Yearly Archives: 2008

Zu Online Review

Written by Brian Perry Jr., Senior Editor of Onrpg

Recently I sat down and put some serious time into IGG.com’s newest title Zu Online. It is another free to play title (as are all their games to date) that takes a much different direction than any of the others so far. It is a fully 3d title that really focuses on player versus player content to occupy the players’ time which is unlike anything they have brought out to date.

An interesting choice that was made was of the graphics. They decided to use Cel-shading to make the game look and feel more like a comic book. While I am not entirely sure about this decision, I have to say that I am quite impressed by it. Character, NPCs and monsters are all done in this art style. Other artwork in the game such as the flying objects that will move you through large areas of a zone are also done in this style which really makes the game feel like an interactive art project.

As with other IGG titles, the sound could not live up to the graphics. While there was a huge improvement this time, with background music that better matches the areas of the game, it still fails to draw you in. Unfortunately, the sound effects are not even as good as the music which made me wonder exactly what was being considered by the audio engineer that put them in. The longer I played the more irritating it became and I eventually just turned it off altogether and put on my own music.

The gameplay of Zu Online is a mixed bag. It is extremely easy to pick up and play even by someone who has never seen a game before. There is enough variety to keep even the most hardcore gamer tinkering with talent trees and classes to decide which one is the best for their playstyle. With level 300 being the maximum level one can get, there will be a lot to do. Hell, there’s even territories to battle over in PvP that provide a lot of benefits to the side that controls them. Like most games from China though, the grind gets ridiculous. Starting around level 100, it begins to take 4 or even 5 times as long to get a level compared with the levels in the 90’s. I can understand why this is done, but it still makes it quite difficult to stick around for someone like me (who has to play so many different games every week). Most likely this will be addressed through a combination of patches that ease the grind or through item mall items which will boost your exp gain to a respectable level. This still will leave a little to be desired, but hey I can support the idea that selling exp boosting items is good for business.

One surprising element of Zu Online to me was the community. The communities behind free to play games normally consists of a bunch of people who are/were picked on in high school so badly that they need to take their frustration out in a video game or are just total idiots that make you wonder who raised the little devils. With Zu Online though, the community is spread out over three factions that are vying for control, and it seems to bring everyone together. Very quickly I was able to get a guild, level up, and begin joining battles for control of areas. Never once did I experience anyone that was stealing my kills or taunting me after death. I am clueless as to how this happened by I would like to beg IGG to try and make sure the same happens with all their future titles.

Typical of IGG, Zu Online has very low system requirements which lead to smoother gameplay. The servers did not lag much and the game ran at a blazing 85 frames per second for me (though I am running on a dual core, 2gb ram, 512mb video card system). Considering the focus of the game is on PvP when you get to the higher levels performance is a key issue. This is one place that they made sure they shined.

Overall, this was a solid game from IGG. Definitely a huge step up from their previous titles, but there is some more room to grow. If you are a fan of PvP, Cel-shading, or just need something to occupy your next 75-150 hours then Zu Online is a great option.

CABAL ONLINE Launches in North America

OGPlanet Offers Full-Service MMORPG Using Free-to-Play Model

El Segundo, Calif.- Feb. 29, 2008- OGPlanet, an innovative provider of multiplayer online games, today announced the North American commercial launch of CABAL ONLINE, a full-service massively multiplayer online game that already boasts nearly 1 million players in more than 12 countries throughout Asia and Europe .

"The launch of CABAL ONLINE is a huge event for us," said David Hoffman, Executive Producer for OGPlanet. "The beta testing periods were met with a very positive reception, and we’re anxious to watch CABAL’s popularity in North America grow. We’re thrilled to be able to provide an MMO of this caliber under a free-to-play model."

Although CABAL was developed with a subscription-based model in mind, OGPlanet is offering the game under a free-to-play system, consistent with the company’s model. An option to purchase in-game items does exist, but the purchasable items will not be integral to the gameplay experience.
"It is important to us to find a balance ensuring our players the full experience of CABAL Online without paying a penny," said Hoffman. "The items purchasable by Astros, our OGPlanet-wide in-game currency, will give players ways to make it from ‘Point A’ to ‘Point B’ more quickly, but won’t give them any sort of permanent advantage over players who might not have the budget to utilize the Cash Shop. We’re very pleased with the result: a free-to-play MMORPG with everything you would expect from a subscription-based game."

CABAL ONLINE can be downloaded at http://cabal.ogplanet.com/.

About CABAL ONLINE

In CABAL ONLINE, players are called upon to protect the people of Nevareth from an evil entity known as CABAL. Centuries ago, the evil CABAL all but destroyed Nevareth, but the land was saved and rebuilt by seven great masters wielding the ancient abilities of Force Power. Nearly a thousand years later, CABAL has returned, and it is up to players to master the intricacies of the Force Power and use them to save Nevareth.
Set in a diverse environment that includes ice temples, forgotten ruins, desert hideaways, mutant forests and volcanic citadels, CABAL engages players with dynamic quests that tie-in beautifully to the game’s storyline and more than 300 dungeons to explore. With 170 levels, CABAL is conducive to either hardcore or casual game play.

CABAL includes both Player vs. Environment and Player vs. Player gameplay, with some servers designated specifically for PvP combat. An option that allows players to manually attack, rather than auto-attacking targets, provides additional control and accuracy, which is especially noticeable in PvP combat. In a unique approach to moderating PvP combat, players who continuously kill, or "gank," lower-level players will be transported to an in-game jail, where they will wander a seemingly endless maze until their sentence is complete.
Additional CABAL ONLINE features include:

  • An interactive combat system that utilizes combination attacks (precision and timing sensitive) to deliver blow after blow with NPC and PvP encounters.
  • Six distinctive classes of characters-Warrior, Force Archer, Blader, Force Shielder, Wizard and Force Blader-each offering an entirely unique game play experience within CABAL.
  • An in-game downloadable jukebox that allows players to download their own songs to play while they take on CABAL.
  • A fluid fighting interface that brings intuitive and elegant motions to players’ fingertips. Different classes bring unique movements and actions to their character both in and out of the battle zone.
  • All in-game items can be crafted into new items or enhancement.
  • A dynamic character-creation tool with more than 200 options.
  • More than 300 dungeons featuring highly original and challenging quest designs to explore.
  • Magical and mystical unlockables enhance healing, attacking, crafting and shielding powers.
  • Astral cycles and boards allow players to travel great distances in short amounts of time.
  • Hundreds of weapon styles, ranging from blade, bow and arrow, guns, and magic, are available.
  • Supports multi-player Server-Client.
  • A state-of-the-art game engine delivers stunning, high-polygon-count 3D graphics at a sustainable high frame rate, even on low-end machines.
  • Unparalleled special effects: dynamic lighting shading, Z-buffering, particle-based effects.
  • An engine designed and built by a staff experienced with massive network traffic management to minimize any latency.
  • Supports most popular 3D hardware accelerators.

Shadow of Legend 0.7.0.0 Set to Release on March 5th!

If I were a criminal, I would PK everything that moves… especially the newbies, because it is FUN.

Situation sound familiar? Well, not to worry. If you were a newbie and kept getting PK’d, and was just about to quit, your prayers have been sent down from the Heavens… err Focus Groups.

That’s correct. The arrival of Shadow of Legend 0.7.0.0 is finally here, boasting upgrades to the game that stems directly from your active participation in our beta testing. To name a few upgrades right off the bat, version 0.7.0.0 features (1) protection for low level players, (2) smaller file size for a more tolerable download, and (3) a Master-Student system to stimulate team-work and boost experience points.

Anyways, below you’ll find a more detailed list of improvements we’ve made to Shadow of Legend Version 0.7.0.0. Enjoy!

• Optimized the client size (PC is now around 1.7 gbs, while PPC is now around 600 mb)
• The difficulty in required experience for players to reach level 40 has been turned down.
• We’ve improved the user interface, so the controls would be smoother.
• Gifts will be sent via in-game mail to players who reach levels 10, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40.
• Added sound effect when players drag items.
• Players can’t PK in prisons.
• Added new system, the Master-Student system.
• Modified food prices.
• Modified quest rewards.
• Items in Item-Mall have been fixed and re-opened.
• Added new bosses in maps available to level 20 and up players.
• Added an evil guard in maps available to level 40 and up players.
• Low level players now have protection.
• System info, such as announcements, will be displayed on the lower right-hand corner of the game screen.
• A transmit NPC is now available, who will allow players to teleport between maps.

About SmartCell

SmartCell Technology, LLC, is a leading developer of mobile platform technology, mobile applications, and mobile online gaming solutions. Headquartered in Irvine, CA, with a research and development center in Shanghai, China; SmartCell Technology is currently working on Shadow of Legend, the world’s first 2D MMORPG that can realize game play on both PC and mobile devices. More information about SmartCell Technology, LLC and its products can be found at http://www.smartcell.com/. More information about Shadow of Legend can be found at http://www.shadowoflegend.com/.

Update March 5th: Special pet birth

Have you enjoyed your adventures with your best friends the Pets? Would you like to have a new fellow in your battles? Now you have the chance to get it!

Next March 5th you’ll be able to discover new pet eggs in the vending machines around the world of Dream of Mirror! If you’re lucky enough, you will be able to get from them a “special edition” egg that will give birth to one of the new pets available with a different colour skin.
Remember that these eggs will be on sale only for one week! So hurry up and give birth to a new friendship!

Marriages and Navigators: Waygate Publishing Announces Major Content and Software Update for its MMORPG, Legend: Legacy of the Dragons

LONDON – March 3, 2008 – Waygate Publishing Limited, a London-based company specialising in the operation of Eastern European online games for the Western market, today announced the largest content update yet for its increasingly popular, free, browser-based Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game, Legend: Legacy of the Dragons. The update will see 27 new quests, set to be released over the next month, a Navigator function, to help players find their way round the growing world of Faeo, and the opportunity for in-game marriages between players.

New, new, new!
The content update will add 27 new quests, over 50 new items, 10 new monsters, 12 new locations and 6 new NPCs to the Legend. The majority of quests are for both the Magmar and Human races, though some are specifically tailored to the stories of the rival inhabitants of Faeo. The Magmars will find themselves exploring the new territories of Zviglod Brist, whilst Human adventurers will be led to the Berona Prairies. In addition, the contested Isles of Fay-Go will reveal more secrets. Hawken the Forester, Avelius the Scholar and the mysterious ivy-girl Edera are just some of the characters waiting to assign quests to brave warriors.

Navigator
The most significant feature of the software upgrade is the Navigator function which will make navigation around the game world much easier, a vital addition as the areas for exploration grow. Players will be able to select a location, resource, monster or NPC from a drop-down menu, after which a route will be plotted on the player’s map, from their current location to whatever it is they are seeking.

Weddings
The update will include the facility for players to marry each other, an exciting and fun addition to the gameplay which will become operational by the 17th March 2008. Players will be able to buy a set of rings and have their partnership officially recognised by a Consecrator.

The First GMT 00:00 Server for TQ Games

Last week we posted the announcement that Server London of Eudemons Online was transferred and relocated in Great Britain under GMT 00:00. This decision mainly referred to sincere suggestions from lots of European players, saying that it was hard for them to join in-game activities and interactions among each other due to the difference between time zones.

This is actually the first time for TQ to locate its server in Europe for English version, and we really hope this new server can help most European players overcome those great inconveniences. Moreover, based on this desire, we are also considering some similar approaches for other TQ games. For example, Zero Online has adjusted the time for spaceship missions in order to accommodate players from Europe and Asia; Conquer Online is asking European players to vote for their own guild war time through the official forum: http://bbs.conqueronline.com/showthread.php?t=476866.

Players’ fun and ideas are always important for our decision making. We would like to receive more and more suggestions or feedback from our players, and we believe that those changes above are all just a beginning… Cheers for the future!

Angels Online: Events for Beginners

Since more and more players are joining Angels Online (http://ao.igg.com/) everyday, the Angels Online team from IGG (www.igg.com) will be holding two special events to help beginning players.
Event 1: Angel Tutoring in the Lyceum
Beginning players can often feel overwhelmed by all the terminology, systems, customs, items and quests they need to know to be successful in game. The Angels Online team wants all their players to feel comfortable about playing, so the AO GMs are going to tutor these beginning players.
Event Duration:
9:00pm~10:00pm EST (GMT-5) Mar 6th Haniel(1)
9:00pm~10:00pm EST (GMT-5) Mar 6th Nisroc
Event Location: All servers
Fore more information please visit: http://ao.igg.com/news/news.php?aid=544
Event 2: Cheap, Cheap, Cheap!
The Angels Online team has recently released some items for their beginning players, and these players can buy the items at the very low price of 1 coin from the GMs.
Event Duration:
9:00pm~10:00pm EST (GMT-5) Mar 5th Haniel(1)
9:00pm~10:00pm EST (GMT-5) Mar 5th Nisroc
Event Location: Angels Lyceum A
Fore more information visit: http://ao.igg.com/news/news.php?aid=545

Softly kill me in Elf Online

Softly kill me in Elf Online

General speaking, ATB online game enjoys more popularity from female players who are averse from fighting and bloodshed. Meanwhile, it gains players more time and space to develop affection in team work. If you are now hunting for a game of this kind, please look no further. Elf Online (http://elf.happymmo.com) is a new coming cute style turn-based online game; it has caught many young players’ fancy, to the young, no limit will be imposed to the youth in a society flooded with desire and passion, so if one-night stay comes on the spur of the moment, it’s a nature. As for Elf Online, its nature is entertaining people and relaxing people. Following this guideline, Elf Online (http://elf.happymmo.com) has fine designed its gaming system to make players experience more fun through playing game and raising pet. Ultimately, players will get more chance to exchange with others, and then unleash their passion thoroughly.

In addition, here we introduce the wedding system and chatting system for your convenience.

Wedding system: The fate will bring the lovers together even though they are separated by great distance, the most romantic and unforgettable moment is to hand in hand with your loved one to step into the wedding hall and to be a happy couple envied by others. To meet your destined lover in the crowd of the world is always a most beautiful and most treasured experience in one’s life. Join in wedding system of Elf Online (http://elf.happymmo.com) to begin your happy conjugal life.

Chatting system: Chatting is an efficient way to catch others’ attention. You can chat with him or her whenever and wherever in the game. If you make a perfect debut at the very beginning, it’s half done. To add more funny and vivid air to the regular chatting, system has set kinds of expression icon in the dialog box, which can ease atmosphere and draw closer to each other.

OK, action speaks louder than words, please login the game as quickly as possible for the sake of love.

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

Riding on the Phoenix

[Shanghai, March 1, 2008] Are you tired of walking everywhere? As a Kung Fu hero, don’t you need a cool mount to aid you in your journey? There are already horses, sedan chairs and even a tiger you can ride… But why ride when you can FLY?

A brand new flying mount, called a “Linglong” is now available in the World of Kung Fu Item Mall! Based upon the phoenix in ancient Chinese mythology, it is a symbol of high virtue and grace. It has great speed, and provides an interesting perspective in the game world. Plus, it looks fantastic! You’ll be the envy of your friends when you mount up on to this beautiful creature! Join us today and take a ride on a Linglong! You won’t regret it!

About VestGame Entertainment
VestGame Entertainment is the North American publisher of “World of Kung Fu”, a fully 3D massively multiplayer online game distinguished by its unique gameplay, beautiful graphics, and exotic storyline. VGE is headquartered in Shanghai, China, and it registered in the United States as a Delaware Corporation. More about the company can be found at http://www.vestgame.com.

For much more information about the North American version of “World of Kung Fu” including tutorials, forums, screenshots and downloads, please visit http://www,worldofkungfu.com .

When happiness and gifts go together, what’s the next?

When happiness and gifts go together, what’s the next?
New week is coming, Elf Online (http://elf.happymmo.com) have prepared something new for you this week. On Tuesday night from EST 7:00 pm to EST 10:00 pm Elf Online (http://elf.happymmo.com ) Happy Carnival for this week is waiting for you.

Happy Carnival: Happy Carnival is consisted of a series of such events as the carnival, treasure box fall and hatch the golden egg. Players could take part in the game in a relaxed way with lots of rewards and experience for prize.

1. Carnival
When the carnival begins, players could go to the guide in each city- Carefree Village, Wulong Village and Dragon City to apply for joining the carnival. You will get some quests from the guide when you apply for participation. Every 10 quests is a round, for each quest you finished, Exp and coins will be granted. When you finish up to 6 quests in a round, you will be granted quest credits, with the credits, you may exchange for golden eggs.
Requirement: Solo or team, each participant should above level 20.
Rewards: For each round, players will be rewarded 1 happy fruit, after using it you will get 1000 SP. Furthermore, there is some possibility to gain extra rewards such as common eggs for teleport and treasure boxes.

2. Treasure box fall
System will recode the number of player who participate the carnival in each city. The quantity of quests player finished and the number of players participated will affect the heat of the carnival of that city. When the heat reach 2000, or the multiple of 2000, some treasure boxes will fall from the sky. After the quest is finished, 80 treasure boxes will drop from the sky in the city with the highest heat.
Requirement: The treasure box fallen in one city could only be collected by player who participates the carnival in that city.
Reward: Happy fruit, Treasure, Exp.

3. Hatch Golden Egg
You may go to the guide in each city to exchange golden egg with every 15 credits could exchange for 1 golden egg. When you get 30 credits and 4 eggs, you could hatch the golden egg. When the egg is hatched, you have some possibility to get rare pets, Exp or gold powder.

Come on, let’s join in now, to be a happy elf in Elf Online (http://elf.happymmo.com ).
For more details about Elf Online, please visit: http://elf.happymmo.com/game/