Artifact Entertainment has designed a quest system to make sure that no two people get the same quest. It will be interesting to see the effect of this system on spoiler-oriented sites. The designers have stated that the combat system will have much greater depth than the current crop of online worlds. However, information on this topic is being kept close to the vest, so few details are known at this time. Since faction standing is directly tied to the death system, we do not know what will happen to a character with a low faction rating at death.
Horizons is set to offer a large variety of weapons from which to choose.
There will be basic melee weapons and well as powerful magically enhanced weapons. The most powerful items will be player-made. When a player equips a new piece of armor it will reflect on the player's character. Weapons and armor will have race, faction and deity checks. Empires of Istaria features a new, licensed 3D engine, the identity of which has yet to be disclosed.