GAMES has taken the opportunity to interview the developers behind the fantasy-based MMO, Zentia published by ChangYou.com.

1. So tell us, what is Zentia and what inspired ChangYou to publish such a game?
Zentia is a charmingly hardcore, 3D free-to-play MMORPG created with a humorous comic script. It offers players things not found in free to play games, like the Jail system, 10 person combat mount, and different ways to gain experience. In Zentia, a player is able to report unfair PvP attacks through the Jail system and train and capture many different mounts from the world's creatures. Zentia's gameplay is developed around giving players more options while bringing the "fun.. back by using a mix of modern and traditional gaming features. We concentrated on what players want and taking out what they don't. There are so many features in this game that it would take the player months to uncover them all.

2. Zentia’s website informs users that there are 8 diverse classes to choose from as well as 22 unique characters to play. Could you describe to us more about the classes and characters?
Any character can play any class which is a lot of fun and allows for a uniquely diverse population. There are 24 characters now ranging from a baby to an old woman. There is even a monkey boy if humans aren't quite your thing.
We have 8 different classes; the coolest thing about this is that each class has a different object or talisman that is the source of power.

Vajra Guardian- Good at short range battle with high defense. They can summon spirits to assists them in battles.
Raksha Warrior - Use magic and is good at short/mid-range attacks. Raksha Warrior trades some of the Vajra Guardian's durability for the ability to do more damage. Though not as specialized as their counterpart, they can still take a beating.
Blade Warden- Expert sword wielders. With strong control skills and high damage, Wardens are excellent solo strikers
Master Summoner- Even more versatile than Blade Wardens, they also have a lack of focus. Their summoned allies can damage enemies while they themselves join in melee combat, stay back and use ranged attacks, or even heal their allies.
Fire Mage- Possess a singular focus and possess the highest single-target damage skills in the game. They can burn down a single target quickly but should be wary of tougher enemies or groups of enemies.
Stormlord- Deal less damage than Fire Mages but specialize in lightning skills that can shock several targets at once.
Divine Enchanter- Possess attacks, but their true strength is making their allies stronger. They can heal them, raise their attributes, and even revive them if they fall.
Dark Revenant- They can heal and enhance their allies, but they trade off some of this ability for shadowy power that lets them hurt and otherwise hinder enemies. Though they are still in a supporting role, they take a more aggressive stance.

3. In this game, Zentia has PvP and apparently a jail as well that goes along with it. Could you tell us more about it?
Non consensual PvP has some unique consequences, complete with an NPC judge who can pass sentence on an overly enthusiastic PvP player. Players who have been killed by other players can go to the NPC judge. Once the judge passes the sentence, the offended player can go the captor and get a wanted poster made. This makes the offender known to all players in that zone and allows other players who retaliate to be rewarded. If that does not deter the criminal, the captors can also attack any criminals entering the cities and apply negative buffs to them.

4. What kind of pets does Zentia offer and how does the pet system work? Can you catch only certain types of monsters as pets?
The pet system is a lot of fun for players. The first pets are given out through a quest. After that players can acquire the pet taming skill. Through this skill they can go out and try to tame monsters to be their pets. Of course the monster will initially resist. If the player has a high enough level there is a high chance that the monster can be successfully persuaded to become a pet. More than 50% of the creatures in Zentia can be tamed and kept as a pet. Pets provide passive buffs, can train to collect gold or experience, and are used for auto-pathing. In Zentia you can see hundreds of different types of pets in the game, anything from a ladybug all the way to a one-eyed, one-armed beast from the Netherworld.

5. There also seems to be mounts that are featured in the game. What kinds of mounts are offered to players?
Mounts are tamed in the same way as pets. In the wild, potential mounts can be distinguished from pets by their titles. A mount always has "king.. in the title. Naturally these are much rarer and more difficult to tame. If a player can succeed, they get either a battle mount or a travel mount. Travel mounts move fast and can get you anywhere in a hurry while pulling only minimal agro.
Battle mounts move slower but they come with their own attacks. This enables a wide variety of PvP and PVE options in the game. I must say it is really exciting to watch a tiger battle a dragon!

6. What sorts of events are offered in Zentia? How long do events usually last?
There are more than 20 different daily events in Zentia. Most of these last about 30 minutes. Players can choose from something as relaxing as "Happy Planting.. to something as brutally hardcore as "War of the Camps... Happy Planting is a delightfully serene event in which players plant and grow items. If they are vigilant in caring for their crops, they can exchange the fruits for prizes. War of the Camps is a PvP event in which players of similar levels are put on one of two sides. There are mounted canons for the players to try to keep control of as well as the enemy flag to reach and destroy. Besides Daily events there are GM run events every week.

7. What features should players look for in the game as they start playing? Anything to be expected as time goes on?
First thing a player will notice is the great community in Zentia. Our players really are the greatest feature in the game. Zentia is a vast world with many things to uncover and fun features. Players also have the ability to customize their gameplay. If you want hardcore game play with epic raids you can find it. If you want to collect pets and tend gardens players can also find that in Zentia. One of the best things to do when you're starting out, particularly when you reach Serene City around level 13, is taming and collecting all kinds of different pets. Just explore around and see what you can find!

Anything else you would like to tell the players before we close the interview?
If you want to have real, honest fun in an MMORPG again, Zentia is the place for you!

Check out the game and more at http://z.us.changyou.com/