Dev Talk: 2024 In Review
Another year is almost over, and it’s been a busy one for Albion Online, with four content updates bringing numerous new features and improvements to the game. With so much having happened, Game Director Robin Henkys, Co-Creative Director Michael Schwahn, and Head of Production Moritz Bokelmann took a moment to recap the game’s development over the past twelve months and look ahead to what’s in store for 2025.
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
[h3]Crystal Raiders[/h3]
2024 kicked off with the Crystal Raiders update:
[h3]Foundations[/h3]
Improvements to guild warfare continued with Albion’s second update of the year, Foundations:
[h3]Paths to Glory[/h3]
Paths to Glory introduced a new achievement system: the Albion Journal:
This update also overhauled the Roads of Avalon:
[h3]Horizons[/h3]
The last update of 2024 was Horizons, which focused on revitalizing the open world:
Horizons also brought many more significant improvements, like the HUD Editor, Tier 6 Yellow Zones, and two further Albion Journal categories.
[h3]Looking Ahead[/h3]
The next update is currently in production, bringing with it:
2025 will see other significant developments and changes, for example:
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
[h3]Crystal Raiders[/h3]
2024 kicked off with the Crystal Raiders update:
- This overhauled Guild Warfare in Albion
- Added Territory Raiding, allowing guilds to steal Siphoned Energy from their rivals
- This gave more options to smaller guilds, and added tactical depth to seasons
- The first Crystal Weapons were introduced
- The Conqueror’s Challenge was revamped
- Players can earn valuable personal and guild rewards from a wide range of activities
[h3]Foundations[/h3]
Improvements to guild warfare continued with Albion’s second update of the year, Foundations:
- Guilds can upgrade Fortifications in their territories, making them tougher to raid
- Attackers can use Siege Banners to attack these Fortifications
- Territory Activity Chests reward active guilds, but provide a further incentive to attackers
- In the future, Fortification gameplay may be developed further with new siege possibilities, and options for less advanced players
[h3]Paths to Glory[/h3]
Paths to Glory introduced a new achievement system: the Albion Journal:
- This serves two main functions:
- Guides new players through features, and encourages older players to try new activities
- Provides tangible goals for each feature of the game
- Unique vanity items reward progress
- These are non-tradable, so act as a genuine mark of achievement
This update also overhauled the Roads of Avalon:
- Activities and rewards were rebalanced
- New activities were added, like Tracking
- As a result, activity in the Roads has increased significantly
[h3]Horizons[/h3]
The last update of 2024 was Horizons, which focused on revitalizing the open world:
- New points of interest were added
- These include Dynamic Encampments, Boss Lairs, Dynamic Resource Hotspots and new Crystal Creatures
- Higher-tier mobs were made more challenging, but more rewarding
- In the Outlands, rewards increase the deeper you go
- S.A.F.E. Portals transport solo players to random locations in the Outlands
Horizons also brought many more significant improvements, like the HUD Editor, Tier 6 Yellow Zones, and two further Albion Journal categories.
[h3]Looking Ahead[/h3]
The next update is currently in production, bringing with it:
- Further exciting additions to the Outlands, such as:
- New small-scale objectives
- New areas for non-guild players to base themselves
- New trade opportunities
- New Crystal Weapons
- New Albion Journal features
- And more…
2025 will see other significant developments and changes, for example:
- Measures will be taken to stabilize the Gold market and address high Gold prices
- The production schedule will be revised
- Seasons will be reduced in length to two months
- Updates will arrive every two seasons
- Other topics that may be addressed include Hellgates, Corrupted Dungeons, the new player experience, and Faction Warfare