Last week saw some big news for Dungeons & Dragons Online fans who like the MMORPG but hate its lag issues, as Standing Stone Games confirmed an upcoming test for a new 64-bit server for subscribers. That makes the most recent weekly developer livestream much more important, particularly since it brought in executive producer Robert Ciccolini to talk about it.
Ciccolini first confirms that 64-bit servers are expensive to set up and operate, which is why there will be only one server for the time being, while access to it is VIP-only in order to not overwhelm the server (and presumably to offset operation costs). However, if the initial test runs well and lag reduction is significant, the studio will open up free character transfers, but only after a guild transfer service is created.
Ciccolini also briefly talks about the future for these servers, including plans to make it possible to have groups form across all of its 64-bit servers in a megaserver-like arrangement.
As for the test itself, the devs will open up access to this new server via the Lammania launcher and allow players to copy their high-level characters over, then check how well the server stands up to players doing their usual activities like grouping and raids, then will later add a new Lanterns in the Mist event.
This event is described as something close to hardcore mode but completely opt-in without having to shuffle to a hardcore server: Players simply collect a lantern, equip it to a trinket slot, and get rewards for completing tasks with the caveat that the lantern is destroyed – along with all of its rewards – if the character dies. The character will not be wiped out, however, but they will have to re-collect a lantern and start over.
