Jade Empire Interview, Part One
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Q: How story-oriented will the game be? What are you willing to tell our readers about the backstory and the situation when play begins?
A: First off, the game will be very story-oriented. BioWare's core design philosophy centers around the importance of story, so I'm sure no one will be disappointed with the story's integration into the game.
The Jade Empire has stood for roughly a thousand years, with dynasties of Emperors tracing their lineage back to Sagacious Tien, the first Emperor and unifier of the Empire. A sense of history and lineage pervades all aspects of the Jade Empire, from the high art and drama performed in the Imperial City to the schools of martial arts that have passed their teachings from times before the Empire was formed.
In more recent years, however, there have been unsettling changes. Two of the Emperor's brothers fell in a battle on the edge of the Empire. Somehow, their efforts brought an end to a crippling drought, but since his brothers' deaths, Emperor Sun has been reclusive and out of touch with the people. A new advisor, known only as Death's Hand, has risen to take control of both the Imperial Army and a shadowy order- dedicated to protecting the Emperor at all costs - known as the Lotus Assassins. Most unsettling though, are rumors of ghosts haunting the world as if they are denied their rest; these rumors are becoming too common to ignore.
