Monthly Archives: March 2013

Petroglyph Studios Cancels Victory Kickstarter

Petroglyph Studios Cancels Victory Kickstarter

 

 

Word has just arrived that the new Kickstarter project “Victory” from Petroglyph, the former studio behind End of Nations, has come to an early close due to low initial interest. Community concerns with their business model seem to be a leading issue with potential backers had, but chances of a publisher picking up and funding the title are still there. Check out the official post for more information.

League of Legends Reveals Zac, ZaunÂ’s Secret Weapon

League of Legends Reveals Zac, Zaun’s Secret Weapon

 

 

Tired of too many sexy girls in your league? Wish things were a bit more abstract? Riot Games has been taunting a secret weapon up their sleeves for the last week and now we have a better idea of the form on offer on their next champion, Zac.

 

 

Zac is an AP junlger/top laner with ample CC skills and an unpredictable form that should make things difficult for your enemies to stay one step ahead of you. Be sure to check their official page for the breakdown of his skills and playstyle.

Everquest Celebrates 14 Years; Prepares for Next Big Update

Everquest Celebrates 14 Years; Prepares for Next Big Update

 

 

Tomorrow, on March 16, EverQuest — one of the richest and most expansive gaming experiences ever created — turns 14! To celebrate, Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) will be hosting various in-game events and gifting Norrathians with exciting player-created missions to conquer and new quests to complete.

 

 

Beginning today, players will be able to dive into anniversary content, including five temporary player-created missions that were designed during last year’s annual fan event, SOE Live. Additionally, players who have completed epic weapon quests will also have the chance to experience new epic ornamentation quests, which reward Norrathians with ornamentation versions of epic weapons, mirroring the original feel of EverQuest. These quests are a permanent addition to the game. Additionally, SOE is giving players the opportunity to revisit previous years’ anniversary content from March 15 – April 26, 2013 and experience the nostalgia of years past.

 

 

EverQuest at 14, did you know:

 

*There are nearly as many NPCs in EverQuest as there are people in Tampa, Florida:The total population of Norrathian NPCs is well over 344,935!

 

*The oldest characters are more than twice the age of the oldest person to have lived: A day in EQ is 72 minutes; that said, a character that was created when the game launched on March 16, 1999, is 280 years old this year.

 

 

Full details on the Anniversary can be found here. And be sure to keep an eye out as the Shadow of Fear is only a month away and set to bring two additional zones, new raid content, spells, improved antialiasing, quests, missions, and more to this already expansive game!

AlphaBeta Soup 3/15: Scarlet Blade, Ragnarok 2, Dragon’s Prophet, and More!

The last week before PAX East is upon us! This week OnRPG has an item pack giveaway for Scarlet Blade. In the news this week FoxLi Rush, Ragnarok 2, and Dragon’s Prophet all announced upcoming beta events. While Everlight went into beta earlier in the week. You can see all that and much more below. There won’t be a soup next week as I will be knee deep in awesome at PAX.

OnRPG Giveaways

These are all the beta giveaways currently running on OnRPG. There’s no guarantee that we won’t run out so grab them quick.

Scarlet Blade Item Pack Giveaway
Godsrule Open Beta Orb Pack
Everlight Open Beta Flame Wing Giveaway

Dates Announced:

Below are the MMOs who have announced upcoming beta events that haven’t started yet or are currently in progress for a limited time.

Scarlet Blade Closed Beta March 14
FoxLi Rush Closed Beta March 14
Dragon’s Prophet Closed Beta March 19
Neverwinter Closed Beta March 22-24
SmashMuck Champions Closed Beta March 22
Navyfield 2 Closed Beta March 27-April 10
Origins of Malu Closed Beta March 30
Eldevin Closed Beta March
Ragnarok 2 Open Beta Mid April
ArcheAge Chinese Beta starting May 2013
Age of Wulin: EU Closed Beta 2013

Alpha:

These games are currently in Alpha. Signups are available via the link.

Onigiri Alpha (Japanese)
The Repopulation
Xulu

Closed Beta:

MMOs which are in closed beta require application and often require approval before access can be gained.

Age of Wulin(EU, Asia) EU in Early 2013
Age of Wushu(US)
Ascension: Arenas of War
The Aurora World

Black Prophecy Tactics: Nexus Conflict
Born To Fire
Bounty Hounds Online Closed beta server closed until further notice.
Chrono Tales
City of Steam Currently between betas
Defiance
Dragon Nest EU
Dust 514
Ecol Tactics
Everlight
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
Grimlands Between Betas
HeroDex
JollyGrim
Kartuga
Legend of Edda Vengeance
MechWarrior Tactics
Marvel Heroes
NavyField 2
Patterns
RF Online EU
Salem
The Showdown Effect
SMITE
Starlight Story
Strategoria
Tactical Intervention
Transformers Universe Now accepting applications.
UFO Online
The War Z
Warface
World of Warplanes

Open Beta:

Games in open beta require an application but often it is little more than signing up for an account.

Absolute Force Online
Auto Club Revolution (Russian)
Broken Realms
DK Online
Dominatron
Dust 514
Edge of Space
End of Nations Open Beta delayed until further notice, refunds have been issued.
Everlight
Firefall
Godsrule
GUNS and ROBOTS
Gunswords(English and Russian)
Hailan Rising
Hawken
HeroDex
Heroes & Generals
MechWarrior Online
Mutant Badlands(Formerly Radiated Wasteland)
Path of Exile
Oversoul
Raceroom Racing
Ragnarok 2
Real World Racing
Salem
SmashMuck Champions
Universal Monsters Online
War Thunder
WorldAlpha
World of Dragons (Russian)

Expansions:

These are the beta events for games which are already live and have beta events for new content. Access to these is most often limited to the current playerbase.

Allods Online Lords of Destiny Expansion

Civlization 5 Announces Brave New World Expansion

Civlization 5 Announces Brave New World Expansion

 

 

I know I wasn’t alone in disappointed last year when Firaxis announced the final patch update to Civilization Gods and Kings. We had one of our content team give the game one final review with the changes and figured it was time to mark the game off our list and begin the long march until Civilization 6’s inevitable announcement. But nay I say that day has not come yet!

 

 

Joystiq has just announced and our contact at 2k Games confirmed the reveal of Civilization 5’s next major expansion, Brave New World, next week at PAX East! Though details are scarce, we have the following comments from, Foraxis Producer Dennis Shirk.

 

 

“Right at the beginning there are trade routes. Caravans go back and forth in trade routes. Barbarians can attack them spawning more barbarians. Other players can attack to disrupt trade during wartime. Players will also have a button to easily display an overlay of trade routes in the game.” In regards to new features in the industrial and modern era, the new ideology feature will come into play. “We just wanted to have that culture game be as engaging as the military victory. Before it was just a really passive game style.”

 

 

Keep an eye out on OnRPG as I’ll be checking out the Firaxis panel at PAX next Saturday to report on any new features revealed!

ARMA 3 Alpha Preview

ARMA 3 Alpha Preview

By Remko Molenaar (Proxzor) OnRPG Journalist

 

 

Bohemia Interactive have been a gaming studio behind military simulations now since 1999. It all started with Operation Flashpoint that for some of you might hold some dear memories. Back in the day, that game was among the top rated person shooters and since then it always had a special mention among the greats when talking to shooting fanatics. When the ARMA series was announced, Bohemia Interactive took a major flip in their game design, aiming for realism and ousting many of their original fans that were expecting another rollercoaster action feel like Operation Flashpoint. As a result the company has mostly been flying under the radar until last year when ARMA 2 exploded thanks to its DayZ mod. But for players like me, and the core community of ARMA, the game will always be known as the game that made us more familiar with the military. With ARMA 3 lurking around the corner, and DayZ getting its own standalone, the community looking for the ultimate military simulator need only wait a bit longer to recapture the glory days of ARMA 2. Thankfully I landed a spot in the ARMA 3 alpha to preview the next iteration of the series.

 

 

This is no rollercoaster game carried by an unrealistic storyline catered towards kids with short attention spans. ARMA 3 bleeds realism without losing out on the epic clash moments you would expect in more popular shooters like Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty. Even though the game has only been in alpha testing for a little over a week, the strong community that was vital to past ARMA titles is present and larger than ever before.

 

 

Currently we only have one official map available in the game. The reason I say official is because I have already seen some of the ARMA 2 maps ported over but they don’t really function properly yet. But this takes some time to notice as you’ll just be wowed by how far the graphics have come since the previous iteration. They have been pushing this fact at various trade shows and with good reason. Unfortunately the game seems to have carried over many of the bugs and engine problems as ARMA 2, but I guess that’s to be expected at the start of alpha testing. Thankfully this alpha is bringing in plenty of testers so we can quickly address the major problems and get them fixed pre-launch.

 

 

While on the note of graphics I have to make mention of the new interface. ARMA has always been a series that felt like its developers didn’t care enough to put together a functional smooth UI. However, Bohemia seems dedicated to changing this reputation as even in this early alpha test their new UI is wonderful. Here’s hoping the DayZ standalone follows their lead as I am truly pleased with how much they have improved since ARMA 2.

 

 

But enough praise. Let’s cut to what I feel they are doing wrong. And the first complaint I have is the time period the game is set in. The story takes place in the mid-2030s during the fictional Operation Magnitude, which is a military operation launched by the NATO forces fighting in Europe against Eastern Armies led by a resurgent Iran. I mean sure, I don’t really mind what the story is, or the time period it plays out, but what actually bothers me are the weapons present. As a military simulator, I want to expect realism, and Bohemia has always been pro at delivering on this. But some of the equipment and weaponry present in the Alpha just feels like science fiction to me. Shooting underwater is a hard feature to accept as well. Anyhow, while a major turn-off, this alone isn’t enough to turn me away from the series. I just hope others feel the same and raise their voices so we can get some adjustments to these unrealistic concepts prior to launch.

 

 

One of the major redeeming factors that made me so forgiving of the faults is the new Ragdoll physics. This might seem like a standard feature for shooters in 2013 but it’s still worth pointing out that ARMA 3 got it right. Well it’s still a little buggy, but it does improve the overall experience. They have made some huge changes to the environment including underwater battlegrounds that make the world feel more alive. In ARMA 2 I felt the environments were just too grey and felt overall dead (no wonder it was prime real estate for a zombie mod). ARMA 3 in contrast has incredible texturing, with beautiful grass, trees and proper volume to the small elements that make the world feel more 3D and alive. The weather system has been overhauled and breathes even more life into your surroundings. Facing a heavy rain storm? Expect to trudge through a grey heavy atmosphere reflecting the weather from every aspect it should affect. Even the clouds have varying levels of thickness and design to make the sky realistic and reflect the coming weather. And when it’s sunny, the entire world reflects vibrant colors. You know it’s well done when you start second guessing if you’ve been to an area before simply because of a weather change.

 

 

Even though the game is only in alpha yet, and we have probably seen only ten percent of the available content, I must say that I am psyched for the full release of the game. The game is so much different than before, and on all fronts improved over ARMA 2. Most of the most jarring bugs such as randomly breaking your leg on rocks are gone, and the only truly annoying bugs that remain involve random crashes. Even though I am not a big fan of the current small map that is available in the game, I already see its full potential worked out through the different missions and mods the community is making. Currently the game is cheaper than it will be in the beta or full release of the game, and I recommend you take advantage of this while it’s still cheap. If you need your realistic military shooter fix, this game IS for you. And even if you fall into the action packed rollercoaster shooters, I’ve seen community driven deathmatch and co-op missions pop up that will even satisfy your style of play.

ARMA 3

ARMA 3 pushes realism into the shooting genre unlike anything we’ve seen before. With action in the air, underwater, and on land, you’ll be sure to get your fix of both realistic ragdoll physics and vehicular destruction. Enter a war between NATO and a unified Middle East as you fight with near futuristic weapons to dominate your foes with superior tactics.

Features

Large Open-World Battlefields: Fight in massive rugged terrain offering plenty of tactical advantages to the team with greater militaristic mindset. With bases that need defending from land, air, and sea, how will your team cope?

Customizable Attachments and Gear: The standard stock futuristic weapons not cutting it for you? Modify your weapons, add a scope, add laser targeting, and just about any other mod you can think of to improve your gameplay.

Weather: Enjoy dynamic environments that change appearance drastically with impressive rain effects, various cloud types, and sound effects to immerse you into the world.

Ragnarok 2 Coming Soon to WarpPortal

Ragnarok 2 Coming Soon to WarpPortal

 

 

Gravity Interactive, a publisher of exciting massive multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), announces to all fans of epic world of Ragnarok that your adventure starts anew this Spring! Join the WarpPortal and sign up to join in the soon-to-come Beta Test of Ragnarok 2.

 

 

In Mid-April Ragnarok 2 will enter its Beta testing, with an open invitation to players to join the through the WarpPortal. Interested players are welcome to follow Ragnarok 2 on Facebook to stay up to date with all the events and game updates while waiting for the Beta to launch in Mid-April!

 

 

“Ragnarok players the world over have awaited the coming of Ragnarok 2 for years, and soon they will find the wait was worth it!” said Jason Heimdallr Koerperich, Ragnarok 2 Producer at Gravity Interactive. “The combination of nostalgia with new story and gameplay features is a wonderful thing players will really enjoy whether or not they are familiar with the classic game!”

OnRPG Shotgun News 3/15: Neverwinter, Cabal, Path of Exile, and Cryptic Studios

OnRPG Shotgun News 3/15: Neverwinter, Cabal,  Path of Exile, and Cryptic Studios

By Shannon Doyle (Leliah), OnRPG Elder Scribe

 

 

GW2 Sale Item of the Day 3/15: Inventor’s Sunglasses.

 

 

Neverwinter Jewel of the North Trailer Released

A new trailer has been released that shows just a few of the dangers that lurk around the once magnificent city of Neverwinter. But not all dangers come from outside the city walls. Danger lurks everywhere and new heroes are needed now more than ever.

 

 

Cryptic Answers Player Questions

Last month Cryptic asked players to ask them questions on the Champions Online forum. 14 pages worth of questions later they’ve selected 30 questions and answered them. Everything is covered from bacon jerky to lockbox drop rates and the Foundry. You can see all the questions and answers for yourself on the CO website. http://co.perfectworld.com/news/?p=836501

 

 

Cabal Online: Rising Force Launches

The latest update and expansion has arrived in Cabal Online called Rising Force. It brings with it a new PvP mode, a new dungeon, a revamped skill system, and much, much more. It is available free on the Cabal Online website now.

 

 

 

Path of Exile Hits Milestone

Grinding Gear Games has proudly announced their MMORPG Path of Exile has reached 2 million registered players. This comes just a month after having launched open beta. Path of Exile is due to release in September.