[img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//32445805/6b31a5976a0a03456f2a023e89d5926f5e88b709.jpg[/img] [url=https://albiononline.com/en/news/brimstone-and-mist-is-here][b]Brimstone and Mist[/b][/url] launched on October 21, bringing significant improvements to Corrupted Dungeons, the Roads of Avalon, and large-scale combat. In our newest Dev Talk, Game Director Robin Henkys discusses major improvements coming to [b]Faction Warfare[/b] and [b]Hellgates [/b]with the next content update. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOiprC3H1Cc No time to watch the video, or prefer a written summary? Then read on... [h3]1. Faction Warfare[/h3] We’ve long wanted to expand [b]Faction Warfare[/b] into a major activity for players of all levels. We want players without large guilds to experience the excitement of massive battles, while also allowing maintaining Faction Warfare as a valuable and rewarding activity for experienced players. To achieve this, we’re changing the following: [list] [*][b]Faction Conquest:[/b] In addition to Outposts, factions will be able to conquer [b]entire zones[/b]. To provoke large-scale battles, Factions will only be able to attack Outposts and zones that border another Faction.[/*] [*][b]Faction Points:[/b] Points will be awarded not only for taking Outposts and zones, but also for [b]killing enemy defenders[/b]. Loyalty to a faction will become more important via [b]Faction ranks[/b] and weekly/monthly [b]Faction Campaigns[/b] with valuable rewards.[/*] [*][b]Core System Changes:[/b] To encourage beginning and mid-level players to participate, Faction Warfare in blue/yellow zones will be [b]non-lethal[/b], instead allowing knocked-out players to rejoin the fight from their nearest Outpost. At the same time, the [b]red zones[/b] will contain the highest-value Faction Warfare areas, and will offer a unique [b]red zone battle event[/b] to encourage high-value, full-loot Faction Warfare.[/*][/list] With these changes, we think Faction Warfare will become the perfect way for new Albion players to get their first experience of large-scale warfare, while offering a deep and interesting activity for veteran players who don’t have an Outlands guild or want to enjoy large-scale warfare even when their guild is not currently fighting. [img]//assets.albiononline.com/uploads/media/default/media/b5b473dd1c222367bf61256a809554dbbd9b6b86.jpeg[/img] [h3]2. Hellgates[/h3] [b]Hellgates[/b] are an integral feature of Albion Online, letting players participate in high-stakes PvP in a challenging but balanced battleground. Hellgates were developed during the Alpha phase of Albion Online, and it's finally time to give them the attention they deserve. Goals of the new Hellgates: [list] [*][b]Make them more accessible[/b] by adding [b]Hellgate maps[/b], which lead to a Hellgate in the open world (similar to Dungeon Maps) whenever your group is ready.[/*] [*][b]Make them more rewarding[/b] by adding a [b]ranking system[/b] and an [b]Infamy-like[/b] system that boost your rewards as your ranking increases.[/*] [*][b]Make them more competitive[/b] by reworking the matchmaking system, ensuring you get matched with challenging opponents and don't receive rewards without fighting. We’re also adding all-new [b]10v10 Hellgates[/b].[/*] [*][b]Make them more polished[/b] via a complete rework of their [b]visuals[/b] and their [b]PvE experience[/b]. The new Hellgates will offer varied PvE challenges and rewards while waiting for an enemy team, as well as a variety of different Hellgate layouts.[/*][/list] I hope you’re as excited about these major improvements to Faction Warfare and Hellgates as we are – we’ll share more details as development continues. In the meantime, you can look forward to our upcoming [b]Play Store beta[/b] as well as major changes for [b]Season 11[/b] (including updates to [b]Season Point scoring[/b] and the [b]Outlands map[/b]) which we’ll cover in an upcoming Dev Talk. Thanks for watching!