Monthly Archives: March 2009

Fantasy Tennis Review: An MMORPG designed on the court.

By Michael Justice (Alphamage), Onrpg writer

The beginning

Once you log in and start to create your character, you’ll be a bit taken back by the fact that you are not in control of facial features, hair and pretty much anything other than the fact that you can be a girl (LunLun) or a boy (Niki). This is supposed to add that feel of “You play a role, you don’t make your own”. LunLun and Niki do have somewhat of a backstory, as do the other characters, but I didn’t really come to hear a bunch of silly biographies of made-up characters, I came to play tennis…

After you’re done having gender issues, you’ll be taken to the tutorial where you will learn the basics and such. It’s all fairly simple, nothing too fancy. Perhaps a smash shot here and a power shot there, but that’s pretty much as far as the game has to go into “advanced” forms of playing.

You’ll notice that there is indeed a level system and a status point system. Neither of these really has anything to do with playing in Basic matches, but they do play an essential role in Battle mode, which I will talk about later.

So when you first get to the lobby and join a game, you may lose or you may win. Some people are just natural-born at this type of thing, but hey, if you like to play the game, it doesn’t really matter if you win or lose.

Hopefully you’ve noticed by now that Fantasy Tennis is an MMORPG. It does have a massive amount of people online and it has RPG elements. Luckily, it’s main factor focuses on gameplay, rather than accomplishments, adventuring and “epic lootz”.

Gameplay Modes

Fantasy Tennis contains a variety of game modes which continue to keep the game fresh.

Basic mode is the standard of the entire game. It is simple, you hit a tennis ball over a net, if the other opponent(s) do not hit it back after one bounce, you get 15 points. Basic Singles is just a straight up one on one match. One screw up usually leads to losing the point and it’s as simple as that. Basic Doubles, however, can lead to some amazing and intense matches. There might be one person at the net and one person at the back or both people might be in the middle, who knows. It is a battle of wits and co-operation.

Battle mode is where you gather crystal item powerups on the ground while hitting the ball back and forth. Each player has a set amount of HP and if a team’s player(s) are both out of HP, they lose. If the other team fails to hit the ball back over the net, they lose HP. It sounds simple, but the outcome varies from person to person. First, status points of Strength, Dex, Will, etc. effect the outcome of items heavily. They might increase the potency of items or they might double the times an item goes off. The items themselves can be enough to win the match, even without a planed-out status build. Luck plays a very important factor in battle mode, because it decides if you get a potion while your HP is low or if you get a resurrection while your other team mate is down.

Guardian mode is where up to 4 players can join together and compete in battle mode against various creatures. Guardians play just like players do, except their status points are usually boosted extremely high, making teamwork vital in defeating them. Generally, players use quick slot items to get the job done faster. (read below to learn more about quick slots) Guardian mode only offers experience and some etc. items which might be used in crafting.

Battlemon mode is where you can team up with your battlemon to fight other people and their battlemon. It’s quite fun to rely on your pet to help you with the match, and sometimes you’ll be surprised with how good your battlemon can be. Of course, if he’s a rank 1 chick, he won’t be doing much except letting the ball hit him in the face.

The Shop and Items

As you continue to play Fantasy Tennis you’ll notice that you will acquire gold with each match. You spend gold at the shop, but what you buy is entirely up to you. There are the basic things like new Rackets and Clothes which help increase status points, and then there are things like new characters and Battlemon. You’ll notice that some items require funny looking blue chips to purchase, which means they require AP, or real life money. There are still plenty of items that you can buy with gold which have only slightly less better stats than AP items, so don’t fret too much over them. You can also buy hair styles, face styles and hair color for characters, but they are all AP.

There is only one character card you can buy with AP and 3 others you can buy with gold, so if you didn’t like Lunlun or Niki you are more than happy to change.

If you have wandered over to the recipes section you’ll notice that you can make all kinds of things from quick slot items to clothes to fruit for your Battlemon. One of the latest patches has allowed people to create enchant stones, which are used to add status points to various equipment. Quick slot items are special items you can put in your QWERTY keys and use them during battle or guardian mode. A lot of people simply get their quick slot items from guardian matches instead of buying or making them, so it’s a bit of a waste.

Battlemon are also available in the shop. There is only one pet you can buy with gold, but hey, at least they aren’t all AP-only. Battlemon can be good and bad at the same time. You feed your pet fruit and that is how it can gain status points. It will level up as it participates in battles. Battlemon can be brought out anywhere as long as there is a free space on your team. Their AI will increase as they level up, allowing them to help you even more. If you buy an in-game controller with AP, you can let a second person control the battlemon with a second set of keys on your keyboard!

Lastly, there’s the other special things like housing furnishes and tools. Yes, Fantasy Tennis does have it’s very own personal housing system, however, I will discuss that in a little bit. You can buy a basic house in the shop and then you can buy some furniture. There are AP-only furnishings, but again, they are only slightly better than the things you can buy with gold. The tools you buy in the shop can be used in fishing and fruit gathering.

Housing

At your house, you can visit your battlemon and feed them and take care of them. You can also go fishing for ingredients or go shake some trees down for fruit to use in recipes. If you don’t want to do any of those things, you can just invite some friends over and talk for a little bit. It’s a nice little break in between the high-paced action.

Wrap-up

To conclude, Fantasy Tennis is one of those games that you can just login and start having fun within seconds. Everyone should have their own little game that they might play in between their daily MMORPG life, and if Fantasy Tennis sounds good to you, I highly recommend you to grab a racket and get in the game!

Pros

– Easy to pick up and play

– Basic RPG elements

– Allows casual players as well as hardcore players

Con

– No character customization other than clothing and accessories.

FreeStyle Street Basketball

 

The World’s First Online Street Basketball Game, FreeStyle!

FreeStyle is the world’s first street based online basketball game. Experience the street style basketball moves and motions you haven’t been able to see in other similar basketball games.
Enjoy the Groove of Hip-Hop and Street Basketball in FreeStyle!

Throw away the uniform and come to the playground for some street basketball fun!

FreeStyle is All About ‘Freedom’ and ‘Youth’! Experience the unique fashion of players, graffiti on the courts and youngsters dancing on the beat of hip-hop music. Everything expresses the will to be young and free.

Moves and Skills of Your Imagination come True in FreeStyle! Skills in FreeStyle are dynamic and fun to play and watch. Get out of the ordinary moves and experience the extreme skills of street balling!

EVE Online: Aprocrypha trailer

Witness the cataclysmic events that will change the sci-fi MMORPG EVE Online forever, as a new age of exploration and technological discovery is launched with Apocrypha, the new expasion. Watch this awesome video and start exploring different universes!

Pirate Galaxy goes Open Beta!

Leading European MMOG Publisher gamigo is happy to announce the official open beta phase start of the science-fiction 3D browser MMOG Pirate Galaxy.
Intense Spaceaction in the Browser
In Pirate Galaxy the player becomes a courageous space-pirate, who has the mission to
defend the weakened human colonies against the vicious MANTIS. To do so, there is no
need for a client installation; Pirate Galaxy is easily playable in the browser, without
having to take any cutbacks regarding the High Res 3D graphics.
During the closed beta phase Pirate Galaxy already gained thousands of amazed players,
who are ever since successfully defending the VEGA-system against the MANTIS.
Developer Splitscreen Studios reacted to the players’ suggestions and already added
some demanded features like direct keyboard controls for space-ships.
Furthermore the first stargate was opened recently, allowing players to travel to
ANTARES, another solar system full of unique planets, exciting missions as well as new
threats. In addition the "Clan Wars" system, which was introduced during the closed
beta, allows clans to battle against each other over planets and gain attractive
advantages for defending them.
Close Cooperation with the Fans
Now it’s time to open the tantalizing Galaxy for all players: with immediate effect, every
player who registers in the main menu of the game will be unlocked to participate in
exciting outer space adventures. Gamigo and Splitscreen Studios will spend their time
during the open beta phase on improving and adding new contents to Pirate Galaxy.
Players will have the chance to get a first glimpse at the item shop, while spending
provided in-game money on some of the special offers.
"We are very happy to make Pirate Galaxy available for all players" says Elmar Kofler,
Product Manager at gamigo. "Already during the closed beta we were able to realize a lot
of the players’ suggestions. Now we hope this synergetic working style will continue in
the open beta phase."

Tritton gaming headset chosen for WCG

TRITTON Technologies, a leader in gaming audio technology, has been chosen by the World Cyber Games (WCG) to exclusively showcase its 3D directional gaming headset, the AX Pro, in the upcoming reality gaming challenge, the “WCG Ultimate Gamer,” which premieres at 7 pm PST, Tuesday, March 10, 2009 on The Sci-Fi Channel. Twelve gamers from across the country will live and compete together as they face off in virtual and real world challenges to determine who is the “Ultimate Gamer.”

The cross platform compatible AX Pro precision gaming headset features true Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound via eight speakers, providing pin point accuracy, heart thumping bass and a personalized audio experience. Featuring an ergonomic design that emphasizes style and ease of wear, the critically acclaimed gaming headset provides enthusiasts the added comfort needed for marathon gaming sessions. Fully equipped with a detachable microphone and independent chat volume control, the AX Pro is compatible for online PC, Mac, Xbox Live® and PlayStation Network® gamers. The AX Pro gaming headset will support the WCG “Ultimate Gamer” contestants as they dare to square off against each other.

“The AX Pro makes an awesome addition to the WCG’s ‘Ultimate Gamer’ challenge, as contestants are sure to need the best possible equipment during the series for every aspect of gaming,” said Christopher Von Huben, president, TRITTON Technologies. “The AX Pro offers impressive audio quality and fully immerses gamers into the ultimate gaming world. Not only will contestants face extreme challenges, but the AX Pro will give them the audio edge they’ve always dreamed of.”

Three Kingdoms: open Beta started!

Uforia, Inc. today announced that it is launching an open beta for its new mmo, Three Kingdoms: The Battle Begins.  The open beta will kick off at 5 PM Pacific Standard Time today at http://threekingdoms.uforia.com. Three Kingdoms: The Battle Begins is a new free-to-play MMO based on one of the most well-known Asian novels of all-time.
"We had a great response to our first beta test and are happy to have this opportunity to launch  an Open Beta so players who didn’t get a chance to join the previous one can jump in and play the game as we lead up to its commercial launch," said JK Kim, CEO of Uforia.
Players will be able to keep the characters they create during the Open Beta for the Grand Opening later next week. Numerous bug fixes and improvements such as new screen resolutions and tutorials have been made to the game since the first Beta.
Three Kingdoms: The Battle Begins, developed by G-rex Soft, chronicles the tragic last reign of the Han dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220), when the Chinese empire was divided into three kingdoms at battle. This important period in Chinese history became a subject of extreme and continuing interest to historians, poets, and dramatists. Three Kingdoms: The Battle Begins narrates this account and provides players the opportunity to choose from 4 gripping and distinctive character classes to help battle through 200 extraordinary levels packed with boss monsters and their relentless followers.  As players undergo the world of Three Kingdoms: The Battle Begins, they can reshape the story by carefully planning and executing political assassinations.
Three Kingdoms: The Battle Begins offers a one-of-a-kind quest system that delivers missions to players while they are still in the battlefield, maximizing the player’s enjoyment of and involvement in the battle.  This unique feature enables the player to continue their travels while having the benefit of receiving items from completing quests. Player vs. Player (PVP) battlegrounds are available on the hour every hour 24/7, allowing the winners of the battle to become Lords who are granted access to exclusive skills and items.  Honor points are awarded during these battles and can be used to purchase unique items and equipment from special merchants.
An exciting Player Kill (PK) system is also part of this epic adventure which includes a unique "Death Note" feature. This element exists so if a player is killed by the same opponent multiple times, the opponent is added to the player’s death note. The opponent’s location will be specified on the player’s map as a blinking signal, enabling the player to execute revenge more easily.

GodsWar Online: Battlefield system Overview

Along with the development of GodsWar Online, more and more exciting content is constantly being added to the game. This time, the GodsWar Online team is going to introduce a brand-new Battlefield system.
Battlefield Backdrop
Resourceful and daring Spartan troops discovered an abundance of wood and rare mine resources in the Pindus Mountains when the GodsWar broke out. After exiling the residents, the Spartan troops began to harvest the wood, exploit the mines and set up camp. The resources of the Pindus Mountains offered a mighty backup for Spartan expansion.
Meanwhile, the Athenian forces were camped at the foot of the Pindus Mountains. The villagers exiled by the Spartans came out of the foothills and informed the Athenians of the Spartan invasion and requested them to free their homeland from the occupation. According to Athena’s wishes, the Athenians swore to seize the Pindus Mountains back and drive the Spartans away. A decisive battle has now begun!
Battle Information
1.      The battle will last for 45 minutes.
2.      Level 31-120 players from the two factions are eligible to enter the battlefield.
3.      Players can increase their faction’s point and their personal contribution by killing monsters and hostile players and submitting items.
4.      When the time is over, the faction with the highest point will be the winner.
5.      Each participant will receive Exp, Talent and Reputation, with the winning side winning more.
Battlefield Settings
1.        The battlefield is divided into the Athenian Area, the Spartan Area and a Neutral Area.
2.        If players slay monsters in their own area, they will earn points equivalent to 10% of a monster’s level. For example, 5 points will be given for killing a Level 50 monster.
3.        Players can obtain points equivalent to the monsters’ level in the Neutral Area. That is to say, 50 points will be obtained after killing a Level 50 monster.
4.        There is a Boss called the Pindus Dragon in the Neutral Area, and players will obtain 2000 points after killing it. It will respawn every five minutes.
5.        All monsters will drop Life Essence which can be exchanged for strong fighting force. The strong fighting force will last for 180 seconds.
6.        The Life Essence can also be exchanged for Holy Water. Players will obtain 30 points by turning in Holy Water at their own altar, and 200 points for turning it in at a hostile altar.
7.        Killing 1 hostile player will bring 5 points and 1 contribution to all team members.

The Warlords: Character Classes

The Warlords is a MMORPG that is free to play, free to download as well as no monthly costs. Journey back to Ancient China during the corrupt Qing Dynasty, where havoc and banditry was the way of life, and strive to become the strongest of the new class of rising heroes. Encounter rebel groups that you must put down in hopes of bringing peace to the land. As you venture forth you will attract more powerful allies and forge blood oath alliances with other players to combat the torrential rebel armies more effectively.
 
Latest Features:
 
Characters:
Characters in the game can be of different genders and different identities – soldier or bandit. The combat styles within the Warlords are of two schools: the close ranged Footman and the long ranged Marksman.
 
Soldiers
Soldiers are great pawns of the Emperor and strive to uphold his ideals and laws. They are courageous and strive to bring forth justice across the currently turbulent land. The rebels stand no chance against these unwavering proponents for justice.
 
Bandits:
Bandits seek to topple the currently corrupt regime by any means possible. They arose out of sheer need for protectors for the innocents of the land that live their lives in the depths of decay. They seek to end the suffering brought forth by the uncaring Qing government and bring peace to the land.
 
 
Schools:
Marksmen
Proficient in unmatchable archery and capable of fascinating ranged attacks, are a group of daring fighters. Time and again, they venture fearlessly into the depths of forests and mountains to win great fortune and fame.
 
Footmen
Brave and courageous, are versatile melee combatants and remarkable experts of a wide array of weapons. Manufactured by endless battles and refined through glorious crusades, they are acclaimed for their high defense and superb speed.
Which side will you choose? What school best interests you? Join in and explore the darkest period of Chinese history.

EVE Online: Apocrypha Expansion Released

CCP, one of the world’s leading independent game developers, has deployed EVE Online: Apocrypha, the tenth free expansion for EVE Online. Delivering a massive amount of content in a shortened production schedule, Apocrypha is sure to satisfy pilots of all types with the mysterious appearance of unstable wormholes that lead to dangerous and rewarding, hereto unexplored regions of space, a new level of technology that allows for a staggering echelon of ship production and a re-imagined introduction for rookie starship pilots to a life in EVE’s challenging universe. The release also coincides with a return to retail stores for EVE Online.
 
"Incredible rewards and certain death await explorers brave enough to fly into the unstable wormholes that have opened across EVE Online’s universe," says Torfi Frans Olafsson, Senior Producer for EVE Online. "While EVE is certainly darker and more dangerous, it has also become accessible with our revamped new player experience, improved UI and renovated graphics and effects. Beginning your chosen path in EVE has never been easier."
 
Apocrypha’s improvements include these highlights and more:
 
· The sudden appearance of unstable wormholes in space, making the universe 41% larger and much more dangerous. On the other side, a first acquaintance awaits to a formidable NPC group that guards the key to the next level of technology. This unknown, uncharted space allows for a true sense of exploration for those brave enough to grab hold of the dynamic new scanning mechanics.
· Strategic Cruisers come with the introduction of ancient technology into production. These modular ships allow for an extravagant level of customization and versatility.
· The first Epic Mission Arc joins an enhanced new player experience to guide fledgling pilots toward the opportunities space has to offer. This massive branching set consists of dozens of missions that are guaranteed to forge any soft-shelled rookie into a battle-hardened veteran.
· Massive sensory improvements for every player: an upgraded sound engine, brand-new animations for almost every effect in game and beautiful original assets in wormhole space.
· A newly designed skill queue allows EVE’s unique character progression system to truly shine and Neural Remapping provides an opportunity for players to refocus their development as they so choose.
· We are releasing our Premium Graphics client for Mac users and introducing Premium Lite as our new lower-end graphics suite for a more beautiful experience all around.
· Full Russian language support.

Warrior Epic: Spirit System trailer

Warrior Epic is an MMORPG set in an original fantasy universe. Warrior Epic’s “Spirit System” is a unique gameplay feature where the death of a character can actually be the beginning of a whole new strategy in the game. Watch this video to learn more about it!