InnoGames Product Manager Interview discusses Heroes of History release, development, events, and more

InnoGames Product Manager Interview discusses Heroes of History release, development, events, and more

As a history enthusiast and avid gamer, I can’t help but feel exhilarated by the imminent global launch of Heroes of History: Epic Empire! Having had the privilege to work closely with Lukas Offerhaus and his team at InnoGames, I can attest to their relentless dedication and passion for creating a unique gaming experience that marries history, strategy, and fun.


Unveiling the Latest: “Heroes of History: Epic Empire”

1. Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?

I am Lukas Offerhaus, and currently, I oversee the team responsible for the development of Heroes of History at InnoGames. I came aboard as a Product Manager in 2020 and have collaborated with various teams within the company since then, primarily focusing on aspects like live management, game economics, and product planning.

2. From Medusa to Lincoln, having historically significant names as heroes that battle. A fascinating idea, tell us about it.

We aim to introduce an element of surprise and dynamic interaction into the urban development genre, making the gameplay experience more thrilling.

One way to rephrase the given text in a natural and easy-to-read manner is as follows: In creating Heroes of History, we aimed to add a new level of gameplay to our traditional city-building style. Our goal was to inject more excitement, unpredictability, and active gameplay into the genre, which tends to be predictable and slow-paced. To achieve this, we decided to assemble a team of iconic historical figures from different eras to fight for your expanding empire. This not only met our requirements perfectly but also sounded thrilling and enjoyable.

3. Can you give us an overview of how the development process for Heroes of History: Epic Empire went?

InnoGames Product Manager Interview discusses Heroes of History release, development, events, and more

Last year, we began crafting “Heroes of History.” To establish a strong foundation, we opted to base it on an existing InnoGames title, “Rise of Cultures,” and make enhancements by altering certain systems and incorporating unique features. Essentially, we’re offering a fresh perspective on Rise of Cultures with a primary focus on heroes, battles, and narrative. As a result, players who have previously enjoyed Rise of Cultures will likely recognize many aspects in Heroes of History.

4. I’ve noticed that InnoGames often emphasizes the journey from scratch to building an empire. Is this a theme that you and the players find particularly enjoyable?

Absolutely! In these games, there’s always advancement and improvement. As a player, it’s enjoyable to watch my kingdom expand, especially considering its humble origins. Essentially, my kingdom becomes a symbol – even a token of pride – representing my successes within the game.

5. What features have been implemented to make Heroes of History: Epic Empire unique compared to other titles in the city-building genre?

InnoGames Product Manager Interview discusses Heroes of History release, development, events, and more

One notable feature we have is the “Historical Character Collection,” which stands out as it’s rare to find in city-building games such intricate character development systems or intense combat modes that are equally immersive. We believe players will find this fresh addition highly engaging.

6. How do you see the story-telling aspect as an important part of a game of this genre, since there are characters based on history?

Earlier in our city-building games such as Forge of Empires or Rise of Cultures, we’ve always strived to preserve a sense of historical authenticity. In contrast, with Heroes of History, we’re allowing for some creative freedom. Our playful time travel story serves as the backdrop and driving force behind our empire-building endeavors. This narrative twist also enables iconic figures like Lincoln, Einstein, and Cleopatra to team up in battles.

7. Again, digging on the hero part. Will the skills of heroes, say Einstein, for example, reflect what they were famous in history for in the game?

Indeed! In crafting our narrative and gameplay elements, we aimed to reflect some genuine accomplishments and milestones from our heroes’ lives. For instance, one of Einstein’s abilities is named “Everything is Relative” and generates a perilous black hole in the battlefield.

8. I’m curious about the mention of “ancient cultures” in the game. Will we be getting to see historic buildings and civilizations as we progress?

InnoGames Product Manager Interview discusses Heroes of History release, development, events, and more

Absolutely! I’m thrilled about this aspect of the game. Each week will feature special Culture Events. During these events, players construct unique cities with distinct themes. To kick things off, we’re offering Egypt (with its iconic structures like the Pyramids of Giza or the Sphinx) and China (featuring the Terracotta Army or the Great Wall). We have plenty more themes in store for future updates!

9. What’s the strategy behind monetization? Will we see pay-to-play players getting an edge over the free-to-play ones?

In line with our other games, Heroes of History follows a free-to-play structure. This means that there’s no special content locked behind paywalls; all game content is accessible for free. However, if players choose to spend money, they can make optional in-game purchases to speed up their progress.

10. Might be an early ask, but is there any particular roadmap of updates planned, or will be based on the feedback you receive from the players?

We have lots of exciting ideas to extend the game beyond this initial scope.

Currently, our main priority is ensuring a smooth game launch. We’ve already begun planning some early updates, featuring enhancements like expanding our hero lineup and introducing new events. Although we have numerous thrilling concepts to expand the game beyond its initial boundaries, we’d prefer to listen to your feedback before finalizing any decisions. Often, our most innovative ideas for games emerge from our community.

11. A few words for the players before the global launch?

As a long-time fan of strategy games, I’m thrilled beyond words to finally get a glimpse of this upcoming title, Heroes of History. Having spent countless hours building and strategizing in similar games throughout my gaming journey, I can confidently say that I can’t wait for its launch in my region. The creative combinations of heroes, city designs, and strategies it promises are bound to offer an immersive experience that will keep me engaged for hours on end. So mark your calendars and get ready to join me as we embark on this epic adventure together!

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2024-08-16 07:11

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