Yearly Archives: 2013

City of Steam Arkadia Launch Pack Giveaway

OnRPG has partnered with Mechanist Games to celebrate the self-published return of City of Steam with an Arkadia Launch Pack Giveaway!

ArkadiaGiftPackGraphic2

City of Steam pulls you into a world where time has been twisted and the secrets of the ancients are being rediscovered and retooled to fit the needs of the people. Travel by steam train to various locations in a heavily Steampunk influenced world as you run quests, and build up a unique character in one of the best Unity powered browser MMORPGs on the market today.

The Arkadia Pack Includes:
10× Strong Health Quaff
10× Strong Steam Quaff
1× Level 1 Mod Box
5× Keys
5× Alloys
20× Transmuter Orb
2× Transmuter Coolant
1× Broadcast Ticket
100× Spiremarks
1× Spiked Goggles
1× Vented Goggles
1× Drum Tophat

 

To Redeem your Key:

  • After obtaining your gift code, go to City of Steam: Arkadia website here.
  • Register an account (or sign in if you already have one) and click on the ‘Play Now’ button when servers are up.
  • In game there is a Rewards window, and one of the selections there is a Promo Code option.
  • Copy/paste your code into it, claim it, and check your backpack for the goodies!
  • If you would like to know more about the game or discuss it, please visit the official website and forum.

Warfare

Warfare is a free to play, browser-based strategy/simulation. Choose to specialize in Ground, Air, or Sea forces, overseeing their development, and working between four soldier types and three unit types. Serve under one of four countries and recruit famous generals with unique talents to assist you in battle. Enter the fray in the arena, join in Alliance battles, or face off against world bosses – how will you conquer the Dark Alliance?

Novus Æterno Kickstarter Preview – In Space, No One Can Hear You Conquer

By John Shadle (Sephorus)

 Novus Aeterno Kickstarter Preview 1

Novus Æterno, currently in development by Taitale Studios and in the midst of a funding push on Kickstarter, is billed as “the first fully-realized MMORTS… within a single massive, persistent multiplayer game universe”.  With nearly seven years of development time under its belt and a staff over two dozen strong, the title seems prime to harness some of that tactical and diplomatic intrigue that makes Eve Online one of the most infamous titles on the market to date.  I had the opportunity to take a brief glimpse into Taitale Studios’ vision of the galaxy, and found a game that might not pack the graphical punch of CCP Game’s flagship title, but seems poised to spawn the same kind of sandbox gameplay that makes it so utterly popular.

Novus Aeterno Kickstarter Preview 2

The premise of Novus Æterno is simple – you’re in command of an entire planet, with its resources at your disposal, and an ever growing armada of starships to defend it.  However, how you expand and defend your empire is entirely pliable.  You can turn your small planetary holdings into a trading hub and mining operation and supply other players with goods and ship components in exchange for protection, you can create a small scouting fleet to look for uninhabited planets for an easy – if perhaps brief – colonization, or you can throw together a plethora of gunships and simply bombard your neighboring planets into submission.  There’s no directive from some NPC organization, no time limit, and no scoring system, making the affairs of the galaxy entirely player-driven.  Thankfully, your starting planet is surrounded with a nigh-impervious defensive grid, giving you at least some respite should a nearby player decide that your holdings should be their holdings – and trust me, they will.

Novus Aeterno Kickstarter Preview 3

Unlike most other RTS titles, though, Novus Æterno doesn’t have preset ship configurations based on your selection of race; instead, you’re free to select a ship size and tailor it to a given need.  Need something fast and maneuverable to harass some slower-moving gunships?  Throw some high-speed engines and high-caliber close-quarters cannons on a corvette-class hull and swarm your opposition.  Neighboring planets getting a bit too unruly?  Station some dreadnaughts along your borders and arm them to the teeth with long-range missile pods and fighters.  Mercantilism more your thing?  Outfit a cruiser with cargo bays and be a boon to your friends – or at least, anyone with enough credits.  There’s a lot of potential for flexibility in fleet capabilities, once you take the time to sift through all of the available ship components.

Novus Aeterno Kickstarter Preview 4

Similarly, Novus Æterno takes a modular – and incredibly novel – approach to the old ‘tech tree’ system of unit upgrades in other RTS titles.  Laboratories generate Research Points, which can be used to perform research via combining several theories.  If the combination of theories is sound, a prototype technology will become available, with further research allowing for a refined, mass-producable model.  However, not all theory combinations make for good research potential, making what you research as much of an informed decision as what you build and who you shoot at; the possibility of trading or selling your incredibly-theorized beam cannon arrays to a more militarized empire, though, makes delving into research worth it for just about anyone.

Novus Aeterno Kickstarter Preview 5

Novus Æterno also puts a different spin on the RTS formula by continually expanding the available galaxy for players to cruise around in.  Rather than having thousands of players fight over a single solar system, new stars – complete with orbiting planets – are added as new players enter the game, giving a bit of breathing room before stepping out into the unforgiving void of space.  Mind you, it requires a bit of suspension of disbelief to have planets pop into existence every so often without anyone noticing, but it’s a small price to pay – and a rather clever solution – to make sure that there’s always new territory to conquer.

Graphically, Novus Æterno leans a bit on the simple side, with 2D portraits for player characters and pre-fab ship designs based on hull type; you also won’t find any fancy bloom, depth-of-field, or anti-aliasing options to tweak, making this initially less of a graphical powerhouse.  However, the art assets overall are very well crafted, with a good amount of detail and – dare I say – personality in its painting-styled character portraits, and the detail on each ship is impressive while you realize just how far in you’re able to zoom the galaxy map.  There were a few minor hiccups I noticed along the way – buildings shifting ever so slightly during construction – but it’s hardly a detriment in the grand sceheme of things and something that ultimately is expected and tolerable during the development process.  Music and sound are equally good – not ear-shatteringly awesome, and with a few hiccups and stutters when shifting between planet and galaxy views, but good quality overall when heard without interruption and with enough emotion and style to set the stage for something really, really big.

Novus Aeterno Kickstarter Preview 6

Overall, my time checking out Novus Æterno was pleasant, if woefully short given the massive scope of the game, and while I can’t exactly give any sort of definitive ‘final verdict’ on a game that’s yet to see an official release, the crew at Taitale Studios have put together not only a game for a woefully under-represented MMO genre, but one that puts some unique and interesting spins on some traditional RTS staples.  For that reason alone, Novus Æterno is worth at least keeping an eye on during its march towards release, if not a visit to their ongoing Kickstarter campaign.  In either case, you’ve got plenty of time to plot and scheme over just how many stars you’ll own when the time comes.

 

John Shadle is a reviewer for Game Empire Enterprises, and he’s now wondering just what theories would have to get researched before someone can own the Death Star.

Aura Kingdom Founder’s Packs Offer Early Beta Access And More

Aura Kingdom_Panther Roar

The wait for Aura Kingdom is drawing to a close! Aeria Games, a leading global publisher of free-to-play online games, has begun Founder’s Pack sales for the anime massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). With the fan community reaching a peak of excitement over the gorgeous visuals and unique battle companions, the announcement of Founder’s Beta comes as an early holiday surprise.

Aura Kingdom_Founder Hat

Aura Kingdom Founders will make their mark in the game forever with exclusive in-game titles, items, and the ability to reserve their character name before launch. Four different Founder’s Pack options are available, all of which include access into the exclusive Founder’s Beta phase beginning on December 16th. In addition, all Founders are guaranteed access into Aura Kingdom’s restricted Closed Beta, which will follow shortly after the Founder’s Beta concludes.

Aura Kingdom_Kero Pet

Of course, no Founder’s Pack would be complete without a large collection of valuable items. Several vanity items such as a Tanuki pet and Phantom Wolf mount are available, as well as an exclusive in-game Eidolon that will never be available again! Diamond packs also offer physical items on top of the virtual goods, including a cute plushie and limited-edition Aura Kingdom playing cards featuring unique artwork on each individual card.

For more information on the beta launch schedule, check out the news post on the official website.

Carbine Studios Reveals Engineer and Medic Classes

By Michael Sagoe (Mikedot)

After four weeks of re-reveals, DevSpeak videos, Livestream sessions and a whole lot of new gameplay footage, Carbine Studios is finally ready to pull the curtain on the final two classes that will be available for Wildstar at launch. Say hello to the Engineer and the Medic.

WildStar Engineer

The engineer is primarily a tanker class that uses Heavy Cannons and Heavy Armor in order to attack, hold and stir up enemy threat levels from long distances.  The main resource for engineers is called “Volatility” which can be earned from attacking enemies while in combat. Once enough volatility points have been earned, they can then be used to power up various abilities for tanking or DPS. Along with those abilities, Engineers can also build and command various robots to handle many different situations. These robots can even be personalized and customized with various new parts and equipment.

WildStar Medic

The medic is primarily a healer class that uses Resonators and Medium armor in order to attack enemies and support teammates from close and moderate ranges. Much like the Esper and Spellslinger, Medics will have to make use of two resources instead of one. These resources are called “Focus” and “Power Cells”.  As focus generates while in and out of combat, Power Cells are generated and expended by various Focus abilities. The power of these abilities are determined by the amount of Focus and Power Cells used, so players must juggle between these two resources very carefully in order to succeed. Because medics will have to throw themselves into the middle of a fray in order to use most of their abilities, they will require a lot of skill in order play effectively. In return, their abilities will have the highest healing potential compared to Espers and Spellslingers, along with other abilities such as DOTs that can heal teammates gradually while poisoning enemies at the same time.

So with all the classes revealed, players will have plenty of variety when tackling the quests, dungeons and adventures that await them on Nexus and without delay, as each class comes equipped with the ability to fill two roles, one always being DPS.

WildStar Class Line-up

Warriors, Stalkers and Engineers can either switch their stances and action sets between the role of Tank or DPS, while the Esper, Spellslinger and Medic can switch between Healer or DPS. Personally speaking, this is a brilliant idea as players can customize their abilities to specify either role without feeling too overwhelmed with options. The ability to cover either role should also speed up grouping by reducing the number of DPS stuck in queue, a feeling that I know all too well.

WildStar Nexus Challenges

So with all the classes and features revealed, how much more can Wildstar do to invigorate the MMORPG world? Well you’ll just have to find out for yourself, as a Winter Beta test has been confirmed for this month. For more information on Wildstar and the upcoming Winter Beta, check out our Wildstar profile page!

Lucent Heart Closed Beta Key Giveaway

OnRPG has partnered with SubaGames to welcome back one of the greatest social MMORPGs, Lucent Heart, along with tons of new content including new end-game gear and level 70+ zones, player housing, and even a faith war between the two goddesses!

Lucent Heart is a free-to-play MMORPG with an emphasis on relationship building between players. Whether players decide to search for ancient treasures or dance the night away in Therreal City square, a magical and action-packed journey is no less than expected in the lands of Acadia. Will you take the path of Light or Darkness?

 

To Redeem your Key:

  • Once you have redeemed your key, follow this link to activate it.
  • Log-in to your Suba Games Account. Don’t have one? Click the Sign Up link next to Log In.
  • After logging in to your Suba Games account copy and paste your beta key into the box and click “Activate Beta Key.”
  • Click the big DOWNLOAD button below to download and install the game client
  • Play to your heart’s content! Beta begins December 12th!