Gameplay in Warhammer Online proceeds along two basic tracks.
DateTime:7/8/2009 5:21:12 PM

The PvE and the PvP/RvR areas are the two basic tracks of Warhammer Oline. Of the two, it's the PvE zone that initially comes off as the less impressive. When considered by itself, it doesn't beat the often-elaborate scenarios offered in a game like The Lord of the Rings Online, which is essentially built around a core of questing and storytelling. That, however, isn't the purpose of Warhammer Online's PvE content. The game's PvE is instead designed to weave in and out of the PvP content and offer compelling group-based experiences without the pressure of PvP combat. This it does exceptionally well.

The primary vehicle for this kind of experience are the public quests. PQs are geographically bounded multi-stage world events that everyone within its region can contribute to. Once the event is over, loot drops are rolled for with bonuses going to those who contributed the most. They're also a brilliant innovation, one that we wouldn't be surprised to see other MMOs copy in the near future. They offer all the challenge of a group-oriented dungeon and (in later stages) raid-level challenges in short 10- or 15-minute intervals without all the tedious looking for group or the huge time commitment such content usually entails. On Open RvR servers they become even more enjoyable. At least one competitive PQ in the Dwarf/Greenskin zone (where players compete to kill 100 NPCs from the other side) has become an insanely fun kill-zone that's now a must-stop as players level through the content.