Yearly Archives: 2012

MechWarrior Online sends out the Call for Pilots as CB Begins

MechWarrior Online sends out the Call for Pilots as CB Begins

 

 

Calling all MechWarrior® fans! MechWarrior Online is heading into the first closed beta this week (fans can register now for a chance to gain access at www.mwomercs.com) and Piranha Games and Infinite Game Publishing have revealed how fans can obtain guaranteed early access this summer with OPERATION INCEPTION: an exclusive MechWarrior Online Founder’s Program that goes on sale June 19th.

 

 

OPERATION INCEPTION will offer die-hard fans of this beloved franchise valuable benefits including: in-game currency, a custom BattleMech (“ELITE” level only), up to a two-month free premium account, a permanent “Founder’s Tag” and more. OPERATION INCEPTION” gives fans a limited one-time chance to secure exclusive MechWarrior Online game content via two ranks:

 

 

$60 ELITE Founder’s Package Includes:

Exclusive custom “Founder’s BattleMech.” This Mech includes a lifetime, per-match C-Bill booster.

$80 value of in-game currency* for in-game item purchases.

Two-month premium account to MechWarrior Online at launch: Earn XP & C-Bills faster.

Founder’s Tag – sets your status apart from the crowd & get noticed in-game and on the forums.

Early access to the game along with Founder’s assets availability starts July 17th.

 

 

$30 VETERAN Founder’s Package Includes:

$40 value of in-game currency* for in-game item purchases.

One-month premium account to MechWarrior Online at launch: Earn XP & C-Bills faster.

Founder’s Tag – sets your status apart from the crowd & get noticed in-game and on the forums.

Early access to the game along with Founder’s assets availability starts July 17th.

MWO

MWO (MechWarrior Online) is a free to play tactical online shooter developed by Piranha Games Inc. for PC. It is the 31st century and battles are now waged with giant, mechanized units called BattleMechs. You now have the chance to become one of the elite soldiers that gets to pilot one of these BattleMechs and fight against other players for control of territory, rewards, and glory! BattleMechs come in all shapes and sizes, so you’re sure to find one that suits your playstyle! So hop on into your mechanized suit of destruction and rain some pain!

Features:

Teamwork Orientation: Teamwork is of the utmost importance in MWO, many times resulting in either a victory or loss.

Information Warfare: Smaller, more nimble BattleMechs can acquire information about other units and positioning, which can then be relayed back to the battle group to correct their own strategic positioning.

Smart Fighting: BattleMechs are designed to so that quick kills don’t happen. Weaker spots on targets should be targeted before going in for the kill.

Is Eudemons Online Going from 2.5D to 3D?

Is Eudemons Online Going From 2.5D to 3D?

 

 

 

Rumors abound that TQ Digital may be experimenting in converting their 2.5DMMORPG, Eudemons Online, into a fully functional 3D title. Going from 2.5D to 3D is a tall order to pull off, but if it’s possible it would definitely be a breath of fresh air for Eudemons. Recently the Eudemons Online dev team has released some 3D concept pictures of the city of Cronus as shown below.

 

 

 

Of course the concept is driving EO fans up the wall talking about the reinventing of their title with this ambitious project. The extra dimension will open up new possibilities in questing, boss challenges, and exploration.oad. OnRPG will be keeping a close eye on the project and bring an updated review of the game should this project actually become a reality.

Core Blaze set to Launch “The VIP Experiece” at E3 2012

Core Blaze set to Launch “The VIP Experience” at E3 2012

 

 

Gamania Digital Entertainment Co. Ltd. today announced Core Blaze: The VIP Experience – a private press demo day taking place on Thursday, June 7th, to showcase their open-world action MMO game for the first time ever on US soil. In Core Blaze, players define their roles and skillset by equipping weapons, interacting with, and adapting to a dynamic in-game environment. This invite-only VIP event will bring some of the greatest elements out of Core Blaze and into the real world at loftSEVEN in downtown Los Angeles. A special teaser trailer for the event was released today so check it out HERE!

 

 

A new gameplay demo was created exclusively for the VIP Experience and will give lucky previewers hands-on access to never-before-seen content, like intense multiplayer co-op and battle modes, and new instances with new missions and bosses across every corner of the game’s vast, vivid world. Following its world premiere at the 2011 Gamania Game Show in Taiwan, Core Blaze received an unexpected amount of positive feedback from US and European press. Taking heed, Gamania promptly expanded their original gameplan and began localization for an English-language version of Core Blaze.

 

 

Core Blaze: The VIP Experience will give reporters a break from the busy show floor, as they relax in plush demo pods and become fully immersed in their ever-changing surroundings. Appointments may be limited, but Gamania is coming in full force –- the venue will be transformed beyond belief, designed to reflect in-game aesthetics like changing weather patterns and situational gameplay. The event will also feature a Core Blaze concept art gallery, cosplay, cocktails, finger foods, gigantic weaponry and other undisclosed forms of awesome, with transportation provided from the Los Angeles Convention Center (or downtown hotels) to loftSEVEN for all registered attendees.

 

 

Core Blaze is a new action MMO game currently in development by Gamania Digital Entertainment Co. Ltd. In Core Blaze, there is no set class system, so the weapon a player wields determines their skillset and role in battle. Quests respond to each character’s actions, allowing them to create their own unique story, and environmental paths and NPC dialogue are affected by weather and time of day, adding to a distinctive gaming experience. Slated for official launch in 2013, Core Blaze utilizes the Unreal Engine 3 to create a beautifully vivid world for players to interact with.

EVE Online: Inferno Now Available

EVE Online: Inferno Now Available

 

EVE Inferno

 

CCP Games today released EVE Online: Inferno, delivering the latest war-fueled update to its 9-straight-year growing playerbase. The 17th free expansion to EVE aims to create a fascinating upheaval in EVE’s undivided “sandbox” universe, where entire economic, political and social ecosystems are completely run by players, their imaginations and their actions. The opportunities created by the expansion’s new features and changes are tremendous for new and veteran pilots alike.

 

 

“If you’ve ever had dreams of piloting a spaceship into a full blown Sci-Fi war of thousands of ships, EVE is your game and Inferno your expansion. Or, if you’ve been skirting the edges of conflict for years, there are going to be some pretty compelling reasons to put your hull at risk,” says Jon Lander, Senior Producer of EVE Online.

 

 

The recently released EVE Online: Inferno trailer illustrates the wealth of features, amazing new graphical effects and new support for mercenary gameplay in a universe full of explosions and profit.

 

EVE Inferno

 

 

Key features of EVE Online: Inferno include:

 

Missiles and Launchers: savor every moment from launch to impact with missile launchers and dramatic new missile effects


War Declarations:
reworked systems to help you wage war and keep track of your legacy


Mercenary Marketplace:
pay the best guns-for-hire to settle your scores, or make yourself available to the highest bidders in the most notorious PVP universe in gaming


Factional Warfare:
enlist in a faction and join the entry-level game of conquest with more rewards and deeper gameplay than ever before

Visual Updates: Enhanced graphics on ship models and increased options in the industry-leading character creator

Plus kill reports, unified inventory, 16 new modules, frigate re-balancing and dozens of enhancements to both UI and gameplay

 

 

Check out the trailer celebrating the launch here!

TERA: For the Federation 4 – Outlaw or Hero?

TERA: For the Federation 4 – Outlaw or Hero?

By Darren Henderson (DizzyPW), OnRPG Editor-in-Chief

 

 

 

The day following the tree incident was rather uneventful. After the surprise betrayal of Fadora er.. High Priestess Akia, Platy and I were shaken and knew not to trust what we had seen to anyone. Anyone except Leander, who was noticeably missing from Tribune Adria’s tent. We kept our mouths shut and our head low, and got through the day relatively uneventfully except for some busy work dispatching a tree known as Vekas the Wicked, who had been corrupted by Lok’s magic and grown an unusual taste for pigling.

 

 

The next day we were startled awake by Leander, who handed me a sealed envelope. His urgency was contagious and we soon found our bags packed and a one way ticket to Velika resting in both our hands. He assured us to leave before morning patrol and speak to no one on the way to the pegasus platform. Should we be questioned, tell them we are on official business to gather supplies for Leander’s research. He would fly ahead and make preparations with the Allemantheia Embassy to provide an escort to the HQ from the pegasus port.

 

 

The letter was addressed to Seir, Commander of the United Federation Forces. My eyes grew wide at the thought of meeting him in HQ on a mission from Leander. My Popori curiosity was so strong I thought my hand would burn straight through the envelope and force me to read it, but before I could act on my whim Leander warned that we wouldn’t live to see sunrise if the contents of that letter reached anyone but Seir first.

 

 

Without a moment to lose, we hastily snuck through camp, using the full focus of our soothing presence to not draw attention from the sergeant on watch. Upon reaching the pegasus platform, the girl on duty looked questioningly at us. Before she could ask what was really going on, I flashed my badge showing I was a member of Pora Elinu’s court and stared intently at her. Platy and our drowsy eyed pegasus manager were both caught off guard by this revelation, and within moments two pegasus were saddled and set to fly. She had pulled the Officer Class Pegasus to ensure we arrived asap. I couldn’t help but grin at the thought.

 

 

Seconds later my stomach disagreed with my previous enthusiasm. Our surroundings blurred by as my eyes watered trying to make put the growing outline of Velika’s cityscape. The thought of those metallic walls in no way helped calm my stomach. One wrong step and I might never see the sun again once landing within those walls. As we entered the approach the normetal forged walls rose around me on both sides, and that unnerving unnatural shade darkened the fur of Platy and I.

 

 

Upon landing three guards wearing armor unlike anything I had seen outside of books knew exactly who we were. The Allemantheia Embassy would not have sent humans to escort us; that much was clear to me. Fight or flight instinct raced through my mind, but I knew I was on their home turf and my lance had been destroyed. A third option, obedience, suddenly seemed like the best option of the three. Platy eyed me and we made an unspoken agreement. We were in this together and, as so many Popori before us, refused to give up without a prank and a fight.

 

 

The citizens going about their business shopping and chatting with friends immediately cleared the path as we approached. I knew from their reactions that this was no simple escort we were dealing with. I gazed up into the eyes of the soldier to my right but saw nothing except a hallow shell of a human male.

 

 

The guards formed a triangle around us as we pushed through the doors into Valkyon HQ. We passed through double doors, followed by a personal mail room, and finally through larger ground doors into the planning chambers. I should have known. There was Samael looking even more glum and uncaring than at the “welcoming” ceremony.

 

 

“So, Dizzy the Queen’s little bunny,” he uninterestedly glowered in my direction. I half expected him to spit. “Everyone is asking me about what you did on the Island of Dawn. Well I assure you I have little patience for glory hounds like you. And what have we here?”

 

 

Samael lifted Platy’s face to meet his own. I gazed at the stand-off and saw not one, but two total strangers. Unlike me, Platy didn’t shy his eyes away from Samael’s. He glared straight back as if it was Platy who had come to interrogate him.

 

 

“A raccoon with blood in his eyes. A murderer, thief, and traitor to the city of Velika. Or is that not so, Private Wodin?”

 

 

Just then the doors broke open, with Leander waving his arms and yelling in protest as Seir and three Elven warriors shadowed close behind. I couldn’t follow the conversation but it seemed Samael had been completely out of line detaining me in this manner. Leander explained that we may have abandoned our post that night on the island, but we were integral in the process which prevented a conspiracy by the Scions of Lok’s that would have led to a repeat of the Dawn Massacre, as well as finding proof that Elleon is alive and on the run from the Scions of Lok.

 

 

“What is this nonsense about abandoned posts? I’ve detained these two for far more serious crimes. Dizzy is wanted for forging papers to serve in the Vaklyon Federation Forces as well as directly contradicting the Queen of Pora Elinu. Wodan is wanted for murdering his superior officer and abandoning his squadron in Val Kaeli! They should both-”

 

 

Platy refused to stand idly by and let Samael finish his sentence. He took a swing at him but was restrained by the hollow eyed guards before he could reach him.

 

 

“It was a death sentence and you knew it Samael! We were outnumbered by Argon corrupted Basilisks 5 to 1 and you wanted us to march on their encampment? I killed your petty officer because if I hadn’t he would have killed any of our Popori regiment’s members that were smart enough to make a run for it and save themselves. I took one life that day to save 4. I stole only from the supplies my regiment had gathered so that we could make it back to Kaiator without stopping. From the stories I heard the three closest front-line camps were wiped out completely the following day, and without those supplies we would have been damned right along with them. I refused to return to HQ to report because I knew you would be too pig headed to listen to reason!”

 

 

“Silence this pigling whelp! Throw him into 100 years of hard labor… no possibility of parole.”

 

 

Platy struggled but was no match for the overbearing strength of the two humans detaining him. I could tell the Elven warriors were eying Leander closely for a queue of how to act. Leander and Seir looked at each other for a sign of what to do. Leander’s pleading eyes were met with a smug slow shake from Seir indicating that this was the law of the Federation. I thought through the chapters of books on law I had read as page 12, chapter 18 of The Early Federation returned to me.

 

 

“I invoke Queen’s Law!” I shouted as I blocked the door the guards were dragging Platy towards. Seir’s eyes lit up in amusement as Samael’s burned with fire. I knew I had them.

 

 

“That’s an outdated code meant for easier times rabbit. Queen’s Law has no place on the Argon Front!”

 

 

“Queen’s Law,” Leader spoke up, “was the law that bound Kaiator and Pora Elinu to Velika in the early days of the Argon invasion. It is the law that if a member of a race is accused of wronging a member of another race, a higher ranking officer may vouch for their innocence in exchange for putting their reputation and freedom on the line should the offending soldier be caught breaking Federation law a second time. If Dizzy wishes to risk everything for Platy’s freedom, you have no right to stop him. Unless of course you believe Platy’s punishment is more valuable than Pora Elinu’s support in this war.”

 

 

Samael looked to speak, but stopped himself short. He knew he was stepping out of line and motioned for his guards to leave with him. Seir grabbed his shoulder as he exited and forcefully told him he would be overseeing Platy and my promotion ceremony that evening as a sign of good faith to Pora Elinu. He would also assign the Amani to prepare officer standard armor and weaponry for the two in honor of their new position among Leander’s Elleon investigation team. Samael’s lips curled into a snarl and he assured Seir they would speak more of this later as he slammed the double doors open with ease.

 

 

11 hours later I found myself before a military procession, with Platy just behind me. This new armor and weapon was nothing like I had ever felt before. The Amani truly are impressive metalsmiths. As the ceremony came to a close, Samael revealed two black amulets that he placed around each of our necks. The amulets swirled a dark purple and grey and were said to be able to unleash the true potential of a soldier. He assured us we would need it for our first assignment. Effective immediately, we were to fly to Val Aureum where the leader of the Scions of Lok was said to be pinned down in an abandoned mine.

 

 

“Their leader is a dangerous and unstable elf that has mastered the art of the twin blades. He will say any lie to get you to drop your guard. He will kill his own men to escape alive. Bring me back his head or you had better take a lesson out of Wodan’s book and not return at all.”

 

 

Dismissed soldiers.

 

Riot Zone Launches Riotous Update

Riot Zone Launches Riotous Update

 

Riot Zone

 

 

Leading publisher Mail.RU Games begins rolling out the next phase of their their fast paced PVP war title, Riot Zone. Free to play from anywhere without any downloads, the new content explosion started in mid-April and stretches to today; the update includes everything from shop and map redesigns to new missions, increased Commander levels, and plenty more.

 

 

Several game mechanics have been updated, including the Prison building system. Gone is the 20 minute interval, replaced by a 3-hour cooldown for higher level Prisons. This allows players to have more freedom in how their Prison buildings are set up without having to tend them overly frequently. The Camp Bar’s effect has been notably increased, another feature designed to alleviate the casual player’s woes.

 

 

Looking for that extra mid-game boost? Level 20’s now have their own unique quest, which when completed provides players with a 72-hour VIP status. Use this buff wisely! The laboratory is also producing improved versions of a number of supplies, including grenades, medicines, and equipment. All this unlocks at level 20, so be sure to get leveled quickly.

 

Riot Zone

 

Clan Rating Battles have been split into two events, to better determine winners by skill over sheer numbers. On all even dates, clans will be limited to just 32 members; on odd dates, clans may bring their full contingent of 64 members to the battlefield for a true test of determination. This is a great time to prove your PVP skills, as clans who do not control strategic points can earn lucrative rewards.

 


Anti-malaria’s? Check. Food? Check. Adequate equipment? Check. Good preparation is essential in “RiotZone”. Gamers will not only fight for one of the two factions – The Red Alliance or the Coalition of the Crown – but also train their soldiers, upgrade weapons and expand their base. These role-playing elements turn out to be authoritative in later gameplay. Only the coolest strategic thinkers will prevail in numerous missions and PvP battles. “RiotZone” scores with many PvP modes: 1on1, 2on2 and 3on3 are just the beginning. Raids on enemy territory, conquest of resource-rich areas and large-scale battlefields require you to surpass just being a gamer, and ascend to the level of a commander. Semi-automatic fights allow dynamic and spontaneous quick battles where players can bring in a lot of extra firepower in the form of various special abilities.

Diablo III Review: Evil is Back

Diablo III Review: Evil is Back

By Meredith Watson, OnRPG Journalist

 

 

It has been eleven years in the making. Evil is back.

 

 

Blizzard’s Diablo III was released on May 15, 2012 after being first announced in 2008. Diablo III was the most pre-ordered PC game of all time on Amazon.com and it is predicted to sell up to five million copies. However, what should have been a brilliant launch for Blizzard turned into a bit of a disaster. The plan to make the game online only, even for single player mode, has always been controversial, and with untold numbers trying to log in on the release date it turned into a very frustrating experience for most players. Twitter and the Diablo III forums were all abuzz with various complaints and insults being hurled in Blizzard’s direction. These ranged from the humorous “You are not prepared” to the more sarcastic “Come on guys, cut Blizzard some slack. They’ve never released a big game before”

 

 

In true Blizzard fashion, they were quick to fix their issues and all was mostly forgiven by the player base. Diablo III is shaping up to be the biggest PC title of the year and for good reason.

 

 

Customization

8/10

 

Character customization as far as appearance goes is next to minimal. The player can choose male or female of each class, which does seem to be a step up compared to most action RPGs. That in and of itself is enough for this type of game but Blizzard goes one further and adds purchasable dyes to change armour colour. There are 15 colours to choose from as well as the vanishing dye and the All Soaps Miraculous dye remover. With the collector’s edition there are two reusable dyes as well.

 

 

When the player first logs in, he will notice a banner on the character selection screen. That banner is completely customisable. The player unlocks patterns, sigils and decorations for her banner by gaining achievements. The banner is deployable in the game world for show as well as being functional in town as a way to teleport a player to their teammate whose banner he clicked on.

 

 

Customisation isn’t all about appearances of course. There are other ways a player can customise his or her character in Diablo III. One of those ways is gems. While gems have nothing to do with appearance they have everything to do with killing and survival. Gems can add stats, life regen, and/or damage to a socketable item depending on the gem’s colour and condition. Along with gems there are runes to enhance the spells of the player. Each spell has several runes to choose from which are gained as the character levels. With the number of spells, gems and runes there are enough options for the player to create the character they enjoy playing.

 

 

Features

8/10

 

There are five playable classes in Diablo III: Witchdoctor, Demon Hunter, Wizard, Barbarian, and Monk. Each carries their own unique play styles and unique abilities. The player can, through a quest, open up the blacksmith where he or she can learn to forge armour, weapons and salvage. The jeweller is also available through completing a quest. Once completed, the player can learn to combine gems to make more powerful ones. There is also the option to remove the gems from the player’s gear. The gems are not destroyed in the process. It should be noted once a player has a character that has learned blacksmithing and/or jewelcrafting it is shared amongst all the player’s characters.

 

 

Also through questing the player will open up the three followers: the Templar, Enchantress and Scoundrel. Only one follower is available in single player mode but can be accessed in all difficulties. Followers are not available in co-op play and are not shared amongst the player’s characters.

 

 

Multiplayer games are available using Blizzard’s Battle.net service. Players can pop in and out of public games or join up with their friends. One particularly welcome feature of co-op play is loot drops are only seen by the player they are intended for. Another nice addition is that gold is auto-looted.

 

 

Health globes, which are a new feature, are a nifty way to regen health in battle especially for melee characters. When the player runs through the globe it heals the entire party. Having health globes does add to playing strategically rather than just popping health potions one after the other, which can’t be done in Diablo III due to cooldowns.

 

 

There are two auction houses in Diablo III. One of these is the standard type of auction house which requires in-game money for virtual items. The other auction house is virtual items being sold for real world money. The real world money auction house is currently not in game.

 

 

At this time, there isn’t PvP in the game; however, there are plans for PvP at a later date.

 

 

Combat

9/10

 

Combat is fast and furious with many monsters to kill of varying difficulties. Random events and dungeons are par for the course, making the game feel alive. With four difficulty levels available (normal, nightmare, hell, and inferno), there is plenty of room for re-playability. There is a real sense of urgency especially in the later acts fuelled by an aggressive soundtrack and waves upon waves of monsters. The physics of the game are brilliant. Is there anything more satisfying than seeing a monster’s head go flying down the corridor? A lot of things in the world can be destroyed such as barrels, vases, light posts, or tables to name a few. Some of these items will drop gold or experience in the form of a lore book.

 

 

Blizzard rules apply. Don’t stand in stuff. You will die.

 

 

Graphics

9/10

 

Every map in Diablo III is different ranging from dark, dank and creepy, to Moroccan styled bazaars to fiery pits and everything in between with the required ominous settings for particularly dangerous zones. It is a beautiful game full of atmosphere enhanced only by an excellent soundtrack.

 

 

Recommended graphics hardware:

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 896 MB or

ATi Radeon HD 4870 512 MB

 

 

Diablo III will definitely be among the top selling games of 2012, and may even be in the running to take the title for itself. There is plenty to love about this game with exciting combat, a beautiful game world and many clever features.  Weapons glow, things explode, and body parts go flying. What’s not to love?

 

 

Overall score:

8.5/10