Long-awaited shared-world RPG/shooter Tom Clancy's The Division semi-closed alpha test . So we checked in with associate creative director Julian Gerighty to see where the game is at, and he sent over a few screens of new areas to whet our appetites.

The Division has been labeled by you guys as an RPG. Can you give an example of a particularly RPG-y scenario we might run into in the game?

Is there a finite end to the game's story? Obviously you can keep playing, but...

Will the in-game New York change seasons at all?

Has the game changed in any significant ways since its early days being shown to the public? Any development epiphanies or design adjustments that have made the game better since you initially started building it?

What's an epic, unexpected moment that's happened to you during playtesting that you'd like to share?

What does the late-game/end-game content look like? Can we expect raid-type events, a la Destiny?

The key to our RPG experience are the choices around weapons, skills, talents and mods. Do you want to build yourself out as a particularly lethal long range sniper agent who is able to push forward in that one challenging late game mission or are you going to step in the shoes of a healer with your group to make sure that your entire squad makes it? These decisions, as well as the progression choices behind the equipment involved, make The Division stand out in the Clancy line up.The game was never built to have a final end credit roll type of sequence and one of our challenges was to have a compelling story while proposing a completely open world with a non-linear structure. That said, there is a conclusion to our narrative journey.We have dynamic weather and time of day, so while we stay in a winter setting you’ll be able to see sunny blue skies and be caught in a snow blizzard.One specific thing that comes to mind is the Base of Operations. It used to be an optional side activity in the open world but we discovered that it acted as a natural home for players. We decided to boost its importance for the player and now you can find it in the center the game.Easy one! The first time I found a Cleaner in the game. We were playing co-op in one of our early playtests and we saw the evil looking Cleaners. I remember the VOIP conversation going. “Hey, the Cleaners are in the game. Let me just try to… OH MY GOD. FLAME THROWERS!!!”Ever increasing difficulty in encounters and missions are central to the experience but the centerpiece is the Dark Zone where you will be competing at the highest level for the best equipment in the game, not only against the factions but also against other players.

Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s Executive Editor of Previews and Xbox Guru-in-Chief. Follow him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan , catch him on Podcast Unlocked , and drop-ship him Taylor Ham sandwiches from New Jersey whenever possible.