Steven Sharif, Creative Director of Ashes of Creation, recently joined Jamie Kaos and Anie Lace for a big interview about the game’s current development status. The discussion covered everything from feature delays to upcoming class specializations, giving us fans a good look at what is coming down the pipeline. Here is a quick breakdown of the most interesting updates and topics that were covered during this ~ 1-hour interview:
- Streaming Plans
Steven joked about becoming the top Ashes streamer but admitted that post-January studio work slowed his plans. He hoped to return to streaming soon, though a Super Bowl party threw a wrench in that. Expect to see him back on Twitch this coming Monday. - Dynamic Server Gridding Delays
One of the bigger announcements was about dynamic server gridding. This system, which adjusts server load dynamically to handle player populations, has hit a few technical walls. While delayed, Steven reassured players that it will be up and running before Phase 2 ends. - Content and Story Arcs Rollout
Story arcs and quest chains are being introduced in phases, with heavier, more substantial content expected in Phase 3. So if you have been waiting for deeper lore and narrative, this is something that seems to be on the horizon. - Tank and Cleric Specializations Coming First
When it comes to class specializations, Tanks and Clerics will be the first to get their passives in Phase 3. These passives will augment active skills, to provide more customization in how you want to play. - Augment System Still in the Works
The augment system, which lets players adjust their abilities through passive improvements, is still under development. The team plans to evolve the system based on player feedback, so expect changes as testing continues. - Crafting Overhaul Incoming
Crafting is getting a major overhaul! Apparently, we can expect big changes in crafting recipes, resource management, and the overall economy, especially with the introduction of Freeholds and housing systems. - PTR Access and Rogue Sneak Peek
Steven teased that future Public Test Realm (PTR) access might open up to players with pre-order packages. He also hinted that during his next PTR playtest, he will likely finally showcase the Rogue class. - Player Governance Changes
The team is looking into recall or impeachment systems for player-governed nodes. This comes after feedback about inactive mayors and a general lack of control over governance. - Character Customization Options
For those who love personalizing their characters, good news! You will soon be able to hide helmets and backpacks!
And that would cover the most interesting topics discussed during the interview. Steven wrapped things up by emphasizing the team’s focus on core stability, feature development, and, most importantly, community feedback. As always, Ashes of Creation is still evolving, and while there are delays, the roadmap looks promising!
If you want, you can also check out the full interview in its entirety on YouTube:
Keep your eyes on our Ashes of Creation news section as we get closer to the next stages, and maybe jump by Steven’s next live stream, where we might finally get a glimpse of the Rogue in action!
And if you are curious about the other classes and archetypes coming to Ashes of Creation, or just want to see what is planned so far, check out our post on archetypes and all the possible class combos here: All 8 Archetypes and 64 Class Combinations of Ashes of Creation!
