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Monthly Archives: February 2011
4Story: Endless Events
4Story: Endless Events
Zemi Interactive’s 4Story Team has been running event after event, always trying to come up with new ideas for fun activities for the players to experience in-game.
What is most intriguing and unique about 4Story Events is that most of the time they will be run by GMs, and players can directly interact with the GMs in game, making the community more lively and user friendly. A large variety of events has been running throughout the massive gameworld of 4Story. Events like racing events, quizes and trivia events but also PvP 1 vs 1, 3 vs 3, or even 7 vs 7. However, the most exciting events are usually the events where GMs actually participate themselves, for instance there was an event called “GM Killer”, giving the players a chance to kill the GM to get rewards or “Hit the GM” giving gifts to players who has the highest damage point hitting the GMs. Events like “Who is the Spy?” has also gotten lots of interest from players, making them find the GM in the opposing faction’s City, and lots more!
Aside from the Events that are run by the GMs as well as daily and weekly events, the 4Story Team also accepts player’s ideas for events. The 4Story forums have a section for players to send in their own ideas for events giving Zemi Inc. fresh new ideas and at the same time giving the players the ability to trully influence their gaming experience.
And now the events within the game just got better since the Broa update, the final 3rd faction that everyone has been waiting for. Since the Broa kingdom is neutral grounds, both players from the opposing factions Defugel and Craxion can participate in the events together. The best part about these events is that everyone has a chance to win something, and it’s level friendly, so even the low level players and new players have a chance to win. Also, since GMs are personally attending these events new players have a higher chance to learn about what is going on in-game, getting tips and help from the GMs on how the events are held and how the game evolves.
So with 4Story’s endless events and their endless rewards the game itself makes it more interesting for players, constantly giving them something to do on top of just enjoying the content that is already implemented in the game. The events are always very user friendly and they help to further improve the in-game community allowing players to interact with the GMs and even players of different factions!
If you want to give 4Story a try yourself you can sign up right here!
Frogster Donates 82,000 Euro to Charity
FrogsteFrogster Donates 82,000 Euro to Charity
With a result far exceeding the company’s expectations, Frogster concluded its Christmas charity project to benefit children and adolescents in Bhutan in January. Yesterday, the publisher of Runes of Magic, Bounty Bay Online and the upcoming Mythos was able to hand Save the Children Germany e.V. a cheque in the amount of 82,000 Euro (~111.000 US Dollars) thanks to the overwhelming support of the gaming community. Compared to a similar promotion last year, Frogster was able to more than double its previous charitable contribution. In addition to setting up so-called ‘Remote Classrooms’ in the isolated mountain regions of Bhutan as originally planned, the world’s largest independent children’s rights organization can now implement further aid projects in the country.
The ‘Remote Classrooms’ project is not just about building schools. Save the Children will ensure that children and adolescents receive good education and healthcare. At the same time, families will be educated about the problems adolescents are facing. Additionally, Save the Children will train 40 pupil advisors to be involved in three-day workshops for adolescents held by the children’s rights organization at higher education institutions throughout the country. Thanks to Frogster’s donation, two editions of a youth guidebook will also be published. The guidebook will provide the youths with information about career prospects and other topics. Furthermore, Save the Children will establish two youth centres as well as employ and train two caretakers for adolescents.
Due to its position in the middle of the Himalayas, Bhutan was largely isolated from the rest of the world until recently. Kathrin Wieland, German Executive Director of Save the Children, visited the country two years ago and knows the problems there: “In Bhutan, there are suddenly children surfing the Internet and zapping through 400 television channels. Their parents, on the other hand, are people who haven’t learnt to read or write. They have never in their lives been bombarded with advertising. In other words, what we have here is a clash of two ages of civilisation.” With their on-site projects, Save the Children will assist children and their families in this transformation process, reducing the by-products which negatively affect the living conditions of adolescents, such as pollution, drug abuse, and crime.
Frogster started the charity project in mid-December 2010. Until the end of the promotion in January, players of Runes of Magic and Bounty Bay Online could purchase exclusive virtual mounts and a ship cover from the shops in the online role-playing games. All proceeds after VAT and fixed third-party costs are now funding the projects of Save the Children in Bhutan. Runewaker, the Taiwanese developer of Runes of Magic, waived its share of the sales for the mounts to support the charity effort on their part.
On handing over the cheque, Seth Iorio, Member of the Executive Board of Frogster Interactive Pictures AG, commented on the outcome: “We have been impressed and inspired by the work of Save the Children in the mountain regions of Bhutan from the beginning. We are very happy that, through the support of our players, we can significantly extend the scope of our cooperative projects.”
Kathrin Wieland, Executive Director of Save the Children Germany e.V., was surprised and delighted at the great generosity of the computer game players: “I am very happy about the engagement of Frogster and its players, which allows us to clear a path for these children to a positive future.”
City of Heroes MetaÂ’s Verse: Lions and Tigers…
City of Heroes Meta’s Verse: Lions and Tigers…
No bears? Oh my. This week the powers that be released the first video of the next pack to come. This one is taking a walk on the wild side. Yes, that’s right! The Animal Pack has finally come! We’ve had it hinted at for months, we’ve been asking for it for years. And now it is coming soon. So, the most important question has to be asked, what is it?
Costume Parts
The costume pack includes a record breaking 60 costume parts. Everything from new heads to various animal prints is included. So which heads have we seen? Lion, tigers, wolves, eagles, leopards and minotaurs. Well minotaurs aren’t really animals are they? But we’re glad to see them anyway! I’m always happy to see anything that means Cimerora will get more attention. Just as important as the new heads are new feet! There are new feet, hooves, claws and talons. Sadly no flippers yet, so my dreams of having a seal super hero are once again put off! Ok, not really but I’m sure someone could come up with something to do with flippers. All these new parts will give us a chance to use some old parts we’ve had laying around, barely used. Like horns!
Auras
There are not one but two new auras for our new animal friends. Beastly rage and everyone’s least favourite pest, fleas. I can see fleas being one of the underused auras available. After all who wants to have fleas. I guess the Paragon City pet groomers will have their hands full for a while!
Travel Power
The single most exciting part of this pack, even more exciting than the heads is a new travel power. Just like ninja run it is unlocked at level four and with the click of an icon you’re off running on all fours. It looks pretty painful to me personally I can’t imagine that they don’t end up hitting their knees off the ground. What the video didn’t show us was what the run looks like if you don’t use the monstrous legs. Will it be awkward? Will this be a popular power with the catgirls? When ninja run first came out everyone was using it. Even if it made no sense for the character to be doing so. Will this be the case with Beast Run as well? I certainly hope not. I think travel powers these days are under used and people don’t take them just so they can have better builds. Beast Run is just another option to get away from travel powers. Despite the abuses the power may see I’m excited to have it and will be giving it a go on any animals I make. If you want to see what it looks like check out the video they posted which I will link to later on.
Emotes
The animal pack not only has a record breaking number of costume parts but it also breaks all records with the number of new emotes. Your beasts will be able to hiss and sniff at things then act savagely. As well as these emotes there are a few new costume changing emotes. Which I think are a favourite amongst the fans. There are two basic options, feather or fur. Both come with two options; burst or fly. I think the feather burst will be the most popular part of the pack after the run. It can be used by angels, birds, or just anyone with feathery wings.
So there it is, everything that is the wonderful Animal Pack. A complete turn around from the small, almost lacking packs we have been getting recently. This pack really is proof that the devs are listening to what we have to say about our game. Not only are they listening, they care and want to give us what will make us happy. Now how about that moon base…
If you’re interested in checking out the video for the Animal Pack click here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFpofz4RLWo
The official release date for the Animal Pack is February 23rd. So start thinking of your ideas for new animals now!
Before I release your attention back to the world I want to give a brief news update, just a bit of news.The starting time for the Vanguard Loyalty pack has been delayed slightly. No reason has been given. But this gives more people the chance to get involved.A new periodical has been created by Eric Johnsen, one of our producers. It will feature information about things coming out. The Weekly Strike Target or WTF as people are calling it for this week, February 8th – 15th is Dr. Kahn and Barracuda. Insert obligatory Star Trek and Heart references here. Next week we will be gearing up for our first co-op WTF. So start playing nice with those heroes and villains, you might be working with them next week.
The finally a sad note from the Virtue server boards. After six years the Paragonian Knights, a SG who have always represented the very best that Virtue has to offer is shutting their doors.
Meta’s Verse is written by Meticulous Meta who lives in Atlas Park with her dog Snuflé
Wewaii
Tired of the day to day grind and ready to escape from it all? Wewaii allows you to design your own dream resort. Will you focus on building a luxurious 5 star monster hotel or create a wonderland in the surrounding island for a small elite group of guests? The choice is yours.
As your resort flourishes, your character will level and gain additional abilities as well as access to new equipment and features to upgrade your island. A truly skilled manager will be able to sift through the various reviews provided by tourists to decide what their resort is lacking. If your hotel gains enough fame, you may gain the attention of your fellow managers and receive reviews and votes from them.
Competition is fierce for building the greatest resort of all time. If you have the dedication, knowledge, and creativity, one day you could be standing tall as a featured dream hotel of Wewaii.
Puzzle Pirates Introduces a Special Valentines Ship
Puzzle Pirates Introduces a Special Valentines Ship
Looking for the perfect gift for that special someone* for Valentines? Well, if that special someone happens to be a pirate in Puzzle Pirates, then the Cupid Class Sloop will melt their heart like chocolate left in the Caribbean sun!
This is the quarterdeck, complete with elegant bronze fittings and a comfy loveseat. Don’t get too comfortable, though: whether you’re sailing solo or with your valentine, someone’s gotta steer! The sitting room in the ship’s hold, perfect for entertaining or just working away at keeping the ship afloat! No Cupid Class ship would be complete without its own hot tub in the back! This one is very cozy, and comes stocked with all the wine and fruit you could ever want!
The Cupid Class Sloop is only available until 3 PM PST Tuesday, March 1st, so grab one for you and your best hearty today!
* “That special someone” can be yourself. It’s OK, we won’t tell.
Snail Games Announces Ministry of War Expansion
Snail Games Announces Ministry of War Expansion
SNAIL GAMES USA announced today that all Ministry of War servers will be updated with the game’s first expansion, The Arcadian Ladder, on February 11th. On that day, the servers will undergo a maintenance period from 01:00am EST to 05:00am EST, and will be reopened with The Arcadian Ladder expansion.
The Arcadian Ladder expansion is named after a massive 50-level battle instance which challenges Heroes to battle against progressively difficult Bosses which drop ever-more epic loot.
Also debuting in The Arcadian Ladder will be:
A full-scale Auction House for players to buy, sell, and trade weapons, equipment, skills, and treasure.
The Levers of Fortune: a server-wide slot machine which drops resources, building and research boost items, plus a chance to win rare Heroes.
A new streamlined user interface (UI) to give Ministry of War players a wider view of the action and easier navigation around the enormous game world.
“Our veteran players have been extremely patient while we have prepared expansion to launch on their servers, and we definitely appreciate that,” says Snail Games USA Director of Operations, Mark Hill. “The response to the new features has been overwhelmingly positive by those who have already played it, and we are extremely excited to finally update it for everyone to play. This is going to be an exciting weekend.”
Also, to celebrate the update, February 12th and 13th will be a “Double Exp Weekend” for all of Ministry of War. All Exp gained from battling in The Arcadian Ladder, the Arena, and World PvE and PvP battles will be doubled.
Ministry of War is a historical-based MMO which represents a quantum leap forward in browser-game design and technology. Players choose one of the world’s greatest Civilizations (Imperial Rome, Persia, Egypt, or China) and build, battle, and trade their way to world domination. The Arcadian Ladder expansion first launched on the new server, Rage on January 22nd.
The Arcadian Ladder expansion also includes:
Lightning Guard – A ferocious and rare new enemy that only the strongest Heroes will have the chance to destroy. Those lucky enough to survive the battle will be rewarded with Epic-level gear.
Gear Forging – Gear can now be forged up to 10 levels, increasing the overall attributes of equipment at every level.
Hero Monument – A new building which allows players to train special Tier 5 troops in every Age.
Spectator View for Contested Zone Wars – Players can now observe other players’ Contested Zone (CZ) War battles in real-time.
Online Time Rewards – Dedicated players will receive free resource bonuses for spending time online every day.
Experience Capsules – Items equipped to Heroes which fill up with Exp gained in battle. Once full, they can be transferred to another Hero for an instant Exp boost.
Fists of Fu Review: Not Fond of that Kung-Fu That You Do
Fists of Fu Review: Not Fond of that Kung-Fu That You Do
By Michael Sagoe (mikedot), OnRPG Journalist
Outspark is looking to satisfy gamers with not one, but two action MMOs. Fists of Fu is a free-to-play action MMO set in anime version of oriental China. With beat ’em up style action, Fists of Fu attempts to create an experience simple enough for anyone to get into, but perhaps this experience may come up as a little too simple.
Starting Out
When entering the world of Fists of Fu, you have a choice between three character classes: Mage, Archer and Fighter, each with the option to roll as a male or female. Once you’ve picked your class, you’ll put in your desired player name and head straight for the tutorial. There’s no starting character customization or anything like that, so prepare to see clones of you all over the starting town.
The beginner tutorial is simple, easy and won’t take more than five minutes to finish. The tutorial shows you how to run, jump, attack and perform specials with the arrow keys and Z, X, V keys, respectively. The tutorial also lets you know that gamepad support is possible, so I decide to plug in my PS2 controller convertor and play through the game that way.
Afterwards you’ll be dumped into Peach Blossom Village, where you’ll meet up with some NPCs, grab a quest or two and head out. The town functions much like the ones in Dungeon Fighter Online: They serve as a hub for players to buy and sell items, chat with players and all that, with the ends of each town being gathering spots for players to join up with up to four members before entering instanced dungeons. You can also take on a few daily quests to earn some extra exp (which you may or may not want to do, since quests cough up the most EXP needed to level up since straight up grinding on dungeons over and over isn’t the best idea. But then again, the quests can get really tiresome since it’s the usual “Kill this, bring me that” kind of quests.
Gameplay
Fists of Fu plays out like your average beat ’em where you must defeat every enemy on screen before moving on to the next area where you’ll have to defeat more enemies on screen. Rinse and repeat until you reach the boss, which for the most part, doesn’t take much thought to defeat. Once you’ve taken down the boss, you’ll claim your reward, turn in your quests or whatever and enter another dungeon to start the process all over again.
The shallow combat that goes with all this certainly doesn’t make things any better with very little combos available. There are not many different alternative combos available and even if there was, button mashing would work just as fine. Performing special attacks (which brings the action to a screeching halt every time with unnecessary portraits of your character) are as simple as pressing a hotkey when you have enough MP available and activating rage mode when you’ve taken or dealt enough damage doesn’t make things any more interesting, either.
Whenever you gain skill points from leveling up, there are only a handful of skills you can choose from and most of them are just stronger versions of skills you already have, so basically every warrior, archer and fighter will play exactly the same. There’s also an enchant system available to upgrade your equipment and whatnot, but again, these kinds of features are far too common with MMOs today.
Whenever you’re not participating in repetitive dungeon runs, there’s a bunch of PvP options available, but they seem somewhat tack-on. There are way too many instances where enemy players can get you into long strings of juggling attacks with not much you can do to stop them other than to not get hit in the first place. Special attacks are not altered at all during PvP, so you can expect the action to freeze up every time someone performs a special attack. All this mixed together can make PvP action feel less like a battle of wits and more of like a battle of who can get the first hit in.
Dial-a-comb spamfest
Presentation
Fists of Fu offers up some cartoon style graphics, but it’s nothing that we haven’t seen before so it’s average at best with textures on just about everything looking bland and blurry despite so much color thrown in. Even though I enjoy listening to oriental tunes, music in Fists of Fu is average, repetitive and forgettable. One nice touch I did like with voice work was that every character spoke in Chinese whenever attacks were performed.
The game also tries to throw in some story content to go with some of the quests, but fails miserably with simple dialog that even kids won’t pay attention to.
Take it off, then!
My thoughts
One small gripe I had over the game was laid within the game’s title. With a name like “Fists of Fu”, I was expecting some hand to hand combat, but there is none of that to be found anywhere. Sure, Kung Fu isn’t always necessarily limited to fisticuffs, but personally I find that to be a little misleading!
I’m not sure if it was me or the game itself, but I found the PvE to be fairly unchallenging, even while solo-ing dungeons on hard. Taking down groups of enemies was easy as long as you didn’t get surrounded, and bosses had fairly predictable attack patterns.
Conclusion
Fists of Fu feels like a dumbed down version of other action MMOs currently on the market. In fact, you could say that it’s a dumbed down version of a particular action MMO that came out a while ago (Elesword, anyone?) Well maybe it’s supposed to be a casual experience for the kids to enjoy it, but personally feel that there are way better titles to enjoy and look out for.
Pros:
Anime style graphics
Simple controls
Gamepad compatible
Cons:
Combat lacks depth
Unchallenging dungeons
PvP feels tacked on
Overall features are average
GGOAL
GGOAL is a strategic and managerial multiplayer football game online in real time. Players take on the role of president, manager, coach and player of their football team. They’ll be able to play exciting and challenging matches against your friends all over the world in real time.
Dragon Soul
Explore a mystical world ripe with Chinese mythology and danger at every turn. The Great Dynasty that had united the promised lands has fallen. In its place stand eight loosely organized kingdoms ready to do anything to ensure they stand victorious and crush all who oppose their king. As these kingdoms waste away in constant conflict, a greater threat looms on the horizon…
The hordes of the steppe, sensing their moment has arrived, have gathered to put an end to the remnants of the dynasty that has forced them to the live under shadow for so long. In this world, strength alone is not enough to win the day. Do you have the fabled Dragon Soul that will unite the eight kingdoms and prevent this world from falling into the abyss of the hordes’ madness?
Welcome to Dragon Soul. Choose your allegiance among the eight kingdoms and rally your friends and allies to your cause. Indulge in a deep pet system complete with vast customization of skills and strengths. Fight epic large scale empire versus empire pvp battles to earn glory for your nation. Prove your worth through politics and power, and rise to the position of emperor. Each nation’s emperor can forge their nation’s legacy through appointing nobility, forging alliances, and declaring war.