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The number of massively multiplayer games in development continues to increase as more and more developers are throwing their hats in the ring, trying to gain the attention of fans of the subgenre. Developer XYZ is hoping to turn some heads with its entry into the massively multiplayer domain with 3rd World, a massively multiplayer RPG set in the deepest reaches of space, where you can use several different methods for survival. You can choose to create a character that focuses on the economic side of 3rd World by controlling a space station and selling goods and supplies to travelers. Or, you can create a space pirate with a powerful ship that's capable of overtaking larger vessels. The space scenes take place in full 3D while the in-station mode takes on an isometric view, where you can view your character while walking through the station. We had a chance to speak with Vitomir Jevremovic, project manager for 3rd World, to find out more about the types of characters you can create, what characters are able to do, and more.

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GameSpot: Can you tell us a little about the development team working on 3rd World?

Vitomir Jevremovic: XYZ is a game development studio currently working only on 3rd World. There are members of the team that have already done a few game projects, while some of our people are, for the first time, active in the game industry. We have separate team members working on every different graphics aspect of 3rd World. There are low-poly ship and station modelers, low-poly texture painters, high-poly station interior graphics, and character modeling and animation. Coding is divided into a space part, a station part, a server part, and an additional-modules part.

We will soon start development diaries at our official site where every team member will be separately introduced.

GS: What inspired the team to make a space-themed massively multiplayer RPG?

VJ: There are a couple of different reasons why we are doing an online space RPG.

First, there is the very strong sci-fi influence from the best games and movies that have appeared during the last couple of decades. These include games like Elite Serials, TradeWars, X-Wing, Shuttle Simulator, etc. Movies were also a great inspiration for 3rd World, and these include titles like Star Wars, the Alien series, Star Trek, Ghost in the Shell, etc.

Second, and much more important, is the fact that there are no real MMORPG [games] yet. Yes, we have EQ, UO, and AC, but all these games are concentrated around NPCs, and player-vs.-player interaction is down to a minimum. There is also the fact that every new MMORPG in development is still following this basic design (although there are some attempts to allow more PVP conflicts).

We believe this is not a good thing for the next generation of MMORPG games, so we are going with one very different design approach. We will not have any NPCs in the game, we will not have any in-game quests, and we will allow almost unlimited possibilities for our players (that fit inside the gameworld, of course). This will allow players to completely organize their own way of living in the gameworld.

This is a big risk and a very different approach from anything seen so far in the MMORPG genre. We find this risky because human nature is very unpredictable, and this game will be based on human nature, so anything can happen. And this is the real reason why we are doing this game: Because we always wanted to play a game like this.

GS: Characters in 3rd World are a little more dynamic in the sense that a ship or a space station becomes an extension of your character, but how is basic player-character creation handled?

VJ: Creation is handled through a standard character creation process that is introduced at the beginning of your game life. We will have options for choosing the race and other specifications for your character, which are specific for that race. Then there will be a part where you divide the skill points that you get at the beginning. After that you visit the shop for the first time and buy additional items and clothing for your character.