Ten Ton Hammer - Taking MMO Gamers to the Next Level!

Ten Ton Hammer: Are you getting close to revealing the project?

The Carbine developers are waiting for just the right time to formally announce their project, much like what BioWare did with SWTOR.

Eric: We’re waiting on the timing of it, really. One of the things that Blizzard, Bioware and Valve have always done brilliantly – and one of the things we’re set up to do at Carbine – is showing the game when it’s ready. So the timing for releasing information and the friends and family and that sort of thing; we want to do all that when we can talk openly about the title and show you hours of gameplay that stands up to the promises that I’m making.

It’s more a matter of proving to ourselves, that we can do all the stuff that we say we can do, and that’s when we can take it to the next level and announce the game.

Ten Ton Hammer: How can your game – and other MMOs in development – find a space in the market to succeed?

Eric: I think there will always be room for successful products. I think if we deliver a successful product and bust our butts and stick to the things that are important to consumers – a pile of high quality content – I think we’re going to be successful.

Ten Ton Hammer: Do you think timing plays a factor in the success of a game?

Eric: Timing is a component, but it’s a minor component. I really think if you have a great game, you’re always going to be better off than if you have a partial game or a sub-standard game that released at the right time. It’s really all about the great game.

Ten Ton Hammer: Final question: Since the game is still really early in development, how can gamers and fans really get involved with the team and the title at this point?

Eric: At this point, the best thing is to keep track of us in the news and by checking out our site, www.carbinestudios.com. Ultimately, it will be our fans that make the game successful or not, so we’re eager to have their feedback. Since we don’t have a lot to say about the product just yet, we haven’t put up any forums or message boards that people can participate in.

However, once we do start actively soliciting feedback from the community, we hope that everyone takes part in that. That’s what our forums are there for. Participate in friends and family and alpha and things like that. We want honest, unedited feedback.

Ten Ton Hammer: How does a person know to hit that button in the first place?

Eric: Exactly! Just like anyone else, you get close to something for long enough, and you lose track of what’s easy or difficult for the average gamer. We’ve hired Troy Hewitt on as our community lead (formerly of Pirates of the Burning Sea) and he’s going to do a great job gathering that valuable feedback from the gamers. We want people to be honest and open with us on their thoughts about the game. When we go live, there will definitely be lots of ways for players to get in touch with us.