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General

1. What is Bloodline Champions?
2. On what platforms will Bloodline Champions be released?
3. Does Bloodline Champions run on Mac/OSX?
4. Does Bloodline Champions have a Replay function?
5. Does Bloodline Champions feature a Spectator/Observer function?
6. What separates Bloodline Champions from other competitive online games?
7. Will the players have the ability to be able to reconnect to a game when/if you drop?
8. Will there be a Single Player mode?
9. Will a practice mode be included?
10. How will you distribute the game?
11. When was the game released?
12. Does Bloodline Champions include Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) support?
13. Will hotkeys be configurable? If so, would it be possible to bind additional mouse buttons to abilities?

What is Bloodline Champions?

Bloodline Champions is a competitive online multiplayer game for up to ten players per game, in which two teams fight for dominance.

Each player can choose between a variety of playable Bloodlines with different spectacular abilities, from the awesome strength of the Vanguard to the deceptive magic of the Harbinger.

On what platforms will Bloodline Champions be released?

The game is using the Microsoft XNA framework which means it will only run natively under Microsoft Windows, but applications using XNA are known to work very well in Wine (www.winehq.org). Supported operating systems will most likely be Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Does Bloodline Champions run on Mac/OSX?

No, unfortunately not.

The game is using the Microsoft XNA framework which means it will only run natively under Microsoft Windows.

Does Bloodline Champions have a Replay function?

Yes, Bloodline Champions has a Replay function.

With the release of Patch 1.2 we are introducing the first version of the Replay System! To be able to store replays you will need a Replay Pass. The Replay Pass is included in both Champion and Titan Editions and can otherwise be unlocked as a separate service for 600 Funcom Points. Saving replays is a direct bandwidth cost and that is the reason why this service needs to be unlocked.

Once a replay has been stored on the replay server you can download it and store it locally on your PC from your profile page. You can't store replays from a Tutorial or Single Player server. A replay stored on the replay server will expire after 7 days so make sure you download the replay to your disc before it's removed! A replay downloaded to disc will always be available unless removed manually. There is currently no support for running old replays; running an old replay may result in errors.

Every player with a Replay Pass also has access to a number of Showcase Slots (Champion Edition - 5 Slots, Titan Edition 15 Slots). A player can choose to showcase his saved replays via his Profile, showcasing a replay will give any player access to download and watch it via this players profile page. A showcased replay will not expire. Additional showcase slots can be purchased in the Marketplace.

When watching a replay you can slow down and speed up the game speed, you can instantly jump between different rounds of the game and you can pause the replay whenever you like. You also have the same camera options as when you observe a game; you can move around freely, zoom and pan the camera with the arrow keys, lock the camera to a player, or enable the smart camera. All camera controls are bound to hotkeys.

Does Bloodline Champions feature a Spectator/Observer function?

Yes, Bloodline Champions does have an Observer mode.

The Observer mode is available for custom games, but not for ladder games due to possible cheating. The Observer mode "stream" is set to be a few seconds after the actual game play.

It is now also possible to observe tournament games.

What separates Bloodline Champions from other competitive online games?

Bloodline Champions is a game primarily based on player skill instead of character level. Most abilities in the game are projectile based; meaning that if your attack hits something it really hits.

There are no miss chances, no critical strike chances, no min/max damage, no chance values at all. This makes Bloodline Champions more of an action game akin to first person shooters, than its' competitors.

Will the players have the ability to be able to reconnect to a game when/if you drop?

Yes, we plan to implement a reconnect system.

Will there be a Single Player mode?

There is a brief Tutorial in which you learn the basics of the game, and there also is a single player practice mode where you can play with and against computer controlled bloodlines (bots).

There is no single player campaign mode available.

Will a practice mode be included?

Yes, there is a single player practice mode where you can play with and against computer controlled bloodlines (bots).

How will you distribute the game?

Bloodline Champions is Free to Play and as such is freely downloadable on-line, with the option of purchasing set packages of in-game content (Bloodlines, Bloodline Skins, Weapon Skins, et cetera).

When was the game released?

Bloodline Champions was released January 13th 2011.

Does Bloodline Champions include Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) support?

Yes, Bloodline Champions has built in VoIP support.

Will hotkeys be configurable? If so, would it be possible to bind additional mouse buttons to abilities?

Yes and Yes.

Community

1. Will there be a Map Editor released for player created maps?
2. Will the game support custom User Interfaces made by users, or other addons/mods?
3. Is there any chance that community suggested Bloodlines will be added (with modifications of course)?

Will there be a Map Editor released for player created maps?

There is a Map Editor that we use internally for creating maps, but it will probably not be released to the public. A community friendly Map Editor may be released in the future, but we will not promise anything.

Will the game support custom User Interfaces made by users, or other addons/mods?

No, probably not. However we might add features & options to customize the UI if we have a good reason to do so.

Is there any chance that community suggested Bloodlines will be added (with modifications of course)?

Suggestions are always welcome, so yes, we will take inspiration from what our players are saying.

Gameplay

1. Can you explain how the Global Cooldown work?
2. What is the maximum amount of players on each team?
3. How does the energy system work?
4. How does the healing system work?
5. Will you implement Resolution balancing or not, as in a higher resolution screen will not display more of the map than a low resolution screen?
6. Will there be friendly fire, as in you hitting players on your team?
7. How does the different camera options work?
8. How does the fog of war work?

Can you explain how the Global Cooldown work?

All abilities initiate a global cooldown when used and the global cooldown is not always the same duration for every ability. The global cooldown mainly exist to prevent players from quickly chaining several skills together and is often very short at around 0.2-0.3 seconds.

What is the maximum amount of players on each team?

There is currently a maximum of five (5) players per team, totaling ten (10) players in a five (5) versus five (5) game.

Though, the game is mainly balanced for three (3) versus three (3) in the Arena Mode.

How does the energy system work?

You gain energy with the successful usage of spells; i.e. the spell must affect a target for you to gain energy. There are many spells that does not count towards your energy however, and most plain buffs won't give you energy.

Healing an ally who is already at full health full health (or maxed healing quota) won't reward you any energy. There are also pure disabling spells that does not yield any energy. In order to cast your ultimate ability you need to fill your energy bar to 100%.

How does the healing system work?

At any given time a Bloodline can only be healed for 40% of its maximum health points, any healing exceeding that amount will just be wasted. Additional healing won't affect the healer's energy.

Will you implement Resolution balancing or not, as in a higher resolution screen will not display more of the map than a low resolution screen?

Using widescreen gives you a bit more vision. but it's a so small bonus we will probably keep it this way as the fog of war function conceals anything but the terrain beyond your immediate surroundings.

Will there be friendly fire, as in you hitting players on your team?

This would require a complete overhaul of the game to be remotely balanced and it will almost certainly not be implemented, due to various reasons like griefing, balancing issues and time taken to implement.

How does the different camera options work?

There are two different camera modes in Bloodline Champions, a locked camera mode and a free camera mode.

1. When using the locked camera mode the camera follows the players champion.

2. When using the free camera mode the camera follows the mouse cursor to a certain degree, granting greater vision over the battlefield.

How does the fog of war work?

Bloodline Champions uses a line-of-sight system similar to the ones used in RTS games; you cannot see enemy champions standing behind walls, trees or other types obstacles.

The sight range is also limited to a maximum range, what you cannot see is hidden in a thick fog like effect; The Fog of War.

Bloodgate

1. What is Bloodgate?
2. Will Bloodgate track player statistics?
3. What sort of "social" features do you have for the in game interface?
4. Will there be a tournament style system with a skill ranking so you can play against high level players?
5. Will Bloodline Champions be room based or will it use a matchmaking system?

What is Bloodgate?

Bloodgate is the name of our community portal through which you access the game, track statistics, communicate with other players, gain rating and climb game ladders.

Will Bloodgate track player statistics?

Yes there will be some kind of stat tracking, but the system is still on a design stage. If everything goes as planned you should be able to see a lot of different information, for example Most Played Bloodline, Most Played Map, etc. You should also be able to see your own stats; Total Kills, Total Games Played and a lot more such as spell statistics.

What sort of "social" features do you have for the in game interface?

There are friend lists, chat rooms, player and team profile, rankings and so on.

Will there be a tournament style system with a skill ranking so you can play against high level players?

Probably not for the release, but it may be added later.

Will Bloodline Champions be room based or will it use a matchmaking system?

We plan to use both room based game lobbies and a matchmaking system.

Game mode

1. How does the Arena game mode work?
2. How does the Capture the Artifact game mode work?
3. Are we going to see more game modes?

How does the Arena game mode work?

The goal of the game is to eliminate everyone in the opposing team before they eliminate your team. You play until one team has won a set number of rounds. So either you play for instance 3 rounds (3-0) or up to 5 rounds (3-2).

How does the Capture the Artifact game mode work?

In this game mode the objective is to capture both artifacts and hold them in your base for a certain amount of time. At the start of each round one artifact is located in each teams base. You pick up an artifact from the opposing teams base by standing next to it for a short period of time, while picking up a dropped artifact is instantaneous.

Use the game mode ability (default Z) to throw the artifact when you carry it, throwing the artifact directly at a friend will instantly make him the carrier and he does not have to pick it up. Artifacts cannot be thrown over gaps and cliffs. An Artifact thrown at the ground will stay in that location until another player picks it up.

Using mobility abilities such as a Leap, Time Shift or Rocket Jump will cause the artifact carrier to drop the artifact.

When a player dies he or she will respawn in the base and the respawn length will increase over time as the round progress.

Pick up runes spawned in the base and in the middle of the map to gain increased speed and/or increased damage for a short duration.

Strategy is the key to victory in this game mode. Split up your team to defend your own artifact while you at the same time are moving to steal your opponents' artifact.

A team scores a point when they have held both artifacts in their base for a short period of time.

First team to reach a set score will win the game.

Are we going to see more game modes?

We are still working on and evaluating new types of game modes.

Lore

1. How long is an Eclipse and an Equinoctial?
2. Will you provide a map for the Bloodline Champions universe?

How long is an Eclipse and an Equinoctial?

An Eclipse encompasses 32 Equinoctials, and would be what we would call a Century. An equinoctial is around 1124 days long, around 3 years.

Will you provide a map for the Bloodline Champions universe?

Yes we plan to craft a world map.

Technical

1. Is your network code peer-to-peer or server based?
2. What are the system requirements for Bloodline Champions?
3. What pixel shader technology are you using?
4. Will the game support SLI/CrossFire?
5. Are you using static music or music that change with the game play?

Is your network code peer-to-peer or server based?

We are currently working with a server based network code.

What are the system requirements for Bloodline Champions?

Minimum:

• Intel Pentium 3.2 GHz CPU (or AMD equivalent)
• nVidia or AMD/ATI video card with 128MB RAM and Shader Model 3 support (GeForce 6000 series or ATI HD2000 series)
• 1GB RAM on Windows XP, 2GB of RAM on Windows Vista/7
• Windows XP Service Pack 3, Windows Vista or 7
• Direct Sound audio device

*ATI X1000 series has limited support

Recommended:

• Dual Core CPU
• nVidia or AMD/ATI video card with 256MB RAM and Shader Model 4 support (GeForce 8000 series or ATI HD2000 series)
• 2GB RAM
• Windows XP, Vista, or 7 (with full service packs and updates)
• Direct Sound audio device

What pixel shader technology are you using?

We are using Pixel Shader 3.0.

Will the game support SLI/CrossFire?

At this moment Bloodline Champions does not support SLI or Crossfire.

Are you using static music or music that change with the game play?

We are currently using static music.

Bloodlines

1. Will there be any non-traditional Bloodlines added at some point? (Summons, transforms, flies, traps/turrets or auras?)
2. Is there any character development in Bloodline Champions?
3. Will the developers listen to complaints regarding overpowered Bloodlines even though the complaints come from inexperienced players?
4. How often are you planning to release new Bloodlines?

Will there be any non-traditional Bloodlines added at some point? (Summons, transforms, flies, traps/turrets or auras?)

Yes, there will be more unique bloodlines which have similarities to the abilities you describe. But we have to be very careful so they don't alter the game play nor the game flow negatively.

Is there any character development in Bloodline Champions?

We won't have a specific character development since we don't want to alter the gameplay. Instead we plan to have a player/account development unlocking avatars and titles, as well as an achievement system.

Will the developers listen to complaints regarding overpowered Bloodlines even though the complaints come from inexperienced players?

Yes of course.

We will try to balance the game so it's really balanced at pro level and still feel balanced for new players. Our primary focus is to balance the game on an e-sport level, but we will put a lot of effort in balancing the game for all kinds of players, both beginners and more experienced players.

How often are you planning to release new Bloodlines?

New bloodlines will be added from time to time but we will not reveal how often.

Maps

1. Will there be a Map Editor released for player created maps?
2. How many maps are there in Bloodline Champions?
3. Are there going to be maps with different max player limitations?
4. Are you planning on adding more maps?

Will there be a Map Editor released for player created maps?

There is a Map Editor that we use internally for creating maps, but it will probably not be released to the public. A community friendly Map Editor may be released in the future, but we will not promise anything.

How many maps are there in Bloodline Champions?

There are currently fourteen (14) maps in total in Bloodline Champions.

There are nine (9) Arena maps, three (3) Conquest maps and two (2) Capture the Artifact maps.

Are there going to be maps with different max player limitations?

The maps come with recommendations regarding the number of players but beyond the 5vs5 limit there will be no restrictions. You can play 5vs5 on a 2vs2 map, or 2vs2 on a 5vs5 map.

Are you planning on adding more maps?

We are adding new maps from time to time.

Pricing Details

1. What's the deal with the business model, are we able to find out what it is now?
2. Is there an in-game store in Bloodline Champions?
3. So this game is both a retail game and has micro-transactions? Isn't that a cash grab?
4. So you will never sell power in the game?
5. Is my account with Funcom or with Stunlock Studios?
6. What are the differences between the different editions of the game that you have planned?
7. So, if I want to buy a game package, where can I do so?
8. Do I need to purchase multiple items to get access to all the bloodlines?
9. I made a mistake with my purchase. Can I seek support to correct or refund my order?
10. Will there be a Retail Collector's Edition of the Game?
11. Will the game be available for all parts of the world at the same time?
12. If I am from the US and buy the game, will I still be able to play with European, Asian or Oceanic players, and vice versa?
13. Will payment options like PayPal or Paybycash be available?
14. Will there be retail game-cards available?
15. Can we expect further development/updates to the game after it launches?
16. What are weapons skins and outfits, do they affect gameplay?
17. What are emotes?
18. What are Advanced Stats?
19. What are Funcom Points?
20. What are Blood Coins?
21. What are Tournament Tokens?
22. What do you mean by unlocking items?
23. How can I unlock Bloodlines?
24. Why is there a cap on Blood coins I can earn every week?
25. What is the extra 10% Blood Coin generation I get with the Titan Edition
26. What is the 10% discount I get from buying Titan's Edition?
27. How often will you release new bloodlines after launch?
28. What new content besides from bloodlines will be released after launch?

What's the deal with the business model, are we able to find out what it is now?

Funcom and Stunlock Studios can now confirm that the game will be available as a free to play game with micro-transactions through an in-game store. The store will hold a variety of items, ranging from additional Bloodlines, to weapon skins, Bloodline skins, and titles.

In addition to the in-game store, a variety of different game packs will be made available through the account pages, containing assorted goodies at a reduced price.

Below you can see a brief description of the free offering:

Free Offering

• Four (4) Bloodlines on a weekly rotation
• Unlimited Play
• Blood coins earned at normal rate, with a weekly cap
• Three (3) Team Slot for use in team matchmaking
• In-game VoIP with audio advertisement

Further down in this FAQ you can find details about the pre-order packs.

Is there an in-game store in Bloodline Champions?

Yes, there is an in-game store where you can buy Bloodlines, Bloodline skins, Weapon skins, Avatars, Titles, Emote (animations) and Game services.

So this game is both a retail game and has micro-transactions? Isn't that a cash grab?

This is not a retail game. The client is completely free. A model like this allows players to pay as little or as much as they would like, and we think it represents great value for the users.

It is important to note that with a system like this we give the players complete freedom to choose what they want to purchase.

So you will never sell power in the game?

No, we are committed to ensuring the game is always a level playing field.

The payment options will just provide players with greater options and more variety.

Is my account with Funcom or with Stunlock Studios?

As the publisher of the game, your game account will be with Funcom.

What are the differences between the different editions of the game that you have planned?

So, if I want to buy a game package, where can I do so?

You can buy the Champion or Titan version from: https://register.funcom.com/buy_blc

Do I need to purchase multiple items to get access to all the bloodlines?

That depends on what you prefer to do. After launch each of the bloodlines can be purchased from the in-game store, using either Bloodcoins earned from playing, or Funcom Points you have bought. It is entirely up to you if you prefer to get access to the Bloodlines that way, or by buying one of the packs listed above. (Additional packs may be added at any time).

I made a mistake with my purchase. Can I seek support to correct or refund my order?

Yes, you can contact support via email at: account@funcom.com

Will there be a Retail Collector's Edition of the Game?

No, at this point in time no retail version of the game is planned.

Will the game be available for all parts of the world at the same time?

Yes, there will be no region restrictions in terms of access to the game.

With that said, at launch the game will have servers in the EU and US, so the gaming experience might not be optimal for people outside of those regions due to latency.

If I am from the US and buy the game, will I still be able to play with European, Asian or Oceanic players, and vice versa?

Yes, you will be free to choose who you play with. With that said, we have not made the final decision about exactly how this will work. The idea right now however is to put players from different regions on the same server but with different ladders.

Example: You can play together in custom games and create teams with players from both US and EU but matchmaking (used for ranked games) will be divided into two regions so either you create your team on the US ladder or EU ladder. It is up to the players to decide which ladder they play on.

Will payment options like PayPal or Paybycash be available?

Yes, in addition to credit cards popular payment providers such as PayPal, Paybycash and many others will be supported.

Will there be retail game-cards available?

Yes, game-cards will be made available through retail. More information on timing and availability will be given later.

Can we expect further development/updates to the game after it launches?

Yes, absolutely. New bloodlines will be added, as will weapons, skins and maps. In addition to the things mentioned, there will be other types of updates and new features, but it is too early to give any details.

What are weapons skins and outfits, do they affect gameplay?

As stated before, we will never sell power.

All items are purely visual, and are just a way to customize yourself and your bloodlines.

Weapon skins and Outfits are purely visual variations to your bloodlines, giving you the possibility to look however you like. As an example, Herald might become a hippie with a giant bong instead of his paddle!

What are emotes?

Emotes are special animations that players can perform when not in combat, or in-between rounds. Examples could be a cool dance, taunting your enemy, or just running around trying to look like an airplane! Funny stuff!

What are Advanced Stats?

Advanced stats allow players to look more deeply into how they perform during battle, giving them a possibility to analyze their successes in a more efficient way. Players will be able to see stats of how they perform with the different bloodlines over different brackets and more.

What are Funcom Points?

Funcom Points are Funcom's in-game currency. The points allow users to purchase content inside their games, and reduce the number of small credit card transaction fees. Items that can be purchased for Funcom Points in Bloodline Champions are new bloodlines, bloodline skins, weapon skins, emotes, avatars and more.

What are Blood Coins?

Blood coins are a game specific currency. Blood coins can be earned by playing games, or through different kinds of rewards. The amount of Blood coins you earn differs depending on how many rounds you win or lose, and also depends on what type of game you are playing.

For example playing ranked games will earn you more Blood coins than playing custom games.

Items that can be purchased by Blood Coins in Bloodline Champions are bloodlines, bloodline skins, weapon skins, emotes, avatars and more.

What are Tournament Tokens?

Tournament Tokens are mainly obtained by participating in tournaments. The better you perform in a tournament, the more Tokens you earn. Tournament Tokens can be used to unlock exclusive items in the in-game store.

What do you mean by unlocking items?

Some items will only be unlocked through the use of Blood coins; other with Funcom points, yet others with Tournament Tokens and some might be unlockable with either currency.

Items can also be obtained as rewards for participating in ladders, tournaments and more. An item you unlock will be yours forever, and bound to your account (not just for a certain period of time).

How can I unlock Bloodlines?

Bloodlines can be unlocked by either purchasing one of the different game packages, or by unlocking them in the in-game store using either Funcom Points or Blood coins.

All Bloodlines will have the same price. Balance is a top priority for us and as a result of that all Bloodlines have the same value.

Why is there a cap on Blood coins I can earn every week?

The cap is mainly to prevent hackers from creating bots that can abuse the system. The cap will be set quite high, so the average player will not notice it, but the hardcore player might do so.

What is the extra 10% Blood Coin generation I get with the Titan Edition

Basically you earn 10% more Blood Coins from playing games!

What is the 10% discount I get from buying Titan's Edition?

It gives you a lifetime 10% discount on the price of all items in the Bloodline Champions in-game store when purchasing them using Funcom points.

How often will you release new bloodlines after launch?

This is not yet determined. We want to make sure that every single bloodline is fun, unique and a good pick in ranked games before we release them. You can expect a few to be released each year, but we will not make any promises.

What new content besides from bloodlines will be released after launch?

There will be new maps, improvements to all game modes and more. In addition we will add new features, but it's a bit too early to talk about them now.

Examples of new content released after launch: New Bloodline (Reaver), In-game tournament system, Emotes, new maps.