Monthly Archives: March 2010

Aeria Games Announces Kingdom Heroes for North America & Europe

Aeria Games Announces Kingdom Heroes for North America & Europe

 

Aeria Games & Entertainment, one of the fastest growing publishers of free-to-play online games in North America and Europe, has officially unveiled its newest title, Kingdom Heroes. Players interested in testing the game prior to its Spring 2010 release can visit the official site, starting today, and sign up to participate in the upcoming Closed Beta.
 
Kingdom Heroes (KH) is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that introduces a variety of new, revolutionary features to the MMO genre.
 
In Kingdom Heroes, players will be able to:
• Recruit and customize NPC soldiers to form their own personal armies.
• Organize a crew of players and take to the seas in exciting ship battles.
• Work together to establish, develop, and defend player-controlled cities.
• Conquer enemy strongholds using an impressive arsenal of troops, mounts, ships, and powerful siege engines.
In addition to this unparalleled array of game features, Kingdom Heroes offers numerous character customization options, branching classes and talent trees, mounted combat, a player based economy, instanced battlefields, thousands of quests, and global player-versus-player (PvP) events where rival factions battle for control of player cities and territory.
For more information about Kingdom Heroes, screenshots and video, or to be among the first to register for the Closed Beta period, visit http://kingdomheroes.aeriagames.com

Kingdom Heroes New Game Closed Beta

PopTag Interview: Pop Enemies and Tag Your Friends

PopTag Interview: Pop Enemies and Tag Your Friends
Questions by Bryan King (Bryan), OnRPG Journalist
Answered by Jaeho Hwang, PopTag! Producer

 

PopTag! is a fun, casual game developed by Nexon. PopTag! is a free 2D fast action multiplayer arcade game where  you you combat enemies and even other players using water balloons. PopTag! offers fast-paced game play in player-versus-player modes, or cooperative modes where you  can band together to take on unique and deadly boss monsters and their minions. A “co-play” function is also available to users, allowing two players to play using a single keyboard. Today, I got the chance to speak to Jaeho Hwang about the current status and the future of PopTag!

 

 

OnRPG: Hello! Please introduce yourself to readers?
My name is Jaeho Hwang, and I am the Producer of PopTag!.  I’m happy that I have the opportunity to bring this game to the North American market. 

 

OnRPG: Can you give readers a summary on the premise of PopTag!?
PopTag! is a fun online arcade-style multiplayer hyper puzzle action game that has players engaging in frenzied water balloon battles against each other or cooperatively against monsters. 

 

Crazy Arcade Game PopTag

PopTag is a crazy funny arcade game

 

OnRPG: How did you guys come up with such an interesting name?
The name describes the game’s competitive and cooperative aspect.  You “pop” your enemies trapped in a water bubble to defeat them and you “tag” your friends who are trapped to free them. 

 

OnRPG: How hard was it to integrate moving an originally eastern game to suit a western audience?
Of course there are challenges, but the game at its core level is fairly simple to pick up.  This is very helpful because you don’t have to repeatedly explain how to play the game.  Also, PopTag! is really fun and speaks to all audiences.

 

OnRPG: Introduce readers to some of the features in PopTag!
PopTag! currently has two main game modes: PvP And Monster.  In PvP, players compete against other players, alone or on teams, as they attempt to capture others in water balls.  Once captured, the player can pop the bubble his opponent is trapped in to eliminate him from the game.  Teammates can free allies as well by tagging them.  In Monster mode, players engage in combat against computer-controlled enemies on the way to facing off against a boss monster.  Again, water balloons are the primary weapon.

 

PopTag Adventure

Use water balloons as your weapons

 

OnRPG: Providing a casual experience to MMO gamers is rarely seen these days, and often MMOs require plenty of time… or money. How is PopTag! designed to suit casual gamers of all ages?
PopTag! matches are very quick.  There is the old marketing saying “easy to learn, difficult to master.”  This applies to PopTag!.  After just a match or two, the player has a very clear concept of the basics of gameplay.  However, once you throw in all the different equipment the player can use AND put them in a match with other players, you now have a bunch of variables that will satisfy players looking for a little depth.   But essentially, if you can move a character using the four-button directional pad and the space bar on your keyboard, you are ready to play and enjoy PopTag!.

 

OnRPG: Speaking of suit, will characters be able to enjoy some of the customization features they usually see in other MMOs?
That is one of the more fun aspects of PopTag!.  If you’re like me, you enjoy the part in games where you can personalize your appearance and customize yourself to stand out in a crowd.  PopTag! has an ever-growing amount of various avatar items that the player can use to decorate himself including outfits, ID labels and more.  Players can even customize what their water balloon looks like. 

 

OnRPG: There’s over 20 items in PopTag!, can you introduce readers to some of them, and how they can be utilized?
One of the key items many players use is the needle.  In the game, if you are caught in the splash of an exploding water balloon, you are pretty much doomed unless a teammate pops the bubble you are trapped in and frees you.  However, you won’t always have a teammate in a position to rescue you.  If you have a needle equipped, you can pop your way to freedom and hunt down the guy who put you in the water ball in the first place.

 

OnRPG:  How does gameplay work? Are the controls simple? Also, please introduce readers to the unique “co-play” function.
As I mentioned, the basic controls are confined to the directional pad and space bar on your keyboard.  It’s pretty simple.  The Co-Play function is a pretty clever feature where two players can enjoy PopTag! on the same computer using the same monitor and keyboard.  Nowadays, there is hardly any support for players to play PC titles with/against another player on the same system like you can with consoles.  PopTag!’s Co-Play system allows two people with two separate accounts to log onto the game and use keys assigned to the far ends of the same keyboard.   Given that many of the people who will be interested in PopTag! are younger players or family members, this further reduces the cost of entry by not requiring two systems to play with friends and family. 

 

OnRPG: How are the graphics in PopTag! used to further enhance enjoyment?
PopTag! features a variety of maps and environments, giving players the option of choosing the tone of gameplay.  Simple and colorful, the different environment options enhance a player’s enjoyment because they control where they play and what they’re seeing.  It’s all about fun and colorful settings.

 

PopTag Tricks

Clear puzzle adventures with tricks in colorful settings

 

OnRPG: There surely is much comparison between the classic game, Bomberman, and PopTag!. How would you differentiate between the two?
Many people like to compare PopTag! to Bomberman, but they are definitely not the same game.  In PopTag!, if you are caught in a blast, you are not instantly killed.  You are trapped, adding much more strategy to the game, which you feel once you play it.  Also, PopTag! has a whole assortment of game items and customization options that are unique to the game and make PopTag! its own game.

 

OnRPG: Will players who use the cash shop have a large advantage over those who don’t?
There is no advantage available for purchase that cannot be overcome by skill.  This is not like an RPG game where there is no way that an unarmed/unarmored player can even hurt a player with superior gear.  If a player has, say, a needle that may allow him to get out of one water ball, the limitation of being able to use only one needle per match keeps it fair.  You can’t purchase enough items to outdo all the techniques of a superior player.  Having said that, there are items in the Pop Shop that may make the playing field between players of dissimilar experience a little more even.   

 

OnRPG: Are there any events that players are able or will be able to enjoy?
There are always a number of quests and events available for the player to participate in.  There are always multiple quests running concurrently and on average every other week more quests are added.  The game tracks these quests with an in-game quest tracking system, which is a handy feature.  Also during certain prearranged times there are events where the player can earn more LUCCI and experience by logging in and playing.

 

OnRPG: What future updates does your development team plan to add?
The development team has a large number of ideas for additions to the game and is very responsive to the players’ suggestions.  Of course, we don’t want to announce every planned update right now as that would ruin some of the surprise. 

 

OnRPG: Give readers a quick summary on why they should go to poptag.nexon.net right now.
If players are looking for a fun, easy-to-learn game with a long, storied history, they should definately try PopTag!.  It has a colorful, animated look that appeals to many, but underneath all of that is a very balanced game with a lot of variety and even more to come.

 

OnRPG: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you very much for taking the time to learn about PopTag!.  The game is incredibly addictive, and we’d love for you to give it a try.

 

OnRPG: Thank you so much for your time! 

Kingdom Heroes

Kingdom Heroes (KH) is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) set in the Three Kingdoms period of Ancient China. The title introduces a wide range of new and revolutionary features to the MMORPG genre.
 
In KH, players are able to:
• Recruit and customize NPC soldiers to form their own personal armies.
• Organize a crew of players and take to the seas in exciting ship battles.
• Work together to establish, develop, and defend player-controlled cities.
• Conquer enemy strongholds using an impressive arsenal of troops, mounts, ships, and powerful siege engines.
In addition to this unparalleled array of features, Kingdom Heroes offers numerous character customization options, branching classes and talent trees, mounted combat, a player based economy, instanced battlefields, thousands of quests, and global player-versus-player (PvP) events where rival factions battle for control of player cities and territory.

Maple Story presents Dragon Master Evan

Maple Story presents Dragon Master Evan


Nexon America’s leading free-to-play game, MapleStory, is introducing a brand new class and character in an upcoming update, Dragon Master Evan. Evan is an ordinary farm boy living in a small town called Henesys. He wakes one morning from an ominous dream and later stumbles upon a dragon egg, forever changing his life.

 

Evan, chosen in his dream to become someone great, has suddenly become a Dragon Master. This new hero must live up to the expectations his new role entails and tame a powerful dragon as he races against the clock. The Black Mage is back and is more determined than ever to destroy Maple World, so it’s up to Dragon Master Evan to be the hero.

 

 

Maple Story presents Dragon Master Evan

 

 

MMO Babes Galore: Pixel Loveliness

MMO Babes Galore: Pixel Loveliness
By Kei Beneza (dividelife), OnRPG journalist

Half time break!

 

After reading tons of reviews from the MMO list, I though it would be nice to sit down and have a break with our MMO lovelies. Do I really have to have a reason to post and discuss MMO babes? Here we have a set of feisty females ready to enhance your gaming zen. It would definitely suck if muscles were the only things that populated MMO games right? It’s girly madness right here folks, although I’m afraid there’s no Lara Croft here as we’re tired of her overrated polygonal funbags. Join us as we unveil Onrpg’s very own list of top MMO babes.

 

Avalon & Jessica – Hellgate London

Status: retired & probably looking for another job

If there were evera reason why gamers would buy a crappy game like Hellgate London, it would definitely be Avalon and Jessica. For those of you who don’t know, Avalon is the sexy black-haired Templar who faced the gigantic demon in the early trailers. She’s so hot that she actually gained a spot in the videogame edition of Playboy magazine where she showed (uh hem) the underlying sexiness beneath her oh so tight armor. As for Jessica, having a hot blonde babe lead an anti demon force would be far more effective than any Uncle Sam poster, yes? We’re actually trying to hire a private eye to find out their whereabouts after the unfortunate closing of Hellgate London. Rawr!

 

Avalon Hellgate Babe

Avalon

 

Jessica Hellgate London

And Jessica

 

Nao Mariota Pryderi – Mabinogi

Status: Still there and single WOOT

After meeting Nao in the world of Mabinogi, I finally knew why the MMOs use the theme “fantasy life”. No doubt that this angel is one of the hottest babes in MMO history. With that tight dress (too tight for her own good) and puppy dog eyes, she should definitely watch out (*snarl). Nao as a kid was quite jealous of other girls whose bodies matured earlier than hers. Upon seeing what she’s become, I kinda wonder who’s laughing now. Nao can raise people from the dead, which is a rather scary skill for a hot chick to posses. She also accepts gifts (clothes and costumes) and gladly wears them for you if you want… She’s definitely BIG in more ways than one.

 

Nao Mariota Pryderi Mabinogi

Nao Mariota Pryderi

 

Valeera Sanguinar & Jaina Proudmoore – World of Warcraft

Status: Single, but her heart is taken

Ooh la la! I’ve never seen a blood-elf dress this hawt before. Valeera Sanguinar is a feisty little thing who served King Varian for years. I don’t know what’s wrong with the guy but I would definitely have kept her in the castle if I were king. Valeera was orphaned as a kid after her village was pillaged by a pack of unruly bandits. She then entered the bloody ring as a gladiator along with Broll Bearmantle and Lo’gosh (Now King Varian Wrynn). Valeera like most Bloodelves is very susceptible to arcane addiction, this particular drug drives her insane at times, but it’s okay cause’ every womangets like that occasionally. She used to dress in a very skimpy outfit, which revealed most of her sexyfigure, too bad it was replaced by a rather unorthodox set of armor that doesn’t seem to be as sexy as the old one.

 

Jaina Proudmoore Babe

Jaina Proudmoore

 

As for Jaina Proudmoore. This girl captured the hearts of both Kaelthas Sunstrider and the Lich King himself (at least when he was still human). Jaina wears an armored dress that seems to hug her body oh so perfectly. One look and you know she’s hiding an awesome bod inside that epic gear. Geez no wonder Kaelthas went all emo, cause this is one girl you wouldn’t want to lose.

 

The Karfras – Ragnarok Online

Status: No idea

 

(*Sigh) Kafras represents the hottie stereotypes from most anime films. They have lolitas, BIG mature females, innocent looking girlies and overly boyish/aggressive girls. There’s nothing more to ask as Ragnarok has hired these babes to teleport players from one place to another, as well as store items for later use. I’m not sure if it’s a scam set by Ragnarok online, but I’ve been teleporting and storing stuff more often than I was supposed to. Kafra charms? Maybe.

 

Kafra Ragnarok

Kafras

 

Eve and Cynn – Guildwars

Status: Still being paid for service.

Eve and Cynn are mercenaries whom you would definitely want in your party. Aside from Cynn’s powerful elemental damage, Eve can also supply you with a bunch of meat warriors who will fight to even the odds. Cynn is a smart-arse mage who acts like a spoiled princess, leading her to more trouble than a bowl of Charr warriors. She’s also very smart and quite talented in the arts of magic. Eve on the other hand is a total psycho (then again, psycho chicks rule). Not only does she experiment on dead bodies, she also talks to a hollow skull that she calls Adam. Aside from adding sexy aesthetics to your band of merry men, these girls can definitely pack a punch. Don’t believe me? Just ask the Charr.

 

Eve Guild WarsCynn Guild Wars

Eve and Cynn in Guild Wars

 

The Elves of Lineage II – Lineage II (doi)

Status: Still seducing people

Yes sir! It’s the elves of Lineage II! No I’m not talking about the Elves alone. I’m taking about both the Caucasian and darkelves. Aside from their difference in color, these babes really know how to accessorize. The White elves do dress a bit conservatively compared to the drow (dark elves) but they still give an image of elegance unmatched by non-elven creatures. As for the dark elves… eh hem no sir, that is not a magic wand in your pocket. Dark elves are sexy beyond reason, with their well-curved bodies and oh so seductive looks. They seem to really enjoy wearing armor that doesn’t really protect them from harm; instead, wearing a series of belt-like straps that covers just the faintest details of their naked bodies. Kinda gives you a good idea why their enemies are so distracted. Are they really dressed for war?

 

Lineage Elves

Elves in Lineage

 

The Rakshasa – Tantra

Status: Still not wearing armor

Rakshasas are the resident assassins of Tantra. These women are bound to blow your head off(no pun intended). Vanity is one of their leading traits, and yet what’s not to be vain about? Here we have women with daggers dressed up like they’re taking a long vacation ata beach resort. I suppose I can smile while under their leg headlocks or deathgrips. At least I can die with a smile on my face.

 

Tantra Rakshasa

 

It would seem that Single player games aren’t the only ones who can have gaming babes. Honestly, MMO babes are sexier and definitely dress up skimpier than their single player counterparts. The best part is that you’ll be seeing them until you quit the game. Since the game doesn’t end, feel free to visit them and maybe… just maybe, someday they will jump out of your screen and…

Alganon MMO Game Now Subscription Free Announced

Alganon MMO Game Now Subscription Free Announced

 

Quest Online announces the Alganon has gone Subscription Free with its persistent fantasy-based MMOG title Alganon.

Alganon has converted to a Subscription Free MMOG and in April 2010 a new Tribute Market System, instances and numerous other enhancements will be released. Alganon continues to offer a great new and growing true persistent fantasy world for gamers to enjoy.
QOL engaged Alganon as a Soft Launch in December for the purposes of refining the product and getting in-tune with the industry and player needs. There were two key things to do; refine the game, and review Alganon’s position in the market. QOL held back all marketing during the new year because many AAA titles taking the spotlight and determined the best course of action for Alganon’s success in 2010 was to convert to Subscription Free and build a new Tribute Market System for the players. QOL is moving out of the Soft Launch phase of Alganon into full Official Release on April 8th and introducing the Tribute Market System.

 

This Tribute Market System will serve as the foundation of Alganon’s new real-dollar transactional framework. This market will support three categories of purchases: Items, Boons, and Services.
1. Items include Pets, Mounts, Equipment, Access Keys, Potions, Boxed Collections, Tokens and specialty items that will be available through the Market.
2. Boons are specific to studies and allow the purchase of study-time. This provides the player with options since the study system directly relates to access of advanced game content and systems. A player could purchase a year of studies right away or use the studies system in real-time, boons simply lets the player accelerate that time.
3. Initial Services will be character transfers
One thing that makes the Tribute Market System unique is Item Maintenance. With this players will never lose certain items they purchase from the market (one’s that are not a consumable or have a finite number of charges). This allows players to buy that special mount and use their Tribute to pay Maintenance on the mount to keep it active. If it goes inactive, they can easily reactivate with Tribute instead of having to re-purchase the mount.
Tribute is account-wide, so the points can be used by any character. In addition, players can purchase Items via a web-browser on MyAlganon or through the game. Any character tied to their account can then claim the items.
Players who pre-paid for subscriptions will be getting a special bonus. QOL is taking the amount they spent on subscription fees and converting it to Alganon Tribute. Pre-Paid quarterly players will get 839 Tribute, semi-annual will get 1,559 Tribute and annual will get 2,878 Tribute deposited into their accounts after the April launch.

 

The official April release build of Alganon not only includes the new Tribute Market System, but numerous new and redesigned features, most noticeably the collection of Dungeon Instances, and a fully redesigned Starter experience (including completely unique starter areas).
Alganon embraces the vibrant immersive style of persistent large-scale open-world game play many recent MMOGs have been lacking. Players in Alganon don’t feel funneled through a small segmented world; instead they grow and expand on their own, following the more than 1,600 available quests. With the addition of the integrated Library system and MyAlganon support, QOL has a game with both the world and features players have been looking for.
More information available on the on the Alganon website

Kunlun Online

Kunlun Online is a 2.5D Chinese fantasy-themed MMORPG based on mythological classic Shan Hai Jing.

In the beginning of the time, Pan Gu, the first God, split the cosmic egg of Yin and Yan and created the Sky and Earth. Goddess Nüwa then created human from clay. Soon after, three realms emerged: Gods and immortals took home in the Sky(Heaven); Human lived on the Earth and established tribes as population grew; and evil sprits infested the under world called Nether World.  Conflicts and warfare thereafter never stopped as the gods and demons sought ruthlessly for dominance and assert influence over the human.

Kunlun Mountain, first made a pillar by Pan Gu to prevent the Sky from falling, was built into a paradise where gods and immortals dwelled when they were on the Earth. Taosits also gathered here to practice alchemy and body-spirit cultivation in questing for immortality.  Therefore, Kunlun was endowed magical powers appealing to all and invited never ending chaos. It is mission of every player to search for the divine magic, unite the tribes, fend off the evil force, and restore the harmony that once blessed the world. 

Key features include
– A beautiful divine world – with mythical creatures unseen, stories unheard of , and rituals never experienced before
– Dazzling PVP system – players are free to engage in battles in form of tribe vs. tribe, clan vs. clan, team vs. team, or one on one, and get rewarded with loots and glory.
– DIY your characters – choose from various skills and freely allocate points to your like
– Unique equipment enhancement – legend says the Five Elements can strengthen or weaken each other. One’s power becomes unpredictable when he or she enhances equipments with the star-upgrade and the five-element gem inlay
– Never fight alone – powerful and royal pets are always at your side