*UPDATED FULL FINAL VERSION*
This is my first translation so take it easy on me. If you have questions I'll try to clarify. I've noted where there is room for more work, some of the responses have been summarized to get you guys the info asap in the time I have.
My girlfriend sat with me and translated the article, so all thanks should be directed to her. She translated the Korean and I translated the gamer jargon for her LOL.
<3 Mia.
__________________________
SOURCE:
NCsoft Office Interview - TIG - 28/08/08
Interviewer: Han Nat
Interviewee: Young Chan Ji
Q: So, how did you feel about CB3 testing?
A: After CB2 The problems were much smaller.
Q: What about CB3?
A: The opinions of the users were more focused and specific, making it easier for us.
Q: What is going to be tested in Open Beta?
A: Abyss. Specifically the rewards.
Q: How will the rewards be changed?
A: Regular players will get more rewards from castle sieges. The rewards for legions alone will be reduced. Abyss points will be given to all players who participate within the siege area, regardless of legion status. It will also be possible for a very active medium sized legion to gain more points than the legion that gains control of the captured fortress (I think he means that the level of overall participation means more now, its not just about the guys who did the most damage to the guardian.). The area buff to the region surrounding a recently captured fortress has been increased, though it decreases over time after the successful siege.
Q: The reason this buff is reduced is to prevent long term occupation of the area and to thin the number of defenders after a while?
A: Yes.
Q: So, after the castle is captured are you planning to make special content — dungeons and raid bosses — available in the surrounding area to the winning race?
A: Of course. We are planning to add more content.
Q: The point of strategy in siege warfare has been lost because of the kiosk (resurrection stone), resulting in the "Zombie Rush."
A: We had many opinions about showing the kiosk in CB3. However, we thought it was important to test it anyway. It was kind of an experiment. It is a work in progress. We are going to limit the number of resurrections and change the delay between them. We are also considering giving the ability to upgrade the kiosk through items or tradeskills/crafting. Discussion is still going on about the number of resurrections and delay. Finally, we plan to implement many different types of kiosks to perform different services. For example, one type of kiosk can be broken easily but has many resurrections and can be made cheaply.
Q: During siege warfare the NPC movement was to passive. The only defended their assigned areas. Can you make it more active?
A: We are fixing it. Currently only specific Balaur can attack fortress guardians, so this will change.
Q: The Abyss is to focused on large legions and big numbers.
A: You won't hear this after the open beta. As I said before, will increase the personal rewards and content for medium and small legions.
Q: Sieges were laggy. (summarized)
A: If possible, we will add some extreme graphic options to sacrifice the visuals. However, it will be an option, usable on a case by case basis.
Q: Because of the consumption method of Abyss points, many players see the Abyss rank as meaningless. Have you thought about separating them?
A: We intended that the Abyss rank would lower with the spending of Abyss points. Everyone could reach the highest rank eventually if they were separated. It would also be very difficult for players recently joining the game to catch up to players who have been playing for some time if this were to change. Because of this, we are going to keep the current system. Of course, rank will be continuously updated in real time.
Q: What is the ultimate benefit to the normal user (I take this to mean average player? something like that) through participating in the wars in the Abyss?
A: Shouldn't it be an effective/powerful item? Aion, like many other online games provides items for the ultimate rewards. However, the "fun" a player has achieving the item is more important. There will be many ways to achieve items and the satisfaction both before and after these goals are met should be balanced.
Q: Will titles and stigma be available through Abyss points?
A: These titles will not be in open beta. Wait and see. Whether stigma will be obtained through Abyss points is still under discussion. We are not going to add things without a plan, our goal is quality over quantity.
Q: The amount of recovery provided by Abyss Potions caused problems. Are you considering a change?
A: Of course. We've already reduced the recovery amount by 1/3 in CB3. However, we will make Abyss Potions different from regular potions. For example, regular potions will provide recovery little by little over time, but the cooldown is fast. For the Abyss potions, you can recover immediately, but the cooldown is long.
Q: Are you planning more Abyss?
A: The next Abyss area will be close to the ground, unlike the current area in empty space. So there will be less death from falling. For users that are comfortable with flying, they can fly high, and the players who are uncomfortable with that can fly low or run on the ground. This Abyss area will be larger than the one in CB3.
______________________
Awesome. You hear that guys? more than 2X the Abyss madness! *drools*