Another year is almost over, and it’s been a busy one for Albion Online, with four content updates bringing numerous new features and improvements to the game. With so much having happened, Game Director [b]Robin Henkys[/b], Co-Creative Director [b]Michael Schwahn[/b], and Head of Production [b]Moritz Bokelmann[/b] took a moment to recap the game’s development over the past twelve months and look ahead to what’s in store for 2025. [previewyoutube=NYly30z8Duk?rel=0;full][/previewyoutube] [h3]Crystal Raiders[/h3] 2024 kicked off with the [b]Crystal Raiders[/b] update: [list] [*]This overhauled [b]Guild Warfare[/b] in Albion [list] [*]Added [b]Territory Raiding,[/b] allowing guilds to steal Siphoned Energy from their rivals[/*] [*]This gave more options to smaller guilds, and added tactical depth to seasons[/*] [/list][/*] [*]The first [b]Crystal Weapons[/b] were introduced[/*] [*]The [b]Conqueror’s Challenge[/b] was revamped [list] [*]Players can earn valuable personal and guild rewards from a wide range of activities[/*] [/list][/*][/list][img]//assets.albiononline.com/uploads/media/default/media/252f4f4b1231f20c52bb1ab57218858e52fda8fb.jpeg[/img] [h3]Foundations[/h3] Improvements to guild warfare continued with Albion’s second update of the year, [b]Foundations[/b]: [list] [*]Guilds can upgrade [b]Fortifications[/b] in their territories, making them tougher to raid[/*] [*]Attackers can use [b]Siege Banners[/b] to attack these Fortifications[/*] [*][b]Territory Activity Chests[/b] reward active guilds, but provide a further incentive to attackers[/*] [*]In the future, Fortification gameplay may be developed further with new siege possibilities, and options for less advanced players[/*][/list][img]//assets.albiononline.com/uploads/media/default/media/1f52125b2645bc3b821e17a7e304db8f63f1a2ab.jpeg[/img] [h3]Paths to Glory[/h3] [b]Paths to Glory[/b] introduced a new achievement system: the [b]Albion Journal[/b]: [list] [*]This serves two main functions: [list] [*]Guides [b]new players[/b] through features, and encourages [b]older players[/b] to try new activities[/*] [*]Provides tangible goals for each feature of the game[/*] [/list][/*] [*][b]Unique vanity items[/b] reward progress [list] [*]These are [b]non-tradable[/b], so act as a genuine mark of achievement[/*] [/list][/*][/list][img]//assets.albiononline.com/uploads/media/default/media/fb14b20e5a9e82f42ca198a9542055397fb91892.jpeg[/img] This update also overhauled the Roads of Avalon: [list] [*]Activities and rewards were [b]rebalanced[/b][/*] [*]New activities were added, like [b]Tracking[/b][/*] [*]As a result, activity in the Roads has increased significantly[/*][/list][img]//assets.albiononline.com/uploads/media/default/media/182a5e794ec3c608213471cc14c27124aa0434e8.jpeg[/img] [h3]Horizons[/h3] The last update of 2024 was [b]Horizons[/b], which focused on revitalizing the open world: [list] [*]New points of interest were added [list] [*]These include [b]Dynamic Encampments[/b], [b]Boss Lairs[/b], [b]Dynamic Resource Hotspots[/b] and new [b]Crystal Creatures[/b][/*] [/list][/*] [*][b]Higher-tier mobs[/b] were made more challenging, but more rewarding[/*] [*]In the [b]Outlands[/b], rewards increase the deeper you go[/*] [*][b]S.A.F.E. Portals[/b] transport solo players to random locations in the Outlands[/*][/list][img]//assets.albiononline.com/uploads/media/default/media/7be72f2174df1694eb441b1c1a1724a3273f2002.jpeg[/img] Horizons also brought many more significant improvements, like the [b]HUD Editor[/b], [b]Tier 6 Yellow Zones[/b], and two further Albion Journal categories. [h3]Looking Ahead[/h3] The next update is currently in production, bringing with it: [list] [*]Further exciting additions to the [b]Outlands[/b], such as: [list] [*]New small-scale objectives[/*] [*]New areas for non-guild players to base themselves[/*] [*]New trade opportunities[/*] [/list][/*] [*]New [b]Crystal Weapons[/b][/*] [*]New [b]Albion Journal[/b] features[/*] [*]And more…[/*][/list][img]//assets.albiononline.com/uploads/media/default/media/bdeca8f0bc2769a448b0d7b14c7e518625139c77.jpeg[/img] 2025 will see other significant developments and changes, for example: [list] [*]Measures will be taken to stabilize the [b]Gold market[/b] and address high Gold prices[/*] [*]The [b]production schedule[/b] will be revised [list] [*][b]Seasons[/b] will be reduced in length to two months[/*] [*][b]Updates[/b] will arrive every two seasons[/*] [/list][/*] [*]Other topics that may be addressed include [b]Hellgates[/b], [b]Corrupted Dungeons[/b], the [b]new player experience[/b], and [b]Faction Warfare[/b][/*][/list]We’ll discuss these developments more in the new year. Until then, thanks for being part of Albion in 2024, and happy holidays!