Gameplay changes
Changing the Gameplay
Tabula Rasa is, in many ways, a complex game that blends elements of FPS games with classic MMORPG standards. There are some very cool advanced elements that are exactly that – advanced. And when trying to scale back on the information overload of the previous tutorial, we decided there were a few things that didn’t need to be taught in the first 15 minutes. Control points, for example, are no longer taught in the tutorial, but we will provide information when they are first encountered in Concordia Wilderness.
The new tutorial has been updated to teach the basic elements you need to know to jump in and play Tabula Rasa. How to shoot your weapon, how to use your abilities, how to level up, and how to gear up are covered in a mission. The rest is covered in a new, updated tutorial and help system. Automated tutorial tips will now briefly pop into view before sliding away to your status bar, so you can read them immediately or stop and read them later. They also link directly to the help menu now, with in-depth information about gameplay available from one-click.
A few of the new changes made for the new player experience extend beyond bootcamp. We’ve updated mission items so they are easier to find within the game worlds (they’ll have an obvious glowing effect) and updated pop-up messaging so it’s easier to keep track when you’re given a new mission objective. We modified the miasma and amoeboids so that they disperse and vomit, respectively, less at lower levels. We also made a few adjustments to the Pinhole Falls caverns, scaling back on the miasmas and moving the mining team outside to caverns. Finally, we pulled together a full revamp of the Caves of Donn instance. Whew!
We’ve added a new package of weapons and gear specially designed for a low-level soldier or specialist. The package will be available through a mission once you reach level 5 and make your first tier choice. Last, but not least, we’ve updated the character creation to include a new tutorial bypass. Once one of your characters has completed the new tutorial, any new characters can bypass the tutorial and go straight to Wilderness.
But you should play the tutorial at least once – if only to stop by and visit a few new NPCs that have taken up residence there. All of the new AFS soldiers on the map are named after real Tabula Rasa players who’ve been big contributors to the game community. Who knows, maybe one of these days you’ll meet up with your own NPC in the game world!
We think we’ve pulled together a pretty cool new update to those first few levels of gameplay and are looking forward to hearing your feedback on the new changes!
