses scenario objectives, achievements, and various endings. As such, players can enjoy distinctive gameplay experiences across multiple scenarios.

In different situations, gameplay varies based on the specific experience each scenario intends to offer. For instance, in “The Way of Winter,” players should concentrate on how temperature influences their survival. In certain Player-versus-Player (PVP) scenarios, we’ve expanded raiding permissions and combat options to cater to competitive players’ enjoyment.

How important do you believe is balancing between PvE and PvP combat? Does one affect the other?

Creating a fair playground is crucial for both creators and gamers, which is why we employ the scenario system to eliminate biased elements common in survival games that can potentially disrupt gameplay experience.

A fair environment in Player vs Player (PVP) interactions involves a variety of factors: ensuring stats are evenly distributed, maintaining balance among different build options, and taking social dynamics into account. To achieve this, our team is dedicated to consistently adjusting and refining the statistics, as well as collaborating with the community for their input and feedback, all with the goal of providing a balanced and enjoyable gaming experience.

In Player vs Environment (PVE), we prioritize “excessive stat buildup” to prevent the game from becoming monotonous through constant grinding. Our goal is to keep the battles challenging and engaging by frequently adding tougher content such as expert-level dungeons, designed for seasoned players to conquer.

In the game “Once Human“, the primary currencies like Starchorm maintain their value across different game situations. Additionally, we prioritize “fair currency usage” to make sure that players involved in Player versus Player (PVP) and Player versus Environment (PVE) games receive equitable returns based on their time investment.

“In PVE, we focus heavily on “stat overflow,” as we don’t want the game to become a grind.”

Are there any plans to bring Once Human to PS5 and Xbox?

Of course! Although my main priority right now is mobile development, you can expect a mobile release by April. To stay informed, make sure to pre-register! For any updates regarding console versions, rest assured I’ll keep you posted once more details emerge.

Given that Once Human has adopted a seasonal approach to its content, are there any upcoming significant content drops planned through larger expansions?

This concept is quite intriguing! To us developers, big expansions or significant scenario overhauls are simply variations of content releases. The presentation varies based on the size and type of content being released. However, what truly matters to us is the content itself – making it engaging and enjoyable is crucial for drawing in players. Rest assured, all our updates will be offered free of charge!

When the iOS and Android versions of Once Human are released, can we expect to see crossplay?

Absolutely, in the upcoming versions for both PC and mobile devices of “Once Human”, you’ll find a cross-platform data synchronization feature. This means your game progress will be consistent across all your devices. We can’t wait for more players to join us in the Nalcott continent, where you’ll make new friends and embark on exciting new journeys!

2025-02-27 18:17

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