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I wasn't really paying much attention to this article before since I had made an ass out of myself and u by "assuming" that they were indeed the same. However, after reading this interview with Markus Melching and MMORPG's Jon Woods, looks like the biggest difference of all is putting BBO on a subscription plan rather than using the Cash Shop model thus making the play experience more "level" and satisfying:
Bounty Bay Online: Introductory Q&A
Today, we have added a new game to our Game List. Bounty Bay Online, a version of the already released Voyage Century, is different from its counterpart in a number of significant ways. In this Q&A, Managing Editor Jon Wood speaks with Markus Melching, the head of Yusho GmBH (the game's co-publisher) to talk about BBO and how it differs from Voyage Century.
MMORPG.com:
What kind of game is Bounty Bay Online?
Markus Melching:
BBO is an MMORPG set in the 15th century. BBO allows the player to discover the world as it was known at that time on land and on high seas. The game offers a mixture of action packed sea-battles, land-fighting, exploration possibilities, crafting and economic simulation.
MMORPG.com:
With a number of nautically-themed MMORPGs either already on the market or in late stages of development, what, in your opinion, is the appeal of the genre?
Markus Melching:
The largest difference to other MMORPGs on the market is that you will not see any dwarves, elves or other fantasy related characters in the game. The setting is more related to a historical background. This does not mean that there aren't any mythical creatures in the game, but those are rather rarely used in special quests. The other huge difference is the possibility to explore the high seas and fight in sea battles against other NPC captains or players. This adds a large depth and variety to the game.
MMORPG.com:
How will players be paying for your game?
Markus Melching:
We are offering a subscription based payment model. You will be able to pay with credit cards, bank transfer (in Europe) and domestic cards.
MMORPG.com:
Some people have noticed that BBO looks a lot like a game called Voyage Century. Why is that?
Markus Melching:
Bounty Bay Online is the official licensed version of Voyage Century for the European market. The game was developed by Snail Game in China and is already available in more than 7 countries all around the world.
MMORPG.com:
Can you tell us the differences between Bounty Bay Online and Voyage Century?
Markus Melching:
The Voyage Century you are referring to is operated in the United States and only available in English. Bounty Bay Online is operated for Europe and is currently available in English and German. The French version will go into Closed Beta soon.
In comparison to a game that uses an item mall, all players will have a level playing field. No one will be favoured or handicapped because he is willing to spend more or less money each month. This will make the player community work much better because they all have the same chances.
Because of the payment model, our customers can expect a high level of customer support 7 days a week.
Beside that there are some differences directly in the game...
Fun Items:
BBO: There are no "Fun-Items" in BBO. Items such as giant rubber hammers and water guns are simply out of place and do not belong in a game that is set in a historical background.
VCO: You can buy those items for real money in the VCO Item Mall.
Pet Bait:
BBO: Pet bait that you need to tame pets, is available through special quests created by Yusho.
VCO: You have to buy it for real money in the VCO Item Mall.
Unlearning Skills / Reallocate Skillpoints / Upgrade Bank Vault:
BBO: Those options are available to each player once a month.
VCO: You have to buy "points" for real money that can be spent ingame to use those options.
Tickets for Resource Areas:
BBO: Tickets for resource areas are available through special quests created by Yusho.
VCO: You have to buy them for real money in the VCO Item Mall.
Prison:
BBO:
* If your character gets arrested you can play a mastermind-like game to reduce the time you have to spend in prison.
* You can spend silver coins to get help for the game.
* You can lose skill-points to reduce your prison time to 0.
* Other options will be available soon.
VCO: If your character gets arrested you can play a mastermind-like game to reduce the time you have to spend in prison.
Land Fighting:
BBO:
* You can fight on land to gain experience and level your character in land fighting skills.
* You can do special quests created by Yusho to level your character in land fighting skills. (This feature will be available soon.)
VCO:
* You can fight on land to gain experience and level your character in land fighting skills.
Now, I played VCO for a little big in closed beta with some friends and to be very honest, it was a lot of fun, especially for a "free" game (that is, if you enjoy sailing games). I was one of the idiots walking around with a hoe who enjoyed tending her fields and raising plants to sell/create items from.
BBO is in open beta right now, and you can sign up for it below:
http://bbo.yusho.de/en/Startpage/
During the Open Beta you have the opportunity to preorder Bounty Bay Online at Amazon.co.uk, Play.com or directy in the Yusho Account System.
The (physical) boxes at Amazon.co.uk and Play.com both include 30 days free subscription.
The "Preorder Special" in the Yusho Account System offers 44 days free subscription for just 24,95 € (~£16,94) but does not include a physical copy of the game or a printed manual. You will need to download the game on our website or update your beta client.
After your free subscription time you can chose one of the following subscription packs:
* 1 month subscription: 9,99 € / ~£6,79
* 3 months subscription: 27,49 € / ~£19,02
(this would be 9,17 € / ~£6,23 per month)
* 6 months subscription: 49,99 € / ~£33,93
(this would be 8,33 € / ~£5,66 per month)
I think the subscription system will change this game for the better, so go ahead and give it a try until "Pirates of the Burning Seas" comes out. You cannot hoe your own fields in the latter though xp. Heheh.
As for parents looking for a different kind of game for their youngins that doesn't involved gutting orcs or seducing night elves, VCO at least proved quite a bit educational in that, visiting certain locations would give you information cards about the animals in that region, or info on the history behind famous structures. I answered a question on "Cash Cab" right thanks to VCO!!
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