The most recent Hangout of the Avatar focused on the topic of the multiplayer experience that Shroud of the Avatar would offer.

And thankfully, Dame Lori of Forsaken Virtues was able to jot down a number of notes during the Hangout, which she happily shared with the community.

Some takeaways:

Q&A- Matchmaking

1) Will I be able to filter out one individual?

You can block someone’s text, but not block them from view.

2) How does friending work?
Similar to Google+.. You can add someone to your friends list. They will get a notice that you did so. Then they can add you if they wish.
This style may result in people you don’t like tracking you, so they need to experiment with this.

3) Can we change the criteria for sorting the matchmaking?
They will be building algorithms over time as they get players feedback and test results. It is not planned to allow players to adjust parameters.

4) Can I whitelist/blacklist players, guilds, factions, etc. from purchasing from my vendor?
They like the idea of allowing you to only sell to certain groups. They may add this after E1.

5) Can I set a strangers-only mode?
They like this idea, and Chris gives a “why would you want to do that?” example of acting out your cross dress fantasies over by the docks… LOL

6) How can we locate other players in multiplayer mode?
They plan to allow seeing locations of people on your social list. If they are in a non-adventuring area like a town, they would consider allowing you the option to go into their instance.

7) What factors go into matching in OPO?
They are working through this. Factors can be: How long has the instance been open or what is the party’s distance into the dungeon? (they wont let more people in at some point.) Other factors include friends, guildmates, kindred, have you traded before, have you completed a quest together, etc.

8) What is the planned handing of Friends Mode when you don’t share friends?
You will see friends of friends if your shared friend is there. Statistically it should be uncommon for a long string of “friends of friends” to show up.

Click on through to read the rest, including details about parties and guilds, and a couple questions (and answers) concerning PvP.