What is it?
Visions is a Christian MMORPG currently in development, set in 2nd Century Holy Land, starting at 100 AD, during the reign of Trajan. Visions is a quest and skill based game (as opposed to an experience level based game) in an online persistent world. The Christian element will be evidenced through Biblical history quests and scripture quests that players can do. The MMO element will be evidenced through the persistent online world with other players connecting in to do quests and experience the game with you simultaneously. The RPG element will be evidenced through the players interacting with the game through the perspective of an avatar that they create from the character creation menu, and the trade skill that the character studies by doing professions quests. Experience history in the family friendly game, Visions!
What is a Persistent World?
A persistent world meas that the game keeps going even after you log off. Others can keep playing the game in the same world that you play in, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The game will always be ready when you are. You can invite your friends to join you at a specific time or you can login and meet new friends already playing in the game world!
What is a MMORPG?
The term MMORPG is an acronym for Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game. Which means that it is a computer game that is designed to be played online with a bunch of other people all playing the same game with you at the same time. In a MMORPG the game is always waiting for you; all you need is a computer, the game client, and an internet connection.
Are you really creating this game with a volunteer team?
Yes, everything is being done by volunteers. All the programmers are volunteers, the artists are volunteers, the writers are volunteers, the researchers are volunteers, the musicians are volunteers, and the administrators are volunteers. We have no funding, no sponsors, and no budget. There are no paid positions. Of course, we would like to have funding and paid staff, but we’ve been functioning with volunteers since the company was established in 2003. We connect with our development tools and communicate using the internet. Most of our developers work from their own homes in the evenings, giving up their leisure time to help work on the game. We have volunteers from all over the world working on Visions.
A game in the Holy Land… how can that be?
This is a chance to experience history as a participant! We plan to make an interactive environment full of quests and intellectual advancement opportunities. Players will be able to choose a character (human of course!) from among several different cultural backgrounds, customize their appearance, and enter a game world full of challenges and adventure. There will be social interactions, opportunities for players to develop customized communities, settle an area, or travel the landscape seeking adventure and fortune. There is an underlying story which will serve as an ulterior motive toward an end-game experience, but there will be plenty of activities to participate in besides that single goal.
Is this a religious game?
The game will be set post Bible writing, beginning about 100 AD, in hopes to avoid conflict with any Biblical storylines. 100 AD is at the beginning f the reign of Emperor Trajan in Rome. The original idea developed from a desire to create a Christian game, that is fun and exciting (traits often attributed to secular games) while still encouraging Christian values. Visions hopes to go a step beyond that and reach out to players from all walks of life who are looking for a refreshingly different kind of Role Playing Game unlike any other currently available. It is our hope that players will enjoy playing Visions regardless of personal belief in God.
Will there be any fighting in it?
In the 2nd century people faced brigands, thieves, soldiers (and wars), wild animals, social and political uprisings, and all manner of dangers on a daily basis. In order to create even a semi-realistic world, we feel we must include some element of danger and provide a means of self-defense. So yes, expect there to be some fighting in it.
What about tradeskills?
There are a lot of things to learn in Visions! We plan to incorporate a rich and captivating tradeskill system which will allow the players to generate a diverse economy within the game world. Players will be able to pursue training among a variety of professions such as Soldier, Hunter, Entertainer, Potter, Farmer, Physician… we currenlty have 18 character professions planned. Players will develop their character’s skills according to their own interests and curiosity, and according to the distances travelled in persuit of new knowledge.
What about Mounts?
We have several riding mounts planned for use by the characters. Each mount will have unique traits, and will come in a variety of qualities. If all goes according to plan, players will even be able to breed their animals to try and produce higher quality offspring. And yes, there will be carts and chariots! Chariots will be available very early in the game as will horses. Other mounts may be further down the roads as we are in need of animators who are skilled at animating our animal models.
Will there be any player housing?
Yes! This is a high priority goal on my list. Players will have to work hard to achieve quality housing, but once attained, it will be a useful resource as well as a safe haven. Players will be able to decorate their homes and yards to some degree. If all goes as planned players will even be able to plant gardens and trees on their property.
