Majesty 2 - The Fantasy Kingdom Sim Q&A - Exclusive First Details

By Staff, GameSpotPosted Apr 18, 2008 2:40 pm PT

We get the first details on this sequel to the cult-hit fantasy-themed strategy game.

Majesty 2

Watch Majesty 2 in motion in this exclusive video.

Strategy games usually require careful management of resources as you accomplish your goals. Role-playing games usually require you to play a hero on a quest to gather treasures and slay evildoers. What happens when you cede the questing and slaying to adventurers who go off and do their own thing in the world, leaving you to run the kingdom? You get Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim, the sleeper hit from 2000 that offered just that kind of unique gameplay experience. Now, publisher Paradox and developer 1C:Ino-Co are returning to the game with a new sequel, and GameSpot has the exclusive first details from Alexey Kozyrev, producer and CEO.

Majesty 2 will revive the concept of running the kingdom while heroic adventurers run along and play.

GameSpot: The original Majesty was a charming game that ended up being something of a cult classic. Why make a sequel to the game at this time?

Alexey Kozyrev: Yes, Majesty had a certain charm and was one those games that we didn't expect to play as much as we did when it was first released. When we heard that a sequel was in the works, we jumped at the opportunity to develop it, especially since we had so many ideas and suggestions to bring to the sequel.

GS: Give us an overview of the sequel. What are your plans for the game? Is this going to be Majesty 2.0, or a reinvented game?

AK: Well, we certainly can't be Cyberlore Studios, and as such a long time has passed since the original game was released, you can't simply release a 2.0 upgrade. So, our goal is to reinvent as many aspects of the original game as possible, to bring them up to date, while keeping the charming atmosphere and sense of humor that was such an essential component of the original Majesty. We also want to keep the core concept of indirect control that made the original Majesty what it was.

GS: Perhaps the most unique aspect of the original game was that it took an automated approach to high-fantasy adventures. Instead of going off and slaying dragons, you managed a kingdom where other heroes went off and did the dirty work. How much of this aspect will we see in the sequel?

AK: The whole game will be centered around it. Managing a kingdom and its heroes is the essence of what Majesty 2 will be about. We are also working on advancing the gameplay to improve what made it great. The player's goal is to grow and defend the city, choose targets for heroes, and use magic for their support.

GS: What are the biggest and most important enhancements planned for the sequel?

AK: It will be much more focused on heroes--on their growth and behavior. Heroes will learn to use parties (that lead to "combo complementary" heroes) and even mighty raids. They will be able to upgrade to new classes and gain new skills, and will differ from each other by their look and gear. But the most of [the] enhancements will be in gameplay. We want to give players new ways to shape their kingdom.

GS: Are there any plans to add multiplayer elements to the game? If so, how would that work?

Have fun stormin' the castle!

AK: Yes, you must have multiplayer in Majesty, but it is still too early to say exactly how it will work. We are going to be testing out ideas over the coming months so that players get the best multiplayer experience possible.

GS: Are there any plans to bring the game to any platforms other than the PC?

AK: While nothing is finalized yet, our ambition is to release the game on additional platforms. However, it is far too early to make definitive statements; we will hopefully be able to confirm more on this at a later date.

GS: Finally, is there anything else you'd like to add about Majesty 2?

AK: We are having so much fun working on this game, and our goal is for players to have just as much fun playing it!

63 Comments

  • roupen123

    Posted Sep 6, 2009 7:06 am PT

    cool! this game is almost out.. will be the first one in line to get it!!

  • roupen123

    Posted Sep 6, 2009 7:06 am PT

    cool! this game is almost out.. will be the first one in line to get it!!

  • TripleHumbucker

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 2:38 am PT

    Oh wow! I played the original when it first came out and thought it was such a cool concept. Never knew an expansion pack was released for it, but looks like I'm downloading that when I get home from work. And I am most definitely getting my hands on this sequel! Go forth my minions and slay yonder dragon! What's that? You'd rather sit in the alehouse instead? Well, I guess that's cool too....but would someone go slay that damn dragon!?!?!?

  • Venator_

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 3:06 pm PT

    I wonder how RPG in Majesty universe wold look like... I think this game has a potential on role-playing scene, too. Nice characters, funny monsters, original world... It tcould be nice.

  • hunter3742

    Posted Dec 18, 2008 10:43 am PT

    FINALLY.....it's about time this game got a sequel. One my all time favorites. Thanks Paradox!

  • ggirle

    Posted Sep 14, 2008 3:21 am PT

    I am looking forward to playing this game as the original still has appeal, the not having direct control over your minions/heroes is great and the fact that it is medievil is also great. I love the way you can just keep leveling up hopefully the game will have depth and playability, O would love to see a demo or is there a way to be a BETA TESTER?
    Gamer of 22 years! OMG

  • Doctor_Helsturm

    Posted Jun 3, 2008 9:17 am PT

    I still play the old one, it is such a good game. Hope this one won't be a Dungeon keeper 2 though (imao less fluent gameplay for only slightly better graphics)

  • Feanaro_basic

    Posted May 4, 2008 2:08 pm PT

    Pretty awesome news. I can only hope this development team lives up to the original.

  • Nahtecool

    Posted May 3, 2008 12:20 pm PT

    funny thing is as soon as I found this i installed the old one again better than half the RTS of today

  • Count_MarCus

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 11:09 am PT

    I'll get one!

  • PdPstyle

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 10:39 am PT

    man i really liked the first one, my computer outdates it now though hope this comes soon!

  • thebubbleprince

    Posted Apr 27, 2008 4:21 pm PT

    The original was a classic, Now its being arrived from the dead, this gave me the tempatation to install the original I got some 7-8 years ago. So fun, Will the 2nd one be just as well and better?

  • FAcorp

    Posted Apr 27, 2008 2:32 pm PT

    This is great news indeed Majesty was one the best, I hope that 1c:Ino-co stays true to the original one.

  • slickr

    Posted Apr 26, 2008 8:51 am PT

    Great, another one of my favorites is coming back!

  • nord1c

    Posted Apr 26, 2008 5:29 am PT

    This is absolutely awesome news!
    Thank you Paradox! And while youre at it... Could you take a look in reviving "Master of Magic" as well?
    I also stumbled across a free Online Roleplaying version of the old Majesty called "Heroes of Ardania". Pretty cute, and might help pass the time until Majesty 2 comes out.

  • bigmit37

    Posted Apr 26, 2008 4:41 am PT

    I need to purchase the original it seems.

  • jodamn

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 9:45 pm PT

    The original one was surprisingly unique. I hope this one is just as enjoyable.

  • Razrak

    Posted Apr 25, 2008 6:06 pm PT

    I never played the original, due to reading this and the review of the original game I'm tempted to buy it.

  • dpach

    Posted Apr 24, 2008 11:17 am PT

    cool looks fun

  • seansoutar

    Posted Apr 24, 2008 7:40 am PT

    This looks very good.

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