Empire Craft Exclusive Interview

Empire Craft Exclusive Interview

Empire Craft is a browser-based game (Web-game) with RPG and business strategy, players can start the game immediately without installing any client or plug-ins. And even there is no requirement for the operating platform. We are very glad to have a chance to talk with Empire Craft's product manager.

BBGsite: We are very glad to hear that Empire Craft is online now. Congratulations! It's really exciting news for those who like the Empire Age based games. First of all, would you please give us a brief introduction about yourself and the dev team?

Nice to meet you. I am glad to have this interview with BBGsite. Bringing Empire Craft online indicates that "Empire Craft" has taken a successful first step into U.S. and European markets. I am the product manager - Liu Zhijun in charge of Empire Craft operation tor overseas markets. I hope this game brings more enjoyable experience to our overseas gamers. Empire Craft is one of the SLG web-game masterpieces with rich Western-style fantasy. OPI's elite development team invested in many millions of capital to create Empire Craft within just two years.

Oak Pacific Interactive (OPI) Game Center is the largest interactive entertainment base in China, which has developed a series of outstanding web-games with its highly innovative technology and superb marketing capability. On April 30th, 2008 Softbank of Japan agreed to invest $ 430 Million in China's Oak Pacific Interactive (OPI) for a 35% stake in OPI.

BBGsite: Could you briefly describe for us what kind of a game Empire Craft is? And what are the unique features of Empire Craft?

Empire Craft is a Western-styled fantasy web-game that quickly became a trend setter in the Chinese SLG game market. It combines combat strategy, grand adventures, engaging development of heroic characters and many other popular elements. Within 6 months of operation, Empire Craft has become China's most popular Western-styled fantasy web-game. Currently there are 28 groups of servers with 4 million registered players and 50,000 concurrent users.

Empire Craft's storyline unfolds in the frightful Dark Millennium. The Devil's tyranny controls the world and its barbarous oppression finally leads to rebellion of the Humans, Orcs and Dwarves. Players can enjoy real-time experience as a wartime emperor, constructing and maintaining castles while developing strong allies. Players are able to build hegemony by conquering wild territories, occupying and consolidating mines and defeating enemies. A unique Arena system is set up in this game, with 30 different armed forces and 40,000 different combinations. A wide variety of combat options make the battlefield even more appealing. All these features create an engaging experience as players enjoy the wartime adventures.

BBGsite: To a large extent, smart tactics always make players predominate a battle in strategy games. In Empire Craft, does the strategy FS (FleetSave) also work? Could you share us some more effective tactics?

Ha-ha, FS (FleetSave) can be described as a classic protection strategy of all strategy games and it is still available in Empire Craft. A reasonable arrangement of the soldiers and armies is the key factor of the battle. Every hero can manage his troops in five positions. If you want to achieve victory in battle, you must know your opponent and yourself. During war, the players should use espionage tactics to get the opponent's positions and the number of their soldiers, then relay on their superior veteran status or outnumber his opponents' troops to achieve ultimate victory.
The Strategy of strengthen the hero is an effective tactic. Empire Craft has taken the example of the Heroes of Might and Magic system design. The heroes can explore, treasure hunt, grow up, PK, battle in Empire Craft. The offensive and defensive ability of the arms under the command of the top hero are enhanced especially in battle In particular, when the hero commands his own branches of the armed forces, the attack, defense and speed of his forces are multiplied.

BBGsite: We know that in Empire Craft, players have three races to choose from, so what are the main differences among Human, Dwarf and Orc? And how does the function ‘Union' (or alliance) play a crucial role in Empire Craft?

The main difference between the races is the racial characteristics and the tech tree. In the three races, humans are good at cavalry, fast attack and robbery. ; Orcs are good at infantry and fighting in groups. Aggressive and defensive ability are strong too. Other infantries are frightened of Orcs infantry. Dwarves are good at long-range arms. They are good at offensive action but not defensive actions.

As to the union, team cooperation is the core strategy of Empire Craft. The players should join the Union early. You can recruit more members through increasing the population limit. At the same time as the development of Union; Union members have access to level up and get arms. The most important part of the Union is that Union players can control their Union members, heroes and soldiers. It is a more convenient and efficient method to upgrade their offensive and defensive strengths.