Monthly Archives: October 2014

SWTOR Shadow of Revan Press Preview

By Eric Kandel (Misanthropologist)

 

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The team at the helm of Star Wars: The Old Republic has a question for you:

 

Do you like Revan?

 

For the majority of their fans and followers, the answer appears to be a resounding YES. This a good thing, chiefly because the most prominent subject of the upcoming SWTOR expansion, Shadow of Revan, is… yes, you guessed it. Revan.

 

At a recent press event, a few members of the SWTOR (the ever-noteworthy James Ohlen among them) gang sat down to talk a bit about their reflections on the past and their goals for the future. While there was a lot of <REDACTED> and “Soon™”, what specifics we were able to coax out of them seem promising for devoted followers of the franchise.

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The panel began with the usual introductions, the usual recital of player metrics, and the usual vigorous pounding on the Star Wars canon encyclopedia. We were assured that the game remains as true to its roots in the original intellectual property as ever, that the game has survived its transition into the world of F2P dazzlingly well, and that all the people in charge are big, big Star Wars fans. This is standard fare for the team, they like to ride in with trumpets and fanfare, and while it seems a bit rehearsed at times, there’s definitely a lot of vigor put into the performance.

 

After the opening ceremonies were out of the way, we began to gnaw on the bone that would prove to be the day’s main course: “What do SWTOR players want?” This question, more than any other, dominated the conversation and has apparently informed all the team’s major decisions going forward. The answer, they say, is two-fold: fans want more of the old personal stories that formed so much of the game’s original allure, and they want KOTOR 3.

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KOTOR, for those who don’t know, is one of BioWare’s older RPGs, Knights of the Old Republic. It’s their homegrown installment in the Star Wars extended universe. Many people would argue that SWTOR is its spiritual successor in many ways, and, over the years, many people have. The fact that this is the answer the developers have drawn from the community suggests that they have, in fact, been listening to the community. Kudos to them.

 

Revan (again, for those who don’t know) is the protagonist of the original Knights of the Old Republic. Revan is to KOTOR as Shepard is to Mass Effect, essentially, and his name has cast a sizable shadow over the franchise. With multiple cameos in SWTOR, up to and including his own personal cult of devotees, and an entire novella devoted to him, Revan may very well clock in as the Old Republic’s biggest star and most recognizable name. He will be the driving force behind the story of the upcoming expansion, and all the many prominent NPC characters attached to him can be expected to make a very generous showing as well.

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So, where does that leave us? The developers have asked their question and gotten their answer, but how will they address it? What steps do they plan to take to furnish their devoted players with their most fervent desires? The first and biggest answer was, “You’ll see.” There was a lot of vague talk made about implementing a lot great, big new steps in the future, but very little in the way of specifics. There were knowing smiles, nodding heads and firm looks into the camera, but not much explanation. Hopefully, it will suffice to say that there are big plans on the horizon. Much talk was made about “the next big step” in the universe. Take that as you will.

 

What specifics we do know, though, are this: personal class stories are returning in a big way. Old actors and writers have been rounded up and locked into their respective booths to make them happen. The team promises that these stories will resolve any old loose ends that might have been left behind, bring closure to their players, and focus on how these characters then define themselves, and their roles, in the galaxy to come. Again, vague, but one of the greatest criticisms of the whole personal story concept was that it took such a monumental investment of resources to make it work. That the team is apparently willing to pony up that kind of capital suggests a very respectable degree of commitment to giving their players what they want.

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In the first great expansion for SWTOR, there was space combat. Indeed, игровые автоматы вулкан players had been demanding a more engaging form of the game’s airborne dogfighting since its release. That was delivered, and in remarkable form. Next there was player housing, featuring the tremendous guild ships, which had also been a much-requested feature and, again, delivered in remarkable form. Now, it seems, that the players have been demanding story. Once again, the team has stepped up to the plate and they’re pointing quite confidently at the fences. A new planet, a dramatic plot centered around one of the franchise’s most beloved characters, and the return of one of the game’s most sorely missed features?

 

They may hit this one out of the park yet.

TOME: Immortal Arena Takes Part in Raptr Extra Life Weekend Livestream

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The TOME: Immortal Arena development team will livestream KIXEYE’s upcoming brawler MOBA this weekend for a good cause.

 

KIXEYE joins Raptr in its quest to do good with gaming by supporting its Extra Life marathon livestream session this weekend, featuring TOME: Immortal Arena.

 

Tune in to see KIXEYE’s unique approach to the MOBA genre with TOME: Immortal Arena’s focus on fast action and less laning, played by members of the KIXEYE crew, while participating in this great, gaming-for-good cause.

 

DETAILS:

DATE:              Saturday, October 25th
TIME:              1:00-2:00PM PDT
WHAT:             TOME: Immortal Arena livestream with key members of the KIXEYE team
WHERE:              Raptr Twitch Channel
WHY:               Help Raptr reach their $10K Extra Life donation goal!

 

Visit http://www.extra-life.org/ for more information about this organization, and everything they do to benefit kids. #ExtraLife2014

 

Thanks very much, and stay tuned for the next page in the TOME: Immortal Arena playbook!

 

Fiesta Online: Pagel’s Invasion Update Now Available

An icy cold has descended upon the bustling world of Fiesta Online. Pagel, the god of avarice, has reached Isya, and has brought with him the biggest update of all time. His insidious plan involves controlling the thoughts of its inhabitants and monsters with his dark powers. He needs to be stopped at all costs!

The time has finally come: ‘Pagel’s Invasion’, the largest Fiesta Online expansion pack of all time is now available, and adds more than 1,300 new items such as accessories, class-specific armor, weapons, and more than 300 exciting quests, seven brand-new maps and over 70 new monsters.

But that’s only a small part of it: ‘Pagel’s Invasion’ also has more than 10 new levels in store, which also means that the level cap has now been increased to 125.

The God of Greed is corrupting the mysterious cities of the dwarfs, who, together with Pagel, are attempting to gain sole dominion of the whole of Isya. In order to save their world from the dwarfs and Pagel’s influence, which only serves to sow jealousy and greed, players will delve deep into the fantastic and ancient legends of Isya. Your mission is as follows: Stop the invasion of the god Pagel!

New content in ‘Pagel’s Invasion’ at a glance:

  • More than 1,300 new items
  • Over 300 new and exciting quests
  • More than 70 new monsters
  • 7 new maps
  • Level cap increased from 115 to 125
  • A new fearsome world boss

You will find more information on ‘Pagel’s Invasion’ in the forum, on Facebook, and of course directly in the game itself.

Chibi Kart enters Chibi Kart beta test on October 27th

OGPLanet

OGPlanet is pleased to announce that the retro style racer, Chibi Kart, will be entering its first beta test on Monday, October 27th, 2014. Players can sign up to participate in Chibi Kart’s first beta for free at http://www.ogplanet.com. Those keen on being amongst the first to play Chibi Kart will have the opportunity to participate in the First Beta Event, giving them a chance to win prize packs of up to $50 in Astros (OGPlanet’s virtual currency). The currency can be used in any of OGPlanet’s amazing lineup of games including Chibi Kart after its full release.

Take part in the nostalgic kart racing of days with Chibi Kart. Compete in a variety of game modes such as time trial, ghost, or in item mode where you can not only blow your fellow racers up but can also turn them into a turtle or freeze them into blocks of ice in order to blast past them. For those who are team players, invite your friends and form a kart racing crew to compete against other crews in epic team races. Chibi Kart takes on the style of a classic Mario Kart racing game and combines it with unique customization and social features of an MMO. Turning players into an elite MMO Kart Racer.

For more info, visit http://www.ChibiKart.com

Darkfall Unholy Wars: Halloween Event Announced

Darkfall Unholy Wars

Next week, on October 30 and for five consecutive days, Aventurine SA will be hosting a Darkfall Unholy Wars Halloween event with some extra special events and seasonal features never before seen in this successful MMORPG.

“Certain of our beasties around the land have begun to act strangely, taken to gathering sweets and candies for some nefarious purpose.  You need simply slay these ‘strangers’ and take this candy for yourself! These sweetly endowed monsters will change every day.  You will, however, be able to identify them from their distinctly ‘squashed’ appearance. Map Markers will show the locations of the new spawn points every day.” Aventurine SA

Five new special Halloween feats will be haunting your feat window and each one will reward special unique treats as well as prowess. You will also find some horrifyingly awesome new Halloween themed items in the shop! Also be sure to keep a newt’s eyeball out for many other special treats around the land during All Hallows Eve and beyond!

For more info, visit http://www.darkfallonline.com/

TERA: Fate of Arun Expansion Announced

TERA

En Masse Entertainment, a player driven publisher focused on delivering great games and exceptional service, is excited to announce first details for TERA: Fate of Arun, the first expansion to its award-winning action MMORPG, TERA (PC). The mysterious continent of Northern Arun is finally open – and it’s under siege by a soul-sucking bloodmage army. In Fate of Arun, players will explore this lost world, discover the home city of the Barakan race, fight for the freedom of the native Khirians, and take on a powerful new evil.

Fate of Arun represents the first and biggest expansion for TERA to date, featuring a new level cap of 65 and the lands of Northern Arun to explore through a brand-new storyline, new quests, zones, dungeons, skills, gear and a new PvP battleground, in addition to vast systematic improvements to the gameplay experience.

For supporting assets, including a teaser trailer for Fate of Arun titled ‘The Price of Peace,’ first screenshots, and a first-look at the new logo and key art, please head here: http://bit.ly/FateofArun

“It’s been an incredible two years since TERA first launched in North America,” said En Masse Entertainment Producer Patrick “Treeshark” Sun. “Fate of Arun will be, without a doubt, the biggest addition to the world of TERA new and returning players have ever seen – and we’re excited to reveal more details in the upcoming weeks.”

For more info, visit TERA-online.com