14 DAY TRIAL // During a recent interview, Dark Souls 2 co-director Yui Tanimura offered more details on the upcoming game's "loose connection" multiplayer.
He stated that their main goal was not to encourage more frequent multiplayer encounters, but to offer more opportunity for interaction within the "loose connection" parameters.
The franchise is known to make innovative use of online features, as in Demon Souls, players could choose to leave messages and hints for others to see.
Before, players who used Humanity to take on a living form could be invaded in PvP or summon some help, and Dark Souls 2 will feature a new server-based network that will take care of the load, because even players in a Hollow state will be vulnerable and risking invasion from other adventurers.
This in turn leads to a couple more balance changes, as the system could potentially be exploited by invaders that would grief newer players to no end.
"Before, the matchmaking was based upon player level. That will remain, but we also want to focus on how much time you've played the game. Also, there will be penalties for players who invade, but still lose," From Software's Yui Tanimura shared during the interview with OPM.
"There are risks. And there will be policemen against invaders and a ransom system where if you constantly invade or kill NPCs there will be motivation for summoned players to go after you," he explained.
Players in need of protection will be able to make use of the game's Covenant system to find protection. Members of each of the game's seven or eight Covenants will be able to role-play, by coming to the assistance of lower members, becoming benevolent heroes.
Others might be encouraged to invade if they choose the villainous faction, and there will even be bounties on the heads of the most active invaders.