MMORPG.com: A Hero’s Journey is by definition a sort of solitary one (if you accept that every player in the game is a Hero). How do you intend to promote socialization and dependence on others to complete tasks? Or do you?

Melissa Meyer: While the professions of Hero's Journey are based on the fundamental roles found in most MMOs (Tanks, Ranged, Control, Support, etc.), our design encourages interdependance just a little bit more. Here's just a couple ways we encourage cooperation in Hero's Journey:

Services

Every profession in Hero's Journey has the power to perform at least one service that is essential to other players. The most essential of these may also be obtained from NPCs, but going to another player will have greater benefits and will likely be more convenient. These services will be entirely up to your discretion to use or take advantage of.

Finding other players offering these services will be easy as well -- players currently offering services will appear as a beacon on the in-game minimap.

Group Hunting

Our special combat combos take two or more characters to execute. But these aren't your typical MMO combos where randomly executed abilities can be combined. Instead, Hero's Journey combos require teamwork and strategy to perform, and result in great rewards.

Alternate Solutions in Quests

Our Quests provide for alternate solutions ... but players must be clever enough to take advantage of these alternatives, and they must also have the requisite abilities to do so. The more types of players enter a quest, the more alternatives and the most flexibility a party will have when solving the Quest.

Master / Apprentice Relationships

High level characters may elect to form a long-term mentoring relationship with lower level characters. Apprentices learn more quickly when hunting with their Masters, and also for a short time later while practicing what was learned. Masters also benefit from the exchange, gaining experience at a slightly faster rate when they’re assisting their Apprentice. All around, Master / Apprentice Relationships are a win / win situation that allows players to help their friends “catch up” if they’ve fallen behind.