Hello adventurers! Today we're taking you behind the scenes of the popular series "Forged in Aeternum" from the MMORPG New World. Michael Lovan, Head of Community Videos at Amazon Games, spills the beans and gives us fascinating insights into the inspiration, challenges, and development of this series. So grab a cup of coffee and let's get started!
Inspiration behind Forged in Aeternum
Michael is a big fan of video game history and believes in the importance of historical documentation for future generations. He has carried his passion for developer insights at Amazon Games. When he met Scot Lane, the Game Director of New World, he suggested producing a weekly show - and that's how the idea of Forged in Aeternum was born.
The Evolution of Forged in Aeternum
The series has come a long way since its inception. Michael and his team now shoot multiple episodes at once, regularly highlighting different features of the game New World. The community plays a significant role, with hundreds of questions coming in each week, of which 10 to 15 are answered. Sometimes, Michael takes advantage of gaps in the schedule to try out new things and further improve the series.
Memorable Comments and Biggest Challenges
Out of thousands of comments, Michael has several hundred favorites. One of the biggest challenges in producing the series is coaching the many New World developers in front of the camera. For many, it's their first time exposing themselves to the internet in such a direct way. It's not always easy, but Michael gladly takes on this challenge.
Toughest and Favorite Episode
According to Michael, the community questions and answers in April 2023 gradually descended into chaos, making it the toughest episode. As for his favorite episode, that remains a secret, but what we do know is that the before and after of each episode is filled with exciting moments.
Behind the Scenes and Behind the Controller
Michael spends a lot of time with the New World team, sometimes in meetings, sometimes over lunch. He loves the game New World and has his own personal favorites: his favorite character is Yonas, his favorite scene is the prison brawl, and his favorite event is the Winter Convergence Festival. You can find the complete list of his favorites in our Steam Key Guide.
The Future of Forged in Aeternum
What can we expect from the future? Michael promises that a new episode of Forged in Aeternum will be released every week. He reads every comment about the show on Reddit, Discord, and YouTube and appreciates your feedback. So stay tuned and look forward to further improvements in the series' second year. Until then, see you in Aeternum!
