Dev Talk: The Albion Journal

Following our recent Dev Talk introducing some of the many different features coming in the Paths to Glory update, it’s time to take a look at the core feature of Albion’s next update: the Albion Journal. Game Director Robin Henkys sat down to reveal what you can find within its pages when the update launches on July 22.

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[h3]What is the Albion Journal?[/h3]

• The Albion Journal is an achievement system designed to challenge players to explore Albion’s many gameplay areas.
• For new players, this acts as a guide with incentives to explore the various activities available in the game
• Veterans, meanwhile, are encouraged to complete the most difficult achievements for truly exclusive rewards

[h3]How does it work?[/h3]

• New players will gain access to the Journal once they've completed the tutorial
• Existing characters will have the Journal unlocked when the update arrives
• It can be opened directly from the HUD, to view open and completed missions
• A mission tracker in the HUD shows your current progress in selected missions
• The missions in the journal are sorted into categories, and each category is further split into subcategories

[h3]Progressing through the Journal[/h3]

• Initial missions in each subcategory are a simple introduction to an area of gameplay
• As you progress through a subcategory, missions become increasingly difficult
• Missions can be completed out of order, even if they have not yet been unlocked – so don't worry about doing something you don't have a mission for, it will still count

[h3]Individual Mission Rewards[/h3]

• Each mission grants a reward which can be claimed directly from the Journal UI
• These rewards include Silver, Tomes of Insight, Dungeon Maps, and more
• Tomes of Learning – a new, non-tradable item – are also available as a reward
  • These grant Learning Points when used
• More difficult missions offer more valuable rewards

[h3]Category Rewards[/h3]

• Completing a certain percentage of missions within each main category unlocks unique rewards
• Each category has a themed Avatar, Avatar Ring, Wardrobe Item with a Vanity Spell, and Mount Skin
• Completing all missions in a category will grant you a super-rare, elite version of the wardrobe item

[h3]Main Categories[/h3]
The Journal will launch with five categories:

PvE:

• This category challenges you to participate in Albion’s various PvE activities
• The Avatar and Avatar Ring show off your prowess in dungeon exploration
• The unique wardrobe item is a six-sided die that you can actually roll
• The elite version is a twenty-sided die with a critical-hit celebratory roll animation
• The mount skin is a themed Direbear

Gathering:

• Includes gathering and fishing missions
• The Avatar and Avatar Ring showcase your key role in Albion’s industry
• The wardrobe item is a powered chopping axe with a tree-chopping vanity spell
• The elite version features awesome visual effects
• The mount skin is a mechanical boar with an integrated barbecue

Economy:

• Focuses on the marketplace, crafting, refining and other economic activities
• The Avatar and Avatar Ring show off your wealth
• The wardrobe skin is a very fancy coat that lets you throw some of your actual Silver on the ground
• The elite version throws even more money away – you can easily afford it
• This mount skin is Albion’s very first Mammoth skin, which lets you get carried around by Black Market guards

Exploration:

• Takes you far and wide through the lands of Albion
• The Avatar and Avatar Ring have a bardic theme
• The wardrobe item is a Lute to entertain you and your friends
• The elite version lets you perform an additional song
• The mount skin is a very, very cute Swiftclaw skin

PvP:

• This category pushes you to fight with other players
• The Avatar and Avatar Ring strike fear into the heart of your enemies
• The wardrobe item is a fearsome helmet which summons a deathly herald
• The elite version gives you an even more threatening aura
• This is complemented by a frightening new Direwolf skin

We'll be adding more categories to the journal in the future, but for now, we wish you the best of luck filling your journals when Paths to Glory releases on July 22!