By Rikke Jacobsen
As the vibrant world of Elvenar reaches its 9th-anniversary milestone, it’s time to reflect on the magical journey we’ve embarked upon together. Over the past nine years, Elvenar has evolved from a mere concept into a thriving community of players, each contributing to the rich tapestry of this fantastical realm.
In this anniversary blog article, we’ll delve into some cherished memories and unforgettable moments from members of the Elvenar team, who share their anecdotes and reflections on the evolution of the game. Together, we’ll reminisce about the moments that have defined our journey and shaped Elvenar into the beloved masterpiece it is today.
Let’s dive into some anecdotes from the Elvenar Team!
Community Manager of Elvenar
“Where does gaming end and love begin? The very question many people ask the world over. For us, it was sharing the common ground of being Community Managers on the same project: Elvenar! When I joined the CM team, I encountered a very helpful CM from another market, who checked in on me regularly to see if I was doing ok, if I needed any help, how was my day, what are you up to now? From there we gradually realized how much we had in common, from gaming to music, to specific niche interests, and much more. Plans were made to meet up beyond the screen and see if we were still compatible and happy in the same space. Then the pandemic hit and like the lives of so many, put the hold button down on everything. But this gave us even more time to get to know each other, and the miles between our countries would soon evaporate when travel was again possible. Fast forward to the present day, we have been living together for a couple of years now, the wedding is booked for May 2024 and our future is bright. All because of a game, albeit a very special one that will always be a part of our personal history, as without it we would never have met and fallen in love – Thank you Elvenar!!!!”
Anna, Product Manager of Elvenar
“I have been playing on my PL account since the server was launched in 2015. One of my favorite things at Elvenar was always keeping a corner of my city just full of pretty Culture Buildings from events, especially ALL of the Unicorns. By now, I have a small herd that guards my city and I am always happy to add new ones to my collection. Just recently, when our community chose a unicorn to be the next constellation for the upcoming Autumn Zodiac event, I felt like I am really working on the right game, full of people who love those magical creatures!”
Damla, Game Designer of Elvenar
“Creating new event stories and themes is a joy for us. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing players enjoy our creations. As an example, designing the witty raccoon was a delight. We aimed to tell a story about a lovable imposter who, though not a bear, wins everyone’s heart. His strength increases with the food he consumes, which is quite fitting for his self-centered nature. Seeing players engage with and appreciate this character has been genuinely heartwarming.”
Linda, Software Developer of Elvenar
“One day we got a notice from Office Management that there was a “surprise” for the whole Elvenar team. We were a little bit suspicious because we did not know what to expect. Honestly, I thought that there were some food leftovers. When we discovered that the surprise was a bouquet of flowers sent by a lovely player to thank the team, we were so overwhelmed (in a positive way). Everyone was super hyped and proud. We were even proudly showing the flowers around other InnoGames members! It was just such a cute gesture. By pure accident, this was also a day that was chosen as a get-together day in the office so in the evening, we celebrated a bit.”
Timon, Game Designer of Elvenar
“I have some fun facts to share with you!
When I was thinking about the world map design of Elvenar, I ended up being heavily inspired by the soccer ball, with the black dots being the player cities, and the white dots the provinces – who would have thought that the worlds of Elvenar and soccer are so closely related?
And guess what, originally, we planned to have three races to select from, not two, with the Orcs being the third race. But we were afraid that this way every player would miss out on too much race-exclusive content… and we were also scared of how this could be balanced fairly between all three races. It was already a challenge to balance e.g. the battle units for Elves and Humans. So eventually, we went with Humans and Elves only.
Hmm… One more: In the original design, Elvenar was planned to be a way more competitive game, where players could attack each other’s cities. There would have been another military building besides the Armories, called “the Guards”, which would help you defend your city. But we decided against this approach in favor of a more collaborative experience and peaceful atmosphere, e.g., adding Fellowship Adventures and Tournaments instead of something like Fellowship Wars.”
As we look towards the future, we anticipate even more adventures, challenges, and memories waiting to unfold in the enchanted world of Elvenar. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer eager to embark on your own journey, we invite you to join us in celebrating nine years of magic, creativity, and community.
Thank you for being a part of this incredible adventure with us. Here’s to many more years in the realm of Elvenar.
Hernan Diaz 
Vivien Redmann 
Anna Sunderbrink