Yearly Archives: 2013

OnRPG Shotgun News 7/24: A New MMORPG and a New Studio

By Shannon Doyle (Leliah), OnRPG News Monkey

R2 Announces F2P Mobile MMORPG

Excalibur

Excalibur. Say it again (in your head if you like) but with an English accent.

Excalibur.

An action based side scrolling MMORPG set in the realm of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table from R2 and Elix. Excalibur has three classes to pick from, and combines MMORPG with classic beat ‘em up features. It is available now on the iPhone App store and on Google Play.

 

Industry Vets form Molten Games

Veterans from Blizzard and SOE have come together to form Molten Games, a new studio focusing on F2P AAA online PC games. They haven’t announced their first title yet, but they have announced a multimillion dollar investment from NCSoft. Currently Molten employs 30 people, which they hope to bring to 60 by the end of 2014 and 100 by the time their game launches.

Dragon’s Prophet Wintertide Update

By Jordan Hall (ApocaRUFF), OnRPG Journalist

 

Dragon’s Prophet is one of the most recent games to enter SOE’s library. It features stylized action combat, dragon taming, and an in-depth housing system. This article is all about the recent Open Beta GU 0.2 update – AKA Wintertide – that recently made its way into the game. Some highlights include a whole new zone, a massive increase in number of dragon storage slots, and four new dungeons to explore and beat with your friends. This looks to be a very promising content update for Dragon’s Prophet NA.

 

 

What’s New

The biggest thing to come with this update is the Wintertide continent. Located in the North, it has been in a constant state of warfare for hundreds of years, ever since the Second Dragon War. It is home to the graves of many massive Elder Dragons, and their bones can be found throughout the land, sometimes playing home to a village or town. And it isn’t only the permafrost that makes this place so inhospitable. With the hordes of trolls, Ice Giants, and the Torran Dominion around, it’s unlikely that Wintertide will find peace anytime soon.

 

Dragon's Prophet Dragon Bones

 

One of the new dungeons, and the one I got to see first-hand thanks to SOE, is the Ironfang Fort. This dungeon is home to Ice Giants, has five bosses and can be played at three different difficulty levels. What I liked the most about the dungeon was how interesting some of the bosses were, such as an old she-giant that surrounds herself with food and attacks anyone that threatens her meat-hoard. King Kabbal the Insatiable – who also has an eating disorder – is another incredible boss who will ride into battle with his giant chariot. It will take a lot of strategy and precision to take these guys down, sometimes using objects around the dungeon to help you defeat them.

 

For King Kabbal, you will need to make use of spears that are impaled into the ground. Taking careful aim, you will throw them at his chariot until he is eventually forced off and must fight you on foot. Be careful while he is on his chariot though, as he might just impale you with his spear and take you for a ride. And you can’t let your guard down even after he is on his feet because while he may be a bit clumsy, he hits like a train. I love interactive dungeons like these where you can make use of props to take down the bosses.

 

Dragon's Prophet Frost Giant

 

The content does not stop there, either. Along with the four new dungeons (one of which is a Legendary dungeon!), twelve new Public Quest have been put into the game. These are quests that happen in the local zone (non-instanced) and anyone can join in and complete. Depending on how well you do, you will gain access to a bunch of goodies. New achievements have been added in so that you can show your participation, and Emotes are available so you can congratulate and cheer for those that helped you out.

 

Dragon's Prophet Elemental

 

With all these new quests to do in Wintertide, it’s only natural that a level cap increase has come with it. Crafting and Adventure level caps have been raised to 70. This has unlocked a whole slew of new talents and abilities to make use of. One of which, for the mage, is a super-powerful AOE. Another recent change to the Open Beta is the addition of dodging, something that a lot of people (including myself) wanted in the game.

 

Dragon's Prophet Town

 

Winteride has brought new dragons to tame with it as well. Including two new rare dragons. Now, the guys at Runewaker and SOE are listening to the players and they realized that the original storage limitations of the Dragon Lair were a bit lacking. Because of this, they have added the Dragon Chamber that will allow you to store up to an additional 96 dragons. This is a fantastic addition as the whole point of the game is to capture dragons, often getting multiplies of the same kind while trying to find the perfect set of stats or dragon abilities. Gotta Catch’em All!

 

Dragon's Prophet Wintertide Dragon

 

Besides PVE content, new changes and additions to the housing system have also come. Housing has received a price modification, something that is quite welcome and makes it more accessible. Guilds have gotten the Dragon Sanctuary. Progressing your guild will allow you to unlock the Dragon Sanctuary, and you can even upgrade it for certain bonuses. One of the neatest features of the Sanctuary is the ability to spawn bosses by placing special items you can loot onto an altar. These bosses will grant experience points and even drop loot! If you’re not yet in a guild, it’s probably time to start looking.

 

Conclusion

This is one massive update and so many new things have been added to the game. If you haven’t tried the game yet, or quit because you didn’t like something about it, now would be the time to give it another try. More updates are promised to be on their way, so keep an eye out. Also, the release date for Dragon’s Prophet NA will be announced at the up-coming SOE Live. Auratia is going through some exciting times with the new addition of Wintertide.

Latest PlanetSide 2 Update Rolls Out with GU13

Planetside 2

 

PlanetSide 2‘s Game Update 13 (GU13) is now live, and Sony Online Entertainment has exciting new updates that are sure to fire up battle-ready soldiers, including enabling the Lattice System on Esamir. Esamir has undergone a virtual facelift to help support the addition of lattice connections on the continent, so soldiers must strategize accordingly! Features include enhancements and modifications to a majority of the facilities and outposts on the continent.

 

Planetside 2

 

This update also brings new weapons to the marketplace, including a NS-7 PDW SMG, ideal for medium and short range attacks, and faction pistols — LA3 Desperado (New Conglomerate), TS2 Inquisitor (Terran Republic), and the Cerberus (Vanu Sovereignty).

 

Planetside 2

 

Additional new features with GU13 include: Vanu Sovereignty weapon audio overhaul, improved reticule feedback, a chatbox to the respawn screen, additional platoon leader waypoints (per squad) and tutorial additions.

 

Planetside 2

Summonia

Summonia is a round-based RPG with both classic console strategy elements and MMO qualities. Become a summoner and bring up to four creatures on the battlefield at once. Tame, train, and even sacrifice creatures as you represent your element against foes and other players in this retro-style game.

Solstice Arena

Solstice Arena is a “speed MOBA” (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) designed exclusively for the iPad and iPhone. Featuring fast-paced 3v3 action, gamers can battle against bots alone or with a friend, or against each other for competitive player versus player action. Matches are designed to last on average 10 minutes at most, making the MOBA genre more accessible for mobile gamers.

Features:

Customizable Heroes: With over 10 heroes at launch (and more to follow), each hero can be customized along one of three paths to fit your gameplay. Skins will also be available to help distinguish your favorites on the battlefield.
 
Fast Matches: Matches are designed to last an average of 5-12 minutes, making it easier for gamers to get in and out of matches on a busy schedule.
No Farming: Minions and farming have been eliminated from the typical MOBA gameplay, making the game focused on team play and speed.
Fair to Play Model: Microtransactions will be focused on skins and other cosmetic customization options, aiming to allow all players a fair chance to compete.

 

SMITE’s next Goddess, Chang’e the Moon Goddess, Kit Revealed

An early copy of this week’s SMITE patch notes has been posted on HiRez forums showcasing multiple changes as well as the announcement of the latest Chinese pantheon Goddess, Chang’e. Known best for her signature Moon Festival, Chang’e brings immense sustainability and powerful CC through a kit focused on out thinking her opponent and adjusting her dances to counter any opposition.

SMITE ChangE

PASSIVE – Jade Rabbit

Chang’e can purchase or sell items from anywhere and her Jade Rabbit companion will fetch them. When the rabbit reaches the store then returns, the transaction completes. Only one item can be purchased or sold in this way at a time. Chang’e also gains +25% movement speed with no backpedal penalty when using her dances.

Crescent Moon Dance

Chang’e flings a crescent moon that hits all units in its arc, dealing 80/120/160/200/240 (+50% of your magical power) magical damage to all enemies in its path. Her and her allies gain a 10/15/20/25/30 physical protection buff for 3s.  Cost – 60/65/70/75/80.  Cooldown – 4s.

Moonlit Waltz

Chang’e performs an evasive spin dance, unable to be hit during the action. For each tick of damage from an ability that was avoided, Chang’e restores 20/30/40/50/60 mana to herself and her allies.  Cost – 60.  Cooldown – 16/14/12/10/8s.

Moonflower Dance

Chang’e twirls, scattering flowers around her, and healing herself and all nearby allies for 50/80/110/140/170 (+30% of your magical power). Chang’e heals herself an additional 50% for each god that she heals. Her Moonflower Dance also reduces the healing of all nearby enemies by 50% for 4s.  Cost – 60/65/70/75/80.  Cooldown – 8s.

Waxing Moon

Chang’e’s Waxing Moon dance is captivating, with this dance dealing 175/250/325/400/475 (+100% of your magical power) magical damage and stunning enemies in front of her 1s. Each subsequent god that is stunned is stunned for 1s longer than the previous one.  Cost – 80/90/100/110/120.  Cooldown – 90s.

 

Full patch notes can be found in this thread.

Fight Cancer with MechWarrior Online’s Dedicated Charity Event

Today Piranha Games and Infinite Game Publishing honor the passing of one of the youngest and most talented Canadian pilots in the Inner Sphere, five-year-old Sarah Marie Alida Parries. A custom Jenner Class Chassis Champion ‘Mech, “Sarah’s ‘Mech”, is available now (http://mwomercs.com/sarah) for pilots to purchase for $10 USD through August 20th, with 100 percent of the proceeds (after third-party transaction fees) going to the Canadian Cancer Society (www.cancer.ca.)

 MWO Sarah's Mech

The five year old Vancouver native loved piloting the Jenner ‘Mech in MechWarrior Online with her father, Jon Parries. Calling the enemy ‘Mechs “baddies”, she and her father dominated the Inner Sphere on a regular basis in the current Open Beta. Her favorite ‘Mech chassis was the Jenner ‘Mech with streak SRMs, “because she liked to move fast, lock on, and liked using night vision,” according to her father.

 

“Sarah’s passion for ‘Mechs and her battle with cancer had a profound impact everyone at Piranha,” said Russ Bullock, president of Piranha Games. “She was an inspiration with her passion and energy for the game and our hearts and deepest condolences go out to her family. The outpouring of heartfelt sympathy from the MechWarrior community and the support and encouragement we’ve received to develop this unique ‘Mech has been nothing short of incredible. We have the best fans in the world.”

 

President of Infinite Game Publishing Kelly Zmak said, “Sarah touched the hearts of everyone at IGP. We’re extremely grateful for the opportunity to do something in her honor. Thank you to the Parries for working with us to make this a possibility, and our utmost gratitude to our community for supporting this endeavor.”

 

Proceeds from the sales of Sarah’s ‘Mech will be kept in a running, real-time rally on www.mwomercs.com/sarah. Additionally, a dedicated web page where people will be able to donate to the Canadian Cancer Society and to equivalent internationally recognized cancer societies is now live at alongside the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Click here for more information, screenshots, video of the ‘Mech in action: http://mwomercs.com/forums/topic/127845-sarahs-mech-frequently-asked-questions/.

Sarah’s ‘Mech is equipped with a Sarah-themed custom exterior design (including an Inner Sphere pony!) Sarah’s ‘Mech also comes loaded with a 10 percent XP Boost. This is the one and only time that MechWarriors around the world can purchase this exclusive Charity ‘Mech and show their support to the ongoing fight against cancer. *One hundred percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society, net of applicable Sales Taxes and third-party transaction fees such as credit card and payment processing fees. These fees typically represent less than four percent of the purchase price.

 

Join the fight at www.mwomercs.com.