Yearly Archives: 2008

Interview with Outspark

Questions by Brian Perry Jr.
Answered by Ryan Olson, Outspark Marketing Coordinator


Onrpg: Outspark has now launched three titles. Can you give us a brief rundown of each?

Outspark’s first game, Fiesta, is a free MMORPG set in the vibrant and colorful world of Isya. Featuring dynamic in-game events, player-versus-player content, professions, plenty of quests, friendly game masters and an engaging community of players. Play as a fighter, mage, cleric or archer, make friends and help save the world!  

Outspark’s second game, Secret of the Solstice, is a free multiplayer online role-playing game set in the beautiful land of Xen. With hundreds of gorgeous environments, fanciful creatures, plenty of quests and a classic feel, Secret of the Solstice invites players to create a character and explore its richly-detailed world.

Both Fiesta and Secret of the Solstice feature dynamic daily in-game events run by Outspark game masters. Monster battles, scavenger hunts, dance contests and themed holiday events are just a few examples of the great content being created each day for our players, and these gatherings offer a chance to meet other players, socialize, have fun and even earn experience or treasure.

Outspark’s third game, Bread ‘n Butter, is a collection of Flash mini-games played entirely within your internet browser. Build the best bakery in town with help from Benji and his friends! Gather ingredients, learn new recipes, customize your store and earn some extra “dough” as you create delectable treats for your hungry customers.

All Outspark games are completely free to play and feature premium items available for purchase with SparkCash. New outfits, health and mana potions, leveling packs, experience boosters and more can be purchased for Fiesta and Secret of the Solstice, while Bread ‘n Butter players can buy accessories for their bakeries and new mini-games offering tasty ingredients used to craft even more baked goods.


Onrpg: On top of the games released, Outspark announced a rather large investment was made in the company. Where did this come from and why was it done?

In January we announced a Series B investment from Tencent Holdings, China’s largest and most popular internet portal offering games, instant messaging, internet search and more. Outspark is working hard to build an exciting and engaging virtual playground where visitors can hang out and have fun, and we’re always looking to partner with great companies possessing similar drive, expertise and vision.


Onrpg: What are some of the immediate plans being made to utilize this cash infusion?

Outspark will use the investment to expand our virtual playground by adding even more great games. We’re also working on quite a few cool features for our web site that will make it even easier for visitors to learn more about our games, join the fun and express themselves online.


Onrpg: Over time, what will this investment mean to both the company and the various players who play your games?

Good question. Our partnership with Tencent will benefit both Outspark and the members of our community in a number of ways. The investment obviously helps us continue to source great games from talented development teams around the world, and we look forward to exploring additional ways to collaborate with Tencent’s talented staff. Their deep understanding of online communities and multiplayer games meshes well with our concept of the future of online entertainment.


Onrpg: Has this investment changed the types of games you are looking to publish?

Not at all; Outspark remains focused on bringing the highest-quality multiplayer social online games to our community and our partnership with Tencent will help us continue to do that. We keep scouring the globe for talented game developers interested in connecting with our player community.


Onrpg: Are there any games you are ready to discuss that are coming soon?

We’re currently talking with a number of different partners about potential new games for our virtual playground. We can’t announce any details about upcoming titles just yet, but stay tuned. More great games are definitely on the way.


Onrpg: Recently, two separate companies have announced partnerships with publishers to allow Real Money Transactions (RMT) in their games, with a portion of the profits going to the publisher. What is Outspark’s opinion on this, and is it something that would be considered?

The subject of real-money transactions is a popular topic in the media and one that has been brought up by members of our community as well. We’ve also discussed the subject with our developer partners. While Outspark wants to provide game and web site features that align with the desires of our players, we also have to be sensitive to a number of issues including security and potential effects on our in-game economy.

Gala-Net Announces the Release of Tales Runner in North America

Sunnyvale, Calif. –March 12, 2008- Gala-Net has announced that it has reached an agreement with the Korean publisher, NOWCOM, to license Tales Runner in North America through Gala-Net’s game portal, www.gpotato.com.

Tales Runner, developed by Rhaon Entertainment, is a free-to-play online racing game that offers various types of racing modes. Tales Runner, already a huge hit in Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, offers gamers the opportunity to enjoy running, tumbling, jumping and breaking barriers to get through obstacles. This game challenges gamers’ racing skills while having to overcome obstacles including: ski slopes, alligators, giant boulders or even monsters. Points are given to players for overcoming these disadvantages and for speed.

The setting from this racing game comes from popular fairy tales such as The Frog Prince, Jack and the Bean Stalk, and the Japanese classic, Momotaro. Tales Runner has several modes to offer such as a standard racing mode, a relay race mode, or even a survival mode for up to 30 players. Every type of gamer will discover Tales Runner to be a fun and interactive game. Jikhan Jung, CEO of Gala-Net, believes that Tales Runner would appeal to all demographics, much like Gala-Net’s already successful MMORPG game Flyff. “Gala-Net wants to continue to provide gamers the highest quality services for free, and trusts that Tales Runner would have as much success as Flyff,” said Jung. “Gala-Net believes that Tales Runner has plenty to offer our gamers, and knows that gamers will enjoy their experience playing it.”

YNK Interactive Announces Dates For “Rohan: Blood Feud” Closed Beta

Orange County, CA (March 6, 2008) — Online PC game publisher YNK Interactive has
announced the dates for the closed beta testing of their upcoming massively multi-player online roleplaying
game, Rohan: Blood Feud (www.playrohan.com).

Beginning March 17th, players-to-be that have registered on the website will be eligible to
participate in the popular MMORPG during their closed beta test, which will take place from March 17th
through March 23rd. The deadline for registration is March 14th. YNK Interactive has also announced
that there will be events and in-game Game Master visits throughout beta testing. Rohan: Blood Feud
will be free to play, with the option of purchasing in-game premium items to broaden the user experience.

“We could not be more thrilled to be nearing the launch of Rohan: Blood Feud,” said Jun Lee,
CEO of YNK Interactive. “The game has greatly impressed us all, and we look forward to hearing the
players’ reaction when they see it in March. The fan community has already sprouted and is growing
quickly, and we are listening.”

Warrior epic video

A brand new Warrior Epic video can be found at:
      http://www.warriorepic.com/movies.aspx
This video is a tour of the Faustus Estate, a "haunted mansion" that is full of devilish traps, and dark secrets.  The clip is intended to show off some of the art work going into this realm.
The music playing is some of the actual music used in the Faustus Estate.
In other news, we will be featured in a full spead in Play Magazine’s April Issue. They will have a lot of exclusive content, so check it out.  A limited, Closed Beta Account Giveaway is active in our forums…details can be found here:

http://www.warriorepic.com/community/forums/t/1270.aspx

RTS, WORLDSHIFT thunders in to open Beta!

The cyber-fantasy, Sci-Fi real-time strategy game on PC by RTL Games ( developer Black Sea Studios ), has opened up to players offering Beta testing on FilePlanet (http://www.fileplanet.com).

The players will get to play this fast-moving game with intricate tactical battles, and an epic story as it goes on the way to going GOLD. In WorldShift, the developer has interwoven the best elements of real-time strategy and MMO games to create an innovative and uncomplicated mix that will enthrall both RTS veterans and newcomers alike. The game is path-breaking with unique MMO features and brings new life in to the strategy genre.

We welcome you to participate in the open beta of this real-time strategy spectacle.

Schanz International Consultants, as the exclusive licensing partner for Worldshift is in the process of finalizing publishing partners in each territory ( the title is to released in Germany by RTL and distribution by Activision on 17th April 2008 ).

For more on Worldshift – www.worldshift-game.com

Who Will Be the Honorable President?

An open presidential election is now putting the testers of Magic World Online (MWO) in a dilemma: should one just nominate himself/herself or vote for another player?

Today WMO is undergoing its 1st phase of closed beta testing, and GMs of MWO are sending out words in the official forum (http://mwobbs.enjoymmo.com) that the Publisher, Ingle Games, will finance its Beta testers to establish 4 guilds, two for Dynasty and two for Empire. What’s of particular interest to notice is that these presidents will be nominated from all testers. All other guild positions, including the foreign minister, the production minister, the promotion minister, and core guild members, will be assigned by the president-elect of each guild.

According to the official introduction to its guild system, those who are eager to demonstrate and prove their leadership quality can now have an opportunity to realize their dreams. And without doubt, the players who are feeling the pinch to set up a guild or just being exhausted by the efforts to acquire some certain official position can also find the way out to satisfy their ambitions.

And fortunately, those who have not yet joined game testing can still participate in the election. Thanks to the creative in-game robot, new players can make little effort to reach level 20, which is the minimum requirement to become a nominee for the election.

In this game, guild members can contribute to the development of their guild development by providing resources to their guild. In return, the guild will compensate all individuals with many rewards such as reputation points, experience points, superb potions and powerful weapons. It is a win-win situation for everyone.

Tales of Pirates: Novice Leveling-up Contest

With the Tales of Pirate’s 1 year birthday approaching (March 15th), the Tales of Pirates (http://top.igg.com) team will be holding a fantastic Novice Leveling-up contest in game with big rewards, including the long rumored and much sought Kylin Armor and Black Dragon Torso among others. In addition, there will be some lucky awards for players who aren’t lucky enough to find these powerful equipments.

Contest details:
Time: From Mar 10th to Mar 26th EST (GMT-5)
Place: All severs
Reward:
1st Place: Kylin Armor (1 player) Be the envy of every pirate from here to the West Indies.
Introduction:
Kylin Armor is the most powerful equipment in Tales of Pirates. It can be equipped by level 10 newbie!

2nd Place: Black Dragon Troso (2 players) The famously sleek styling will have you standing out in a crowd.

3rd Place: Chest of Enigma (6 players)

Encouragement Award: Chest of Demonic World (11 players)

Lucky Award: Mysterious Pet Egg (30 players)

For more about it, please visit here: http://top.igg.com/atc/anniversary/contest.html.

Everlasting nightmare in Endless Plain

Everlasting nightmare in Endless Plain

Darkness force is probably about to put a finger or two in dominating Endless Plain and recently, the vanguard of it has arrived. Are they the big threat from Darkness or just some dogfaces in Elf Online (http://elf.happymmo.com/)? Experience in person might as well.

One-Word Brush: Rumor is that, the One-Word Brush was a sacrifice of triangle love and was cut down by the angry man. The poor woman suffered the pain of broken-hand when she indulged herself in writing a love letter to her other man. It seems the prelude of tragedy.

Ringu’s Youngest Sister: Disguised with her big eyes and bloody mouth, Ringu’s Youngest Sister is actually a coward devil. After suffered from cerebral concussion, she was noise-nervous and felt like to linger in the still night. Taking the advantage of darkness and prolonged daytime in Endless Plain, Ringu’s Youngest Sister sold herself as a vanguard here.

Gentleman Killer: Dual-lip pistil seems its sexy weapon and it always walks in boasted beauty. The ones who kissed by it will lose their hearts as well as lives immediately.

Giggly Leopard: Red fuzz distinguishes it from other leopards. Its sharp teeth can tear the adversaries into pieces with high speed. Neglecting its silly and giggly characters, Giggly Leopard is seen as a tough role in the game.

Endless Plain is doomed to sink or swim in unremitting confrontation. All the aggressive adventurers in Elf Online (http://elf.happymmo.com/) should not shrink and withdraw to fight for righteousness.

More information about Elf Online please visit http://elf.happymmo.com/
Official forum http://forum.happymmo.com/

Lottery is now for 20 Times Everyday!

Here comes the good news for everybody!

On behalf of the Cronus, we hereby would like to announce that the NEW lottery system with 20 times for daily lucky draw is available!

Players now can have greater possibilities to get various kinds of eudemons, redstones, or even rare gears with 2 sockets. Of course, there are lots of other surprises waiting for you as well…

So… ride on the time… and take your chance!