General
Interview: Bai Yi Qiu (Lead Designer)
26.09.2023
Take a peek behind the design curtain.
Conqueror’s Blade: Knightfall has descended, bringing new Units and inspiration from the medieval Teutonic Order and its knights.
Bai Yi Qiu, Lead Designer at Booming Tech,answered your burning questions about the new Season and future plans for Conqueror’s Blade.
Conqueror’s Blade: Knightfall was released on September 14; what inspired this Season?
Initially, after two Seasons with Eastern themes, we aimed to introduce content from Western battlefields to enrich the game. When considering themes, we sought to capture the raw, early-warfare essence that the game had during its initial launch. This led us to the concept of the Teutonic Order, which was a popular choice among players in one of our previous surveys.
The Units have a medieval German-inspired look and names. Can we refer to Knightfall as a “medieval German season”?
We did draw inspiration from the Teutonic Knights and the combat styles of that time and region. However, the Teutonic Order included members from various countries and cultures across central and eastern Europe. While it conveys a hint of a Germanic theme, it doesn't represent the entirety of what "German" means to us. So, we can't definitively label this Season as exclusively "German."
How did you choose which Units to add to the Season?
Firstly, we examined authentic historical references to understand how knights of that era engaged in battle and identified the most iconic weapons and combat styles that could pique players' interest. Secondly, we considered how introducing these new Units would positively contribute to the diversity of the battlefield in the current game ecosystem, offering gameplay experiences players may not have encountered before.
The Schutzdieners Unit combines both offensive and supportive abilities, including the ability to heal allies. Can you tell us about the process of designing this Unit?
We believe this unique gameplay style will introduce different tactical possibilities and alter the game's dynamics. Inspired by the stories surrounding the Knightly Orders and their association with holiness and healing practices, we created a Unit that possesses the ability to provide healing and support in addition to combat prowess.
The Zweihander is an iconic weapon carried by the new 5-Star Zweihanders Unit. Many players are asking if there are plans to introduce this sword as a separate Weapon Class for Heroes in the future. Do you have any plans for this?
For this year, we don't have plans to introduce a new Weapon Class for Heroes. Currently, we have a variety of Weapon Classes and Units, and our focus is on balancing and developing new mechanics for Units. However, we recognise that the Zweihander is a highly anticipated weapon. If we were to introduce a new Weapon Class in the future, it would certainly be a strong contender.
The overall tone of the Knightfall Season trailer is notably different from the previous Sengoku Season. It’s darker and more brutal, and many players praised it for its "warlike" feeling. How did you achieve this?
In the previous Season, we experimented with a style reminiscent of action-packed manga in our video trailer, which is a characteristic Japanese artistic approach. For Knightfall, we aimed to portray how the people who inspired the Season engaged in warfare driven by their faith. They were more zealous, and their environment and struggles were harsher, naturally resulting in a heavier atmosphere. Every video trailer atmosphere we create is indeed intentional, aiming to convey the essence of the season's theme.
Can you share some details about the development team's future plans?
Our top priority is improving the game ecosystem, addressing several challenges such as the gap between new and veteran players, PvE content, Territory War gameplay, Unit and Hero balance, and the upcoming Performance Optimisation Campaign "Nirvana”.
You recently engaged with players during China Joy, directly answering their questions. Do you plan to organise more meetings like this in the future?
Absolutely, engaging directly with players face-to-face is part of our ongoing strategy. We will continue to hold similar events to communicate with players, share our thoughts, and listen to your feedback. Your input helps make the game better, and we're preparing to meet players around the world in various regions.
Finally, is there anything else you would like to say to Conqueror's Blade players?
Conqueror's Blade has been online for over four years, nearly five, and we're immensely grateful for your support throughout this journey. As we make significant adjustments to the game's ecosystem and optimisation in the future, if you have any thoughts or suggestions, please don't hesitate to reach out to the development team via livestream events and social channels.
