Yearly Archives: 2013

Galatia Films Partners with MMOHuts/OnRPG to Bring Video Game Swordsmanship to the Big Screen

Reclaiming The Blade

A new film ‘Reclaiming the Blade: Sons of Fire’ will explore the gaming culture, as well as sword crafting and wielding within digital domains. Top online video game websites MMOHuts.com and OnRPG.com will be partnering with Galatia too offer experienced insight on the connection between sword culture and the rise of fantasy MMORPGs to supplement the already star studded documentary.

The online RPG worlds are fascinated with the sword and spend countless hours forging and wielding them. This of course presents a very interesting opportunity for the award-winning filmmakers to learn more about our true fascination with the sword. The first Reclaiming the Blade film featured Lord of the Rings actors Viggo Mortensen, John Rhys-Davies, Karl Urban and Star Wars sword legend Bob Anderson. A #1 on iTunes, it delved deep into the cultural influence of swords in television and movies. The second film, ‘Sons of Fire’ will follow an army of gamers and developers who love the sword just as much, but the filmmakers need your help.

Forging a “real” digital blade and then taking up that weapon and using it in great battles and epic online quests sure is a ton of fun. The second film will leave no digital stone or sword unturned; exploring our love with the blade in games.

Sons Of Fire

In order to truly explore where this fascination with the sword leads, Galatia Films needs your help in getting their finishing funds for the movie and is offering great rewards for those willing to become backers. Will crafting systems and digital blacksmithing become more real than ever? Will the martial prowess and historical movements in digital space become more like their deadly counterparts? Galatia Films, will be exploring these questions and more in the sequel.

Galatia Films is teaming up with both the Starz’ Spartacus series and The Chronicles of Narnia films to help tell the story. Lead actors and sword stunt trainers from this movie and TV show will be interviewed. Additionally Galatia Films is proud to announce that key executives at OnRPG/MMOhut including Darren “DizzyPW” Henderson and MMOHuts spokesman James “Bl0nde” Hunt.

If you like epic swords in games or in the movies, then you will absolutely love this film. Make this film a reality, support Sons of Fire Kickstarter page today before time runs out!

RuneScape 3 Review – A Classic Reborn

By W.B. Wemyss (Tagspeech)

 

Anyone who hasn’t been living under a meatspace rock knows that Runescape is arguably the most popular browser-based MMORPG series in existence.  Personally, I never played Runescape or its sequel, so I was curious to see how the third iteration of the series presented itself.  Long-time fans of the series have reported a bit of dissatisfaction with the re-imagining of a few story elements and factions, but overall it seems that the reception has been largely positive.

 

The basic gist of the game’s storyline (that I could glean from my time with it), was that we have two large factions warring.  One of these factions is in favor of order (Saradomin), the other in favor of chaos (Zamorak).  These factions are apparently named for the living gods that lead them, and given how unapologetic the game is about being a Fantasy Epic™ we shouldn’t be surprised that Team Order is blue, and Team Chaos is red.  You might think this all sounds terribly stereotypical: it is.  But somehow, it doesn’t bother me.  Read on, and I’ll tell you why.

RuneScape 3 Evil Faction

I wonder if he leads the evil faction or not…

 

Classic for the Sake of Classic

This is a game that’s very self-aware.  The player is plopped down into the middle of a medieval fort being stormed by one of the classic fantasy-bad race: trolls.  The first thing you’ll notice is that the game’s graphics are superb for a browser-based title, and that the voice-acting in this introduction is superb.  The tone of the attack has a delightful, cartoonish quality that I found instantly endearing.  This was only made more effective by the use of excellent facial expressions and animations, something that remains consistent throughout the game.

Runescape 3 Discerning Tastes

A man of discerning tastes

 

The end result of this presentation is a game that is, yes, yet another Arthurian fantasy-epic swordfest.  But it never takes itself too seriously.  It has a wonderful sense of humor, and the tutorial quests are hilarious.  There was one in which I was asked to put together a disgusting pie and feed it to a fat, greedy merchant to force him to puke himself into the infirmary.  I remember him asking if it was the “redberry and distressed quail pie” he’d ordered, in the most ludicrously snooty voice I’ve ever heard.  Not often I get a laugh out of an MMORPG,so well done.

 

 

Old School for the Sake of Old School

The UI is one of the first obstacles any new player is going to run into.  After selecting your initial class in the tutorial, most of the instructions are based around showing you how to navigate and fully-utilize the 2002-esque series of menus and pop-up context windows.  It is decidedly old school, and yet somehow, it feels like a breath of fresh air.  Yes, it’s a bit arcane, and yes, the game likes to draw a lot of attention to peripheral content like pickpocketing and crafting and gathering, but that’s just it; that sort of thing isn’t peripheral in Runescape.  Combat isn’t everything.  This game loves to encourage socializing and non-combat activities.

Runescape Heard You Like Menus

Yo dawg I heard you like menus…

 

If you’re coming into Runescape 3 expecting some kind of new era in the saga of competitive, combat-focused browser games, you might be disappointed.  The combat system is basic, bare-bones, and not terribly exciting.  It’s the same kind of action-bar, build-up-points affair that we’ve seen done over and over for the past fifteen years.  But that’s just fine, because Runescape 3 is a game with plenty more to offer than monster-farming.

Good Looking Browser Runescape

Community at Large!

At the time of my playing and the writing of this review, Runescape 3 is still newly minted and hot off the development presses.  The areas I visited were teeming with players; not just noobs, but those proud few that had already rocketed ahead and secured some sweet gear for themselves.  General chat was fairly active and friendly.  But the real magic of Runescape’s community is how old it is; plenty of players are old guard from the first two games.  Their loyalty to the series speaks to how much effort the developers put into maintaining quality and communication with their game’s players.

 

One thing I liked in particular was how many cosmetic options I had, for a game of this scope.  In the premium store I could choose from dozens of different animations, many for the same kinds of actions.  I personally adore being able to replace my animations to further customize my character, and some of them were absolutely hilarious (and very well-made).  The alternate gathering animations were some of the best, with players being able to take apart trees with a boring old axe, or rip into the trunk with their bare hands like some tweaked-out ogre – or even dismantle it in an orderly fashion with the power of magic.  This is all on top of a huge wardrobe selection!  Cue girlish squealing.

 

Technical Difficulties

There are some issues with the game’s technical side, mostly involving their system of email verification and the differences between subscribers (VIPS) and the lowly, unsubscribed peasant masses.  While it’s generally great policy to make your VIPs feel like VIPs, the game goes a bit too far, in my opinion.  It will consistently award you with swanky quest items, only to reveal immediately that while it’s taking up space in your inventory, you can’t use it, because you aren’t a subscriber.  Do you want to dual-wield swords?  Too bad!  Subscribe.  Want to go to many different areas of the world?  Subscribe, or you’re not allowed.

 

It’s almost as if Runescape 3 is trying to strong-arm me into subscribing by dangling prizes in front of my nose – that’s fine, plenty of games do that.  But Runescape goes the extra mile by taking some of those prizes and slapping me across the face with them.  It’s a little irritating.

 

There’s also the fact that you can only play for seven days without verifying your email.  I think that’s a little weird, but it shouldn’t prove to be an obstacle to most players.  I suppose it’s just one more barrier between spammers/farmers and the game.

 

Runescape By-the-power-of-Greyskull!-

Final Verdict: Excellent

Well, what were you expecting, really?  Aside from plain-vanilla combat and some minor technical issues, Runescape 3 is a premiere browser-based MMORPG experience.  The game clearly has the backing of both a development team and a community that love it dearly, and the sheer number of non-combat paths and options a player can take make it truly unique among the sea of hack n’ slash, linear action MMORPGs.  For the social, community-minded player, Runescape is the place to be.  You can even RP there, if you want!  Don’t worry.  I won’t tell anyone.

 

“Tagspeech also goes by the name W.B.Wemyss, but only when she writes outrageous fiction novels like Children of Athena.

Aeria Games Announces Aura Kingdom at Otakon 2013

Aura Kingdom

 

A vibrant new world of adventure is in store with Aura Kingdom from Aeria Games, a leading global publisher of free-to-play online games! Fans attending Aeria’s panel at Otakon 2013 over the weekend were treated to the official reveal of the incredible new massively multiplayer online role-playing game. Developed by X-Legend, creators of perennial fan-favorites Eden Eternal and Grand Fantasia, Aura Kingdom promises an unparalleled journey illustrated in a rich, gorgeous anime art style.

Aura Kingdom is the highest quality game we’ve ever seen in its genre, and we’re very glad to be able to share it with the eager fans at this event,” said JT Nguyen, Chief Operating Officer, Aeria Games. “We have high expectations that this game will resonate well with our community and are excited to work with such talented developers once again.”

 

Aura Kingdom

 

Players in Aura Kingdom will encounter unique interactive companions that play an integral role in their journey. Far more than simple pets, these companions grow more formidable over the course of the game and gain powerful combat abilities—including joining with the player to initiate spectacular combo attacks. The companions can also go on errands and retain memories of all their adventures, frequently conversing with the player about their past exploits and battles.

Customization is also a major focus of Aura Kingdom, particularly when it comes to player abilities. Players initially choose from one of the eight classes available, but along the way they are able to select a secondary weapon normally wielded by one of the remaining classes. They can also freely choose which skills to power up to suit their play style, and are encouraged to change those skills around frequently in order to meet any challenge they face.

 

Aura Kingdom

 

Aura Kingdom will launch simultaneously in both English and French languages, with more languages planned for the future. Aura Kingdom will be free to download, and like all Aeria Games titles, will be free-to-play.

Qin’s Moon

Based on the animation by the same name, Qin’s Moon is an online simulation game taking place in the historical Qin Dynasty in China. Several gameplay elements will add to the depth of the game, including the ability to rebuild the castle with Tian-Ming Siu-yu, and collecting their favorite animated characters to overthrow the Qin regime.

LEGO Legends of Chima Online

LEGO Legends of Chima Online is a free-to-play MMORPG set in the Legends of Chima toy and cartoon series by LEGO. Play as a warrior from the Eagle, Bear, Gorilla, or Lion clans. Use LEGO’s construction sets to build your own outpost, and your own weapons, armor, and gadgets. Then set foot on an adventure to battle for CHI.

Features:

Design Your Outpost: Collect, build, and upgrade over a dozen building types, each of which offers unique powers and abilities for your character.

Build Your Own Equipment: Use LEGO building instructions and collected bricks to customize your play style and earn rewards.

A Giant World: Explore massive environments filled with hidden secrets and treasures to uncover, like the Forest of Falling Leaves and the Great Divide.