MMORPG New World received a new blog post dedicated to the Mutators system and the design philosophy related to it. Like many gameplay mechanics, Mutators were created through a combination of fan feedback, internal tests, and a desire to create something difficult, yet fun.
The idea for Mutators was born from a mix of internal brainstorms and passion for another genre – roguelike games. World Experience Lead Michael Willette revealed that the team wanted to challenge the community in new ways through tougher Expeditions featuring powerful enemies that can easily overcome unprepared players.
The team considered Mutatoris, especially the Explosive, an effective design choice because players were facing familiar enemies with different techniques. That fresh through familiar design process rapidly evolved throughout development as a result of internal tests. Each test introduced valuable results for the team to further refine Mutators.
Simply spawning powerful enemies isn’t enough to create a fulfilling challenge. Instead, the team strives to push players in new ways that make Expeditions feel fresh:
“So, how do they know when the challenge is just right? Mutator difficulty is like a ladder. Each step up adds extra effects. If players feel a great sense of accomplishment, then that’s a win regardless of their step. The designers are always looking at ways to build these moments up. More importantly, they want players to be able to freely experiment with their favorite roles and find fun, successful tactics for their team.”