Yearly Archives: 2009

Alganon Interview: Revealing Facts!

Written by Mohammed Afzal (MageMoa), Onrpg journalist
Answered by David Allen, CEO of Quest Online
Alganon is a new Massive Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) with many roleplaying features. It is a PvE (player versus environment) based game which will be released in 2009. Alganon offers us a wide variety of features and unique races and classes.
We of Onrpg have been able to get in touch with Matthew Anderson, Community Manager of Alganon. We’ve asked him some questions about the game and this is the result; An interview full of revealing facts!
 
Onrpg: What was the reason to create Alganon?
 
In late 2004 I took a look at the industry and realized the number of viable alternatives to quality MMOGs was not enough to keep up with the demand. I was also in a position to build something new and to apply what I had learned to do it right. I approached my good friend Greg about the idea of building a MMOG, exposing him for the first time to the industry, and he was very interested. The rest fell together. I created the world of Alganon (at that time called Crusade) from scratch with one thing in mind: To provide a vibrant living, breathing world that was fun to adventure in and explore while enhancing basic gameplay elements and social interaction.
 
Onrpg: What differs Alganon from other MMOGs?
Alganon takes the fun factors of current MMOGs and enhances them with a few unique features not found in any other fantasy-based MMOG. The Library, Studies, and Families are three key features, and the MyAlganon support community hooks into all of our core systems.
 
Onrpg: Other than humans, there are a few other races available ingame. Could you tell us more about those?
The initial launch of Alganon will allow players to choose a Human (Asheroth) or Talrok (Kujix). Some people have commented on how this sounds limiting, but with the scope of the game and planned expansions, it’s more the ‘first step’ where people can get their foot in the door. The other races, domains, and expansion release schedules are already planned out. While other players may want to be a Kodian, there’s no reason for them not to get started now with a Human character to build up their resources and finances. Alganon is the only MMORPG I know of that has such a wide definition of expansion content already planned out at launch. Players can look forward to the world coming even more alive over the next few years as they explore Alganon.
 
Onrpg: Alganon also offers us some unique classes such as Prophets and Wardens. Could you tell us more about them?
Alganon will have a total of 7 classes, but the initial release will feature 4; the Soldier, Ranger, Healer, and Magus. We decided to go with these four at launch so we could focus on making them as solid as possible.
 
Onrpg: Will all classes be available for every race?
No, for example a Sylvain cannot be a Soldier, nor can a Dronar be a Magus. Humans and Talrok are the only two races that can be any class, so at launch class restriction won’t be an issue, but as the new races are added, class restrictions will become apparent.
 
Onrpg: Deities and Crusades are unique features of Alganon. Could you describe them for us?
Deities play huge part in Alganon through history and lore. Those who are friends or enemies of the Deities that control a domain will have modifiers (positive and negative) while in those domains. There are a total of six deities, three on each side. For the Asheroth, there are: Argon, Zanyana, and Triasha. For the Kujix, there are: Vakgarr, Xukiss, and Ghazmok. While all Characters are inherently neutral to the deities, they have the choice of becoming a patron to and representing a deity. That’s when things get interesting since they will have to start paying attention to where they are and what deity is in control.
 
Onrpg: What are the other unique features of Alganon?
We have some enhanced systems, such as the quest tracker. A player will always know where they need to go for a quest. We also have the consignment house, which is similar to the auction house, but a place where players can submit item requests. This gives those who engage in tradeskills a bit of incentive to build for an existing market. There are a few other cool features as well, but I don’t want to give everything away!
 
Onrpg: Could you tell us more about the PvP option of the game?
Once PvP is introduced in Alganon, it will be opt-in based, meaning we won’t have PvP specific servers. At its core, it’s a PvE Game, but we have designed the action infrastructure to allow for PvP specific attributes that don’t affect PvE. For example, as a soldier, we have the PvE version of Central Strike, but we also have the PvP version. This allows us to balance the game for the type of gaming, preventing the mess that so many games encounter when trying to balance the game for PvE and PvP (which is extremely difficult).
 
Onrpg: Will there be ways to fight real players other than PvP?
Players can fight for control of domains, so yes, they can compete on a larger scale than 1 on 1.
 
Onrpg: I’ve read on your website that you are planning to make the game P2P. What is your main reason for this and what price can we expect?
Alganon is a Monthly Subscription-based, commercial grade MMORPG. We’ve chosen a pricing model that supports what we have built and will continue to grow.
 
Onrpg: What kind of players do you target?
Anyone who likes a good MMORPG will find a place in Alganon!
 
Onrpg: What kind of updates can we expect in 2009?
Alganon will be launched in 2009. The exact date hasn’t been released yet, but it’s definitely creeping up on us!
 
Onrpg: Are you going to release any other games in 2009?
Alganon is currently our only project. We probably won’t consider another project until we are completely satisfied with the direction Alganon is headed, ensuring it continues to have support as needed.
 
Onrpg: Thank you for your time!

Fallout tv series and movie besides MMO?

Joystick.com is reporting the following news:
 
Spotted on the US Patent and Trademark Office website recently were two suspicious trademarks filed by Bethesda Softworks, the folks behind the Elder Scrolls series and, most recently, Fallout 3. First, a trademark staking claim on the Fallout name for “entertainment services in the nature of an on-going television program,” hinting pretty heavily at the possibility of a Fallout-themed … television program. Another filing secures the trademark for “motion picture films about a post-nuclear apocalyptic world.”
 
(source: joystick.com)
 
Also, it seems that there’s a Fallout MMO in the works

Shadowbane closing down

Ubisoft just published this message regarding Shadowbane:
 
We come to you now with regret and sadness, but also happiness and pride.. Regret and sadness that it has finally come to this, and as of May 1, 2009 the Shadowbane servers will be powered down once and for all. Yet happiness that it lasted so very long, and pride to be able to stand before such a passionate community to thank you for your undying support and unwavering loyalty to Shadowbane.
 
Memories of Ages past and present will always remain in the hearts of those who fought for land and title, power and greed, and above all, the sword known as Shadowbane. Tales of epic proportions will be remembered and told for years to come. Allow me to remember the tales past with you one final time.
 
The Children of Aerynth formed communities, better known as Guilds, to achieve their common goals. These very Guilds built cities beginning with an acorn harvested from the World Tree. The World Tree’s acorns sprouted into stone trees, the Tree of Life, which served as the focal point to all cities within Aerynth. The Tree of Life was most important to these communities as they allowed for a sort of immortality to the spirits of the dead as they were linked to the Tree by powerful magic from which even the Wise couldn’t explain. From these cities raised Empires and Alliances but also brought the strife of war. Many wars would erupt among rival Empires creating fear and chaos across the fragments. Empires sought out the power of the One Sword to either bring Order to the world or to let Chaos reign freely.
 
Humans, Minotaurs, Irekei, Northmen, Dwarves, Centaur Lords, and many other races filled the ranks of these Empires on the battlefields known as Aerynth, Dalgoth, and Vorringia over the Ages. In the distance, you could hear the roars of the fired buildings as they crumbled and collapsed into ashes and rubble, the consistent rhythm of the drums of war as Empire’s marched, and the sounds of gears and pulleys as Siege Engines fire upon resilient and towering walls as the many Empires engaged in battles across the continents vying for power and dominion. Alliances were formed to achieve common goals among various Nations only to be met with strife from within tearing the Alliance apart and pitting Nations against each other once again. Each war created new opportunity to rebuild old Empires once lost and rekindle old friendships or rivalries. New Ages began but the cycle remained the same. The search for the Sword known as Shadowbane continued on.
 
Epic sieges outside the city gates, Events giving the individual player or entire nations the choice side with Order or Chaos, and politicking in the political arena to posture for an advantage using the power of the pen instead of the might of the sword are just the beginning of countless memories that we can remember and keep with us for years to come. Adventures through the many Ages have lasted over 6 years for some, while other’s adventures were still a new experience. No matter if you were a seasoned veteran or a fledgling still learning the ropes you poured yourselves into your quests to find Shadowbane. Unfortunately, the Sword has slipped into the Void never to be found again.
Many passionate and creative individuals have poured their hearts and souls into developing and hosting Shadowbane. We want to thank each and every one of you for your tremendous work and valiant efforts throughout Shadowbane’s lifetime.
Remember, Play to Crush!

Angels Online: House Building System Preview

The folks at Angels Online have announced the coming release of their new expansion, House Party. As the name suggests, this version is less focused on monster killing and more focused on character personalization.
 
This personalization has advanced from simple changes of clothes, and now extends to a house that players can purchase, as well as all the things that go in a character’s house. Let’s take a glance at the brand new house system today.
 
1.      House Types
 
There are three basic types of houses to choose from- Cottage , Fine House and Garden Villa.
 
2.      Furniture Types
 
There are 14 types of furniture including exterior landscaping, wall decorations, floor decorations, beds, cupboards, tables & chairs, potted flowers etc.
 
3.      House Attributes
 
Magic:  Consists of Mana value and furniture bonuses.
 
Cleanliness: Displays how clean a house is.
 
Popularity: Based on the other players’ recommendation and votes. So be nice and invite your friends to an open house!
 
4.      House Functions
 
Different level houses will have different functions.
 
Ball System: Depending on the house level, the homeowner can hold balls regularly. The host will be awarded certain amounts of EXP, and guests will obtain special abilities bonus after the party ends.
 
Raise-a-Pet Room: Depending on the house level players can raise a certain amount of pets in a special room. This room will raise the pets automatically, in addition to the basic production, Facture Machine and Suft’s Mailbox functions.
 
Baby-monster Room: Depending on the house level, special monster eggs put inside will be born and raised automatically.
Labor System: Use an Employed Soldiers’ Token to call an Employed Soldier to aid you in battle.

Luminary: Rise of the GoonZu Springs Forward with New Updates

NDOORS Interactive today announced updates for its increasingly popular MMORPG, Luminary: Rise of the GoonZu. Adding to the real-world politics and economics game play, the new updates will bring additional land, weapons, items, and formulas for food or medicine to the Luminary world.
The Lost World, a new hunting ground, will feature prehistoric, dinosaur-like monsters that will be fiercely awaiting combatants. Players will be challenged to fight their way up to the third and highest level in order to enjoy the rewards of exploring the new hunting grounds in the Lost World. Defeating the main boss will earn Luminary players coveted “good drops.”
Along with the new lands, six new weapons such as the Guardian’s Sword, Ancient Spear, and Sonic Bow will be unveiled for level 110 players. These weapons offer increased attack power to aid players in their quests. In addition, for a limited time, players will be able to acquire a beautiful (and helpful) sea princess pet as a new Raccoon Box item through the use of Gold, Silver and Bronze Keys.
Rounding out the updates, players are now eligible to receive more experience points when crafting food items or medicine, giving them the opportunity to boost their skill levels. With the capability to boost skill levels, players of Luminary: Rise of the GoonZu have more opportunity than ever before to become a top artisan in these two classes.
Luminary: Rise of the GoonZu, a free-to-play MMORPG, incorporates real-world politics and economics with captivating gameplay. Players are citizens of the Luminary world who not only battle monsters, but engage in the production of new goods, trade commodities, stocks, real estate, and even hire NPC’s. Additionally, a player can become the pinnacle of success, the “GoonZu,” by being elected by his gaming peers.

Galaxy Online: International Battleground Opens

“Galaxy Online” is a game that tests your wits and strategic skills as much as it entertains. With this mind, the Galaxy Online team will soon be opening a special International Battleground, where they will hold an unprecedented PVP battle. This battle will pit Chinese version players against their English version counterparts. English version players who participate in the event will be automatically added into a specified faction to confront the challenge from Chinese opponents.
 
The officials will offer all entrants the same initial resources and Science Points. Also the shipbuilding time will be shortened for the event, so players can create an army in the shortest time possible and get on to the fighting. The winning faction will gain hoards of rewards!
 
This is a summit challenge, and only the strongest and most powerful players are eligible to enter. 
                                                     
Warriors, the horn has sounded, will you answer the call? Watch your fleets take off into the abyss of space… will they return victories?

Black Prophecy gameplay

The first gameplay video for the upcoming sci-fi MMORPG Black Prophecy! Lots of features and lots of action are displayed in this nice video: get ready to board your ship, explore the universe and fight against other players! Watch the video now!

Galactic Imperia

The world of Galactic Imperia takes place far in the distant future. Starting with a single planet you will have many ways of making your empire the mightiest in the galaxy. Fight your enemies alone, establish alliances and federations, wage wars, colonize and expand economically – it is all up to you. Thousands  of real people will be opposing you in your conquest to the top. The goal is not only to get to the top but to stay there as well,  while your foes are doing their best against you. Are you ready?  There is only one way to find out!