Monthly Archives: January 2014

Tribal Wars 2: Cross-Platform Gameplay and Going Native for Mobile

TW2_Cross-Platform

Today InnoGames released additional information on its strategy online game Tribal Wars 2, describing the technical basis of the company’s first native cross-platform game. The browser component is a combination of the Open source-framework AngularJS, created by Google, and Javascript Canvas. Mobile access will be granted via native Apps – those use additional COCOS2D frameworks on iOS and Java as well as Libgdx on Android. All mobile versions will be optimized for touchscreen-use on numerous devices. 100.000 players already pre-registered for the upcoming closed beta phase.

Unlike its browser-based predecessor, which added crossplay via iOS and Android-Apps later, Tribal Wars 2 was planned to take full advantage of cross-platform possibilities. Therefore the game had to be streamlined on browser, tablets and smartphones in terms of technical basis and gameplay. “Our goal was to make all parts of gameplay feel and interact with the players the best way possible – on all platforms. At the same time, the performance had to meet our standards,” says Marc Kamps, Producer of Tribal Wars 2. “We experimented with multiplatform-solutions like HTML 5, but in the end, going native allowed us to take full advantage of the mobile devices’ processing power and touchscreen displays.” Kamps adds.

TW2_browser

Players can already pre-register for the game’s beta on www.tribalwars2.com. Tribal Wars 2 sports state-of-the-art graphics and will later be released as cross-platform for Android, iOS and all browsers. Therefore, players can set up one account for all platforms and play from whichever combination of devices they choose. In the recently released announcement Video, members of the team and InnoGames co-founder Hendrik Klindworth, are describing their visions for the game and upcoming features.

In Tribal Wars 2, players find themselves as leader of a small village in the midst of a medieval world. Tasked with growing and expanding their empire within a war-torn landscape, they have to fight in order to survive. The MMO’s focus is real-time strategic battles with and against other players. Tribal Wars 2 will be released as cross-platform game for Android, iOS and all browsers. Therefore, players can set up one account for all platforms and play from whichever combination of devices they choose.

Dragon Nest Launches Requiem of Twilight Update

Dragon Nest Requiem Of Twilight

Nexon America’s top tier Action MMORPG, Dragon Nest, brings greater dangers, more balance, and a new hardcore mode Dragon Nest to ring in the year of the horse with a bang.

DragonNestUpdate11

Players have battled the evil clones of the dark scientist Jasmine for a full year, and now they will have the opportunity to face her head-to-head in the third Abyss expansion mission – Jasmine’s Last Stand. Or if you really want to feel the pain, players can take on the Desert Dragon Nest in hardcore mode.

Dragon Nest Talismans

But beyond the balance changes, players will have a new weapon to wield against these powerful foes. The new Talisman system, powerful new refined Lustres capable of boosting your stats or utility to previously unreachable heights.

Full details of the patch including balance changes can be found on the official Dragon Nest post here.

Hero of the Obelisk Preps New Content Update

The popular anime-style MMORPG, Hero of the Obelisk, is set to launch a major content update in early February. The new update will introduce new hero levels, a new PvP arena and an overall upgrade to gameplay.

Introduced will be new hero levels past level 50 with exclusive titles and permanent special wings. An entirely new type of dungeon will also make its debut and will have players defending a tower for handsome rewards.
Not a fan of PVE? The update will also launch a new Arena for avid battlers to duel (this mode will support spectators).

If you’re already itching to have a go at Hero of the Obelisk, there have already been some improvements and features available including new and revised skills to the majority of the classes plus a new open field for levels 20 and 50 dedicated to fierce PvPvE combat. Additionally, the highly competitive and all-out war Siege Battle is opened to all guilds which allow up to 200 players to duke it out for the privilege and honor of ruling Trinzel!

Hero of the Obelisk

Players can prepare for the ultimate battle by registering now at http://hoto.gbegames.com/

Black Gold Online: New Class Spellsword Announced

Black Gold Spellsword Fly

Today Snail Games unveiled a new class for their steampunk-themed massively-multiplayer online role-playing game, Black Gold Online. New to the roster is the Spellsword, protégée of wielding devastating sorcery and exceptional swordplay.

Black Gold Spellsword Concept Art

Refined through years of conflict and adaptation, the Spellswords achieved magical prowess nearly unequalled in the land of Montel. Through the mastery of elemental forces, the Spellswords are able to fortify themselves at expense of their foe, sapping the life force and constraining the enemy into speechless misery. Agility and speed paired with explosive strength are the hallmark of these magic-wielding swordsmen.

Black Gold Spellsword Attack

Spellswords are capable of wielding magic to boost their strength and cripple their opponents. They are exceptionally balanced and highly adaptable to fit any role on the battlefield, making them an excellent base unit for enhancing a team’s strength. Read more on Black Gold Online’s official site.

War Thunder: New Tanks and Map Available in Ground Forces

WT Ground Forces Is-1_hd

Gaijin Entertainment today announced that an array of new tanks has been added to the second wave of the Closed Beta for the Ground Forces expansion in War Thunder. Players can now test their tank warfare skills on, among others, Tiger I, IS-1, KV-2, SU-85, T-34-85 and Jagdpanzer IV.

The update also includes the release of Kuban – a brand new, challenging map that is available to all players in Ground Forces.

WT Ground Forces KV-2_hd

All new tanks waiting to be tested in Ground Forces include:

USSR:

  • KV-2 1939
  • IS-1
  • T-34 1942
  • T-34-85 (D-5T)
  • SU-85

Germany:

  • PzKpfw III Ausf.M
  • PzKpfw IV Ausf.H
  • Jagdpanzer IV (L48)
  • PzKpfw VI Ausf.H1

 

You can read all about the changes in the Closed Beta of Ground Forces in the updated FAQ here.

Nether Adds Motorcycles, Team Formations and A New Objective

Phosphor Games Studio has added a new set of features to their first-person urban survival FPS title, Nether. This new update allows players to live out their own motorcycle diaries (but way tougher with apocalyptic creatures roaming around) with the inclusion of motorbike today. Along with a new way to get around the city ruins, Nether is also launching a group system that allows survivalists to create tribes, which allows players to group chat and see teammates’ locations on the map.

A new mission type has been added called “Escort Missions” where users have to bring a heavy box with a glowing beacon to shopkeepers in Safezones. The box attracts nethers and you can’t use weapons while holding the box, so players must pair up with others to successfully complete the objective. Lastly, a handful of new cosmetic gear is now available, including a motocross helmet, ski masks and more.

For more information, visit http://www.playnether.com/

SMITE Welcomes New God Geb and a New Arena Map

SMITE Geb Art

Hi-Rez Studios has announced the launch of its latest update for SMITE, introducing Geb and a new Arena map.

Geb is a Guardian that relies on earth-based abilities to cause shock and awe among his enemies. Abilities such as Roll Out, where Geb morphs into a massive ball of rolling earth to deal damage and slow enemies. The god of Earth’s ultimate ability is called Cataclysm; Geb pulls apart the earth on which his enemies are standing to stun and pummel them with magical damage. More about Geb can be seen in this week’s earlier preview, or in the new god reveal video below.

When selecting Arena mode players will now enter into a two-map rotation between the “traditional” Arena map and a new Arena map. This new map features a fully updated art style and the Manticore. The Manticore will spawn after every 10 player kills on a side. If your side can escort it through the other team’s portal, that team loses 10 points.

New Titans have also replaced the Minotaurs in Conquest mode. Read the full patch notes here.