A: Block Realm is a persistent massively multiplayer game constructed in blocks.  Players use blocks to shape their world and gain power through creativity, competition and courage.

A: Block Realm is a dynamic and player driven world.  The landscape changes through colonization, warfare, and blueprints.  Similarly, as the physical world changes so does the political landscape.  Inhabitants who seek the protection of cities may vote to establish alliances or wage war.  Ultimately, the game provides a physical, political, and social framework to facilitate an ever changing storyline created by players.

A: Building is simplified through optional blueprints which simplify construction of structures.  However, Block Realm is more about the creative, political, and social reasons for building.

A: Yes, you may play collaboratively or alone.  Capitals are populous, player-created cities that provide protection and freedom to explore one's imagination.  Dwellings established in Capitals are safe from creatures and players.

A: Players who build within the confines of a City may explore many of the creative, social, and collaborative without engaging in violent conflict.

A: Players may form factions and through them, build strategic alliances.  Cities that ally to your cause provide resources to accelerate your rise to power.  However, adversaries will check your advancement through diplomacy and warfare.

A: We think that pirates with cattle prods are cool.  We prefer to not limit anyone's imagination.

A: We expect Block Realm to receive a Teen rating from the ESRB.

A: The size of the world is continuously expanding.  As new players join, terrain is added to accommodate space needed for player expansion.  This world is persistent, unsharded (single universe), and shared among all players.

A: Day and night cycles enhance the strategic element of warfare.  However, dynamic weather is planned for a future release.

A: There is no limit on imagination in Block Realm.  However, we're interested in ideas for improving the game world.  Send feedback to community@blockrealm.com

A: No, Block Realm is a continuous, persistent land.  All players live and die within the same virtual world.

A: If you are a City-dweller new blocks may be purchased or traded from other players.  If you are adventurous, the best way to acquire blocks is to kill creatures or participate in faction wars.

A: No, blocks do not age.  Blocks exist indefinitely until they are damaged by warfare or creatures.

A: We are currently evaluating options for plastic, metal, and earthen blocks.

A: Vehicles require specific blocks.  Refer to blueprints and Aspects to learn more about which blocks may be necessary to make a structure float, fly or travel the land.

A: No.  Optional design blueprints simplify construction of structures.  A blueprint automates construction if blocks are available.  Structures already built may be copied to a blueprint easily.  Also, blueprints may be used to fix existing structures.

A: No, just as there is no limit to imagination, there is no limit to what you may build.  However, vulgar structures (Block Realm Code of Conduct) may be censored at the expense of the builder.

A: A benefit of being city mayor is the ability to declare a structure a landmark.  Landmarks are protected from destruction.  It is an honor to have this status conferred to your creation.

A: No.

A: A dwelling is a player's starting position within the world.  Players may customize dwellings freely; however, in order to be considered a starting position a dwelling must have at least 30 blocks.  Dwellings residing within a capital are safe from other players indefinitely.  However, dwellings that exist in faction-aligned cities (not capitals) are subject to war.  Dwellings may cross over but not on public roads.  There is no limit on dwelling size.

A: A player may own up to two dwellings within the same city or separate cities.  It is the player's responsibility to move blocks to establish a new dwelling.

A: No.  However, you may share (and revoke) keys or declare your dwelling a faction asset.

A: Yes.  The High Sea Schooner blueprint is available at the local patent office.  You can also build ships to your design.

A: Yes.  Certain colors are seasonal and available in limited quantities.

A: A character's strength determines the number of blocks which may be carried.  Larger blocks weigh more than smaller ones.

A: Yes, a variety of items are planned for character and dwelling customization.

A: Design blueprints simplify construction of new structures.  Players may transcribe designs of blocks they own to blueprint.  This blueprint may be used to fix a structure or build new ones.  A blueprint is used-up when invoked; therefore, authors may copy their blueprint before using or sharing the blueprint. 

A: No.  Blue prints are an asset that can be used by players. It is a way to exchange building designs, or save a design for later use. You do not have to use a blue print to build a structure. 

A: A blueprint automates construction if blocks are available.  A blueprint shows the type of blocks and quantity needed to build a structure.  Structures already built may be copied to a blueprint easily.  Lastly, blueprints may be used to fix existing structures

A: Blueprints are available from player-run patent offices.  In addition, blueprints may be traded among players.  We are evaluating an option to enable players to share blueprints outside of the game via the Internet.

A: Block Realm has a built-in blueprint viewer to assist players in visualizing a completed structure.

A: If you build an item you may capture it as a blueprint and apply changes.  However, if you were not the original author of the blueprint you may not make changes or derivative works.

A: If you are killed in combat and a blueprint is dropped, it is possible for other players to build the design once.  However, other players may not copy your blueprints.  Only the author of a blueprint may make copies.

A: Aspects empower block structures to perform an action.  An aspect is applied to a group of blocks when they match specific criteria.  For example, a group of blocks with a mast, sail, rudder, and wheel becomes a ship.

A: Yes, objects may be created with multiple aspects.  For example, a block group may be both a ship and a flying machine.  There are trade-offs to consider (increased cost, decreased performance) when combining aspects.

A: A ship aspect requires the following items: mast, sails, wheel, and rudder.  Cannons are optional.

A: A flying machine requires an engine, propeller, and yoke.

A: A ground vehicle requires an engine, and three or more wheels. 

A: No, groups of blocks may be any size.  However, additional blocks add to the overall weight which affects performance and maneuverability.

A: Yes, some aspects support multiple engines.  In addition, player skill determines the performance of an object.

A: Each aspect is uniquely controlled.  For example, a land vehicle aspect is controlled via a keyboard or joystick.

A: No.  The responsibility of building services is incumbent on players.  Aspects are available for patent offices, merchants, and spell/skill shops.

A: We will release this information as it becomes available.

A: Yes.

A: Aspects stored within city walls or a harbor are safeguarded from other players.

A: We are currently evaluating this problem to determine how to fairly disconnect players who lose connection unexpectedly.

A: Factions are groups of players who are allied together.  Players in factions may not attack other players within the same or other friendly factions. 

A: Factions provide protection for players who choose to live outside the protection of city walls.  A faction provides players organization and support to think big and shape the world as a group.  Lastly, players in factions receive notification when a member's structure is under attack.

A: Territory is the aggregate land held by a faction.  The faction that controls a majority of blocks in a geographic area claims the land and may name it accordingly.

A: A mayor may institute a vote to determine city allegiance.  When a city aligns to a faction a percentage of taxes are given to the faction.  Aligned cities may be at risk - which indicates that city structures are not safe from opposing factions.

A: Capitals are large cities that cannot be attacked do to their size.  All player structures within a sprawling capital are safe.  However, cities may be at risk if they are aligned to a faction engaged in war.

Type	Dwellings	Protection	Taxation
Capital	5,000	Always	Yes
City	1,500	Optional	Yes
Township	500	Optional	Yes
Village	250	Optional	No
Province	100	Optional	No
Colony	5	Never	No

A: Dwellings established in capitals are safe structures that other players cannot move or destroy.  This same protection extends to cities.  However, if a city aligns to a faction by popular vote opposing factions may attack.  Capitals may join factions; however, they cannot be attacked.

A: A city is at risk and is vulnerable to attack when it has aligned itself to a faction and its faction is now at war.  Capitals, due to their large size, are never at risk. 

A: An in-game message alerts you when a structure at risk is under attack.  We are evaluating the use of SMS and instant messaging as an additional way to alert players.

A: When you die you are given the opportunity to restart at your dwelling or a faction structure.  Death does incur a penalty - you may drop inventory items.  Skills and spells are unaffected by death.

A: Monsters attack townships, provinces, and colonies.  Damage to townships is limited.  However, tales of block eaters devouring an entire colony are not unheard of.

A: Unlike players, creatures need blocks to survive.  While some creatures scavenge unprotected blocks, other creatures may consider you intellectually inferior.  Conversely, block eaters, while not intelligent, act as a herd and may be considerably dangerous.

A: A faction is neutral to other factions until party officials declare war.  Depending on opposing faction alliances, declaration of war may involve one or many factions.  Cities aligned to a faction at war automatically enter into war against opposing factions.  However, cities may vote to become neutral or join other factions once every 21 days.  In short, factions decide whom to wage war against and cities decide which factions to align themselves with.  A neutral city and its inhabitants may not wage war on other cities.

A:

Type	Terms
Trade Agreement	Members in participating factions enjoy trading benefits at player shops.  Items from distant cities may be purchased locally.  A city road adjoining the two cities is required.
Alliance	Members in participating factions may not attack each other.
Neutrality	Members in neutral factions may not attack other neutral factions.  All factions begin in a state of neutrality.
War	Players may attack each other and their structures in opposing cities but not capitals.
Blood Truce	Factions enter into an agreement to cease fighting for 7 days.