Yearly Archives: 2010

Allods Online Interview: ‘Thar She Blows!’

Allods Online Interview: ‘Thar She Blows!’
Questions by Vincent Haoson, OnRPG Journalist
Answered by Darren Allarde, Associate Producer Allods Online

 

Allods has experienced a very good start as a F2P MMORPG that can rival established names in the MMORPG scene. Also, certain in-game features have been the target of player disappointment that caused an exit of veteran Allods players. To try stem the problems the game has experienced while providing more juicy content into the game, Allods has released its newest patch, “Revelations of Gipat”. We here at OnRPG got the opportunity to talk to the people at Allods to get more details on what the newest patch can bring to the community.

 

OnRPG: Thank you for giving us the time to talk to you guys seeing that you’ve had a very tumultuous and eventful past few months in Allods. How are you guys coping and how is the game as of this moment? 
It certainly has been a wild ride! The initial response to Allods was amazing, but we did lose a bit of momentum with the current patch. Although we eliminated our death debuff, Fear of Death, a number of players balked at the Cursed Items system that was introduced in its place. It is always hard to make everyone happy all of the time, but we are trying to achieve a healthy balance, and continue to engage with our community for feedback. The entire Allods Team is fully dedicated to seeing Allods thrive, and we are all working very hard to keep the game moving in the right direction.

 

OnRPG: Allods has just released its latest patch, 1.1.0 or more known as Revelations of Gipat. Would you consider this patch a game changer?
Patch 1.1.0 didn’t completely change things, but instead added more interesting things to the game and improved upon a lot of existing features. For example, Patch 1.1.0 raised the level cap to level 42, added an entirely new zone, and introduced a new dungeon, new raid bosses, new quests, and new items. It also significantly rebalanced most of the archetypes, and tweaked some other game mechanics such as the death penalty system, mentioned above. However, the core of the game remains the same, and all of the award-winning elements of Allods are still there too!

 

Allods Gipat
Combat in Gipat 

 

OnRPG: Why did you name the latest patch “Revelations of Gipat”? 
The patch introduced a new high level zone called Gipat that really delves into a lot of new and interesting lore. The events that unfold there reveal some of the motivations behind the Astral demons and explore what happened to some key characters such as Nezeb and Skrakan. We felt that this continuation of the rich story line of Allods was a highlight of the patch and we wanted to emphasize that with the name. Thus Revelations of Gipat is very fitting.

 

OnRPG: Among the biggest changes you have included in Revelations of Gipat was the removal of the Fear of Death system. What made you guys decide to go with the removal of the system instead of fine tuning it? Where did you get the idea for this death penalty system?
Astrum Nival had a poll to kick off their spring season where they invited players to vote on one change they wanted to see most in Allods Online.

The choices were:
1) Removing Fear of Death
2) An overhaul on the mechanics of the warden archetype
3) A decrease in the price of Incense

 

Removing Fear of Death won by a landslide, and so this change was implemented in Patch 1.1.0, and in its place a new death penalty was introduced.

 

Allods Fear Of Death
Death ain’t ever pretty

 

OnRPG: How’s the player response with the implementation of the Cursed Item system? Did it incur the same reaction as the implementation of the Fear of Death system?
Overall, the player reaction to Cursed Items has been worse than the reaction to Fear of Death. Although this penalty is really not necessarily worse than Fear of Death, we think it is more the fact that the community sees these core mechanics changing and it begins to wear on them. Change is always difficult in any situation and acclimating to an entirely new game mechanic is never easy. The truth is that while some players may have hated Fear of Death, it was the devil that they knew, and with Cursed Items, it is a whole new entity.

 

But, with all of this behind us, all we can do now is continue to educate players on the new Cursed Items system, dispel any rumors that may be flying about, and encourage players to give the new patch a chance. We’ve also been collecting all the feedback we’ve been receiving and are working with Astrum Nival to come up with solutions that will help to alleviate the stress on the players that wish to play for free in lieu of buying Item Shop items in order to avoid penalties.

 

OnRPG: Another notable addition in Revelations of Gipat is the inclusion of the mounts. Could you give us more details regarding the mounts? 
Players will be able to purchase a Kanian Runner or Xadaganian Steed from the Item Shop at level 12. Feeding the mount isn’t mandatory, but it certainly helps by giving the mount a slight boost in health and movement speed while giving it experience that will eventually increase the mount’s level. Leveling a mount will give the mount a permanent boost in health and movement speed. And while you certainly can take your mount along with you on your Astral journey, there is not a lot of room to roam on the ship, and it might be easier to just summon your mount once you reach your final destination!

 

Allods Ship
Loads of options for ships

 

OnRPG: How varied are the mounts in the game? How often will you update and add mounts to the Item Shop?
Beside the Kanian Runners and the Xadaganian Steeds, we just released our Majestic Lion mount which can be won through our lottery box system – the Radiant Strongboxes. We’ll also be releasing other various mounts in the future!

 

OnRPG: Speaking of which, you guys took a different route in the mount system where there’s no free permanent mount for players. Does this mean you consider mounts more of a luxury than a commodity?
With speed potions and the speed buffs that the psionicist archetype can give, we felt that the mounts should be something really special. However, players are able to try out the mounts through a one-time quest that allows players to ride a mount for an hour.

 

OnRPG: Why did you increase the experience requirements for levels 20 – 40 when normally MMORPGs make it easier? Does this mean that you’re considering Allods as more of anequipment based game rather than a level based one? Why or why not?
Most MMOs require a player to gain more experience to reach higher levels, and eventually this curve significantly steepens once players hit the last few levels. However, equipment is definitely a major factor in Allods Online and players need to stay geared appropriate to their level. Even in the early levels, gaining reputation through quests to buy special gear from vendors plays a much larger role than it traditionally would in other MMOs.

 

OnRPG: Can you tell us more about the Adventurer’s faction and how this affects the gameplay of Allods?
Sure. The Adventurers faction determines which heroics a player has access to. The more heroics a player completes, the more reputation they earn for the Adventurers faction which will in turn unlock other heroics.

 

Allods Fight
Epic dungeon battles 

 

OnRPG: What’s your take on the reaction of players to the game, especially on the various disappointed players in regards to Revelations of Gipat? 
We have a lot of passionate players who support and enjoy Patch 1.1.0. However, it’s disappointing to see players leave without even giving this patch a fair chance. Our recommendation to players is to come in and experience the patch and the game as a whole, before making any judgments. The awesome graphics, engaging lore and story, unique archetypes, the Astral – these amazing aspects of the game still exist and have only gotten better in Patch 1.1.0!

 

Allods Online is continually improving. Sure, some changes may not always sit well with the entire player base, but the game mechanics are always continuing to improve.

 

OnRPG: On one of your replies to the players post you mentioned that Allods is a “growing game with a very strong and passionate community“. How does this compute to the reported amount of old players leaving the game out of disappointment? 
Yes the game is growing, but we definitely mean it when we say that we have a very passionate community. When things don’t go as expected, players are definitely not shy to share their opinions! As far as players leaving the game, again, we just continue to encourage everyone to try the patch for themselves. We have found a number of players are coming back, and we just want to get the word out that Patch 1.1.0 is a step in the right direction, even if it does come with a bit of growing pains.

 

OnRPG: You also mentioned that Change is part of every MMO. Mechanics are altered, classes are rebalanced, and new features are introduced. We hope that you join us on this amazing journey as the game continues to grow and reach new heights.” does this mean that you are prepared to change a lot of established plans (in terms of updates, game system changes, etc.) just because the game community does not accept it?
To delve further into this comment, this was our way of letting players know that Allods Online is in it for the long haul. We acknowledge that not all changes to game mechanics received player praise, but this game will continue to improve; Patch 1.1.0 isn’t the only patch that Allods Online will have! Also, we read all of our player’s feedback and suggestions, and are constantly discussing players’ concerns with Astrum Nival. This is not to say that every single suggestion can ultimately get implemented into the game, however, it is our goal to make the Allods Online experience the best it can possibly be for all of our players.  

 

OnRPG: With the interview coming to a close, can you tell us what’s in store for players in the coming months ahead?
In addition to the update to Patch 1.1.0, we’re also simultaneously testing another brand new patch. We’re also in the middle of our major $50,000 giveaway, the Allods Online Quest for Chests, where players have the chance to win 52 inch flat screens, Alienware computers, and Astro A30 headsets with customized Allods tags!

 

Needless to say, we continue to keep things moving, and are already looking forward to the changes in the upcoming versions. We will have a new zone called the Dream Factory, a revamped Arena of Death in Yazes Shard, and class mechanic changes with major improvements to the psionicist and scout archetypes. One thing’s clear: there are a ton of changes coming out in the future so stayed tuned!

Myth War II Online: New Patch to Add Third Advancement and More

Myth War II Online: New Patch to Add Third Advancement and More

 

In Myth War II Online, the gods are at war, but when the latest patch arrives, players will discover their own untapped potential. Among the updates the patch will introduce will be an increase in the level caps for players, pets and spells, the debut of a new regular weekly event, and most importantly the third advancement feature, also known as Rebirth.

Level Cap Increase

Players are eagerly anticipating the level cap increase. After the patch, player characters will be capped at Level 164, pets at Level 160 and spells at Level 100. This will give players more choices and room to improve their abilities.

 

Myth War II

 

New Weekly Event

The new regular event will be available on Saturdays each week. Watch the official Myth War II Online site for more details.

Third Advancement: Rebirth

To perform the third advancement, players must pass a series of difficult tests. First, players must head to the Withered Forest in the depths of the Fog Jungle to gather certain items and defeat a tough boss. When they have completed this challenge, players next must find their way into Evil Lair 4 and recapture a special staff. After that, players must break into Ashes Pit 4 to find a tome, and then cast a magic formation with help from the tome’s guide. From there they will need to turn to Hades in Tumulus to dig up potential. Their final task will require them to defeat some challenging demons. After passing all of these tests, players can perform the third advancement and become much stronger than before.

 

Do you have what it takes to perform these feats and earn the right to awaken even greater power than you could have ever imagined? Your chance to find out is coming soon! Visit the official site for more information about Myth War II Online or the new patch.

Uncharted Waters Online

Uncharted Waters Online is a MMORPG set within several timelines during the Age of Exploration as a romantic and historic fictional account of the era.

Players will live and play real world of 15th century to make their own history. Players may choose from among 6 nation-alities: England, Dutch Republic, Ancien Régime in France, Spanish Empire, Kingdom of Portugal, and Republic of Venice.

As well the player may choose from several occupations after choosing a basic class: adventurer, merchant, and soldier. Players are able to trade, explore, battle and join in live events such as “Great Sea Fights”.

Rappelz Epic 7: Awakening – New Features & Creature Enhancements

Rappelz Epic 7: Awakening – New Features & Creature Enhancements

 

The new Rappelz Epic 7: Awakening expansion includes many new features and exciting new content.  Rappelz is known for its rich and in-depth pet system, featuring a massive variety of pets with different appearances, skills, and combat abilities. Once a user tames a wild creature, they can raise it through three distinct evolutions and use their pet to fulfill a multitude of support roles ranging from healer to tanker, damage dealer to crowd controller, or even de-buffer! From ferocious Nightmares, fierce Dragons, undead Skeletons, and vicious Orcs, to mystical Pixies, enchanting Sirens, and sly Genies – Rappelz takes MMO companion systems to the next level!

 

Epic 7 introduces an all new Creature Enhancement System, to provide players with an entirely new way to upgrade Rappelz’s legendary combat pets. By combining two tamed creature pets of the same type, it is possible to generate a much stronger creature.  Once your pet is upgraded, users will get to experience increased stats, additional item slots, additional job points, new skills, and a brand new look.

 

Rappelz Tyrant

 

In addition to the new Creature Enhancement System, Rappelz will also be introducing a new pet like no other: the Death Tyrant. This vengeful spirit is more than just rusty metal. A dignified knight who suffered great injustice before his untimely death, his soul remains as haunted suit of armor. Filled with revenge and spite for those responsible for his demise, the Death Tyrant uses all of his skills to bring down his foes. Able to deal significant damage, the Death Tyrant can decay the flesh of his enemies, turning their skin into rot, rendering them Undead. But creatures are not the only ones to benefit from Epic 7; guilds will also be greeted with a number of new changes and features. Guilds leaders will now be able to create ranks for their guild, allowing guild members varying types of access and powers depending on their assigned title.  Additionally, new UI features let guild members view all of their dungeon raid information easily. With the new expansion arriving this September, there has never been a better time to join one of the most addictive MMOs out there!

 

For more details on Epic 7, please check the Rappelz Official Website.

Dungeons & Dragons Online eBERRON uNLIMITED Launches Latest Update

Dungeons & Dragons Online eBERRON uNLIMITED Launches Latest Update

 

Introducing New Adventure Pack Featuring Underwater Combat!

 

Turbine, Inc. today launched the latest update to Dungeons & Dragons Online®: Eberron Unlimited (DDO Unlimited), the world’s best free-to-play massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG).  DDO Unlimited’s newest update adds a brand new adventure pack – Red Fens – as well as dozens of new items to the DDO Store.

 

Dungeons and Dragons

 

“Our latest update delivers a bunch of cool new items in the DDO Store including a new adventure pack that introduces underwater combat to the industry’s best combat system,” said Fernando Paiz, Executive Producer of DDO Unlimited.  “We are also very excited about bringing DDO Unlimited to Europe and we are working very hard to ensure a smooth character transfer process for players. We are continuing to aggressively expand our support of international payment options as we prepare to kick off the beta program for our new French and German service later this year.”

 

The latest DDO Unlimited update introduces mind-bending new dungeons and a lot more, including:
– New Adventure Pack: Red Fens — Explore the Red Fens and battle new swamp creatures such as will-o-wisps, muckmen, and vine stalkers. Battle against sahuagin invaders and discover the otherworldly terror they seek to unleash. Venture to the sahuagin’s base beneath the waves and engage in underwater combat for the first time in DDO! This new series of five epic adventures from DDO is free to all DDO VIPs and available for purchase in the DDO Store.
– DDO Store Catalog Expands – Players can now choose from a host of new items and improvements being added to the new DDO Store including guest passes for the Red Fens adventure pack, Ninja Masks, new Shock weapons and great specials on Turbine Point bundles.

Audition Dance Battle Review: Highly Addictive

Audition Dance Battle Review: Highly Addictive
By Kei Beneza (dividelife), OnRPG Journalist

 

It’s really easy to name a musical game since people aren’t really new to it nowadays. Games with note balloons (Arrows) like Dance Dance Revolution and Audition are pretty much everywhere, and although we end up hearing the same set of songs all over again, it never really stopped us from playing these games for a long period of time.

 

Audition Dance Battle (A.K.A X-Beat in Japan) is no exception, being a musical MMO game that shares the same dance system as Bust-a-Groove and HighStreet 5. In this game, players must press directional keys followed by a well-timed spacebar every time the light hits the marker. It may seem like a pretty repetitive concept but the main fact that you’ll have to compete with a whole bunch of players makes it a different story.  Audition started out as a popular comic which inspired T3 Entertainment to create the crazy MMO dancing game. The game also spawned its own handheld version on the PSP but fails in comparison to its MMO brother.

 

Despite its age, Audition Dance Battle is still being played by a lot of gamers worldwide. In my opinion, these games are timeless and will continue to provide a lot of satisfaction as long as it keeps presenting new tracks. Does Audition still have enough juice to keep the gamers of today satisfied? Let’s see, shall we?

 

Audition Dance Battle

 

DANCE DANCE!  

If you think that you’re gonna be hitting buttons and dancing to the beat, then I suppose you’re on the right track; However, the game has a series of game modes to choose from. This makes the game rather challenging and sometimes annoying, though of course– the more you lose, the more you’d want to get better. This is how musical games get their audience. Once you experience your first loss, you’ll stop at nothing to keep it from happening again. The sounds make up for the repetitive gameplay. Listening to it is one thing, but getting to tap your fingers while listening to your favorite songs make it somewhat worthwhile. Now, if you can jive and play Bust-a-Groove for two years with no one to play with but the second player, then maybe a whole community of virtual dancers would be more than sufficient for you. The variety of songs will definitely be big enough to satisfy your thirst for musical games.

 

Where Do I Sign Up?

The game uses the room function which allows players to play DJ and create or join dance battles with other players. I believe that no other system can be more suitable for this type of game. Audition Dance Battle is a casual game and relies greatly on skill when it comes to pressing note balloons like other rhythmic games. There are no +7 accuracy gloves here folks— just plain skill. It’s very refreshing to know that there are still games that don’t require you to log in on a daily basis and still enjoy yourself despite your slow progression.

 

Audition Dance Battle
Cool Items

 

I’m Not Satisfied!

Not satisfied with how things are going? Worry not, for Audition sports an array of game modes to keep you company. First of all, not all songs can be played by everyone; in fact, I myself can’t keep up with other dancers when the BPM goes up. The faster the beat, the harder it’s gonna be, so spam the practice mode and impress your enemies when you get back. Game modes include group sessions, one-on-one, three-way dance battle, vs CPU, couple sessions, and many more.

 

Keep It Up DJ!

Ah yes, music, the main essence of rhythmic games. The game offers top songs from the Eastern and Western charts, allowing players to jive and groove in with the beat. If that doesn’t impress you, then you should consider tweaking your musical timeline gramps. Turning up the volume while keeping the bass up will BOOM you to sensational heights as you watch your characters swing vigorously on the dance floor. The game updates regularly and brings new tracks every now and then, so there’s no reason to stop partying.

 

Audition Dance Battle

 

Look-A-Likes

When I think about it, the game does play a lot like Bust-a-Groove (an old dancing game during the PS1 days). The camera swings the same way, highlighting the better player when battling against an opponent. It really does bring a certain form of nostalgia, making this game more than charming for those who’ve played the older game.

 

Check Out Mah Bling!

Tired of wearing that old blouse? Much like other MMOs, players need to work hard to gain money. These credits are earned depending on the player’s performance, so you really should think about practice mode. Once a player has enough bucks to spare, they can visit the Fashion Shop to suit up their character. There are a lot of clothes to choose from, and the selections are quite diverse. Whether it’s psychedelic punk or yucky fairy princesses, everything you want is in the fashion shop.

 

Audition Dance Battle
Fashion Mall

 

FINISH HIM!

One of the noticeable features in Audition Dance Battle is the Finishing move, which can be executed at the height of your dancing nirvana. These things take a lot of points and are quite stylish as well as fun to watch.

 

Graphics

The game uses cell-shading, which is famous for rendering anime models in various MMOs. Since the game is old, many of the elements are blocky and pixelated unlike most of the games today. The stages and dance move however, are executed in a very colorful manner, making the graphics quite appealing despite its semi-old age. 

 

Stand Back For the Judge’s Decision

As far as dancing games are concerned, Audition Dance Battle is still a game worth playing. It has competitive gameplay, awesome tracks, and different difficulties that will stop you from leaving your computer. It truly is quite addictive… it’s like playing your MP3 player, only with awesome mini games. What are you waiting for? Register and play!

 

Pros:
-Updates Regularly
-Timeless
-Extremely Fun
-Repetitively Addictive.

 

Cons:
-Outdated Graphics
-Lacks a bit Compared to Modern Competition.

SUN Update Reveals New Character Class, Maps and More!

SUN Update Reveals New Character Class, Maps and More!

 

SUN’s publisher WEBZEN stated that this will be the biggest update in the history of its Global S.U.N service. Included in the update are a new character class, mission area, village, multi language client, new items, mounts and even system modifications.

Main features of this update are:

 

Shadow: Assassin and Sorcerer
The new class ‘Shadow’ is a runaway from the imperial army ‘Imperial Herald’ with combined characteristics of both ‘assassin’ and ‘sorcerer.’ Main weapons are daggers and whip swords. Dark and curse skills are also available to give additional damage to the opponents. ‘Shadow’ is a foreboding and powerful character–players that master Shadow will be able to control the dead and give fatal attacks to the enemies with various skills.

Helron's Castle is a mission map for the highest level players

 

‘Shadow’, although a best-fit for solo-playing, it can also play a main part in parties as a damage dealer. ‘Shadow’ is not very good at taking blows, but he is an expert the other way around. Depending on skill or stat build, the character can be a dark magician that brings deceased monsters back into life or a fearless assassin that strikes the enemies without sound or trace.

 

Helron’s Castle and Aukra Village
‘Helron’s Castle’ is a mission map for the highest level players. Over a hundred and fifty quests will be added to this map, challenging players to fight against the hardest and toughest monsters. Aukra is a quiet and small village close by Helron’s Castle. Before fighting the Imperial Army, the Revolution Force will be able to take some rest before the final battle. The fantastic and dreamy atmosphere will let you have a peaceful rest before fighting against the immortal emperor.

 

S.U.N Client in German
On the other note, S.U.N client is going to be available in German!
This will allow ‘S.U.N’ players to play in German, but with other global players in the same server. WEBZEN plans to expand this multi-language support to Portuguese, Polish, Spanish and more.

Tony Kim, Head of Global Publishing at WEBZEN Inc. said “German client is the beginning of WEBZEN’s multi language support” and “Global games portal (WWW.WEBZEN.COM) aims to achieve higher players’ satisfaction by providing customer-oriented local language service.”

End of Nations

Anarchy followed in the wake of the economic collapse of the 21st century, but a new superpower, the Order of Nations, emerged from the shadows to restore order — by force. Armed with an array of advanced technologies, this new world order promised it would never allow another global disaster, but the price was unquestioned obedience. Benevolence quickly turned to tyranny as individual freedom and cultural identity were crushed under the tank-treads of the Order of Nations.

Revolutionaries everywhere are now banding together to challenge this totalitarian enemy in the ultimate war for the future of mankind. End of Nations brings real-time strategy (RTS) and massively multiplayer online (MMO) games together for a gaming experience that is a revolutionary leap forward.

End of Nations takes place on an unprecedented scale, where your strategy on and off the battlefield can mean the difference between victory and defeat.

– Play solo or team up with thousands of gamers to combat the Order of Nations as you develop your Commander class and grow your forces.

– Quickly join the battle and deploy units, weapons, and technologies you’ve acquired through combat experience, manufacturing, and research to fully realize the strategic possibilities of deploying a constantly evolving army.

– Watch as the geopolitical map of the persistent world changes with each battle, and increase the influence you and your allies have with each victory.