Yearly Archives: 2009

Dragon Raja opens its doors again in 2010!

Dragon Raja Online is a classic MMORPG that has left its mark in the online gaming world as being one of the most innovative MMORPG’s for its time. Based upon a bestselling fantasy novel in Korea, China and Japan, the game is full of exciting aspects and was ahead of its time when it was originally released.

 
Dragon Raja offers exiting gameplay in a strong player versus player environment, but also a wide range of quests for those who want to play in peace.  The development team of Dragon Raja is currently still working hard on improving the gameplay in such way that the game will be a lot more fun and community involved then the game has been in the past, so that once the game launches it will be a lot more user friendly and attractive to players that are unknown to Dragon Raja.
 
For more information on the closed beta test and the game itself, check out the official forums!

Dragon Raja Coming Soon

Altis Gates: Smart Bosses Offer Players a True Challenge

 

In addition to solo and quest-based gameplay, Altis Gates encourages team play, particularly against tough bosses. The advanced artificial intelligence of the game’s bosses makes them even more challenging.
 
In most current games, bosses are typically endowed with a fixed artificial intelligence quotient that makes them always react in the same way or within a very narrow range of possible responses. As a result, if you are familiar with a boss’s routine combat actions, you can often defeat it easily by simply following a boring, scripted set of tactics that are known to work best. In Altis Gates, bosses are more unpredictable, making encounters with them both more challenging and more fun.
 
One of the developers recently said, “Our goal was to get the players to feel that both courage and intelligence would be necessary to defeat a tough boss. As a result, the dev team endowed the computer-controlled bosses with a dynamic AI. Every boss in Altis Gates can think like a human being in that it will react according to what the players do in battle. That’s how we make sure players feel a real sense of accomplishment when they defeat a boss.”
 
The dynamic AI demonstrates its intelligence mainly through what can be labeled action mode and thinking mode. The AI allows computer-controlled bosses to take appropriate actions according to the situation. For example, the Elemental Lords are both powerful and cunning. Not only can they cause direct damage to their opponents, but they can also weaken their opponents. If they determine that an opponent is very powerful, they may transform the terrain surrounding them into a volcano or an ice field, making some of their spells cause much more damage.
 
In its thinking mode, the dynamic AI will size up each member of a team. Usually, the bosses will first try to prevent opponents who have high HP from attacking and then concentrate their attack on those who have low HP. They will often first attack supporting classes such as Priests and Necromancers. Bosses typically prefer to attack Mana-based classes rather than melee-based classes. Some may even try to attack opponents based on the character’s gender.
 
This may make the bosses sound too difficult to defeat, but rest assured a good combination of characters playing to the strengths of the group should be able to defeat bosses in their range. Players will have to think a little more, though, and react to changing conditions on the battlefield rather than mindlessly following a script. When Altis Gates players boast of vanquishing a boss, it will be a feat worthy of the praise — and rewards — that come with it.

 

Wentine's Arrow

Code of Everand

Everand is a peaceful place, but deadly spirit channels inhabited by roaming monsters criss-cross the land.  Players are pathfinders, heroic adventurers trained to cross the spirit channels safely.
 
The lore of the game is rich and deep, with many conventional dynamics, including hundreds of quests, unique items, and an incredible compendium of monsters to engage.
 
The game’s groundbreaking and unique combat system draws inspiration in equal parts from the real world and from the fantasy world of Everand.  It rewards quick action as well as deep strategy and planning for each encounter. Players have to think ahead and be ready to act and react when in danger.
 
Players level up and earn ‘coin’ to pick up new gear, necessary when pathfinders must cross the channels and encounter the creatures.  They can only be defeated with tonics, spells and traps and with the right number of Magic Points (MP) and Concentration Points (CP).  As the player progresses, the spirit channels become more difficult to cross with more and harder creatures to beat.
 
Each player has a customisable character and can chose from five ‘critters’ when creating their character. Critters are animal familiars that travel with the pathfinder and can be used to buff the player’s character or others nearby.
 
Character stats, item inventory, MPs and CPs are all displayed in the player’s journal. The most successful players are represented in every player’s journal, and clicking on other players’ characters reveals their stats and gear. Players can talk to others with set greetings, questions and statements within the context of the game.  Some quests can only be completed with friends.
 
As players progress, they will discover how the game interacts with the real world around them.  The game is free, available online and new quests will roll out over time.

OnRPG Weekly News Roundup: November 9th to November 17th

By Joshua Temblett (Dontkillmydreams), OnRPG Journalist

 

A bare week this week however given the ambush of news we received last week it’s not that surprising. Luckily for you there’s still enough news to report, and certainly some very exciting little bits of information regarding certain games. I hope you enjoy!

Final Fantasy XIV

 

Information Blow Out

 

It’s been a while, however yet more information has been translated from Japanese magazines by the crew at FFXIVCore.com. It’s very interesting to find all of this news coming from Japanese media outlets first, and then being posted on the official website. Perhaps Square Enix should be more aware of their other audiences in the United States and Europe, and the company should start getting more information to media outlets in those regions. I’m sure Square knows what they’re doing.

 

The Gladiator and the Pugilist Classes

 

New Classes FFXIVIn the most recent Famitsu (a very popular and famous Japanese gaming magazine), two new classes were revealed, the Gladiator and the Pugilist.

 

A short summery of the Gladiator:

 

“The gladiator is a melee fighter that brings sword and shield to battle and boasts a great variety of one-handed swords to choose from: from short swords to long swords, double-edged straight blades to single-edged curved blades. The variety is not just in his selection of weapons, but also the way he uses them. A gladiator can take up his shield to protect his allies, or leave one hand open to focus on attack power, and this flexibility in battle is sure to become his strength. The gladiator can also throw daggers at his enemies, adding even more to this diverse fighter.”

 

It’s obvious that in a party situation, this class would be the Tank who stays at the front taking all of the damage. At the same time though, this class seems adapt at inflicting status changes onto the enemy, such as giving a crippling effect with a single-edged curved blade. It’ll be interesting to see what the game turns out like.

 

A short summery of the Pugilist:

 

“This hand-to-hand fighter is a master in traditional arts of self-defence. Although his fists alone could be considered weapons, the pugilist specializes is using hand-to-hand weapons to increase their power in battle. However, the pugilist must stay in close to make his he lands his blows aimed at his opponent’s vitals. Some pugilists use chakrams to gain their opponents’ attention.”

 

Basically the Monk Job from Final Fantasy XI, but with a little more charm. This class is all about going right up to the enemy and dealing some major damage, whilst at the same time aiming for the weak parts of the enemy and hitting them for extra damage.

 

Campaign Code

 

Also in this week’s Famitsu a “Campaign Code” was released for Final Fantasy XIV. There will be a special site opened after service for Final Fantasy XIV begins, where you can input this code to unlock an item, or something else super shiney. Could the game be getting closer to being released?

 

World of Wacraft

 

Legendary Weapon Preview: Shadowmourne

 

“As the Lich King continues his dark work inside the halls of Icecrown Citadel, the warriors and smiths of the Ashen Verdict scramble to forge a weapon capable of defeating the Scourge. To aid the Verdict in its cause, you’ll need to follow in Arthas’s footsteps, gambling with your very soul to gather the materials that will create the legendary axe Shadowmourne.”

 

You can find out more information about the new weapon here.

League of Legends

 

New Pricing Options

 

With League of Legends recent release (it launched on the 27th of October), and its critical success among reviewers (look out for an Onrpg.com review which should be coming soon) the game seems to be well on it’s on its way to victory among gamers. If you haven’t given the game a go then stop playing Hello Kitty Online and download it, as it’s certainly worth a play through.

 

Anyway, back on to the subject at hand. RiotChris, of the League of Legends forum, has posted up some information regarding payment options for the game. Here’s the low down.

 

Free: We’ve made it fun to play without spending any money, and all the champions can be unlocked permanently without spending any money. Just playing games earns you Influence Points, which can then be used to unlock Champions.

 

Collector’s Pack: As you know we’ve offered a Collector’s Pack, which comes with 20 Champions unlocked right away, and a lot of other valuable content (4 runes, $10 in Riot Points and an exclusive skin).

 

Champion’s Bundle: For those who would like to have all 40 initial Champions available to them on the first day the store opens, there is a compliment to the Collector’s Pack with the other 20 Champions included. It will typically be available in the store for $30 worth of Riot Points, but right now we’re discounting it to $25. If you have bought the Collector’s Pack, you’ll already have $10 of Riot Points (so the total price of both the Collector’s Pack and the Champions Bundle will be $44.99 for a limited time). You will have all 40 launch Champions available immediately, but as we roll out new Champions, they will have to be unlocked.”

 

You can find a little bit more information, and a chart, here.

 

Star Wars: The Old Republic

 

The Imperial Agent Class

 

A new class from SW:TOR has been released, the Imperial Agent. “The Empire dominates scores of star systems across the galaxy, but not through the power of the dark side alone. Behind the scenes, the cunning Agents of Imperial Intelligence track down and eliminate the Empire’s enemies-from intractable Republic senators to traitorous Imperial Moffs to bloodthirsty rebels with Republic ties. Imperial Agents must master the arts of infiltration, seduction, and assassination to advance the Empire’s causes; they face the opposition of a terrified galaxy and the capriciousness of their own Sith overlords.”

 

You can find much more information about the class here.

Non MMORPG News

 

Unreal 3 Engine Available for Free!

 

I’m sorry that I didn’t report this last week, as it is a very big announced. The Unreal 3 Engine is now free for anyone to use, as long as they use it for non-commercial or educational purposes. You can download the Unreal Development Kit from the official website, http://www.UDK.com. The powerful engine has very reasonable system requirements and is definitely worth downloading if you enjoy moding or developing games. I downloaded it very recently and I can say that it’s incredibly easy to get to grips with, so make sure you give it a try.

 

TorchlightTorchlight Released

 

Yet another game I missed last week. Torchlight is a single player Diablo-like dungeon crawler. The game is the first in a series, with the next Torchlight game being a Free 2 Play MMORPG. This very small, addictive title is simply brilliant. For $20/£15, you can’t go wrong with this game and it will keep you occupied for hours on end.

 

  

Final Fantasy XIII Release Date

 

Yes the next instalment in the Final Fantasy series now has a release date! Final Fantasy XIII will launch on the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 on the 9th March, 2010, for both Europe and America. I can’t wait!

EU Allods Online Closed Beta Phase 1

The Fantasy Space Opera MMORPG Allods Online, developed by Astrum Nival and published by Gala Networks Europe is one of the most anticipated online games of the year. After months of waiting, a limited number of European fans will be able to enter the world of Allods on November 19th at 1500 GMT. During the first phase of closed-beta testing, players will be limited to the first 19 levels of the game. The game will be opened to more and more players during successive testing phases before the official release of the game in early 2010.
 
Allods Online is the “AAA” MMORPG combining the deep experience of Astrum Nival, creators of Heroes of Might & Magic V, and Gala Networks Europe, one of Europe’s leading publishers of subscriptionless games. During the past month, tens of thousands of European players have registered to participate in the beta test on the official website and participated in contests to grab an access key. The wait is almost over for fans of Allods Online as they will be able log in when servers open on Thursday 19th of November.
 
Once granted access to the beta, players from English, French and German communities will be able to enter the unique server, named “Isa” after the homeland of the Gibberling race. Testers will be able to play up to level 19 on both League and Empire sides, with no race or class restrictions.
 
Upon completing the tests required for the first phase of the Closed Beta Test, all characters will be erased and the game will be unavailable until the start of the second testing phase. Although the game will only be available in English for the first testing phase, French and German dedicated servers and clients will be available during the second phase.
 
The beta game client is already available for download on the official website of Allods Online and players can still register their interest in the beta there to gain access to the upcoming phases of testing. Allods Online will be released in English, French and German versions in early 2010.
 
More information is also available at the official Facebook page at http://facebook.com/allodsonline-en and at the official Twitter page at http://twitter.com/allodsonline_en .
 

Allods Online Closed Beta Starts

Cloud Nine starts Open Beta Test on November 25th

1. All in-game contents (in-game events and exclusive items) will be open to players on the 25th of November.
2. Global CDN provides faster and more stable client downloads to players. 
3. By raising the game security, players will be able to enjoy Cloud Nine without interruption of hackers and other misconducts.
4. Players can log into Cloud Nine and use in-game contents after the Grand Opening Commercial Service.

 

 
The Cloud Nine Open Beta Test starts at 6 PM on the 25th of November (PST Time) and all in-game contents will be open to our MMO fans.
 
Cloud Nine is a MMORPG provided by Mgame USA. This is a new title that Mgame USA will launch since their opening of Operation 7 on December 2008. Cloud Nine is a Fantasy MMORPG based on a legend of confrontation between a nation of merchants who value loyalty the most, Primus Union, and a society of races who worship nature and freedom, Ganav Libero.   
 
Even though Cloud Nine portrays splendid graphics with pleasantly bright colors, it represents an endless battle between two different nations. With a frequently updated community feature of inside scoops and a deep story narrated throughout the site makes Cloud Nine apart from all other ordinary MMORPGs.
 
Cloud Nine will provide a series of extraordinary techniques like Monster transformations, Monster taming systems, and Monster riding systems. And with its Open Beta Test, Dungeon Designing system, Class Revolving, and Seven Sign Combo Systems will open gradually to players and these significant game systems will give MMO fans a completely new and exciting gaming experience.
 
For the last 6 months, Cloud Nine’s game teams have put every effort to raise its security level on mainly hacks and auto-hunting software to prevent disruptions and abuses in the game.
 
Mgame USA Cloud Nine, project Manager, Sun M. Kim stated, “Cloud nine defines an amusing fantasy adventure. So we are working on preparation to provide Cloud Nine fans a very special gaming experience through exclusive user communities and events. And after OBT, we will seize a war between nations and new regions like Kanto, Archahel and Ceres to continuously want players logged into Cloud Nine.”
 
Cloud Nine will hold its Grand Opening as soon as its stability of services is approved. You may get more information from Cloud Nine’s Official Webpage, cloudnine.netgame.com.

Cloud Nine starts Open Beta

Eudemons: Demon Bosses Rising!

As December is drawing ever closer, EO’s epic expansion, Demon Rising, is coming more and more into focus. When the prospective quests reach the final stage, the demonic invasion will break out in full force! A gigantic war between good and evil is at our doorstep!

Unlike any of the previous expansions or quests you’ve come across in EO, this time, it requires more than just a high BP, but also depends on good teamwork and strategic cooperation to ensure you and your friends survive the unexpected traps and deadly battles you’ll face before you move on to the next exciting challenge.

And now, let’s first meet the 5 main Bosses you will be confronting in the new expansion.

Rotten Sepulcher – Defiler
The Defiler used to be a leader of the knight of Cronus before his descent into the Abyss. His name is lost to history. The temptation and fall of the Defiler is considered to one of the greatest successes of the Demon Race. The demonic Defiler and his follower knights are the protectors of the key to Caria Fortress. They will protect this key with their tainted souls, forever.  

Frozen Burrow – Hive Queen Deborah
Hive Queen Deborah has occupied the Frozen Burrow where she makes it the hatchery for her offspring. The bugs in the Frozen Burrow live on human flesh and blood. The human skeletons and relics in the Frozen Burrow tell it all. She has no regard for human life, caring only for the well being of her demonic progeny.  

Lament of the Fallen – Fallen Raphael
The most outstanding Swordsman on this continent, Raphael was known for his invincibility and his chivalry on and off the field of battle. After his death, strange signs began appearing around this tomb. The Archmage divined that demonic forces had somehow taken control of Raphael’s soul. He is only a puppet to his demonic masters now. May he finally find peace, even if is at the end of a sword.  

Duskwolf Cliff – Pack Leader Takoma
Tacoma, the most sagacious wolf king ever to hold the throne, has been reigning over Duskwolf Cliff for hundreds of years before falling under the sway of the Dark Mage-Lord of the demons. The Dark Mage-Lord’s curse made him a totally cunning wild animal while giving him an undead body as well as various magical abilities. The legendary Lunar Rune is also in the grasp of the bewitched wolf King.  

Revenge of the Corrupted – Avenging Alamut
Toughness, iron will and his firm faith in the Gods forged Alamut into an honorable Knight Templar. But pride, injustice, and the corruption he saw all around him made him lose his faith in humanity. Alamut turned from the Gods and devoted himself to the Demon cause, vowing to build a new order from the ashes of the old. He dwells deep within Caria Fortress, plotting vengeance against the world that has forsaken him.  

Now you must be very curious what exactly the new expansion will come up with next? And what can these demons do? Which of these bosses do you think is the strongest one? Come and join in the hot discussion! Share your brilliant thoughts with the whole community!

There are a lot more exciting things yet to be revealed! More will be coming soon! Stay tuned!

Eudemons - Dragon Boss Rising Alamut

Dragon Oath: “Kung Fu Soccer Battle” Announced

Dragon Oath has added yet another exciting new event to its recently launched Open Beta – the Kung Fu World Soccer Challenge. This is a monthly event, scheduled for the first Sunday of each month.

 

Dragon Oath - Attack is the best defense

 

Bring only your strongest team of three or more to the arena for a soccer match like no other. More like a soccer nightmare, you’ll have to fight your way past a seemingly endless onslaught of ferocious soccer balls before you earn the right to battle their captain to claim the ultimate prize in this game for soccer supremacy. 

 

Dragon Oath - Bright Light

Players that participate in this event will gain MASSIVE amounts of experience, rare item drops, and the Chance to take down the Soccer queen! Careful, she bites.

 

Dragon Oath - The Soccer Queen Bites!

 

 

Neverland Online: Duke it out in the Free Battle Arena

 

Neverland Online players who have reached character level 30 or above are invited to take part in daily Arena Free Battles in Prosper City for a chance to get special in-game items that aren’t available anywhere else. Players have two opportunities to test their skills every day, from 12:00-12:30 p.m. and from 3:30-4:00 p.m. PST (GMT-8).

All Free Battle participants will earn 3 reputation points, and winners will earn an additional 10 reputation points, which can be traded in for the special in-game items.

Neverland Online - Free Battle Manager