Answering the common questions!

[Malakili]

It seems there is a lot of confusion on this forum about what exactly is going on. So I was hoping to make a thread where I could try and answer some really frequent questions and comments that I see in the MMO forum here. Let me state that I am in no way affiliated with Runic, and these answers are the best I have from following along for quite some time with Runic and their development of Torchlight.

1) Will there be multiplayer in Torchlight (the single player ARPG that is currently released)?

No. The developers do not plan to add a multiplayer to the currently released version of Torchlight. There is a very rare possibility a 3rd party multiplayer mod could arise, but it is unlikely, and isn't official.

2) Then what is this Torchlight Multiplayer I keep hearing about?

The Torchlight MMO is a separate game from the Torchlight ARPG that has already been released. It will be a free-to-play + online shop MMO game set in the Torchlight world. This will be an MMO, and thus multiplayer. This is not a multiplayer mod to the Torchlight ARPG and you will not be able to carry over your current Torchlight character into the MMO version.

3) What is a free-to play MMO? Don't MMOs have a monthly fee?

A free-to-play MMO is free to download and play. The way the game makes money is by selling things (some select things, not everything) for real money in game. These may be potions that increase your exp gain for a duration, items, mounts, etc. (These are just examples and to my knowledge there has been no confirmation from Runic about what exactly will be sold in the Torchlight shop. Shopping at the store is optional, and you can play the game without doing it. There will be no monthly recurring fee to play the game.

4) Why doesn't Torchlight, the ARPG that is currently out, have multiplayer?

Torchlight was made in under a year with the goal of providing a highly moddable single player ARPG experience. Runic decided that, rather than add multiplayer to this version of the game, they would focus on delivering the best single player game they could in their time frame, and then move on to development of their MMO.

5) When will the MMO be released?

Runic has said that their current time frame is 18-24 months from the release of the Torchlight ARPG. I imagine like most release dates, this is subject to change. But again, I remind everyone that I am not affiliated with Runic, so all I have to go by is that general time frame they've given.

[leetality]

I demand this thread be stuck!

[leetality]

Is bumping allowed? If so, bump for justice!

[Paws]

I was thinking about doing this myself. Mad props and hope we get this stickied for great justice.

[Mournival]

I have a question. I'm blind so apologies in advanced, but does torchlight have multiplayer? If I could see this post surely I would have read the FAQ at http://www.torchlightgame.com/faq/. Damn my eyes!

[leetality]

I have a question. I'm blind so apologies in advanced, but does torchlight have multiplayer? If I could see this post surely I would have read the FAQ at http://www.torchlightgame.com/faq/. Damn my eyes!

Did you skip the first Q/A or something in the OP?

1) Will there be multiplayer in Torchlight (the single player ARPG that is currently released)?

No. The developers do not plan to add a multiplayer to the currently released version of Torchlight. There is a very rare possibility a 3rd party multiplayer mod could arise, but it is unlikely, and isn't official.

Edit: Oh, sarcasm apparently, nice how witty.

[SimoxTa]

I have a question. I'm blind so apologies in advanced, but does torchlight have multiplayer? If I could see this post surely I would have read the FAQ at http://www.torchlightgame.com/faq/. Damn my eyes!

Did you skip the first Q/A or something in the OP?

1) Will there be multiplayer in Torchlight (the single player ARPG that is currently released)?

No. The developers do not plan to add a multiplayer to the currently released version of Torchlight. There is a very rare possibility a 3rd party multiplayer mod could arise, but it is unlikely, and isn't official.

I guess you haven't caught he was ironic...

[Jiro]

Would be best if this was stickied, some don't bother to read the FAQ and this'll (hopefully) stop the annoying threads and leave more room for intelligent discussion on this board.

[Volbard]

Thanks Malakili!

[Hokibukisa]

Making a single player game a multiplayer game isn't a trivial task and I doubt anyone would do it for free, and question if its even possible.

Runic, would you consider the possibility of allowing a 3rd party developer to develop runic multiplayer and expansions for a percentage of the sales?

Like imagine for a moment what Id software has done in the past, where they would build a game's technologies, and Raven software would expand on that base game.

Imagine that Raven software were to take the base game and create online play, and create a Base Camp like the ones you'd find near the foothills of mountains.
And then you'd meet up with other adventurers at this basecamp you might have a marketplace where you see stuff for sale from other people, a post office where you can send other people messages/items/gold, and other social things.

One path could go down toward torchlight, and the other paths might lead toward other content, like say another mineshaft.

And they could sell that for an additional $10 as an expansion to the base game. So they'd make money and then Runic would sell more copies and everyone wins!

[leetality]

Making a single player game a multiplayer game isn't a trivial task and I doubt anyone would do it for free, and question if its even possible.

Runic, would you consider the possibility of allowing a 3rd party developer to develop runic multiplayer and expansions for a percentage of the sales?

Like imagine for a moment what Id software has done in the past, where they would build a game's technologies, and Raven software would expand on that base game.

Imagine that Raven software were to take the base game and create online play, and create a Base Camp like the ones you'd find near the foothills of mountains.
And then you'd meet up with other adventurers at this basecamp you might have a marketplace where you see stuff for sale from other people, a post office where you can send other people messages/items/gold, and other social things.

One path could go down toward torchlight, and the other paths might lead toward other content, like say another mineshaft.

And they could sell that for an additional $10 as an expansion to the base game. So they'd make money and then Runic would sell more copies and everyone wins!

They may not want to put their game in the hands of someone else. This isn't really the proper place to ask this question either.

[SimoxTa]

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3569

Someone seems made it for free, maybe you should integrate it in the FAQS, so all the questions will be redirected there

Now feel free to wait for your 18+ months away MMO, in the meanwhile i have a "new messiah" to pray

[leetality]

http://forums.runicgames.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3569

Someone seems made it for free, maybe you should integrate it in the FAQS, so all the questions will be redirected there

Now feel free to wait for your 18+ months away MMO, in the meanwhile i have a "new messiah" to pray

You think just because the guy made two clients connect on a DRM copy, he's gonna bring you co-op within the next few days/weeks/months?
You really don't understand to the extent of time and effort this task can/will take if anyone even sees it through the whole way.
Many people have attempted to add co-op to games and given up midway.
Pray all you want, I just wouldn't cross my fingers.

[Darker123]

Awesome thread Malakil! I wish I had time to do things like this, eh, I'm more of an idea's man, Ideas all Around! Take them and use them or discard them, or take them and use the essence of the idea! Go Go MMO! Well.. hey... I'm all excited..

[HaveANiceDay]

So if mmo is free to dl, I dont have to buy TL ?

[leetality]

So if mmo is free to dl, I dont have to buy TL ?

Correct.
Unless you want too. It's a fun game and you'll have that warm-fuzzy feeling that you supported Runic in their efforts.

[HaveANiceDay]

I'll think about it.


Sry 4 my eng btw.

[Jazriel]

Thank you for posting a thread like this. This has prevented me from creating a thread asking what are probably common questions.

[wynams]

Been a fan of Flagship Seattle since Mythos (and work on Torchlight seems to affirm Runic as worthy).

I played the Torchlight demo for quite a while and I really like it.

[soapbox]
I would buy it, but I can't bring myself to support the Free MMO + Store model the Torchlight aRPG sales are going towards. I know not everyone shares this point of view, but I try and vote with my dollar for concepts I support.

While I doubt one persons input will change the direction of a company, perhaps more speaking up on this would carry more weight.
[/soapbox]

I wish Runic the best ... very talented team working on this it appears from some time with the demo. I will continue follow Torchlight/Runic on the web.

Cheers

[BlazePyron]

I would buy it, but I can't bring myself to support the Free MMO + Store model the Torchlight aRPG sales are going towards.

What don't you like about it? I mean, it's essentially free, except with cosmetic/convinience things you can buy. It's not like they're going to make you buy things like storylines or quests or anything. I think a true F2P model is really nice, although at least 75% of mmos advertised as F2P really have very little in terms of free content. Runic is not going this route though, thank-goodness.