ZAM talks with the Dragonica Online's head honcho about THQ*ICE's first venture into the free-to-play market. Does this eye-catching MMO have the quality gameplay to back up its recent hype?

Originally developed by the South Korea-based Barunson Interactive in 2006, Dragonica Online is one of the newest free-to-play MMOs to hit the North American market. After its success in South Korea and China, publisher THQ*ICE picked up Dragonica Online and brought a localized version to the U.S. and Europe, where it ran through its beta testing phase throughout the summer.  On October 15, the MMO finally celebrated its official launch with its "Grand Opening" event, offering in-game festivities with the chance for players to earn special reward items.

Earlier this month, before Dragonica Online's official launch, ZAM.com had the chance to talk with Chris Lena, the game's new executive producer. Previously a producer for both SOE's EverQuest and Cryptic Studio's Champions Online, Lena recently made the transition to THQ*ICE, presiding over the publisher's newest and most-important MMO venture. In this Q&A, ZAM asks Lena about Dragonica Online's free-to-play revenue model, the new live events and expansions already in-the-works, and the features that regular MMO players will find most appealing in this new game. He also explains how Dragonica Online's gameplay lends itself to bite-size sessions, and conversely, the large amount of PvP and PvE content available for the more "hardcore" players out there. Check out the full Q&A after the jump!

ZAM: What's it been like making the switch to the free-to-play market, considering your background in subscription-based MMOs? You were a producer on Champions Online, which is definitely a "AAA"-type of title. Does Dragonica Online fit into that same mold, or was it a big change?

Chris Lena: The majority of my experience is in the more traditional subscription model of MMOs; so, to be honest, I wasn't sure how different the free-to-play world would end up being. It turns out that a lot of it is quite similar but you need to emphasize different aspects. Specifically, Dragonica Online as a game most definitely fits into the same family of games that are normally called'AAA.' In the United States, there is still a bit of a stigma with free-to-play games being of lesser quality, but with Dragonica Online, it isn't true. It is a fast-paced, action-oriented and extremely deep game.

ZAM: Even though Dragonica Online is just now coming out of its beta stage, the game has already seen quite a share of updates, with more planned down the road. What are a few things that already have been updated—or will be—since the official launch?

Lena: Well, I think by the time this interview is published we will have already had our Grand Opening event! The game is under constant development, and new features and content are going in all the time. We just released a new high-level dungeon called'Kundaran Dungeon' and introduced Emporia War, a new guild-versus-guild tournament system. We also strongly believe in Dragonica Online being a living, breathing game. To that end we are always doing events and holiday-related activities such as our upcoming'Nights of Fright,' which is going to be a blast! Also, before the end of the year there are new dungeons, a pet system and a lot more coming.

ZAM: THQ is a fairly large publisher in the gaming marketplace; it's interesting that the first MMO released by the company is a free-to-play game. There must have been a lot of confidence behind the THQ/ICE partnership…what is so outstanding about this game?

Lena: I would encourage everyone to spend just 10 minutes in Dragonica Online and you will immediately see some of the unique features of the game. The game is also a bit like an onion; the more time you spend with it the more layers you will discover. Frenetic combat, boss battles, PvP, guilds and all the other features you would expect from a fully featured MMO…and it's free!

ZAM: Most MMO gamers have—at some point or another—played World of Warcraft, which has become  a sort of "standard" for many players. Will WoW players who decide to try out Dragonica Online feel left in the dark, or is it an easy transition?

Lena: World of Warcraft players will not feel left in the dark. In fact, they will probably feel like they have just stepped into the light. One quick example is combat. In your'standard' fantasy MMO, you hit your attack keys in a certain order, and that is about it. Of course, that simple mechanic can be very compelling when you take into account timing, stacking, group combinations and the details of each power, but it is still in many ways passive. Dragonica Online still has the choice of classes and powers like players are used to, but the execution of those powers is active and engaging. You can execute combos, multiple keyed attacks and jumping attacks. The skill sets also have really unique and humorous components to them. The general framework will be familiar. Build your character, get together with friends to take on the boss and get the cool loot. It is the way you get there that is different.

ZAM: Dragonica Online has been touted as a game that can be played "on the side," meaning that it may not be their "main" MMO. Do you agree that's still the way Dragonica Online should be presented; as a more "casually-minded" MMO?

Lena: Dragonica Online can be played in shorter term sessions. Gathering with your friends and running through some mission maps can be accomplished fairly quickly. But like I said earlier, the class, abilities and mechanics are really deep, so it most definitely rewards players for getting in and learning. There is also plenty of content to support your'hardcore' players, which we have our fair share of.

We have never thought of Dragonica Online as an 'on the side' kind of game, but I think how this comment came about is because the game is free-to-play. You don't have to make that subscription commitment which allows for a more casual approach to the game. I know when I have that $15 per month disappearing right out of my bank account, I feel that if I am not putting in a certain amount of hours that I am not getting my money's worth. With Dragonica Online, if I have something going on and I don't play for a few days, then no harm done!

ZAM: But what if someone does want to play Dragonica Online exclusively? Is there enough content in the game to keep players occupied for months—or years—at a time?

Lena: Yes! We have plenty of content to keep you entertained and we are adding more all of the time.

ZAM: Speaking of those committed players; what kind of upcoming content do you have for the hardcore, high-end gamers? Can they expect the "dungeon experience" in Dragonica Online?

Lena: We have just introduced some new high level content with the Kundaran Dungeon. We have more dungeons on the way and also a raise in the level cap, which is now at 60. Also, the way our mission maps work is that at the end you receive a rating which influences the reward you receive. The more serious player should not be satisfied until they get that perfect rating. For PvP, more features are being added including the Emporia War guild tournament system.

ZAM: What's your favorite end-game boss?

A favorite end-game boss? Laloom! Now he is one crazy owl that will give you a beating you won't forget.

ZAM: We've heard some wacky stories about the items and armor in Dragonica Online; is it really as outlandish as people say? Are all the end-game items totally off-the-wall? Can you give us any examples?

Lena: You can't take yourself seriously all the time, and we definitely don't do that in Dragonica Online. What fun is having a high-level archer shooting an arrow when they can be firing SCUD missiles?! Oh yeah, we have our share of the wacky and unexpected. Games are supposed to be fun, right?

ZAM: Since micro-transactions drive your revenue, what are some examples of in-game items players can buy? XP boosts, equipment and weapons—even content?

Lena: Our shop includes a lot cosmetic items and outfits that allow you to look like anything from a pirate to an astronaut. You can also change the look of your weapon to make your wizard's staff look like a broomstick or a street sign. There are also a number of consumable convenience items. We do not put a price tag on any gameplay content. All content is available to our all our players for free.

ZAM: Finally, considering your experience in the MMO industry; if there was one thing you'd point out that Dragonica Online does better than any other MMO, what would it be?

Lena: Dragonica Online is serious fun. The gameplay is deep and rich but never takes itself too seriously. It is like chocolate-covered bacon on a stick; tasty and accessible, yet complex.

ZAM: Thanks for your time! We appreciate the answers!