Benjamin's Insights on MOBA vs. RTS: Evony's Cross-Time Generals vs. LoL's Lulu

Many Evony veterans know that one of the core features of Evony is the Generals gameplay, which allows players to recruit a variety of well-known historical figures from across time and space, such as King Arthur, Napoleon, and Abraham Lincoln, as well as famous Chinese and Japanese figures like Wu Zetian and Nobunaga Oda. The generals' differing skill sets enhance the immersive experience and fun for players. Today, we focus on the character design features of two different types of games—Evony's generals and League of Legends' Lulu.

Evony is a real-time strategy game set in the Middle Ages, where players can gather resources, build and defend cities, and participate in large-scale cross-service alliance wars.

The Generals of Evony feature the following:

In Evony, generals can not only lead an attack but also defend your main city, manage affairs in your main city, and oversee your subordinate cities. The game establishes a special skill for each historic general, which indicates the general's main purpose. Each historic general has his or her own unique story, special skill, and general specialty.

Each general in Evony has different attributes, so you need to choose the right general according to different purposes. This requires players to pay attention to the general's special skill and specialty and pair them with the appropriate troop types.

For instance, General Lu Xun can benefit ground troops and mounted troops, while General Mihai can bring buff bonuses to ranged troops and siege machines.

Benjamin Gifford Talk about Development Philosophy in Gaming

Evony: The King’s Retrun published by Top Game Inc.(TPI), Benjamin Gifford, Vice President of TPI, emphasizes that it isn't about spending so much time on perfection, as studios that focus too much on this aspect tend to be overtaken by more agile developers. The goal is to release a great product or update as quickly as possible, gather and listen to feedback, then polish and iterate. This approach allows for quick pivoting if things aren’t working, and taking bold steps ("moonshot") if things are going well.

His entry into the gaming industry was marked by a meeting he had with David Guo over fifteen years ago, fueled by a shared passion for the unifying power of games. His early career was driven by an interest in the confluence of technology and storytelling, leading him to roles in game development and design. His journey has been marked by failures and extreme successes, and he has viewed this as a journey of continuous learning, whereby he shares his experiences to help others avoid his mistakes and leverage his successes to mentor and elevate the industry. His path to a leadership role at Top Games reflects a deep-seated commitment to enhancing the games industry and the gaming experience for all.

“In launching new game projects, we assess market demand, innovation potential, and alignment with our core principles. We identify market opportunities to provide distinct value, prioritizing innovative gameplay, narrative, and technology integration,” said Mr. Gifford.

Character Design in League of Legends

"League of Legends" (commonly referred to as LoL) is an extremely popular Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game developed and published by Riot Games. "League of Legends" was officially released on October 27, 2009, and since then, it has become one of the most popular and influential games in the global esports scene.

Lulu's Abilities and Gameplay Strategy

One of the standout champions in "League of Legends" is Lulu, a whimsical and versatile support mage known for her unique abilities to protect and empower allies while disrupting opponents. Lulu's charm lies in her playful yet impactful skill set that shapes the battlefield in creative ways.

"League of Legends" (LoL) is a highly popular Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game developed by Riot Games. It features a competitive and strategic gameplay environment where two teams of five players battle against each other with the ultimate goal of destroying the opposing team's Nexus, which is the core of their base.

The game stands out due to its vast array of characters, known as champions, each with unique abilities and playstyles. Players choose champions before each match, with considerations for team composition and strategy. The game emphasizes both individual skill and team coordination, as players must manage their champion’s abilities, gather resources, and tactically engage in battles.

Key Abilities of Lulu Include:

Glitterlance (Q): Lulu fires a bolt that damages and slows all enemies it hits, making it a great tool for controlling enemy movements and securing battlefield positions.

Whimsy (W): This ability can be cast on allies to boost their speed and attack rate, or on enemies to turn them into harmless critters for a short duration, effectively taking them out of combat.

Help, Pix! (E): Lulu sends Pix, her faerie companion, to either shield an ally or deal additional magic damage to an enemy. When Pix is with an ally, it also aids in enhancing Lulu's abilities.

Wild Growth (R): Her ultimate ability, Wild Growth, enlarges an ally, increasing their health and knocking up nearby enemies. This not only serves as a powerful protective spell but also as a disruptive tool during team fights.

Lulu's gameplay encourages a supportive role, focusing on enhancing her teammates' effectiveness while limiting the capabilities of opponents through clever debuffs and crowd control. Her abilities allow her to adapt to various game scenarios, making her a valuable asset in team compositions that thrive on flexibility and protection. Her whimsical theme and impactful gameplay make her a beloved choice among players who enjoy a supportive playstyle.

In the future, more and more game genres will feature character designs with more diverse playstyles and attributes, with indie game production and publishing companies like TPI, or the likes of the lol game behind the giant Riot Games. Developers are in greatly competition with each other, constantly improving the flexibility and innovation of their teams, and players will meet more interesting game characters and enter the fantasy world in the process.