Even without a "weight" system, it would be inaccurate to assume that the inventory space is unlimited. We will be evaluating the balance of available inventory slots when the game is in fully playable form in order to figure out the correct ratio of space.
I would point out that encumbrance is certainly no sure-fire way to get rid of camping/farming. In fact, I can think of many games that had such systems in place, yet are some of the worst in regard to "farmers."
Forums, 12th August 2005 (Jayde)
To make the archer classes interesting, for instance, we want things to be fast-paced, not slow and boring. Thus, they will be firing a lot of arrows in any given game session. Were we to implement any kind of "realistic" encumberance system, such classes would be at a severe disadvantage--as the amount of arrows one would typically be expected to use on such a trip is probably not actually a "realistic" number.
Some games get around this by making arrows/ammo basically weigh nothing... but that creates a double-standard that other people may not appriciate.
Forums, 12th August 2005 (Jayde)
No matter how you stack the arrows, each arrow still weighs a certain amount, and you'll slam into your max encumbrance pretty quick. Historically, english longbowmen could launch an arrow every 5 seconds (at least if they were clout shooting, IE using ballistic trajectories more like artillery then direct aimed fire). That's 20 arrows per minute, 100 arrows every 5 minutes. 100 arrows is heavy. And that's for 5 minutes of combat. If you wanna go hunting with your friends for a few hours, you'd need 2500 arrows... which I'm fairly certain you wouldn't be able to carry around with a realistic encumbrance system. With our fast paced combat I'd expect that we'd launch arrows and bolts even faster. I read of a persian speedshooter who kept 15 arrows in the air at the same time, now that's what we wanna see ingame.
We will have other ways of limiting the amount of stuff a player can carry around at any given time, so you'll need to prepare properly before heading out to the killing fields. While I personally love to to adapt to different situations by swapping equipment, we aim to limit it to a somewhat realistic level.
We will also have items that increase stats like regeneration, hit points etc, but we are aiming to put them in a proper context. If a priest wears a Symbol of Mitra around his neck, it could inspire him to ignore lesser wounds, if a Cimmerian warrior wields an ancient Atlantean blade, it would make him feel stronger and faster. It should make sense, double the fun that way.
Forums, 12th August 2005, (DaveDread)