posted 11-22-2000 02:29 PM            

<Wolfwind> If armor types make certain skills unusable, will they still have that effect while that armor isnt being worn, just carried? And if so, will there be special bags to negate those effects?
<GL-Jeff> Armor special effects will only be noticable when worn.
<GL-Jeff> This may alarm some of you who previously played EQ where the effects of one item were wanted whereas the stats of another item were clearly optimal, but our item system will not have a similar structure.

<Ufgar> Will armor types have an adverse effect on non-casting skills ? (i.e. hiding/sneaking)
<GL-Jeff> Basically you ability to do a certain skill will hinge greatly on your players stats, and those stats will be affected by armor and worn items.
<GL-Jeff> For instance your ability to sneak around would be hurt because of the stat penalties of clunky armor.
<GL-Jeff> You're going to see a lot more stat penalties for certain armors in this game than in others, but don't be alarmed. Its the best way, we feel, to implement a non-class system.

<Darian_Janus> I'm curious about how effective the magic system will be in a war situation i.e. Will there be wizards calling down spells to hurt a majority of an enemy army or spellslinging to demolish walls?
<GL-Jeff> Magic should be as effective as melee in any scenario. Remember magic, for the most part, uses the similar equations as melee but has a range. In exchange for this range, the average caster is a more easily wounded and killed.
<GL-Jeff> The armies that will prevail will be those who engage in strategic warfare, placing their magic and melee users in appropriate formations and positions to best stomp their foe.

<Kaim> <Dazer> How will the mail/message system work over long distances?
<GL-Jeff> I'll go ahead and answer that althought it was prevoiusly considered somewhat confidential.
<GL-Jeff> Basically everyone has the ability to partake in the universal communication method, which is sort of a magical messenger service.
<GL-Jeff> If you want to send a message to someone you can, at which point you will graphically see the message magically fly in the direction of its recepient.
<GL-Jeff> The downside to this sort of communication is two fold: a lack of privacy and a slight delay over long distances.
<GL-Jeff> The alternative is the psionic form of communication which will allow players to 'read each others minds' and send messages intsantly and telepathically.
<GL-Jeff> The bonuses for being a master in such a communication method are obvious, a spy in the midst of an enemy army would be able to communicate with opposing generals free from worry, etc.
<GL-Jeff> There will also be an psionic evesdropping skill as well that will allow people to intercept messages. The details of this are still being worked out.

<Dinurth> When we all finally get in, will it be possible to just run off gather some meterials and begin building? Or will we have to actually have to do some work first?
<GL-Jeff> Well that depends on what you considering "having to do some work first"...one might consider the act of running off and collecting materials work.
<GL-Jeff> But to answer your question, you should be able to collect raw materials from the very beginning, not high quality raw materials, but definitely the essentials for making houses, and basic weapons.

<Dinurth> What I mean is will we have to work our skills up some or can we begin right away?
<GL-Jeff> You can definitely begin right away. A failed skill doesn't necessarily mean you will lose all the materials you have spent your time collecting in Dawn.
<GL-Jeff> And you will be able to try until you get it right - which won't be a painful process. Success rates will start in the area of 50%.

<Mars> Is the Game going to allow in-game marriages?
<GL-Jeff> Of course

<Wolfwind> Will people be able to see edvidence of events (such as blood on a carpet after someone was injured) and will we be able to plant fake evidence (such as pigs blood on the carpet)?
<GL-Jeff> In games such as quake3 blood stains and bullet marks would disappear rather quickly
<GL-Jeff> this is because its very difficult to memory wise, to keep track of all the markings
<GL-Jeff> Dawn will most likely not employ any long term said markings simply because the technology cannot handle it fully at this time.

<Axehandler> RAZ and 7o6 - about how far along are you with the models? percentage wise. and is there a complete FINISHED list of what is actually goin in the game yet?
<GL-RazM> We're currently finishing off all the base character models for each race.
<GL-SevenOsix> I"m currently working on preliminary models of different types of buildings
<GL-Jeff> So right now we're getting the pain in the butt meshes out of the way, soon you'll see a lot of nice textured all at once.

<Jadetooth> I think psionics play to minor a role in this game.... Would abilities like levitation (telekinesis) invisible (forgetfulness) and taking control of ones followers be possible psionic skills?
<GL-Jeff> Probably not advanced telekinesis but yes things like levetation and perhaps even flight will take place in Dawn.
<GL-Jeff> As far as entering the body of your follower, we're currently experimenting with the viability of that.

<Ufgar> Will getting into and out of armor have some sort of delay to prevent people from carrying leather and plate and instantly changing from one to another?
<GL-Jeff> If there is a delay it won't be a major one.
<GL-Jeff> But yes we are addressing the problems that can occur with people who like to change outfits every 2 seconds.

<Svendor> with magic/spells being learnt with rings;will different ring combos produce different spells?
<GL-Jeff> All magic will be item based. The item is meant to be a means by which you can summon a power from another dimension.
<GL-Jeff> As far as ring combos, its a possibility, but the combinations won't involve more than 2 rings.

<Kaim> Will the number of followers be kept to one (1) or will it be affected by Charisma ala D&D Series? Or is this related to the spawning system as most "follower" questions?
<GL-Jeff> The number of followers is unlimited. Leveling with multiple followers is quite a task, however.

<Penneywize> When will more of the spawning system information be released, All of have given us so far does not really clarify any specific details..
<GL-Jeff> Information reguarding the spawning system will most likely not be released until the beta.

<Wolfwind> There wont really be any way to tell a note written by one person, from a note written by someone else,will there?
<GL-Jeff> No there will not.
<GL-Jeff> This is no different from a typed letter in real life, however.

<JLBesser> when using tradeskills, aproximatly how many item combinations will work, or will a person have to experiment to even find a recipe that will yield an item at all? And how will we learn how to do traqdeskills in the beggining? And will experimentation with tradeskills be very costly or not?
<GL-Jeff> Costly, no.
<GL-Jeff> The way you learn trade skills will be tested during the beta, we still have several ideas that we can't fully decide on.
<GL-Jeff> Most likely you won't have to go through an initial 'learning' process, all skills will be performable, but only those who wish to focus on certain trade skills will excel in them.
<GL-Jeff> there won't be a lot of random item combinations. It will very very straightforward what is needed to construct something, instructions may even be built into the game but we dont think we'll have to go that far.

<Hanshiro> How badly will armour affect stats? will it be possible to wear either very light armour or no armour at all, and hold one's own in combat by using high (unaffected) dexterity / speed / whatever the dodging stat is?
<GL-Jeff> If you go into battle with no armor at all you will be at a definite disadvantage.
<GL-Jeff> However, the use of light armor will suit some 'classes'
<GL-Jeff> to answer your question, yes, certain armor will severely change stats in both the positive and negative directions.

<Axehandler> RAZ - will all the player models be "NUDE/UNDERWEAR" till dressed? or will they be like EQ's default clothing?
<GL-RazM> They'll be in underwear but clothing will be readily available from the start for unannounced reasons.

<Wolfwind> What about useful battle illsusions that are only illusions? Such as an illusion of reinforcements coming over the hill, or a dragon moving into position to aid in battle, scare off the enemies?
<GL-Jeff> Illusions are easy to implement and you should look forward to see them for sure.

<Theo> will there be locational damage? like can a person aim for a monster's head to do more damage?
<GL-Jeff> The place you aim on a persons body will matter, but it will not determine the amount of damage done in the sense that you are describing.
<GL-Jeff> Dawn isn't meant to be an "aim for the head" type game...but aiming for the body, as opposed to hitting a shield or helmet, will have a great effect.

<Ufgar> We know items can be used as weapons, but can things such as tables and doors be used as a shield?
<GL-Jeff> Yes, but they're not going to end up ever being as useful as an item especially crafted for the purpose of blocking blows.

<JLBesser> Will the amount of raised stats when leveling and which stats raised also depend upon your base/raw stats? And how often will someone have an increase in raw stats?
<GL-Jeff> Every time you level your Raw Stats will increase a certain amount that is linear to your Base Stats. The Raw Stats are those you see in the game, the Base Stats are those you first saw when creating your character.
<GL-Jeff> In other words, the type of character your create will depend greatly on the stats you choose in the beginning of the game. People will NOT end up with similar stats, rather their stats will diverge as they level.

<Darian_Janus> Along a similar vein (not sure if this has been answered before so bear with me if it has I apologize) will groups of casters be able to work together in some fashion of "cooperative magic"?
<GL-Jeff> Cooperative magic will be a possibility, but all magic combinations will be linear. This means if two players choose to cast a fireball that does X damage cooperatively the total damage will be X+X.
<GL-Jeff> It was suggested that there be bonuses for cooperative magic but we saw this as too exploitable.

<Dinurth> How will combat work? Will it be like eq just press a button and hope you hit? or will there actually be some skill needed on our part?
<GL-Jeff> There will be client side skill required for combat. There will not be target acquisition in Dawn, you have to put the target in your crosshairs successfully and "click" in order to hit them.
<GL-Jeff> This goes for both melee, magic, and ranged weapons and will make for some much more action packed combat.
<GL-Jeff> Lag will not be an issue, however, as stated before because of the way our targeting system works and should not be a concern.
<GL-Jeff> Everyone will be on a level playing field.

<Axehandler> 7o6 - put down the Jack Daniels =) - I know Dolgo sent in a Castle Model.. - talked about it here - I also know he was curious what the status was of his entry - he's afraid to ask =)
<GL-Jeff> Our email is very backed up at this time and we honestly haven't had the time to get around to viewing submissions for over a week. We consider this matter private, however, and anyone who sends in submissions should get repsonses via email within a week. We applogize for any delays due to our backup.

<Ufgar> Will shield bashing be possible and will it be possible to knock someone over with it?
<GL-Jeff> You can use your shield as a weapon, but generally it will always be beneficial to swing your sword as opposed to a shield. Other games have tried to give combat the illusion of complexity by adding things such as shield strikes, but there's nothing strategic about it, its just another button you have to mash during combat.

<[GU]Blade> umm on the webpage it said something about some monsters coming to ure house and killing ure family or sumfin, does this mean that u will have a family follwing u around everywhere??
<GL-Jeff> No, but family structure may play an important role in some players RP lives.

<Wolfwind> Can we cast illusions on other people (make the kings protector, a huge ogre, look like a gnome)?
<GL-Jeff> You bethca.
<GL-Jeff> Magic resistance is stat related. We're making practically every element in Dawn NOT level related...you're level should not be a factor in things, only your stats.

<JLBesser> How will the mail system previously mentioned target the recipient?
<GL-Jeff> Good question, and it hasn't been completely decided yet because the naming system has not been finalized. We abhor the idea, but we may have to give players identification numbers *strictly so people can send messages to players on the other side of the world* without meeting them first.
<Axehandler> yea..... a number or something for the DBASE and such should be needed anyways

<Ufgar> Will climbing tools be available? (Grappling hooks, pulleys, arrows that can imbed in stone, etc,etc)
<GL-Jeff> Yes, it may not get extremely complex but there will be climbing tools.

<[GU]Blade> so if we do that will we have to be like carpentars?
<Axehandler> and I think Blade is refering to the building question
<GL-Jeff> Yes, carpentry will be a skill in Dawn.

<Ufgar> Will rope manipulation be possible ? ( tieing stuff together)
<GL-Jeff> Most likely not. You will be able to lock things like doors and chests, but rope manipulation is a bit too complex for now.

<JLBesser> Will we be able to set up special "message board" type things in game?
<GL-Jeff> There won't be a built in message board system but there will be writing and engraving skills so that players can make their own documents and signs.

<Dinurth> COuld you guys maybe give us a progress report, say maybe once a month or so, on how the art, programming etc etc is coming along?
<GL-Jeff> We'll give you screenshots and a progress report.

<Darian_Janus> Please tell me that illusions will be castable on others as well as oneself?
<GL-Jeff> Yes

<JLBesser> Jeff, did you recover from your viral menengitis? And will there be diseases of that sort in the game?
<GL-Jeff> hehe, yes I recovered quite fully, and after experiencing it, no I dont think we'll be putting players through that torture...but there may be other diseases in the game...

<Mars> err Is there going to be a way for someone to "Find" or "page" someone from the chatroom?
<GL-Jeff> There won't be OOC->Game communication.
<GL-Jeff> We will be implementing a Game->OOC paging service so that if there is commotion in the general area of your sleeping body then you will be notified via email or page if you choose to.

<JLBesser> How will grouping be handled by the game? In other words will experience be shared equally, and will you be able to see the group member's names (which they might not have told you)? And will there be grouping for tradeskills to raise succes rate?
<GL-Jeff> There are several types of groups you can form in the game.
<GL-Jeff> The most common form of group will be communications based - you will form groups and sub groups of which you can send mass messages to for ease of communication.
<GL-Jeff> ThThe other type of group is exp division group which will allow you to equally divide gathered exp amoungst all group members.
<GL-Jeff> There is really no other reason to need to group, cooperation in trades (such as building a house) will take place without the need for forming a group.
<GL-Jeff> We can't comment on the actual UI that will be used for grouping until its complete though, so i can't tell you if you'll be able to see the group members names and such.

<Ufgar> Will length on melee weapons be a factor in combat, or are all melee weapons considered to be the same length?
<GL-Jeff> Length won't be what we call it, but each weapon will have a Range.
<GL-Jeff> A longsword should have a greater range than a short sword, etc.

<thijszilla> can you make secret doors in already existing buildings?
<GL-Jeff> Perhaps... its on the "fool around with" list. Its not an easy thing to implement actually, but we'll do our best.

<[GU]Blade> with the houses willl we be able to put like walls anywhere and build as many levels as we want or will they be preset?
<GL-Jeff> Structures will be preset, but some will be stackable and things such as walls will fit together much like legos would

<Arramar> How populated do you expect the world to be(say with 50000 people)? Would it still be possible to get lost in the wilderness for days ?
<GL-Jeff> Definitely. Our PC population per square mile is going to be one of the lowest in history.

<Selanar> As per magic and magic resistance... will magic resistance affect friendly spells? (I.E. if high resist a heal doesn't work, or with high fire resist a "flame shield" type spell wouldn't work, or an invisibility spell doesn't stick) or will "friendly" spells be a sure cast?
<GL-Jeff> Friendly spells will be a sure cast.

<Svendor> will resources be fairly realistic?eg only 3 or 4 boards coming from a single 8 ft hi tree?
<GL-Jeff> Yes. You may end up downing a lot of oaks to put up a large house.

Janoddyn_AFK> What sort of eye candy can we expect in terms of final character models, spell casting, ect? Will it be a big step up from the current MMORPG's or will you be focusing on the other aspects of the game more?
<GL-Jeff> We're definitely focusing on other aspects of the game more, but we are doing our best to incorporate some very nice graphic effects for spells that will keep things lively.
<GL-Jeff> Plus melee combat will be spiced up with the inclusion of several types of attacks

<Ufgar> Will we be able to disguise corpses?
<GL-Jeff> You can equip/unequip corpses, so yes.

<Hanshiro> you said earlier that there will be no way to tell who wrote a note... will there be a way to sign notes, maybe with something like a unique seal for each player?
<GL-Jeff> We may expand the custom pattern creation idea to paper as well. I can't say for sure until i consider any possible memory problems it could cause.

<Ufgar> If someone creates a banner, will it be possible to paint/sew a customizable coat of arms onto it?
<GL-Jeff> Yes with our customizable patter creation you will be able to make basic symbols and designs for personalization.

<Darian_Janus> In relation to trade skills..I'm hoping that..like everything else...we're looking at a high list of possible combinations......it always bothered me that in some *other games* the instructions to make every possible item fit on one printable page...that won't be the case in dawn will it?
<GL-Jeff> Hopefully i read your question correctly: when you create something there will be a certain type of material needed. For every type of material needed there will be several qualities available. The quality of the final product will depend on the ratios of the qualities that you put into the creation of the product.
<GL-Jeff> So there will be a myriad of combinations.

<Wolfwind> You build a building from a frfab pattern, from what Im understanding (Correct me if Im wrong). In a place large enough to have several rooms (Palace?) could we knock down walls? Remove doors? Remodel the finished product as we see fit?
<GL-Jeff> Probably not. Unfortunately the buildings themselves won't be very customizable but there should be a wide enough range of different types of buildings with small variations that it won't be a problem.

<thijszilla> will you have a Q&A like this on a time us europeans can make it normally, it's 3 am now here
<GL-Jeff> Our next chat will be extremely odd houred to address our foreign beta testers.

<Ufgar> Will we be able to bind multiple written documents together, thereby making a book?
<GL-Jeff> Thats undecided at this point. Its not a hard thing to implement so most likely yes.

<Wolfwind> Is there a max level, now that we actually have levels?
<GL-Jeff> No caps

<[GU]Blade> when u make an account will u have 1 character or more?
<GL-Jeff> You will be able to have several characters for each account. We want you to be able to experiment with different types of players without having to suicide or buy multiple accounts.

<thijszilla> will there be spells to make you silent, as in a spell that will diminish sound so you can go arround silently and without notice
<GL-Jeff> yes

<Ufgar> WIll it be possible to pick another PC up and use them as a shield/weapon/ or throw them into oncomming opponents or into a pit?
<GL-Jeff> Hehe you must want to play an ogre You will be able to push other players around and you can actually use them as a shield by dragging them, but you probably won't be able to throw them into things in order to cause damage.

<TenayenorKid> whats the current status on the graphics engine and when can we expect more screenshots
<GL-Jeff> The engine is fully functional but doesn't have a lot of eye candy features that we will be adding within the next couple of months. You will have more screenshots when we start finishing the textures on the player models which should be around a month or so i'd estimate.

<Selanar> As a clarification of the magic "cooperation" can you get "different effects" by multiple mages using same spell? Such as two mages with a "fireball" spell band together, and form their magic into a "flame wall" type spell? Or other similar combinations (maybe combining ice spell that freezes enemy shortly, with some sort of lesser effect AE ice spell, to produce an AE ice spell of more power that froze enemies?) or things to
<GL-Jeff> There won't be a large amount of spell combos, but things such as casting a fire and ice spell simultaneously will have adverse effects on each other.

<[GU]Blade> |<GL-Jeff> Lag will not be an issue, however, as stated before because of the way our targeting system works and should not be a concern.| does this mean u have real sweeet net code or means we arent worrying about that rite now?
<GL-Jeff> Real sweet net/client prediction/lag eliminating code - as far as targeting goes you shouldn't experience any lag at all unless your ping is above (arbitrary number) 1000ms.

<Ufgar> Will it be possible to knock someone out via punching as opposed to killing them?
<GL-Jeff> All "knock outs" will occur when a player is at minimal life. So no matter the method, if you can bring them down to low life then you can render them unconscious.

<Ufgar> Which stat will effect Magic Ressistance?
<GL-Jeff> We haven't released the stats yet, but it could be something along the lines of contravention

<thijszilla> got anny idea when the beta will be out, i know we all are waiting with exitement
<GL-Jeff> Sorry but i have to give the usual answer on this one more than a month less than a year. When we can narrow it down further, believe me, we will.

<Kaim> "In Dawn, What is the Air speed velocity of an unladen swallow?"
<Axehandler> he BEGGED me to keep that question it =)
<GL-Jeff> The answer to that question is related to the spawning system and i cannot answer it.

<thijszilla> will illusions that are cast on a person stay on him, or will it actually be the area you cast on?
<GL-Jeff> all spells will be duration based, that duration will NOT depend on the spell but rather the caster of the spell.
<GL-Jeff> So the length of time an illusion lasts will depend on how much energy the magic caster pumps into it.

<Mars> how will name changes be handled?
<GL-Jeff> There most likely won't be an official naming system so changing your name in the game would be as simple as telling people a different name when they asked.

<Ufgar> Along the range topic for melee weapons, will races have a bonus or negative to range? Such as an Ogre has a longer reach then a dwarf?
<GL-Jeff> Range will be strictly weapon based.

<Wolfwind> Will weapons, unequipped, still somehow be viewable? So someone actually has to work to conceal what weapons they are carring? And if so, will certain weapons be more easily concealed than others?
<GL-Jeff> excellent question, unfortunately i can't answer it at this time. We're undecided on the issue of weapon concealment and will be experimenting with it during the beta.

<Banzai> How many new races are you expecting to add, and will they be in for the beta or afterwards?
-Jeff> They'll be in the beta. And not many, just variations of existing races.

<Banzai> Can we put custom banner type things on buildings somehow?
-Jeff> You'll be able to make your own signs and on those signs you may/may not be able to put your own patterns. As for actually marking on the building walls themselves, probably not.

<Shad> will there be ultra powerful, godlike people controlled by humans that will be able to freely roam the land?
<GL-Jeff> You must mean GM's, no we will not having GM's but there will be deity's in the game. Whether or not these deity's are controlled by human or machine will remain a mystery

<Banzai> Would you consider eating corpses for more "vile and nasty" races and NPC races?
<GL-Jeff> Yes you should be able to use player flesh for food as any other slayed beast.

<Dinurth> Most everything is supposed to be able to be destroyed right? well what would stop people from finding a house and just hacking at the door or wall for awhile to get in? then just loot away? Maybe make complete building only destroyable by seige weapons? ie ballista
<GL-Jeff> The ability to hack away at a house and steal the items inside is an important part of the game. It will be a time consuming event for any one person and if he were caught doing so he's most likely be punished. The idea is that people will band together and form society's that will help look out for each others belongings such as houses and farms.
<GL-Jeff> Everything is player run in Dawn. And nearly nothing reasonable is impossible. Its up to you to prevent abuse - thats what makes the game different.

<Mars> Is everyone here beta testers?
<GL-Jeff> Probably not.

<Ufgar> It was posted on the msg boards that buildings will be able to occomadate larger races if they're built to do so. What's to stop someone from building a building that can't fit larger races and then just hiding inside them until they leave or will there be some way to destroy the building with hammers and picks?
<GL-Jeff> You'll be able to blast away at any stucture. Furthermore there will be safeguards against people logging when there are traumatic events taking place...hiding inside a house that is being destroyed would be considered a traumatic event.

<Janoddyn_AFK> Is it a worry to you that people starting characters later on after the release will likely have a much easier time than those who initially settled the world?
<GL-Jeff> Not at all. Probably the most important asset you have in game are the connections you make...those who start late may see their players mature faster, but that goes for everyone who makes a new character...and with perm death everyone will be making a new character every once in a while.

<Mars> how much will it cost per account? if there is a price?
<GL-Jeff> The same as the other games, around 50 bucks and 10 a month
<GL-Jeff> with the purchase of the game you get 1 account

<Banzai> Are you guys going to use the Bonding spell Idea I posted a while ago?
<GL-Jeff> That has still not been decided yet. We're bogged down with other things at the moment.

<Dinurth> Will we be able to dig holes in the ground? maybe to make a big pit(then conceal it) so players fall in and get trapped? and also maybe build a tunnel underground, possible to make an underground house (goblin home perhaps)
<GL-Jeff> We're doing our best to do what the competition says is impossible: terrain manipulation. We're confident you'll be able to dig holes and such and perhaps grow plants around the openings to hide them.
<GL-Jeff> I can't give a final answer to this until we've completed it, however. But its a pretty safe bet we'll be able to do it.

<Axehandler> ROFL... okay.... I gotta post this question =)
<Jadetooth> What is the AVERAGE velocity of an UNBURDENED swallow? And can we PLEASE eat Sir Robins minstral?
<GL-Jeff> Hell I dunno, maybe like 15 mph
<GL-Jeff> And sure go right ahead.

<Banzai> Can you give us some details on Mounts? I'd like to know if my Ogre will be stuck riding horses, or can he ride a Bull headed Hippo with scales type moster, which is the standard mount where he's from (for example)
<GL-Jeff> Mounts will vary greatly, you won't be stuck riding a horse for sure.

<Dinurth> <GL-Jeff> There most likely won't be an official naming system/ so how will the message system you spoke of earlier work? how will we specify who we are sending to?
<GL-Jeff> Since there won't be any official naming thats why we were considering the use of numbers for messaging players you hadn't met yet. As for players that you have already met you can add them to sort of an in game address book so you don't have to type in any pesky numbers.

<AmarokWindburn> will Dawn have any sort of dicipline system similar to that the SB is implimenting?
<GL-Jeff> Our skill/discipline training system will be unique and not modeled after any game. We're faced with the unique challenge of designing a balanced non-class skill system and don't really have the luxory of looking at past MMORPG's for guidance in this area.
<GL-Jeff> or present MMORPGs for that matter

<Dinurth> so if someone were to hack at a wall of a house it would take literally hours in rl to get through?
<GL-Jeff> Depends on the person, depends on the house. Yes it could take hours to hack through a stone wall if you are a low level person and the wall was made out of a fine, rare material.

<AmarokWindburn> you mentioned farms...will we be able to grow crops for food (or even livestock) and if so, like what (corn, wheat etc)
<GL-Jeff> Yes you will be able to grow your own food. Food preperation will play an important role because different foods will deteriorate at different rates making only some viable for travelers.

<Ufgar> It's very rare to see a company that values the publics opinion so openly.
<GL-Jeff> its just a show Ufgar

<Wolfwind> Hey Jeff? How you guys planning on handling speech, an in anonymous world? What will folks see?
<GL-Jeff> Speech will be anonymous, you'll have to figure out who's talking yourself

<Banzai> Can people be turned to stone? (ala medusa) and later be restored and be regular players again? (effectively out of the game until that point). Also, what about other forms of magical imprisonment such as cursed necklaces and such which teleport you to "other places" when you wear it, which are like magical prisons
<GL-Jeff> There will be lots of alternatives to death banzai given you take a player down to the near death status

<JLBesser> Jeff, concerning the mail system, will a person be able to just find another person's numbers in an OOC manner and then send them a message and follow the mail as it is sent to find the recipient?
<GL-Jeff> JL the whole number system is basically for friends to communicate, so they'll exchange numbers in an OOC manner

<dolgo> 706, Raz; How many times a day do you crash 3d Studio?
<GL-SevenOsix> dolgo: not too many here, but Windows is another bug :-)
<GL-RazM> with windows, there's no guaranteed number

<AmarokWindburn> What type of physics engine will Dawn support...ie basic gravity, etc...or will you go so far as the length of a weapon ,material, etc will be displayed and important to how effective the weapon (ie no damage delay but real weapon stats)
<GL-Jeff> Amar: damage calculation is very advanced, any given weapon or armor will have many stats determing its effectiveness in inflicting/absorbing different types of damage

<Janoddyn> Any ideas on how long it will take to build large structures, ie small keeps/castles??
<GL-Jeff> Jan: with how many people building?
<GL-Jeff> probably about a week real time
<GL-Jeff> building a castle will be no easy task

<Banzai> I'd like to know if we can animate skeletons from corpses, to act as builder thralls (assuming we have a skilled leader to start the building) and will that make it faster? I can see necro races being at a big advantage with that
<GL-Jeff> Banzai: thats definitely a possibility

<AmarokWindburn> Will building construction be like legos, lvl editors for popular 3D games or much more simpler?
<GL-Jeff> no building will be more like in a warcraft type game, you select the type of building then building commences.

<Axehandler> LOL I've played with 3DS.. have a copy now.... I don't envy 7o6, Raz or dolgo =p
<GL-RazM> I love 3DSMax, the best proggy IMO!

<Ufgar> What's the possibility of strong individuals beingn able to pull a wagon solo, in case a horse or other animal is not available?
<GL-Jeff> very high ufgar

<AmarokWindburn> Have you guys looked at a game called Atriarch for perhaps some insight to further your game (as it is, the only other known perm death MMORPG in the making)
<GL-Jeff> Atriarch: bleh. Our spawning system is what people really want

<Ufgar> Will various types of shields be various sizes for different races, like a kite shield could be a wall shield for a gnome, but only be a buckler for an Ogre?
<Ufgar> Or will it be one size fits all
<GL-Jeff> Ufgar the type of shield you'll be able to hold will depend on your strength, an ogre will always be able to hold a bigger shield

<Janoddyn> Will projectile weapons arc so that there is a chance of hitting something you didn't intend? Will we have to compensate aiming for the distance we are shooting? Can we shoot a ranged weapon into a group of people and have a much higher chance of hitting at least one of them??
<GL-Jeff> Jan: yes to all that

<AmarokWindburn> I understand that our appearance will change as we gain stats...the most obvious being strength...but what other stats will affect our appearance as they increase and in what way? (ie intelligence makes our heads blow up like a balloon =)
<GL-Jeff> Amar: stat based appearance is really just meant to allow some more diversity to player models, not to be something that applies to all stats in a balanced manner

<Dinurth> what about unarmed? will that be possible? fine tune your body into a lethal machine, maybe martial arts of some sort?
<GL-Jeff> Din: martial arts won't be a viable option in Dawn. The sword is mightier than the fist in our game.

<Darian_Janus> Oh..and along my own vein Jeff...you answered my question about trade skills...sorta.....Basically I just want assurance that there will be more than 20 Blacksmithng recpies.
<GL-Jeff> Definately Darian, more than 20

<Axehandler> who makes your Skins currently?
<GL-Jeff> Axe: we can't answer questions about skins, they've been added to the confidential list for some unannounced reasons.

<Darian_Janus> Will ogres be able to carry Ballistae on their backs?
<GL-Jeff> Move them but probably not carry them Darian

<Zexx> will there be variations in the ballistae?
<GL-Jeff> Zexx: yes

<Janoddyn> Can we get a really good reason for why your spawning system is so confidential other than its revolutionary??
<GL-Jeff> its super Janoddyn