Monthly Archives: July 2013

Reworked End of Nations MOBA Prepares for Alpha

End Of Nations MOBA

End of Nations hasn’t had the smoothest road paved out before it. Going from Petroglyph’s brain child to Trion World’s acquisition and now a rework from the ground up will completely change its genre from the originally visioned global RTS war into a moba style gameplay.

What’s even more surprising is this seems to have been the plan for quite some time as news arrived today that their first alpha test begins next week! Players looking to become part of this wild tale need only visit HERE to throw their name into the tester hat.

Cross Polination – The New Model of MMO Business

There are two things that are clear about me very early on. I love MMOs and I love to read.

 

Sometimes the planets align, the stars show the elder signs and my fiction ends up being about MMOs. What’s not to love?

 

Necessity, famously, is the mother of all invention. If there is any genre of games that has a more vocal following than MMOs, well I must have missed that and I am sure I will be corrected in the comments. The on-line sphere is a jungle full of cut and thrust. Practically Darwinian in some fashions you will live or die by your innovation. Necessity then is if you pardon the redundancy is necessary for the new and upcoming games to stand out ahead of the crowd.

 

Why then is it when authors thought about worlds where MMOs are part of everyday life, they thought about an all connecting world that other games can inhabit?

Halting State

For the sake of the article we’re going to use Charles Stross‘ excellent Halting State.

 

This particular article and hope isn’t necessarily inspired by the events of the novel but rather by an interview between Rock Paper Shotgun and Wildstar’s Jeremy Gaffney.

Specifically, what happened when they went to visit Guild Wars 2 and ArenaNet.

 

RPS: Do you guys liaise with the Guild Wars 2 team at all, to learn from what they’ve got right and wrong?

Jeremy Gaffney: Last week actually, we sent ten of our guys out to ArenaNet and did a big post-mortem on what’s worked for them and what’s not on Guild Wars 2. One of the things they’ve done is so fricking hard, and I don’t know if obvious to users or not, but they’ve been doing three week patches, big new patches every couple of weeks. That’s fricking hard, you look at Riot with League of Legends, their entire company is devoted to nothing but making sure they have a new hero come out every few weeks. With Guild Wars is the same kind of thing, they have 17 individual teams focusing on individual features, who all coordinate on different branches to be able to merge in, have new stuff come out every couple of weeks.

 

Emphasis is mine.

 Wildstar Cross Polination

Sure they share the same publisher, but as it stands Wildstar is going to compete against Guild Wars 2. Publisher links obviously have made that exchange of information and methods possible. Sony Online Entertainment has its Station pass letting people pay a flat fee to access all of their games. NCSoft lacks something similar. Funcom’s games are either free to play or buy to play and so you can come and go as you want.

 

Yes there are stores, again we look to Sony and its station cash currency, that let you buy things in whatever game of theirs that you like. That however is as far as it goes.

I’ll never be able to walk my character out of Everquest 2 to a lobby and try some Dragons Prophet. Our digital lives are splintered.

 

The book mentioned previously envisioned a crime inside a game. A bank robbery in cyberspace. The picture painted for us is one of a collective on-line world where you can move from game to game with certain power and currency conversions in place. Where your digital self is something you can carry with you no matter what you want to play.

 

Big Business

Business majors or people even minorly interested in money are probably reading this and writing me off as a wide eyed idealist. To be honest, I have to say I almost certainly am. What benefit is there for Blizzard to let people wander out of The Secret World and into Azeroth? They may not stay, they may just be tourists? What good is it to offer an easy way for their carefully cultivated and hoarded players to go and try other things?

 

From a business point of view, no good at all. For the genre? It could mean great things.

 

Perhaps one day someone will put together a persistent world whose entire purpose is to be a Steam like gateway to other games. Sign up for your account and store your digital currency in their banks before spring-boarding off to try a Fantasy MMO or seeing if you want to check out the latest MMOFPS that your friends are raving about. Consoles are already working along that line. They don’t just want to be your machine for games, they want to be your machine for all the entertainment you could possibly want. No one company, even if they live on an ever growing tower of money, has the clout to put out multiple high quality games that are different in tone. A Bioware game is a Bioware game, for good or for ill. Maybe I don’t feel like some Bethesda today, maybe I want a little Carbine or Cryptic.

 Wreck it Ralph

Ultimately an online world dedicated to online worlds would resemble the imagined future of Halting State. A world where muscled Orcs can brush pauldrons with Space Marines and post-apocalyptic scavengers while the player no longer shattered into a dozen different selves decides where he wants to be today.

 

In the meantime, the best we can hope for is cross pollination. Studios or the ever moving crowds of talent in the industry sharing details and dreams to improve the games as we get them. A continued evolution due to necessity and ideally bringing innovation into our lives.

 

It’s that or just blatantly steal the latest gimmick and forcibly weld it onto your existing properties. Who knows, maybe the Borg were right and assimilation is the only way forward. Resistance, they claim, is futile.

AlphaBeta Soup 7/12

Did everyone have an awesome Fourth of July? We did! And that’s why there was no Soup last week! We were busy with the BBQ. Since our last bowl of AlphaBeta Soup there has been a lot of excitement. Dota 2 officially launched, End of Nations came out as a MOBA and started registration for beta, Firefall went into Open Beta, and so did World of Warplanes! The paid Alpha for Cubeworld started, and Pockie Saints entered closed beta. Today Eternal Saga starts their Alpha phase, and Age of Wulin will be going to Open Beta next week. We’ve also got some closed beta keys for FishAO, if a fishing MMO is your thing. You can check all that out and much more below!
We’ve highlighted the newest in orange to make them easier to see.

 

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.

City of Steam Second Server Launch Pack Giveaway
Everlight Open Beta Privilege Pack Giveaway
FishAO Closed Beta Key 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.

Eternal Saga Alpha July 12
Age of Wulin Open Beta July 18
Lego Legends of Chima Online Open Beta July 2013

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

Cubeworld
Gloria Victis Pre-Alpha
Lunaria Story
Onigiri Alpha (Japanese) Between Phases
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)
Arcane Saga (Formerly known as Prius Online)
Ascension: Arenas of War Current Status Unknown
Black Prophecy Tactics: Nexus Conflict Current Status Unknown, Website No Longer Exsists
Born To Fire
Bounty Hounds Online Beta Testing Complete. No Launch Date Announced
ChronoBlade
ConquerX2 (EU)
Dice Venture
Dragon’s Prophet
Eldevin
FishAO
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
Infinite Crisis
JollyGrim
Kartuga
Loadout
MechWarrior Tactics
March of War
Patterns
Prime World
Strategoria
Transformers Universe Now accepting applications.
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.

Anno Online
City of Steam
DK Online Servers Closed Temporarily
Dominatron
Dragona Online Russian
Dragon Pals
Dragon’s Prophet
and Titans
Ecol Tactics
End of Nations Beta Registration Going on Now! Changed to a MOBA
Everlight
Firefall
FoxLi Rush
Gunswords(English and Russian)
HeroDex
Heroes & Generals
Legend of Edda Vengeance
Neptune’s Pride 2
Origins of Malu
Oversoul
Pandaemonic: Lords of Legions
Path of Exile
Pockie Saints
Raceroom Racing
Real World Racing
Samurai Taisen
Scarlet Blade
SmashMuck Champions
Soldier Front 2
Tales of Laputa
Tata Blitz
The Aurora World
The Lost Titans
UFO Online
Universal Monsters Online
Warface South Korea
War Thunder
WorldAlpha
World of Warplanes
Yitien

Vendetta Online Review – Space is not the Final Frontier

by: Adun Toridas, OnRPG Mobile Guru

Vendetta Online Review
Vendetta Online is a multiplatform space combat MMO made by the four person team from Guild Software Inc. The game puts you in the pilot seat on one of the many ships within this online world as a representative of one of the various nations.

Gameplay

VO’s gameplay is simple and straightforward. As one of the many pilots in your chosen nation. You will be put in various dog fights, going against players and NPCs alike. The game also has a customization feature where you can update/upgrade your ship from the clunky starter ship you begin with to one of the better more visually intimidating fighters in game.

Depending on which platform you are using, the controls are intuitive and easy to get used to. For the PC you have the combination keyboard + mouse controls while for the mobile platforms (ios, android) you rely on the usual touch based controls which can be edited to suit your preferred control scheme.

Player progress happens as you accomplish missions/quests and improve your ship through in-game purchases. Also since the game is subscription based (with trial versions from some platforms) so everything boils down to what you can afford with your in-game money.

Combat

Guild Software Inc. tags VO’s real time twitch combat and non-optional PvP as the game’s two fundamental hallmarks and with good reason. You don’t have the luxury of having an “attack free” start from the game unlike other MMOs. Once you get out of the game’s tutorial stage, you are immediately pushed to a world where everyone is open season for both AI-controlled and human controlled ships.

 Vendetta Online Ship Controls

Whenever you are put into a combat situation, the game does provide you with some help in the form of AI assisted flight and aiming system. Just like in space battles you get to read or watch, you can have your AI help you lock on and fire at enemy targets while you pilot the ship or vice versa where the ship’s flight assist helps you pilot while you concentrate on attacking.

There is the option of going fully manual on both the weapon and flight systems, but it would take a lot of practice to be able to be operate the full combat system efficiently without assists.

Vendetta Online is one good example of a game that’s going to rely on your tactical thinking rather than on what equipment you have. While the game’s level system is a good measure to categorize players, that doesn’t reflect on the player’s skill and tactical prowess in combat. The game banks on not just the ship itself but rather on the player’s piloting capability as well.

With that said, the game may be a tough pill to swallow for players who got used to being coddled in the first few levels of any MMOG. The game is merciless and you’d often see yourself frustratingly dying just because you weren’t good enough as a pilot.

Aesthetics, et. al

Visually, I’m torn on how I’m looking into the game. You have the environments being colorful enough with enough space debris (in the form of asteroids and what not) and you have your ship, that even with the aesthetic modifications, would more often than not look like a shoebox flying in space. It’s here where you’d realize that the game is in fact being developed by a team of four people.

Vendetta Online Factions

However, even with the manpower limitation, the game is constantly being developed. The downside of this though is that there will be moments that the game will feel like you’re inside a dark and dreary place, but then again that’s space for you.

I’d have to point out that while the game does play along with the faction system, the choice isn’t as meaningful as the game implies. What it does however is lock you out on certain areas of the game that is controlled by the opposing faction and that’s practically it.

Conclusion

For what it’s worth, VO is a game that has a lot of potential. As long as the developers continue on with their constant game updates the game would eventually reach that point that the subscription rates would be worth it.

The problem with that however is the long lay-over of what it is to what it can be. Granted, the game doesn’t charge much for subscribers. The “lite” subscription charges you $1 per month, while the “premium” subscription’s worth $9.99 (which can be cheaper as you buy longer subscription times). But will you have the patience to wait for that? VO does offer a good combat system in place, but the game lacks in a lot of features that free space themed games provide.

It is on the promise that the game will be better that you’re betting your money on when investing in Vendetta Online. But the way I see it, the game has impressed me enough to put my money in for the time being.

OnRPG Shotgun News 7/12: Firefall, Fortuna, Arcane Saga, and much more

Firefall Offical Open Beta Tournament Announced

Now that Firefall’s open beta is successfully underway Red 5 has announced there will be a tournament hosted by ESL. Go4Firefall will begin August 4th for North American and European players and ultimately $9,000/€9,000 will be on the line. You can sign up now on the official Electronic Sports League website.

 

Trion Brings Aboard Former Activision Executive

Less than a day after the subtle announcement that End of Nations was back and is now a MOBA, Trion has announced they’ve brought in Former Activision Executive Robin Kaminsky. Though most likely unrelated, if you missed the End of Nations news yesterday you can still see it here.

 

Perfect World Announces New Browser Based Strategy Title

Fortuna_Screenshots_Launch_06

Earlier today Perfect World announced the creation of Fortuna, a browser based strategy title which will be available starting July 18th! Fortuna is set in Europe during a period of great discovery where players build their empires starting with little more than a quaint hamlet.

 

Elsword Goes to the UK

Starting July 17th players in the UK will be able to join the rest of Europe in playing the Anime 2D side scrolling action MMO Elsword. It is already available to German, French, Italian, Spanish and Polish audiences.

 

Tales of Solaris Launches Colosseum Mode

ToS

NGames has released an all new pet battle mode which is now available in Tales of Solaris. In the new mode players put their mini pets up against eachother in the arena called Colosseum Mode. And there is also a more complicated Zeal Colosseum which comes with greater rewards.

 

Arcane Saga Coming to an End

After relauching Arcane Saga earlier this year Netmarble has announced they will be closing the game for good, again. After reviewing costs it was determined that the operation costs were far greater than their income generated. The cash shop has already been shut down but the game will be available until September 19th. None of Netmarble’s other games will be affected. Arcane Saga was previously known as Prius Online.

DDO Shadowfell Conspiracy – Friends in Low Places Dungeon

Dungeons & Dragons Online
 

Today, Turbine has released a new batch of screenshots from the upcoming expansion for Dungeons & Dragons Online Shadowfell Conspiracy!

Friends in Low Places is a new dungeon in DDO’s Upcoming expansion, Shadowfell Conspiracy™. Food supplies in Wheloon are low, tension is running high, and the city’s criminals are planning to attack the safe haven of Harvest Hall! Find a way to protect the native citizens before they, and their city, are overrun!

Dungeons & Dragons Online

End of Nations Becomes MOBA RTS

EoN

Trion Worlds has had much press recently regarding upcoming fan favourite ArchAge as well as their SyFy transmedia collaboration Defiance.

 

However a sudden reappearance with little noticable fanfare is their previously MMORTS End of Nations.

 

From www.EndOfNations.com

THE FIRST MOBA RTS

End of Nations® is a tactical MOBA where your success on the battlefield depends on the heroes and units you command and quick decision making in the heat of combat. Dominate during team-based matches and catapult your commander to the top of the ranks.

THE STRONG CAN SURVIVE.

ONLY THE BEST WILL THRIVE.

 

Now apparently a tactical MOBA End of Nations is retaking beta submissions and striking out in a new direction. Is it enough to regain interest after quietly taking the game in house several months ago and issuing refunds?

 

Time will tell

Tyrian Times: Guild Wars 2, Aspects Guide You

By Shannon Doyle (Leliah), OnRPG Resident Tyrian

 

Have you logged in Guild Wars 2 yet this week? There’s an all new zone, a new group of weirdo hippy sky people. Oh and a zone filled with a bizarre bazaar with unique travel difficulties. Some are calling it an annoying jumping puzzle masked as a zone, while others think it is an exciting new addition and opens all sorts of possibilities in the future. Either way, this is an update that should not be missed.

Aspect-Back-Items

Labyrinthine Cliffs

The first zone in the Deldrimor Front, Labyrinthine Cliffs is a small zone, no bigger than a city which features massive cliffs pressed against perfectly clear water. The highlight is a large bazaar where people from all over Tyria are selling some very bizarre things. Of course you can’t actually buy any of those. There are plenty of things you can buy though. Food supplies for Karma, Zephyr Supply Boxes for crafting supplies. Just 8 OrichalcumOre can get you a box. Or if that is a bit too pricy for you can go as low as 250 Green Wood Logs. With a variety of prices it really is a great way to get rid of that surplus of materials you have. Unless you’re like me and decided to sell them all off last week. But the real highlight (or pitfall) for the zone is the travel. Three temporary types of travel allow you to move in ways you never could before, jumping higher, moving faster, and using lightning to pull yourself. These allow you to stand on the cliff sides, run through waterfalls and leap from platform to platform to collect crystals. Really it is all one big scavenger hunt for achievement points. But with the new achievement point reward system that is something everyone is after these days.

 

Achievement Point Reward System

Staff

Today anyone who has been in the game for a while got access to the gorgeous Zenith Weapon Skins thanks to the new Achievement Point Reward System. The new system rewards players for doing the awesome things they already do, completing daily achievements, killing bad guys, and just generally doing things! Every 500 points rewards a new chest filled with Gem Shop items, Karma, WvW Blueprints, Badges of Honor, Boosts, and much more. On top of that every time you get a new chest you get between 1 and 30 gold depending on the level you’re at AND 1-10 laurels AND a permanent boost to XP, Magic Find, Gold Find, or Karma across all your characters. And when you reach the 5,000 and 10,000 levels you get 400 gems on top of all that! In between there are Zenith weapons, armor skins, and who knows what might be in the Massive chests! Though there were initially a lot of complaints, I really don’t think anyone has any room to do so anymore. These rewards are awesome and easy to earn, though perhaps a little time consuming.

 

Zephyrites

Zephyr

An enormous flying ship called Zephyr Sanctum has docked at the top of the cliffs of the Bazaar in Labyrinthine Cliffs. The ship itself is amazing, and has what is by far the best diving location in the game. But the people who live on it, the Zephyrites are a little…off. I’d even go so far as to call them cloud hugging hippy weirdos. They have a religion which, sure it is actually pretty normal. Harnessing Sun, Wind, and Lightning for their own livelihood and enlightenment. They’re lovers of peace, and believe that the Dragons aren’t evil. Oh no, they’re just a force of nature. Like wind. This is when my alarm bells started going off. I don’t know what Arenanet has planned for the future, but this makes me think it isn’t good. And the Zephyrites won’t be helping when the time comes.

 

On top of all of this there have been a ton of little changes to improve the quality of life in the game. A new user interface for the Achievement Points which makes my OCD both celebrate and whimper in fear, small class updates here and there, and perhaps the biggest of them all, blueprints for WvW are now tradable. That means we can sell them. And finally, one thing which still hasn’t been seen out completely yet, a new crafting material which allows players to create Celestial items that give small(ish) boosts to everything.

 

I’m going to go ahead and say it right now. Bazaar of the Four Winds is the best update to Guild Wars 2 to date. Now, I know everyone won’t agree. And maybe it was just a stroke of luck with the timing and all these things coming together. For now though, I’ve been converted. I’m a fan of the Living Story, and I can’t wait to see what Arenanet gives us next.