Yearly Archives: 2009

2029 Online: Alpha Test Q&A

As IGG gets closer to the Alpha release of 2029 Online, more fun events have been added to the Alpha release schedule. Questions continue to pop up all over the 2029 official forums asking how to enter these events and what prizes are available. So, to streamline their answers, IGG has updated its Q&A to provide the valued advice new players are seeking.
 
Q: I want to participate in the Alpha Test. How can I be invited to receive a CD-Key?
A: We are hosting various events in the forum to give out CD-Keys. You can sign up for these events, win CD-Keys and get into the Alpha test to find out what fun is in store for you. For comprehensive event introductions, please visit official website and forum to get more information.
 
Q: I have noticed that you are giving out Leveling Packages in the forum. Should I sign up to get my hands on one of these packages?
A: Yes. This event is being held to help players who have received CD-Keys enjoy the game to the fullest. If you have activated your CD-Key, you need log into the signup page and leave your email address. We will send the code to you three days before the Alpha test begins.
 
Q: I have received the CD-Key activation code. How can I activate my account?
A: Guides to activate your Alpha testing accounts have been posted on the official site.
 
Q: I have participated in the CD-Key giveaway events. How can I get one?
A: We would love to have everyone participate in Alpha Test. But access to the Alpha Test is limited. If you take part in these events and don’t receive a CD-Key, it is possible that these events have a limited supply of CD-Keys to give out. You must win in competition to snag one. Here is some good news though. There will be more events held to hand out CD-Keys. If you keep participating in these events, you may be among the lucky ones chosen to receive a CD-Key.
 
Q: I have activated my account. Why did I fail to log into the game?
A: We are now in the final run up to the Alpha Test and are focused on fixing the inevitable issues and problems that have arisen from testing. We have added new content and are very eager to see the reaction from our players. We will keep you posted as soon as the Alpha test goes live. To keep you updated with latest 2029 news and Alpha test progress, please visit our official site. You can also head to our forum  to discuss tips and tricks with other players.
 
Q: What kind of prizes will I receive by taking part in Alpha test?
A: All testers’ character data will be removed after the Alpha test has closed.. Leveling Packages are given out to our testers to enable them to advance their characters quickly. Besides, we will give all Alpha testers a weapon worth $50 USD in the closed beta phase.
 
Q: Why am I disconnected from the login sever when I try to log into the forum or official site.
A: Recently we have had some internet problems that will disconnect you from the connection network. But only a very few players will lose their connection when they are trying to log in. We are now fixing these problems.

Galaxy Online: Mystery of Blue Giants

In the vast universe across Galaxy Online hide innumerous huge objects that constantly emit blue rays of light. They are the Blue Giants. Until now they have remained peaceful observers of the chaos engulfing the universe. “An old star containing much energy, reconstructed by some means” – The definition of the Blue Giant has given rise to much speculation. Now all the Galaxy Online players will be witnessing an important transformation of Blue Giant to Star Fortress. This change will create more uncertainty to the battle results, and surely make the game more entertaining.
 
Blue Giants are in fact secret fortresses that look peaceful and quiet on the outside. After a series of intense research, these blue planets can be converted into Star Fortresses that are able to dock friendly fleets and keep them invisible. When hostile fleets intrude into the galaxy, the hidden fleets will appear and attack invading enemies automatically. When the battle ends, all fleets will go back into hiding. To activate Blue Giants requires a great deal of Science points, but their defensive value should never be disregarded. These giant, blue guardians of the galaxy will change the course of the battle within seconds.

Conquer Online: Mother’s Day Events Coming Soon

Mothers make the world go round. Mothers nurture, love, teach, and inspire. Mothers protect and give. On this upcoming Mother’s Day, you mom deserves more than just a “Thanks, mom”. She deserves something special!
 
Need a little help preparing for the big day? Well, don’t bother going out of your head trying to think of something! Check what we’ve got for you!
 
The Sweetest Mother’s Smile
A mother’s smile is the biggest comfort to her child, and it’s the most touching sight in this world! This year, we would like to encourage all the players to show their moms’ most beautiful smiles and share them with us!
 
Mother’s Day Wallpaper & E-Card
The greeting cards! Of course we won’t forget this part! It’s the best way to express your gratitude and love for your mom, isn’t it? The TQ Team will prepare some elaborate E-cards for our players, so they can send them out to their own loving mothers. Also, the Mother’s Day wallpapers are available for our players now!
 
The Mother’s Day Online Event – The Prodigal Son
Filial morality has always been one of the most important Chinese moral and ethical principles. There are many old Chinese stories in history about the bonds between family, and this time, we have a quest adapted from one of them. It’s about a dutiful son, who always gives his mom the best care, even though he might not be the best person. From May, 8th – May, 11th, you can take the quest from the NPC. Big prizes are waiting for you!

Mir 2: Open Beta Begins Today

Gamepot USA, Inc., a free to play online game publisher, announces launch of the Open Beta service for “Mir 2: the Legend Continues (Mir2)” from April 29, 17:00 PST.
In preparation for the Open Beta, the beginners’ guild system has been added and the maximum level has been increased to level 60.  The beginners ‘guild is a unique guild run by the game system for all beginners under level 59 to join, to get extra guild bonus, and to help each other with the game. 
 
If you haven’t had a chance to play Mir2 during the closed beta, the beginners’ guild is where you can get assistance from the user community.  Mir2 will also be featuring a whole new user interface (UI), specially designed for the English service client.  
 
In addition to the new feature of the game, there will be in-game and online game events for all gamers. 
In-game events include GM monster summons, mob raids, and double drop rate.
Online game events are video posting and bug reporting events. 
All event winners will be awarded with in-game cash item at the official launch of the game. 

MegaTen Online Interview: New Insights

Questions by Jeffrey Kerkdijk (Hyarume), Onrpg writer and the Onrpg community
Answered by Spencer Chi, Producer of MegaTen at Aeria Games
 
Onrpg has had the chance to ask some questions to Spencer Chi, producer of MegaTen Online at Aeria games. Megaten is the new game based off the Shin Megami Tensei series, which is known for their popular RPGs, and this new MMORPG is expected to reach plenty of fans and tons of new audiences. Will there be PvP in the future? And how about a crafting system? Read on to find out how our questions are answered!
 
 
Onrpg: How is MegaTen doing at the moment, after its recent release?
 
MegaTen is one of the fastest growing games in the MMORPG industry.  We had a good head start with the devoted Shin Megami Tensei and Persona fans that migrated from their beloved consoles to their PCs to see if the MMO lived up to the hype, and now our players are telling each other about our game, and we have been building up a rather large and fun-loving community.
 
 
Onrpg: What makes MegaTen so different from most MMORPGs?
 
The highlight of MegaTen lies within the Demons and Demon fusing.  Many MMORPGs have rudimentary pet systems, but the one in MegaTen is by far the most advanced.  The Demons are just as strong as the player characters, and they each have their own set of unique skills.  Plus, you can fuse multiple Demons together and form a totally new breed.  The player gets to choose which skills to inherit from the originals adding to the over all level of customization and lasting appeal.
 
In addition, many players will take notice of the style of the game.  Unlike most other MMORPGs, MegaTen doesn’t take place in a medieval universe.  It’s taking place in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo.  The clothing you can equip has defensive properties, but the fashion is that of modern day Japan.  The player characters are distinctly human—Japanese looking teenagers, to be more exact.  The gear/weapons you can obtain ranges from revolvers and katana blades to really obscure weapons like anime-style swords that are bigger than your entire body and weird corkscrew-like drills.  You really have to see it for yourself.
 
Onrpg: According to you, what motivates players to play MegaTen?
 
The MegaTen franchise made the transition from console game to a PC based MMO game.  There is a very deep storyline that pulls players in.  Unlike a console game, we have players running around in the game world from all over the real, physical world.  It’s very easy to team up and make friends in the game, and that is a core aspect of MegaTen’s gameplay design.
 
Onrpg: Will there be any Player versus Player content in the future? If so, how would it work and would it be different from the PvP in most of the other MMORPGs on the market?
 
Yes!  We are going to bring PvP to MegaTen.  It’s something a lot of players have requested.  To stay in the cooperative spirit of MegaTen, battle will be team-based. 
 
In other games, you know immediately what the player will do simply based on your class and his class.  In MegaTen, PvP will have a stronger strategy element compared with other MMORPGs.  Players have the choice of quickly changing their playing style depending on which Demon they’re using. 
 
There will be more than one PvP mode to choose from.  Stay on the look out for our future announcements on this.
 
Onrpg: We have noticed that the running speed is slower compared to the Japanese version of the game; can you explain a bit more about that?
 
The version on our servers is a couple updates behind the Japanese version.  This is because it takes some time to translate the new content to English and test it out before we release it.  In the updates, you’ll see new demons, items, weapons and slight changes to balance gameplay.  We’ll get all the content that the Japanese server gets.  Even though they released it ahead of us, we’re almost caught up in respect to content.
 
For players who want to move around faster, you can get a mountable Demon at level 20.  Then you can just click a spot on your mini-map, and your Demon will automatically carry you there at a faster pace than walking speed permits.
 
Of course, you also have the option of acquiring or purchasing items that teleport you around like the Traesto Stone or Ariadne’s Thread.
 
Onrpg: Are there any plans for Player Housing in the future or similar features?
 
Player housing is an interesting feature, but it’s not on the horizon right now.  As it stands right now, we’ve got a lot on our wish list, and the developer has been very cooperative in supporting us.
 
Onrpg: Is there any community involvement when it comes to events?
 
Our community is the most important thing to us.  Very often, we have our network of Game Sages (player volunteers) come up with cool event ideas, and we try them out.  In our forums, players can suggest events to run, and we are as accommodating as possible.  When we hear a good idea, we will see it through.
 
 
Onrpg: How do you keep players interested while playing the game?
 
We’ve seen that, in MegaTen, players discover what interests them the most and focus primarily on that.  For some, it’s the quests and storyline, for some it’s customizing their character in stylish outfits, some people are all about collecting and fusing all the demons.  The competitive players try to get the fastest times in the dungeon runs. It really is a rather diverse group of gamers.
 
On top of that, we offer daily events run by our Game Master and Game Sage teams. 
 
 
Onrpg: What future content is there planned for MegaTen, any new features or more areas to visit?
 
We are implementing a major update that’s being translated right now that will introduce new Demons, quests given to you by your Demons on a daily basis, and a Demon rebirth feature that allows you start your Demon’s skill set over into a different area. 
 
Onrpg: What do you like the most about MegaTen?
 
For me, it’s Demon Fusing.  I like going out and negotiating with a bunch of Demons, then bringing them all back to town to see what new Demons I can make with the different combinations.  It’s really cool to see one you haven’t seen before.
 
 
Onrpg: Will there be a crafting system?
 
Actually, MegaTen already features a crafting system!  A lot of players may not know about it since it comes later in the game though.  My advice is talk to the Masterly Dwarf NPC in Shinjuku Babel.
 
 
Onrpg: What makes MegaTen different from the console “Shin Megami Tensei” series? And what does it have in common?
 
For starters, you can bump into real people.  If you have difficulty completing a quest, instead of reading about it in an online FAQ or calling a friend, you can have a person help you in-game.  You pick the specializations that interest you, and then you team with other people who round out your party.  If you need an item and can’t find it yourself, you can make friends who will trade with you. 
 
The immersive storyline, the style, and the Demons will be familiar with fans of the Shin Megami Tensei series.  The combat attack system feels a bit more like a blend between console action and PC MMORPG fighting.  Battles happen in real-time so reflex is important, but strategy is also a big part of it.
 
Players are often surprised at the level of quality you can find in a Free to Play MMORPG.  In Asia, this is already a very big industry, so first-class developers like Cave make games at the same level of quality as you’d find in a retail boxed game.  Aeria brings those games to the North American and European markets.
 
 
Onrpg: Will there be any end-game content and can you reveal a bit about this?
 
We don’t have a defined end-game at the moment. You’ll see regularly added expansions to the game, so it’s really just beginning to grow.  MegaTen is a game you can play for months.  Plus, it’s free; there are no subscription or download costs.  If you want to support the game by buying an item in our Item Mall, we very much appreciate that, so we can continue to deliver quality content through updates, new quests and of course, new Demons.  All players can access all the features and quests without having to pay a dime.

MMORPGS and Relationships

By Rick Charbs (Jammart), Onrpg writer
 
Article featured in Gaming Magazine Thirteen1 Anniversary Issue.
 
MMORPGS have been a popular form of entertainment for decades now. They all offer varied aspects of gameplay, customization, and an array of quests and monsters to conquer. What else have MMORPGS brought to the internet social scene: love! Why, there are in-game marriages for a reason—just kidding!
One of the very controversial topics of MMORPGS is internet relationships (otherwise known as e-lationships). Also found throughout the internet in form of dating websites, internet dating has been prominent throughout the years and the numbers of internet couples are increasing exponentially. With a great deal of internet dating given attention through MMORPGS, this phenomenon has been analyzed countless amount of times through the eyes of gamers.
 
There are two very opposing views on this MMORPG phenomenon. One perspective on internet dating through online games is a very positive one: that relationships can last without physical contact, but need to be maintained with an increased emotional attraction and attachment. This may include regularly speaking together on the phone, having webcam conversations, or other mildly personal gatherings. However, it is often discouraged to have relationships solely based on chat rooms and chat programs, due to the obvious fact that there is no real evidence whether someone is really who they claim to be. The positive response from MMORPG dating is also said to be even more structured than real life relationships, based on the sole fact that they do not rely on appearance at all, only personality and general character.
The opposition to this perspective lies in those who believe love to require a physical attraction to function properly. Balance is required in everything social, and thus, many believe MMORPG dating can only go so far. Some gamers maintain absolutely no contact or close relationship with anyone they play online games with; lacking the ability to feel, there is no importance attributed to others on the net. This is natural, as everyone has different needs, and dating through technology may seem unrealistic. Instead, these gamers choose to befriend others in the goal to have many acquaintances. Some simply believe that real relationships can exist in an MMORPG, though they lack any true meaning or dedication.
However, there is a gray area on this concept, in contrast with the black-and-white opposing points of view. Without shutting down the concept completely, some agree that it is a great way to meet someone before then taking it a step further by meeting in real life (something that can seem pretty risky in most cases). It is advised as an MMORPG gamer to maintain a social balance and stay away from superficial relationships. Whether if somebody can handle the distance or not, these types of decisions must be made wisely.
Broadly known as an inappropriate way to have a relationship (and often highly discouraged or prohibited by parents), it also should be known that even though there are negative results from online dating, there are happy endings as well.
These somewhat-awkward (such as getting married to somebody in an MMORPG and then marrying them in real life) yet positive results are overshadowed by rape victim stories, suicide related to the internet, and MMORPG addiction articles. The media, thriving on more negative stories, tends to give these warnings out to the community very often. As much as that may be a great contribution to society, it also limits some people’s minds and causes close-mindedness. Our society is growing hastily, and technology has taken quite the leap, forever rendering humanity dependant on it. This promises an even more intricate future for MMORPG relationships. Perhaps they will be even more personal in the near future, with developing concepts such as virtual reality.
Dating in an MMORPG requires a special personality to fulfill. If there is attraction without any need for physical attachment (at least for the time being), and the relationship is healthy, then nothing can hold you back from enjoying yourself and being very close to someone through the internet. The beauty of MMORPG dating is that you can find your soul mate regardless of where you live on the globe. And you can always try out an in-game wedding before taking the plunge in real life. You may now /kiss the bride!

Mir 2: The Legend Continues

“Mir 2: The Legend Continues” is a Free to Play Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing game (MMORPG) .   This game is loved by over 200 million players, and has had a maximum record of 710,000 players logged in at the same time.  

For thousands of years in the land of Mir, human warriors have been battling in an endless war against monsters throughout Mir’s various continents.

After continuous battle, casualties mounted and the lands became devastated.  In order to combat the monsters, the humans decided to combine their efforts to organize a group of highly trained warriors. 

Now, the destiny is in hands of these specially selected warriors.  A long and dangerous adventure awaits these six special heroes throughout the continents of Mir.

This game provides various choices to players such as, friendly collaboration with allies, competition among players, and a trading system which will allow users to further their gaming options. 

Now, “Mir2: The Legend Continues”, gives players opportunities not only to communicate with each other anywhere and at anytime, but to also share and enjoy their time together!

Please note: you need to register before playing, for further information please check this link

Discovery Online

Hurry to the seas! The world of Discovery Online is waiting for you!
The game takes place at the beginning of the discovery era from the 15th to the 18th century when intrepid adventurers begin to conquer the seas all around the world. You may start in Europe, the birthplace of the explorers or in the oriental sea where the powerful Ming dynasty navy of China rules. Dozens of cities are waiting to be explored. You may prefer become a rich merchant trading goods from China to Europe and rise a personal Online fortune. You can also create or join a consortium and take control of a city with your fellow mates. But be careful, even if you become a famous lord of the sea, adventures are always waiting for you…
 
Game Features:
– Exploration of the seas and over 70 cities around the known, at the time, world
– A total freedom of movement with a free-floating camera and a 360 degree of camera movement.
– A unique system of fishing: use your net to catch fish and obtain some valuable items 
– Build and customize your own ship among the over 60 models available.
-There is no class system in Discovery Online, in its place there is a skill system where player decide to their specializations and can change it if they want to.
– Join a consortium and take control of a city, earn tax from the cities sales and port tax.

Warrior Epic: Closed Beta announced

True Games, an international publisher of multi-player online games has announced the closed beta launch date of its upcoming title Warrior Epic.  The closed beta for the game will launch this Thursday, April 30.  Registration for the closed beta has begun, but a few spots are still open so those interested in joining can register now.
If selected to join the closed beta, players will receive a beta-key via the e-mail address they provided.
 
“We are excited to finally showcase all the updated features, cool content and all the polish that has gone into the development of Warrior Epic,” said Peter Cesario, Director of New Business and Product Development.  “We are eager to see how our beta community will fair through all of the exciting content we are offering in the beta and we look forward to hearing their feedback as we gear up for the official launch.”
 
The Warrior Epic team has been hard at work making improvements to all aspects of the game since last year when a small group of players got a sneak peek at an early version.  Major updates include a dramatically improved user experience as well as many new powerful and devastating abilities that have been added to the skill trees of all base and sub character classes.  Additionally, much of the end game content has been implemented with new bosses, quests, campaigns and items suitable for higher level characters.
 
Developed by Austin based studio Possibility Space, Warrior Epic is an online, action role-playing game set in an original fantasy universe.
In the game, players will assume command of a Warrior Hall from which they manage their characters’ adventures. They can recruit from a wide array of Warrior Classes, each with its own style of play. The Classes and the Hall itself can be upgraded visually as well as functionally.
Players adventure together in multiplayer campaigns, adventure mode, solo quests and PVP.