Dark age of Camelot includes both Player vs Environment and Realm vs Realm combat. Players can choose to adventure alone or join groups. Players may also join battlegroups, which are formed so all members can get completion credit in large scale PvE encounters and for communication purposes in RvR.
Player vs player combat takes the form of Realm vs Realm. RvR restricted to a limited number of zones where action ranges from massive battles to one vs one fights. Players are awarded points, which are used to purchase additional abilities, by killing enemy players. Participating in RvR combat is strictly voluntary in DAoC and free for all PvP only exists on a dedicated server.
PvE focuses on defeating monsters found in dungeons, the open world, and RvR zones. Players earn experience points towards obtaining levels by killing both monsters and enemy players. Gaining levels yields new skills, abilities, and access to expansion areas. The current maximum level is 50. Expansions to the game offer alternative advancement type levels that grant additional abilities to level 50 players.
The decision to develop Dark Age of Camelot was made in late 1999. The game was released in October 2001.
Dark Age of Camelot offers players a choice of three realms to choose from: Albion, Hibernia, and Midgard.
Albion is based on Arthurian legend, with such notable real-world places as Hadrian's Wall, Stonehenge, and other locations in Great Britain. The races and classes of Albion, in the original game and early expansions, tended to be more professions and peoples of European history and mythology than inventions of the gamemakers.
Hibernia is based on Celtic folklore and the landscape includes lush green rolling hills typical of Ireland. Although the quest storylines, placenames, and numerous game elements are firmly fixed in Celtic mythology, Hibernian races and classes are typically the creation of the gamemakers.
Midgard is based on Norse mythology and its landscape includes misty fjords and pine forests. Somewhere between Albion and Hibernia in its mix of Norse historical figures and mythology, and inventions of Mythic Entertainment. The adherence of the architecture to the forms and design of medieval and pre-medieval Norse architecture is notable.
The races in the game are:
Albion: Avalonian, Briton, Half-Ogre, Highlander, Inconnu, Saracen, and the Korazh.
Hibernia: Celt, Elf, Firbolg, Lurikeen, Shar, Sylvan, and the Graoch.
Midgard: Dwarf, Frostalf, Kobold, Norseman, Troll, Valkyn, and the Deifrang.
